Triple Ex or Clarity?

[gizmo_pie]

Hi,

Would like to find out what the opinion is in regards to "value" of two round brilliant diamonds that are GIA certified..

VS1 (with peripheral feathers/crystals) but Ex-Ex-VG(symm)

versus

VS2 (where there are very tiny carbon inclusions 2 or 3) but ExExEx

Does the fact that it is a "triple Ex" stone mean it is rarer or more "valuable", at the expense of a lower clarity of VS2.
This is with the diamond having the same color and very similar cut proportions.

I posted a similar question earlier to help decide on my ring, but this is a more general question relating to "price/value" of triple ex diamonds vs lower clarity.

Thanks!

Cathy

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 10/13/2007 8:44:39 AM
Author:gizmo_pie
Hi,

Would like to find out what the opinion is in regards to ''value'' of two round brilliant diamonds that are GIA certified..

VS1 (with peripheral feathers/crystals) but Ex-Ex-VG(symm)

versus

VS2 (where there are very tiny carbon inclusions 2 or 3) but ExExEx

Does the fact that it is a ''triple Ex'' stone mean it is rarer or more ''valuable'', at the expense of a lower clarity of VS2.
This is with the diamond having the same color and very similar cut proportions.

I posted a similar question earlier to help decide on my ring, but this is a more general question relating to ''price/value'' of triple ex diamonds vs lower clarity.

Thanks!

Cathy

First, there is no visible difference between VG and EX polish and symmetry. Triple EX is a cool nickname but there won''t be any visible diff between these stones based on finish grades.

Regarding the nicknames AGS "Triple 0" and GIA "Triple EX..." AGS ''triple zero'' is attached to any diamond with the AGS Ideal cut grade, since it must have 0 grades in performance, proportions and finish to earn AGS Ideal. Meanwhile a GIA diamond can be GIA EX in cut without being ''triple EX,'' since a diamond with VG polish and symmetry can qualify for their EX cut grade.

AGS takes a very strict stand on polish and symmetry; beyond eye-visible. In human visible terms GIA''s position is more realistic, but AGS has long held to its standards of top craftsmanship and strictness in finish grading.

Some bonus trivia: Originally an AGS triple zero was a diamond with a 0 grade in cut (Ideal), 0 in clarity (IF or Flawless) and 0 in Color (D). AGS 000. However, sellers started calling any diamond with ideal cut ''triple zero'' because proportions, polish & symmetry all had to be 0 to get the cut grade AGS 0 (pre-2005). Now, in the same way, light performance, proportions factors and finish all have to be 0... That''s why any diamond with the AGS Ideal cut grade now gets called triple 0 (cue old timers on porch smoking pipes saying "Bah - I remember the good old days when ya had to be a D-Flarless to get them zeros!" )

 

[niceice]

Date: 10/13/2007 8:44:39 AM
Author:gizmo_pie

Does the fact that it is a ''triple Ex'' stone mean it is rarer or more ''valuable'', at the expense of a lower clarity of VS2.

Value aside. Consider visual performance and take the proportions of the diamond into account. I''d rather have a diamond cut to ideal proportions with very good polish and symmetry than a 3X cut to the broad edges of the range of parameters allowed for within the zero ideal cut proportions rating. I saw a lab report yesterday for a GIA 3X that indicated the pavilion angle was 41.6 degrees! I''d much rather have a VG VG with a shallower pavilion angle. I''m not going to get into the whole "look for this" proportions discussion here because it''s covered all over this forum, but it is the basis for the insight.

 

[gizmo_pie]

Thank you very much for the advice. My problem is, the two stones I am trying to decide on both have similar cut proportions, as follows... and given they are similar in price too, I just don''t know whether to select clarity over triple ex or the other way around...

GIA #16245259 EVS2 1.01
Ex.Ex.Ex. 6.45-6.48x3.98
Ct nil Fl nil Girdle med
Table 56 Depth 61.6
Crown angle 15.5%/35 deg
Pav angle 43%/41 deg
The inclusions are about 2-3 very fine carbon dots


GIA #16276798 1.00 EVS1
6.44-6.52x3.95
Ex.Ex Symm VG
Fl nil Ct nil Girdle med
Table 55 Depth 61
Crown 15.5%/34.5 deg
Pav angle 42.5%/40.8 deg
i haven''t seen this 2nd stone as it is interstate and i have to pay a non-refundable fee to view it (to cover costs of insurance, shipping etc) ... however they have done a cut report on it which shows a 99.9% intensity and ideal cut proportions score 0.


both are around 9100USD.
i really can''t decide which to go for, in terms of brilliance and total appearance. i am also worried b/c i have been told that black inclusions are carbon and should not be classified by GIA as VS clarity.


The third diamond that i saw is tempting b/c of its size and price, of 7000USD, as follows


GIA 16356145 FSI1 1.10ct
Ex.Ex.Ex 6.61-6.68x4.09
Fl nil ct nil Girdle med
table 57 depth 61.6
crown 15.5%/34.5 deg
pavilion 43%/40.8 deg
the inclusions are cloud/crystals on the periphery of the table.


Thank you for your help!