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Question regarding 2 diamonds after using the HCA Tool

V

Vicator

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 5, 2017
Messages
9
Hi everyone, first time really shopping for a diamond for an engagement ring. I came across these 2:

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD07983519
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD08952335

The more expensive has a better HCA score of 0.7 which is better than the 1.6. But the sales rep kept telling me that Signature Ideal is better and that I should go for the cheaper one it should reflect a lot more light since that's why they call them Signature Ideal. (The more expensive one is only rated as Ideal)

I just wanted to confirm that the better one is actually better. From the HCA tool it sure seems like it. I think it might be worth the $1600 more.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thank you very much,
Victor
 
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I would like something around 1.2 Carat, it's the perfect size for the setting that I am getting and the size that fits her hand. For the diamond price I was looking to spend around $16000 max. Then it's just mix and matching things to make it fit.

I only did my comparisons with James Allen, but for comparable diamonds as the Blue Nile one with a < 1.4 HCA score, James Allen was around $5000 more for the diamond.

For BGD, we have

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d.../1.202-e-vs1-round-diamond-bkags-104089113011

And for the same price, I'm getting a worse HCA score (1.4 vs 0.7) and then a E VS1, vs a D VVS1. So on paper and all the tools it looks like the $15100 Blue Nile Diamond is better than BGD's heart & arrows.
 
For some reason my BlueNile links didn't work. This is the measurements of the Diamond I was looking at:

1.2 C
Depth 60.9
Table 56
Crown Angle 33.0
Pavillion Angle 40.8
D
VVS1
All Excellents (no fluorescence)

HCA Score 0.7
 
Vicator said:
And for the same price, I'm getting a worse HCA score (1.4 vs 0.7) and then a E VS1, vs a D VVS1. So on paper and all the tools it looks like the $15100 Blue Nile Diamond is better than BGD's heart & arrows.
Click to expand...
HCA tool is a rejection tool. You can reject those scored larger than 2 in your selection process. For those scored under 2, you can continue comparing them by Ideal scope, Aset, H&A image and more.......
"Don't use HCA score solely to select your diamond"
 
Also if you are young and have good close up eyesight you will probably prefer HCA 1.6 to 0.7 diamonds
 
Vicator said:
I only did my comparisons with James Allen, but for comparable diamonds as the Blue Nile one with a < 1.4 HCA score, James Allen was around $5000 more for the diamond.

For BGD, we have

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d.../1.202-e-vs1-round-diamond-bkags-104089113011

And for the same price, I'm getting a worse HCA score (1.4 vs 0.7) and then a E VS1, vs a D VVS1. So on paper and all the tools it looks like the $15100 Blue Nile Diamond is better than BGD's heart & arrows.
Click to expand...
With price aside ...I love the BGD stone!...:love:
 
HCA is an elimination tool. Eliminate stones that score over 2. Under 2 you need to use images (asets, idealscope, videos, H&A) to further evaluate.
Can you get any of these images for the Bluenile stone? If so, please post so we can evaluate. With your budget you should be buying a Super Ideal
Branded stone...(pre-vetted to fall within strict requirements and have all the associated images to prove that they are ideal performers). Also, great
tradeup policy in case ever wanted/needed.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-61346.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3793586.htm posted by defy above

Info on Whiteflash A Cut Above stones (ACAs) (they have a lot more info on ACAs but this is a good start)
https://www.whiteflash.com/a-cut-above-diamonds
 
Thanks for all the information everyone! I found another diamond, E VS1 1.25C. This hearts and crowns looks pretty good I think? Scores a 1.4 Excellent within TIC range

heartsandcrowns.PNG
 
Vicator said:
Thanks for all the information everyone! I found another diamond, E VS1 1.25C. This hearts and crowns looks pretty good I think? Scores a 1.4 Excellent within TIC range
heartsandcrowns.PNG
Click to expand...
The above H&A is not true H&A.

I would like to know what your requirements are?Cut, color, clarity, carat....?
Do you want to maximize the size? do you mind having lower color? do you need super ideal cut?....
 
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Vicator said:
Sorry for being such a beginner at this
Click to expand...
I am also a beginner. But what I learn in PS is "Cut". Cut is the most important in diamond.
Diamond will give tons of sparkles and fire if it is cut ideally.

For your budget, I think you can consider a diamond with lower color, then you can get a much bigger diamond like this : 1.461 ct G VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Diamond (IS, ASET, H&A are all perfect)


I think you can go to some jewelry shops and see if you are sensitive to tell the difference between D and G color : )
 
Vicator said:
I want something around 1.2-1.25 carats. And then maximize all the properties to make it look awesome for $15000. I think the I am just going to get:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d.../1.202-e-vs1-round-diamond-bkags-104089113011

That seems to maximize the quality for the price?

I also found this one at James Allen

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3125165

Sorry for being such a beginner at this, and thank you guys for your help.
Click to expand...

Both stones are nice, are upgrade options important to you?
 
SimoneDi said:
Both stones are nice, are upgrade options important to you?
Click to expand...
Upgrade options are not important to me as her hand/fingers are slender and she doesn't want a bigger diamond.
 
Vicator said:
Upgrade options are not important to me as her hand/fingers are slender and she doesn't want a bigger diamond.
Click to expand...

Ok good to know. I love BGD and I have bought multiple stones from them, but I am not sure if the difference between the BGD black and the JA will be distinguishable to you. Hopefully, I don't get in trouble for this, but why don't you call IDJ in NYC and see if they can source the GIA 1.2 D VVS2 for you and ask if they can beat the price.. they have done it in the past. Are you looking to set it in a solitaire?
 
SimoneDi said:
Ok good to know. I love BGD and I have bought multiple stones from them, but I am not sure if the difference between the BGD black and the JA will be distinguishable to you. Hopefully, I don't get in trouble for this, but why don't you call IDJ in NYC and see if they can source the GIA 1.2 D VVS2 for you and ask if they can beat the price.. they have done it in the past. Are you looking to set it in a solitaire?
Click to expand...

I'm looking to set it in a setting like this:

https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...ar-3-stone-engagement-ring-2648.htm#size=5.25

I don't know what IDJ is, but I'll look it up!
 
SimoneDi said:
Beautiful setting! I.D.Jewelry also works with Vatche. I will use less than 20pt each side stones with a 1.2ct round.
Click to expand...

When you say 20pt, does that mean like .2 carats? The smallest setting I see on the site is something with .25ct on each side.
 
Vicator said:
When you say 20pt, does that mean like .2 carats? The smallest setting I see on the site is something with .25ct on each side.
Click to expand...

Yes, I mean .20ct; I bet they can customize it, but I will really give them a call and discuss.
 
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