which aspects of a diamond are most important to a normal person?

[brenton]

this is such an awesome forum... i love all the answers! I have a lot to look into!

Date: 11/4/2008 6:30:34 AM
Author: arjunajane
To Brenton, I apologize if I squeezed too much into my original post there - you sounded like you had done some research and could handle it

I don''t think you need to become an expert to understand all this business of cut - infact everyone on this thread (bar Indira of course

), are simply consumers who are enthused about diamonds.

Hey--no! Your answer was great! I am like a sponge right now, just soaking up everything I can about diamonds.

I think my next question about cuts is this: how much better does the best cut look than an acceptable/good cut (all other things equal)? Is it like 3% better, or is it like 4000% better?

Man I have so many questions! I think I need to read through everything for a few days and then come back!

 

[purrfectpear]

#1 Clarity for me. I don''t mean "clarity grade", I mean no carbon. I despise visible carbon. Second would be largely visible other inclusions.

#2 Size. Once we''ve established it looks good, then I''ll go for size.

#3 Cut. I ranked cut third, but that doesn''t mean I would take a horribly cut stone due to size. It just means that I''m not a cut freak. I always see the Indira posted example and wonder how they found a really badly cut diamond to compare with. I disagree that an "excellent" cut and an "ideal" cut would be as obvious as that picture example

I''ve eyeballed both side by side and it does not look like that.

#4 Color. I don''t mind warmth.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/4/2008 2:47:01 PM
Author: brenton
this is such an awesome forum... i love all the answers! I have a lot to look into!

Date: 11/4/2008 6:30:34 AM
Author: arjunajane
To Brenton, I apologize if I squeezed too much into my original post there - you sounded like you had done some research and could handle it

I don''t think you need to become an expert to understand all this business of cut - infact everyone on this thread (bar Indira of course

), are simply consumers who are enthused about diamonds.

Hey--no! Your answer was great! I am like a sponge right now, just soaking up everything I can about diamonds.

I think my next question about cuts is this: how much better does the best cut look than an acceptable/good cut (all other things equal)? Is it like 3% better, or is it like 4000% better?

Man I have so many questions! I think I need to read through everything for a few days and then come back!

That is difficult to answer as it depends on so many things....I think from what I have seen myself from personal experience and what I have learned from others is that the difference between an ''average'' cut diamond to the best cut stone is was very much worth the time and effort they put into seeking an excellently cut stone. And once they had got a top cut, then they wouldn''t go back. But equally there can be some beautiful '' fine make'' of diamonds which aren''t cut to the absolute strictest standards that can make very lovely jewellery. It depends on what matters to you concerning cut quality as to how you proceed. If you aren''t sure, if you have a Jareds near you, they carry AGS0 cut grade stones, you could take a look at those to see some well cut diamonds in person, alternatively Hearts on Fire brand if you have a dealer near you.

Then once you have looked at some top cut diamonds in person, then you will know if obtaining one is worth pursuing, or whether you are happy to settle for just a nicely cut stone.

 

[honey22]

Date: 11/4/2008 8:53:29 AM
Author: Avus00
The only aspect you should be concerned with is seeing the stone in person.


Clarity, color etc. are just numbers. It''s the combination of those and the interrelations.


You have to see various stones and pick the one that visually performs the best to you.



That''s it.


I didn''t even use PS or HCA or any of the other tools until I saw what stone I thought was the best. It ended up being a D, VS1, Excellent GIA cut.


It scored a 1.4 and I immediately jumped on it. It was the best performer to me and I probably looked at some stones that ''should'' be better because they are ''better'' on paper(e.g. AGS000, would score a .7-.9 on the HCA etc.), but did not perform like the stone I purchased.

This is not helpful when you are purchasing online. And also not helpful if you have never seen a really well cut stone. Many people will be happy with the sparklies in a maul store, and think they look great, and then they will understand when they see a truly well cut stone, there is just no comparison.

I purchased from another country, so seeing the stone wasn''t an option. If you want to be assured of a great stone (and not just an average one) you will narrow down the field using numbers and then go from there. If you want to save lots of money too, you buy online, and again seeing the diamond is not always possible.

