Requesting feedback on a diamond, thanks!

[Jibby]

Hi everyone,

Thank you all who helped me in my previous posting. I''m leaning towards the second stone of the two I was considering and was hoping I could get some further feedback on this particular diamond since I was able to obtain additional information on it from GIA.

GIA Report # 14631599

Round Brilliant
Measurements - 6.45 - 6.47 x 4.04 mm
1.06 carat
Clarity - SI 1
Color - F

Depth - 62.5%
Table - 59%
Crown Angle - 35 degrees
Crown Height - 14.5%
Pavilion Angle - 41 degrees
Pavilion Depth - 43.5%
Star lenght - 55%
Lower Half - 80%

Cut Grade - Very Good
Girdle - Medium to Thick, Faceted
Culet - None

Polish - Good
Symmetry - Very Good
Fluoro - None

I put all of this into the Cut-Advisor and it came back as a 2.9 - Very Good. Based on the stats, can you comment on it''s quality?

When I first saw this diamond, I remember really enjoying it and liked its fire and brilliance. I discounted it at first because it was a pushing the limit of my budget, but I''m now confident I can negotiate it into my price range, so I am hoping to get some thoughts on it from the experts here to make sure it really stands up!

Thank you all for your help, I swear this diamond buying business is much more stressful than buying a car or a home even!!!

 

[dockman3]

Hi Jibby.

This looks like a really nice stone. Some people on here are probably going to tell you that because it didn''t score below 2 on the HCA to throw it out and look for a new one. In terms of the "ideal" cut, technically, you can do better. You''re right on the edge of what we call a "steep/deep" with the 35/41 combo so there''s a possibility of some leakage. The larger table is also outside of ideal, so you might get a little less fire. The good polish could also be of concern, but you shouldn''t be able to tell that with your naked eye. The F SI1 is also a great combo and it is very round!

However, in my own personal experience, the specs you have there should give you a good amount amount of brilliance with maybe a little less fire than a diamond with a smaller table. My diamond scored a 2.7 on the HCA and I picked it out of a line up with 4 other diamonds that all scored below 2, so you can''t judge by the HCA alone. You''ve seen it in person, which is more valuable than any numbers you can post here. If you love it, then buy it and don''t worry about what a bunch of people who have never seen it say. I''m sure its gorgeous and can''t wait for pictures!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/12/2008 2:01:09 PM
Author:Jibby


Hi everyone,

Thank you all who helped me in my previous posting. I'm leaning towards the second stone of the two I was considering and was hoping I could get some further feedback on this particular diamond since I was able to obtain additional information on it from GIA.

GIA Report # 14631599

Round Brilliant
Measurements - 6.45 - 6.47 x 4.04 mm
1.06 carat
Clarity - SI 1
Color - F

Depth - 62.5%
Table - 59%
Crown Angle - 35 degrees
Crown Height - 14.5%
Pavilion Angle - 41 degrees
Pavilion Depth - 43.5%
Star lenght - 55%
Lower Half - 80%

Cut Grade - Very Good
Girdle - Medium to Thick, Faceted
Culet - None

Polish - Good
Symmetry - Very Good
Fluoro - None



I put all of this into the Cut-Advisor and it came back as a 2.9 - Very Good. Based on the stats, can you comment on it's quality?

When I first saw this diamond, I remember really enjoying it and liked its fire and brilliance. I discounted it at first because it was a pushing the limit of my budget, but I'm now confident I can negotiate it into my price range, so I am hoping to get some thoughts on it from the experts here to make sure it really stands up!

Thank you all for your help, I swear this diamond buying business is much more stressful than buying a car or a home even!!!

Hi Jibby,

Unless you love this one, you can do better. It is hitting what we call steep deep territory and because of this, the diamond could leak light and not perform as well as it could. It is also a touch on the deep side and with the thick girdle, may face up a little small for it's weight, and the table is on the large side. Polish and symmetry should not be a problem although some prefer at least VG and above as part of the finish of their diamond, however the naked untrained eye won't notice any difference according to some experts. If you love this stone, ask to check it out away from the store lights to make sure you like it in more real life conditions where the diamond will be worn.

 

[kcoursolle]

I agree with Lorelei!

 

[Jibby]

Hi everyone, thanks you for your feeback, I really do appreciate it.

I must admit though, I think the more I''m learning about this, the more confused/frustrated I''m getting? It seems like every diamond my jeweler pulls out doesn''t seem to pass the "stats'' test. Is this normal? I thnk he''s getting a bit frustrated with me too. In all reality do these things beyond the "four c''s" really make a tremendous impact on the quality and look of a diamond or do they just make a great stone better and I should just trust my eyes?

Perhaps one of you may be able to steer me in the right direction? I''m looking to spend about $7K on the ring. I want to get a 14K white gold, three stone ring with 1 carat total weight pink sapphires (50 pts each) on the side and a center diamond at 1.00 carat, or just a tad over. The sapphires and the setting are relatively simple but can I ask someone to provide me an example or two of a good diamond as I described within my price range (I guess around $5500 for the center stone)? I''ve been looking for F / SI 1 diamonds thusfar which seem to be in my price range?

Thanks again for your time and help!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/12/2008 2:49:24 PM
Author: Jibby
Hi everyone, thanks you for your feeback, I really do appreciate it.

