Princess Cut Opinions

[Princess_Madness]

Hi Everyone. I''m new to this forum, but I''ve been reading for a while. I''ve learned a lot (I think) and I''m getting ready to make a decision on a ring. I''m wondering about the 3 options below for the main Princess cut diamond. I''d love to hear some expert opinions on which one seems to be the best. What other information should I find out about these before making the decision? These diamonds are all on Blue Nile. They all have a GIA certification. Thanks in advance for your help.

Diamond #1
Carat weight: 0.57
Cut: Very Good
Color: D
Clarity: VS2
Depth %: 72.0%
Table %: 67%
Symmetry: Very good
Polish: Very good
Girdle: Medium to thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 4.61x4.60x3.31 mm
Length/width ratio: 1.00
Price - $1835

Diamond #2
Carat weight: 0.53
Cut: Signature Princess
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Depth %: 66.4%
Table %: 69%
Symmetry: Very good
Polish: Very good
Girdle: Slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Faint
Measurements: 4.58x4.49x2.98 mm
Crown height: 10%
Length/width ratio: 1.02
Price - $1795

Diamond #3
Carat weight: 0.49
Cut: Very Good
Color: E
Clarity: VS2
Depth %: 68.3%
Table %: 68%
Symmetry: Very good
Polish: Excellent
Girdle: Thin to medium
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 4.38x4.38x2.99 mm
Length/width ratio: 1.00
Price - $1340

 

[belle]

hey p_m

welcome to ps!

the first stone looks very promising. nice depth and table

the other two are a bit shallow and may not be great performers. it would be great if you could get more information on them, but bn drop ships the vast majority of their stones, so they never see them. if you purchase from bn, you are limited to the information available on their site. best of luck!

 

[Princess_Madness]

Thanks for the info Belle. What other information could I ask from BN? What other online places might be better to buy from in this area?

Thanks again

 

[belle]

you''re welcome pm. the other info that is extremely helpful are the crown/pavilion angles. you have to have the stone to get these numbers though, as they are not reported by gia. if bn happens to have this stone in stock, they can get you the information. if they don''t, it means it is a virtual stone and any vendor can bring it in and run measurements on it. try getting the info from bn first. otherwise, i would recommend having someone like www.whiteflash.com bring it in for inspection. they will run a sarin on it and take idealscope images for you.

 

[Princess_Madness]

Can anyone give me any other advice on finding the best quality princess cut diamond? What should I look for?

 

[belle]

did you know there are ideal graded princesses?

check out www.craftedbyinfinity.com you can''t go wrong there.

 

[Princess_Madness]

Any thoughts on the following diamond?

http://www.diamondexpert.com/diamonds/dbs.cgi?sf=detd.setup.cgi&active=active&stock=PR20003551&submit_search=1

 

[Princess_Madness]

Or this one?

http://www.diamondexpert.com/diamonds/dbs.cgi?sf=detd.setup.cgi&active=active&stock=PR10004541&submit_search=1

 

[belle]

both are very nice pm. if pressed... i''d have to say like the first one.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

I think that you have just brought forward two hidden treasures. However, you have to take into account that we have cut these, and therefore, we are biased.

I wonder, like you, how others will react to them.

Live long,

 

[valeria101]

Date: 3/1/2006 3:11:29 PM
Author: Paul-Antwerp

I wonder, like you, how others will react to them.

Are you sure those are princess cuts? ''Thought these are supposed to be dull inverted pyramids with a couple of scratches on the tip of the pavilion. Otherwise known as the prefect way to cut diamonds with poor tilt brilliance. Seriously!



Btw. Belle, do you happen to have hint of what AGS''s guidelines are? (hoping your comment about depth is coming from there).

 

[Princess_Madness]

Hmmm, I think I''m more confused now than when I started. Why are their so many different opinions if there are now AGS standards for princess cut diamonds? I know that some of this is subjective, but it seems to be all over the place on princess cuts. I''m running out of time.

 

[Princess_Madness]

Any opinions on this idealscope image. Personally I think it looks good.

http://www.elmyrservices.com/pictures/4260ids_copy_2.jpg

 

[JulieN]

very nice

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Date: 3/1/2006 5:44:41 PM
Author: valeria101

Date: 3/1/2006 3:11:29 PM
Author: Paul-Antwerp

I wonder, like you, how others will react to them.

Are you sure those are princess cuts? ''Thought these are supposed to be dull inverted pyramids with a couple of scratches on the tip of the pavilion. Otherwise known as the prefect way to cut diamonds with poor tilt brilliance. Seriously!

Btw. Belle, do you happen to have hint of what AGS''s guidelines are? (hoping your comment about depth is coming from there).

Valeria,

What do you mean here? Is this sarcasm, which we misunderstand?

