The Private Reserve
Ideal Cut Diamonds
In-Stock & Available:
Diamond Inventory

Ideal Cut Classifications
AGS Ideal 0 Cut
AGS-000/Triple 0 defined
Eighternity Diamonds
GIA Excellent / Ideal
Hearts & Arrows Ideals
Just Plain "Ideal"
The Ideal Differences

Fancy Shape Desc.
Asscher Cut Diamonds
Cushion Cut Diamonds
Princess Cut Diamonds

Private Reserve Terms:
Glossary of Terms
Inventory Introduction
No Sales Tax!    0.00%

Engagement Rings:
Overview of Styles
Tiffany Solitaires
Gold Solitaires
Platinum Solitaires
Knife Edge Solitaires
Cathedral Solitaires
Comfort Fit Solitaires
Half Round Bands
3 Stone Rings (DeBeers)
3 Stone Rings (Fancy)
Anniversary Rings
Eternity Rings

Designer Collection:
Designs by Tacori
Designs by D. Vatche
Designs by Viachi

Jewelry For Sale:
Diamond Earrings
Pearls
Colored Gems
Fashion Jewelry

Diamond Grading
The Expanded 4C^s
1. Cut = Light Return
2. Color
3. Clarity
4. Carat Weight
Clarity Characteristics
Degrees of Magnification
Diamond Grading Tools
Evaluating A Diamond
Fast Track to Brilliance
FireScope™
Fluorescence
Gem Ex Brilliance Scope
Grading for Real People
Holloway Cut Advisor
Polish
Proportions
Proportions Analysis
Sarin DiaMension
Symmetry
SymmetriScope™
The 60/60 Farce
Tolkowsky Range

Buyer Beware!
Chipped Diamonds
"Empty House Listers"
Re-Cut Diamonds
Secret Stuff
Treated Diamonds
When is "Ideal" not?

Diamond Price Tools
Paid Report Access
A word about pricing...
What is the "Rap Trap"?
What is Ho-Ho-Wholesale
What is a Site Sale?

Independent Laboratories
The GIA vs. the AGS

Important Stuff
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
0.00% Sales Tax!  Oh yea!
FAQ's or Fiction
Find an Appraiser
Kimberly Diamond Act
Ordering Information
Platinum Tips & Care
Privacy Policy
Ring Size Conversion
Shipping Information
Terms & Conditions
Time Zone 101
Trade-in Policy
What Do I Do Next?

Who Are These Nuts?
About Us
Ask A Fellow Netite
Contact Us
General Information
The Benefits of NiceIce
N.Y.D. Magazine says...
Services Offered
Visit Our Store!

Investigate Us
Better Business Bureau
Jewelers Vigilance (JVC)
The Public Eye
Epinions.com

Interesting Stuff
Canadian Diamonds
Diavik Mine Canada
$295M DeBeers Settlement
Blood Diamond Movie
Sierra Leone Diamonds

The Legal Stuff
Copyright Notice
Terms & Conditions

Trade Affiliations:

Jewelers Vigilance

Jewelers of America

Manufacturing Jewelers
& Suppliers of America

Friends, Competitors
& Shopping Favorites!

Exchange Links w/Us!

*

*

The Private Reserve of Nice Ice

We primarily sell Round Brilliant Super Ideal Cut Diamonds.
We house a limited inventory of fancy shape diamonds.
"Limited" because fancy shape diamonds manufactured to our specifications are quite rare.
All diamonds  have been graded by either AGS, GIA or HRD Laboratories.
All round brilliant cut diamonds have Zero Ideal Cut Proportions.
We don't sell anything that we have not personally evaluated.
If we don't love it, we don't buy it for inventory.  It's that simple.

We also source Colored Gems & Cultured Pearls of Exceptional Quality.

I found a diamond, what do I do next?

