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Picked A Diamond- Your Thoughts?!

heather2012

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jan 1, 2012
Messages
155
Hi, I am curious to know what you think of the specs for the following diamond? I just recently heard about the whole HCA thing, and when I plugged the number's in the diamond received a total visual performance of 3.6. As follows:

Light Return: Very Good
Fire: Good
Scintillation: Good
Spread: Very Good

I am concerned that the Fire and Scintillation didn't score so high on the report, I want the diamond to be as sparkley as ever! Do you think this score is truly indicative of how it will perform? Can someone tell me why it didn't score that high if it fell within the appropriate ranges? The GIA measurements are below. ALSO, what would be a good price for this diamond?!

GIA REPORT:
Round Brilliant

Measurements:8.15 - 8.21 x 5.10 mm
Carat Weight: 2.10 carat
Color Grade: H
Clarity Grade:SI1
Cut Grade: Excellent

Proportions:
Depth: 62.4%
Table:56%
Crown Angle: 35.0°
Crown Height: 15.5%
Pavilion Angle:41.2°
Pavilion Depth:43.5%
Star Length:50%
Lower Half: 80%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted (3.5%)
Culet:None

Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence:None
 
The stone measures over 62 in depth and over 41 in pavillion. That's most likely why it got dinged on the HCA. Remember, the HCA is not a selection tool but a tool to help you weed out less than desirable contenders. Most would consider stones that score a 2 or less on the HCA.

Have you seen this stone in person? Can you get an idealscope image of the stone? Have you compared it to similar stones?

Here is an example of a very well cut stone - a bit smaller than 2.10 but an H, SI1. This is a stone from Whiteflash's A Cut Above Line and it will definitely perform!

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2696797.htm
 
Thank you so much for responding, I have been looking through the boards here on pricescope but this was my first post!

The diamond looked beautiful in the store, to be completely honest, we didn't compare it to many others as the ring was being purchased second hand (from a man who never even proposed to his now ex-gf) and the price for the ring came to $18,500 (including the original $8000 setting!)...

My question is, is the HCA scale pretty definite or is it just an estimate and can it vary in reality from one diamond to the next? ALSO, I never knew about the HCA scale until now--does that really affect the value of the diamond? Did we still get a good deal on the ring?
 
Looking at the stone through an idealscope would give you a good idea about light leakage which would affect performance. When the HCA comes in under two, it is generally thought to be a good indicator of further consideration for the stone.

However, if you have already purchased the stone and love it, then nothing else really matters. Diamonds are beautiful in many iterations so if you've found one you loved and were comfortable with the price, you're in good shape - all to do now is enjoy!

If you get a chance, post a picture of your ring so we can enjoy it right along with you!!
 
It sounds like you got an outstanding deal! The fact that it is GIA excellent surely means it is an above average stone. It is just not as good as it could have been. However, to get a 2 ct. stone with setting for that price, even some of us who are very committed to the best cut might make an exception! I want to see pictures, too!
 
Sounds like you got a great deal. I would love to see pictures, too!
 
YAY! Thank you everyone for responding. SOO, GET THIS- I put all the diamond's numbers back into the HCA calculator EXCEPT I changed the diamond's pavillion angle from what it actually is (41.2) to 41 and the HCA score dropped from 3.6 to 2.3!!!! Are you serious?! Not only that, now Light Return, Fire, Scintillation and Spread are VERY GOOD across the board! That's insane.

I find it hard to believe it could change THAT drastically, but than again what do i know.

The original seller paid nearly $8000 for the setting (he had the original receipt of purchase). Here is the actual setting the diamond is in:

http://www.michaelcfina.com/engagement-wedding-rings/engagement-rings/jb-star-platinum-halo-split-shank-setting-0974146.html

Here is a photo of the diamond (from the seller's posting). I took a 2 second video of it in the store but my boyfriend inspected my phone before we left and deleted it WAHHH!! He isn't going to propose for atleast another 6 months because we are both completing our Master's degrees and studying for the CPA!

Let me know what you think! It is SO much prettier in person (right now it is being resized from a 5.5 to a 4.75).

MYfuturering.png
 
So excited you posted! It's gorgeous!
 
