What Do You Think: My Idealscope Images

[Surg]

I''m not a terribly accomplished photographer, but here''s what I could do so far with the rock and my beginner''s scope...

 

[Surg]

Another shot... trying to get the right lighting and eliminate direct light...

 

[Surg]

One more time...

 

[Lorelei]

Well done Surg! What are the proportions of the diamond please?

 

[Surg]

I''m itching to know what you guys think.

Also, I can photograph it in a different manner if you have suggestions. These were all done with incandescent white balance (same as tungsten I believe). The third one, I believe, was shot with a macro setting ("the rose").

Surg

 

[Surg]

Here''s a copy/paste of the cert, Lorelei...

Weight 1.52 CT
Shape ROUND BRILLIANT
Color H
Clarity VS2
Measurements 7.43 x 7.38 x 4.51 mm
Depth 60.9%
Table 57%
Crown 14.7%
Pavilion 43%
Crown Angle 34.3°
Pavilion Angle 40.8°
Girdle THIN TO MEDIUM FACETED
Polish EXCELLENT
Symmetry EXCELLENT
Fluorescence NONE
Culet NONE
Cut Grade IDEAL PLUS

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/21/2009 12:57:00 PM
Author: Surg
Here''s a copy/paste of the cert, Lorelei...

Weight 1.52 CT
Shape ROUND BRILLIANT
Color H
Clarity VS2
Measurements 7.43 x 7.38 x 4.51 mm
Depth 60.9%
Table 57%
Crown 14.7%
Pavilion 43%
Crown Angle 34.3°
Pavilion Angle 40.8°
Girdle THIN TO MEDIUM FACETED
Polish EXCELLENT
Symmetry EXCELLENT
Fluorescence NONE
Culet NONE
Cut Grade IDEAL PLUS

Thanks Surg, is it AGS graded? It is looking good.

 

[Surg]

No, Lorelei. It's an EGL-USA, certified May 2009. It was appraised independently yesterday. The color is a borderline H-I. Everything else was verified as stated on the cert.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/21/2009 1:01:13 PM
Author: Surg
No, Lorelei. It''s an EGL-USA, certified May 2009. It was appraised independently yesterday. The color is a borderline H-I. Everything else was verified as stated on the cert.

Ok thanks! Thats great it checked out!

 

[Surg]

Thanks, Lorelei. This gal here sparkles like the Atlantic at sunrise.

I was a little bit skeptical when my appraiser estimated the market value to be very much above what I had paid. You know, the old "too good to be true" adage. But so far, I can''t find any real warts. Do you think it''s just the stigma of the EGL label?

 

[stone-cold11]

yap, EGL label. Once in a while, some good deal do comes through.

 

[Surg]

Thanks, Stone-cold. It's still early in the return period, but it seems like you guys feel this is top shelf. Am I reading that correctly?

Are there any specific concerns you guys have with the actual IS images?

 

[bcdinh]

I think the stone looks good...What is the price you pay for it?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/21/2009 1:08:34 PM
Author: Surg
Thanks, Lorelei. This gal here sparkles like the Atlantic at sunrise.

I was a little bit skeptical when my appraiser estimated the market value to be very much above what I had paid. You know, the old ''too good to be true'' adage. But so far, I can''t find any real warts. Do you think it''s just the stigma of the EGL label?

I have an EGL graded diamond which appraised as sold, there ARE great diamonds out there if you know what to look for. I would add if you ever want to trade this one in or resell it can be difficult even with a GIA report so this is something to consider if this might be a possibility in future.

As to the inflated appraisal this is usual, apparently for insurance purposes you need a figure close to what you paid for it.

 

[Surg]

Date: 5/21/2009 2:54:28 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 5/21/2009 1:08:34 PM

Author: Surg

Thanks, Lorelei. This gal here sparkles like the Atlantic at sunrise.


