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Thoughts on this stone please!

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Triggerfish

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Hey everyone! I came accross this stone from James Allen and thought it looked pretty good for the price. Can you all have a look and let me know what you think please? The AGS Cert is there for you to look at. It scored a 1.5 on the HCA tool. Thanks in advance!

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1213140.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

I''m STILL kinda nervous about purchasing online, so any reassurance you can provide regarding James Allen would be appreciated as well!
 

Upgradable

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I''m always a little cautious when grade making inclusions are under the table, but if you can get confirmation that this stone is eyeclean from your standards (and if the price is good) then I say that you''ve found an outstanding stone!!!! Great size, color, spread, and I''m a sucker for an eyeclean SI stone!!!!!

Good luck to you, and please keep us updated!!
 

Lorelei

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Date: 2/11/2009 12:25:57 PM
Author:Triggerfish
Hey everyone! I came accross this stone from James Allen and thought it looked pretty good for the price. Can you all have a look and let me know what you think please? The AGS Cert is there for you to look at. It scored a 1.5 on the HCA tool. Thanks in advance!

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1213140.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

I''m STILL kinda nervous about purchasing online, so any reassurance you can provide regarding James Allen would be appreciated as well!
It looks nice, make sure it is eyeclean to your standards, ideally we would have hearts images in order to properly evaluate overall cut precision for h&a diamonds, but I don''t think JA supply them. However the diamond looks nice and James Allen have an excellent reputation here.
 

Triggerfish

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Ok. I requested an Ideal Scope image. Thanks for the advice! Another question....since this diamond is under 1 Ct, will it look too small if I choose a setting with sidestones? Is there a "significant" or noticable size difference between a 0.87 and a 1.0 CT? Thanks so much!
 

Lorelei

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Date: 2/11/2009 1:16:43 PM
Author: Triggerfish
Ok. I requested an Ideal Scope image. Thanks for the advice! Another question....since this diamond is under 1 Ct, will it look too small if I choose a setting with sidestones? Is there a ''significant'' or noticable size difference between a 0.87 and a 1.0 CT? Thanks so much!
Most welcome! Assuming well cut diamonds as we are, then to me there isn''t much difference between the sizes you mention, maybe a tiny bit with direct comparison, not so much without. Look at the actual diameter measurements to get an idea. And sidestones would look good if thats what you had in mind.
 

Lorelei

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Triggerfish

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Thanks again! I''ll post the Ideal Scope Image when/if they send it to me, so keep an eye on my thread please!
 

Lorelei

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Date: 2/11/2009 1:40:04 PM
Author: Triggerfish
Thanks again! I''ll post the Ideal Scope Image when/if they send it to me, so keep an eye on my thread please!
I will be looking out for it!
35.gif
 

Triggerfish

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Just thought of one more question...sorry! Someone here mentioned before that an HCA score that is "too low" can be a bad thing. This particular stone scored an HCA of 0.9 I believe. Is that concerning in any way?
 

Lorelei

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Date: 2/11/2009 1:43:47 PM
Author: Triggerfish
Just thought of one more question...sorry! Someone here mentioned before that an HCA score that is 'too low' can be a bad thing. This particular stone scored an HCA of 0.9 I believe. Is that concerning in any way?
No need to apologize!

What that basically means is that diamonds which have shallower proportions which score below 1 on the HCA, may have a lack of contrast or potential obstruction issues ( basically that shallower diamonds might look dark when viewed closely due to the shadow of your head). But this isn't always the case, it is a diamond by diamond call and nothing to worry about with the diamonds you are considering!
 

Triggerfish

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Still waiting on the Ideal Scope Image for the above stone I mentioned. How long should it take for them to send it to me?

Anyway, I was snooping some more today and found the following diamond, also from James Allen. It seems almost identical to the one above, but is a few $$ cheaper. It scored a .7 on the HCA. Any ideas on what differences there are between these two, and which might be better?? Thanks! here''s the link for the one i found this morning....

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193299.asp

Thanks again!
 

RBsearch

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I have requested a number of ideal scope images from JA, and they usually come within 1-2 days. One time it took a bit longer, maybe 4 or 5 days.
 

Triggerfish

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Ok....one more to look at, if you could please! All of this can make you kinda dizzy after awhile! LOL. Anyway, this one does seem very nice, and good value. It does have an inclusion of some sort, so I''d want to see if it was "eye clean". It''s an H&A stone and there''s an IS image available. Is this one worth considering as well? It scored a 1.5 HCA btw.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1213140.asp

Thanks!
 

Lorelei

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Date: 2/12/2009 10:51:48 AM
Author: Triggerfish
Ok....one more to look at, if you could please! All of this can make you kinda dizzy after awhile! LOL. Anyway, this one does seem very nice, and good value. It does have an inclusion of some sort, so I'd want to see if it was 'eye clean'. It's an H&A stone and there's an IS image available. Is this one worth considering as well? It scored a 1.5 HCA btw.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1213140.asp

Thanks!
Hi there,

I will take a look for you!

