| The Benefits, or not, of the HCA | | | | Zero is almost impossible since many of the |
| What is the measurement called "Holloway Cut | | | | factors conflict. |
| Advisor", and should I check it and rely on it when | | | | What do those numbers mean? |
| I am looking to buy my diamond? | | | | If a diamonds measures lower than a 2 on the |
| The Holloway Cut Advisor, or HCA, is a | | | | HCA, it means it is not going to have, or better |
| measurement that estimates the appeal a round | | | | yet it is unlikely to have, much leakage of light, its |
| diamond, and only a round diamond, will have | | | | girdles are not too thick or thin, etc. Less leakage |
| based on a number of parameters - Light Return, | | | | is a good value because it means the diamond will |
| Fire, Scintillation, and Spread. | | | | have more appeal, as it returns more light in the |
| The HCA was first introduced in 2001. Garry | | | | direction it is ideally supposed to - to your eye. |
| Holloway is the guy who figured out this way to | | | | Deeper stones, and stones that are too shallow, |
| measure the diamonds appeal. Since 2001, | | | | have more leakage, and will measure worse on |
| Holloway has constantly been adjusting the HCA | | | | the HCA. |
| and improving it to be more accurate and reliable | | | | Again, the HCA can be used as an additional |
| of a measure. | | | | factor when narrowing down a group of stones |
| It does not take into account symmetry, facet | | | | considered for purchase. It should not be used as |
| proportions, or polish. Rather, it does measure the | | | | a game ending factor that will make your decision. |
| Table, Depth, Crown and Pavilion and uses an | | | | The HCA is not accurate because it is based on |
| algorithm measuring these parameters to come | | | | averages of the various parameters combined |
| up with a measure of what the "appeal" will be. | | | | together. |
| The HCA is not generally considered an accurate | | | | Averages are a reasonable measure, but they |
| measure, nor a finished product, and has not | | | | cannot be considered accurate. Two diamonds |
| become an industry standard. That is not to say | | | | might have the same exact average, let's use |
| you should ignore the HCA, or not bother | | | | Crown Angle as an example, yet on one the |
| checking it. There is definitely value in checking it, | | | | range is greater and on the second the range is |
| but only as an additional point when deciding to | | | | smaller and tighter. The average is the same, but |
| buy a diamond. Not as a conclusive "decision | | | | each stone on its own looks very different. And if |
| maker". Never use it to buy a diamond, but you | | | | you figure out what the perfect proportions are |
| can use it to reject a diamond that it indicates | | | | to get an ideal HCA measure and buy that |
| would not have much appeal as its measurements | | | | diamond, you might very well be disappointed by |
| return bad results. You are using it to narrow | | | | your purchase - the stone might not necessarily |
| your selection, not to choose your final stone. | | | | look nice according to other, perhaps more |
| So what is the HCA? What numbers are good | | | | important measures. |
| and what are bad? | | | | If you want help or advice in evaluating a diamond |
| After you input the percentages and angles of | | | | you are considering for purchase, or with any |
| the Table, Depth, Crown, and Pavilion, it will return | | | | question at all, feel free to email me and ask. |
| to you a measure. Most people prefer stones | | | | Also, be sure to check out the Daily |
| that rate 1-2 on a scale where: 0-2 Excellent, 2-4 | | | | Recommendation of a great value diamond |
| Very Good, 4-6 Good, 6-8 Fair, and 8-10 Poor. | | | | purchase. |