Unhappy with my 3 CT Round Brilliant LGD

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Agreeing with Karl also but from an uneducated viewpoint. I think smaller diamonds are often more appealing. The "under one carat" thread is my favorite, I saw so many diamonds that make me gasp.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Yes - the graining can cause light scattering which can make a diamond look hazy, milky, cloudy, or blurry.

The graning is minimal. Not enough to affect the light transmission at a human visibility level DJ
Looks like a keeper to me - just outside my preferred proportions, but not bad at all!

 

[Autumn in New England]

I think it needs a good bath and scrubbing. Start there and see if it helps at all. Dawn dishwasher, warm water, and soft
toothbrush.

This ^. It's exactly how I suggest to clean gems.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I think it needs a good bath and scrubbing. Start there and see if it helps at all. Dawn dishwasher, warm water, and soft
toothbrush.

Folks have you ever seen a diamond in a ring being retipped?
They go red then white hot.
PLEASE recommend boiling water, ammonia and Dawn!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

This ^. It's exactly how I suggest to clean gems.

Boiling water - but not in a pot - take the boiling water to a cup with a firm bristle tooth brush

 

[Autumn in New England]

Boiling water - but not in a pot - take the boiling water to a cup with a firm bristle tooth brush

Thank you! I will keep this in mind for cleaning my diamonds. Don't try this for colored gems though, kids.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Thank you! I will keep this in mind for cleaning my diamonds. Don't try this for colored gems though, kids.

Absolutely not - my process:
Clean the all diamonds and all metal (dirt is what makes chains wear out).
Then Rubies and sapphires.
Then Tourmalines, garnets and aquamarine etc - but the water is just finger hot by now.
Emeralds - take the liquid on toothbrush and scrub gently. Rinse under warm tap.
Pat dry.
If you have a steamer or milk frother on real coffee machine, Steam and pat dry.
You can steam a warm emerald but from a distance and holding in fingers so you know its not too hot.

 

[glitterata]

Absolutely not - my process:
Clean the all diamonds and all metal (dirt is what makes chains wear out).
Then Rubies and sapphires.
Then Tourmalines, garnets and aquamarine etc - but the water is just finger hot by now.
Emeralds - take the liquid on toothbrush and scrub gently. Rinse under warm tap.
Pat dry.
If you have a steamer or milk frother on real coffee machine, Steam and pat dry.
You can steam a warm emerald but from a distance and holding in fingers so you know its not too hot.

Gary, are you using ammonia on all these things? Which gemstones would you NOT recommend using ammonia with?

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Gary, are you using ammonia on all these things? Which gemstones would you NOT recommend using ammonia with?

Fracture filled gems.

 

[Dreamer_D]

The cleanest I ever saw my diamonds was six parts boiling water, one part household ammonia, and a few drops dawn. I used tbs for the “parts”. It was amazing!

I don’t do it often bc ammonia stinks to high heaven.

Note it will remove “antiquing” paint!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Absolutely not - my process:
Clean the all diamonds and all metal (dirt is what makes chains wear out).
Then Rubies and sapphires.
Then Tourmalines, garnets and aquamarine etc - but the water is just finger hot by now.
Emeralds - take the liquid on toothbrush and scrub gently. Rinse under warm tap.
Pat dry.
If you have a steamer or milk frother on real coffee machine, Steam and pat dry.
You can steam a warm emerald but from a distance and holding in fingers so you know its not too hot.

Thank you for this!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Gary, are you using ammonia on all these things? Which gemstones would you NOT recommend using ammonia with?

My opinion might be in the minority here, but I don't think there is ever really an occasion where you need to use ammonia. Again, maybe that's because I come from a CS background, and the thought of using something caustic like that terrifies me. For diamonds, perhaps it's ok, but then you still need to be careful not to corrode your precious metals. I always say use the minimum of what you need to clean gems. Dawn (a gentle degreaser), warm water, and a soft brush has always worked wonders for me!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

The cleanest I ever saw my diamonds was six parts boiling water, one part ammonia, and a few drops dawn. I used tbs for the “parts”. It was amazing!

Note it will remove “antiquing” paint!

And plastic enamel and so common sense (which may be uncommon) is recommended.

My opinion might be in the minority here, but I don't think there is ever really an occasion where you need to use ammonia. Again, maybe that's because I come from a CS background, and the thought of using something caustic like that terrifies me. For diamonds, perhaps it's ok, but then you still need to be careful not to corrode your precious metals. I always say use the minimum of what you need to clean gems. Dawn (a gentle degreaser), warm water, and a soft brush has always worked wonders for me!

Jewelers have used this solution in ultrasonic cleaners for ever Autumn

 

[Autumn in New England]

Jewelers have used this solution in ultrasonic cleaners for ever Autumn

Eek... and the ammonia doesn't harm/pit gold or platinum? I was told chlorine would eat away at it over time, so I assumed something as corrosive as ammonia would destroy it. Good to know!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Eek... and the ammonia doesn't harm/pit gold or platinum? I was told chlorine would eat away at it over time, so I assumed something as corrosive as ammonia would destroy it. Good to know!