Ok, this diamond below is bordering on being a shallower combo so I would definitely like an Idealscope image for this one to get a better idea on how it looks-

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193299.asp



This one below looks good!

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1213140.asp

As always with SI clarities, check they are eyeclean to your standards.
 

Triggerfish

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Thanks Lorelei! You rock! (pun intended) Not sure how far up you read, but there''s actually 2 new stones I''m looking at.
 

Lorelei

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Date: 2/12/2009 11:05:58 AM
Author: Triggerfish
Thanks Lorelei! You rock! (pun intended) Not sure how far up you read, but there''s actually 2 new stones I''m looking at.
How kind!!! Thanks!!
12.gif


I think I have got both of ''em now! Let me know if not!
 

Triggerfish

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Just to clarify, cause even i''m confused! LOL

this is the stone from yesterday. I requested an IS image and am currently waiting for it from JA.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193303.asp


This is another stone I found this morning. Very similar to the above stone. It scored a .7 HCA. Wondering if there is any significant difference between the two. This one is a tad bit less expensive (not much though).

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193299.asp


This is yet another diamond I came accross this morning. It''s a H&A stone, but does appear to have some sort of inclusion (cloud?), so I''d want to see if it''s "eye clean" first. Seemes like good value though.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1213140.asp


For the record....the original stone from the beginning of this thread is no longer available, therefore I didn''t mention it above.
There! Hopefully that will help keep them all straight (for now!).
 

Lorelei

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Date: 2/12/2009 11:15:09 AM
Author: Triggerfish
Just to clarify, cause even i'm confused! LOL

this is the stone from yesterday. I requested an IS image and am currently waiting for it from JA.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193303.asp


This is another stone I found this morning. Very similar to the above stone. It scored a .7 HCA. Wondering if there is any significant difference between the two. This one is a tad bit less expensive (not much though).

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193299.asp

This one, definitely need an Idealscope image.


This is yet another diamond I came accross this morning. It's a H&A stone, but does appear to have some sort of inclusion (cloud?), so I'd want to see if it's 'eye clean' first. Seemes like good value though.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1213140.asp

This one looks good! The inclusion is in fact a crystal looking at the report.


For the record....the original stone from the beginning of this thread is no longer available, therefore I didn't mention it above.
There! Hopefully that will help keep them all straight (for now!).
I think we are there now!
 

Triggerfish

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Date: 2/12/2009 11:02:21 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 2/12/2009 10:51:48 AM
Author: Triggerfish
Ok....one more to look at, if you could please! All of this can make you kinda dizzy after awhile! LOL. Anyway, this one does seem very nice, and good value. It does have an inclusion of some sort, so I''d want to see if it was ''eye clean''. It''s an H&A stone and there''s an IS image available. Is this one worth considering as well? It scored a 1.5 HCA btw.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1213140.asp

Thanks!
Hi there,

I will take a look for you!

Ok, this diamond below is bordering on being a shallower combo so I would definitely like an Idealscope image for this one to get a better idea on how it looks-

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193299.asp



This one below looks good!

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1213140.asp

As always with SI clarities, check they are eyeclean to your standards.

Thanks again Lorelei! How do I go about checking to see if it is "eye-clean"? Do I call them and ask someone to look at it? And what "standards" should I consider in regards to it being "eye clean"? I''m still learning all of this, so I appreciate your patience!
1.gif
 

LAD

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I love the setting you picked. BTW I just bought a diamond a few weeks ago from JA and its gorgeous and JA was wonderful to work with.
 

Lorelei

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Date: 2/12/2009 11:21:16 AM
Author: Triggerfish

Date: 2/12/2009 11:02:21 AM
Author: Lorelei


Date: 2/12/2009 10:51:48 AM
Author: Triggerfish
Ok....one more to look at, if you could please! All of this can make you kinda dizzy after awhile! LOL. Anyway, this one does seem very nice, and good value. It does have an inclusion of some sort, so I''d want to see if it was ''eye clean''. It''s an H&A stone and there''s an IS image available. Is this one worth considering as well? It scored a 1.5 HCA btw.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1213140.asp

Thanks!
Hi there,

I will take a look for you!

Ok, this diamond below is bordering on being a shallower combo so I would definitely like an Idealscope image for this one to get a better idea on how it looks-

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193299.asp



This one below looks good!

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1213140.asp

As always with SI clarities, check they are eyeclean to your standards.

Thanks again Lorelei! How do I go about checking to see if it is ''eye-clean''? Do I call them and ask someone to look at it? And what ''standards'' should I consider in regards to it being ''eye clean''? I''m still learning all of this, so I appreciate your patience!
1.gif
You are very welcome!

