Would you by this diamond?

[vablackwell]

Hi -

Just wondering if I can get an opinion on this diamond. I''ll be using it as a sidestone.

It''s a .5, G, SI2.
The jeweler says:


Comments:Stone is eye clean, not milky

Few pinpoint black in stone( major inclusion is white)

I''m attaching the plot, because all the inclusions are directly in the middle of the stone and this concerns me...but it is a side stone for a 3 stone ring, so maybe it will be okay.

Would you buy this diamond for $850? I''ll be using it as a sidestone in a 3 stone ring...the other side was a gift with no papers but has been matched to this one. The center is a 1.0 H, VS1.

Thanks,

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/2/2009 10:49:53 AM
Author:vablackwell

Hi -

Just wondering if I can get an opinion on this diamond. I'll be using it as a sidestone.

It's a .5, G, SI2.


The jeweler says:


Comments:Stone is eye clean, not milky

Few pinpoint black in stone( major inclusion is white)

I'm attaching the plot, because all the inclusions are directly in the middle of the stone and this concerns me...but it is a side stone for a 3 stone ring, so maybe it will be okay.

Would you buy this diamond for $850? I'll be using it as a sidestone in a 3 stone ring...the other side was a gift with no papers but has been matched to this one. The center is a 1.0 H, VS1.

Thanks,

Hi Virginia,

We need more info please, does it have a GIA report? Do you have the proportions such as depth, table and angles? How well cut are the other diamonds, the other side and centre stone?

 

[vablackwell]

Did I say "by" in that topic? I meant "buy"

Here''s the dossier for the stone.

 

[vablackwell]

Hi -

Here''s the report. It''s a G, SI 1...

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/2/2009 10:53:49 AM
Author: vablackwell
Did I say ''by'' in that topic? I meant ''buy''

Here''s the dossier for the stone.

Thanks! Sorry, could you blow the report up a bit please or type out the proportions? I can''t quite read it.

 

[vablackwell]

Here''s the link to the report:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/Certificate.aspx?StockNo=903647

5.00 - 5.04 x 3.16 mm
carat .50
color G
Clarity SI 1
Cut: Good
Total Depth 63%
Table Size 59%
CrownAngle 35.5
Crown Height 14.5
Pavilion Angle 41.2
Pavilion Depth 43.5%
Star Length 55%
Lower Half 75%
Girdle STK To VTK, Faceted (4.8%)
Culet: None
Polish: VGood
Symmetry: Good
Fluoresence: None
Comments: none

Tried to attach report...but it''s not working in a larger size.

Please let me know if you need any additional info.

Thanks

 

[Lorelei]

Thanks!

I would say to pass as this diamond is not well cut, you could find a side stone which is better cut that this one, it doesn't have to be a top make to pass muster but I would avoid the steep deep type of diamond like this one. The angles are a bit too steep and deep to work well together and as .50 are sizeable sidestones, you want them to look good and sparkle. It is a bit deep too which isn't as much of an issue as the angles.

 

[John P]

Here is the diamond''s info on Report Check Lorelei.

http://www.gia.edu/reportcheck/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.showReportVerification&reportno=2106124226&weight=0.50

Some flags:

The angles and girdle make it face up smaller than it should for 0.50 ct.
Crown and pavilion angle averages are not the best, if that is what is sought.
Not wild about the G in symmetry - from a craftsmanship perspective - but that''s me.

The only clarity characteristic listed is a cloud, but the plot you were provided with doesn''t seem to note it - and I would think a grade-setting SI2 cloud in a 0.50 ct would be pretty notable.

 

[vablackwell]

So that would be a no?

Here''s the thing...I''m trying to match a side diamond that I have no paperwork on...I''ve taken it to a local jeweler but they want $1200 for the same color/cut diamond as I found online for $850.

What are the minimum requirements I should be looking for when I search for a diamond?

Based on your assessment of the other stone, I definitely don''t want to minimize the look from the top. It''s not a big stone to begin with!

