Please HELP choose my diamond.

[Strawberry Tomatoes]

Hello there

I recently purchased a diamond with these below criteria (1.22 crt/G/VS2/AGS0). This diamond performs very nicely. I like it, however, the size is smaller than what I expected. I was going to buy 1.27-1.29crt with the same parameters, but none was available.

Just now, I got news that there is 1.29 crt/G/VS2/AGS0 for $30 more (well, end up have to pay $131 more because of the shipping fee back and forth). It might be very small different in size, but then for the slightly different in price, I am tempted to do it. For me, mentally 1.29 ct is bigger than 1.22 ct.

However, after plugging in this 1.29 crt stone numbers, it only got 2HCA score(very good for everything),while my 1.22 crt got 1.4HCA(excellent on all, very good on spread) , but both stones are AGS0. So, stone 1.29 is slightly looser in term of performance because of its parameters.

My questions are:
1. How much noticeable in term of performance are these stone?
2. Would you upgrade to 1.29 ct stone knowing the different in HCA sore, price, but still both AGS0 stone?

Below is the both stones parameters.

STONE 1 (Currently owned)-1.22 Ct/G/VS2/AGS0
Depth 62
Table 55.2
Crown Angle 34.7%
Pavillion Angle 40.8%
Inclusion: feather, cloud, indented natural, crystal--tot 4 inclusion. Have confirmed these inclusions are very light
Measurement: 6.82*6.84*4.24
Polish=Symetry= Ideal/Ideal
Girdle- Thin-Slightly Thick
Culet None
Flurescence= Negligible

Stone 2
depth 61
Table 57.6
Crown Angle 34.6%
Pavillion Angle 41%
Inclusion: feather, cloud,crystal. Not yet confirmed how light/dark these are
Measurement: 7.02*7.04*4.29
Polish=Symetry= Ideal/Ideal
Girdle- Thin to Med
Culet None
Flurescence= Negligible

Thank you.

 

[neatfreak]

Anything 2 and under is good with the HCA. A lower score doesn't mean better, it isn't meant to work as a selection tool, only to REJECT stones over 2. You should ask to see pictures or an ASET image for the new stone to see the pattern and light leakage.

 

[Strawberry Tomatoes]

Date: 11/4/2008 5:51:39 PM
Author: neatfreak
Anything 2 and under is good with the HCA. A lower score doesn''t mean better, it isn''t meant to work as a selection tool, only to REJECT stones over 2. You should ask to see pictures or an ASET image for the new stone to see the pattern and light leakage.

Ok, will do Neatfreak. Thank you very much for your reply. BTW, do you think the price increases ($30 for the stone + $90 for the shipping=$120 total) justify the increase in carat (0.07 crt up)?

Thanks again for your input.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 11/4/2008 9:36:03 PM
Author: Strawberry Tomatoes

Date: 11/4/2008 5:51:39 PM

Author: neatfreak

Anything 2 and under is good with the HCA. A lower score doesn''t mean better, it isn''t meant to work as a selection tool, only to REJECT stones over 2. You should ask to see pictures or an ASET image for the new stone to see the pattern and light leakage.

Ok, will do Neatfreak. Thank you very much for your reply. BTW, do you think the price increases ($30 for the stone + $90 for the shipping=$120 total) justify the increase in carat (0.07 crt up)?


Thanks again for your input.

For me? No. But if it''s worth it to you, you should do it. Will they set the new stone for free? That''s also something to consider.

 

[Strawberry Tomatoes]

Date: 11/4/2008 9:37:52 PM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 11/4/2008 9:36:03 PM

Author: Strawberry Tomatoes

Date: 11/4/2008 5:51:39 PM


Author: neatfreak


Anything 2 and under is good with the HCA. A lower score doesn''t mean better, it isn''t meant to work as a selection tool, only to REJECT stones over 2. You should ask to see pictures or an ASET image for the new stone to see the pattern and light leakage.

Ok, will do Neatfreak. Thank you very much for your reply. BTW, do you think the price increases ($30 for the stone + $90 for the shipping=$120 total) justify the increase in carat (0.07 crt up)?



Thanks again for your input.

For me? No. But if it''s worth it to you, you should do it. Will they set the new stone for free? That''s also something to consider.

Ha..ha..thanks for being so honest. May I know why you said "No"? I guess it is better of saving the $ and later on upgrade to much bigger carat.

The ring is still under process and I have told the jeweler to postpone the process till I update them again. BTW, thanks for your last input. I have decided to make side stones smaller as if it was a Tiffany Novo ring.