Fast Track to Selecting a Brilliant Diamond

Cut controls 98% of the brilliance

Don't buy our rejects

Top Four Questions while in the Private Reserve

The importance of Sarin Proportions Analysis

Using this list for price comparisons

How to use this list and what to expect

Glossary of terms and abbreviations

Terms & Conditions

Print this page

Cut controls 98% of the brilliance

As you have learned by reading our web site, the degree of brilliance and dispersion displayed by your diamond is primarily controlled by it's Proportions, Polish and Symmetry and these three factors make up the overall cut grade of the diamond.  All of the diamonds contained in our Private Reserve have AGS Ideal Cut proportions as determined by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratory or by Sarin DiaPort and DiaMension computerized proportions analysis.  In addition, we select ideal cut diamonds that fall within a certain range within the specifications for the AGS Ideal Cut proportions rating.  We are extremely selective about the diamonds we choose to represent and actually reject a large percentage of the ideal cut diamonds that we are offered.  In short, the diamonds contained in our Private Reserve represent the very best that our suppliers have to offer.

Don't buy our rejects

Because we regularly purchase diamonds for inventory as opposed to merely selling off of the virtual lists like so many other internet dealers, we are offered diamonds as they clear the laboratory from being graded before they are added to the multiple listing service used by the virtual dealers to advertise "their inventory".  In a manner of speaking, this means that many of the diamonds being offered by the virtual only dealers are diamonds that we might have rejected during our selection process.  Fewer than 60% of the ideal cut diamonds that we evaluate actually pass our evaluation and make it on to our Private Reserve.  That means that we reject an average of 40% of the ideal cut diamonds that we bring in for physical evaluation and obviously we have sifted through the paper aspects of the diamonds before having them shipped to us from the cutter.  The fact of the matter is that most of the diamonds that we evaluate do not meet our strict specifications for visual performance, proportions and quality with regard to the extent and visibility of the inclusions.  Our rate of rejection for SI-1 clarity diamonds is more like 80% because so many SI-1 clarity diamonds are not "eye clean" by our standards despite the fact that we have been assured by the cutters that the diamonds are "eye clean" before asking that they be shipped to us...  The few diamonds that pass our screening process to make it on to our Private Reserve are an absolute wonderful find because we simply aren't going to put our stamp of approval on any diamond which isn't simply fantastic.  Our in-depth evaluation process goes beyond simply verifying that the diamond matches the diamond described on the lab report, it includes a detailed Sarin DiaMension computerized proportions analysis that takes into consideration the facet-by-facet relationship of the proportions and the resulting overall visual effect created by the combination of those proportions.  We verify the color and clarity grade assigned by the laboratory which graded the diamond and we conduct a Gem Ex Brilliance Scope light return analysis to verify what we are seeing with our eyes.  In addition, we conduct a thorough evaluation of the clarity characteristics within the diamond to ensure that the inclusions are not extensive and are not detrimental to the durability of the diamond.

The importance of Sarin Proportions Analysis

The majority of diamond grading reports do not contain the information required to determine the overall proportions rating of a diamond.  For instance, the GIA Diamond Grading Report provides the Total Depth, Table Diameter, Girdle Thickness, and Culet Size, but do NOT provide the Crown Angle and Pavilion Depth measurements.  Without all of the information, you can not make an educated decision.  The Diamond Quality Document issued by the AGS Laboratory provides this basic information, but the information published is the average measurement based upon eight measurements per section and those measurements can be based upon a range of measurements which is quite close and precise or broad.  For instance, the average pavilion angle of 40.8 degrees might be based upon a high of 41.0 and a low of 40.6 degrees which is quite precise, or it could be the result of a broad range like 40.3 degrees to 41.3 degrees.  Which one would you rather have?  Obviously, the tighter the range of proportions the better the light return is going to be so you want the tighter range of possibility.  This type of detailed information is not available from any of the lab reports which are currently available, it is available on the diamond details page for every diamond listed in our Private Reserve.

To ensure that the diamonds we represent are of the highest quality, we rely on Sarin DiaMension Computerized Proportions Analysis - the same technology used by most independent gemological laboratories to determine the proportions for the diamonds that they grade.  This equipment is state of the art and accurate within 0.02%.

