What can I learn from this video

[MrsT]

Loupe360

loupe360.com

I’m studying how to select a diamond by judging available information.

The above diamond cut parameters look good but that doesn’t always guarantee top light performance which is what I’m hoping to get better at deciphering.

If I blow up the video I see fuzziness in certain spots and the diamond looks cloudy. The arrows look off too. Am I analyzing that correctly? Am I wrong to assume the cut falls in ideal proportions but the arrows are off so I should continue the search?

If anything else is noteworthy please point it out to help me gain some skill in the analysis process.

MrsT

 

[Dreamer_D]

It’s beautifully cut. The arrows are varying shades because they are reflecting whatever is in front of them and it’s not blocking light evenly. Black arrows are caused by obstruction and if the stone is obstructed in symmetrically they will look silver and grey and black like this.

I can’t speak to the quality of the material.

 

[MrsT]

It’s beautifully cut. The arrows are varying shades because they are reflecting whatever is in front of them and it’s not blocking light evenly. Black arrows are caused by obstruction and if the stone is obstructed in symmetrically they will look silver and grey and black like this.

I can’t speak to the quality of the material.

Thank you for your reply DreamerD.
Am I correct to assume you mean that the arrows should be uniformly black from head obstruction at least head on?

The numbers look good but it perhaps isn’t perfect symmetry which I thought I saw or is it something else? DidI misunderstand completely?

It would be good for me to see the ASET but that isn’t provided.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Thank you for your reply DreamerD.
Am I correct to assume you mean that the arrows should be uniformly black from head obstruction at least head on?

The numbers look good but it perhaps isn’t perfect symmetry which I thought I saw or is it something else? DidI misunderstand completely?

It would be good for me to see the ASET but that isn’t provided.

You misunderstood (though I see now there was a typo in my post which may have confused matters). Black arrows are the result of obstruction. If the diamond is not obstructed evenly or it is slightly tilted in the camera the arrows don't look black. And it has nothing to do with cut. That is what is happening with this diamond. This diamond is beautifully cut. Don't put too much stock in the notion of all black arrows. Sometimes they are silver or grey and that's normal. What matters is the symmetry of the shape of the arrows arrows which looks fine in this diamond, not so much the color of the arrows per se. Poor cut often shows up in paddled/think arrow heads and lots of darkness between the arrow bases or arrows that are poorly shaped. I see none of those problems here.

 

[MrsT]

Oh that’s very helpful. Hanks for clarifying.

 

[DejaWiz]

Hi, MrsT!
I completely agree with Dreamer_D - the lighting direction and slight tilt of the diamond is throwing off the appearance of some of the arrows...it's a beautiful diamond that is probably top 1-2% on Earth.
Nothing obvious stands out saying that there's anything wrong with it but it would need advanced images for 100% certainty, and it would likely only reveal minor nitpicks.

 

[MrsT]

Hi, MrsT!
I completely agree with Dreamer_D - the lighting direction and slight tilt of the diamond is throwing off the appearance of some of the arrows...it's a beautiful diamond that is probably top 1-2% on Earth.
Nothing obvious stands out saying that there's anything wrong with it but it would need advanced images for 100% certainty, and it would likely only reveal minor nitpicks.

If available, acquiring advanced images is preferable before deciding. Or use vendors that supply them.
This exercise helped me believe I could pick out something worth looking at.
Thank you!

 

[MrsT]

I took some time to find some options for a diamond I'm sourcing for a relative. They are looking for a 2.40-2.50ct round ideal cut.
Before I send them out to look at some options I was wondering if I could get some feedback on my list: (Bear with me as I really don't know how to link videos)

A. https://loupe360.com/diamond/LG341060049. CVD

B. https://loupe360.com/diamond/LG6502709762

C. This one looks good on paper but I don't like the way the edges of the diamond look in the rotation.

Loupe360

loupe360.com

D. https://loupe360.com/diamond/LG6491432365

E. https://loupe360.com/diamond/LG350520052 CVD

I haven't run them through the HCA advisor but the goal is a balance of fire and brilliance, no color nuance blue, gray, or brown. Minimal striation which I can usually see in the pavilion but I see this on diamonds offered at the highest end suppliers.

I'm using a vendor that the couple can see IRL and have them pulled if they have potential.

Thank you
Mrs T

 

[MackPUK]

Amateur eye here but for what it's worth:

I can see graining in both the CVD options (A and E)

No 360 video of B (the one ending 762) but the picture shows some possible graining so may also be CVD

C and D have almost identical proportions but C has a 15% crown height (vs 14.5 for D) which, on paper, might indicate a better balance between fire, brilliance etc but it also has a slightly thick girdle (vs Medium to Slightly Thick) which might be what you are seeing when you say you dont like the edges - with this extra depth it carrys more weight in depth hence doesn't face up quite a large as D

Out of these - D still has great proportions across the board, GIA cert, H&A etc and looks clean in the video - would prob be my choice out of this list

 

[MrsT]

This video screen shot represents an HPHT. Is the circled area that’s fuzzy looking considered striation? There are areas of this in the lower half but not so much the frontal view. It’s actually more visible than the screen shot displays. Is this a feature that greatly affects visual appearance like cloudiness?


https://loupe360.com/diamond/lg683562921

 

[DejaWiz]

This video screen shot represents an HPHT. Is the circled area that’s fuzzy looking considered striation? There are areas of this in the lower half but not so much the frontal view. It’s actually more visible than the screen shot displays. Is this a feature that greatly affects visual appearance like cloudiness?


https://loupe360.com/diamond/lg683562921

Could be cloudy HPHT material, could be graining, could be polishing compound, could be the camera settings making it look foggy.
This would definitely be one that would need to be assessed in the real world, in my opinion.

 

[MackPUK]

Could be cloudy HPHT material, could be graining, could be polishing compound, could be the camera settings making it look foggy.
This would definitely be one that would need to be assessed in the real world, in my opinion.

Pure speculation but I also think that (esp when heavily zoomed in) there is a risk that the diamond is magnifying / reflecting the texture of the surface it is sitting on through the pavilion - the white paper (?) they sit on is pretty grainy/has a noticeable texture

 

[MrsT]

Thank you. How are you supposed to narrow down to a few when the videos aren’t reliable?

If I get the green light to seriously look can I come here for help?

 

[MackPUK]

I'm sure @DejaWiz will be along to confirm but this place is SO helpful.

I was only looking a few weeks ago (and had already read and memorised so many things about round diamonds) but the people on this site were nothing but super helpful in my decision making.

If there is a particular shape, size, price etc you are looking for then post the question and I'm certain you will get any help you need

 

[DejaWiz]

Thank you. How are you supposed to narrow down to a few when the videos aren’t reliable?

If I get the green light to seriously look can I come here for help?

Absolutely, MrsT!
Well help you out however we can when you're ready.

 

[MrsT]

That’s great. Thank you.