 

[Strawberry Tomatoes]

Date: 11/5/2008 1:51:27 AM
Author: Strawberry Tomatoes

Date: 11/4/2008 9:37:52 PM

Author: neatfreak

Date: 11/4/2008 9:36:03 PM


Author: Strawberry Tomatoes

Date: 11/4/2008 5:51:39 PM



Author: neatfreak



Anything 2 and under is good with the HCA. A lower score doesn''t mean better, it isn''t meant to work as a selection tool, only to REJECT stones over 2. You should ask to see pictures or an ASET image for the new stone to see the pattern and light leakage.

Ok, will do Neatfreak. Thank you very much for your reply. BTW, do you think the price increases ($30 for the stone + $90 for the shipping=$120 total) justify the increase in carat (0.07 crt up)?




Thanks again for your input.

For me? No. But if it''s worth it to you, you should do it. Will they set the new stone for free? That''s also something to consider.

Ha..ha..thanks for being so honest. May I know why you said ''No''? I guess it is better of saving the $ and later on upgrade to much bigger carat.


The ring is still under process and I have told the jeweler to postpone the process till I update them again. BTW, thanks for your last input. I have decided to make side stones smaller as if it was a Tiffany Novo ring.

Oh ya I forgot to ask you this. Does the pavilion angle on Stone II(1.29ct) worry you? The seller said the pavilion angle number is what makes this stone perform looser than the 1st stone/my current 1.22 ct stone.
Is it true?
Thanks a lot.

 

[Lorelei]

Neat won't be on until later and she would probably give similar advice,

There are some threads in the archives discussing 41 degree pavilion angles with the experts. Personally along with the crown angle on that particular diamond there may well not be cause for concern at all, it looks like a very nice stone and it is an AGS0. But an IS image is always good in any case in my opinion if you can get one. As to this stone performing 'looser' than the other they are both AGS0...So I would ask the seller exactly what he means by that, does he feel the pavilion angle is having an effect on this diamond? I am just wondering you say the stone is currently owned, are you buying it from a private individual?

 

[Strawberry Tomatoes]

Date: 11/5/2008 2:59:31 AM
Author: Lorelei
Neat won''t be on until later and she would probably give similar advice,


There are some threads in the archives discussing 41 degree pavilion angles with the experts. Personally along with the crown angle on that particular diamond there may well not be cause for concern at all, it looks like a very nice stone and it is an AGS0. But an IS image is always good in any case in my opinion if you can get one. As to this stone performing ''looser'' than the other they are both AGS0...So I would ask the seller exactly what he means by that, does he feel the pavilion angle is having an effect on this diamond? I am just wondering you say the stone is currently owned, are you buying it from a private individual?

Thank you, Lorelei.
I bought mine/1.22 AGS0 at WF and the other stone also comes from them. She said the 41% pavilion angle makes the diamond perform looser vs the other/1.22 ct. Besides that, the parameters on the 1.22 ct stone are tighter which makes it falls under "The Cut Above", while this 1.29 stone would not.
But then, both are AGS0, and knowing AGS is stricter than GIA, I would assume both stones are comparable or unnoticeable in performance for us (not the expert people). What do you think, Lorelei?

I asked for IS and ASET pictures, but then WF said the stone has to be sent to WF first, which gonna cost $65 shipping on me just in case I don''t want this 1.29 ct stone because maybe it performs looser. So, I got confuse, what should I do? Should I just assume both stones comparable in term of performance, and just grab the 1.29ct?

The other concern I have the vendor said the crystal in the table is dark in color, while feather and cloud are clean.
Questions:
1. Should this worry me?
2. Will it affect the beauty and performance of the stone? Note: they said it is eye clean..but it must be, right? since it is VS2.


Thanks again. Please let me know what you think and what I should do. I am tempted to get 1.29ct but then it seems a lot of hassle on the shipping to them to get the pictures.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/5/2008 2:39:35 PM
Author: Strawberry Tomatoes

Date: 11/5/2008 2:59:31 AM
Author: Lorelei
Neat won''t be on until later and she would probably give similar advice,


There are some threads in the archives discussing 41 degree pavilion angles with the experts. Personally along with the crown angle on that particular diamond there may well not be cause for concern at all, it looks like a very nice stone and it is an AGS0. But an IS image is always good in any case in my opinion if you can get one. As to this stone performing ''looser'' than the other they are both AGS0...So I would ask the seller exactly what he means by that, does he feel the pavilion angle is having an effect on this diamond? I am just wondering you say the stone is currently owned, are you buying it from a private individual?

