Would you buy this diamond?

[jheavner]

I went to a local dealer that was listed in Washingtonian Magazine as one of the best places to buy a diamond in DC. I wanted an ideal cut but his selection of color/clarity on an ideal was non-existent so I went with a very good cut that''s F color and VS2 and 1.28 ct. The table is 58% and the depth is 61.3%. It seemed pretty good and the person that showed it to me said that it was very close to ideal. The stone is priced at $9350.

Now the problem, I ran it through the ideal-scope at http://www.ideal-scope.com/hca.asp and the numbers came back very bad. In addition to the depth and table the crown angle is 32% and the pavilion angle is 42%. The overall performance came back as a 6.2 which it says is fair. Does that seem like a good stone at that price? I decided to look locally because I really thought I wanted to see the stone in person but that stone looked ok in person and now doesn''t seem so great. Does anyone have an opinion? Help!

 

[neatfreak]

No. I would not buy it.

 

[neatfreak]

I would ask buy this one or another like it from Whiteflash:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-273556.htm

 

[Gypsy]

I wouldn't buy it either. You want to go locally? Drive to MD, James Allen is there in Baltimore I believe... another of the PS vendors (Icemine?) is right in DC. Quest is in Falls Church, VA-- although they are more for settings than stones, they have stones.

OR take a trip up to NY... 5 hours aways and you'll get to go to GOG or ERD.

I trust the washingtonian for cakes (Hollin Hill Bakery in VA is the BEST). But for diamonds? PS.

Good luck!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Honestly, with those numbers, no I wouldn't buy it. For several hundred $ less* here are two of roughly the same size, both F VS2, that score 1.5 on the HCA: link or
link. (*The prices you see on the links are not the bank wire prices, which are actually less.)

Or, here is an option from Good Old Gold: link

Is there a reason though that you're looking at F VS2? For the same $ you could get a slightly lower color (assuming you are not color sensitive) or a lower clarity, still eye clean of course. Or, your could for the same $ get a bigger stone with lower color/clarity.

If you post what's important to you, including the budget, a bunch of helpful PSers will be happy to suggest some other options for you.

 

[jheavner]

Dee*Jay, the second stone you linked to is the exact stone I''m now looking at. The color/clarity are really something she''s asking for. We''ve discussed getting a bigger stone with a trade-off in either color/clarity and she''d rather have the better specs. I do know that I want an ideal cut and I was told this stone was a hair away, which now turns out to be a lie. The bad thing is that I bought the stone, the good thing is I have a ten day return policy and I plan to make full use of it tomorrow morning. Basically I''m looking for a round F, VS2, with an ideal cut and my budget is $10,000 on the stone alone.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 6/1/2007 7:34:41 PM
Author: jheavner
Dee*Jay, the second stone you linked to is the exact stone I''m now looking at. The color/clarity are really something she''s asking for. We''ve discussed getting a bigger stone with a trade-off in either color/clarity and she''d rather have the better specs. I do know that I want an ideal cut and I was told this stone was a hair away, which now turns out to be a lie. The bad thing is that I bought the stone, the good thing is I have a ten day return policy and I plan to make full use of it tomorrow morning. Basically I''m looking for a round F, VS2, with an ideal cut and my budget is $10,000 on the stone alone.

Then either of DJ''s options would be fantastic for you. And certainly a LOT better than the one you''ve bought unfortunately.

 

[cinnamon013]

Check this one out

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-256916.htm
1.214 ct F VS2 A Cut Above H&A
$9,898.00 Item Available - Ready to ship



Item Code: AGS-8407403
. Report: AGS
. Shape: A Cut Above H&A
. Carat: 1.214
. Depth %: 61.1
. Table %: 56.3
. Crown Angle: 34.7
. Crown %: 15.2
. Star : 52
. Pavilion Angle: 40.6
. Pavilion %: 42.8
. Lower Girdle %: 76
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 6.87-6.89X4.20
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

Take full advantage of the the return policy, and do some shopping at WF, or one of the other respected vendors here on PS. You''ll be shocked at the value and beauty.

 

[jheavner]

Are the hearts-and-arrows worth it or is an AGS0 just as good? It seems like everyone has a version of the ideal ideal cut.

 

[JulieN]

AGS 0 is great.

 

[Kaleigh]

Can''t go wrong with a WF ACA!!

 

[swingirl]

Return the one you bought and get one of these gorgeous stones from one of the internet vendors the last few posters have included links to. These vendors offer proof of the cut through measurements and specs. Plus you get their eyes to look at the stone (a more trained eye than a sales person showing it to you) and they offer a return policy as well.

 

[MWG]

I am a guy and if that helps......I bought an ACA from Whiteflash and it is spectacular!! The flashes of fire coming off the diamond are beautiful. It glitters from a distance and people notice it on my fiancee hand and compliment her and of course, she just GLOWS!!!

We went to Cartier in Houston this past weekend and the ring out sparkled and outshined all the rings in their store. The salesperson was blown away by the ring!!!

Let me say it again...... You cant go wrong with an ACA!!!!!

MWG

 

[whatmeworry]

I''ve purchased lots of AGS0 rounds and well as branded H&A, without using a loupe or hearts and arrows viewers they really look similar to me. Where the H&A shine is when using the viewers/loupe, they have really crisp patterns, but then even some of the unbranded AGS0 have just as crisp patterns too. As you can tell, I''m a fan of both!