We are able to determine whether a diamond has Zero Ideal Cut Proportions because we have a Sarin DiaPort computerized proportions analysis system on the premises.  Note that the Sarin machine is not capable of grading polish, symmetry, color, or clarity which is why we use the AGS & GIA Gemological Laboratories to determine the grades of those factors for us.

Using this list for price comparisons

If you intend to use this list to compare prices or to negotiate with your local jeweler, please be sure that you are comparing diamonds of comparable quality and characteristics.  The diamonds contained within our Private Reserve are true ideal cut diamonds with zero ideal cut proportions as verified by Sarin DiaPort or DiaMension Computerized Proportions Analysis.   Just because somebody tells you that a diamond is "ideal cut" doesn't not mean that it really is... A lot of the people in our industry couldn't tell you the true definition of an ideal cut diamond if their life depended on it whereas we live and breath it.  Insist on proper documentation such as a GIA Diamond Grading Report or an AGS Diamond Quality Document accompanied by a detailed proportions analysis such as a Sarin.

Be sure to compare diamonds with Excellent or Ideal polish and symmetry to diamonds with same polish and symmetry grades.  There is a price difference between diamonds with Very Good or Good polish and symmetry and those that have Excellent or Ideal polish and symmetry.  In addition, there is a difference in the market price of an ideal cut diamond that is cut to the center range of the criteria for the ideal cut proportions rating and diamonds which are cut to the broader edges of the parameters for the ideal cut proportions grade.  An ideal cut diamond with a total depth exceeding 62% will cost less than one with a total depth between 59 - 61.8% and subsequently the diamond will face up smaller because more of the diamond weight is sitting in the depth of the stone as opposed to being visible in the diameter of the stone.  Be conscious of the fact that what we do not consider many of the "ideal cut diamonds" being sold on the open market to actually be "ideal cut" by our definition.

If you are looking for a market price guide for diamonds of average make, please refer to our Nice Ice Pre-Profit Diamond Cost Report which is based upon diamonds with a proportions rating of AGS-3 to AGS-4 Good which is a more common proportions rating in the open market.

How to use this list and what to expect

All of the diamonds listed on our Private Reserve are physically in-house and have been personally evaluated by us to ensure that the diamond meets our strict selection criteria.  We do not drop ship diamonds direct from the cutter to our customers, we insist on personally verifying the grade and characteristics of everything that we sell to ensure our clients of the highest quality and an excellent experience.  Occasionally a diamond might sell and not be removed immediately from our inventory depending on the insanity of the day, however every effort is made to update our online inventory in a timely manner.

