2 replies to this topic

[Robmasta41]

Hey guys! Good to find a website with enthusiasts such as myself. I am new to the site and want to first say thanks for any help I receive. I am actually in the market to get engaged and have been researching Diamonds pretty heavily for a couple months. I am no expert but I think I have read up on a lot of information. I guess I wanted to know a little more about feather...with a specific diamond in particular. It is a VS2, XXX, 2.03. My concern was the two areas of feathering that seem to wrap over the girdle. I have included the GIA, let me know if you think there is a problem with the table as well, 60 seems a bit much. Thanks a lot!

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[davidelevi]

On the feathers, there's not much you can say from looking at the plot. It is a device to aid in the location of the inclusions, not a 3-d map. Being a VS2, it's a pretty good chance that it's absolutely OK, but an expert needs to see the stone to check if any are open (get to the surface) or so close that they may be a risk. I doubt it, but don't take my word for it.

On proportions: for a long time, diamond buyers were told to go for a 60/60 (table/depth). It's a subtly different look than today's typical superideal with a smaller table, but it's not less nice, just different. See what you like most (ask the dealer to show you something with proportions closer to a modern superideal). And I'd trust the overall cut grade of "Excellent" more than I do the individual average proportions; there's a lot more info than table width (which is not even all that relevant, frankly) taken into account by GIA to award a cut grade than what is printed in the report.

[barry]

Plotted diagrams because of their one-dimensionality are very limited and oftentimes confusing in accurately imparting the nature of inclusions. They do not give you the actual size, location , and color of the inclusion(s).

Feathers that break the surface plane of the stone, especially at the girdle edge areas are dangerous as it can lead to additional fracture and breakage with continuous wear. In a GIA graded VS-2 this is unlikely but you should have your jeweler/vendor check this out for you.

Insofar as a 60% table, don't sweat it. As David mentions, the "60-60 Table-Depth combo was the "ideal" standard for years until the recent years when the AGS diamond grading lab in an effort to niche and define itself in competition to GIA pushed the Marcel Towlkowsky (1919) definition of "Ideal" proportions in round brilliants as Table percentages ranging from 54-57% and depth percentages in the range of 59.8-62%.

We have seen 60-60's that display superior face up sparkle compared to "Ideal" diamonds with the smaller tables. Keep in mind that these two measurements 9Table-Depth) should not be considered in isolation and to the exception of the other facets of the diamond. All facets work in unison. The facets size, angle, and alignment are critical.

Best if you compare both type cuts at your neighborhood jeweler(s) and see which you like better. I know it's very difficult but keep in mind that your gal will be wearing the diamond and not the lab report on her finger.

Trust your eyes and your gut.