You have to understand that around here we are very driven to finding stunning stones, not just your average ''good'' diamonds. Many people don''t mind buying an average stone (and that''s fine) but PSers are known for their fine taste in very highl quality cut stones.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I want it all!

 

[kcoursolle]

I''ve read somewhere that the average person starts to see color at K with a short glance and inclusions at I2...so with a quick glance you really have absolutely nothing to worry about with an H/SI. I love the H/SI combo myself and all I see is a sparkly white diamond. To me personally cut is very important, and I do think average people notice when a diamond is very sparkly.

 

[AprilBaby]

For me:
Cut
Clarity
Size
Color

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 11/4/2008 2:47:01 PM
Author: brenton


I think my next question about cuts is this: how much better does the best cut look than an acceptable/good cut (all other things equal)? Is it like 3% better, or is it like 4000% better?


Man I have so many questions! I think I need to read through everything for a few days and then come back!

pulling numbers out of air...
Between the technical best and best level appearance(excellent IS) .. less than 1% except in extreme light conditions where it may spread to 2-3 but it can go either way with the technical best being down in some cases.

between the best level and beginning of VG/worst of the GIA EX using GIA grades 15% worst case.
Worst of GIA VG worst case 40% less.

Good up to 50%

poor up to 90% less

 

[Sharon101]

Date: 11/4/2008 3:32:12 PM
Author: purrfectpear
#1 Clarity for me. I don''t mean ''clarity grade'', I mean no carbon. I despise visible carbon. Second would be largely visible other inclusions.

#2 Size. Once we''ve established it looks good, then I''ll go for size.

#3 Cut. I ranked cut third, but that doesn''t mean I would take a horribly cut stone due to size. It just means that I''m not a cut freak. I always see the Indira posted example and wonder how they found a really badly cut diamond to compare with. I disagree that an ''excellent'' cut and an ''ideal'' cut would be as obvious as that picture example

I''ve eyeballed both side by side and it does not look like that.

#4 Color. I don''t mind warmth.

I agree perfectpear!!!!!

Re. the cut, Ive always wanted to know at what point the human eye can `take in` the results of the better and better cut. I noticed that with the video on this site where everyday people are shown 2 diamonds and asked to choose the better cut one, they find it difficult. And even when they choose the better cut one it is sometimes a guess, as apposed to it jumping out as an obvious thing. It can be observed that the people judging find it really hard to see any difference.

Other things that I think will influence the `look` of the diamond is the setting its in, if it is kept pristine clean, the lighting conditions and even how the hand wearing it looks!!!!!

Of course that being said.....it would be nice to have it all!!!!

note. When I say that cut doesnt have to be super duper, I do not mean that I would accept a frozen spit, non gem grade dead stone.

 

[vespergirl]

I have to say, in my experience, size is what I see people most go nuts over. I have a friend with a poorly cut, yellowish 4 ct diamond, but everyone goes crazy over it because it''s huge. I have another friend with an excellent cut E VS1 stone that''s .75 cts, and no one ever comments on her ring, even though it''s a beautiful diamond, because it''s smaller.

I guess that it depends on your crowd - where I live, the average seems to be about 1.5 cts, so anything smaller than that doesn''t get much attention.

I have had a few people (who seemed to be jewelry lovers) comment on how sparkly & white my diamond is, and I think it''s the few who appreciate an ideal-cut diamond.

For me, personally, I would go:
Size (I wouldn''t want a stone under a certain size, but I wouldn''t want a huge poorly cut stone either)
Cut
Color
Clarity

 

[luvmyhalo]

Pre-PS, this is how I ranked them:

1. Size
2. Color
3. Clarity
4. Cut

After finding PS:
1. Size
2. Cut
3. Color
4. Clarity

 

[Avus00]

honey22,
To me, buying a diamond online is a HUGE risk, I don't care how many people swear by it. Sure, there will be plenty of people who are happy with what they bought and trust their online vendors; but, to me, buying a diamond online could potentially ask for troubles. There are so many horror stories on PS about people getting screwed.

