Dear Pricescope, You Told Me So! Here’s my tale of woe and why you were right. I hope other novices will learn from my experience:
In my replacement ring quest after my original broke, I focused on finding a GIA XXX MRB @ 2.4ct through local B&M, ended up with the following stone:
G
SI2
2.39 ct
D 62.6
T 57
CA 36
PA 40.8
HCA 3.7
Primary inclusions: clouds and crystal (one was black, tiny and at corner of a facet toward edge of stone). I viewed stone on several occasions in store and outside, both cloudy and sunny days. It looked sparkly and eye clean to me with that one tiny dot exception, even that I couldn’t initially find every time so I didn’t rule it out.
Not AWFUL, but not great. PS advice when I presented the specs was to pass and find something better. I wasn’t patient enough to do so, however (plus it was very challenging to get jeweler to produce a stone with PS specs, he only showed me one that was smaller and overpriced, very frustrating). I didn’t see any better options so I purchased the G and moved on... Received ring, liked for a few days, then started noting the extent of the inclusions and that the diamond always seemed a little dirty. I realized:
1. I’d compromised on cut, even if just slightly, and since I knew I wasn’t getting a top performer I was being extra critical of the stone.
2. This particular SI2 was not eye-clean, at least not to me. It may have simply been the type/placement of inclusions, but I couldn’t help wondering if a better cut would’ve mitigated their impact somewhat.
So I exchanged for the following:
H
SI2
2.43 ct
D 62
T 56
CA 35.5
PA 40.6
HCA 1.3
Primary inclusions: twinning wisps (none through table)
I took PS advice, particularly in re: needing to check that 35.5/40.6 works. Viewed stone through Ideal scope, it looked phenomenal!
I now have the H on my hand, and I do think it’s a marked improvement (if not just psychologically). I suppose the only real way to compare would be both stones in exact same setting and worn simultaneously on same finger (wouldn’t that be fun!), but I think if this was done I’d find that the H far out-performs the G.
It’s overcast and a little rainy here today, I took the dog out and was mesmerized by the prism effect this H stone was giving. It was dancing and performing as if under always -flattering grocery store lighting! As far as inclusions go, I’ve given myself several headaches trying to find them. I can see the smallest white feather suspended in pavillion at one particular angle, when 5-6 inches from face. Otherwise, beautifully eye clean even at a few inches away. I louped when examining for purchase and once set. I could get an independent appraisal to assess the impact of the twinning wisps, but I can’t reasonably fathom how they’re affecting brilliance. This stone is so clear and bright, I have examined it to death in every lighting situation I can find/create.
I’m sure most casual observers won’t notice any difference between the two diamonds (I told just one friend about the switch, she rolled her eyes at me), but I think the better cut makes all the difference. My only uncertainty is about going down a color grade, hopefully it’s not something I end up regretting, I can’t honestly tell if I see more tint or if I’m creating a problem because I know it’s an H, and think it’s more in my head than any truly dramatic color difference. The retail price on the H was @ $2k more than the G, which I must attribute to the better cut (and .04 ct difference).
All in all, I appreciate everything I’ve learned from PS and am glad I finally applied it to a diamond selection with which I’m pleased!
In my replacement ring quest after my original broke, I focused on finding a GIA XXX MRB @ 2.4ct through local B&M, ended up with the following stone:
G
SI2
2.39 ct
D 62.6
T 57
CA 36
PA 40.8
HCA 3.7
Primary inclusions: clouds and crystal (one was black, tiny and at corner of a facet toward edge of stone). I viewed stone on several occasions in store and outside, both cloudy and sunny days. It looked sparkly and eye clean to me with that one tiny dot exception, even that I couldn’t initially find every time so I didn’t rule it out.
Not AWFUL, but not great. PS advice when I presented the specs was to pass and find something better. I wasn’t patient enough to do so, however (plus it was very challenging to get jeweler to produce a stone with PS specs, he only showed me one that was smaller and overpriced, very frustrating). I didn’t see any better options so I purchased the G and moved on... Received ring, liked for a few days, then started noting the extent of the inclusions and that the diamond always seemed a little dirty. I realized:
1. I’d compromised on cut, even if just slightly, and since I knew I wasn’t getting a top performer I was being extra critical of the stone.
2. This particular SI2 was not eye-clean, at least not to me. It may have simply been the type/placement of inclusions, but I couldn’t help wondering if a better cut would’ve mitigated their impact somewhat.
So I exchanged for the following:
H
SI2
2.43 ct
D 62
T 56
CA 35.5
PA 40.6
HCA 1.3
Primary inclusions: twinning wisps (none through table)
I took PS advice, particularly in re: needing to check that 35.5/40.6 works. Viewed stone through Ideal scope, it looked phenomenal!
I now have the H on my hand, and I do think it’s a marked improvement (if not just psychologically). I suppose the only real way to compare would be both stones in exact same setting and worn simultaneously on same finger (wouldn’t that be fun!), but I think if this was done I’d find that the H far out-performs the G.
It’s overcast and a little rainy here today, I took the dog out and was mesmerized by the prism effect this H stone was giving. It was dancing and performing as if under always -flattering grocery store lighting! As far as inclusions go, I’ve given myself several headaches trying to find them. I can see the smallest white feather suspended in pavillion at one particular angle, when 5-6 inches from face. Otherwise, beautifully eye clean even at a few inches away. I louped when examining for purchase and once set. I could get an independent appraisal to assess the impact of the twinning wisps, but I can’t reasonably fathom how they’re affecting brilliance. This stone is so clear and bright, I have examined it to death in every lighting situation I can find/create.
I’m sure most casual observers won’t notice any difference between the two diamonds (I told just one friend about the switch, she rolled her eyes at me), but I think the better cut makes all the difference. My only uncertainty is about going down a color grade, hopefully it’s not something I end up regretting, I can’t honestly tell if I see more tint or if I’m creating a problem because I know it’s an H, and think it’s more in my head than any truly dramatic color difference. The retail price on the H was @ $2k more than the G, which I must attribute to the better cut (and .04 ct difference).
All in all, I appreciate everything I’ve learned from PS and am glad I finally applied it to a diamond selection with which I’m pleased!
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