Thank you, Lorelei.
I bought mine/1.22 AGS0 at WF and the other stone also comes from them. She said the 41% pavilion angle makes the diamond perform looser vs the other/1.22 ct. Besides that, the parameters on the 1.22 ct stone are tighter which makes it falls under ''The Cut Above'', while this 1.29 stone would not.
But then, both are AGS0, and knowing AGS is stricter than GIA, I would assume both stones are comparable or unnoticeable in performance for us (not the expert people). What do you think, Lorelei? Ok, I would ask your WF rep if this difference is something that the untrained eye would notice, both of these are very well cut stones - it also depends on whether going from an ACA to an Expert Selection stone would bother you or not...But the question is if the WF expert says that the diamond in question might be a possibility, is it worth the small increase in size for you. Alternatively you could keep an eye out and maybe go a bit larger still when more diamonds become available?

I asked for IS and ASET pictures, but then WF said the stone has to be sent to WF first, which gonna cost $65 shipping on me just in case I don''t want this 1.29 ct stone because maybe it performs looser. So, I got confuse, what should I do? Should I just assume both stones comparable in term of performance, and just grab the 1.29ct? I am not sure here, is the other diamond with WF? If it is an inventory stone as I had the impression that it was, then they might have IS and ASET available already, or will do in the near future. But if not then they have to call it in and you don''t want it, then you would be out the shipping fee, I am not sure but I thought if they called a stone in then they would do the cut analysis such as IS and ASET- you would have to check with them on that.

The other concern I have the vendor said the crystal in the table is dark in color, while feather and cloud are clean.
Questions:
1. Should this worry me? Depends on you and your expectations, make sure WF understand your ideals concerning any visible inclusions in a diamond.
2. Will it affect the beauty and performance of the stone? Note: they said it is eye clean..but it must be, right? since it is VS2. As it is VS2 it is very unlikely that it will affect the above, but always best to check.


Thanks again. Please let me know what you think and what I should do. I am tempted to get 1.29ct but then it seems a lot of hassle on the shipping to them to get the pictures. I wish I could advise you what to do, but you must do what is right for you!

 

[Strawberry Tomatoes]

Date: 11/5/2008 2:55:28 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 11/5/2008 2:39:35 PM

Author: Strawberry Tomatoes

Date: 11/5/2008 2:59:31 AM

Author: Lorelei

Neat won''t be on until later and she would probably give similar advice,



There are some threads in the archives discussing 41 degree pavilion angles with the experts. Personally along with the crown angle on that particular diamond there may well not be cause for concern at all, it looks like a very nice stone and it is an AGS0. But an IS image is always good in any case in my opinion if you can get one. As to this stone performing ''looser'' than the other they are both AGS0...So I would ask the seller exactly what he means by that, does he feel the pavilion angle is having an effect on this diamond? I am just wondering you say the stone is currently owned, are you buying it from a private individual?

Thank you, Lorelei.

I bought mine/1.22 AGS0 at WF and the other stone also comes from them. She said the 41% pavilion angle makes the diamond perform looser vs the other/1.22 ct. Besides that, the parameters on the 1.22 ct stone are tighter which makes it falls under ''The Cut Above'', while this 1.29 stone would not.

But then, both are AGS0, and knowing AGS is stricter than GIA, I would assume both stones are comparable or unnoticeable in performance for us (not the expert people). What do you think, Lorelei? Ok, I would ask your WF rep if this difference is something that the untrained eye would notice, both of these are very well cut stones - it also depends on whether going from an ACA to an Expert Selection stone would bother you or not...But the question is if the WF expert says that the diamond in question might be a possibility, is it worth the small increase in size for you. Alternatively you could keep an eye out and maybe go a bit larger still when more diamonds become available?


I asked for IS and ASET pictures, but then WF said the stone has to be sent to WF first, which gonna cost $65 shipping on me just in case I don''t want this 1.29 ct stone because maybe it performs looser. So, I got confuse, what should I do? Should I just assume both stones comparable in term of performance, and just grab the 1.29ct? I am not sure here, is the other diamond with WF? If it is an inventory stone as I had the impression that it was, then they might have IS and ASET available already, or will do in the near future. But if not then they have to call it in and you don''t want it, then you would be out the shipping fee, I am not sure but I thought if they called a stone in then they would do the cut analysis such as IS and ASET- you would have to check with them on that.


The other concern I have the vendor said the crystal in the table is dark in color, while feather and cloud are clean.

Questions:

1. Should this worry me? Depends on you and your expectations, make sure WF understand your ideals concerning any visible inclusions in a diamond.

2. Will it affect the beauty and performance of the stone? Note: they said it is eye clean..but it must be, right? since it is VS2. As it is VS2 it is very unlikely that it will affect the above, but always best to check.




Thanks again. Please let me know what you think and what I should do. I am tempted to get 1.29ct but then it seems a lot of hassle on the shipping to them to get the pictures. I wish I could advise you what to do, but you must do what is right for you!

