What's your favorite way to evaluate stones at home?

[cottoncandy]

Hello! I’m ordering a few different loose diamonds (ACA and CBI) to compare at home. High Performance Diamonds is graciously providing me with some tools:

• plunger type diamond holder
• a ring-style diamond holder
• 10X gemologist’s loupe
• ASET scope
• Ideal-Scope

I plan to look at it on the ring-style holder in different types of lighting (incandescent, daylight direct sun, daylight indirect sun). Anything else I should be doing? Is it important to take outside of the house? How do you all inspect and evaluate diamonds at home?

Keep in mind this is my first diamond, so I am a total amateur. Thanks in advance!

 

[iluvshinythings]

I just did the same with a ring type holder. I was super worried about losing the stone so I stuck my hand in a gallon size zip lock bag while I was walking from spot to spot. This way if the stone fell out, I'd still have it. (I did the same while I drove back to work so I could peek at it at stoplights) I'm sure there were WTFs from anyone that saw that.

I'm really not good at this so I'll defer to someone else for better answers.

 

[whitewave]

Walk all over: front lawn, backyard, foyer, kitchen, bathroom with natural light, bathroom with only LEDs, under a tree on a sunny day, etc.

Backyard porch in the shade on a sunny day.

Wall mart. Wal mart has the best lighting lol

 

[OoohShiny]

I just did the same with a ring type holder. I was super worried about losing the stone so I stuck my hand in a gallon size zip lock bag while I was walking from spot to spot. This way if the stone fell out, I'd still have it. (I did the same while I drove back to work so I could peek at it at stoplights) I'm sure there were WTFs from anyone that saw that.

I'm really not good at this so I'll defer to someone else for better answers.

That is genius! lol

 

[kindred]

I second everything @whitewave said except Walmart. There is no way that I would take a diamond into a store when it is only secured by a stone holder. I am a nervous wreck looking at stones in a stone holder on my patio, lawn, etc.

I love @iluvshinythings' zip lock bag solution.

 

[kindred]

This thread reminds me that I lost a 1 ct CZ in my house years ago and we never did find it despite trying very hard because it had H&A and was meant to be used with my Idealscope.

 

[OoohShiny]

One bonus of fluorescent stones - if you lose them, wait till it's dark and then go round the house with a UV light

 

[whitewave]

I second everything @whitewave said except Walmart. There is no way that I would take a diamond into a store when it is only secured by a stone holder. I am a nervous wreck looking at stones in a stone holder on my patio, lawn, etc.

I love @iluvshinythings' zip lock bag solution.

I haven’t done it yet, but I have been tempted to do it, lol. Obviously, I wouldn’t take it out until I was in the store and ready.

But, yah, if you drop it, show’s over. Especially if it is Uninsured.

 

[whitewave]

One bonus of fluorescent stones - if you lose them, wait till it's dark and then go round the house with a UV light

Actually I tried that when I lost my earring and it didn’t work. Even with the megawatt uv light, I think it has to be right on it to activate the Fluor. Once I found it, I put it on the floor and the uv light didn’t work.

 

[OoohShiny]

Actually I tried that when I lost my earring and it didn’t work. Even with the megawatt uv light, I think it has to be right on it to activate the Fluor. Once I found it, I put it on the floor and the uv light didn’t work.

Gah! That's annoying... lol

 

[whitewave]

Gah! That's annoying... lol

I know, but it explains also why it didn’t help finding my mother’s lost diamond.

 

[lovedogs]

I would love to know your thoughts on whether you prefer ACA vs CBI. Both are amazing, but I'm always curious about whether people see differences even between the best. I'm excited for you!

 

[cottoncandy]

That. Is. Brilliant.

I’m super cautious and will be terrified of accidentally dropping the stones so I will definitely use a ziploc!

I just did the same with a ring type holder. I was super worried about losing the stone so I stuck my hand in a gallon size zip lock bag while I was walking from spot to spot. This way if the stone fell out, I'd still have it. (I did the same while I drove back to work so I could peek at it at stoplights) I'm sure there were WTFs from anyone that saw that.

I'm really not good at this so I'll defer to someone else for better answers.

 

[cottoncandy]

Oh yeah, I am dying to see them side by side. I feel very fortunate that I’m choosing between super ideals for my first diamond. Maybe I won’t be able to tell the difference.

Any special requests for comparison photos/videos? Let me know!

I would love to know your thoughts on whether you prefer ACA vs CBI. Both are amazing, but I'm always curious about whether people see differences even between the best. I'm excited for you!

 

[lovedogs]

No special requests, just your thoughts and some comparison pics would be great!!!