Urgent Help needed with ideal diamond choice

[katealt]

Hi Everyone,

I have to purchase a diamond in the next 24 hours as I live in Australia (I''m American) and my mom is coming out from Colorado Friday to see us and I need it to get to her by then. Since the Jewish holidays are this week I have had online store after store unable to get the diamonds I want. But there are two stores that seem to have some in stock (blue nile, but more pricey, and overnightdiamonds.com). Anyway, I am now obsessed with the Holloway Cut Adviser and reading constantly on pricescope forum for advice/info on choosing the diamond. I want an ideal cut as I want the most fire and brilliance as I can get and I''m compromising on colour and clarity (funny though how these have better clarity than I would seek but my first choices aren''t available quickly).

There are three that seem good that are available asap and I need help choosing one:

1. .80ct J, VS2, AGS "000" (ideal polish and symmetry) BUT... only rated as 3.3 on HCA! I think I should forget it.
Table=57
Depth=61.2
crown angle=34.6
pav. angle=41.2
Girdle=thin-med
$2272

2. .86ct, VS2, I, VG polish and VG sym. EGL/USA cert. (I know the color is probably a J as it is EGL) and comes up as 1.8 in the FIC range on the HCA
Table=60
Depth=61.5
Crown angle=36.2
pav. angle= 40.3
Girdle= thin-sl thick
$2292

3. .76ct VS1, J, EX polish, VG sym, AGS cert., comes up 1.1 within TIC range on HCA.
Table=57
Depth=60.5
Crown Angle=33.8
pav. angle = 40.5
Girdle = med-sl thick
$2257

Of course I want the biggest looking diamond in our price range with the most fire and brilliance. I have also limited my selection to those w/ crown and pavilion angles so I can try to see what the brilliance will be with the HCA, which means that GIA stones are out. I am waiting on Sarin results of one GIA which looks great:
.81ct J, VS1, Ex polish/VG sym
TAble= 61.8
Depth=56
Girdle= Med-sl thick

So according to the HCA it seems I should forget about the AGS 000 as it can be a myth of "ideal" (the old rating anyway). THe second one is .10 bigger than the third but I do really want a very sparkly stone. But the third has the best HCA score. I just wonder weather I will actually be able to tell the difference of either the size or the brilliance between those last two stones.... what do you guys think?

THANKS A HEAP!

 

[valeria101]

Date: 10/25/2005 3:34:03 AM
Author:katealt


1. .80ct J, VS2, AGS '000' (ideal polish and symmetry) BUT... only rated as 3.3 on HCA! I think I should forget it.

Table=57
Depth=61.2 <----------------------- sure the table / depth % aren't reversed? (i.e. 56% table...) I would
not dismiss it that fast based on the HCA score alone, but since you have no
time and there are other choices that don't reise that question...
crown angle=34.6
pav. angle=41.2
Girdle=thin-med
$2272



2. .86ct, VS2, I, VG polish and VG sym. EGL/USA cert. (I know the color is probably a J as it is EGL) and comes up as 1.8 in the FIC range on the HCA
Table=60
Depth=61.5
Crown angle=36.2
pav. angle= 40.3
Girdle= thin-sl thick
$2292

Isn't this the largest by diameter?

I know Blue Nile has some return policy, how about the other? You may well get something nice fast, but it would probably help to know your (mostly sight unseen) choice isn't 300% final. IMO, at least.

Pictures are a bit more reassuring than the HCA

Do you think FedEx would work out something like THIS ...

 

[Regular Guy]

Kate,

I think I'd choose #2, also, though you'd be good to go also with #3 and with Ana's choice, I think.

Related thoughts:

- HCA not necessarily better with #3, but measurement error may be minimized with the lower score
- EGL USA, per many mentions here, not necessarily even likely a grade lower
- Option #3 in some respects is safer, or perhaps Ana's, but best on the brute facts, and in consideration of your comments:

"Of course I want the biggest looking diamond in our price range with the most fire and brilliance."

so, with:

- the larger size
- the better color
- and FIC trait...

That may be my pick.

Best of wishes,

and p.s. see the suggestion from "just looking" immediately below for another good idea!

 

[just_looking!]

Have you thought about choosing one of the Australian based pricescope vendors such as Gary Holloway''s store or perhaps Platinumsmith may be able to source H&A rounds for you?

 

[strmrdr]

I like the fic.
Im not too thrilled with the others.
What will it be mounted in?
If your in a hurry give Garry a shout.
He should be able to hook you up with a kicken diamond at a fair price.

 

[strmrdr]

contact info for Garry,
https://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/profile/myprofile.asp?userID=4

 

[katealt]

I GOT A DIAMOND... and it''s awesome!

It was a totally different diamond that one of the stores had listed, but without the pav. and crown angles, so I couldn''t really consider it until I got them just now(overnightdiamonds.com/McGivern DIamonds). It rates 1.1 "EX, EX,EX,VG" on the HCA, it is an AGS "000" (0 +Ideal polish and symm).

.83ct
VS1
J
62 Depth
53 Table
Thin-Med Girdle
Crown Angle= 33.9
Pavillion Angle=41.8
6.02*6.06*3.75)
$2472

It is inscribed with the AGS #, will come with a complimentary ins. appraisal, and will be at my mom''s on Thursday!!!

YIPEE!

Thanks to everyone for the great comments and ideas. I saved myself $240 at least by buying it online b/c in Australia there is 10%tax and the diamonds here seem more expensive. I looked at Garry''s site, but didn''t see any loose stones.

I am so excited to lay my eyes on this gorgeous diamond after all the hard work of extensively researching all there is to know about cut- the complicated views of "ideal" and getting all the sparkle and fire you believe should go with that. If this one doesn''t have tons of sparkle and fire with the Excellent HCA rating, the Excellent GIA facetware calculator rating, and the AGS 0 Id/Id "000", than there is no hope at all.

By the way, it took me 15 years to get it! My husband and I got married at 21 years old and basically eloped with no engagement or RING and he has finally come through for our 15th anniversery (Dec. 21st). I am not allowed to see the diamond until then and he is going to choose a setting (from a few I have selected) and get it set and give it to me on our anniversery. How cruel I will have to wait until then!!! I may have to do a super sleuth through the house.

Best Wishes!

 

[Regular Guy]

Kate,

Many congrats. Seems to me you''ve done very well!