Help evaluate a 7.5 carat stone

[laviejenrose]

We are going to look at 2 stones in person today:
7.15 L (faint brown) IF GIA certified triple x
7.55 L SI1 GIA certified triple x, faint fluorescence

Simultaneously, I've also reached out to Jonathan with distinctive gem to get a better sense of how he operates.

I will follow up with photos of what we see this afternoon

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

you might like the flour. I have an L colored Asscher that is super white in any natural lighting.

 

[Inked]

Oh! I cant wait to see what you think of these 2! I have been following your story. Can't wait for pictures!

 

[whitewave]

This is going to be fun!

 

[lulu_ma]

Please take lots of pics and vid

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

Oh boy! Popcorn ready.

 

[laviejenrose]

Ok my diamond loving friends - here we go!!
Based on your recs, have been working with whiteflash. They brought in 2 stones for viewing today.

Candidly, I was impressed with both stones (although this doesn't say a whole lot based on my track record). Personally, couldn't pick up any brown on the 7.15 and the 7.55 is a VERY clean SI1.

Attempted to take videos in natural light - however once uploaded the quality seems to have drastically reduced. I'll also post some photos as well, but to get us started....

7.55 L SI1 GIA certified triple x, faint fluorescence

7.15 L (faint brown) IF GIA certified triple x

 

[lulu_ma]

I can't really tell much from the vid-except I love the size on your finger. What was your gut reaction?

Any side by side photos? Is there a big price differential?

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

They both look great on your hand. I couldn’t see the brown, but could have been the video quality.

 

[laviejenrose]

Photos of 7.55

 

[laviejenrose]

715 photos

 

[laviejenrose]

20k price difference - personally leaning more towards the 7.55

Is it common for jewelers not to offer a trade in if you decide to upgrade again down the line? I was under impression they’ll have some restocking fee so long as you go some % higher in value

 

[lulu_ma]

20k price difference - personally leaning more towards the 7.55

Is it common for jewelers not to offer a trade in if you decide to upgrade again down the line? I was under impression they’ll have some restocking fee so long as you go some % higher in value

Sorry, the 7.55 is less than the 7.15?

Do you have the cert for the 7.55? What is the mm difference?

Whiteflash has a super generous upgrade policy for ACA diamonds. On the GIA XXX, I am not sure what their policy is. I think James Allen offers a 2x upgrade policy.

 

[laviejenrose]

Yeah, 7.55 is less.

This is with white flash, however they’re saying since they had to source the stone for us, their trade in policy doesn’t apply.

Certs attached

 

[lulu_ma]

Yeah, 7.55 is less.

This is with white flash, however they’re saying since they had to source the stone for us, their trade in policy doesn’t apply.

If the 7.55 ct is eye clean, I would personally go with it. It would still be great to see a ASET for both stones and side by side pics/vids.

I'm not sure if other retailers offer a better upgrade policy. If you bought this stone from James Allen, you would still have to spend double the price on an upgrade.

Also, I have never personally seen an ACA larger than 5ish carats posted. Not sure if this is one of the issues...

 

[whitewave]

Whiteflash’s upgrade policy (last I read it) is for their “a cut above” branded stones and I think maybe also expert selection stones that are in house and owned by them.

Virtual selection stones (which these two are) are not included in the upgrade policy.

I do love the sizes on you. I would go with whichever one is cleanest and draws your eye to the most.

 

[whitewave]

I think I like the 7.55 also. I’m a sucker for 75 LGF and it seems the si1 isn’t a big deal (is it eye clean)? So you should just go bigger

 

[Neptune]

Ok my diamond loving friends - here we go!!
Based on your recs, have been working with whiteflash. They brought in 2 stones for viewing today.

Candidly, I was impressed with both stones (although this doesn't say a whole lot based on my track record). Personally, couldn't pick up any brown on the 7.15 and the 7.55 is a VERY clean SI1.

Attempted to take videos in natural light - however once uploaded the quality seems to have drastically reduced. I'll also post some photos as well, but to get us started....

7.55 L SI1 GIA certified triple x, faint fluorescence

7.15 L (faint brown) IF GIA certified triple x

I like your sleeve!

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Personally I liked the 7.55 more than the 7.15 just from the pics. The added size bump, the lower price, plus I like that the angles on the 7.55 fall within the AGS Ideal range. The 7.15 does not (34.5C paired with 41.4T). Also, I wouldn’t want the faint brown on the cert, even if you can’t see it.

 

[laviejenrose]

It is eye clean! What is lgf?

 

[laviejenrose]

Is ags ideal just based on an algorithm? Don’t see anything on cert

 

[Kim N]

It is eye clean! What is lgf?

Lower girdle facets. They influence the size of the arrows--the smaller the LGF, the wider the arrows, other proportions being equal. The size of the arrows affects how big and bold the flashes of light are.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Is ags ideal just based on an algorithm? Don’t see anything on cert

Yes, AGS is another lab that is known for their focus on cut quality. The 35.5/40.6 proportions would lean towards fiery/coloured flashes look but should fall within the “ideal proportions” that should minimise issues like leakage and obstruction.

There is a website called diamondscreener where you can run your stone by their cut estimator and see what grade GIA and AGS would give the stone according to their own published charts. That’s what I did to check if the 7.15 meets AGS Ideal (it does not).

You can also see what proportions Garry Holloway recommended here: https://www.pricescope.com/communit...-project-to-establish-some-guidelines.259514/ according to this you can see that the 7.55 would meet that “Fiery Balanced” kind of look. Sort of a crowd pleasing kind of category to aim for.

 

[lulu_ma]

@laviejenrose any chance you can have WF get you those side by side pics and ASET images? It may give you some clarity.

ETA: I just realized that the 7.55 ct is one of ones that @lovedogs found for you

 

[laviejenrose]

First ASET image is 7.15 second is 7.55

Thoughts??

 

[Kim N]

First ASET image is 7.15 second is 7.55

Thoughts??

The 7.55 is the clear winner! It looks gorgeous!

 

[laviejenrose]

It appears to be the same stone! Just don’t think I’d have the courage to purchase from an online retailer! Whiteflash happened to source same stone in their search.

 

[whitewave]

7.55 definitely. It’s a winner.

 

[lulu_ma]

Yes! The ASETS just confirm everyone’s gut instinct. You’ve got a gorgeous stone within your price range.

 

[lulu_ma]

@laviejenrose is the 7.55 the bottom stone?

Interestingly, I do don’t detect a brown tint in either stone from the top view…