Which diamond looks better to you?

[Diamondsbylauren]

Hi Everyone!
It's common knowledge that cut is very important when considering a diamond's value, and desirability. Well, it's common knowledge for diamond lovers, anyway.

There's been a shift in the style of how diamonds are cut.
"Ideal Cut" is now the style of choice for many cut aficionados.

There is technology that bears this out.
Using reflector technology, many people believe you can judge a diamond's performance.
It works. there is an "if" here.
It works "if" you like the type of diamond that does well on the test.

Here's the two diamonds





Here's a photo of the diamond on the left



Now the diamond on the right


Can you see a difference, and if so, which do you like better?

[ah2bqat]

Well, D... I think the one on the left is your 'Ideal' cut.  It appears to have more defined arrows and areas of darkness and light.  Altho I admit the difference appears quite slight.   As to which I like better.  I can't tell.  These are flat photos, not your videos which help express the character of an individual stone.  Neither one makes me drool like Li'l BLOOO, or the chunky pink monkey, or that new brown with yellow fluor does.  You've spoiled me.  I'm converted to color

[GIAGirl]

I think these both look like pretty diamonds to me.  I have to say I think cut is important to a point.  I think that there are definitely fisheyes, however, the GIA did a random survey in which they polled people as to what diamonds appealed to them.  There was not a majority of people that picked the "excellent" stones, which did not prove the theory that these diamonds were better looking.  There is only so much the human eye can tell with different qualities in diamonds. 

Some of this reflector technology is just preying on the insecurities that men face when Buying a diamond.  If you go to buy a TV you put all of the bells and whistles out side by side and you buy the better TV.  Buying a diamond is not so simple. 

[GIAGirl]

If you are asking which one I prefer...I will take which ever one you are offering...you are offering right?

[Mrs Mitchell]

The one on the left, which I think has the larger table. For me, it's more of a 'classic' diamond cut. It's more interesting and I'd enjoy looking at that one in different light, different places, all day.

In the last two pictures, very close up and magnified, it isn't so clearly the winner, which is interesting. If I didn't know what I like irl, I'd be confused by that, but I don't look at my diamonds under magnification all that often, if you see what I mean?

I do own a pair of AGS0 "ideal cut" studs and they're beautiful. They were a good safe choice when I didn't have much diamond knowledge. There is not a thing wrong with them. However, if I had the chance to pick out a pair of studs again, I wouldn't choose them. I've seen more stones, I've learned more about cut and have developed my own tastes and preferences. "Ideal" cuts are cut for a balance of fire and brilliance, and for me (and this is personal taste) I'd like a lot more fire. I suspect that the diamond on the left would give me more fire, but I'd need to talk to David about its characteristics.

This is making me a little sad. I want new studs now! The ones I have will never let me down, but the ones I want are well, a different animal.

Jen

[webmistress]

It changes from the far away ones to the close ups. But in the large photos, I like the one on the right (the second).

I tend to like a higher crown and smaller table. That's why I really love OECs more than modern brilliants for the most part. I like em cuts with smaller tables usually, too. White ones, that is. Often that's not the case for colored diamonds. And that's just speaking in general terms. There are always exceptions. It just has to grab me.

[GracefulLion]

In the photos from far away I prefer the one on the left, and up close I prefer the one on the right, which means if I had to choose I would go with the one on the left.  Is the culet off center on that one?

[robin]

From the pictures, if I were choosing for myself without stats (crazy idea, that!), I'd choose the one on the left.

[oldmancoyote]

Left - no, right. Wait: left. Erm, actually, right. No, just a sec...

Oh never mind. Can I have both, just to make up my mind?

[webmistress]

Attachments work again.

[Mikla]

I think the one on the right is the "ideal" cutting style because the one on the left looks most like my own RB (which is not an "ideal" cut).  I'm no expert, and I can't always find the words to express what I'm seeing, but here's what I think.

The one on the right seems to have facets which look like they are all of more similar, consistent size and in a noticeably geometric pattern.  Mr Right has more of the of the "crushed ice" effect we talk about with radiants.  The facets on the one on the left appear like arrows in the middle going down to the culet.  Mr Left looks like it has a more pronounced flower with longer "petals" in the center.  The tables are of a different size but I don't prefer one to the other, which is a little weird because I usually prefer a smaller table and higher crown.  I like the way the light reflects back in both of them; it is just different.

That being said, I don't have a favorite.  I'm not sure you'd even be able to tell the difference without magnification unless the stones in question were quite large.  I'd take either as long as the cutting style chosen was executed beautifully!

Mikla

[GracefulLion]

Soooooooooooooooooooooooo, arer we gonna hear more???

[Diamondsbylauren]

HI Everyone!

