Opinions Please

[BAM54321]

My wife wants a heart shaped diamond. I know they are not very popular, but she is dead set on it. I am giving serious thought to buying this stone and would like some feed back.

1.06 Ct. -G-VS2
6.24x 7.11x 4.10
Depth: 57.7
Table: 60
Girdle: Thin to Very Thick , faceted
Sym: Very Good
Cutlet: None
Polish: Good
Flor: None
GIA: 16418835

My concerns: The polish, the GIA says "additional clouds are not shown," and price ( I would be paying about 4600 for the stone). The jeweler claims the stone is very well cut and shows better that others of similar price range. He also claims that it looks larger than some others I brought in on paper that were somewhat cheaper. I have seen it and it does look good (although the color appears to be borderline G/H vs. G.).

Thanks

 

[John P]

Date: 10/15/2009 6:07:28 PM
Author:BAM54321

The polish, 'additional clouds are not shown,'

Some people can detect differences in G polish vs VG and above. You can compare the adamantine finish of the facets to another diamond - one with VG+ polish - or use a loupe and explore it under magnification. As for the clouds comment, no worries. This means they are non-issues; the grader made that note for sake of thoroughness.

The jeweler claims the stone is very well cut and shows better that others of similar price range. He also claims that it looks larger than some others I brought in on paper that were somewhat cheaper. I have seen it and it does look good (although the color appears to be borderline G/H vs. G.).

Hearts are fashioned more for shape appeal than performance. As such you must really decide what you think, rather than holding it to a performance standard. In this case color & clarity become exaggerated in their importance to me, so be sure you are familiar with where the inclusions are in this VS2. In particular, check the point for inclusions.

A primary cut feature to look for is the presence of a bow tie. This is an area of darkness under the table along the width of the diamond. In cut analysis it's something any gemologist will look for in this shape - it's desirable if the bow tie is not significant. If it appears very dark or large it can distract from the diamond's appeal.

You said you thought the diamond was G-H in color. If you're comparing it to rounds that is not surprising as rounds are more efficient at returning light and will usually look a bit brighter/lighter. If you want to do more analysis view the diamond table-down, along the diagonal, against a white background under fluorescent lights to see what the grader saw. Wear neutral-colored clothing. I can't tell you how many times someone wearing a tan or yellow top sees yellow in a diamond. In this shape also check the color face-up and compare it to what you saw face-down. It will usually be darkest through the lobes.

Pricing is in-line with other GIA G VS2 heart shapes of that size. The length-width ratio is a bit short but these shapes vary and if it's pleasing to your eye (meaning, if it LOOKS like a nice cozy heart to you) it's not something to be overly concerned with.

Have you considered how you will set the stone, and is the same jeweler going to do this for you?

 

[BAM54321]

Mr. Pollard- I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. The stone is an upgrade and will be set by the jewler in a platinum ring my wife already has. I will look for the bow tie you mentioned ( I have seen one in a stone before). How did you determine that the length to width ratio is a bit short? You mentioned color and clarity become a bit exaggerated in their importance for you with this shape- why so? Could I likley go lower and be equally pleased (my wife is not as picky as me and she couldn''t tell the difference between an E and a G when we looked).

Thanks so much

 

[stone-cold11]

Length is 7.11mm, Width is 6.24mm. So the L/W ratio is 1.14. AGA cut grades refers to 1A/B grade with a 0.98-1.02 L/W ratio. But it is a personal preference thing, if it looks pleasing to you, that is all that matters.

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/fnc3.asp

 

[John P]

Date: 10/15/2009 7:30:16 PM
Author: BAM54321
Mr. Pollard- I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. The stone is an upgrade and will be set by the jewler in a platinum ring my wife already has. I will look for the bow tie you mentioned ( I have seen one in a stone before). How did you determine that the length to width ratio is a bit short? You mentioned color and clarity become a bit exaggerated in their importance for you with this shape- why so? Could I likley go lower and be equally pleased (my wife is not as picky as me and she couldn't tell the difference between an E and a G when we looked).

Thanks so much

You're welcome.

LWR: This heart's length-to-width ratio is a bit short, or wide, at 0.88:1 (divide 6.24 by 7.11). But this is completely subjective. If you prefer a wide heart rather than a tall one this is more your style. GIA teaches the preferred range as 1:1-1.25:1 (they prefer tall) but in terms of deviation it's only 0.12 under that "magic" 1:1 and probably quite attractive. In any case no one can tell you what to like in a shape like this.

Color and clarity are exaggerated in importance, to me, because in this shape you will not have the kind of angles which return light in such a dynamic way that face-up color is reduced or inclusions are masked. In that sense I look for higher colors and clarities in these shapes. But your mileage may vary.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

Date: 10/15/2009 6:51:39 PM
Author: John Pollard

Date: 10/15/2009 6:07:28 PM
Author:BAM54321

The polish, ''additional clouds are not shown,''

Some people can detect differences in G polish vs VG and above. You can compare the adamantine finish of the facets to another diamond - one with VG+ polish - or use a loupe and explore it under magnification. As for the clouds comment, no worries. This means they are non-issues; the grader made that note for sake of thoroughness.

The jeweler claims the stone is very well cut and shows better that others of similar price range. He also claims that it looks larger than some others I brought in on paper that were somewhat cheaper. I have seen it and it does look good (although the color appears to be borderline G/H vs. G.).

Hearts are fashioned more for shape appeal than performance. As such you must really decide what you think, rather than holding it to a performance standard. In this case color & clarity become exaggerated in their importance to me, so be sure you are familiar with where the inclusions are in this VS2. In particular, check the point for inclusions.

A primary cut feature to look for is the presence of a bow tie. This is an area of darkness under the table along the width of the diamond. In cut analysis it''s something any gemologist will look for in this shape - it''s desirable if the bow tie is not significant. If it appears very dark or large it can distract from the diamond''s appeal.

You said you thought the diamond was G-H in color. If you''re comparing it to rounds that is not surprising as rounds are more efficient at returning light and will usually look a bit brighter/lighter. If you want to do more analysis view the diamond table-down, along the diagonal, against a white background under fluorescent lights to see what the grader saw. Wear neutral-colored clothing. I can''t tell you how many times someone wearing a tan or yellow top sees yellow in a diamond. In this shape also check the color face-up and compare it to what you saw face-down. It will usually be darkest through the lobes.

Pricing is in-line with other GIA G VS2 heart shapes of that size. The length-width ratio is a bit short but these shapes vary and if it''s pleasing to your eye (meaning, if it LOOKS like a nice cozy heart to you) it''s not something to be overly concerned with.

Have you considered how you will set the stone, and is the same jeweler going to do this for you?

Man oh man are you thorough and impressive! I really wish your office was near Plattsburg NY or Burlington Vermont I would not hesitate to call you up for an appraisal.