pretty much all set on THIS diamond.. good choice?

[deezy455]

Hey guys,
So I am on a bit of a time crunch and I think I am leaning towards getting this diamond:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-214673
HCA score 2.7


Is this a good choice in your opinion for $9k...or are there better choices out there for cheaper?

 

[pomellina]

It's my understanding that diamonds that score 2 or less on the HCA are considered better performers generally than those that score over 2 like this one. To confirm that, I think you need to ask James Allen to provide you with an Ideal Scope/ASET image which you can then post here. I'm sure that someone will then be able to help you interpret it.

Have you asked one of James Allen's 'diamond experts' to take a look at this diamond? What did they say?

Here's another to consider: http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaRD#diamonds_pid=LD02560772

$8,773
1.56 carat
J
VS2
Excellent polish, symmetry and cut (GIA)
HCA 1.0 (excellent in all except spread which was very good)

Get someone to check out the strong blue fluorescence for you but, assuming it's producing no ill effects, it should make the diamond appear whiter.

 

[kaaty]

James Allen will provide you idealscope images and gemologist review of 3 diamonds for free.
The whole process takes a week. If you are able to wait a week, shortlist 3 and ask them to review it.

 

[ecf8503]

An HCA between 2 and 3 is always worth investigating. Sometimes stones can have ideal light performance and still score above 2, it all depends on the combination of angles, etc. The HCA is a weed-out tool, not a selection tool.

I'd have JA look at that first one - do an ASET, and have them look at that inclusion right under the side of the table. I would see that and it would bother me personally.

 

[deezy455]

Thanks guys, I asked james allen for a ASET... so i will post that when its ready.

Also checked out that bluenile diamond, I like it. Only thing that worries me is that the inclusion is right in the middle of the table, hope its not visible to the naked eye.

 

[Smith1942]

The BN diamond looks good. It's a VS2 so should be absolutely fine. The inclusion is just a tiny cloud. I know that sounds as if it's a misty smudge, but it isn't. A cloud inclusion is like teeny tiny little diffuse pinpricks which, if GIA has graded it VS2, you'd probably have a hard time spotting under x10 magnification.

The JA diamond is almost $300 more for a lower clarity grade. It also scores 2.7 on the HCA cut tool, whereas the BN diamond scores a very desirable 1. Brian Gavin once said that 1 on the HCA was his ultimate score. A score over 2 generally indicates that you should keep looking.