Please help me choose!

[batball10]

I'm having a hard time deciding between the two of these diamonds... Diamond A is $1,000 more expensive than Diamond B. Is it worth the additional cost? And how do the nominal diameter dimensions affect stone performance? i.e. does closer symmetry improve HCA score or improve cut appearance?

Diamond A:

Carat: .90
6.19 x 6.15 x 3.83
Color: F
Clarity: VS1
Triple-X
Depth: 62.00
Table: 57.00
Crown: 36 deg
Pavilion: 40.6 deg
HCA: 1.8

Diamond B:

Carat: .90
6.22 x 6.17 x 3.82
Color: G
Clarity: VS2
Triple-X
Depth: 61.70
Table: 57.00
Crown: 35 deg
Pavilion: 40.8 deg
HCA: 1.6

Also, I had sourced a similar .91 F VS1; however, it scored a 4.0. Should I completely rule this stone out?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Gypsy]

Do you have an idealscope of either.

HCA is a rejection tool. It is not a selection tool.

 

[batball10]

In the time it took me to write this post, both of the above diamonds were sold. A few days ago, I purchased the said HCA 4.0 stone online... Prior to understanding the tool's importance. Upon receipt by the jeweler, it will be sent to Simon G for mounting; however, I can switch the stone for up to 30 days after shipment.

I was banking on the triple-x GIA report and assurance by the jeweler (who spoke with the broker) that the diamond is eye-clean. After reading the various posts stressing the importance of finding a stone between 0-2, I cannot help but have some buyers remorse. I understand it is only a tool and cannot possibly substitute for a physical evaluation (jeweler will have the stone this week and will examine/send pics and video), but I'm a little stressed.

The stone I purchased has the following specs:

Carat: .91
6.20 x 6.22 x 3.84
Color: F
Clarity: VS1
Triple-X
Depth: 61.80
Table: 59.00
Crown: 35 deg
Pavilion: 41.2 deg
HCA: 4.0

I am a bit worried about the large table and steep pavilion angle... Should I continue to look for a replacement or hold out hope for a great looking diamond? Any help would be very much appreciated!

 

[Gypsy]

It's not as bad as it could be. But it's not good either. It's a 60/60 and the majority of those are duds. You want a pavillion angle between 41.2 and 40.2. And you are RIGHT at the outside edge of that with 41.2 with this stone. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/60-60-proportioned-diamond so that's the "good" news.

But you also have to have a complimentary crown angle... and the 35 isn't complimentary to the 41.2. So, that's bad.

So, yes, I would return/exchange that stone.

 

[Gypsy]

From now on, find a stone under 2. Put it on hold. Then post for advice. Okay?

 

[Gypsy]

Here's the blurb I give newbies shopping for RB. It should explain things to you:


The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough. And you must stick to GIA and AGS only. EGL is a bad option: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/[/URL]
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want?
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it. YOU DO NOT USE HCA for AGS0 stones.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance. Under 2 is a pass. Under 2.5-2.1 is a maybe. 2.6 and over is a no. No score 2 and under is better than any other.
Is that enough? Not really.
So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. BGD, James Allen, GOG, HPD, ERD and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.

 

[batball10]

Thank you very much for the information... The search continues.

I found this stone:

Carat Weight: 0.90 ct

Color: G

Clarity: VS1

Depth %: 60.9 %

Table %: 57 %

Polish: Excellent

Symmetry: Excellent

Cut Grade: Excellent

Measurements: 6.25 x 6.23 x 3.80 mm

Length To Width: 1.00 to 1

Girdle: Medium

Culet: None

Fluorescence: None

Crown: 34 deg

Pavilion: 40.8 deg

It scored a 1.0 on the HCA, but beyond that, I just have a better feeling about this one. I do not have an ideal scope image of the stone but i love the proportions and its almost exact 1:1 ratio has me thinking this is the much better stone to take a chance on. I can always change it out once I can get it fully evaluated, but this one would certainly help me sleep a little better. Here's to hoping my jeweler can nab it!

 

[Gypsy]

That's a great stone. Buy.

 

[moesymoe]

Hi Batball,

Looks like a great find.

I am in the market for a similar stone.

Wondering if you can confirm if it is IGS or GIA and what price you have been quoted for it?

Thanks,

 

[Gypsy]

Hi Batball,

Looks like a great find.

I am in the market for a similar stone.

Wondering if you can confirm if it is IGS or GIA and what price you have been quoted for it?

Thanks,

It's GIA.