Please help me determine the value of my diamond!!!!!

[Marcariausc22]

Dimensions of 3ct diamond and cut... helppppppp!!

Hello. I hope I can have some of my questions answered here. Everyone seems very knowledgeable. My boyfriend and I are searching for the perfect diamond. We have been searching for a couple of months now but it has come down to decision time and we are sooo confused.

Okay here is our dilemma. Are we getting an amazing deal on the following diamond or are we simply getting ripped off?

EGL USA
Weight 3.00 Ct

Measurements: 8.85-8.80x5.71

Proportions
Depth: 64.7%
Table: 59%
Crown: 13.8%
Pavillion: 42.7%
Girdle: Thin to Very Thick
Cutlet: None

Finish
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Good
Clarity: VS2
Color: H

Fluorescence: Strong Blue
Comments: Hearts and Arrows

$26,000

Just some side notes. We compared this to several GIA and other EGL diamonds. In our eyes it rated much closer to a GIA G and in certain lighting even an F. I believe the fluorescence has something to do with this. So if someone can please elaborate on the fluorescence in this particular circumstance. (Is it really bad???) It also looked really great in sunlight ... almost super white.

The clarity was awesome in the price range. Extremely eye clean and we were barley able to see too many inclusions under 10x.

The main thing that we are also concerned about are the measurements. I heard the diameter should be around 9mm? So does this mean the stone is cut too deep??? I check around online and it seems to be a very good cut. This is what we are mainly unsure of.

Also how can it be hearts and arrows if it may not be an ideal cut? PLEASEEEEE HELP we need to make a decision by the end of the week! If this diamond sucks then I get I need to downgrade on size and upgrade on cut but hopefully it doesn't because I really love it!

Angie

P.s. I included a picture ... did it post? Hopefully it helps!

 

[JulieN]

It should be over 9 mm, this one looks more like a 2.6 ct. The HCA returns a result that the girdle is too thick. With the angles it has, the depth should be more like 59%, which means that it is a shallow stone with a suuper thick girdle. Be wary of anything that is exactly 3.00 or 2.00 cts!

 

[Marcariausc22]

Hi Julie!

Thank you so much for your reply. So given that information is it a bad diamond? Or is it just not ideal but maybe a very good or good? I'm trying to determine if the price matches the value of the diamond.

 

[Mrs.W 514]

This tool can be used to rule out poorly preforming diamonds https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca
The values that are already there are considered the best. Anything with a score higher than 2 will not preform very well and I wouldn't consider a RB with a score larger than 2.
The stone you are looking at does not score well at all. If I am reading the numbers you posted correctly this stone scores a 5.8 which is very poor.
I would find something else. Personally I would much rather have a smaller diamond that is a great cut and has amazing light performance rather than a larger poorly cut stone.

I have no idea what your budget is but this stone is very close to the price you are considering with similar clarity and color. It scores well on the HCA and is only slightly smaller face up than the 3ct. The sparkles coming off this baby will knock your socks off!
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2838119.htm

For reference here are some well cut 3 ct stones with similar clarity and color as the stone you looked at. Notice the huge price jump and they both face up larger.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2835904.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2772331.htm

 

[JulieN]

From the one, tilted picture, it doesn't look horrible, and the angles work out if the diamond has good symmetry. Would have to check it under an Ideal Scope to be sure.

The price seems to be ok, IF it really is an H VS2 or within one grade, and it has good light performance.

I would get an appraisal by someone who uses Ideal Scope or ASET. You can find some appraisers here: https://www.pricescope.com/appraisers

 

[MissGotRocks]

Re: Dimensions of 3ct diamond and cut... helppppppp!!

The stone is deep so therefore not facing up like a three carat stone.

Have you already purchased this stone?

 

[sakari_8]

Re: Dimensions of 3ct diamond and cut... helppppppp!!

Depth of the stone is 64.7 this stone is too deep, I think the reason you are getting this price is because stone is too deep and generally not preferred, you are right correct dimension should be 9mm minimum, strong blue fluo does help the color looks better
in the stones which are J or lower color so it is good that stone has great white faceup.
You may need to look at the stone through Hearts & Arrow Scope to check if H&A shows. I think only if you have strict budget
than go for this stone.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I do not like the cut of that stone. The price is shockingly low for a 3ct. There is usually a reason!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

EGL grading is very loose and makes people think they are getting a good deal when often they probably overpay. The diamond may be J or K color and SI1 clarity. They can be off by 2-5 grades in color. We have seen that here. You get what you pay for (or less), so remember that. You can get an excellent cut diamond for $26,000, but it won't be a 3 ct. Stick with GIA and AGS grading only. Also, just because EGL writes hearts and arrows on there doesn't mean it is true. We can almost guarantee that it is not.

