Help picking out a RB H&A

[rays21]

Hey everyone, been lurking for a little while and learning as much as I can. First and foremost wanted to say thanks to all the great contributors on PS as your insights have been invaluable. I've been searching for some time and have come across what I think is a great stone, but wanted to get your thoughts:

1.7 Round Brilliant, G, VS, AGS Ideal all around (polish, symmetry, cut, light performance).
Measurements: 7.65x7.65x4.76 Table: 55.68% Depth: 62.35% Crown: 34.88° Pavilion: 40.92°
Girdle thickness is 1.5-2.1%

The price is hovering right around 19k.

My concerns are relatively small, but given cost I want to ensure it is a well thought out purchase:
1.) The certificate is a few years old, which makes me wonder why it hasn't been picked up yet (or if someone did, has it been taken out of setting and resold)

2.) Is the price for a G stone of this quality fair? Should I look for a stone closer to the colorless range and pay slightly above.

3.) Given the proportions is this stone cut to face up larger or smaller than its dimensions would indicate?

Would love to hear any thoughts or insights from the forum, happy to provide any detail that might prove helpful. Thanks again.

 

[stone-cold11]

Looks good.

Age of the report, maybe it is a trade in stone for someone's upgrade. Ask GOG about it's history if interested.

Spread wise, about average.

https://www.pricescope.com/diamond-...ntry=&l_region=&type_search=1&InHouseSearch=0

 

[yssie]

Hey everyone, been lurking for a little while and learning as much as I can. First and foremost wanted to say thanks to all the great contributors on PS as your insights have been invaluable. I've been searching for some time and have come across what I think is a great stone, but wanted to get your thoughts:

1.7 Round Brilliant, G, VS, AGS Ideal all around (polish, symmetry, cut, light performance).
Measurements: 7.65x7.65x4.76 Table: 55.68% Depth: 62.35% Crown: 34.88° Pavilion: 40.92°
Girdle thickness is 1.5-2.1%

The price is hovering right around 19k.

My concerns are relatively small, but given cost I want to ensure it is a well thought out purchase:
1.) The certificate is a few years old, which makes me wonder why it hasn't been picked up yet (or if someone did, has it been taken out of setting and resold)
Could have just sat in inventory, it's not unheard of. If it's a recent trade-in and anything was wrong - it needed a repolish to deal with a chip/scratch, etc. it would have been recerted
2.) Is the price for a G stone of this quality fair? Should I look for a stone closer to the colorless range and pay slightly above.
GOG H&As usually have a slight premium to offset the scads of tests they run and the variety of guarantees and warrantees the stones come with. Whether you think an F is worth it is entirely up to you and your visual acuity - some people can see the difference and don't mind, some people see the difference and mind, and others don't see the difference...
3.) Given the proportions is this stone cut to face up larger or smaller than its dimensions would indicate?
It's fine
Would love to hear any thoughts or insights from the forum, happy to provide any detail that might prove helpful. Thanks again.

 

[rays21]

Thanks Stone-cold and Yssie, very helpful insights and really appreciate the quick replies.

Previously I was very stuck on color as a big indicator, but the more time I spent looking at stone the more I realized it was very difficult to tell any difference face up in a setting. I had heard from a b&m dealer, who I found fairly trustworthy, that d color stones sometimes appear larger (given the white edges provide an illusion of greater size). Not sure how true that may be, but haven't found too much on that effect in my research.

Given feedback on the forum, I'm inclined to work with GOG as I'm a data hound by nature. However, is there a reason WF does not list stones that look to be H&A as such? Are they more stringent with their ACA selections than a GOG H&A stone?

Apologies for the numerous questions, really do appreciate all the help.

 

[stone-cold11]

Thanks Stone-cold and Yssie, very helpful insights and really appreciate the quick replies.

Previously I was very stuck on color as a big indicator, but the more time I spent looking at stone the more I realized it was very difficult to tell any difference face up in a setting. I had heard from a b&m dealer, who I found fairly trustworthy, that d color stones sometimes appear larger (given the white edges provide an illusion of greater size). Not sure how true that may be, but haven't found too much on that effect in my research.

Given feedback on the forum, I'm inclined to work with GOG as I'm a data hound by nature. However, is there a reason WF does not list stones that look to be H&A as such? Are they more stringent with their ACA selections than a GOG H&A stone?

Apologies for the numerous questions, really do appreciate all the help.

Color do not affect face up perception.

Found some WF stones of the same specs so not sure what you are talking about WF not listing H&A stone, ACA is their H&A stone.

 

[JulieN]

Yes, Whiteflash does list their H&A stones as such, they are "A Cut Above."

 

[rays21]

Ok, that's pretty much what I've read and am happy to confirm as much.

Sorry , should have been a little more clear in my message. I was talking about stones that look to be H&A and not listed as ACA/H&A on their website. I was looking at this stone in particular and, although we can't see a picture of the hearts, it looks like it could be an H&A given the view of the arrows.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2215537.htm

Not one to question the experts at WF, so I'm sure there's a reason why (just trying to learn as much as I can).