I learned this after a jewler cleaned my diamond ring that had antiquing and some of it came off!

 

[Autumn in New England]

I learned this after a jewler cleaned my diamond ring that had antiquing and some of it came off!

Cleans too well, I suppose! I remember way back before I understood about how sterling silver was oxidized, I dipped a piece into one of those silver cleaning solutions. Gone! Lost all of that beautiful detail work. Did you have it reapplied?

Sorry for derailing the thread, OP! This is all good info though at least. lol

 

[Dreamer_D]

Cleans too well, I suppose! I remember way back before I understood about how sterling silver was oxidized, I dipped a piece into one of those silver cleaning solutions. Gone! Lost all of that beautiful detail work. Did you have it reapplied?

Sorry for derailing the thread, OP! This is all good info though at least. lol

It was just a small area and I ended up removing all the antiquing.

Before.

After.

 

[Autumn in New England]

It was just a small area and I ended up removing all the antiquing.

Before.

After.

Oh my goodness... she's gorgeous. So I've been oxidizing silver for years (using Midas Black Max, but I don't think it or liver of sulfur work on gold). If you ever want to add the antiquing again, use Vigor or Blak-Ox oxidizer. Very simple process... apply, let oxidize (it's almost instantaneous), wash, and then use a gold polishing cloth to remove it from the high points.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Oh my goodness... she's gorgeous. So I've been oxidizing silver for years (using Midas Black Max, but I don't think it or liver of sulfur work on gold). If you ever want to add the antiquing again, use Vigor or Blak-Ox oxidizer. Very simple process... apply, let oxidize (it's almost instantaneous), wash, and then use a gold polishing cloth to remove it from the high points.

I prefer it without the antiquing! I made the ring in 2019 and I feel like that was when antiquing was really stylish. Now it’s. It so much and I prefer the bright shine of the engraving. So it’s all good!

Fun to know it can be added back. I did a bunch of research before I removed it. It was funny to learn it’s basically just paint.

I hope OP comes back! We kind of ruined her parade wanting a new diamond. We all just said “yours is nice maybe just clean it better” lol

 

[Stephanie Gardner]

I prefer it without the antiquing! I made the ring in 2019 and I feel like that was when antiquing was really stylish. Now it’s. It so much and I prefer the bright shine of the engraving. So it’s all good!

Fun to know it can be added back. I did a bunch of research before I removed it. It was funny to learn it’s basically just paint.

I hope OP comes back! We kind of ruined her parade wanting a new diamond. We all just said “yours is nice maybe just clean it better” lol

I'm still around LOL! I was just a little shocked by some of the comments. I probably should have started this post by saying look at my existing diamond, can I get one that sparkles more

 

[Dreamer_D]

I'm still around LOL! I was just a little shocked by some of the comments. I probably should have started this post by saying look at my existing diamond, can I get one that sparkles more

I guess most people are saying “not really”? Please try to ammonia cleaning and take some more pictures in different lighting. It will help us help you!

 

[Stephanie Gardner]

Well I’m back to report that my diamond did indeed need a good cleaning. I followed the instructions given and now it looks like a totally different stone. I work from home so I haven’t worn it that much and I didn’t think it was dirty. Thanks for talking me off the ledge. I really appreciate it

 

[Dreamer_D]

Well I’m back to report that my diamond did indeed need a good cleaning. I followed the instructions given and now it looks like a totally different stone. I work from home so I haven’t worn it that much and I didn’t think it was dirty. Thanks for talking me off the ledge. I really appreciate it

Yay!

I’m not sure how you wear it, but oil from skin, lotion, soap residue from hand washing, all of this sticks to a diamond like nobodies business. We usually suggest washing with soap and water and a soak every day and the deeper clean once a week.

Can we see some pictures pretty please??

 

[Stephanie Gardner]

Yay!

I’m not sure how you wear it, but oil from skin, lotion, soap residue from hand washing, all of this sticks to a diamond like nobodies business. We usually suggest washing with soap and water and a soak every day and the deeper clean once a week.

Can we see some pictures pretty please??

Absolutely Here’s a couple pictures I just took.

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Absolutely Here’s a couple pictures I just took.

Holy mole!

 

[AdaBeta27]

Nobody mentioned HCA score. But I plugged the report number into the HCA, and this diamond received a score of 3.2, which is not less than 2. So could what the OP is seeing be the difference between all EX vs. VG, as the HCA defines those? And a dirty diamond just emphasizes the difference? Personally, I'd have immediately rejected this diamond based on the high HCA score. I already own an AGS 000 mined diamond that I love, and I don't think I'd settle for less than its equivalent in a large lab stone. In fact, the larger the diamond, the *more* of a stickler I become. This is literally why I do not already own a lab diamond, . I didn't want to pay a premium price for one, and sifting the ordinary vendors' web sites to try to find maybe the 1% of diamonds I'd be interested in buying got too annoying. There are SO many more that I'd reject than buy, and the vendors' search engines are usually not restrictive enough to aid the consumer in isolating the very best. So, if that diamond doesn't absolutely wow you, OP, find another one that does. It took me 3 tries buying mined diamonds to find the one that I still love as much 16 or 17 years later because it wasn't a compromise. Lab diamond cutters have everything they need to turn out exquisite lab diamonds each and every time. So why are they still turning out so many less than ideal diamonds??

