Help with engagement ring diamond

[damek]

Hey all,

Very new to this world but learning a lot! I've been offered this diamond as part of an engagement ring I'm looking to buy:

GIA: 7392716124 - Report here

Measurements	6.34 - 6.44 x 3.93 mm
Carat Weight	1.00 carat
Colour Grade	F
Clarity Grade	VS2
Cut Grade	Excellent

Depth	61.6%
Table	59%
Crown Angle	33.5°
Crown Height	13.5%
Pavilion Angle	41.2°
Pavilion Depth	43.5%
Star Length	50%
Lower Half	80%
Girdle	Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted, 4.5%
Culet	None

Fluorescence

None

Polish	Excellent
Symmetry	Very Good

The cut is GIA Excellent and according to some charts I've looked at, the AGS rating would be Ideal, 0 or 1. I can't seem to access the HCA tool so not sure where it ranks.

I also have been using StoneAlgo as a guide. Although GIA and AGS rate is in the best categories, StoneAlgo with their algorithms only gives it a cut score of 5.9/10 so now I'm really confused!!

Any help or advice on this diamond would be much appreciated .

 

[damek]

Just to add, I've tried using the HCR calculator when logged in but the page gives me a 404 error so can't check

 

[jp201845]

The proportions are outside ideal range with a forgiving HCA score cause of the shallow crown and big table. I'm not a fan and think you can do better.

 

[lovedogs]

This wouldn't be my choice given the angles. Are you open to alternatives?

 

[damek]

Interesting. So it's outside the ideal range? According to Diamondscreener.com it's bang in the middle of the AGS / GIA which is why I'm not sure.

The other alternative I've been offered is GIA 2406935831. Offered at slightly cheaper price than the one above.

 

[lovedogs]

Interesting. So it's outside the ideal range? According to Diamondscreener.com it's bang in the middle of the AGS / GIA which is why I'm not sure.

The other alternative I've been offered is GIA 2406935831. Offered at slightly cheaper price than the one above.

I dont think it would get an AGS 0. GIA xxx is an extremely broad range, so that doesnt help much. Can you post the specs/report for the 2nd option?

 

[damek]

ROUND BRILLIANT
Measurements
6.26 - 6.35 x 4.02 mm
Carat Weight
1.00 carat
Colour Grade
F
Clarity Grade
VS2
Cut Grade
Excellent
PROPORTIONS
Depth
63.7%
Table
56%
Crown Angle
36.5°
Crown Height
16.5%
Pavilion Angle
41.0°
Pavilion Depth
43.5%
Star Length
50%
Lower Half
80%
Girdle
Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted, 3.5%

Polish
Very Good
Symmetry
Very Good
FLUORESCENCE
None

 

[lovedogs]

The 2nd option is not a good choice at all. It will look smaller than 1ct


Ps. The chart on this page is super helpful.

Diamond Proportions

The physics of light-behavior within a diamond are reliably consistent, which means proportions measurements can be useful.

www.pricescope.com

In general, try to stick w stones that have proportions shown in either the green column (these are the "safest"), or one of the adjacent columns.

Are you able to ask your jeweler to source something that falls into the green column?

 

[jp201845]

What is your budget and desired specs? If your not tied to your jeweler and open to online you will get a much better diamond and cheaper.

 

[Kim N]

I'm not a fan of either of these two stones. Do you have to buy a diamond through your jeweler, or can you just buy the setting?

 

[damek]

I am going to see what else he can offer but that's it for now. The others are VG cut according to GIA so not going to look at those.
Would rather not buy direct online as want to see the stone in person before buying. I'm in the UK so think stone's are slightly more expensive here? Budget for the diamond is £6.5 - £7k.

 

[jp201845]

There are many UK pricescopers that can give you recommendations for quality vendors and i believe there is one that carries Crafted By Infinity ( CBI )

 

[lovedogs]

I am going to see what else he can offer but that's it for now. The others are VG cut according to GIA so not going to look at those.
Would rather not buy direct online as want to see the stone in person before buying. I'm in the UK so think stone's are slightly more expensive here? Budget for the diamond is £6.5 - £7k.

If those are the best he can offer then I would STRONGLY recommend buying from one of the trusted online vendors. You can do much better for your budget.

 

[damek]

Are there any UK dealers that are recommended? I'm looking 77diamonds that have a v large selection. I would look at James Allen but it's US based so I have to pay another 20% VAT.

 

[lovedogs]

Are there any UK dealers that are recommended? I'm looking 77diamonds that have a v large selection. I would look at James Allen but it's US based so I have to pay another 20% VAT.

I think 77 diamonds has some good options but if I remember correctly the website is hard to navigate.

If I'm doing math correctly, this option from WF is about 6100 pounds, leaving room for VAT.

Diamond | 1.061 ct F SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4445433

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.061 carat F color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4445433

www.whiteflash.com

Many more options if you're comfortable with G color (to most people's eyes, G is plenty white).