So, my advice is solid and seeing diamonds in person is key. And it's also critical to see as many diamonds as possible to compare as far as the best performer. Anybody who knows better would know that mall stores have trick lighting to enhance even the worst cut stones - and there's a way around that as well.

My point and bottom line is that you don't have to have details like HCA scores, idealscope pictures, or even research on PS to know which diamond is the best. All you need is either an outstanding jeweler or confidence in your own eyes. That's how I found my diamond and it's the nicest stone I've ever laid eyes on in my life (and that's after viewing several dozen over the course of a couple months and before I knew ANYTHING about PS).

Date: 11/4/2008 4:00:31 PM
Author: honey22

Date: 11/4/2008 8:53:29 AM
Author: Avus00
The only aspect you should be concerned with is seeing the stone in person.


Clarity, color etc. are just numbers. It's the combination of those and the interrelations.


You have to see various stones and pick the one that visually performs the best to you.



That's it.


I didn't even use PS or HCA or any of the other tools until I saw what stone I thought was the best. It ended up being a D, VS1, Excellent GIA cut.


It scored a 1.4 and I immediately jumped on it. It was the best performer to me and I probably looked at some stones that 'should' be better because they are 'better' on paper(e.g. AGS000, would score a .7-.9 on the HCA etc.), but did not perform like the stone I purchased.

This is not helpful when you are purchasing online. And also not helpful if you have never seen a really well cut stone. Many people will be happy with the sparklies in a maul store, and think they look great, and then they will understand when they see a truly well cut stone, there is just no comparison.

I purchased from another country, so seeing the stone wasn't an option. If you want to be assured of a great stone (and not just an average one) you will narrow down the field using numbers and then go from there. If you want to save lots of money too, you buy online, and again seeing the diamond is not always possible.

You have to understand that around here we are very driven to finding stunning stones, not just your average 'good' diamonds. Many people don't mind buying an average stone (and that's fine) but PSers are known for their fine taste in very highl quality cut stones.

 

[purrfectpear]

Date: 11/4/2008 6:21:41 PM
Author: Avus00
honey22,
To me, buying a diamond online is a HUGE risk, I don''t care how many people swear by it. Sure, there will be plenty of people who are happy with what they bought and trust their online vendors; but, to me, buying a diamond online could potentially ask for troubles. There are so many horror stories on PS about people getting screwed.

So, my advice is solid and seeing diamonds in person is key. And it''s also critical to see as many diamonds as possible to compare as far as the best performer. Anybody who knows better would know that mall stores have trick lighting to enhance even the worst cut stones - and there''s a way around that as well.

My point and bottom line is that you don''t have to have details like HCA scores, idealscope pictures, or even research on PS to know which diamond is the best. All you need is either an outstanding jeweler or confidence in your own eyes. That''s how I found my diamond and it''s the nicest stone I''ve ever laid eyes on in my life (and that''s after viewing several dozen over the course of a couple months and before I knew ANYTHING about PS).

You''re certainly entitled to your opinion, but buying online from Pricescope vendors is basically risk free. They ALL have a return period. You use the tools and their honest assessments to choose the diamond you "think" will be best for you, have it sent to you, eyeball it yourself, have it appraised if you wish, and then decide to keep or return. At most you are out the cost of shipping. When you are spending 10 or 20 thousand dollars, the $70 in shipping is the least of issues. The problem with mall stores is NOT their lighting, it''s their lack of quality and noncompetitive pricing. There is no way to get around that. If you want to spend 20 to 30% too much that''s fine, but in many cases that could add up to an unnecessary expenditure of another $2000 and up.

Where is there ONE horror story of a PS buyer getting "screwed" by a respected PS vendor such as Whiteflash, GOG, or James Allen??? There are several PS members who have purchased substantial diamonds in excess of $30K online. Do you think they took risks?

 

[LGK]

I get a LOT of people commenting on my jewelry on a daily basis- I work at an antique mall with lots of antique jewelry, and I own/wear quite a bit, so people naturally feel pretty free to talk to me about mine.

