Can anyone help me with the HCA tool?
- Thread starter Julie C
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Yikes! I should have ran it through. We purchased it. I'm brand new to all of this. We have to go with Blue Nile.Thank you!
We can help you find an alternative at Blue Nile if you let us know your budget and color/clarity requirements.
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A well-cut diamond will have edge-to-edge brightness, which will help it appear whiter and larger than a poorly cut diamond. What do you think of these?
I'm really confused because the color and clarity are better in the one we chose and it has less flaws. I thought those things were equally as important. The GIA report has the cut grade as "excellent." The diamond comes tomorrow. We can definitely exchange it for a different one, but I don't know what I am looking for now. I'll probably take the diamond to my jeweler and see what he thinks. Do you think it's going to look horrible? This is an upgrade to a very bad prior experience. We want to get it right and never think about my ring again, other than to enjoy it!
There are pretty tight ranges of specific angles that are recommended by Pricescopers for the best sparkle/fire/brightness. Have you checked out this page? https://www.pricescope.com/education/diamond-cut
@Kim N knows way more than me, so I would trust her recommendations. I’m sure she will also come along and explain a bit more to you about why the specific angles are so important. I find JannPaul videos also really helpful in explaining what to look for. For example, see
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@mayaINaU, those are fantastic resources. Thanks for sharing.
GIA Excellent encompasses a very broad range of cut quality, some of which do not actually perform that well. If you combine GIA Excellent with an HCA score under 2 and Excellent in Light Return, Fire, and Scintillation, you are more likely to end up with a well-performing diamond.
I would look at ones with close to these parameters.
depth 60-62.4%
table 54-58%
crown angle 34-35 degrees (can go up to 35.5 or 36 if paired with 40.6 pavilion)
pavilion angle 40.6-40.9 degrees
Generally, a shallower crown angle will pair better with a steeper pavilion angle and vice versa.
Also take a look at this article, in addition to the one @mayaINaU linked above.
Although the stones I posted were I color, the first and last ones were VVS2 clarity, the same as the one you chose. A well-cut diamond will also face up whiter than a poorly cut one, so I would bet that any of those I color stones would look brighter, whiter, and bigger than the stone you've chosen. IMO the proportions of the H are poor enough that it will not sparkle except perhaps in jewelry store lighting. What we want to help you find is a diamond that will sparkle in all lighting environments.
I'd love to know what you think of this stone.
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD19457957
GIA Excellent encompasses a very broad range of cut quality, some of which do not actually perform that well. If you combine GIA Excellent with an HCA score under 2 and Excellent in Light Return, Fire, and Scintillation, you are more likely to end up with a well-performing diamond.
I would look at ones with close to these parameters.
depth 60-62.4%
table 54-58%
crown angle 34-35 degrees (can go up to 35.5 or 36 if paired with 40.6 pavilion)
pavilion angle 40.6-40.9 degrees
Generally, a shallower crown angle will pair better with a steeper pavilion angle and vice versa.
Also take a look at this article, in addition to the one @mayaINaU linked above.
Diamond Carat Weight: Everything You Need To Know
What is a Diamond Carat and how is it measured? Check our diamond carat size chart today to compare diamond carat sizes.
www.pricescope.com
Although the stones I posted were I color, the first and last ones were VVS2 clarity, the same as the one you chose. A well-cut diamond will also face up whiter than a poorly cut one, so I would bet that any of those I color stones would look brighter, whiter, and bigger than the stone you've chosen. IMO the proportions of the H are poor enough that it will not sparkle except perhaps in jewelry store lighting. What we want to help you find is a diamond that will sparkle in all lighting environments.
I'd love to know what you think of this stone.
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD19457957
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Here is another article discussing why cut is the most important C.
What diamond 4C is most important?