I was a little bit skeptical when my appraiser estimated the market value to be very much above what I had paid. You know, the old ''too good to be true'' adage. But so far, I can''t find any real warts. Do you think it''s just the stigma of the EGL label?

I have an EGL graded diamond which appraised as sold, there ARE great diamonds out there if you know what to look for. I would add if you ever want to trade this one in or resell it can be difficult even with a GIA report so this is something to consider if this might be a possibility in future.


As to the inflated appraisal this is usual, apparently for insurance purposes you need a figure close to what you paid for it.

I should have said "estimated wholesale value." The appraiser was basically trying to guess the price tag, not for any insurance purpose. But I completely understand what you''re saying, Lorelei.

I''m feeling good about this one... ... ...

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/21/2009 5:59:10 PM
Author: Surg

Date: 5/21/2009 2:54:28 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 5/21/2009 1:08:34 PM

Author: Surg

Thanks, Lorelei. This gal here sparkles like the Atlantic at sunrise.


I was a little bit skeptical when my appraiser estimated the market value to be very much above what I had paid. You know, the old ''too good to be true'' adage. But so far, I can''t find any real warts. Do you think it''s just the stigma of the EGL label?

I have an EGL graded diamond which appraised as sold, there ARE great diamonds out there if you know what to look for. I would add if you ever want to trade this one in or resell it can be difficult even with a GIA report so this is something to consider if this might be a possibility in future.


As to the inflated appraisal this is usual, apparently for insurance purposes you need a figure close to what you paid for it.

I should have said ''estimated wholesale value.'' The appraiser was basically trying to guess the price tag, not for any insurance purpose. But I completely understand what you''re saying, Lorelei.

I''m feeling good about this one... ... ...

Ok! You might have found your diamond then??

 

[stone-cold11]

Yap, IS looks good. Did you tell the appraiser it was an EGL stone and bought online before the appraisal? If not, he will be guessing the price based on it being a GIA graded stone bought in a brick store, which commands a higher price than EGL and more mark-up for the store maint, thus the higher price tag. But since the stone is assess with being the same grade as the EGL report, you did great.

 

[Surg]

Stone-cold, my appraiser did know the certification and the online vendor, then ventured an informal estimate before I disclosed the true price tag. That's why I was surprised by the discrepancy between the two figures. To be frank, though, it doesn't really matter to me too much what value has been assigned and whether that value is realistic unless and until I have the entire piece appraised for insurance purposes.

Lorelei, the proper way to answer that is to break down the dispersion of thoughts rattling around inside my cranium...

PROS
(1) it's got great proportions and performance and I did not want to negotiate cut
(2) it's a true VS2 when I would've been fine with an SI1
(3) usually, diamonds of this price range and weight greatly sacrifice spread... this one does not
(4) even amongst just EGL-USA product, the price point is very sweet
(5) it's really quite a sparkly little thing

CONS
(1) less so than the cut, but I wanted to be strict with color and I was looking for a solid H; this is H-I, which presumably could grade out I (?) if sent to AGS/GIA

AMBIVALENT
(1) the EGL-USA brand, which lessens its value; however, if it's okay to paraphrase Mr. Atlas, a well-graded EGL-USA stone is one of the few true bargains in the business

So... all things considered, I'm very fond of this little thing here, and I don't think I care to put her back up for adoption.

With a thousand thank you's to the brilliant diamond afficianados here at PS, I do indeed think this is the one.

 

[Lorelei]

LOL! Well then it just remains for me to say congrats and I look forward to seeing some '' action pictures'' when your new pet rock is set!

 

[Surg]

Date: 5/22/2009 1:12:28 PM
Author: Lorelei
LOL! Well then it just remains for me to say congrats and I look forward to seeing some '' action pictures'' when your new pet rock is set!

No doubt, no doubt.

It''ll be a few weeks before I have a finished product, but between now and then, I''ll hone my (woefully inadequate) photography skill-set in anticipation of a grand reveal.

Watch this space for that and perhaps a final recap of my experience for future PS spelunkers.

Until then...