Potential Diamond and HCA scoring

[jqweezy]

Hello All,

I came across this 1.26ct F SI1 Round Hearts and Arrows Diamond from GOG and I really like the specs and pictures (let me know what you think...). However, running it through the HCA scorer reveals a 2.1, and this kind of discourages me. I mean how can this diamond have Superior optical symmetry with AGS Ideal polish and symmetry and still NOT score below 2 for HCA? Is this a big deal? Am I being too picky here? When I set out on my diamond search adventure, I told myself that I wanted the biggest diamond I could get, with the best cut (H&A / AGS0 / GIA EX / Superior Optical Symmetry, AND HCA 2. Again, am I being too picky here?

On another note, I emailed GOG about this diamond to find out if it is eye-clean, and here is their exact response:

"I took out that 1.26 F Si1 and look at it. Without a loupe I couldn’t find the inclusions. The inclusions are mostly made up of clouds. This diamond is graded from AGS and received a great score on our Gemex machine. It’s a great stone."

Do you guys interpret this as being eye-clean? Should I be concerned that the "inclusions are mostly made up of clouds"? I look forward to anyone''s feedback. Oh, and please comment on this diamond if you would like. Thanks again.

Regards,

JQ

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/24/2009 4:13:29 PM
Author:jqweezy
Hello All,

I came across this 1.26ct F SI1 Round Hearts and Arrows Diamond from GOG and I really like the specs and pictures (let me know what you think...). However, running it through the HCA scorer reveals a 2.1, and this kind of discourages me. I mean how can this diamond have Superior optical symmetry with AGS Ideal polish and symmetry and still NOT score below 2 for HCA? Is this a big deal? Am I being too picky here? When I set out on my diamond search adventure, I told myself that I wanted the biggest diamond I could get, with the best cut (H&A / AGS0 / GIA EX / Superior Optical Symmetry, AND HCA 2. Again, am I being too picky here?

On another note, I emailed GOG about this diamond to find out if it is eye-clean, and here is their exact response:

'I took out that 1.26 F Si1 and look at it. Without a loupe I couldn’t find the inclusions. The inclusions are mostly made up of clouds. This diamond is graded from AGS and received a great score on our Gemex machine. It’s a great stone.'

Do you guys interpret this as being eye-clean? Should I be concerned that the 'inclusions are mostly made up of clouds'? I look forward to anyone's feedback. Oh, and please comment on this diamond if you would like. Thanks again.

Regards,

JQ

The use of the HCA is really limited when you have such a well cut diamond and images, images always trump the HCA in any case. The diamond is scoring thus on the HCA because of the angle combo but the images look great so don't worry any more about the HCA in this case, it is only meant for rejection and if you have images which prove the diamond looks great then thats what is needed.

Check with GOG, call them up and arrange for Jon to discuss the diamond with you concerning eyecleanliness and whether it meets your expectations, with a trusted vendor like Jon who has a hand selected diamond with grade setting clouds I wouldn't worry that these are having a negative effect as Jon screens all his diamonds carefully.

The HCA score wouldn't bother me in the slightest here if I were buying as the images look excellent, but its up to your comfort level, just make sure you use the HCA in the right way and as its expert creator warns on the HCA info, images trump it every time.