 

[Hammurabi]

Date: 6/1/2007 7:34:41 PM
Author: jheavner
Dee*Jay, the second stone you linked to is the exact stone I'm now looking at. The color/clarity are really something she's asking for. We've discussed getting a bigger stone with a trade-off in either color/clarity and she'd rather have the better specs. I do know that I want an ideal cut and I was told this stone was a hair away, which now turns out to be a lie. The bad thing is that I bought the stone, the good thing is I have a ten day return policy and I plan to make full use of it tomorrow morning. Basically I'm looking for a round F, VS2, with an ideal cut and my budget is $10,000 on the stone alone.

hi jheavner,

would you mind if i ask whats the reason that your fiancee does not want to go down on color/clarity? i asked because before i came to this forum, i thought they are the most important specs on a rock and thought if i get those two wrong, everthing will go haywired, thats why i compromised a lot of size on the e-ring when i could have done better without noticing the color/clarity difference.

but of course, it may well be her personal/cultural reasons and i dont mean to offend.

as for WF's ACA they are gorgeous stones! to be honest i think my F/G SI1/VS2 earrings outspark my e-ring, and i cannot tell the difference between the colors of the earrings, nor the 'inclusions'

good luck!

 

[jheavner]

Date: 6/1/2007 9:14:33 PM
Author: Hammurabi

Date: 6/1/2007 7:34:41 PM
would you mind if i ask whats the reason that your fiancee does not want to go down on color/clarity? i asked because before i came to this forum, i thought they are the most important specs on a rock and thought if i get those two wrong, everthing will go haywired, thats why i compromised a lot of size on the e-ring when i could have done better without noticing the color/clarity difference.

I had initially planned to buy a larger G or H SI1 stone. I even took her to Bailey Banks & Biddle and let her see the difference (which she couldn't really see). I think it really comes down to the fact that she doesn't know that much about diamonds (apparently neither do I) and I think she's worried about it being "not right". I think she'd rather err on the side of caution. Regardless, it doesn't matter to me and if that's what she wants then so be it. The good news is her ring size is 4.75 so anything is going to look bigger on her finger.

 

[cinnamon013]

Date: 6/1/2007 10:04:30 PM
Author: jheavner

Date: 6/1/2007 9:14:33 PM
Author: Hammurabi

Date: 6/1/2007 7:34:41 PM
would you mind if i ask whats the reason that your fiancee does not want to go down on color/clarity? i asked because before i came to this forum, i thought they are the most important specs on a rock and thought if i get those two wrong, everthing will go haywired, thats why i compromised a lot of size on the e-ring when i could have done better without noticing the color/clarity difference.

I had initially planned to buy a larger G or H SI1 stone. I even took her to Bailey Banks & Biddle and let her see the difference (which she couldn''t really see). I think it really comes down to the fact that she doesn''t know that much about diamonds (apparently neither do I) and I think she''s worried about it being ''not right''. I think she''d rather err on the side of caution. Regardless, it doesn''t matter to me and if that''s what she wants then so be it. The good news is her ring size is 4.75 so anything is going to look bigger on her finger.

Cut is most important, so if you pass that hurdle, a G or H will face up as white or whiter than an average or poorly cut F. Clarity is not something that will affect light return, brilliance, sparkle, shine, fire, etc. Eye clean means you won''t see any inclusions, and you really only need to ask about this if you are considering a SI1. If she professes not to know that much about the diamonds, and is worried about it not being right, then do a bit more research on this site. You''ll learn to focus in on the cut, make sure and check where it scores on the HCA, with a score lower than 2 and within the grid. Make sure it is eyeclean. Go with at least an H, and go with a G if you have an opportunity. On a 4.75 finger, the 1.2 carats you are looking at will be gaga big. You may not notice the difference in a jewelry store...their lighting masks the real beauty opportunity moments. But again, with a well cut stone, the measurements will face up larger, and since it reflects the light so well, it will show its beauty from edge to edge, showing it''s true size. It''s when you are outside, at work, IN the low lighting restaurant, that the stone shows it is a beautiful piece if it is well cut. Fire sparkles out of mine driving down the road, sitting at dinner, right now in my living room with barely any light. My husband says it reflects off my computer screen when I am typing... So, I guess you know how I really feel. Don''t be afraid to shop the G stones in a great .cut They will face up white! And...we PS''rs will make a believer out you...

Oh, and just because it is from BBB wouldn''t mean it is any better a stone. Likely you might pay more for less at a chain/mall/etc store. Do check out the PS vendors. They are awesome.

 

[fullojoy]

If you are looking to buy locally in the DC area, you should contact Quest jewelers in VA, they are located close to Tysons. I just purchased a 3 carat stone from them, and their prices were very competitive. Pete is great to work with. I had also shopped on Sansom Street in Philly, and I had a miserable experience there. Pete had access to the same stones I saw in Philly, and his prices were 2-3 thousand less on each stone. Their number is 703-204-0111, and their website is www.questfinejewelers.com

I am now anxiously awaiting my custom made ring from them.

Quest will bring in stones for you to look at, at no charge to you.

good luck- Joy