ok, lets do this! (help me choose the stone)

[looking4d]

After looking through a bunch of sites and a bunch of stones, I narrowed it down to 3 sites and a few stones from each.
Would like your opinions on what you think is the best.

Im not too familiar with Depth/Table, I read somewhere to try to keep it 60/60.
As far as measurements...Im lost.

There are 3 vendors (would the vendor names help your opinion? but Im sure they are easy to figure out):
Vendor 1 - first 5 stones. I get a 10% discount
Vendor 2 - second 5 stones. I get a 5% discount
Vendor 3 - last 2 stones. I get a 3% discount

I put some of my thoughts in the last column.
Me, personally, I like fluor, I think its cool and it is a good value (if the stone looks 'normal' and not hazy).
But when I first found out about it and told my gf - "You can have a ring that glows like Green Lantern" - her response was "Whatever"
So not sure how she would like it.

 

[stone-cold11]

Angles? Post the report numbers and exact carat weight.

Idealscope images available?

 

[antelope1]

60/60 is a specific kind of RB cut. There are other ratios that work too. In general, try to keep the table % smaller than the depth %.

SC needs the angles so that he / you can plug them into the HCA tool (look under the tools tab) so that you can get the HCA score. This will help you weed out the diamonds that are not worth investigating further. If HCA < 2, then you should request photos, ASET, and Idealscope -- or a comparison video, if the finalists are all from the same vendor.

If your GF said "whatever" to flour, I would look for "none" or "negligible".

 

[E B]

If your GF said "whatever" to flour, I would look for "none" or "negligible".

I'll respectfully disagree. Does she know anything about fluor?

Earlier, you said she didn't want too tinted a stone, so she may very well like what fluor does to an I/J colored stone.

 

[looking4d]

EDIT!!!
I will enter the values into the HCA tool and report back.

Did not know about it.



Vendor 1:
1 - AGS104046362003 - 1.166ct
2 - GIA6117793779 - 1.22ct
3 - GIA5121241835 - 1.23ct
4 - GIA2121615786 - 1.18ct
5 - GIA6127692585 - 1.17ct

Vendor 2:
1 - AGS104045045029 - 1.175ct
2 - GIA5121499558 - 1.21ct
3 - GIA2125721786 - 1.23ct
4 - GIA119556705 - 1.23ct
5 - waiting for it to be mailed to me

vendor 3:
1 - AGS104047808006 - 1.216ct
2 - no report

So far Im leaning towards (they are bold in post 1)
vendor 1 - 1, 4, 5
vendor 2 - 5
vendor 3 - 1

Thanks!!

 

[antelope1]

If your GF said "whatever" to flour, I would look for "none" or "negligible".

I'll respectfully disagree. Does she know anything about fluor?

Earlier, you said she didn't want too tinted a stone, so she may very well like what fluor does to an I/J colored stone.

I was going based on OPs other thread. GF seems to say "whatever" with some subtext. Perhaps I am reading too much into her "whatever".

 

[looking4d]

>If your GF said "whatever" to flour, I would look for "none" or "negligible".

She said it because she's more "square".
Im more into comic books, and sci-fi type cool things.

 

[antelope1]

Vendor 1:
1 - AGS104046362003 - 1.166ct
2 - GIA6117793779 - 1.22ct
3 - GIA5121241835 - 1.23ct
4 - GIA2121615786 - 1.18ct
5 - GIA6127692585 - 1.17ct

Vendor 2:
1 - AGS104045045029 - 1.175ct
2 - GIA5121499558 - 1.21ct
3 - GIA2125721786 - 1.23ct
4 - GIA119556705 - 1.23ct
5 - waiting for it to be mailed to me

vendor 3:
1 - AGS104047808006 - 1.216ct
2 - no report

So far Im leaning towards (they are bold in post 1)
vendor 1 - 1, 4, 5
vendor 2 - 5
vendor 3 - 1

Thanks!!

Ok, now go to here for GIA and here for AGS, and look up the HCA components, and plug them into the HCA tool (look at the tools tab, then select HCA).

(And I know, you're going to ask if it's available as an Excel macro -- no, you're going to have to plug them in at the PS website. Maybe you can write your own macro to query the website and return the HCA values to your Excel sheet.)

Eliminate diamonds with HCA < 2. Then request images of the remaining, then post here.

 

[antelope1]

>If your GF said "whatever" to flour, I would look for "none" or "negligible".

She said it because she's more "square".
Im more into comic books, and sci-fi type cool things.

If she is square, get her something conventional. Flour can be beautiful, but is not conventional. She has to wear the ring, after all...

 

[demirci]

What's the budget?

 

[tyty333]

If she said "whatever" to fluor I would not eliminate a stone with flour. Fluor *can* make a stone look whiter/brigher
and usually when we are in the I/J/k range that is a good thing.

If I said "whatever" to something it usually means "I don't care"...(whether it has fluor or not) or "I dont have a strong
opinion one way or the other".

So basically I wouldnt worry about the flour.

 

[looking4d]

Just finished with the tool.
Not sure what to put for cutlet, I left it at 0.