 

[damek]

The other diamond I've been offered is this one but a lot more expensive:

ROUND BRILLIANT
Measurements
6.44 - 6.48 x 4.04 mm
Carat Weight
1.04 carat
Colour Grade
F
Clarity Grade
VS1
Cut Grade
Excellent
PROPORTIONS
Depth
62.6%
Table
57%
Crown Angle
35.5°
Crown Height
15.0%
Pavilion Angle
41.0°
Pavilion Depth
43.5%
Star Length
50%
Lower Half
80%
Girdle
Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted, 4.0%

FINISH
Polish
Excellent
Symmetry
Excellent
FLUORESCENCE
Fluorescence
None

GIA 6214285105

 

[lovedogs]

I'm going to check bluenile. They have a uk website where I think VAT is already included.

 

[damek]

Thanks buddy! Much appreciated

 

[Kim N]

I believe these would still fit your budget after VAT.

Diamond | 0.914 ct F VS2 Expert Selection Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4366944

This fabulous 0.914 carat Round Ideal cut diamond has a clarity grade of VS2 and color grade of F.It is an excellent choice for engagement rings. | 4366944

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 1.002 ct F VS2 Expert Selection Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 3063740

This fabulous 1.002 carat Round Ideal cut diamond has a clarity grade of VS2 and color grade of F.It is an excellent choice for engagement rings. | 3063740

www.whiteflash.com

 

[damek]

Isn't it better to buy a GIA certified diamond?

 

[DejaWiz]

Isn't it better to buy a GIA certified diamond?

Not necessarily.
AGS has much stricter criteria for their Ideal grade than GIA does for their Excellent grade.
AGS also uses all three dimensions to assess light performance, which is something GIA doesn't do.

 

[Kim N]

I'm going to check bluenile. They have a uk website where I think VAT is already included.

Did you find any good ones, lovedogs? On a quick search, I thought this one might be worth a look.

https://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD18048533

 

[lovedogs]

Did you find any good ones, lovedogs? On a quick search, I thought this one might be worth a look.

https://www.bluenile.com/uk/diamond-details/LD18048533

I didnt find many options, to be honest. This one looks pretty good, but the ends of the arrows look messy to me. @flyingpig am I just reacting to a weird angle? On paper the stone is definitely safe

 

[TXwidow]

if you haven't already read this: https://www.pricescope.com/education/diamond-cut spend a bit of time to understand how important the 'cut' (not shape), but the 'numbers' are to getting a well-cut, bright, fiery, diamond. Hopefully, someone has the 'range of numbers' handy for you to pass on to your supplier explaining that you only want to see diamonds where the numbers are withing that range.

 

[mrsctobe]

Isn't it better to buy a GIA certified diamond?

Highly recommend you looking at one of the ones Kim posted above. AGS diamonds can be much nicer than GIA especially because they are stricter on cut - and those are pre-selected to shine bright

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

There are many UK pricescopers that can give you recommendations for quality vendors and i believe there is one that carries Crafted By Infinity ( CBI )

Are there any UK dealers that are recommended?

Durham Rose is UK based and can access CBI diamonds (super ideal, best of the best diamond cuts).

CBI Diamonds - Durham Rose

durhamrose.com

Although I'm not based in the UK, I used them recently for a custom pendant because I wanted a CBI diamond and I'm happy with the results. Perhaps you can reach out to Durham Rose and see if they have a suitable CBI stone for you. Although they probably won't have any CBIs to show you (they will need to bring it in), they can provide you with get the details for you to consider.

As for the diamonds you posted so far, I'm also not a fan of any of them and would recommend you consider those that @Kim N posted if you buy online - they look like far better choices.

 

[damek]

Thanks all! Going to see another jeweller today and will report back along with thoughts on the above.

 

[damek]

All - have looked through some options. The challenge is that I really want to buy something I can see in person along with the mount - appreciate this narrows the search somewhat. That option from BlueNile looks like a great cut but think I want to stick with VS2 and above and see before I buy.

I've now compromised on colour to a G and went to see 77diamonds today. They have presented these 2 options - both of which seem to have cut dimensions that are either side of the green column in the HCA chart:


1) GIA 7402716237. Direct link here

Table 58%, Crown Angle 35.5, Pavilion Angle 41.0

2 GIA 2215963007. Direct Link here

Table 58%, Crown Angle 36, Pavilion Angle 40.6

Grateful if you could let me know thoughts.

 

[lovedogs]

All - have looked through some options. The challenge is that I really want to buy something I can see in person along with the mount - appreciate this narrows the search somewhat. That option from BlueNile looks like a great cut but think I want to stick with VS2 and above and see before I buy.

I've now compromised on colour to a G and went to see 77diamonds today. They have presented these 2 options - both of which seem to have cut dimensions that are either side of the green column in the HCA chart:


1) GIA 7402716237. Direct link here

Table 58%, Crown Angle 35.5, Pavilion Angle 41.0

2 GIA 2215963007. Direct Link here

Table 58%, Crown Angle 36, Pavilion Angle 40.6

Grateful if you could let me know thoughts.

Do you have pics or videos of either stone? My problem w stone 2 is that it says "clarity based on clouds not shown " which can affect performance, even in a VS2.


Stone 1 will look smaller than 1ct because it is cut more deeply than recommended, and likely wont be great because it pairs a steep crown with a steep pav. You cant mix and match the columns on the chart. You need to look for proportions within 1 1 column.

 

[damek]

Video of Stone 1 available here

Video of Stone 2 available here

(Click on the diamond in the search results and you can see pics and videos)