too swap or not to swap

[too picky?]

I have been lurking for at least a month and used the info. to buy my first diamond. Thanks you all for your comments and help.

However, I have a problem.... i cannot stop looking for the next best diamond. unfortunately, I think I have found one which will stop my looking and now am confronted with a decision to swap the stone (taking advantage of the 30 day refund and return policy).

Here are the options:
I currently own:
Cost: 3,265.43
1.00cts/EGL cert. (yeah I know but they were the best deal)/I (color) VS2 (clarity)
HCA score: 3.1 (not bad but the percentages scare me a little)

depth: 62.3
table:57
crown: 14%
pavillion: 44%
polish:VG
Symmetry:Excellent
girdle: medium
Flour: none
Comment: Excellent Ideal Cut

Cost: $3135.99
Same color, clarity, and Cert.
HCA score: .8 (Yeah!!)
depth: 61.5
table:55
crown: 15%
pavillion: 43%
polish:Excellent
Symmetry:Excellent
girdle: thin, faceted
Flour: none
Comment: Excellent Ideal Cut

Cost: $3083.99
Same color, clarity, and Cert.
HCA score: .9 (Yeah!!)
depth: 61.2
table:56
crown: 15%
pavillion: 43%
polish: VG
girdle: thin, faceted
Symmetry:Excellent
Flour: very slight
Comment: 8 hearts and arrows.........

Should I swap the my stone for one of the above given the website does not provide idealscope images or photo''s? Or should I leave well enough alone esp. since my stone though certified with I color was assessed as F/G by a local GIA gemologist????? HELP!!!!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Hi Too picky -- My suggestion, given that you stated that you continue to find yourself looking for the next best diamond, is to do so. It is apparent that you are not 500% satisfied with the one you have and if that is the case now, that will likely always be the case. You will probably find yourself looking for its flaws instead of admiring its beauty. Ditch the diamond and swap especially given that you have the option to do so.

The 2 options appear to have better numbers given their respective table and depth percentages. Your diamond is a little deeper and the table is larger, thus your diamond might have a "glassier" appearance, or at least this is my understanding. I''m sure an expert would better be able to speak to this point more definitively. If this is indeed the case, do you prefer this look to a more fiery diamond? If so, maybe your diamond''s numbers are perfect for your tastes, if not, again, the other 2 are probably right up your alley.

Good luck on your search and congratulations on your diamond purchase ... whatever you decide!

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome TP!!

It is best to have the angles for the HCA as they are more accurate than percentages. It doesn't sound as if the vendor who has these diamonds has a Sarin machine so he could get those, or Idealscope images, so it is hard to judge these diamonds accurately. Also do you have the diameter measurements of each diamond? And which branch of EGL graded these diamonds, it is EGL USA, Israel, Europe etc? Regarding your appraisal of the current diamond, was the GIA gemologist an independant appraiser, or someone who works in a jewellery store? I think it boils down to this, there is always going to be a better deal or better diamond, but the one you have you need to be a bit excited about!! If this isn't the case, then swap it, if you do love it then try to think if it is what you want long term.

 

[too picky?]

you''re right on. the appearance is a bit glassier and lacks fire.

however, will an HCA difference of 2.2 and smaller table and shallower stone result in a noticeable difference.

TP

 

[too picky?]

the gemologist is a local BM and the cert. is from Israel.

Did I get lucky with color and may not be so fortunate next time?

 

[Lorelei]

Picky, if you do a search for EGL Israel, you will find lots of opinions, including some expert ones, of this grading lab.

 

[too picky?]

your right their seems to be alot of variablity in opinions with color and clarity. however, would there be as much variability in diamond percentages (ie table, depth, crown, pavillion) since those are or can be more objectively measured???

Or are these prices too good for the claims made in the certificates??

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 1/10/2008 10:32:32 AM
Author: too picky?
Or are these prices too good for the claims made in the certificates??

Too picky - When I was shopping for a diamond, I found, across the board that EGL certed diamonds were less expensive than those graded by GIA and AGS. Myself, I wanted to be absolutely certain that I was getting the color/clarity that was stated & that I was paying for, so, my personal decision was to stick to only GIA/AGS graded stones as these stones tend to be graded more accurately.

With regards to the crown/pavilion angles, table & depth %''s etc - The numbers that a lot of PS members tend to adhere to are those in the Ideal Range... however, in a general sense, as it usually the case when it comes to subjective beauty, opinions do tend to vary as to what the "Ideal" Ideal range is ...

 

[too picky?]

what i meant was do you think the numbers in the EGL cert.''s are reliable (or are reliable enough to be used in the HCA)? where color and clarity may be less reliable due to subjectivity and hence ease of grading?

Thanks for walking me through some of this....

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 1/10/2008 1:30:42 PM
Author: too picky?
what i meant was do you think the numbers in the EGL cert.''s are reliable (or are reliable enough to be used in the HCA)? where color and clarity may be less reliable due to subjectivity and hence ease of grading?

Thanks for walking me through some of this....

Oh I get it ... I''m sorry I misunderstood your inquiry.

I am not positive, however, hazarding a guess ... I would think that the EGL cert numbers are reliable as they are not subjective ... Typically, these numbers are derived from a sarin report (machine) that sort of spits the numbers out, so to speak, after assessing the diamond.

While the numbers that have been provided on the EGL cert should be accurate, there may not be enough info for a truly accurate HCA score. As far as I understand it, the HCA score is most accurate when the crown/pavilion angle info is inputted and, based on what you listed, the EGL cert only provided the crown/pavilion percentages.

Does this help to clarify?

 

[too picky?]

yeah that makes sense.

So in short if I were to swap I would be running the very real risk of Lower color and/or clarity however, cut would be better even given the %s?

at least i think this is the right conclusion to reach? what do you think??

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 1/10/2008 1:47:17 PM
Author: too picky?
yeah that makes sense.

So in short if I were to swap I would be running the very real risk of Lower color and/or clarity however, cut would be better even given the %s?

at least i think this is the right conclusion to reach? what do you think??

Right. Color/Clarity may not be as stated on the cert, however, the cut on the 2 options appear to be superior to the initial selection. What this better cut means as well though, is that in the "face up" or most viewed position, it is likely that your stone will appear quite white.

 

[too picky?]

Sparkalicious and Lorelei thanks soooooo much for letting me bounce my insanity off of someone......

and a big thanks to pricescope for being here