Wow, Im surprised some of the scores were so bad.
The specs (4 Cs) and the 60/60 rule looked good, but when I plugged in the values it come out pretty high!

Initially I was leaning towards (they are bold in post 1)
vendor 1 - 1, 4, 5
vendor 2 - 5
vendor 3 - 1

Now I find out vendor 1x4 sucks.
Looks like vendor 1x1, 1x5 are pretty good.
vendor 3x1 is pretty good also...but still the strong fluor still makes me nervous, although the person on the phone said the Strong Fluor has no effect on the diamond.

 

[yssie]

just list these things for every stone: table/depth/crown/pavilion/lgf. And attach images.

we don't need fancy setup, but we *do* need all the unadulterated information (do not try to make a selection with the HCA, it is designed as a blunt weeding tool).

 

[looking4d]

>we don't need fancy setup, but we *do* need all the unadulterated information (do not try to make a selection with the HCA, it is designed as a blunt weeding tool).

Shoot.
I was hoping to use the HCA to cut the list down to like 2 or 3.

Here's the info you wanted, not sure what LGF is though.


I could post pictures, but I dont want to make this thread super-crowded.

The AETS and Idealscope is not available from vendor 1.
Vendor 2 will take a week to get it.

Here is AET for vendor 3, first diamond


So what do you all think?
Any recommendations? (I have 1 of the stones on hold...only 24 hours)

Thanks!

 

[Circe]

Just finished with the tool.
Not sure what to put for cutlet, I left it at 0.


Wow, Im surprised some of the scores were so bad.
The specs (4 Cs) and the 60/60 rule looked good, but when I plugged in the values it come out pretty high!

Initially I was leaning towards (they are bold in post 1)
vendor 1 - 1, 4, 5
vendor 2 - 5
vendor 3 - 1

Now I find out vendor 1x4 sucks.
Looks like vendor 1x1, 1x5 are pretty good.
vendor 3x1 is pretty good also...but still the strong fluor still makes me nervous, although the person on the phone said the Strong Fluor has no effect on the diamond.

Looks like you have some good candidates here! On the fluor issue, honestly, don't be too worried. I just started a thread on my new earrings which show strong fluor - you genuinely cannot see it in most light (my pics are all taken in the sun). While some rare stones can give you that blue-violet look, they are few and far between: if a trusted vendor says it has no effect (except on the price, possibly ), I'm inclined to believe them.

 

[yssie]

lgf? esp for V1#2,3,4 V2#2,3 - do post pics or links that you have


you can cross off the stones you don't have all that info for right away... that aset looks nice


A 60/60 type is just a different look from a 55/62, say. 60/60s are usually shallower, face up a little larger because of that, excel in bright white light return (sometimes at the expense of some coloured output in some lighting conditions).

 

[looking4d]

You wrote lgf here:

>just list these things for every stone: table/depth/crown/pavilion/lgf. And attach images.

>V1#2,3,4 V2#2,3

Do these stones stand out to you?
Do they seem better than the others?

I'll post the links...now lurkers, don't poach my stones until I decide!



I just put another one of the stones on hold.
So I have 2 stones on hold for 24 hours


Thanks in advance everyone!

 

[E B]

Given what you said earlier about your girlfriend not wanting too tinted a stone (and thinking an 'I' was tinted), I'd definitely rule out the J colored diamonds first.

 

[yssie]

You wrote lgf here:

>just list these things for every stone: table/depth/crown/pavilion/lgf. And attach images.

>V1#2,3,4 V2#2,3

Do these stones stand out to you?
Do they seem better than the others?

I'll post the links...now lurkers, don't poach my stones until I decide!


Vendor 1 (in order, 1 is the first link, 2 is the second one....)


vendor 2


vendor 3


I just put another one of the stones on hold.
So I have 2 stones on hold for 24 hours


Thanks in advance everyone!

okay here you go


BN does not provide IS/ASET info or in-person inspection but they have a generous return policy - leaves plenty of time for an appraisal. BN also does not have trade-in/upgrade/buy-back policies, which is the bigger issue IMO.

since bn does not provide extra info before purchase and you are on the hook for return shipping, would be more nitpicky w/ what info we do have - would consider pursuing
#1 58/34.7/40.9/78
#2 58/35/41/80
#5 - says not available for purchase - I assume this is you? No report available but if you have it in hand and lgf is listed as 70-80 would not worry. 85+ will provide a different look that may or may not appeal to you


Not sure of JA's upgrade policy - you'll want to check.

1-looks good, request hearts & IS - pic attached
4-request IS, doubt you'll see any leaky facets IRL w/ stereo vision - pic attached

BGD -
1-hearts pic?
2-wouldn't bother, you need the cert first and you have other good choices



**now delete those links!**

 

[looking4d]

>Given what you said earlier about your girlfriend not wanting too tinted a stone (and thinking an 'I' was tinted), I'd definitely rule out the J colored diamonds first.

Well...she went back to the store on monday, and saw some Is.
She said by itself it looks fine. But next to a E, she thought it was tinted.
But she said I is fine.

Knowing that...the J stones have Fluor, which should bump it up to I.


