Ready to take the plunge. Any help is appreciated!

[HombreDiamond]

Hi All,

First time poster as I just came across this great site. I've done tons of research and also just found the https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca which has been extremely helpful in evaluating various diamonds.

I'm in the market for a Round, Very Good or Ideal Cut .90-1.2 Carat, G-J Color, and VSI-SI1 Clarity. However, I'm somewhat new to this whole Depth, Table, Crown, Pavilion and Cutlet numbers.

I came across this and it produced a 1.2 in the HCA calculator. https://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-1-20-Carat-H-color-GIA-certified/D-6Q5F52

I know everyone has a different opinion but would love to get your thoughts on any recommended combination of the 4Cs and if there is any number I shoot for within the HCA calculator.

Any information would be much appreciated!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hi and welcome! The HCA is a screening tool and diamonds that score 2.0 or under are worth further consideration (some a little over 2 might be as well). I highly advise buying from a vendor that supplies magnified images of the stone as well as an idealscope or ASET image to show light return.

Look at GIA Excellent cut only. The HCA helps you to identify the better stones in that broad category. I also use the parameters below which also help select the better stones.

table: 54-58

depth: 60-62.3

crown angle: 34-35.0

pavilion angle: 40.6-41.0

The stone you linked is potentially good although outside the range I prefer for the crown angle. But I would not consider a diamond especially with SI clarity without magnified images. Some are not eyeclean.

 

[HombreDiamond]

Thank you so much for the quick reply, this is already incredibly helpful!

I want to see any stone in person before I purchase. Is it worth just going up to the VS2 to be safe or is worth finding an SI1 that's eyeclean?

I'll be sure to only consider GIA Excellent Cut only. Is there a way to know if a stone has an Excellent Cut without the GIA report? Should I search Ideal, Very Good, Good?

Any opinion on the Color and Cutlet? Any reason you prefer the Crown within the parameters you mentioned?

Thanks again!

 

[Diamond_Hawk]

I'll be sure to only consider GIA Excellent Cut only. Is there a way to know if a stone has an Excellent Cut without the GIA report? Should I search Ideal, Very Good, Good?

Any reason you prefer the Crown within the parameters you mentioned?

HombreDiamond,

As a trade member I cannot comment on the link you posted, but I would like to respond to the portions of your question quoted above.

Read this link:

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut

It is a good starting point to learn answers to the questions above. Once you have finished the original page, start following the links integrated into and at the bottom of that page - there is a wealth of information available.

 

[HombreDiamond]

I'll be sure to only consider GIA Excellent Cut only. Is there a way to know if a stone has an Excellent Cut without the GIA report? Should I search Ideal, Very Good, Good?

Any reason you prefer the Crown within the parameters you mentioned?

HombreDiamond,

As a trade member I cannot comment on the link you posted, but I would like to respond to the portions of your question quoted above.

Read this link:

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut

It is a good starting point to learn answers to the questions above. Once you have finished the original page, start following the links integrated into and at the bottom of that page - there is a wealth of information available.

Thank you all again! I'm digging into this link and researching as much as I can about light escape, H&As, ASET. I've been looking at the http://www.goodoldgold.com/ site that has given me even more insight! While I'm still not sure what exactly would be best for me, I'll hopefully have a better idea soon.

I think the majority of my questions will now be around, how much light escape, broken hearts and arrows would be acceptable to the average joe. I want the ring to have as much brilliance, fire as possible but just need to understand what is too much leakage vs. leakage with strong brilliance and fire. My budget is about $7K and if anyone has specific recommendations from this it's surely welcome! If not, I'll be back with some more questions and a more defined selection!