Seeking advice - is this an okay diamond? (GIA details inc.)

[AboutToPropose]

Hi All,

I stumbled upon this site just recently while trying to get more information on buying a diamond engagement ring for my girlfriend. My jeweller has located a ring for me and sent me a copy of the GIA report. I am fairly new at this and I'm not sure I'm using the HCA tool correctly, so I was hoping I could get a second opinion from the many seemingly very knowledgeable users here. I hope I'm not breaking any rules by posting here (I did read the Prosumer thread)

Here are the specifics for the diamond from the GIA report:
Round brilliant, 1.12 carat
Color: F
Clarity: VS2
Cut: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Flourescence: None

Comments:
Pinpoints are not shown

I've cropped the diagram where it shows what looks like either clouds or crystals as well as the angles of the diamond, please see image below:



My jeweller has estimated that it would end up costing somewhere between $11,500 to $12,000 (canadian dollars) for the diamond. I realise that I could probably find it a bit cheaper on blue nile or other online websites, but I have a good relationship with the jeweller and as long as this diamond is reasonably priced and of good quality I would very happy. I am most concerned about the diagram showing the little clouds/crystals above, I suppose, and I'm not sure if the angles are where they should be.

If i could get a second opinion regarding this that would be great - I've never made such a big purchase in my life (that wasn't financed anyway) so I'm a little nervous! Thank you very much in advance and I appreciate any and all comments.


Edit:
Here is the HCA result I got back, but I'm not sure I did it right and I notice the report says "based on a diamond with a medium girdle" but my girdle is slightly thick?:

Holloway Cut Adviser

Selected: 62% depth, 56% table, 36° crown angle, 40.6° pavilion angle
The result is for a symmetrical diamond with a medium girdle and very good polish
HCA scores were adjusted Dec. 15, 2001 and Feb. 6, 2003.


Factor Grade
Light Return Excellent
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Very Good
Spread
or diameter for weight Very Good
Total Visual Performance 1.7 - Excellent
within FIC range

 

[TitanCi]

Re: Seeking advice - is this an okay diamond? (GIA details i

The HCA is predicting it to be a "Firey Ideal Cut" stone (borrowed from Mr. Holloway's site: Firey Ideal Cuts (FIC) have more fire or spectral color and appear to have more facets and scintillation because of the increased interaction between the steeper crown facets that direct your view deeper and further into the pavilion). It may not possess the brightness you like, but if it produces more fire and you like that, then this may be a stone for you? Since it scored a 1.7 that means it's a stone you could look into further (which you're doing). Usually the next step is to get reflector images (i.e. Ideal scope or ASET; ideal-scope.com) to confirm the stone gives you optimal light return and the symmetry of the stone is to your liking.

How does the stone look to you? Have you seen it in person?

A quick search got me this stone (AGS 000)
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1475262.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

-the numbers are almost similar to your stone, but this one is slightly heavier
-This stone is an AGS 000, cut for optimal light performance; it's a"true hearts" stone - you can click on the tabs above the stone to see the IS images and the hearts image
-this one is roughly $12.5k CAD, and graded by AGS so I'd imagine you're paying more since it's an AGS stone; so perhaps shoot for the lowest price you can get your stone for?

 

[AboutToPropose]

Re: Seeking advice - is this an okay diamond? (GIA details i

Hi TitanCi,

Thank you for the input! Unfortunately I have not seen the diamond in person, as it needs to be shipped in. However my jeweler has assured me that the quality of the diamond from his source is always superb.

Do you feel that the little specs in the GIA diagram (crystal clusters?) are something to be concerned about? How much risk is there in buying a diamond based on a GIA report without seeing reflector images of the actual rock? For instance, are there problems that may not show up in the report (such as haziness/leakage)?

 

[TitanCi]

Re: Seeking advice - is this an okay diamond? (GIA details i

Hi TitanCi,

Thank you for the input! Unfortunately I have not seen the diamond in person, as it needs to be shipped in. However my jeweler has assured me that the quality of the diamond from his source is always superb.

Do you feel that the little specs in the GIA diagram (crystal clusters?) are something to be concerned about? How much risk is there in buying a diamond based on a GIA report without seeing reflector images of the actual rock? For instance, are there problems that may not show up in the report (such as haziness/leakage)?

Well, a jeweler (or anyone with an intent of selling you their product) will always tell you their product is x y or z. Cheaper, best, quality... but only YOU can be the true judge of that (I'm sure you know; it's no different for diamonds!). To him, a very particular look or whatever it is, is superb for HIS eyes. How about mine? or Hers? or Mrs. Ubersexy from 6 streets down? I'm glad it'll be called in so you can see it first! But make sure you don't have to commit to buying for him to call the stone in...

To me, I feel VS2's can go either way (again, to ME). I've seen some damn clean VS2s, some super damn clean SI's (not just eye clean, but some effort had to put in with a loupe), and some "easily-pass-on-this" VS2's. As long as the crystals don't come out looking like black specs, I think you'll be okay and the clouded area doesn't seem to be unreasonable (hard to tell from your pic). People say if the clouds are big enough then they could create hazy areas.

Regarding the reflector imaging, the main purpose is to show you if it potentially returns most of the light that enters the stone (and inadvertently helps to visualize some of the inclusions). You want to make sure the stone isn't acting as a window and letting light out of it, and thus making the stone look dark in certain areas. That's why the true diamond experts on this board will tell you to get images on the stone no matter what you post or how it scores on the HCA (unless it's an AGS 000).