PriceScope director of education, John Pollard explores the 4Cs of a diamond and explains why Cut is king. A must read for beginners.
www.pricescope.com
Thank you so much for the information, Kim! I really like the stone you suggested, but I thought I liked the other one until the HCA was provided. What would the HCA score be on the diamond you suggested? I want our new diamond to sparkle! I wish Blue Nile would have gone over all of this with me. Like I said, I am brand new to this and want to be sure we are making the best selection. This is my forever stone...or so I say that to my husband. LOL! Wish I would have been here sooner, but it's not too late to change it up.
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You're welcome! It's definitely not too late--I'm glad you found PriceScope when you did! The HCA score on the 1.20 I VVS2 is 1.8. Are you attached to Blue Nile due to upgrading from a previous stone?
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Here is the search I've been using to find stones on Blue Nile.
link to PriceScope diamond search
If your budget can swing this, it's my favorite of the bunch.
link to PriceScope diamond search
If your budget can swing this, it's my favorite of the bunch.
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YOU ARE AMAZING!! I just got back on her a few minutes ago and I am going to look at each one. Keep them coming! I'm going to meet with our jeweler on Tuesday. I seriously appreciate all your help.
If we can go above budget, what do you think is the best one? The 1.27? If we can't go above the budget, which one? We spent $9,700.00 on the new one, so we need to exchange it for at least that much.
If we can go above budget, what do you think is the best one? The 1.27? If we can't go above the budget, which one? We spent $9,700.00 on the new one, so we need to exchange it for at least that much.
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It's my pleasure!
Is $9685 high enough or does it need to be above $9700? If $9685 is high enough, then I like this 1.20 H VS1 the best. It does have medium fluorescence, so if you like it, ask Blue Nile if there are any negative effects from the fluorescence. I don't see any issues in the video, though.
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD17791229
The 1.27 is priced a bit higher per carat due to having no fluorescence. It's beautiful too; the other one just feels like a better "deal." I'll see if there are any others as well!
Here is the one we bought. Do you see anything negative in the video. I'll be calling Blue Nile tomorrow. They told us this was the best diamond for the money. We are willing to spend more money. I want my ring to shine! Will the halo setting make it worse or better? https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD16895362?track=rvslat&elem=5&unavailable=true
DejaWiz
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Great suggestions, Kim N!
Welcome to PriceScope, Julie C!
Heres another stellar option to throw in the mix if you want to get a color bump to G, an extremely clean VS2, no fluorescence, beautiful proportions and angles, but at the slight sacrifice of only 4% face-up surface area of the diamond you'll be exchanging (6.68mm vs the 6.83mm):
Here's a link for a finger coverage comparison of this one and the one you have delivering:
www.diamdb.com
This diamond:
Your diamond to be exchanged:
Welcome to PriceScope, Julie C!
Heres another stellar option to throw in the mix if you want to get a color bump to G, an extremely clean VS2, no fluorescence, beautiful proportions and angles, but at the slight sacrifice of only 4% face-up surface area of the diamond you'll be exchanging (6.68mm vs the 6.83mm):
Here's a link for a finger coverage comparison of this one and the one you have delivering:
1.12ct Round (6.64×6.68×4.11) vs 1.21ct Round (6.77×6.83×4.22)
Compare 1.12 carat Round (6.64×6.68×4.11mm) vs 1.21 carat Round (6.77×6.83×4.22mm) on actual diamond size and finger coverage (34.84mm² vs 36.32mm²)
www.diamdb.com
This diamond:
Your diamond to be exchanged:
Great suggestions, Kim N!
Welcome to PriceScope, Julie C!
Heres another stellar option to throw in the mix if you want to get a color bump to G, an extremely clean VS2, no fluorescence, beautiful proportions and angles, but at the slight sacrifice of only 4% face-up surface area of the diamond you'll be exchanging (6.68mm vs the 6.83mm):
Here's a link for a finger coverage comparison of this one and the one you have delivering:
1.12ct Round (6.64×6.68×4.11) vs 1.21ct Round (6.77×6.83×4.22)
Compare 1.12 carat Round (6.64×6.68×4.11mm) vs 1.21 carat Round (6.77×6.83×4.22mm) on actual diamond size and finger coverage (34.84mm² vs 36.32mm²)
This diamond:
Your diamond to be exchanged:
Thanks! Mine looks terrible blown up.
