Need help choosing a diamond.

[Len197]

My wife lost her diamond several months ago and I would like to purchase a new stone in time for Christmas, however, I am fairly new to this. I have listed all the information I have on three diamonds that I am going to look at today at a local jeweler and I could use some advice. Could you please give me your opinion as to which is the best cut for brilliance or the better of the three diamonds? I was quoted an approximate price of $5,900 on diamond number 2. These diamonds were rated by the European Gemological Laboratory. Are they reputable and comparable to how GIA rates diamonds? I would greatly appreciate any advice you can give. Thanks.

Diamond #1
E.G.I Certificate
1.00 Cts.
VS2
F
Shape and Cut: Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.39-6.32 x 3.96mm
Total Depth: 62.3%
Table Width: 60%
Crown Height: 15%
Pavilion Depth: 44%
Girdle Thickness: Med to slightly thick, faceted.
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Graining: Nil
Fluorescence: None

Comments: 8 Hearts & 8 Arrows- This diamond is extremely well cut & polished utilizing high precision and possess an inside pattern of 8 hearts & 8 arrows when viewed through a special lens.

Diamond #2 Approximate quoted price $5,900
E.G.I Certificate
1.01 Cts.
VS2
F
Shape and Cut: Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.44-6.39 x 4.03mm
Total Depth: 62.8%
Table Width: 55%
Crown Height: 16%
Pavilion Depth: 44%
Girdle Thickness: Med, Faceted
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Graining: Nil
Fluoresence: None

Comments: 8 Hearts & 8 Arrows- This diamond was polished utilizing superior precision & craftsmanship, its exquisite proportions generate the appearance of 8 Hearts & 8 Arrows, when viewed at the correct angle & under the proper lighting conditions. Tolkowsky Ideal Cut.

Diamond #3
E.G.I Certificate
1.02 Cts.
VS2
G
Shape and Cut: Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.36-6.33 x 4.03mm
Total Depth: 63.5%
Table Width: 56%
Crown Height: 16%
Pavilion Depth: 43%
Girdle Thickness: slightly thick
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Graining: Very Slight
Fluoresence: None
Comments: Tolkowsky Ideal Cut- The proportions of this diamond are within tolerance of those proposed by Marcel Tolkowsky, as the ideal balance between brilliance and dispersion.

 

[beach]

YOu have a VERY nice budget and I would pass on all of these stones. The proportions are not very good and not great cuts at all. You could easily buy a nice cut stone online and get it overnighted in time. As for EGL, they are usually soft and would not grade as high if GIA or AGS were to look at the stones... For example, those F color stones are likely H in GIA.... Below are some excellent options!



Here are some options.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5037/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4614/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4510/
These stones are great and some of the nicest you will ever see! Good price and all the specs you need to make an educated decision. Give them a call today and you could get it by monday or tuesday. They also have a nice upgrade policy if you ever want to in the future.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/20/2008 12:22:51 PM
Author:Len197

My wife lost her diamond several months ago and I would like to purchase a new stone in time for Christmas, however, I am fairly new to this. I have listed all the information I have on three diamonds that I am going to look at today at a local jeweler and I could use some advice. Could you please give me your opinion as to which is the best cut for brilliance or the better of the three diamonds? I was quoted an approximate price of $5,900 on diamond number 2. These diamonds were rated by the European Gemological Laboratory. Are they reputable and comparable to how GIA rates diamonds? I would greatly appreciate any advice you can give. Thanks.

Diamond #1
E.G.I Certificate
1.00 Cts.
VS2
F
Shape and Cut: Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.39-6.32 x 3.96mm
Total Depth: 62.3%
Table Width: 60%
Crown Height: 15%
Pavilion Depth: 44%
Girdle Thickness: Med to slightly thick, faceted.
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Graining: Nil
Fluorescence: None

Comments: 8 Hearts & 8 Arrows- This diamond is extremely well cut & polished utilizing high precision and possess an inside pattern of 8 hearts & 8 arrows when viewed through a special lens.

Diamond #2 Approximate quoted price $5,900
E.G.I Certificate
1.01 Cts.
VS2
F
Shape and Cut: Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.44-6.39 x 4.03mm
Total Depth: 62.8%
Table Width: 55%
Crown Height: 16%
Pavilion Depth: 44%
Girdle Thickness: Med, Faceted
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Graining: Nil
Fluoresence: None

Comments: 8 Hearts & 8 Arrows- This diamond was polished utilizing superior precision & craftsmanship, its exquisite proportions generate the appearance of 8 Hearts & 8 Arrows, when viewed at the correct angle & under the proper lighting conditions. Tolkowsky Ideal Cut.

Diamond #3
E.G.I Certificate
1.02 Cts.
VS2
G
Shape and Cut: Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.36-6.33 x 4.03mm
Total Depth: 63.5%
Table Width: 56%
Crown Height: 16%
Pavilion Depth: 43%
Girdle Thickness: slightly thick
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Graining: Very Slight
Fluoresence: None



Comments: Tolkowsky Ideal Cut- The proportions of this diamond are within tolerance of those proposed by Marcel Tolkowsky, as the ideal balance between brilliance and dispersion.

