Do You See $1000 Difference?

[jmm]

I continue to narrow down my search for an Ideal Princess Diamond. Here are two similar size diamonds, with variations in color and clarity.

Do you see over $1000 worth of difference between these two stones?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/0_826ct_i_vs1_pr_ags-ideal.htm

or

http://www.goodoldgold.com/0_83ct_g_vvs2_ags_ideal_pr.htm



Also, does GIA have Ideal cut Princess Diamonds or is that only AGS?

Thanks again,
JMM

 

[Lorelei]

It might be the VVS clarity difference that has made the price higher. There can be a huge jump between colour and clarity grades. Also the VVS is a G colour so it will be more costly too than an I. As far as I know AGS is the only one with the Ideal grading for Princesses at this time, GIA are beginning to grade cut quality but this is new as of this year. Unless a VVS clarity is very important to you, you could drop the clarity a bit and still have an eyeclean diamond, just an option.

 

[blodthecat]

Yes...I have to agree with Lorelei. I wouldn''t want to pay for something I can''t see. I too would seriously consider going down in clarity.

Blod

 

[Allium]

GIA is not grading cut on anything but standard round brilliants at this time. I definitely don''t think you''re going to see a difference worth $1000 between these stones in this size range. That $1000 can be put to better use.

 

[AndyRosse]

The difference is probably just the color and clarity jumps.

 

[valeria101]

My 2c...

Re. 1k difference - the clarity grades would have no visual effect, the color - maybe, but very subtle - i.e. you would likely be the only one to ever notice. And if someone else insists comparing the I diamond with a D color or their brand new colorless CZ, they'd probably notice there is some difference. But that's a long shot, because these guys will stand out by a mile because of the cut - princess cut diamonds just don't get to look that nice unless they were meant to get the AGS grades! (sadly...)

About cut grading: AGS does it, GIA not. IMO, the cut standards at Good Old Gold are more draconian than any lab would dare inflict on their customers (= not you, the cutters that send their stones to be certified!). Just ask for what they consider 'best cut'

(with or without the demonstration!... although that is worth it's own reward especially if you plan to ever buy another diamond again).

 

[jmm]

Thank you all for the advice.

JMM

 

[researcher]

I too would not pay for something that can''t be seen. Now, one thing to keep in mind is the fact that AGS just started doing the princess cut grading. So, while some will disagree, there are BEAUTIFUL GIA graded princess cut stones out there (like mine!

). And, if you choose a GIA stone you won''t be paying the premium for an AGS stone. Just a thought!

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 1/22/2006 2:23:07 PM
Author: researcher
I too would not pay for something that can''t be seen. Now, one thing to keep in mind is the fact that AGS just started doing the princess cut grading. So, while some will disagree, there are BEAUTIFUL GIA graded princess cut stones out there (like mine!

). And, if you choose a GIA stone you won''t be paying the premium for an AGS stone. Just a thought!

Ditto

 

[jmm]

"There are BEAUTIFUL GIA graded princess cut stones out there (like mine! ). And, if you choose a GIA stone you won''t be paying the premium for an AGS stone. Just a thought!"

When looking for more beautiful GIA princess cut stones, will I have to concentrate on the Ex or VG classifications of cut, polish and symmetry more or the exact dimensions of the diamonds themselves? Or both?


Thanks
JMM

 

[valeria101]

Date: 1/22/2006 2:43:53 PM
Author: jmm


When looking for more beautiful GIA princess cut stones, will I have to concentrate on the Ex or VG classifications of cut, polish and symmetry more or the exact dimensions of the diamonds themselves? Or both?

As far as I know, the proportions is what counts, but for princess cuts lab reports do not give enough information to judge that (some six crown and pavilion angles I have no clue how to interpret off the bat). This is why AGS''s grades have some value - otherwise, it would be easy to match quality. It isn''t...


I am not an expert... and this is just my 2c. What exactly the AGS cut grades for princess cuts stand for and guarantee has been discussed to some length on Pricescope - you may find some older threads (the grades have only been released sometime last summer - there are farely new). The research sounds reasonable and the logic behind it can be applied to some extent without taking AGS''s word on a stone, but it isn''t very easy.


IMO, either a 3D Sarin or Helium scan of the stones (well, good luck getting them... unfortunately) can yield a ''guesstimate'' of brilliance. More easily, you could go for this sort of thing.

All in all, the headache is worth something. If anything, the AGS recipe for top princess cut is quite narrow and you may have nice surprises ''in the field'' so to speak.

About the Ex-Vg finish grades... IMO, they have little to do with brilliance and that is what shows in the end. Between the two, symmetry'' may have somewhat more substantial meaning than the polish grade, but you may want to consider brilliance first.