Opinions on my thought process?

[tampabull]

I've started the search for the perfect diamond and am in the process of deciding where my preferences lie for all of the variables when it comes to stone shopping. I just wanted to see if I could get some opinions on my thought process and make sure I'm not making any amateur mistakes or incorrect decisions.

I'm only considering RB diamonds, and will probably be going with a solitaire setting.

Size: I'm leaning toward a 1.5+, and am also looking for a stone with 7.3-7.4mm dimensions. My concern here is that a 7.4 might be too spready, but some of the stones in this range are <2 on the HCA with VG cut grades on the GIA cert, so I'm assuming that means that they aren't poor performers? (I've seen some shallow stones that have huge "dead spots" in the middle).

Color: I feel that my budget puts me in the H/I range. I've seen both stones in person and compared them to D stones and don't see much of a difference. I lean toward the H though, because if I can find a stone that falls in my budget, all other things equal, I obviously prefer the H to the I.

Clarity: I've seen stones in person, and think that my budget allows for a SI1/SI2 stone. I prefer the SI1 due to the fact that I've seen some SI2's where I can see the inclusions if I look very closely. I'm also thinking that if I can find a stone with few inclusions directly under the table, they will be less visible when seen under the facets farther toward the outside of the diamond.

Fluoro: This isn't a "deal breaker" but I feel that I'd prefer a diamond with light or medium blue Fluoro on the assumption that all of the information I read about fluorescence making non-colorless stones appear whiter.


I'm also shopping online, so I'm thinking that when I find the right stone, I can order it, have it appraised, and then have it set. Is there anything else important that I should do / not do after purchasing online?

I think this stone meets all of my requirements but wanted to see if there are any glaring reasons it wouldn't make a good option following what I've described above:

http://lumeradiamonds.com/diamonds/detail/37835257

It's the right carat and spread (provided my assumptions are correct), H/SI which is my preference, and scores a 1.1, EX, EX, EX, VG on HCA. I also like the fact that the plotted inclusions on the GIA report aren't under the table, which I'm thinking will make it a more "eye clean" stone.

I feel like I'm almost to the point where I'd buy this one, but just wanted to get some reassurance that none of my assumptions are far off?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Skippy123]

the difference between a 7.3 and 7.4 isn't much so I don't think you need to worry about it being spready. Sounds like you did a lot of research. I think the HCA is to weed out bad preformers not as a tool to select diamonds, so if you have an ACA there and the score is a 1.8 on the HCA and another stone is a .8 on the HCA I wouldn't kick that stone out of bed. can't wait to see which stone you find! Oh and some SI1's aren't eye clean so I would verify if it is eye clean and the vendors definition of eye clean.

do they have actual pics of the diamond so you can see the inclusion?

 

[tyty333]

Add this to your list...we probably can assume you already know this but for any newcomers that
want to follow your thought process.

-stick with GIS/AGS graded stoned

Edit - everthing looked good with your thinking. Work with a vendor that can evaluate for eye cleanliness and someone
you can get idealscope image from.

 

[Modified Brilliant]

Tampa bull,

You are in great hands with the helpful PS group here!

My only comment to you is that I am also a Tampa bull (hopefully we are talking about USF Tampa Bulls!

Now, back on topic.....

Jeff
USF Tampa, Alumni 1978

 

[Dreamer_D]

I would suggest buying from an online company that can provide photos of the stone if you want an SI1 or Si2, at least, and better yet has the stone in their possession (or can call it in) to examine whether it is eye clean.

What is your budget?

ETA: The HCA score is a tool telling you further evaluation is a good plan. With a GIA VG I would personally want to have an ideal scope image or very good photographs of the diamond. It is risky to drop from EX cut grade and that stone you are considering has unusual proportions that may work or may not work so well.

 

[Christina...]

I agree with Dreamer. GIA ex cut grade is considered by many to already to be too wide of a range, by moving into a VG cut you increase your risk. There are many VG cuts that will score well on the HCA however many of them are better for earrings or pendents than for engagement rings, so you will need more information and guidance if you find a VG cut that you are interested in. I found a VG cut, but I used a lot of caution and guidance from the more veteran PSers here to help me, and it wasn't an endeavor that I would have felt comfortable with on my own without guidance and reflector technologies to help me.