I must admit though, I think the more I'm learning about this, the more confused/frustrated I'm getting? It seems like every diamond my jeweler pulls out doesn't seem to pass the 'stats' test. Is this normal? I thnk he's getting a bit frustrated with me too. In all reality do these things beyond the 'four c's' really make a tremendous impact on the quality and look of a diamond or do they just make a great stone better and I should just trust my eyes?

Perhaps one of you may be able to steer me in the right direction? I'm looking to spend about $7K on the ring. I want to get a 14K white gold, three stone ring with 1 carat total weight pink sapphires (50 pts each) on the side and a center diamond at 1.00 carat, or just a tad over. The sapphires and the setting are relatively simple but can I ask someone to provide me an example or two of a good diamond as I described within my price range (I guess around $5500 for the center stone)? I've been looking for F / SI 1 diamonds thusfar which seem to be in my price range?

Thanks again for your time and help!

Jibby, I know it can be confusing, but it is time well spent when comparing diamonds, to make sure you end up with the right one. If your jeweller is showing frustration with you, then is there anywhere else you could shop? You don't want to be grabbing at anything because you feel he is losing patience, you will have this ring for a very long time and you want to get the best you can. Cut is crucial to a diamond's beauty, also you don't even need to go for what we call a superideal cut diamond, but one which has proportions which work harmoniously together to provide excellent light return or sparkle can also be a fine choice.

As to this diamond, the crown and pavilion angles are entering the danger zone for what we call steep deep. This very basically means that the crown and pavilion angles could be too steep and deep to maximise the return of light or sparkle, so the diamond could ' leak' light and look dark in some lights. It may not be too much of an issue with this diamond, but like I said it is best to check it out carefully away from the store lights if you can to make sure you like how it looks in the type of lighting it will be worn in.

Here are some numbers/ proportions you can use to help you Jibby.

depth - 60 - 62% - although my personal preference is to allow up to 62.4%
table - 54- 57%
crown angle - 34- 35 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6- 41 degrees
girdle - avoid extremes, look for thin to slightly thick, thin to medium etc
polish and symmetry - very good and above


note - with crown and pavilion angles at the shallower ends ( CA 34- PA 40.6) and steeper ( CA 35- PA 41) check to make sure these angles complement in that particular diamond - eyeballs, Idealscope, trusted vendor input - check as appropriate!

Here is an example of a diamond with excellent proportions, it is a bit over budget and an H colour, but it will give you an idea.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-737788.htm

Another example - http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1204627.htm

 

[dockman3]

I agree with what Lorelei said in regards to picking the right diamond for you. Take your time. It doesn''t matter if the jeweler is getting annoyed with you. You''re the customer and he should be bending over backwards to please you. Tell him to pick out some AGS000 stones and GIA Ex stones. He should be able to do this with no problem. I found that it is hard to find diamonds in the local jewelry shops because they are frankly more rare and harder to come by. Online shops have an advantage here, but your local jeweler should also be able to tap into some of these huge databases.

Is there a huge difference between a 2.9 and 1.5 on the HCA? Realistically, probably not. To the average consumer, you won''t be able to tell much of a difference, but to the average PSer, yes, there is a difference! You happened to find a place with the most well educated diamond consumers on the planet, so we are only going to go for the best in most cases. In the end, you''re the one that''s going to buy it and you''re the one that knows what she''s going to like. Trust your own eyes. It sounds like you''ve seen enough to know what you like and don''t like, we just want to make sure that you''ve seen an "ideal" cut diamond to know what it looks like.

If you are ok with buying online, I found a good one for you to look at:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3902/

And another:

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1204636.htm#

You won''t be able to find these prices at your local jeweler, but if you want a fantastic cut like these, you will probably have to sacrifice color and clarity to do it and still keep that magic 1.0ct.

In the end, just trust your eyes and get what makes you happy.

 

[kcoursolle]

Finding a well-cut inexpensive stone at a B&M is difficult and sometimes impossible. Have you considered shopping online? You can get more for your money and they have a broader selection of well-cut stones. If you don''t want to shop online, I would suggest bringing in specific specs to your jeweler to work with like the ones Lorelei mentioned. In the mean time you might want to check out whiteflash, goodoldgold, and jamesallen.com. They are all extremely trust worthy and have a fantastic selection of well-cut stones. Your budget is fine for what you are looking for by the way. If you can''t get it from the jeweler you are working with in budget, then it''s time to go elsewhere.

 

[Jibby]

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for the encouragement and the suggestions!

I''ve been hesitant to shop online for something as important as an engagement ring, but maybe it''s something to start to consider. You are all right, I''ve probably looked at 8 diamonds from my jeweler and nothing seems to stand out when put to the test. I recieved a good recommendation on him, but thinking about our conversatons, perhaps he just isn''t the jeweler for me and I should look elsewhere.

I''m in the San Diego area and I''m not too hip on other good jewelers in my area. Also, not sure if it''s right or wrong, but I''ve been trying to stay away from the chain or mall jewelry stores for this.

I appreciate the examples of quality stones in my price range, I think I''ll start looking around a bit more online and see what I can come up with. I''ll probably be back asking for more help, so thank you for your patience!

Thanks

 

[J2K]

Call around and find out if any jewelers in your area stock AGS Ideal and/or GIA Excellent cut stones. If they do, go take a look at those diamonds and get a feel for their specs. Once you actually see the ideal cut stones, it makes it much easier to search online... or at least I found it much easier.

I ended up with a GIA Ex/Ex/Ex .91ct F/SI1 and couldn''t be happier.