Here''s what I have noticed. Most laypeople do NOT see color, much at all; they also tend to think low color=no sparkle, which, of course, is not true at all. So my well cut antique stones, which are both quite low in color (M & N) tend to get people asking "are they D color? is that why they''re so sparkly?" Sure the color is a bit visible in that range, but people see the sparkliness above all. So definitely get a really good cut.

If you haven''t yet, go to a store that carries premium cut (Hearts on Fire, or AGS stones) and compare them to a mediocre cut, especially in non-jewelry-store lighting. If you don''t want to learn a lot about cut, but want a great cut anyway, just go for AGS0 and you should be OK... typically they''ll be cheaper online than in a B&M store.

People also gravitate intensely towards size. People also notice settings quite a lot- ornate antique, or antique style, tend to get people''s attention. Solitaires, not so much (I''ve worn a few, and people just ignore them pretty much.) I think mostly just because they''re more unique/unusual, not so much because people don''t actually like solitaires... it''s just that they''ve seen them before.

My priorities for diamonds are: cut (though I like antique cuts), carat, clarity and finally color. I personally will go for very low color stones- they can look great in older cuts, and though you can see some color in an M or N, it doesn''t bother me at all. I like them to be eyeclean, too, but if I found a to-die-for deal but it had a teensy barely-visible (but not black) inclusion, I wouldn''t really care. These are all pretty personal choices though.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 11/4/2008 6:21:41 PM
Author: Avus00
honey22,
To me, buying a diamond online is a HUGE risk, I don't care how many people swear by it. Sure, there will be plenty of people who are happy with what they bought and trust their online vendors; but, to me, buying a diamond online could potentially ask for troubles. There are so many horror stories on PS about people getting screwed.

So, my advice is solid and seeing diamonds in person is key. And it's also critical to see as many diamonds as possible to compare as far as the best performer. Anybody who knows better would know that mall stores have trick lighting to enhance even the worst cut stones - and there's a way around that as well.

My point and bottom line is that you don't have to have details like HCA scores, idealscope pictures, or even research on PS to know which diamond is the best. All you need is either an outstanding jeweler or confidence in your own eyes. That's how I found my diamond and it's the nicest stone I've ever laid eyes on in my life (and that's after viewing several dozen over the course of a couple months and before I knew ANYTHING about PS).

Please point me to a thread about someone getting "screwed" by one of the PS -recommended vendors? I think you will have trouble finding one...
Usually, we have to help people who have gotten screwed by well-regarded and known B&M's, such as the poor girl recently who bought from a very popular store in Geneva, based on their stirling reputation..

I also purchased my stone online, as did thousands of other happy campers, without seeing anything but numbers, photos and reflector images. As I dealt with GOG, I also had the privilege of viewing videos.

PP is right, buying from the PS vendors is pretty much risk free. Nobody has said that seeing diamonds with your own eyes isn't important - yes, its the most important part, and its what you get to do during your inspection period with GOG, WF, Wink ,JA etc...
I'm sure your stone is pretty, but just because its the nicest you've ever seen.....doesn't mean your method is for everyone.

 

[Avus00]

Believe what you guys want ... but thinking nobody can get screwed online is ignorant.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 11/5/2008 8:08:58 AM
Author: Avus00
Believe what you guys want ... but thinking nobody can get screwed online is ignorant.

Please don't misquote and judge me. I was reposnding to your statement ""There are so many horror stories on PS about people getting screwed.".

Nobody ever said people can't get ripped off buying online - they can and do by not doing their research and using the wrong vendors. We simply stated that they won't by doing their due dilligence and using a trusted vendor - again, I ask you to produce a thread where someone was "screwed" by a PS vendor?
Ppl also get ripped off every day in B&M stores - look at the diamond districts. But there are also good reputable B&M's, just like there are internet vendors.
I just don't know how you can be a mbr here and not know this - have you ever read people's testimonials after their purchases, seen their rings??

You have received help and praise from the members here - why would you now try to insult us?

Imho, having a wealth of knowledge and resources at your fingertips, and ignoring it due to some archaic notion, is the real ignorance.