Firstly, I need to apologize- lack of sleep has somewhat interfered with posting time!
( I'm quite sure GL, Jen, and any other new parents out there will identify)


The discussion is one near and dear to my heart.
I picked these two stones as one is an AGS 0 cut grade- thought to be a superior cut to the other which is a diamond graded by GIA before the cut grade. The "table"- that's the largest flat facet on top of the diamond, is slightly larger on the GIA stone.
When I was learning to grade diamonds, the best possible table size was thought to be 60%.
IN the '80's a new phrase appeared- "Ideal Cut Diamonds"
An "Ideal" cut diamond has a slightly smaller table- say normally around 57%- but that can vary.

The smaller table is said to better focus the light. There are technologies that use a reflection created by the diamond to prove the more focus light is "better".


IN the rush to have the "best" many of the cutters have started cutting all the stones to the "ideal" style.


I feel we've lost something very beautiful in the process.

[GIAGirl]

I feel we've lost something very beautiful in the process.

Like manners and possibly the ability to trust your own judgement.   I don't need someone to come behind me and tell me which diamond I think is prettier.  You can quote me on that if you like.   

[Diamondsbylauren]

Thanks GG!

Another point about this:
If a seller could prove the diamond was "better" cut, they might could charge more for it.....

This is, in fact, what's happening in the market.
Sellers convince people that they have a superior product based on using reflector technology.
The buyer ( some, anyway) - eats it up and pays more.
What makes matter even worse,  less ethical sellers using the term "ideal" with not even the reflector tests to prove it- and shoppers who've heard the term, but NOT this part of the conversation buying into the sales pitch......

[Docram]

I have many round brilliant diamonds - studs, pendants, rings, earrings some of which have ideal cut diamonds and others are the larger table, 60% and shallower depth, 57%.  Since I have been collecting diamonds since the '80s I have always preferred the larger table, shallower stone because the diameters are usually larger, making the appeal of a larger stone.  I started to look at ideal cut stones, and yes they were at a premium, because of the unequivocable ability to "match" stones to get the same look for studs or a 5-stone wedding band.  I found it much easier to find "matches" where the stones were almost identical in look and specs.  As a very discriminating buyer, it made it easier to get what I was looking for - an exact match whereby in the '80s I found it frustrating to find several matches for stud earrings or a matching set for a 3-stone ring.

My last comment and perhaps most profound statement is that I have an ideal cut 3 stone ring (anniversary) and a large table solitaire engagement ring - I love the larger table and I agree with David that although ideal cuts have their place in the jewelry collection, the beauty of a larger table is really something to be revered!

[Diamondsbylauren]

Thanks for adding that valuable perspective Docram!

Part of this conversation involves the newest technology which measures diamonds to an extraordinarily precise degree

First let's look at the images generated by measuring the diamonds on a machine called a "Sarin". The computer generates these images based on those measurements.
First the .52ct stone- AGS 0 cut grade - the top cut grade.




These images show us the precision cut. The matching hearts and arrows, all lined up.
Very pretty.

[Diamondsbylauren]

In contrast, let's look at the .54ct stone which is not nearly as "symmetrical"- please excuse the slight out of round at about 12 noon- a piece of dust on the diamond when it was measured.



What does this mean?


Part of my viewpoint is that a machine that tells you something your eyes don't see is overlooking the reason many people want to own a diamond

[Diamondsbylauren]

If someone was shopping and requested these images, we'd provde them.

Personally, I would not use them to make purchasing decisions.
Let's look at the two stones again.


You can see the "better' symmtry of the AGS stone on the right.
I "quoted" the better part because the more splitered look of the stone on the left is somehow brighter, to my eye.
Plus, the "less well performing" stone looks larger!

Without question, both are lovely stones.
But saying one is "better" performing than the other seems to ignore the way the things actually look.

[GIAGirl]

I totally agree.  

While ideal cuts may be pretty, this does not explain why the older cuts appear very white for their color grades and sparkle like mad.  

[robin]

I'd still prefer the one on the left.

Are these in stock?

[Mrs Mitchell]

Yup, still prefer the one on the left.

May I see them in person please?

 

Jen

[Diamondsbylauren]

No problem Jen, we'll send them immediately!!


Robin- we have the diamonds here but have not put them in stock as of yet.

[Mrs Mitchell]

Thanks David, that's great. I'm going into hospital tomorrow, so they'll be the perfect pick-me-up. So kind of you!

Jen

No, I'm being greedy. Don't send them. Just the one on the left will be fine...

[Trinkette]

David is such a great guy. If it needs a home, I'll take whichever of the two diamonds that you don't want Mrs. M... you know, just so the leftover diamond doesn't get lonely without its photo-mate.

Now, you hurry up and get better soon, Mrs. M... get in there, get your surgery, kick butt, and get home just as fast as you can! I'm sending healing hugs and ooodles of good vibes your way.