Princess cut diamond - advice/help required please

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Hi ya!

Anyway I am now in the market for a Princess cut stone of about 2.5-3.0 carats which I want to gift to my wife as a surprise anniversary present - 4 months away. Unfortunately my source passed away about a year ago and the business was closed up by his son. I have several questions relating to Princess cut diamonds which I would be grateful for any answers to -

- on a carat basis is it true that princess cut diamonds look larger than brilliant/round ones Well, it depends on the cut... Most princesses are cut sooo deep they look somewhat small for their weight. But a nice princess will look almost as big as a round.

- is it true that with a princes cut diamond the colour is easier to spot ie you should definately not look for anything below a G colour. Yes it's true that you can see color easily. But, before you can see clearly a trace of color you have to go to at least a J color diamond. I'd consider an H in order to get a bigger/better clarity/better cut stone... Or simply to save some bucks and put them toward a setting!

- what setting to go for - I have seen one that I like which has 4 claws and the main diamond is flanked on either side by a baguette shape diamond - the baguettes are not on the mount itself but lower on the body of the ring.
It's the most common (and probably one of the most beautiful) setting we see. It gives a little extra sparkle to the center stone, but it doesn't overwhelm it. Good choice!

- what other factors are important particularly to Princess cut diamonds
CUT CUT CUT! Have a look at the tutorials you can find at Good Old Gold, at 'AGA'scharts and, if you can, get an IdealScope.

- the most difficult one - where should I buy one from - I was offered in Geneva a 2.7 carat G Stone VVS1 for 26,000 USD which seems very high .
Nowdays you can find great bargains and very high quality on the net. Do a search on this forum and you'll see how many couples have purchased their diamonds on the net and the prices they paid!
I wouldn't but the 2.7 not only because it's pretty expensive, but mainly because you CAN'T see the difference between a VVS 1 and a VS 1-2. Some SI 1's may be eye-clean at this size, but at VS 2 you should be pretty safe.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give and apologies if some of my questions appear stupid. You're very welcome. You made some great points and your questions are not stupid at all!


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Omnia Mea Mecum Porto.

Giangi

Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian]

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On 10/28/2003 12:42:19 PM Rags wrote:
But what do you mean they give a lot for the eye to see - do they have a greater visible surface area than equivalent weight rb's ie do they look bigger.

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Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian]