"Very Good" Symmetry...Reason for low price?

[bolivianram]

This diamond looks about perfect in all but two categories for me. It's the right size, right cut, HCA, clarity and color.

However...

HEARTS & ARROWS
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 0.75ct
Color: F
Clarity: VS2
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
AGS Light Performance: Ideal
Optical Symmetry: Superior
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None
Lab Report: GIA
Lab Report #: 7.1E+09
In House: Yes
Width: 5.81mm
Length: 5.85mm
Depth: 3.60mm
Table Percentage: 57.08%
Depth Percentage: 61.91%
Crown ∠: 34.67°
Crown Depth: 14.85%
Pavilion ∠: 40.83°
Pavilion Depth: 43.06%



Are those three bold items the reason this is priced under 5K as opposed to up around 7? I am going to look at in person this weekend...What do you think? Are the HCA numbers meaningless if the symmetry is not "ideal"? It just says "symmetrical" on the HCA calculator. I also notice that optical symmetry is superior. Please let me know what you think! I've seen so many "Ideals", that I wonder if I should just wait around for the same specs above to come back with Ideal everything for closer to 7K, with the dealer I'd like to work with for the settings that they offer.

Here is the ASET image...is this dull looking?

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8329/8101689924_54b0095655_m.jpg

Compared to a diamond which is IDEAL everything, but also inexpensive because it is SI1 (and does NOT look eye clean from the shots on the site showing a big white blemish under the table)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8187/8101677289_c86c6d3c46_m.jpg


These diamonds are both 2K under my price range, which means I can wait around for something better, OR get a great deal here and save the 2K for something else!

 

[bolivianram]

I am ready to put this diamond on hold so i can see it saturday, after doing a lot of reading about very good symmetry vs the "Ideal" light performance grade it has.

I would love any suggestions - this is below the price I had set aside for a diamond but if I am getting an ideal looking diamond that just didn't make a grade, i'm going to move forward with the reserve. Please let me know some expert thoughts!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

First of all, the highest a GIA graded stone can be is excellent on cut, polish, and symmetry. So the only grade lower than excellent is very good for symmetry. A stone that has excellent for all three may cost a little more than one with a very good. But a .75 F VS2 should be under $5000 even if it is triple excellent. AGS uses the term ideal for their highest grade. This stone has been assessed for light performance with AGS standards as well as having a GIA report.

If you have $2000 more budgeted, why not go for a larger stone?

 

[bolivianram]

She has small fingers, probably a 4.5 or 5, and has said in the past that our friends 1.01 carat stone is "way too big/flashy" for her. She doesn't wear any diamond jewelry now.

She also picked out some flashy settings that she likes. So the setting alone will be pretty flashy with a pave band, I figured something between .7 and .85 carat is what I want to put on top of it without being worried she will think the whole ring is just too much. It will be quite "sparkly" as it is if i am able to get a real nice stone in this size range.

I was definitely seeing quite a few stones of Ideal/excellent qualities up right around $7K in the size range .75-.83. I understand this is in the low end of that size spectrum.

The setting has a 4.2 mm wide criss-cross shank pave at the top.

I do not specifically have the goal of shaving 2 grand off of my looking price. But this seems like a diamond I was looking for. If it was $7k...I probably would have already reserved it. Seeing the jeweler price it so low concerned me.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Were you seeing the $7000 .75 F stones locally? Because that would be a pretty major rip off! I checked other reputable sites and all have ex/ideal cut .75 F VS2 stones for well under $5000.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

But no worries about the diamond. It is worth going to see.

 

[bolivianram]

I was probably looking at a broader range. I have been using one site in particular (a recommended PS vendor, though not JA) because he has settings that I think I want and will find out for sure on Saturday.

The current stones he has under <$7,500 in same-or-better range as this diamond, in the 3/4 neighborhood, are either Solasfera or Eighternity (i am more interested in the non-branded cut, again due to the flashiness factor), or one that is a 2.6 HCA.

This one had an excellent score on HCA.



For a bigger stone (if i expand the carats upwards) I also noted he has this;

Hearts & Arrows
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 0.91ct
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
AGS Cut Grade: Ideal
AGS Light Performance: Ideal
Optical Symmetry: Superior
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Fluorescence: Strong
Lab Report: AGS
Lab Report #: 1.0406E+11
In House: Yes
Width: 6.24mm
Length: 6.21mm
Depth: 3.87mm
Table Percentage: 54.70%
Depth Percentage: 62.10%
Crown ∠: 34.40°
Pavilion ∠: 40.80°
Policy: Lifetime Guarantee



But I need to see how the Strong Fluorescence looks, and am concerned that .91 may be too big.

 

[bolivianram]

Is it proper etiquette to put diamonds on hold with $500 deposit until I drive there the following day to see them? Or is this not appreciated because I'm not sure if I am buying or not.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would absolutely look at the .91, too. That is a great size and not too big! I have a stone with fluorescence and really love that feature! Yes, it is fine to put both stones on hold, but definitely call to make an appointment to go see them.

 

[bolivianram]

I bought the 0.83 Solasfera today : )

 

[VRBeauty]

Congratulations -that's a very nice size, and I'll bet that solasfera has plenty of flash! Please come back and let us see the ring when it's finished!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well congrats! Solasfera's are beautiful diamonds! Did you buy from Good Old Gold?

 

[bolivianram]

yup GOG

My untrained eyes had a hard time picking up a lot of difference (particularly at the small sizes listed), but the sales woman did a great job explaining various items to me in person that previously I'd only read about here and elsewhere. In the end, it really came down to the 0.75 being too small, the .91 being too close to one carat (which the girlfriend has said would look "ridiculous" on her), and the .83 being the right size and as it was an Excellent cut solasfera with high clarity, near-colorless, and in my price range it was the perfect storm to make the decision.

I'm hoping to have her coworker pry a ring size out of her tomorrow, and hopefully they can quote me the setting so I can wire the money immediately and get it before Nov 9, my best upcoming opportunity at a proposal. They said 2-3 weeks so here is hoping I can do it in 2.5

 

[diamondseeker2006]

That is so exciting! I am sure they will try to rush the setting if they can! What setting are you thinking of?

 

[bolivianram]

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER9943W44JJ

 

[diamondseeker2006]

That will be gorgeous with the Solasfera! Don't forget to come back with pictures for us! And good luck with your proposal plans!