When attempting a match in a store, the stones matched well to a G. The diameter of the other side stone is a 5.00...so my search criteria were:

G
SI 1 (Cheaper cost this way)
diameter: 5.00
cut: very good


That''s it!!

What other criteria should I consider, to get the most bling for my buck?

Thanks for your help,

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/2/2009 11:49:44 AM
Author: John Pollard
Here is the diamond's info on Report Check Lorelei.

http://www.gia.edu/reportcheck/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.showReportVerification&reportno=2106124226&weight=0.50

Some flags:

The angles and girdle make it face up smaller than it should for 0.50 ct.
Crown and pavilion angle averages are not the best, if that is what is sought.
Not wild about the G in symmetry - from a craftsmanship perspective - but that's me.

The only clarity characteristic listed is a cloud, but the plot you were provided with doesn't seem to note it - and I would think a grade-setting SI2 cloud in a 0.50 ct would be pretty notable.

Thanks John!

Do check also Virginia that SI1 cloud isn't problematic if you decide to go with that one.

I think you can find a better diamond than this one, one method you could use is to look online and use the Holloway Cut Advisor if you want to source the stone yourself. Aim to score 2 or below, or if the diamond has top symmetry, you could consider those that score between 2 and 3 even to broaden the options.

Here is the HCA in case you haven't encountered it.

https://www.pricescope.com/cutadviser.asp

 

[John P]

No problem M'lady Lorelei.

Virginia, if you're trying to match the other sidestone make your measurement priorities mm spread and table size.

In that sense the look from the top of the original posted stone potentially matches (5mm) but the mismatched plot and small-spread-for-weight are concerns.

A diamond with a top cut grade is usually appropriate size for weight (with some exceptions). Curious though, when your existing sidestone was measured do you know how accurate it was? Did someone use a gauge on it? If so the 5mm may be "approximate."

 

[vablackwell]

Hi -

Thank you to Lorelei for the link to the Holloway grader. I see the result when I type in the info for that diamond...and it''s not good.

John, regarding measurement, I''ve taken the stone to a few different jewelers and they''ve all measured it as 5.00 - 5.02 using different gauges...so that measurement seems consistent.

I have aborted mision on the stone I asked about...

will continue to look for others using the mm spread and table size.

Thanks to you both,

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/2/2009 12:42:56 PM
Author: vablackwell
Hi -

Thank you to Lorelei for the link to the Holloway grader. I see the result when I type in the info for that diamond...and it's not good.

John, regarding measurement, I've taken the stone to a few different jewelers and they've all measured it as 5.00 - 5.02 using different gauges...so that measurement seems consistent.

I have aborted mision on the stone I asked about...

will continue to look for others using the mm spread and table size.

Thanks to you both,

John and I are glad to help! Keep us posted as to how you get on, and let us know if you need further assistance

 

[Dreamer_D]

Virginia, do you already have the 1ct H for the center stone? What are its cut proportions? Is it ideal or maybe a little less ideal? I think for the overall look you will want to try to match the sidestones in appearance/cut to the center. If the center is not ideal, then you may not want ideal sides which will look much brighter and have more contrast and scintillation than an less-than-ideal center stone, which is not a good thing IMHO--it will only make the center look worse in comparison. If you don''t have the center stone yet, then I would consider using the gift stone as a pendant or something and getting three ideal stone for the three-stone ring. It means you will need to purchase a side diamond and spend the extra ~$900, but it would be worth it to have three ideal cut stone in the ring rather than having two mediocre stones that "match" Just my 2c!

 

[vablackwell]

Hi -

This is the center stone I''m trying to match my two side stones with. I don''t know if it''s ideal or not. Can you tell me what ideal means?

Thanks,


Report Type: GIA Diamond Grading Report
Date of Issue: December 15, 2004
Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.18 - 6.27 x 4.05 mm
Carat Weight: 1.01
Color Grade: H
Clarity Grade: VS1
Proportions:
Depth: 65.1 %
Table: 60 %
Girdle: Medium to Extremely Thick, Faceted
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Good
Fluorescence: None