 

[BM993T]

Date: 11/5/2008 8:33:42 AM
Author: arjunajane

Date: 11/5/2008 8:08:58 AM
Author: Avus00
Believe what you guys want ... but thinking nobody can get screwed online is ignorant.

Please don't misquote and judge me. I was reposnding to your statement 'There are so many horror stories on PS about people getting screwed.'.

Nobody ever said people can't get ripped off buying online - they can and do by not doing their research and using the wrong vendors. We simply stated that they won't by doing their due dilligence and using a trusted vendor - again, I ask you to produce a thread where someone was 'screwed' by a PS vendor?
Ppl also get ripped off every day in B&M stores - look at the diamond districts. But there are also good reputable B&M's, just like there are internet vendors.
I just don't know how you can be a mbr here and not know this - have you ever read people's testimonials after their purchases, seen their rings??

You have received help and praise from the members here - why would you now try to insult us?

Imho, having a wealth of knowledge and resources at your fingertips, and ignoring it due to some archaic notion, is the real ignorance.

I think you guys as missing Avus's point which is people would rather see the diamonds in person and compare them that way rather than buy online - which has risk, you guys are wrong about that.
It doesn't matter how reputable a vendor is or the history they've had with other customers.
Some of you women are just looking to instigate an arugment; remain calm and talk like mature adults.

 

[purrfectpear]

Date: 11/5/2008 8:39:11 AM
Author: BM993T
I think you guys as missing Avus''s point which is people would rather see the diamonds in person and compare them that way rather than buy online - which has risk, you guys are wrong about that.
It doesn''t matter how reputable a vendor is or the history they''ve had with other customers.
Some of you women are just looking to instigate an arugment; remain calm and talk like mature adults.

There is risk to buying "online" if you mean eBay, or from some random website. There is NO risk in buying from the vendors I listed. What would be the risk from Whiteflash or Good Old Gold in your opinion? Let''s not banty about theories and suppositions, name a risk please.

Facts:

Both have a reasonable full return policy (less shipping/insurance).
Both provide full documentation (example; photos, video, sarin, idealscope, GIA, AGS grading docs).
Both have real retail stores in addition to online.
Both have reputations for honesty, integrity and excellent customer service.

I don''t believe that we "women" (what does gender have to do with it?) are interesting in instigating anything, nor are we anything but calm. We do have issues with the integrity of advice given on PS. Blanket statements that are blatently false are going to be challenged.

No one is saying that your local jeweler is a bad guy with only junk to sell. We ARE saying that the majority of the time your local jeweler does not have access to the same quality of diamonds at the same low prices, and does not provide the same level of independent documentation.

 

[MMT]

Date: 11/4/2008 5:03:39 PM
Author: AprilBaby
For me:
Cut
Clarity
Size
Color

I agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BM993T]

Date: 11/5/2008 8:57:51 AM
Author: purrfectpear

Date: 11/5/2008 8:39:11 AM
Author: BM993T
I think you guys as missing Avus''s point which is people would rather see the diamonds in person and compare them that way rather than buy online - which has risk, you guys are wrong about that.
It doesn''t matter how reputable a vendor is or the history they''ve had with other customers.
Some of you women are just looking to instigate an arugment; remain calm and talk like mature adults.

Blanket statements that areblatentlyfalse are going to be challenged.

No one is saying that your local jeweler is a bad guy with only junk to sell. We ARE saying that the majority of the time your local jeweler does not have access to the same quality of diamonds at the same low prices, and does not provide the same level of independent documentation.

Blatantly

 

[strmrdr]

I see the industry trolls are out in force.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 11/5/2008 9:40:57 AM
Author: strmrdr
I see the industry trolls are out in force.

Ditto. Strm, I have paged you in my OEC thread matey !

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 11/5/2008 9:13:19 AM
Author: BM993T

Date: 11/5/2008 8:57:51 AM
Author: purrfectpear

Date: 11/5/2008 8:39:11 AM
Author: BM993T
I think you guys as missing Avus's point which is people would rather see the diamonds in person and compare them that way rather than buy online - which has risk, you guys are wrong about that.
It doesn't matter how reputable a vendor is or the history they've had with other customers.
Some of you women are just looking to instigate an arugment; remain calm and talk like mature adults.

