www.isee2.com - Is the hype worth it???

[lax18]

I have been told isee2 technology is the best available. Is an isee2 cut and graded diamond worth the premium? And if so how is this technology any better than a highly scoring diamond under HCA where any diamond can be easily graded over the internet? I was very impressed with the presentation of isee2, but was hoping I could get some expert opinions. I want to make sure I don''t purchase a diamond and pay extra for just some marketing fluff. Maybe just purchasing a diamond that scores well under HCA is the way to go. Thanks in advance for the comments--this site couldn''t be any better in providing diamond education.

 

[valeria101]

Well, Isee2 doesn't seem to encourage their fare to be shown over the Net, but Good Old Gold (LINK) uses Isee2 and provides Isee2 scores for their Harts and Arrows.

To me, that's yet another diamond scan that shows "something" letting you decide if their analysis makes a sensible difference anywhere outside the scan box

Unlike the HCA that only works with numbers, Isee2 deals with the diamond in flesh and shows some visual detail. But so does the Brilliance Scope, and the Ideal Scope and the Harts and Arrows Viewer... Bet there are others of the sort as well ! Using just a couple of numbers is not quite as precise as an image of the stone, but there are many ways to take a peek (inlcuding those tools, and calling in the diamond for inspection and perhaps appraisal).

One Ideal Scope costs $30. Shipping + appraioser's services a tad more... How much is the Isee2 premium ? Not sure if it really is worth that much more. Just my 0.2, of course

 

[Rhino]

Date: 12/19/2004 2

7:25 PM
Author:lax18
I have been told isee2 technology is the best available. Is an isee2 cut and graded diamond worth the premium? And if so how is this technology any better than a highly scoring diamond under HCA where any diamond can be easily graded over the internet? I was very impressed with the presentation of isee2, but was hoping I could get some expert opinions. I want to make sure I don''t purchase a diamond and pay extra for just some marketing fluff. Maybe just purchasing a diamond that scores well under HCA is the way to go. Thanks in advance for the comments--this site couldn''t be any better in providing diamond education.

It is currently the best technology available for analysis of diamond appearance in diffuse light conditions relating to its brilliance, scintillation & symmetry as observed in these conditions.

It does not measure fire at this time as the BrillianceScope is perhaps the best technology for analsyis in direct light conditions however the Isee2 measures and grades the component of "optical symmetry" which directly affects diamond appearance in diffuse light conditions and is the only technology that performs this analysis. I have written a tutorial on the subject that covers alot of details about this but am prevented from posting that link here.

Regards,

 

[solange]

I can't comment on Isee2.

I bought my ring from Whiteflash. I chose them because they are very easy to deal with, have a lifetime 100% upgrade to a more expensive ring, they do not drop ship and they will send a stone or stones to a reputable appraiser of your choice where you can see it before you pay.

The stone I wanted was hard to find and I told Lesley at Whitefash that I was not dealing with anyone else and would leave it to her to find the right stone for me so she knew she was not wasting her time. Some people work with several vendors at once but I think this can get confusing especially if several vendors are working on the same stone for you. I sent Lesley several possibilities--at higher cost--that I found on the Multiple listing but she said they were not for me. Finally she notified me that she had found what sounded like the perfect stone for me and the dealer shipped it to Whiteflash for inspection.It was well under my budget.

Brian, the cutter, who is extremely knowledgeabe and well known in the field, discussed the stone at length with me and said he felt it was a winner, scored all excellent on the HCA and said I was under no obligation to buy it after I saw it at the appraiser. I told Brian I could spend moreif he felt I could do better but he felt it was not necessary. The appraiser did an OGI and his appraisal states that it is an AGS O cut stone with Ideal proportions and 1A cut.

Whiteflash arranged to have the stone shipped back to them and had a setting made to accommodate the stone. I did not pay Whiteflash a penny until the day before the ring was ready to be shipped. Brian sent me pictures of the stone in its setting, I approved them and they then sent the ring to their appraiser,at no cost to me, to make certain the stone had not been damaged in setting and that it was the same stone as on the GIA report. The appraiser also gave me a written appraisal for insurance purposes.

I paid that day and the ring arrrived by overnight Federal Express the next morning.
There are several other vendors here who have excellent reputations (GOG who does have the Isee2 scope, Engagement Rings Direct, Diamonds by Lauren, Nice Ice, Diamonds Direct, etc. and I am sure any will give you excellent service.

I find it is best to call and discuss what you are looking for because they all have access to stones that are not on Multiple listing and, if you give them a budget and an idea of what you want, they can make suggestions as to cut, color,clarity and size so you can get the best stone for the price. But before you call, you should study the tutorials and the GOG site so that you have a good idea of what you are looking for. As an example, Lesley found me a much larger stone for a great price because it is SI2 but completely eye clean from all angles even though I know exactly where the inclusions are because I can see them with a 10 power loupe. Since diamonds are a poor investment, I was not concerned about the SI2 inclusions because I cannot see them.

It states under the HCA score that this is useful in eliminating stones that are badly proportioned and therefore unacceptable but that you should not use this as a sole method of selecting a stone. It is an excellent guide as to what to eliminate and I understand that it is being revised based on new information.

 

[strmrdr]

My opinion is that an isee2 report is interesting to have on a diamond but not required.
It is worth no more than a simularly well cut diamond without the isee2 report.

 

[lax18]

Thanks for the comments. I figured this was the case. I feel the dealer I am dealing with is building the cost of the technology into the prices of their diamonds. Although the Isee2 report is pretty neat, I''m probably better off getting a well cut diamond without a 10% surcharge.

 

[elmo]

Date: 12/20/2004 9:42:57 AM
Author: lax18
Thanks for the comments. I figured this was the case. I feel the dealer I am dealing with is building the cost of the technology into the prices of their diamonds. Although the Isee2 report is pretty neat, I''m probably better off getting a well cut diamond without a 10% surcharge.

Is it only 10%?

Actually from what I understand, Overseas'' inventory is extensive. Often to get exactly what you want with a perfect cut is worth a premium, up to a certain point.