It looks like I now have a few more options given a review of the WF website, which is both a blessing and a curse (as I'll review myself to insanity soon).

Thanks again Stone-cold and JulieN.

 

[yssie]

Lots of stones can have nice arrows but lack the precise hearts formations that qualify them for a H&A brand - presence of nice arrows doesn't mean presence of nice hearts. There are stones called "near-H&A" that have 'almost perfect' hearts, and some H&A brands are more stringent than others, so a 'near-H&A' could be included as a true H&A in a less discerning brand. You don't need H&A for a stone that performs well.

 

[ChunkyCushionLover]

There is some assymetry in the crown its pretty minor but still there.
If you care about near perfect HA its a little more off than other branded diamonds.
This is a certified Canadian diamond as well if you like that sort of thing.

A little more expensive but in the range https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2531922.htm
With better symmetry, slightly thinner arrows and a little less leakage under the table.

Pretty sure both will be excellent diamonds with slight nuances between them.

 

[yssie]

Thanks Stone-cold and Yssie, very helpful insights and really appreciate the quick replies.

Previously I was very stuck on color as a big indicator, but the more time I spent looking at stone the more I realized it was very difficult to tell any difference face up in a setting. I had heard from a b&m dealer, who I found fairly trustworthy, that d color stones sometimes appear larger (given the white edges provide an illusion of greater size). Not sure how true that may be, but haven't found too much on that effect in my research.

A larger D will likely look larger faceup than a lower-coloured stone (say L/M/N?) of the same size. A "whiter" object will always appear brighter to the human eye than a darker colour, and a brighter object will always appear larger to the human eye. BUt, as SC says, well-cut diamonds face-up plenty white (and therefore bright), and esp w/ smaller stones theory is well and good but in practice you won't see any diff.

Given feedback on the forum, I'm inclined to work with GOG as I'm a data hound by nature. However, is there a reason WF does not list stones that look to be H&A as such? Are they more stringent with their ACA selections than a GOG H&A stone?

Apologies for the numerous questions, really do appreciate all the help.

 

[rays21]

Thanks again everyone, I think I've found an ideal stone.

Now on to the setting, thinking of working with Leon on a custom setting. I've read great reviews of his work and he's based out of NY, which is ideal given that I'm purchasing the stone out of state.

Given that I'm going the custom setting route, any advice? I've already requested a quote from Leon and he has been a pleasure to work with (however briefly thus far).

 

[IceExplorer]

I really enjoyed the process of designing.
The outcome was fantastic (with some help from Brian at BGD)! My beautiful bride-to-be loved how it turned out (it's damn sexy if I say so myself ). She really appreciated my effort and it makes the ring more endearing to her because of it.

The only advice I can give you is:
SEARCH! High and low. Look at as many settings as you possibly can, both online and at B&M's. Small little tweaks, addition and/or removal detail can make a world or difference!
Check out - Show me the Bling section of Pricescope.


Are you including your future fiance in the process or will she be completely surprised?


Good luck!!!

 

[yssie]

if your design is complicated, lots of pave, etc. make sure you get her size *exactly* right - measure on a cold night and on a hot day using metal sizers of approximately the width that the ring will be.

 

[rays21]

Very much a surprise for my significant other, I'm not getting to fancy with my design (but love the idea of a bespoke setting). Appreciate the words of advice on size and process. I still have some work to do, so will definitely update once I've finalized the design.

Getting back to stones for a quick moment, is there any consensus on "crystal" and "natural" inclusions? The stone I've decided upon (G VS2) has a crystal in the table and a natural inclusion (which I understand is the "skin" of the original diamond and would likely appear on the girdle). I'm concerned that perhaps these would be visible at specific viewing angels and want to ensure I'm not worried over something that is unlikely to be seen. I plan on asking for a visual inspection of the stone prior to purchasing to get some feedback, but thought it might be helpful to hear others experience with these inclusion.

Thanks again everyone for all the great insight.

 

[yssie]

Very much a surprise for my significant other, I'm not getting to fancy with my design (but love the idea of a bespoke setting). Appreciate the words of advice on size and process. I still have some work to do, so will definitely update once I've finalized the design.

Getting back to stones for a quick moment, is there any consensus on "crystal" and "natural" inclusions? The stone I've decided upon (G VS2) has a crystal in the table and a natural inclusion (which I understand is the "skin" of the original diamond and would likely appear on the girdle). I'm concerned that perhaps these would be visible at specific viewing angels and want to ensure I'm not worried over something that is unlikely to be seen. I plan on asking for a visual inspection of the stone prior to purchasing to get some feedback, but thought it might be helpful to hear others experience with these inclusion.

Thanks again everyone for all the great insight.

very unlikely to be visible faceup (I say unlikely because you may have unusually keen sight), possibly visible from the side or underside. Not durability risks.