Welcome Len!

Firstly EGL are not considered as reliable for grading as GIA or AGS, here is a link which goes into more detail.

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/grading.asp

Unless you really like one of these diamonds, I would recommend looking for some diamonds which are better cut such as the suggestions Beach made. Are you open to buying online or would you rather stick with a jeweller?

 

[Len197]

I wanted to thank you for your quick reply which saved me from purchasing a diamond that was less than an excellent cut. I am open to buying online and I am reviewing the diamonds you suggested on the Good Old Gold website. I noticed that they are all G-H color. I know the cost would increase but I would prefer to stay with an F color, the best cut (would this be excellent or is their one better?) and VS2 clarity. The problem I have is I don''t know what parameters to use as a guide for a well cut stone. Can you give me your guidelines as far as range to stay within for the best cut? Thank you for your help.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/20/2008 1:24:53 PM
Author: Len197
I wanted to thank you for your quick reply which saved me from purchasing a diamond that was less than an excellent cut. I am open to buying online and I am reviewing the diamonds you suggested on the Good Old Gold website. I noticed that they are all G-H color. I know the cost would increase but I would prefer to stay with an F color, the best cut (would this be excellent or is their one better?) and VS2 clarity. The problem I have is I don't know what parameters to use as a guide for a well cut stone. Can you give me your guidelines as far as range to stay within for the best cut? Thank you for your help.

We are glad to help you Len!

As for cut, GIA Excellent is their highest cut grade, however AGS - 0 cut grade is considered to be the most desirable as the standards for AGS0 are strict, GIA Excellent can encompass some diamonds with less desirable proportions and thus performance to get the Ex grade. AGS0 cut grade diamonds are normally considered to be a ' safe' bet for cut quality, although personally I don't like to assume anything and I like to have images of the diamond available such as Idealscope. GIA Excellent can be a good choice for cut but you need to evaluate each of these diamonds carefully to find the best ones. And in all cases, a trusted expert vendor is a huge asset to help you choose the right diamond.

I will post some numbers for you to use as a guide.

depth - 60 - 62% - although my personal preference is to allow up to 62.4%
table - 54- 57%
crown angle - 34- 35 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6- 41 degrees
girdle - avoid extremes, look for thin to slightly thick, thin to medium etc
polish and symmetry - very good and above
note - with crown and pavilion angles at the shallower ends ( CA 34- PA 40.6) and steeper ( CA 35- PA 41) check to make sure these angles complement in that particular diamond - eyeballs, Idealscope, trusted vendor input - check as appropriate!


And from one of our experts, John Pollard.

As the above implies, configurations depend on each other. A little give here can still work with a little take there.

With that said, here's a "Cliff's Notes" for staying near Tolkowsky/ideal angles with GIA reports (their numbers are rounded): A crown angle of 34.0, 34.5 or 35.0 is usually safe with a 40.8 pavilion angle. If pavilion angle = 40.6 lean toward a 34.5-35.0 crown. If pavilion angle = 41 lean toward a 34.0-34.5 crown.

GIA "EX" in cut is great at its heart, but it ranges a bit wider than some people prefer, particularly in deep combinations (pavilion > 41 with crown > 35).

Here is a superbly cut diamond, F VS2 for you to look at. Note the pavilion angle is a little steeper than given in the figures above, however in this diamond it is absolutely fine as it has a harmonizing crown angle and the actual images of the diamond are excellent.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4749/

 

[beach]

Date: 12/20/2008 1:24:53 PM
Author: Len197
I wanted to thank you for your quick reply which saved me from purchasing a diamond that was less than an excellent cut. I am open to buying online and I am reviewing the diamonds you suggested on the Good Old Gold website. I noticed that they are all G-H color. I know the cost would increase but I would prefer to stay with an F color, the best cut (would this be excellent or is their one better?) and VS2 clarity. The problem I have is I don't know what parameters to use as a guide for a well cut stone. Can you give me your guidelines as far as range to stay within for the best cut? Thank you for your help.

The F color in EGL is NOT really an F almost 99.9% of the time. EGL is very loose and makes you think you are getting better than you really are. A G color diamond graded by AGS or GIA will be better color than an F EGL color diamond. Those EGL F stones you posted are probably GIA H colors in real life.... You would be very safe with a G or H graded by AGS or GIA.

 

[swingirl]

Most of us on PS prefer a beautifully cut stone with very tight requirements on the dimensions and angles. But we''ll go lower on color and clarity to get the desired size. A well-cut stone shows less color and GIA and AGS are very tight on color anyway so an F graded by another company might really be an H by AGS or GIA standards. When you are on a tighter budget G SI1 seems to be a sweet spot. If you find an eye-clean SI1 (without prominent inclusions) you can avoid the higher cost of VS. And most can''t tell the difference between and F and G when set.