IGI report # :

LG640408151

Light Return:	Very Good
Fire:	Very Good
Scintillation:	Good
Spread:	Very Good
HCA Score :	3.2 - Very Good - Worth buying if the price is right

 

[Karl_K]

Nobody mentioned HCA score. But I plugged the report number into the HCA, and this diamond received a score of 3.2, which is not less than 2. So could what the OP is seeing be the difference between all EX vs. VG, as the HCA defines those? And a dirty diamond just emphasizes the difference? Personally, I'd have immediately rejected this diamond based on the high HCA score. I already own an AGS 000 mined diamond that I love, and I don't think I'd settle for less than its equivalent in a large lab stone. In fact, the larger the diamond, the *more* of a stickler I become. This is literally why I do not already own a lab diamond, . I didn't want to pay a premium price for one, and sifting the ordinary vendors' web sites to try to find maybe the 1% of diamonds I'd be interested in buying got too annoying. There are SO many more that I'd reject than buy, and the vendors' search engines are usually not restrictive enough to aid the consumer in isolating the very best. So, if that diamond doesn't absolutely wow you, OP, find another one that does. It took me 3 tries buying mined diamonds to find the one that I still love as much 16 or 17 years later because it wasn't a compromise. Lab diamond cutters have everything they need to turn out exquisite lab diamonds each and every time. So why are they still turning out so many less than ideal diamonds??

IGI report # :

LG640408151

Light Return:	Very Good
Fire:	Very Good
Scintillation:	Good
Spread:	Very Good
HCA Score :	3.2 - Very Good - Worth buying if the price is right

The images over ruled the HCA in this case.
The HCA is not wrong overall, take 100 diamonds with those basic numbers and maybe 10 would hit on the overall combination in those basic numbers that work well.
This one is one of them.
When shopping I would not bother trying to sort them out just because there are easier options.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Nobody mentioned HCA score. But I plugged the report number into the HCA, and this diamond received a score of 3.2, which is not less than 2. So could what the OP is seeing be the difference between all EX vs. VG, as the HCA defines those? And a dirty diamond just emphasizes the difference? Personally, I'd have immediately rejected this diamond based on the high HCA score. I already own an AGS 000 mined diamond that I love, and I don't think I'd settle for less than its equivalent in a large lab stone. In fact, the larger the diamond, the *more* of a stickler I become. This is literally why I do not already own a lab diamond, . I didn't want to pay a premium price for one, and sifting the ordinary vendors' web sites to try to find maybe the 1% of diamonds I'd be interested in buying got too annoying. There are SO many more that I'd reject than buy, and the vendors' search engines are usually not restrictive enough to aid the consumer in isolating the very best. So, if that diamond doesn't absolutely wow you, OP, find another one that does. It took me 3 tries buying mined diamonds to find the one that I still love as much 16 or 17 years later because it wasn't a compromise. Lab diamond cutters have everything they need to turn out exquisite lab diamonds each and every time. So why are they still turning out so many less than ideal diamonds??

IGI report # :

LG640408151

Light Return:	Very Good
Fire:	Very Good
Scintillation:	Good
Spread:	Very Good
HCA Score :	3.2 - Very Good - Worth buying if the price is right

It is obvious from the close up vendor photos that the crown angle is steep as shown in the crown arrows. Shallow crowns do not have the returning part of the arrow near the table junction.
However, I do not like raining on a new diamond owners parade so.bite my tongue in these cases (unless the diamond goes woof loudly).

 

[Stephanie Gardner]

Well I'm back with a quick update. After reading through the forum and looking at other round diamonds that were posted, I decided to purchase another diamond (my husband wanted to make sure I was completely happy with my 50th birthday gift). While researching, I came across a post where @DejaWiz helped someone find a diamond around the same size as mine a few months ago. His post with recommendations was still available and I was able to snag a 3.16 CT D VVS1 round with H&A. I am completely in love with this diamond. I can't stop staring at it. Thank you so much @DejaWiz for all you do on this forum!! You are truly a blessing. Even though I didn't work with your directly, I benefited from you expertise and I truly appreciate it!!

 

[DejaWiz]

Well I'm back with a quick update. After reading through the forum and looking at other round diamonds that were posted, I decided to purchase another diamond (my husband wanted to make sure I was completely happy with my 50th birthday gift). While researching, I came across a post where @DejaWiz helped someone find a diamond around the same size as mine a few months ago. His post with recommendations was still available and I was able to snag a 3.16 CT D VVS1 round with H&A. I am completely in love with this diamond. I can't stop staring at it. Thank you so much @DejaWiz for all you do on this forum!! You are truly a blessing. Even though I didn't work with your directly, I benefited from you expertise and I truly appreciate it!!

Glad to hear that you love your diamond, Stephanie Gardner!
Pics and videos are, you know, almost mandatory around here LOL