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Princess Cut - Need Help!

David1313

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 12, 2015
Messages
4
Hey everyone,

Long time lurker, first-time poster. Been researching diamonds for a while now and this board has been super helpful, so thank you to all!

I have been to a local jeweler who is currently looking for a diamond, but I can't help looking online at the same time. Came across Whiteflash/James Allen/Brian Gavin and have been looking at AGS0 types as they offer the idealscope/ASET images.

Now, I need help deciphering the ASET images. I am trying to get the best fire/brillance but am finding it hard to tell the difference between some of these. Below are a few I am interested in buying:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d....776-g-vvs2-princess-diamond-ags-104078698004

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3430634.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3036236.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3022051.htm

In the ASET, I know I should be looking for more red/green, but is blue such a bad thing? I know black isn't good and white in the Idealscope. But looking for your opinions on how I should be looking at these images and "what to keep in mind".

I am looking in the $2,500 to $3,500 range. If you know of any better options, I am all ears! For some reason, I feel there aren't many Princess Cut options available right now.

Thanks in advance for all your help!
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
27,198
A little bit of blue is good/fine for contrast. At the quality of stones you are looking at there should be no problem.
To be honest I would probably go with the biggest one unless you are trying to save some money. The biggest one may
not be that much bigger to make it worth spending the extra money. They are all good/excellent and you cant go wrong
with any of them.

The biggest (which also has a very nice aset). It's high on clarity which I normally wouldnt pay for but I have to agree with yout
right now about slim pickings on nice princess cut stones.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3036236.htm

Whats wrong with this one? It hits the 5mm mark and just over $3k.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3430632.htm
 

jstarfireb

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Mar 24, 2007
Messages
6,232
One of the things I look for in an ASET (aside from a predominance of red and lack of black/white depending on background) is a really nice symmetrical, geometric pattern. For that reason I like this ASET best:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3022051.htm

Also the color and clarity combo is very nice - great clarity without paying for VVS, and G color is great in a princess considering they show a bit more color than rounds. Bonus points for being on the low end of your budget.

You really can't go wrong with any of these choices though.

Alternatively, you could check other vendors like James Allen for non-AGS stones. An AGS0 virtually guarantees a gorgeous princess cut, but your choices are somewhat limited because many more stones on the market are GIA-graded. That would allow you to get a larger stone or higher color/clarity for a similar price. If you're interested, I would get ASETs on these:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.73-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-494106 - great spread (>5mm), F color
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-544468 - breaks the 0.9 mark
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.82-carat-e-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-464677 - great color, nice small table
 

David1313

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 12, 2015
Messages
4
This is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks for your help to the both of you, and your suggestions are all great. I guess I just wanted to make sure I was seeing the same things in an ASET image as others were seeing.

The choice hasn't been made yet. I am visiting a local jeweler who has a 0.77ct G VVS1 with GIA ratings of Excellent polish and symmetry. On paper, it looks fantastic and right around the $3,300 mark. It may be the one but after your comments, I may be leaning towards buying the AGS0's from Whiteflash or James Allan. Any thoughts about the pricetag on the one above? Am I overpaying?

I am from Canada and if I want to have an ASET completed on the diamond, how would I go about it? I am thinking if the one at the jeweler is good, I would want to have that image.

Thanks again for the help!
 

jstarfireb

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Mar 24, 2007
Messages
6,232
Unfortunately I can't really tell if that diamond will be pretty without seeing images. Price seems about right though. There's a 0.74 G/VVS1 on JA for $3330, for example. However, you can save quite a bit by going with VS or SI1 clarity instead of VVS, and JA and WF will both be able to confirm that the diamonds are eye-clean.

There's nothing wrong with buying locally if the price is right, but personally I feel more secure buying online (from a well-known vendor) because of all the info they provide. Detailed photos, ASETs, and more depending on the vendor. I trust those much more than I trust my own eyes.

If you are seriously considering any of the ones we linked, you should reserve them soon. I see that the 0.82 from JA was already purchased.

ETA: Since you're Canadian and these vendors are American, you'll probably have to factor some taxes into the price, which might indeed make your local diamond a better buy. Just depends on how the cut is!
 

David1313

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 12, 2015
Messages
4
I agree. I have attached a picture of the diamond from the local jeweler.

Thoughts? I looked at the diamond and I couldn't see anything at all at 10x through the scope. I probably shouldn't though since it's a VVS1. The scintillation looked good as well, therefore, I'm thinking the cut is good. Keep in mind it had Ex symmentry and Ex polish.

I'm worrisome about looking online due to the fact I can't see it in person, and may not like the diamond when it arrives. Then I would have to pay for shipping back to JA/BG/WF from Canada and voila, savings are gone. Hence, I gave this particular jeweler a chance, and by the looks of the photo, I think he nailed it.

Again, looking for anyone's thoughts as this may be the one!

_31374.jpg
 

jstarfireb

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Mar 24, 2007
Messages
6,232
Hard to tell from one static photo, but it certainly looks promising. It's a 4-chevron stone and I personally prefer a 3-chevron princess, but I don't see any major problems with it. Since you liked it in person and said it has good scintillation (and especially considering the costs of buying internationally), it sounds like a good choice. Did you buy it?
 

David1313

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 12, 2015
Messages
4
I thought I was the same in liking 3-chevrons. And I probably still am. But you can't really tell it's a 4 chevron when looking at it and I don't want to go into very small details and lose out on the diamond as good princesses are hard to come by these days.

Anyways, yes I did purchase it! Now it's time to make the ring and set it. Just happy this part of the process is complete... Took me two months to find this diamond and I am happy with it. Hopefully she is too!!

Thanks for your help again. I know the picture doesn't show much but thanks for the honest opinions.
 

jstarfireb

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Mar 24, 2007
Messages
6,232
Congrats! I think you did a great job picking out the diamond - good luck with the rest!
 
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