Need An Honest Opinion: Knot Inclusion

[Gypsy]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.59-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-286971

What do you guys think of this stone?

Would it be bad for me to go from an H down to an I?

Need some help here! Thanks

Use this: https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca Anything under 2.5 is a pass from a vendor with idealscope images-- under 2 for those that don't offer idealscope images (HCA test is pass fail, only use on GIA stones, not AGS, and any score under 2.5 is fine. None is better than another). If the stone passes then you ask for an idealscope image from JA. Also, I think I Color is lovely. And a great value.

Here's my usual post for reference:

HCA is not a selection tool. It's a rejection tool. And it is pass fail. Anything below 2 is pass. 2.1-2.5 is a maybe. Over 2.5 is a fail.


No score is better than another under 2 (2.5 from a vendor that offers Idealscope images, like JA). It is pass fail. But again. NOT a selection tool. It is a rejection tool.

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough.
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want?
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance.
Is that enough? Not really.
So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. James Allen and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.


Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium.