In search of a 3ct plus - Should I buy this one ?

[chez]

Would appreciate some advice on the attached stone - doesn't have a great rating on the HCA, but it does come up EXC, EXC, EXC on the GIA report. Am I right to think it should come up with a HCA score of less than 2 to be an Exc cut ?
Thank you so much for opinions - Very much appreciated !

GIA report 2121221030 3.2 ct F SI2

Depth; 62.3%
Table: 57.0%
Crown Angle: 34.5
Crown Height: 15.0%
Pavilion Angle: 41.2
Pavilion Depth: 43.5%
Star length: 50%
Lower half: 80%
Girdle: Med to Slt Thick
Culet: None
Polish: Exc
Sym: Exc
Fluor: None

An alternative to stone above, With a HCA score of 1.2 but with a higher price tag:

GIA report 2106995693 3.30ct G SI1

Depth: 60.7%
Table: 59%
Crown Angle: 34.0
Crown height: 13.5%
Pavilion Angle: 40.8
Pavilion Depth: 43.0%
Star length: 50%
Lower Half: 75%
Girdle: Med to Slt Thick
Culet: None
Polish: VG
Sym: Exc
Flour: Med blue

 

[yssie]

HCA and lab reports are not dependent on each other, and the 'top grade' requirements may well differ


Either of those stones could be nice - have you seen them in person? Or do you have ISs? If buying blind except for the lab report I would go with #2 as the numbers are "safer", but those numbers are averaged, then rounded, and thus don't tell the full story.. either could be a lovely stone so best to request further inspection on both

 

[chez]

I haven't seen either in person. What is an ISs?
Do you think it's worth requesting photos or further reports ?
Thank you !

 

[yssie]

IS = ideal scope
http://www.ideal-scope.com

You can buy your own for $30ish I believe.

I would request a professional examination of both stones, and lots of pictures, but the best would be to purchase and take a look in person, or otherwise have them ship to an independent appraiser who can get you an IS pic and give you an objective expert opinion.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Chez- there's no industry consensus on HCA- in other words, there are many stones that might be considered extremely well cut that don't score all that well on HCA.
Same for the Ideal Scope. Although it does come highly recommended here on PS, many professionals don't advocate it's use.

Are you shopping online?
If so, do the sites you're looking at feature actual photos?
IMO buying from a dealer that actually has the stone in hand to provide first hand impressions, actual photos ( and video if possible) and a good money back guarantee is your best bet for online shopping

 

[kenny]

Chez- there's no industry consensus on HCA- in other words, there are many stones that might be considered extremely well cut that don't score all that well on HCA.
Same for the Ideal Scope. Although it does come highly recommended here on PS, many professionals don't advocate it's use.

Many professionals sell poorly-cut stones; in fact the majority of diamonds are cut for weight not beauty.
Tools like HCA, Ideascope and ASET cost them sales because they do not sell well-cut stones so of course they don't advocate them.

Beware of such vendors and the stones they sell.

Which would you rather buy from? . . .
1. Vendors who are not afraid of what the tools say about their diamonds.
2. Vendors who criticize the cut tools?

 

[slg47]

Am I right to think it should come up with a HCA score of less than 2 to be an Exc cut

No. GIA Ex does not mean HCA score less than 2. There is a great diagram that shows pictures/IS pics of 9 diamonds all rated GIA EX in cut but they appear very different. I will try to find it for you!

 

[stone-cold11]

Am I right to think it should come up with a HCA score of less than 2 to be an Exc cut

No. GIA Ex does not mean HCA score less than 2. There is a great diagram that shows pictures/IS pics of 9 diamonds all rated GIA EX in cut but they appear very different. I will try to find it for you!

From this article.

http://www.pricescope.com/journal/laboratory_cut_grades_what_report_doesn’t_show

 

[Rockdiamond]

Chez- there's no industry consensus on HCA- in other words, there are many stones that might be considered extremely well cut that don't score all that well on HCA.
Same for the Ideal Scope. Although it does come highly recommended here on PS, many professionals don't advocate it's use.