Live long,

 

[valeria101]

Date: 3/2/2006 1:55:54 AM
Author: Paul-Antwerp

Date: 3/1/2006 5:44:41 PM
Author: valeria101


Are you sure those are princess cuts?

Valeria,

What do you mean here? Is this sarcasm, which we misunderstand?

Oups... sorry for the unclear post... it is a lame attempt at humor. I meant to say that the optimized princess cuts are very different - in the good way - from any random pick among the ''usuals''.

I used to have a pretty bad impression about this cut, based on flat-looking examples of relatively low cut quality. In fact, before the discussion here about the new AGS0 standard for princess cuts, I had no idea this cut could actually be attractive. Probably due to the fact that I had paid little attention to this cut - just turned away from at any given time... until these new kind came in and changed the dismissive attitude.

 

[belle]

Date: 3/1/2006 5:44:41 PM
Author: valeria101


Btw. Belle, do you happen to have hint of what AGS''s guidelines are? (hoping your comment about depth is coming from there).

the only hint comes from studying paul''s cuts.

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 3/2/2006 11:14:04 AM
Author: valeria101

Date: 3/2/2006 1:55:54 AM
Author: Paul-Antwerp

Date: 3/1/2006 5:44:41 PM
Author: valeria101


Are you sure those are princess cuts?

Valeria,

What do you mean here? Is this sarcasm, which we misunderstand?

Oups... sorry for the unclear post... it is a lame attempt at humor. I meant to say that the optimized princess cuts are very different - in the good way - from any random pick among the ''usuals''.

I used to have a pretty bad impression about this cut, based on flat-looking examples of relatively low cut quality. In fact, before the discussion here about the new AGS0 standard for princess cuts, I had no idea this cut could actually be attractive. Probably due to the fact that I had paid little attention to this cut - just turned away from at any given time... until these new kind came in and changed the dismissive attitude.

What I like about this ''new world'' of Princess cuts is that it''s changed long-held paradigms and fresh approaches are happening.

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 3/1/2006 11:34:24 PM
Author: Princess_Madness
Any opinions on this idealscope image. Personally I think it looks good.

http://www.elmyrservices.com/pictures/4260ids_copy_2.jpg

It shows a bright stone with good contrast and surprisingly little leakage for a princess. I also think it looks good, but I must in fairness state that I recognise that as one of Paul''s stones so I am not at all surprised. I would say that about this stone even were it one of BN''s but wish to point out my relationship to Paul so that there be no question of any hidden agendas.

Wink

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 3/1/2006 5:44:41 PM
Author: valeria101
Are you sure those are princess cuts? ''Thought these are supposed to be dull inverted pyramids with a couple of scratches on the tip of the pavilion. Otherwise known as the prefect way to cut diamonds with poor tilt brilliance. Seriously!

I am not understanding your comment. I can not tell if you are teasing or serious. If serious, what do you mean?

Wink

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 3/2/2006 11:14:04 AM
Author: valeria101
Oups... sorry for the unclear post... it is a lame attempt at humor. I meant to say that the optimized princess cuts are very different - in the good way - from any random pick among the ''usuals''.

I used to have a pretty bad impression about this cut, based on flat-looking examples of relatively low cut quality. In fact, before the discussion here about the new AGS0 standard for princess cuts, I had no idea this cut could actually be attractive. Probably due to the fact that I had paid little attention to this cut - just turned away from at any given time... until these new kind came in and changed the dismissive attitude.

Ahh, thank you for the clarification. I too did not used to think much of most princess cuts. Just every once in a while I got to see a pretty one. Now it is getting better, and I predict that sometime soon it will be VERY difficult to sell the older style dogs that were as you stated little more than lifeless lumps of crystallized carbon.

Wink

 

[belle]

wink,
ana already explained this above.

eta: i see you found it

 

[Shay37]

Ooooh, Princess Madness, I LOVE that first infinity stone you linked. it is absolutely yummy. I, too, am not a fan of princess cuts. Those could change my mind.

shay

 

[WinkHPD]

John,

You are quite correct. In the recent thread about "Interesting things from AGS class" (Something like that, I do not remember exactly) I spoke about Square Emerald cuts with 45% tables. It turns out there is an area where such stones not only have great brilliance but great dispersion, especially for a S.E. diamond. New light research is revealing many previously hidden areas of surprisingly great looking stones, some of which can be cut more cost effectively from some pieces of rough than a stone of traditional proportions.

I predict someday that a cutter can scan his unusual shaped diamond rough on the Sarin or Helium device and the software will not only give him pictures of traditional sizes and shapes to be cut from the stone, but also non traditional proportions that will produce stunning looking stones with better weght retention. These times, they are getting ever more exciting!

Wink