Also, another red flag would be if there isn't an unconditional return policy of a couple of weeks at least. Never buy without that.

 

[Marcariausc22]

Hi ... no I have not bought it yet. They offer lifetime trade in and I can return it anytime if I do not like it. I live in Los Angeles so it is from a diamond dealer in our jewelry district. I knew the stone was cut too deep. The strange thing is it shines so much. I'm not sure if it's because its new.

 

[Marcariausc22]

Hi thank you for the reply back .... it was very informative. I think at this point and I just want to know if it's a so called "bad diamond." I know with round cuts they have very specific dimensions and I did not want to invest in a diamond that was too deep or shallow. Also, with the given measurements it seemed like the diamond was facing more up to be a 2.6%. Also, $26k is really at the top of my price range so I don't know if I should downgrade on size a little.


I think I am going to go back today and look at this one:


http://www.eglusa.com/oresults/SearchPage.php?st_num=902880702D


In short, $26k for just the diamond is a lot of money and I just want to make sure that I am getting a great stone or an excellent value.

 

[LibbyLA]

You will be much better off choosing a diamond with either an AGS or GIA certificate. Although EGLUSA is better than some of the other EGL labs, it's still not as reliable and consistent as AGS or GIA.

 

[Marcariausc22]

Hi Libby! Thank you for your response. I do agree that GIA does have a stricter rating in certain cases but this H color was definitely rated spot on. We compared them to several GIA G colors and in most stones there was hardly a difference. Aslo clarity wise I did come it to other VS2s and SI1s and it does measure up pretty correctly.


I think the two things that I am concerned with is cut quality and the flourescence. I know most people are concerned with the who does the report but in this case I am not worried about the clairty or color ... I just want to know what cut this diamond is? Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Fair, Poor?

 

[rubybeth]

I think the two things that I am concerned with is cut quality and the flourescence. I know most people are concerned with the who does the report but in this case I am not worried about the clairty or color ... I just want to know what cut this diamond is? Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Fair, Poor?

The HCA won't even give a rating for the stone because the girdle is too thick - https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

I guess I'd call the cut pretty poor if the numbers won't even work in the HCA!

Edited to add: I think you're looking at $40-60k for a diamond of that size and color/clarity. This is an I VS2 Expert Selection (ideal cut just shy of their 'A Cut Above' line, so a good bang for your buck) 3.012 and it's $41k.

 

[canuk-gal]

Hi Libby! Thank you for your response. I do agree that GIA does have a stricter rating in certain cases but this H color was definitely rated spot on. We compared them to several GIA G colors and in most stones there was hardly a difference. Aslo clarity wise I did come it to other VS2s and SI1s and it does measure up pretty correctly.

I think the two things that I am concerned with is cut quality and the flourescence. I know most people are concerned with the who does the report but in this case I am not worried about the clairty or color ... I just want to know what cut this diamond is? Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Fair, Poor?

HI:

How do you know this, exactly?

cheers--Sharon

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Hi ... no I have not bought it yet. They offer lifetime trade in and I can return it anytime if I do not like it. I live in Los Angeles so it is from a diamond dealer in our jewelry district. I knew the stone was cut too deep. The strange thing is it shines so much. I'm not sure if it's because its new.

Under jewelry store lighting, nearly EVERY diamond sparkles. It's the trick-of-the-trade!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I think the two things that I am concerned with is cut quality and the flourescence. I know most people are concerned with the who does the report but in this case I am not worried about the clairty or color ... I just want to know what cut this diamond is? Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Fair, Poor?

The HCA won't even give a rating for the stone because the girdle is too thick - https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

I guess I'd call the cut pretty poor if the numbers won't even work in the HCA!

Edited to add: I think you're looking at $40-60k for a diamond of that size and color/clarity. This is an I VS2 Expert Selection (ideal cut just shy of their 'A Cut Above' line, so a good bang for your buck) 3.012 and it's $41k.

