Will this stone look okay?

[cutey TT]

As some of you may know, I was looking at a 3.5 ct H-VS2 H&A AGS0 stone just recently. The appraiser gave it an I for color, however, and so I''m looking at other options. Another vendor recommended a slightly smaller 3.2 ct H-VS2 GIA Excellent (HCA 1.9, but looks like it falls in the realm of AGS0 as well).

Anyway, the original stone''s numbers were spot on...couldn''t have looked better. However, this stone is not necessarily something I would''ve picked in a line-up but the vendor is saying that it''s a really high H, and it scores vg-ex-vg-ex on HCA. Unfortunately, I don''t have a picture, and was wondering if some of you experts could take a look at the following stats and comment.

Thanks!

3.21 H-VS2
9.61 x 9.65 x 5.78 mm
T=58.0%
D=60.0%
Crown Angle = 33.0
Crown % = 14.0
Pavilion Angle = 41.2
Pavilion % = 43.5

 

[cutey TT]

Any thoughts? Would appreciate any help!

The vendor keeps calling me! I''m feeling somewhat pressured.

 

[mrssalvo]

hi cutey, i hope some others chime in for you. the table is a little bigger than I''d want in a stone personally. But, if you''re working with a vendor you trust, it might be worth consideration. eyes always trump paper, but for me I use the following as a guide for my specs.

table: 54-57%

depth: 60-62%

crown angle: 34-35

pavilion angle: 40.6 to 41.0

girdle: thin, medium, or slightly thick

 

[cutey TT]

mrssalvo - thanks! exactly...i was looking for 55-57% table, 60-62% depth, thin-medium girdle, and the rest the same as below. this stone''s table is slightly bigger than i would''ve liked, crown and pavilion angles are a little off.

still, it''s got an okay HCA score, and when i put the #s into the AGA cut grade tool on David Atlas'' site, it was a 1B. the original james allen stone was an HCA 1.2 and AGA 1A, for what it''s worth.

the prices of the two stones are almost identical. stone #1 has better cut, but more body color, while stone #2 has less body color, but slightly worse cut. because stone #2 is less deep, the spread is almost the same also (difference of about 0.1 mm, which i''m sure is not noticeable).

any other thoughts?

 

[mrssalvo]

cutey, stones in that size are pretty hard to come by right now right? i don''t want you to settle, but I also wouldn''t want you to get so caught up in numbers that you miss out on what might be a beautiful stone. Do you trust the vendor you''re working with? what are their thoughts? i would think better cut, means less body color evident, but the color seems like it''s a valid concern for you. I have heard experts say on here that they have never seen any stone with an AGS000 grade be a dog, so in all likelyhood that stone is probably pretty amazing although it''s not Pricescope Paper perfect....

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/17/2008 2:57:14 PM
Author: mrssalvo
cutey, stones in that size are pretty hard to come by right now right? i don''t want you to settle, but I also wouldn''t want you to get so caught up in numbers that you miss out on what might be a beautiful stone. Do you trust the vendor you''re working with? what are their thoughts? i would think better cut, means less body color evident, but the color seems like it''s a valid concern for you. I have heard experts say on here that they have never seen any stone with an AGS000 grade be a dog, so in all likelyhood that stone is probably pretty amazing although it''s not Pricescope Paper perfect....

Ditto MrsSalvo. Could you get some photos and an Idealscope image for this diamond Cutey? It would be great to see how it shows it''s stuff!

 

[cutey TT]

Vendor #2 doesn''t have the capability of taking pictures, apparently, much less providing an ASET or Idealscope image. He is insisting that pictures won''t tell me anything, and that the difference in cut between the two stones will be minimal.

I don''t know...maybe it''s just me, but when I''m about to spend this kind of money, I need to see *something* albeit "unhelpful."

Yesterday, I was feeling extremely pressured to make a decision on one of the two stones in question. After much consideration, I have decided to pass on both and continue looking. With stone #1, I was looking at top-notch cut, but color being off. With stone #2, I was looking at a dead-on H, but cut not being exactly what I''m looking for. I kept going back and forth in my mind...which should I sacrifice: color or cut? Not to mention, I had already spent $330 on an appraisal for stone #1.

Anyway, I finally decided to cut my losses and move on. I know that if I continue looking, I will be able to find a stone with the cut parameters I''m looking for, as well as color.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/18/2008 9:04:15 AM
Author: cutey TT
Vendor #2 doesn't have the capability of taking pictures, apparently, much less providing an ASET or Idealscope image. He is insisting that pictures won't tell me anything, and that the difference in cut between the two stones will be minimal.

I don't know...maybe it's just me, but when I'm about to spend this kind of money, I need to see *something* albeit 'unhelpful.'

Yesterday, I was feeling extremely pressured to make a decision on one of the two stones in question. After much consideration, I have decided to pass on both and continue looking. With stone #1, I was looking at top-notch cut, but color being off. With stone #2, I was looking at a dead-on H, but cut not being exactly what I'm looking for. I kept going back and forth in my mind...which should I sacrifice: color or cut? Not to mention, I had already spent $330 on an appraisal for stone #1.

Anyway, I finally decided to cut my losses and move on. I know that if I continue looking, I will be able to find a stone with the cut parameters I'm looking for, as well as color.

Cutey, I don't blame you one bit for wanting to see some pictures or an Idealscope image for a purchase of this magnitude!! Also you don't want to feel pressured, that turns me off instantly I know, especially when it is a very large purchase.

I know you will find something that will be right for you and if we can help you search, let us know.

I don't know what your budget is, but I found this one.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1087014.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

 

[cutey TT]

Thanks Lorelei! I'm glad it's not just me...

I have decided that I need to work with a vendor who provides much more info up-front, and who feels that looking at pictures and all that other stuff is actually helpful in being able to make a decision. Maybe I'm just a much more visual person, but I have a hard time full-out trusting someone I've never met before.

I went to vendor #1 initially, because I was under the impression that the stone was part of their in-house inventory. Vendor #2 became involved because the appraiser I was working with wanted to be able to compare a different 3 ct H to the original one to place a value on it (he graded it an I, so was he going to value it comparable to other Hs or Is on the market, etc.). So now that vendor #2 knew what I was in the market for, he came forth with stone #2. See how this becomes complicated?!?!

ETA: The appraiser asked me to contact vendor #2 on his behalf to bring over a different stone, as a favor (because they are friends, have worked together in the past, would do it as a courtesy...).

 

[mrssalvo]

cutey, I think your wise to stick with a vendor who provides all the info you''re after. I know WF is local for you right? but do you prefer to work long distance due to the sales tax? anyway, IMO GOG just does an amazing job of getting every detail on their site, plus will do a video for you etc. and I''d trust Jonathan''s eyes, more than own..lol..If it were me, I''d stick with them, tell them what you want and let them hunt it down. Just my .02.

 

[Lorelei]

No, it isn't just you Cutey feeling this way, I and many others too would want as much info as possible, to be able to make the best decision. Especially when some other vendors have this info readily and routinely available!!

I see what you mean about this getting complicated! Bear with it though, as sometimes it can take a while to find this type of diamond, but you will get there in the end.

ETA - just saw what MrsSalvo posted, I think that is a great idea to contact a vendor such as Jon, tell him what you want and let him hunt it down!