Blanket statements that areblatentlyfalse are going to be challenged.

No one is saying that your local jeweler is a bad guy with only junk to sell. We ARE saying that the majority of the time your local jeweler does not have access to the same quality of diamonds at the same low prices, and does not provide the same level of independent documentation.

Blatantly

Patronising and misinformed, great combo!
In the highlighted above, which people are you referring to - the thousands that are making their most significant diamond purchase of their life online, hence have the traditional industry taking note? Those people?..

Us "women" are the ones that have given you the advice you requested in your other threads. Please show some manners.
As PP explained better than I, the only thing I have a problem with here is the integrity of advice and scare mongering tactics being given to new posters looking for sincere information...all coincidentally given from new mbrs with little to no contribution here, and very strong opinions about the industry..*hmmmmmm*

I'm guessing BM = B&M?

 

[Allison D.]

Date: 11/5/2008 8:08:58 AM
Author: Avus00
Believe what you guys want ... but thinking nobody can get screwed online is ignorant.

With due respect, Avus, the same could be said about those who think offline/in-person purchases are somehow automatically safer.

There are solid reputable vendors with integrity to be found both locally and online. Conversely, there are unscrupulous vendors to be found both locally and online, too. Venue is not the problem.

Risk comes from trying to make a purchase without adequate knowledge about the product/service being considered, not from venue. Those who invest the reasonable amount of time and effort it takes to understand the features and comparable values of the products/services they are purchasing are considerably less likely to feel cheated/duped than those who don't.

Smart consumers insist on working through vendors who operate with transparency, offer reasonable full return policies, and have earned reputations for excellence and integrity. That's true whether you're buying jewelry, a car, or any other product/service.

There are plentiful posts here on Pricescope from people who felt duped, both from online AND local vendors. Most of them admit they didn't know enough about what they were buying.

 

[kcgunesq]

I tried to skim all of the post and read the OP twice, but I didn''t see where he mentioned that he was looking for a RB, although everyone seems so assume he was (if someone else mentioned this point, I apologize for only skimming most of the post). But if he''s not set on a RB, then perhaps some of the weighting changes. I''m guess that many RB fans love their SI1 or VS2s but wouldn''t like the stone so much if it had been cut into an EC.
I won''t speak to RB''s but in an EC, I''d probably rank them Clarity, Carat, Color, Cut, Sym, Polish. And personally, I really wanted at least Med Flouro. Of course, you need to set realistic limits that if crossed, will eliminate a stone even if its high in the other categories.

My logic for an EC is that you will tend to see any inclusions very easily. Unless you are ok with this, you need to first settle on a Clarity/Carat Ratio that works. Once you have that generally in hand, consider color, as color will tend to be more visible. My guess is at this point, you will have a pretty good idea of price and you should be able to choose based upon cut without too much impact in price. Often it cost only a very little more to get a well cut EC than an average or below avg cut EC. The main problem is finding one that meets your other critera AND is available when you need to purchase. Since budget is usually rigid and color/clarity only allow for some movement, if you have to purchase now (or very soon), you might have to give on cut. But make no mistake, what I''m talking about is moving in the range of AGA Ideal to AGA 2B, not into 4B territory.

Thats my 2 cents anyhow. Hope I didn''t get completely off-topic or redundant.

 

[Lynn B]

I only skimmed your replies, so please forgive if I am repeating something.

What do *normal* people notice? IMVHO -- SIZE and SPARKLE. Period. Then after that, color (is the diamond pee-yellow?) Then clarity (does it have visible inclusions?)

What do I, as a PS''er notice first? SIZE and SPARKLE. Then, color and clarity.

Sparkle = CUT. (And keeping the stone clean, of course! Dirty diamonds don''t sparkle!)

My advice: concentrate on cut, then weigh out/balance color and clarity. You may be surprised at how *loooow* you can go and still have a gorgeous, WHITE, EYE-CLEAN stone. And after that, get the biggest stone your budget allows.