Yep, I just tried running the numbers through the HCA and it won't accept them. Says girdle is overly thick or the numbers were incorrectly inputted! Pretty much sums up the cut quality! I'd go down in size and find a great cut diamond!

 

[rubybeth]

Hi ... no I have not bought it yet. They offer lifetime trade in and I can return it anytime if I do not like it. I live in Los Angeles so it is from a diamond dealer in our jewelry district. I knew the stone was cut too deep. The strange thing is it shines so much. I'm not sure if it's because its new.

Under jewelry store lighting, nearly EVERY diamond sparkles. It's the trick-of-the-trade!

Yeah, no kidding! My sister and I were recently in a jewelry store to get her ring size, and she is not really into jewelry at all, but she was dazzled by the diamonds in their lighting.

A tip I've read on PS is to dirty up the stone like you would on a regular basis. Touch the table, get your skin's oils on the stone, THEN see how it performs.

 

[Marcariausc22]

Thank you everyone for this info. I definitely think there is something up with the cut. Especially with the girdle. I think that is why it weights to be a 3ct instead of a 2.6. I'm going to go back today so maybe I can take it outside or put my fingerprints on it. Lol.

Should it dazzle and perform outside too??? Or is it only indoor lighting.



I am also looking at this stone. What does everyone think of the report??? Is this a better diamond? I haven't seen the clarity or color but yet but right now I am trying to determine CUT wise if it even worth looking at.



Weight 2.53 CT
Shape ROUND BRILLIANT
Color F
Clarity SI1
Measurements 8.72 x 8.68 x 5.43 mm
Depth 62.4%
Table 57%
Crown 15.5%
Pavilion 43.4%
Crown Angle 35.5°
Pavilion Angle 41.1°
Girdle THIN TO MEDIUM FACETED
Polish EXCELLENT
Symmetry EXCELLENT
Fluorescence NONE
Culet N/A
Cut Grade IDEAL PLUS


Angie

 

[rubybeth]

Thank you everyone for this info. I definitely think there is something up with the cut. Especially with the girdle. I think that is why it weights to be a 3ct instead of a 2.6. I'm going to go back today so maybe I can take it outside or put my fingerprints on it. Lol.

Should it dazzle and perform outside too??? Or is it only indoor lighting.

I am also looking at this stone. What does everyone think of the report??? Is this a better diamond? I haven't seen the clarity or color but yet but right now I am trying to determine CUT wise if it even worth looking at.



Weight 2.53 CT
Shape ROUND BRILLIANT
Color F
Clarity SI1
Measurements 8.72 x 8.68 x 5.43 mm
Depth 62.4%
Table 57%
Crown 15.5%
Pavilion 43.4%
Crown Angle 35.5°
Pavilion Angle 41.1°
Girdle THIN TO MEDIUM FACETED
Polish EXCELLENT
Symmetry EXCELLENT
Fluorescence NONE
Culet N/A
Cut Grade IDEAL PLUS


Angie

Pass on that stone, too. From the HCA:

Factor Grade
Light Return Good
Fire Good
Scintillation Good
Spread
or diameter for weight Very Good
Total Visual Performance 4.2 - Good - Only if price is your main criterion

And, yes, of COURSE a diamond should dazzle and perform outside! Unless it's nighttime and pitch dark outside...

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

How about this one? HCA = 1.6

http://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02423951

cheers--Sharon

 

[JulieN]

If you can swing low 27,000s, there are some very nice ideal cut stones that are the same size and about 2.5-2.7 cts.

If you have to be below 26,000, you can get something about 2.3 cts and in the 8.5 mm range.

 

[webdiva]

It's very, very difficult to assess a diamond properly in those crazy jewelry store lights. You best bet is to sift through their inventory and take the best one to an appraiser downtown such as Charles Carmona. I live in LA too and I bought my diamond online to get the best value for the best performance. Definitely educate yourself about cut before spending such a large amount.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Hi Libby! Thank you for your response. I do agree that GIA does have a stricter rating in certain cases but this H color was definitely rated spot on. We compared them to several GIA G colors and in most stones there was hardly a difference. Aslo clarity wise I did come it to other VS2s and SI1s and it does measure up pretty correctly.


I think the two things that I am concerned with is cut quality and the flourescence. I know most people are concerned with the who does the report but in this case I am not worried about the clairty or color ... I just want to know what cut this diamond is? Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Fair, Poor?