Thank you blinglover!! :D
 
It looks like a beautiful ring - so happy that you are pleased - going to be hard to wait and keep that ring in a box! Maybe you can sneak a peek every now and then. . .

When it's all official, let us know!
 
No two ways about it, you did very well.
 
Wow, gorgeous ring!! And what a deal, congrats. I am no diamond expert but I think you did really well! :appl:

heather2012|1325530100|3093548 said:
YAY! Thank you everyone for responding. SOO, GET THIS- I put all the diamond's numbers back into the HCA calculator EXCEPT I changed the diamond's pavillion angle from what it actually is (41.2) to 41 and the HCA score dropped from 3.6 to 2.3!!!! Are you serious?! Not only that, now Light Return, Fire, Scintillation and Spread are VERY GOOD across the board! That's insane.

I find it hard to believe it could change THAT drastically, but than again what do i know.

The original seller paid nearly $8000 for the setting (he had the original receipt of purchase). Here is the actual setting the diamond is in:

http://www.michaelcfina.com/engagement-wedding-rings/engagement-rings/jb-star-platinum-halo-split-shank-setting-0974146.html

Here is a photo of the diamond (from the seller's posting). I took a 2 second video of it in the store but my boyfriend inspected my phone before we left and deleted it WAHHH!! He isn't going to propose for atleast another 6 months because we are both completing our Master's degrees and studying for the CPA!

Let me know what you think! It is SO much prettier in person (right now it is being resized from a 5.5 to a 4.75).

MYfuturering.png
 
Really gorgeous!!! :love: I have to tell you, you got an incredible deal!!! I love those kind of deals, but they are very hard to come by! I am very happy for you!!!

(FYI, 2 ct. H SI1 GIA XXX will start at around $20,000 for the diamond alone. So you really did well!)
 
Beautiful ring :love:
 
Thank you everyone!!! Funny thing is, we originally were going to go for the more classicly beautiful solitaire look but when we both saw this ring in person we knew we couldn't change a thing about it. Maybe later on down the road if my taste for the halo changes we could swap out the setting for a more simple/classic look. I wish I could sneak a peak of it, but I think he is putting it in a vault at the bank! :cry:

BUT, don't think that will stop me from still searching his apartment for it! I just want one photo on my hand to hold me over, I sware that's it!
 
Haha! You're preaching to the choir here! We understand wanting that ONE extra picture! Thank goodness you have this one, though!

The great thing about that setting is that if you ever decide you want a plain solitaire or something, you can set a colored stone in that setting and turn it into a right hand ring. So you really can't lose with this choice!
 
WOW! That's a spectacular ring Heather! Very nice setting - and what a deal!!! I second what Diamondseeker said above - *IF* you ever tire of the stone in this setting, you do have the perfect spot for a coloured stone to be plopped into! Perfection! :appl:

Gorgeous ring - I would also be scouring the apartment looking for that beauty, just for "one more shot"... yeah... RIIIIIIIGHT!!!! :naughty: :Up_to_something: :rolleyes:
 
diamondseeker- that's so funny, you are right though! Once I have one photo I'll just keep wanting more. ACTUALLY, my bf bargained with me since I am TERRIBLE at remembering to take photo's of the things we do together, that for every 100 photo's I take of us he will let me see one photo of the ring....lol kinda a weird deal, but I better get snapping!

enerchi- Thank you so much!! That is an amazing idea, I figured I would just take the setting and trade it in or something but placing a gemstone in it and getting to keep the setting of the ring he proposed to me with sounds like a MUCH better idea!
 
I think you got a great deal on a really nice stone. Wear it in good health.
 
Thank you Gypsy, and I will as soon as he proposes ;)
 
You did very, very well. Gorgeous stone and setting!! Please do come back with lots of pictures once he proposes!!!
 
I will!!!--don't you worry! haha LOVE YOUR RING BTW!!!
 
Just wanted to update with a photo of my ring. I SNOOPED and found it! AH!

AJRing.jpg
 
OH, how bad you are. It's yummy :love: What a great deal!
 
Beautiful :naughty:
 
It's stunning- and you are sneaky!!!
 
haha, thanks! I figured it was a nice little valentines day present to myself! Seriously, waiting is HARD!
 
Wow! Its gorgeous!
 
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