Please critique my diamond - thanks in advance!

[MSUSpartan]

I recently picked out this stone sight unseen at a retailer, currently being set. First time buying a diamond, please let me know how I did

I ran it through HCA and it scored a 1.1, but it is no where near where the AGS and GIA excellent cut candidates are. I''m not sure what to make of it.

Please see grading details below. Thanks in advance!!


GRADING RESULTS (GIA)
Shape: Round Brilliant
Carat weight: 1.03 Ct.
Color Grade: G
Clarity Grade: VS2

ADDITIONAL GRADING INFORMATION
Measurements: 6.50 - 6.54 x 3.92 mm
Cut: Very Good
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Total Depth: 60.1 %
Table Width: 58 %
Crown Angle: 35.5 degrees
Pavillon Angle: 40 degrees
Girdle Thickness: Slightly thick (faceted) 3.5%

 

[D&T]

honestly, If you have already seen the stone, and bought it, and is now being set. You should enjoy it. Congrats!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/2/2010 10:08:08 AM
Author:MSUSpartan
I recently picked out this stone sight unseen at a retailer, currently being set. First time buying a diamond, please let me know how I did

I ran it through HCA and it scored a 1.1, but it is no where near where the AGS and GIA excellent cut candidates are. I'm not sure what to make of it.

Please see grading details below. Thanks in advance!!


GRADING RESULTS (GIA)
Shape: Round Brilliant
Carat weight: 1.03 Ct.
Color Grade: G
Clarity Grade: VS2

ADDITIONAL GRADING INFORMATION
Measurements: 6.50 - 6.54 x 3.92 mm
Cut: Very Good
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Total Depth: 60.1 %
Table Width: 58 %
Crown Angle: 35.5 degrees
Pavillon Angle: 40 degrees
Girdle Thickness: Slightly thick (faceted) 3.5%

Hi MSUspartan and welcome!

Just to check the pavilion angle is 40 degrees? If so, then the main concern is obstruction. Here follows a basic explanation so you understand what is meant by that term.

Obstruction is often seen in shallow proportioned diamonds and also ones with a shallow pavilion angle. The pavilion angle in this case if correct is very shallow, to give a guideline, pavilion angles of 40.5 degrees or less are considered here to be shallow. Because of this, the stone could show darkness when viewed closely due to the viewer's head or body blocking the light to the stone. This can be exaggerated in ring stones due to the viewing distances and angles, but these diamonds can often be suitable for earrings and pendants where normal viewing distances don't apply. The pavilion angle will also be knocking it out of GIA/ AGS range on the HCA.

If you click on this page, it will take you to some videos, watch the one to the lower right of the page titled Head Obstruction by Garry Holloway. This will show obstruction in action.

Is it possible you could change this diamond for another?

 

[stone-cold11]

Too shallow in the pavilion angle, will have obstruction issue.

 

[MSUSpartan]

Thanks so much for the responses, you guys really know your stuff! It''s wild how a 0.6 degree angle difference can cause the difference between an ideal cut to my stone.

Unfortunately I cannot switch it out with another diamond. There were a small number of diamonds that I was able to choose from, in their system that is within my budget. I actually purchased this from a high end Fifth Ave store, so I am hoping that it is a pretty good diamond. I know it won''t compare to the diamonds you see on this board

, but I hope that it''s still good quality.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/2/2010 10:54:26 AM
Author: MSUSpartan
Thanks so much for the responses, you guys really know your stuff! It''s wild how a 0.6 degree angle difference can cause the difference between an ideal cut to my stone.

Unfortunately I cannot switch it out with another diamond. There were a small number of diamonds that I was able to choose from, in their system that is within my budget. I actually purchased this from a high end Fifth Ave store, so I am hoping that it is a pretty good diamond. I know it won''t compare to the diamonds you see on this board

, but I hope that it''s still good quality.

You are most welcome and I hope that explanation helped! Are you absolutely sure though that they won''t exchange it for another as you have not yet received the ring?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 2/2/2010 11:05:01 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 2/2/2010 10:54:26 AM
Author: MSUSpartan
Thanks so much for the responses, you guys really know your stuff! It''s wild how a 0.6 degree angle difference can cause the difference between an ideal cut to my stone.

Unfortunately I cannot switch it out with another diamond. There were a small number of diamonds that I was able to choose from, in their system that is within my budget. I actually purchased this from a high end Fifth Ave store, so I am hoping that it is a pretty good diamond. I know it won''t compare to the diamonds you see on this board

, but I hope that it''s still good quality.

You are most welcome and I hope that explanation helped! Are you absolutely sure though that they won''t exchange it for another as you have not yet received the ring?

Ditto!

Question: It indeed scores a 1.1 on the HCA. Is this a blip or are the angles acutally complimentary?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/2/2010 12:40:39 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 2/2/2010 11:05:01 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 2/2/2010 10:54:26 AM
Author: MSUSpartan
Thanks so much for the responses, you guys really know your stuff! It's wild how a 0.6 degree angle difference can cause the difference between an ideal cut to my stone.

Unfortunately I cannot switch it out with another diamond. There were a small number of diamonds that I was able to choose from, in their system that is within my budget. I actually purchased this from a high end Fifth Ave store, so I am hoping that it is a pretty good diamond. I know it won't compare to the diamonds you see on this board

, but I hope that it's still good quality.

You are most welcome and I hope that explanation helped! Are you absolutely sure though that they won't exchange it for another as you have not yet received the ring?

Ditto!

Question: It indeed scores a 1.1 on the HCA. Is this a blip or are the angles acutally complimentary?

Hi Dreamer

Some shallower stones can score well on the HCA but in this case I would think obstruction is going to be a real possibility, these types of diamonds are better for earring or pendant stones due to the obstruction issue, see the HCA chart in the link below and see where the proportions fall - within pendant and earring stone range.

www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor/

 

[LabRatPhD]

I recall you were looking at rings at Cartier? Is that where this stone is from? If so, I didn''t realize that Cartier sells stones that are GIA "very good" in cut. That is interesting to know if it is the case.