My diamond is a KILLER AGS-0 2.36 RB, J/SI2, Blazingly white and totally eye-clean. I couldn''t be happier. Here''s a link with a million photos (which, BTW, get much better after about page 6 or 7... finally got a new camera!)

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-gorgeous-new-fishtail-pave-set-from-wf.46129/

 

[honey22]

Date: 11/4/2008 6:21:41 PM
Author: Avus00
honey22,
To me, buying a diamond online is a HUGE risk, I don't care how many people swear by it. Sure, there will be plenty of people who are happy with what they bought and trust their online vendors; but, to me, buying a diamond online could potentially ask for troubles. There are so many horror stories on PS about people getting screwed.

So, my advice is solid and seeing diamonds in person is key. And it's also critical to see as many diamonds as possible to compare as far as the best performer. Anybody who knows better would know that mall stores have trick lighting to enhance even the worst cut stones - and there's a way around that as well.

My point and bottom line is that you don't have to have details like HCA scores, idealscope pictures, or even research on PS to know which diamond is the best. All you need is either an outstanding jeweler or confidence in your own eyes. That's how I found my diamond and it's the nicest stone I've ever laid eyes on in my life (and that's after viewing several dozen over the course of a couple months and before I knew ANYTHING about PS).

Date: 11/4/2008 4:00:31 PM
Author: honey22

Date: 11/4/2008 8:53:29 AM
Author: Avus00
The only aspect you should be concerned with is seeing the stone in person.


Clarity, color etc. are just numbers. It's the combination of those and the interrelations.


You have to see various stones and pick the one that visually performs the best to you.



That's it.


I didn't even use PS or HCA or any of the other tools until I saw what stone I thought was the best. It ended up being a D, VS1, Excellent GIA cut.


It scored a 1.4 and I immediately jumped on it. It was the best performer to me and I probably looked at some stones that 'should' be better because they are 'better' on paper(e.g. AGS000, would score a .7-.9 on the HCA etc.), but did not perform like the stone I purchased.

This is not helpful when you are purchasing online. And also not helpful if you have never seen a really well cut stone. Many people will be happy with the sparklies in a maul store, and think they look great, and then they will understand when they see a truly well cut stone, there is just no comparison.

I purchased from another country, so seeing the stone wasn't an option. If you want to be assured of a great stone (and not just an average one) you will narrow down the field using numbers and then go from there. If you want to save lots of money too, you buy online, and again seeing the diamond is not always possible.

You have to understand that around here we are very driven to finding stunning stones, not just your average 'good' diamonds. Many people don't mind buying an average stone (and that's fine) but PSers are known for their fine taste in very highl quality cut stones.

Show me one thread where someone has got ripped off buying from a PS vendor? Do a search on 'B&M' threads, sit back with a cup of coffee and spend the next few hours sifting through the hundreds of posts where people have been mislead, overcharged and down right lied to.

To the average person who is uneducated about buying diamonds and flying blind, going into a B&M can be far riskier than shopping from a PS vendor. We get guys here all the time gushing over their fabulous find and great deal, only to realise that it's a piece of frozen spit that they have drastically overpaid for when put in the correct direction.

When I was shopping for my ering stone, I encountered incredible tactics by some B&M stores, and I can 100% tell you for sure, if I wasn't an educated PSer, I would have been diddled in the first store I went to.

If you are a donkey who is buying crap of ebay, then you are probably going to get screwed. But if you have taken the time to do some research and know what you are looking for, then it's perfectly safe.

And, I have to ask, if someone has never seen a really well cut stone, just about anything will look nice to their eyes. Jeweller store lights will make anything light up and sparkle, and you probably don't have a killer cut stone to compare to anyway. How is this safer than buying an ACA from WF for example? Do you honestly trust your amatuer judgment over Brian the Cutter's? I wouldn't that's for sure!

ETA - I really doubt you have read that many horror stories on PS, you have only been a member for less than two weeks. In 1.5ys, I can't recall a single one about a trusted vendor.