Is a 0.50 carat hearts and arrow diamond worth the premium

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Z

Zahzah

O.G.
Aug 16, 2011
1,902
62
#1
Hi I'm on the search for a half carat diamond pendant with a VS2 or even eye clean si1 clarity and G-H colour. I want the best cut however I was wondering whether it's worth paying the premium for true hearts and arrow cut diamond compared to a GIA excellent in such a small diamond?

The premium is quite significant so I'm unsure whether it's worth it or not.
 
#2
You can get an ideally cut stone that displays the hearts and arrows patterning without paying for a branded stone. A branded stone is not worth a premium vs an equally well cut non-branded stone. In the reference thread stickied in the Jewelry Box section of TPF there's a "cheat sheet" for angles, etc to look for in rounds that will help you find a well cut stone.
 
#3
ame said:
You can get an ideally cut stone that displays the hearts and arrows patterning without paying for a branded stone. A branded stone is not worth a premium vs an equally well cut non-branded stone. In the reference thread stickied in the Jewelry Box section of TPF there's a "cheat sheet" for angles, etc to look for in rounds that will help you find a well cut stone.
Click to expand...

I've been using the HCA calculator and can't seem to get a beautiful stone according to the calculator even if it is a GIA excellent . Seen as I'm buying online id rather have the guarantee I'm gonna get a sparkly ring.

All I want is a sparkly ring with max light return. :)
If I can find a ideal/excellent cut diamond il be more than happy.
 
#5
The margins for a GIA Excellent are so wide you can drive a truck through them. So don't look based on that. Look based on specific angles. AGS is going to be significantly stricter for cut quality so if you find an Ideal, you have a significantly better chance within that grade of it being incredible.

As for that stone, that looks great. It's an AGS 0 (Ideal). I pulled the actual report and the numbers shown on that website are not quite accurate, but the report has all the numbers. The depth is actually 61.9 (it would actually be better if it was 61.7 or 61.8, but it's not the end of the world), and the angles are pretty good for crown and pavilion. This one looks like it should be quite good, so if you're pleased with the price, it would make a fantastic stone for a pendant assuming it is in fact eye clean in person.
 
#6
ame said:
The margins for a GIA Excellent are so wide you can drive a truck through them. So don't look based on that. Look based on specific angles. AGS is going to be significantly stricter for cut quality so if you find an Ideal, you have a significantly better chance within that grade of it being incredible.

As for that stone, that looks great. It's an AGS 0 (Ideal). I pulled the actual report and the numbers shown on that website are not quite accurate, but the report has all the numbers. The depth is actually 61.9 (it would actually be better if it was 61.7 or 61.8, but it's not the end of the world), and the angles are pretty good for crown and pavilion. This one looks like it should be quite good, so if you're pleased with the price, it would make a fantastic stone for a pendant assuming it is in fact eye clean in person.
Click to expand...

Yay!
Well I'm going to have a look at a couple and see the best price for the best cut.
Thanks for the help il put up some more diamonds once I see some good ones. :)
 
#7
ame said:
The margins for a GIA Excellent are so wide you can drive a truck through them. So don't look based on that. Look based on specific angles. AGS is going to be significantly stricter for cut quality so if you find an Ideal, you have a significantly better chance within that grade of it being incredible.

As for that stone, that looks great. It's an AGS 0 (Ideal). I pulled the actual report and the numbers shown on that website are not quite accurate, but the report has all the numbers. The depth is actually 61.9 (it would actually be better if it was 61.7 or 61.8, but it's not the end of the world), and the angles are pretty good for crown and pavilion. This one looks like it should be quite good, so if you're pleased with the price, it would make a fantastic stone for a pendant assuming it is in fact eye clean in person.
Click to expand...



I know I have nothing to do with this thread but your responses to queries like this are amazeballs ame. Thank you for putting the time in with specifics like this! Good luck Zahzah, I hope you find what you're looking for :)
 
#8
I know. Ame is really amazing when it comes to diamond. Been reading all her suggestions on diamond. I'm looking for a one carat to put in my pendant too since I decided to go for the pendant than getting the cartier love bracelet. Now I hope ame can find me a good one lol
 
#10
Aww, thanks everyone! I am glad that the educational posts are helping everyone out.

Zahzah--you can maybe look just under the .50 even mark, so like .48 or .49. That might help the price a little without sacrificing the dimensions. When you hit the exact point mark, that is going to zing you on the price.
 
#11
I would not pay a premium for a pendant. No one should get close enough to your neck to see a difference! A nice dia that sparkles will do nicely. I agree, I might even go as low as.40, it is hard to notice that difference. Good luck!
 
#13
I wouldn't settle for less than the very best cut regardless. If it's well cut you can usually go down a little on color and clarity, it helps a lower color face up brighter (perceived by the eye as whiter) and can help with downplaying inclusions.
 
#14
ame said:
The margins for a GIA Excellent are so wide you can drive a truck through them. So don't look based on that. Look based on specific angles. AGS is going to be significantly stricter for cut quality so if you find an Ideal, you have a significantly better chance within that grade of it being incredible.

As for that stone, that looks great. It's an AGS 0 (Ideal). I pulled the actual report and the numbers shown on that website are not quite accurate, but the report has all the numbers. The depth is actually 61.9 (it would actually be better if it was 61.7 or 61.8, but it's not the end of the world), and the angles are pretty good for crown and pavilion. This one looks like it should be quite good, so if you're pleased with the price, it would make a fantastic stone for a pendant assuming it is in fact eye clean in person.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with this.
I have H&A stones from Good old Gold and Whiteflash and just AGS0 or excellent cut GIA stones. If the cut's fantastic, it will display the arrow pattern anyway and you still get great light return. It's all in the angles.
 
#15
Hey iv found my stone! However now I'm thinking should I leave it as a solitare or put a very small halo around it.

What do you all think? Classic solitare or halo?
 
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