PLEASE HELP!

[OnInTwo]

Hello all. Thank you for such a tremendous forum. It''s been a great deal of help.

I recently began my quest searching for the perfect diamond. Naturally, alot of the reputable stores in my area seem to try and "sell" me on certain aspects. For instance, one vendor claims EGL reigns supreme and diamond cut has a relatively low impact on the beauty/value of a diamond. They are claiming color has the biggest impact on the value and brilliance of a diamond. On the other hand, vendor #2 has been pushing AGS Ideal Cut as a way to maximize my investment albeit a smaller, lower color scale stone. They contend a perfect mix between color/cut maximizes a stone''s rarity and value. From the research I''ve done, I feel an AGS Ideal/GIA Excellent cut is a must. Am I mistaken?

Below are a few diamonds I''m considering. Could someone with more experience please offer their opinion/advice as it relates to comparing the value and quality of these stones? Which is the better deal? Which is better in terms of quality? Value? Why? Do the prices seem reasonable?

My search has been so involved it''s gotten to the point of confusion! PLEASE HELP! Thanks in advance to those who respond!

1.508 ct I SI1. AGS Ideal Cut, 0 Light Performance. HCA score 0.9 $9800
1.52 ct F SI1. GIA Very Good cut, Exc/Exc Polish and Symmetry. $11,200
1.731ct G SI2. AGS Exc/Exc Polish and Symmetry (Report doesn''t have overall cut score. It''s from 2006) $11,600
1.8 ct H SI2. GIA Excellent Cut. $12,400
1.8 ct H VS2. EGL Excellent Cut $13,200

 

[jet2ks]

Well, the first jeweler is wonky! EGL tends to be more lenient overall than GIA or AGS (by up to two grades) and cut absolutely has the most impact on performance. There are a lot of PS members who have J, K, and L stones that are fiery, brilliant and beautiful. The one that has caused the biggest stir recently is an M! https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ajs-ering-downgrade-to-a-gog-omc.119094/ I wouldn''t advise most people to go that low in color unless you know the person receiving it likes the warmer colors, but look at those photos and then tell me that it isn''t brilliant and beautiful. I would agree with the second jeweler that color affects the value, but "maximising your investment" is a sales pitch. If you are lucky, you would be able to sell a diamond for 30-50% of new price. I like my investments to perform better than that.

As far as the diamonds are concernced, we would need more information to make any determination. Crown and pavillion angles to start. Star and lower half percentages are useful as well, as far as numbers. That would do for initial screening, after that Idealscope or ASET images and high quality photos would narrow the field even more. Of the ones you list, the first, being an AGS0, at least has a good pedigree. There are good performing diamonds that do not earn AGS0 or GIA Ex, but you have to know what you are looking for and the search will be more difficult, so using that is a good starting point. There are also diamonds that earn GIA Ex that do not perform well, so it is no guarantee.

You can use the "Pricescope your diamond" box at the top of the page to find out what some online jewelers would charge for similar stones.

 

[OnInTwo]

Thank you so much Jet2ks!

As far as crown and pavilion angles, the 1.5 ct I SI1 has a depth of 60%, Table 58.4%, crown angle of 33 degrees (13.6%), and pavilion of 41 degrees (43.3%). Star length is 50 and lower half is 78. It has a pointed facet and negligible fluoresence. Girdle is thin to medium. AGS Ideal with 0 Light Performance.

The 1.52 ct F SI1 has depth 62.5, Table 59%, Crown angle 35.5, Pav Angle 41, Star 55, lower half 80, slightly thick to thick girdle. GIA rated VG cut Exc/Exc polish and symmetry.

Should the seller of the diamond be able to furnish IdealScope or ASET images?

Considering the percentages and angles above, would you expect these to be fiery, brilliant stones?

 

[stone-cold11]

From the numbers, I prefer the AGS stone, there is light leakage for the GIA stone.

ASET/IS if the seller has the scope for it. The AGS could have it, if not, buy one yourself? They are not that expensive at $25 for the IS scope. http://ideal-scope.com/cart_order.asp

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/9/2009 12:47:56 AM
Author: OnInTwo
Thank you so much Jet2ks!

As far as crown and pavilion angles, the 1.5 ct I SI1 has a depth of 60%, Table 58.4%, crown angle of 33 degrees (13.6%), and pavilion of 41 degrees (43.3%). Star length is 50 and lower half is 78. It has a pointed facet and negligible fluoresence. Girdle is thin to medium. AGS Ideal with 0 Light Performance.

The 1.52 ct F SI1 has depth 62.5, Table 59%, Crown angle 35.5, Pav Angle 41, Star 55, lower half 80, slightly thick to thick girdle. GIA rated VG cut Exc/Exc polish and symmetry.

Should the seller of the diamond be able to furnish IdealScope or ASET images?

Considering the percentages and angles above, would you expect these to be fiery, brilliant stones?

The above highlighted diamond is the best choice.

 

[jet2ks]

Ditto SC & Lorelei. The AGS has better numbers to go with the Ideal grade.