Many professionals sell poorly-cut stones; in fact the majority of diamonds are cut for weight not beauty.
Tools like HCA, Ideascope and ASET cost them sales because they do not sell well-cut stones so of course they don't advocate them.

Beware of such vendors and the stones they sell.

Which would you rather buy from? . . .
1. Vendors who are not afraid of what the tools say about their diamonds.
2. Vendors who criticize the cut tools?

Sellers like Tiffany, Cartier, Graff etc do not use these tools.
It's not concern that stones won't score well that creates this difference of opinion- rather some dealers who are extremely concerned with the quality of cut do not feel the tools in question are effective. For example, false negatives can eliminate some of the best cut, most desirable stones

 

[Rockdiamond]

Chez- there's no industry consensus on HCA- in other words, there are many stones that might be considered extremely well cut that don't score all that well on HCA.
Same for the Ideal Scope. Although it does come highly recommended here on PS, many professionals don't advocate it's use.

Many professionals sell poorly-cut stones; in fact the majority of diamonds are cut for weight not beauty.
Tools like HCA, Ideascope and ASET cost them sales because they do not sell well-cut stones so of course they don't advocate them.

Beware of such vendors and the stones they sell.

Which would you rather buy from? . . .
1. Vendors who are not afraid of what the tools say about their diamonds.
2. Vendors who criticize the cut tools?

Sellers like Tiffany, Cartier, Graff etc do not use these tools.
It's not concern that stones won't score well that creates this difference of opinion- rather some dealers who are extremely concerned with the quality of cut do not feel the tools in question are effective. For example, false negatives can eliminate some of the best cut, most desirable stones

 

[kenny]

There is ignorance, and there is knowledge.

When it comes to smart diamond shopping I rank Tiffany, Cartier, Graff right next to Zales.

 

[clgwli]

There is ignorance, and there is knowledge.

When it comes to smart diamond shopping I rank Tiffany, Cartier, Graff right next to Zales.

Are you talking quality or simply price for what you are getting? I cannot ever say that that Zales is in the same rank as Tiffany (I won't speak for the others because I have not shopped at either). Tiffany charges a premium, yes, but so do branded cut diamonds that many here love. Their stones from what I have seen are good quality. Maybe not always "ideal" cut, but not everyone prefers "ideal". I am one of them for RB and yes, I have seen side by side AGS0, TIC and H&A branded stones right next to just "very good" cuts.

I am truly curious how you can put Zales and Tiffany in the same category.

 

[kenny]

I am truly curious how you can put Zales and Tiffany in the same category.

In both cases you can find better-cut diamonds elsewhere for less.
Image of seller means nothing to me.
It is all about the product and price.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think it could be worth having them sent to a qualified independent appraiser near you to have them assessed.

A note, it is doubtful an SI2 in that size is eye clean. Personally, I would focus my attention on number 2 -- safer numbers and stats. G color in that size would be delish.

 

[Rockdiamond]

There is ignorance, and there is knowledge.

When it comes to smart diamond shopping I rank Tiffany, Cartier, Graff right next to Zales.

Wow Kenny, in one felt swoop you elevate yourself as smarter than all the people shopping at Tiffany, Cartier, Graff, and that other purveyor of ultra fine jewelry, Zales.
You must be a very smart person!

Seriously- a lot of folks find that they can use their eyes to determine fine make. Even trained professionals ( especially trained professionals)

A note, it is doubtful an SI2 in that size is eye clean. Personally, I would focus my attention on number 2 -- safer numbers and stats. G color in that size would be delish.

Here again, this is sound advice if one was to be forced into buying a stone sight unseen- which is not a sound method of buying, IMO.
The problem with this advice is that SI2 offers so much value, it seems a shame to have to eliminate all SI2's simply because a percentage is not eye clean.