Opinions / thoughts on "Steep Deep" Idealscope image

[Navstar]

Hi Everyone,
I'd appreciate some input regarding a "steep - deep" diamond I've purchased. I don't really have an opportunity to compare it to an AGS ideal diamond, but for what its worth, it looks good to me. (cue the "If it looks good to you comments"
The JA Gemologist commented:
"It has great fire, brilliance, and scintillation and is very eye catching. It has a nice, white “G” color and appears completely eye clean. It’s beautifully cut and comes highly recommended"
In all fairness, the other 2 diamonds in the evaluation weren't great. (HCA 3-4)

Here are the stats:

6.42 - 6.44 x 3.95 mm
Carat Weight 1.00 carat
Color Grade G
Clarity Grade SI1
Cut Grade Excellent
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Excellent

Fluorescence Faint

Depth 61.5 %
Table 58 %
Crown Angle 35.5°
Crown Height 15.0%
Pavilion Angle 41.0°
Pavilion Depth 43.0%
Star Length 50%
Lower Half 80%
Girdle Medium, Faceted, 3.5%
Culet None


The diamond has a knot on the underside which intersects one of the pavilion facets and it scores a 4 on the HCA.
I've included pictures of the idealscope, the GIA Cert and the link for the JA website.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-524139

I've read a fair amount of online literature regarding the Steep-Deep phenomena which has been reported once CA/PA go beyond 35/41.
A lot of the concerns are understandably due to light leakage. I'm pleased by the comparatively less white areas under the table on the idealscope image, but also appreciate the lack of darkness in some of the arrows. I haven't been able to see a "ring of death" during the brief and secretive assessments I have made whilst my GF is not at home. I also couldn't help notice that the depth is 61.5% (61.43% if I calculate in manually). This value doesn't seem as deep compared to some others of similar proportions.

How much light leakage do you feel this stone is portraying?
Has the idealscope image been captured inappropriately?
What do the faint black arrows tend to mean?
Does it look like the knot has interfered with the light performance?

I'm still within my 30 day return period, but am leaning towards presenting this ring / stone. I would appreciate people's thoughts and opinion's (I know full well that PS users are generally after the ideal cut, so I'm braced for what's about to come )

Thanks,
Nav

 

[D_]

This is not too too steep & deep

How much light leakage do you feel this stone is portraying? little
Has the idealscope image been captured inappropriately? not enough to constitute as a ground for harassment
What do the faint black arrows tend to mean? black arrows show contrast, reflection of the camera. irl it may look black if your head is blocking the light, at other angles they look splintery white.
Does it look like the knot has interfered with the light performance? from the video likely not. Not the grade-making inclusion either

 

[diamondseeker2006]

It's not horrible by any means. But for me, personally, if I am spending that kind of money, I'd want one with a great idealscope image. There are soooo many 1 ct stones, why settle for less than one of the best cut ones?

 

[Navstar]

Thank you both for responding. Your input is very welcomed.

@diamondseeker2006,

"that kind of money" in this scenario equates to $5375 for the diamond, which was discounted from $5560 after using the "Ringhunt" voucher code whilst it was still active.
NB - JA do not allow you to stack voucher codes, so I couldn't use the pricescope discount as well.

The setting which the stone is in is the following: PLATINUM CUSHION OUTLINE PAVE ENGAGEMENT RING SKU:17086P
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-cushion-outline-pave-engagement-ring-item-49998

Which I understand may allow light to enter through the bottom and slightly help with the steep - deep light leakage.

One big factor for me is the fact that I am buying from the UK and therefore also have to pay ~20% duty tax on the entire ring
I stuck to using JA due to the ease at which I could visually browse diamonds and also because they have a relatively robust shipping and international returns policy. The pave diamonds in that setting are average F-G color and I was advised by another online site to not drop below H color when looking for a center diamond in a halo ring using F-G colors.
Like a lot of others I only really started to educate myself about the finer details of diamond cut once I had made my purchase.
Even whilst the ring was being made I struggled to find an alternative eye clean G-H color stone which was around that price range and had a better HCA score or appearance. I still occasionally check and I'm not finding much.

Kind regards,
Nav

 

[D_]

Makes sense.
Price is pretty fair for the stats so may be challenging to find better cut stones within that price range, unless you are open to looking at virtual inventory with no video/less pictures (I am assuming you have used the diamond finder feature above).
Maybe others can chime in soon - I can't see major red flags here.
It has a great potential to be beautiful.

 

[gm89uk]

Hi Navstar,

If you are willing to go to an H, this is an eye clean SI2 (will have to confirm with JA) with better proportions, and IMO light performance. bigger spread too.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.09-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-584220

I suppose it may be counter intuitive to pay $200 for lesser clarity and colour. But the trade off is light performance and carat (and the premium for true hearts), what will your SO notice? I think an eyeclean SI2 is a great bargain.

For a big saving:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.98-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-588461.. Rated AGS 0 for light performance although the contrast doesn't look fantastic on that video. The inclusion on the periphery is prongable in my opinion. Same spread as your original diamond

 

[Navstar]

Thanks for your input gm89uk and D_
I didn't think it was possible for a diamond with non ideal symmetry to be given the True Hearts tag.
Both those diamonds are remarkably clean looking for SI2's and the video's look good.
You've definitely given me some food for thought. I had stopped looking at SI2's because from my experience they are rarely eye clean.
I have 2 weeks in which to make a decision. I suspect what I will do is present this ring and then ask my SO if she would like to opt for something different. Should be easier if we compare the diamond with others in person and decide whether its worth changing it for something lies within both GIA excellent and AGS ideal parameters. Although I'd imagine this would involve making a trip to Hatton Garden, which sounds dreadful.

Cheers everyone,
Nav