Glossary of terms and abbreviations

AGS: American Gem Society Laboratory
AGS Ideal: Diamond rated by AGS as having ideal polish, symmetry, proportions and visual performance.  This grade can only be assigned by the AGS Laboratory.
Rpt: Which independent gemological laboratory graded the diamond.
CGL: Central Gemological Laboratory - Japan / Antwerp
Clarity: The clarity grade of the diamond listed.
Color: The color grade of the diamond.
Consultation: Not a full report, but specifies weight, clarity, and color.
Crown: Crown angle measurement in degrees.
Cul: Culet size (bottom point of diamond).
Cut: Proportions rating as determined by Sarin Analysis.
Dpth: Total Depth measurement in percent.
DQD: Abbreviation for AGS Diamond Quality Document.
EX: Excellent (highest rating available from GIA).
F - Girdle: refers to a faceted girdle.
FB: Faint blue fluorescence.
Flr: The fluorescence rating of the diamond.
FT: Faint (usually blue)
GIA: Gemological Institute of America - Gem Trade Laboratory (GIA-GTL)
GIA-DD: GIA Diamond Dossier (passport size report).   Girdle edge is laser inscribed with GIA Diamond Grading Report number.
GIA-0XX: Ideal cut proportions as determined by Sarin DiaPort or DiaMension computerized proportions analysis combined with the highest polish and symmetry grade available from the GIA which is Excellent.
Girdle: Girdle thickness of diamond.
(H~A)^2™ our registered trademarked "brand" of Hearts & Arrows diamond.
H&A: Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cut Diamond exhibiting an Excellent pattern.
H&A:B - The Hearts & Arrows pattern is slightly imperfect, but considered to be Very Good.
H&A:C - The diamond exhibits a good polish and symmetry pattern, but not one which meets the criteria for higher grades H&A or H&A:B.
HOLD: This diamond is currently on hold for a specific buyer.
ID: Abbreviation for the word Ideal.
IDEAL: This diamond has Ideal Cut proportions.
IF: Internally Flawless clarity (no inclusions visible under 10x).
M - Girdle: The girdle thickness is Medium
MB: Medium Blue Fluorescence.
M-SK: Medium to Slightly Thick Girdle.
M-SK-F: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted Girdle.
M-TK: Medium to Thick Girdle.
M-TK-F: Medium to Thick, Faceted Girdle.
Measurements: Refers to outside diameter and depth measurements.
N - Culet: None or too small to measure.
N-F: Thin, Faceted Girdle.
N - Fluorescence: None, Inert, Nil.
N - Girdle: Thin Girdle.
N-M: Thin to Medium Girdle.
N-M-F: Thin to Medium, Faceted Girdle.
N-SK: Thin to Slightly Thick Girdle.
N-SK-F: Thin to Slightly Thick, Faceted Girdle.
Pav: Pavilion depth measurement in percent.
Pending: Awaiting verification by a laboratory and/or arrival to our office.
Pointed: Used by the AGS Lab to refer to a culet size formerly described as none.
Pol: the Polish grade of the diamond as assigned by a laboratory.
$ Price*: Selling price of the diamond in U.S. Currency.   Refer to Terms
Prop: the Proportions rating of the diamond as specified by the AGS Laboratory or as determined by Sarin Computerized Proportions Analysis.
Sarin: Computerized Proportions Analysis used by most laboratories to determine the proportions of the diamonds that they grade.
SB: Strong Blue Fluorescence.
S/C: the Source Code we use to track diamond in our inventory system.
Size: Carat Weight
SK: Slightly Thick Girdle.
SK-F: Slightly Thick, Faceted Girdle.
SK-TK-F: Slightly Thick to Thick, Faceted Girdle.
Sym: the Symmetry grade of the diamond as assigned by the laboratory.
Tbl: the Table Diameter measurement in percent.
Tolk-0: EGL Tolkowsky Cut diamond with Sarin zero ideal cut proportions.
VG: Very Good (very difficult to locate under 10x magnification)
VN: Very Thin - Girdle.
VS: Very Small - Culet

Terms & Conditions

All diamonds are subject to prior sale and/or memo.   Prices listed are in U.S. Dollars and do not include mounting, shipping, or insurance.   Our brokers fee is included in the price listed. Prices listed are for transactions completed via credit card with a discount available for transactions completed via wire transfer.  All credit card transactions must be approved by our staff and a notarized credit card authorization form must be on file with our office prior to the diamond being shipped.  This is for your protection and ours.   We reserve the right to refuse and/or accept payment via credit card at our sole discretion.  Additional charges may include mounting, shipping, diamond grading tools, etc.  Washington State sales tax will be collected for all transactions involving persons who reside in the State of Washington and/or for merchandise that is being shipped to a destination within Washington State.  It is not our responsibility to collect sales tax for sales made to residents of other states and/or for merchandise being shipped to a destination outside of Washington State although you may be required by law to declare your out of state purchase on your income tax. Prices are subject to change without notice due to fluctuations in the world diamond market or as commanded by our suppliers.  While every effort is made to prevent typographical errors, we are not responsible for errors and/or omissions.   Thank you for your understanding.

To Print This Page

This page will print directly from most version 4.0 and higher browsers.  If you are using an earlier version simply click on EDIT - SELECT ALL - COPY and paste this page into a word processor to print it.

May we help you find the diamond of your dreams?
Send us an email diamonds@niceice.com and tell us what you are looking for.
Or give us a call at 206.319.8152 or Toll Free 877.844.5443

Copyright © 1996 - 2008 Nice Ice, Inc.

AGS® is a registered trademark of the American Gem Society (702) 255-6500
GIA® is a registered trademark of the Gemological Institute of America (760) 603-4000