Yssie,
>vendor 1 - 1, 2, 5

I was thinking 1, 4, 5.
Good to see we agree on 1 and 5.

Yes, 5 is me...well for the next 20 or so hours.
I went out to the GIA website and got the report.

But, Im still not sure what lgf is?

I spoke to the JA person and they said IS would take 4 business days, by then I'll have lost the 2 stones I have on hold.

Right now I am leaning a bit towards:
BN - 5 (is the symmetry too low?) Im thinking the Fluor will not be too strong, since its only Medium and will bump the J to a I.
JA - 1
BG - 1, still nervous about the Strong Fluor, even though I was told that BG would not select a stone if it had haze/was cloudy.
But the specs on the stone seems really good for the price, it seems like a great deal.
Color, Carat, Cut, clarity are all good, and the HCA score is great (1.4)

 

[yssie]

oh oops lgfs = lower girdle facets, also called lower halves - http://www.goodoldgold.com/Articles/MinorFacets/\
it is the number that will be most probably be 70-85, written in/beside the pavilion on the lab report? symmetry as listed on the report (facet meet-point) and optical symmetry (the arrows/hearts you see in pics) do not necessarily correlate all that well


remember fluor won't do anything to 'help' a stone unless you are in a lighting environment w/ long UV (like sunlight). All other times the stone will revel in its J-ness.. J is a range, you may inquire into where in that range this particular J falls, if your vendor has it on hand. Fluoro is.. personal. I like it, and would have no problem w/ a sbf stone. But others will avoid it.

 

[looking4d]

Thanks for the info Yssie.
Out of my list, what would be your top 2 or 3 choices, why?





Anyone else?
What would be your top 2 or 3 picks, and why.

I have 15 hours before my stones get released back to the public....I know, I know, one should never buy under pressure.

Thanks
-Tony

 

[yssie]

first choice (and by a good margin) - JA #1.
Image looks v nice, I like nice thick arrows - lots of big bold flash. Assuming hearts are fine and price is right, given the H&A premium. I VS2 is a nice medium - will be white w or w/o fluor once set, and VS2 is guaranteed to be eyeclean without paying extra for pointlessly high clarity

second choice - BGD #1.
Lovely stone, and BGD holds their signature stones to a very high standard so it is guaranteed to be pretty. Again, I VS2 is a nice medium - but fluor. I like it. Many others like it. But, many do not, and whether we 'likers' admit or not, it *is* considered "unconventional", and sbf will likely have visible effect in sunlight.

third choice - JA #4.
Looks like it will be a lovely stone w/ stereo vision, IS will confirm. I prefer BGD or JA to BN because they will provide reflector images and professional opinions prior to purchase, and more importantly their stones have upgrade policies.

fourth choice - BN #1.
I see no virtue in dropping colour to gain unnecessarily in clarity, like BN#5 (the one currently on hold). An AGS0 w/ light performance analysis pretty much guarantees a pretty stone, so I would have no issue buying w/o in-house inspection - and getting my own appraisal done during the return period for peace of mind. But, BN does not have upgrade policy.

 

[tyty333]

Looks like you are narrowing it down...just wanted to ask if trading up was ever a possibility?

JA you have to spend twice as much as your original stone.
Brian Gavin you just have to spend more than your origianl stone.

 

[looking4d]

Yssie

Thanks, thats exactly what I was looking for!
But Im surprised you put vendor 1x1 (Blue Nile #1) as the fourth choice.

It has almost the same specs as JA1.
Is this only because of BN's upgrade policy/or lack of?

tyty333 -

Im not that concerned with the upgrade policy.
If she wants something better in the future, we'll get it, and keep the original for sentimental value.


Anyone else have an opinion on the stones?

Thanks

 

[antelope1]

But Im surprised you put vendor 1x1 (Blue Nile #1) as the fourth choice.

It has almost the same specs as JA1.
Is this only because of BN's upgrade policy/or lack of?

Also, with BN, you won't see a photo of the diamond (let alone an ASET or Idealscope image) before you purchase it. You're going to have to buy it, insure it, then examine it (or have it appraised), then return it for a refund. If you can float that much money, that is ok.

It sounds like you travel a lot, and so it's going to be a pain.

Also, you can't not insure it while it's in your possession, even if you plan on returning it because if anything happens (drop & chip), you can't return it.

 

[stone-cold11]

I would go with #1 from BGD. Much better value and I like fluor.

 

[looking4d]

Got the IS for 3x1


To me (a layman) it looks good, nice and dark.
But off center...you can see more of the white circle on the upper left than on the lower right.
I assume thats just the diamond placement when they took the photo...


>Also, you can't not insure it while it's in your possession, even if you plan on returning it because if anything happens (drop & chip), you can't return it.


So as soon as the diamond is shipped to me, I have to get insurance for it?
Even before I show it to the gf (might be a few days later before I see her)


Ok, so far these are the votes:

2x1
3x1 (2 votes)
2x4
1x1


Any other picks?

 

[tyty333]

If the stone were for me it would be 3x1.

 

[looking4d]

ok, 3 votes for 3x1.

Cool.

Anyone else?