You cannot game the system, though it seems you think you can. If this diamond graded by EGL as an H VS2 was in fact an H VS2 or Si1 by GIA as you seem to think, then the dealer would have sent the stone to GIA and been able to pocket an extra $25k in profits. Why would he not do that? Because the diamond would not be graded by GIA as an H VS2 or SI1. My guess is the stone has a significant flaw of some sort that you are not saavy enough to notice and that your diamond dealer is hiding from you. The appropriate retail value of a well cut diamond that size with proper color and clarity grading is in the $50k+ range. This is half that price. We do not care about the lab report. I do not. I care about the fact that it is being sold at half to price of supposed comparables. That is a HUGE red flag.

Diamonds are priced according to their value on the market. Ignore the paperwork if you like -- you can figure out if its a good diamond by the price -- or you can figure out its "true" specs by the price. What type of specs can you get in a 3ct diamond for $26k with GIA papers? THOSE are the right comps.

The cut is poor in my opinion. It shines because all diamonds shine a little especially in jewelery store lighting.

Your budget is large and about right to get a 2ct diamond in the near colorless or a 2.5ct in the J-K color range, with excellent cut.

I repeat: You cannot game the system. Diamond dealers ae shrewd business people who know the value of what they are selling. Unfortunately, a lot of the time they also mislead consumers.

EDIT to add: Color grades are subtle. "hardle any difference" might be 4 or 5 color grades. That is why you leave the diaond grading to the labs and don't fall for the sales tactic of showing you an EGL stone to compare to a GIA stone under jewelry lighting to convince you that the EGL specs are accurate

 

[Mrs.W 514]

Hi Libby! Thank you for your response. I do agree that GIA does have a stricter rating in certain cases but this H color was definitely rated spot on. We compared them to several GIA G colors and in most stones there was hardly a difference. Aslo clarity wise I did come it to other VS2s and SI1s and it does measure up pretty correctly.


I think the two things that I am concerned with is cut quality and the flourescence. I know most people are concerned with the who does the report but in this case I am not worried about the clairty or color ... I just want to know what cut this diamond is? Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Fair, Poor?

You cannot game the system, though it seems you think you can. If this diamond graded by EGL as an H VS2 was in fact an H VS2 or Si1 by GIA as you seem to think, then the dealer would have sent the stone to GIA and been able to pocket an extra $25k in profits. Why would he not do that? Because the diamond would not be graded by GIA as an H VS2 or SI1. My guess is the stone has a significant flaw of some sort that you are not saavy enough to notice and that your diamond dealer is hiding from you. The appropriate retail value of a well cut diamond that size with proper color and clarity grading is in the $50k+ range. This is half that price. We do not care about the lab report. I do not. I care about the fact that it is being sold at half to price of supposed comparables. That is a HUGE red flag.

Diamonds are priced according to their value on the market. Ignore the paperwork if you like -- you can figure out if its a good diamond by the price -- or you can figure out its "true" specs by the price. What type of specs can you get in a 3ct diamond for $26k with GIA papers? THOSE are the right comps.

The cut is poor in my opinion. It shines because all diamonds shine a little especially in jewelery store lighting.

Your budget is large and about right to get a 2ct diamond in the near colorless or a 2.5ct in the J-K color range, with excellent cut.

I repeat: You cannot game the system. Diamond dealers ae shrewd business people who know the value of what they are selling. Unfortunately, a lot of the time they also mislead consumers.

EDIT to add: Color grades are subtle. "hardle any difference" might be 4 or 5 color grades. That is why you leave the diaond grading to the labs and don't fall for the sales tactic of showing you an EGL stone to compare to a GIA stone under jewelry lighting to convince you that the EGL specs are accurate

This! All of this

 

[Dancing Fire]

Hi Libby! Thank you for your response. I do agree that GIA does have a stricter rating in certain cases but this H color was definitely rated spot on. We compared them to several GIA G colors and in most stones there was hardly a difference. Aslo clarity wise I did come it to other VS2s and SI1s and it does measure up pretty correctly.


I think the two things that I am concerned with is cut quality and the flourescence. I know most people are concerned with the who does the report but in this case I am not worried about the clairty or color ... I just want to know what cut this diamond is? Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Fair, Poor?

VVP = very,very poor!!..