I also agree that you should work with a vendor that can offer you magnified images of the stone if you are shopping for an SI, I've seen eye clean I1's and included SI1's and you can always (almost never) tell by the plot on the certificate. It's also important to be clear as to what eye clean means to you....clean from face up? from the side? from 6 inches? 12? It differs from person to person and often from vendor to vendor.

To my knowledge, HCA is pass/fail. under 2 passes over 2 fails. It matters little if 1 stone scores a 1.8 and another scores .8. someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Haven]

I agree with Dreamer. GIA ex cut grade is considered by many to already to be too wide of a range, by moving into a VG cut you increase your risk. There are many VG cuts that will score well on the HCA however many of them are better for earrings or pendents than for engagement rings, so you will need more information and guidance if you find a VG cut that you are interested in. I found a VG cut, but I used a lot of caution and guidance from the more veteran PSers here to help me, and it wasn't an endeavor that I would have felt comfortable with on my own without guidance and reflector technologies to help me.

I also agree that you should work with a vendor that can offer you magnified images of the stone if you are shopping for an SI, I've seen eye clean I1's and included SI1's and you can always (almost never) tell by the plot on the certificate. It's also important to be clear as to what eye clean means to you....clean from face up? from the side? from 6 inches? 12? It differs from person to person and often from vendor to vendor.

To my knowledge, HCA is pass/fail. under 2 passes over 2 fails. It matters little if 1 stone scores a 1.8 and another scores .8. someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

You're correct that a .8 is not necessarily a better performer than a 1.8. However, it's important to note that a score under 2 is not a pass, rather it's just worth further investigation. People often call the HCA a weed out tool, it's very important to remember that it's not a selection tool.

 

[Christina...]

I agree with Dreamer. GIA ex cut grade is considered by many to already to be too wide of a range, by moving into a VG cut you increase your risk. There are many VG cuts that will score well on the HCA however many of them are better for earrings or pendents than for engagement rings, so you will need more information and guidance if you find a VG cut that you are interested in. I found a VG cut, but I used a lot of caution and guidance from the more veteran PSers here to help me, and it wasn't an endeavor that I would have felt comfortable with on my own without guidance and reflector technologies to help me.

I also agree that you should work with a vendor that can offer you magnified images of the stone if you are shopping for an SI, I've seen eye clean I1's and included SI1's and you can always (almost never) tell by the plot on the certificate. It's also important to be clear as to what eye clean means to you....clean from face up? from the side? from 6 inches? 12? It differs from person to person and often from vendor to vendor.

To my knowledge, HCA is pass/fail. under 2 passes over 2 fails. It matters little if 1 stone scores a 1.8 and another scores .8. someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

You're correct that a .8 is not necessarily a better performer than a 1.8. However, it's important to note that a score under 2 is not a pass, rather it's just worth further investigation. People often call the HCA a weed out tool, it's very important to remember that it's not a selection tool.

Thanks Haven,your right I should have clarified that. A score under 2 to me means that it passes to the short list, (get more information) not that it passes and it's a keeper! Thanks for pointing that out!

 

[tampabull]

Thanks very much for the tips, I didn't realize the VG cut grade was so concerning, but I'll definitely look into that further.

Jeff: Yes I'm a USF Alum also!

Very helpful information all. So now I'm thinking if I could find a similar stone to the one I listed but held a cut grade of EX from GIA, I'd be better off.

Does the fact that I want a 1.5 that's 7.4mm mean that it'll be outside of EX cut grade for being too shallow? or is that not unheard of for dimensions of a 1.5?


ALSO: What are some of the better online vendors who have Idealscope images and/or photos? I had been looking at Bluenile and Lumera for general price comparison so far, but would be curious to know what vendors you can get the most info from. I've heard a lot of talk about WF, GOG, and JamesAllen

 

[tampabull]

Talked to a rep at Whiteflash today, seems their policy for Virtual Collection stones is that they'll bring them in for imaging and analysis for you. If you don't buy, you pay to ship back.

My thought now is to find a GIA EX cut stone that meets my other criteria and is <2 on HCA. Can I reasonably expect a stone to perform well based on those two factors (assuming H/I color and SI1 Clarity)? I figure I'll have WF image the stone so I can see for sure prior to purchase, and then buy it if it checks out.

Return freight is around $150, so I'm trying to make sure I get the best stone "on paper" before having them bring one in for imaging.

 

[Dreamer_D]

The best prices I have heard of for GIA stones from a reputable PS vendor who can take photos and ideal scope images and all those good things is ID Jewelry. Tell them you are a Pricescope member.