Yes, ask the vendor if the diamond is eyeclean - basically decide what your expectations are, for example, if you don''t want to see any visible inclusions from any angle at close scrutiny, make sure you tell the vendor that so they understand exactly what your expectations are. If you don''t mind if an inclusion is slightly visible then thats fine too, some like having a discreet little '' birthmark'' that personalizes their diamond - so it is totally up to you as to what your comfort level is. SI clarities are not created equal so some might be totally eyeclean and others might not be so it depends on your preferences - no way is wrong!!
 

Triggerfish

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Thanks LAD! Always good to hear some positive reviews for JA. I''m still a little uncertain about buying online. I THINK I''m going to do it though, as I can''t seem to find the quality of stones at similar prices at the jewelery stores around here! As far as the setting is concerned, I liked it too! I really know VERY little about settings though, so there''s still a fairly good chance I could change my mind on that! LOL. It looked nice on the 3D images though. That''s a neat tool they have at JA!
 

Paul-Antwerp

Ideal_Rock
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Ask the vendor to check it and to confirm that it is eye-clean and do find out that you are on the same page about the definition of eye-clean.

As for upgradable''s comment to be careful with grade making inclusions under the table, I kind of disagree with that. IF a stone is very well cut, I think that a central inclusion is much more difficult to see with the naked eye. My experience is that an inclusion on the side is more easy to see then. Of course, in a low light environment, where it is less likely for you to be blinded by the brightness of the stone, a central inclusion becomes more visible again.

As a final note, the usage of ''ideal'' and ''H&A'' on these stones also deserves to be checked. Each vendor has its own definition for these terms, and if they are important to you, you need to check the personal definition of your vendor.

Live long,
 

Triggerfish

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Date: 2/12/2009 11:30:11 AM
Author: Paul-Antwerp
Ask the vendor to check it and to confirm that it is eye-clean and do find out that you are on the same page about the definition of eye-clean.

As for upgradable''s comment to be careful with grade making inclusions under the table, I kind of disagree with that. IF a stone is very well cut, I think that a central inclusion is much more difficult to see with the naked eye. My experience is that an inclusion on the side is more easy to see then. Of course, in a low light environment, where it is less likely for you to be blinded by the brightness of the stone, a central inclusion becomes more visible again.

As a final note, the usage of ''ideal'' and ''H&A'' on these stones also deserves to be checked. Each vendor has its own definition for these terms, and if they are important to you, you need to check the personal definition of your vendor.

Live long,


Thanks Paul! I really appreciate your input! I plan on calling about the H&A stone. I''d definitely prefer to not be able to see imperfections in the stone I choose with the naked eye. For the record, here is James Allen''s statement regarding how they classify their H&As. They seem pretty strict.

"Our Standard For Grading Hearts:
*Eight symmetrical Hearts that are separate from the arrows above
*Each Heart must be of the same size and definition with equally sized lobes
*Each Heart must be complete and cannot be separated by overly deep clefts
Our Standards For Grading Arrows:
*Eight uniform and symmetrical Arrows that are the same length, shape and contrast
*Each Arrow must be clearly visible with a shaft and head
*Each Arrow point must meet equally at the girdle
Ideal cut diamonds that meet the above criteria, and those that have also been graded with the highest possible ratings for overall cut, polish and symmetry by either the G.I.A. or A.G.S. laboratories are selected for the James Allen Hearts & Arrows Collection. Only the most beautiful ideal cut diamonds are selected for review.
Because we use conservative standards for grading of our H&A diamonds, less than 1% of the diamonds on the JamesAllen.com website have been identified as part of this perfect diamond collection."
 

Triggerfish

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Hey everyone! Just a quick update on some of the stones I''ve been asking about on this thread. I spoke with a guy from Jared Allen and he said that both the H&A stone and the Ideal diamond are indeed "eye clean".

He already was familiar with the H&A because just a few hours prior to my call, someone else had called about this same diamond and wanted it inspected. Unfortunately, that person has "held" the H&A diamond mentioned above. He said this same person has several other stones "on hold", so there''s a very good chance that this customer might choose one of the other diamonds he has on hold. They said they would email me as soon as they know what''s going on. He said that the crystal on the AGS report does not affect the brilliance or scintillation of the stone whatsoever. He said that if it did, they wouldn''t have advertised it as a H&A, since they use strict guidlines for that.

I wasn''t AS concerned about the Ideal diamond I was considering, since it is a VS1, but he had that checked as well and says that it is definitely very clean. He will be sending me the Ideal Scope image of this partuclar diamond very soon, so I''ll post it as soon as i get it.

Just in case anyone DIDN''T see the Ideal Scope for the H&A, here it is. It looks good to me, but i''m certainly not a pro. Have a look....

IdealScope JA2.jpg
 

Lorelei

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It looks great!
emthup.gif
 
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