Hi Lorelei,
Thanks again for your reply. I really appreciate it. The WF staff said the cloud inclusion (1) is dark which might be visible from the side view while the cloud inclusion in my current stone (1.22ct) is light.
The 1.29 ct stone is NOT at WF possession, so it has to be shipped to WF, and if the IS and ASET pictures turn out not as good as my current stone, I have to pay for the shipping $65 back to the vendor.

My question is:
1. How likely the dark inclusion could be seen from the side view?
2. I am thinking to just shut my eyes and save my $ for later upgrade now. It seems too much hassle and uncertainty. Assuming you have seen or maybe own so many stones, is it right the different of 0.09 ct would not be noticeable to see? Because if we just looking at the number 1.22 to 1.29 ct, the jump is quite substantial.

 

[Allison D.]

ST, it''s not the cloud that''s dark in this stone, it''s the crystal. Whether or not you''ll see the inclusion from the side is a function of the stone, your eyesight, and lighting conditions at minimum. I can tell you that you would be less likely to see light inclusions from the side than dark ones.

There is honestly no way for any of us to speculate whether or not that dark inclusion will be visible from the side or not. I will say that it is entirely possible in some VS2 stones to see inclusions from the side. Keep in mind that the grading isn''t done from the side view; it''s done from the top.

In all honesty, I don''t think the 1.29 is going to achieve what you want. If the 1.22 looks smaller than you expected, the 1.29 is going to look pretty much the same on your hand. You''d probably have a hard time seeing a diameter difference in these two stones even if they were side-by-side. Once mounted on your hand, it will look pretty much the same on your hand that your current stone does.

I agree with NF; I don''t think it''s worth the extra money to end up with basically the same look you have now.

 

[Strawberry Tomatoes]

Date: 11/7/2008 11:33:14 AM
Author: Allison D.
ST, it''s not the cloud that''s dark in this stone, it''s the crystal. Whether or not you''ll see the inclusion from the side is a function of the stone, your eyesight, and lighting conditions at minimum. I can tell you that you would be less likely to see light inclusions from the side than dark ones.


There is honestly no way for any of us to speculate whether or not that dark inclusion will be visible from the side or not. I will say that it is entirely possible in some VS2 stones to see inclusions from the side. Keep in mind that the grading isn''t done from the side view; it''s done from the top.


In all honesty, I don''t think the 1.29 is going to achieve what you want. If the 1.22 looks smaller than you expected, the 1.29 is going to look pretty much the same on your hand. You''d probably have a hard time seeing a diameter difference in these two stones even if they were side-by-side. Once mounted on your hand, it will look pretty much the same on your hand that your current stone does.


I agree with NF; I don''t think it''s worth the extra money to end up with basically the same look you have now.

Thank you very much for your advise. I agree and have made my decision. Shut my eyes for now, and save my dollar for future upgrade. Any suggestion how much upgrade in carat to be noticeable? When it is time to upgrade, I want a bigger one with SI1(unless I can afford VS2), would it be hard to find SI1 eye clean? just wonder....


Again, thanks for everybody and let''s move on

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/7/2008 12:53:22 PM
Author: Strawberry Tomatoes

Date: 11/7/2008 11:33:14 AM
Author: Allison D.
ST, it's not the cloud that's dark in this stone, it's the crystal. Whether or not you'll see the inclusion from the side is a function of the stone, your eyesight, and lighting conditions at minimum. I can tell you that you would be less likely to see light inclusions from the side than dark ones.


There is honestly no way for any of us to speculate whether or not that dark inclusion will be visible from the side or not. I will say that it is entirely possible in some VS2 stones to see inclusions from the side. Keep in mind that the grading isn't done from the side view; it's done from the top.


In all honesty, I don't think the 1.29 is going to achieve what you want. If the 1.22 looks smaller than you expected, the 1.29 is going to look pretty much the same on your hand. You'd probably have a hard time seeing a diameter difference in these two stones even if they were side-by-side. Once mounted on your hand, it will look pretty much the same on your hand that your current stone does.


I agree with NF; I don't think it's worth the extra money to end up with basically the same look you have now.

Thank you very much for your advise. I agree and have made my decision. Shut my eyes for now, and save my dollar for future upgrade. Any suggestion how much upgrade in carat to be noticeable? When it is time to upgrade, I want a bigger one with SI1(unless I can afford VS2), would it be hard to find SI1 eye clean? just wonder....


Again, thanks for everybody and let's move on

I think that is a good plan! Like we said earlier, keep an eye on WF's inventory or tell them what you are looking for and they might be able to let you know when a suitable stone comes along! Also you could certainly find an SI1 which is eyeclean, WF would be able to advise on that.