I can't change the setting to go that much smaller. Plus, it's a little more than my husband wants to spend. I'm getting bummed out that I made a big mistake.
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The halo setting shouldn't make any difference to how the center stone will perform. Unfortunately the stone they recommended isn't a good one.
While you're still thinking things over, I highly recommend putting your top few choices on hold. I would hate to see the one you want get bought out from under you. And there's still a chance to return the other stone and get a better one, so I wouldn't feel bummed--no harm done!
DejaWiz
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Thanks! Mine looks terrible blown up.
Don't sweat it, as you have a plethora of amazing options to pick from posted above and Blue Nile should definitely take care of you for an exchange.
BN is a PriceScope vetted vendor, so you have utmost assurance for customer service and satisfaction.
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Once you get the replacement for the upgrade on your finger, your jaw will drop at the sheer amount of light return and the high performance that it'll offer. Worth the hoop-jumping...I promise.
DejaWiz
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Agree with Kim N: the diamond that they recommended is just outright horrible...it will have elevated light leakage right out the pavilion instead of reflecting that light back to your eyes where it needs to go. You can fix this, Julie C - no need to worry! This happens to a lot of folks and that's where the power of this great website and forum come in: you have a virtual army of diamond lovers, prosumers, graduate gemologists, certified appraisers, diamond cut designers/inventors, and trade members representing every other facet of the diamond world right here to help you.
So, this one is the best that Blue Nile has right now? Do the feathers on the GIA report matter? We don't mind spending a little bit more money but need to keep it within the size of the original diamond because the setting should be done on Tuesday. I don't want to downsize.
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I think you meant to link this one since the I VS1 you linked doesn't have feathers. The feathers in the H are very tiny and it's a VS1, so I wouldn't be concerned. And the bonus is this one is almost exactly the same price as the one you bought. If this is the one you mean, don't forget to put it on hold so it doesn't get sniped!
I will put it on hold tomorrow. Thank you for your help. I thought getting the H color and VVS2 was the right decision. Glad I posted here. Calling Blue Nile tomorrow. We have already had a not so pleasant experience with them. Doesn't surprise me that the original guy suggested a bad diamond. You would think if you are spending 10,000, you would get better service. How do you do the photos like DejaWiz did comparing the two diamonds? You can really see the difference there.
Again, thank you!
Again, thank you!
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You're very welcome! I'm sorry your experience with Blue Nile hasn't been great, but I hope the exchange will go smoothly for you.
Here is the diamond you bought:
And here is the H VS1:
Well, after speaking to Blue Nile and one of their diamond specialists who is a lead supervisor, she agreed with EVERYTHING you all said about our original diamond! Horrible diamond with no sparkle/shine and that it should have never been suggested to us. I asked her to come up with a diamond she felt was the BEST diamond for us and she choose the EXACT same diamond Kim recommended, all without knowing we were going to ask for this one. I'm still in shock that this website knew more than a "diamond expert" from Blue Nile. The original "expert" has given us nothing but poor advice and horrible customer service. We had already previously asked him to be removed and to no longer contact us. He still contacted us numerous times after being told not to by supervisors. This latest mess up just solidifies that he shouldn't represent Blue Nile any longer.
We can't THANK YOU all enough for all your support and suggestions! I'm glad I found this website (already knew about it) and SUPER glad I asked the question about the HCA. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST! We will be returning the old diamond, but already have the new one reserved and they will be sending it out immediately. Small overlap for return, but we don't care!
I can't wait to see the new stone in my new setting! Again, THANK YOU ALL!!! You saved us so much disappointment and heartache.
We can't THANK YOU all enough for all your support and suggestions! I'm glad I found this website (already knew about it) and SUPER glad I asked the question about the HCA. YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST! We will be returning the old diamond, but already have the new one reserved and they will be sending it out immediately. Small overlap for return, but we don't care!
I can't wait to see the new stone in my new setting! Again, THANK YOU ALL!!! You saved us so much disappointment and heartache.
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