Another ''Help me decide'' thread...

[jg550]

Hi all,

First of all thanks to everyone for everything I''ve been digging up here for the last two weeks. I''m so glad to have found this place!

I''ve been dealing with James at WF for the last week, looking at their ACA Princess cuts, and he''s been an incredible help as I''ve been trying to make my e-ring stone decision on my modest budget. I was originally looking at a white gold ring with a .5-.7 stone. After a lot of time spent thinking, I decided that I wanted to put a little more of my budget into the ring and go with platinum, as this will be something I want to upgrade down the road. Here is the ring: https://www.whiteflash.com/golden-wardrobe/Gold_Details.aspx?ItemCode=DN-1779 At about $1700, I''m looking to spend about the same on the stone.

So now that the storytelling is done, here are the two diamonds that I have been recommended:

https://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=159849,18384#

#1

Report: AGS
Shape: A Cut Above Princess
Carat: 0.535
Depth %: 74.4
Table %: 69.9
Crown Angle: 42.9
Crown %: 12.9
Pavilion Angle: 39.5
Pavilion %: 58.1
Girdle: Medium
Measurements: 4.42-4.36X3.24
Light Performance: 0
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: Negligible


#2

Report: AGS
Shape: A Cut Above Princess
Carat: 0.540
Depth %: 72.1
Table %: 71.3
Crown Angle: 40.6
Crown %: 11.5
Pavilion Angle: 39.4
Pavilion %: 57.7
Girdle: Thin to Medium
Measurements: 4.47-4.44X3.20
Light Performance: 0
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: Negligible

I had pretty pictures to post for the link lazy, but I can''t get them to post at all. So taking a stab at commenting on them based on what I''ve come across here, the first one seems to have slightly better numbers, but the second one''s ASET looks better (except for that gap just below the center)? I know it''s at 40x, but every time I look at the second one those inclusions bug me.

Thanks to those of you who read this way too long first post!

 

[jg550]

Ok fine, one of the pics worked as an attachment I guess. That was the first stone.

This is the second:

 

[Ellen]

Date: 10/5/2007 3:18:29 AM
Author:jg550
Hi all,

First of all thanks to everyone for everything I''ve been digging up here for the last two weeks. I''m so glad to have found this place!

I had pretty pictures to post for the link lazy, but I can''t get them to post at all. So taking a stab at commenting on them based on what I''ve come across here, the first one seems to have slightly better numbers, but the second one''s ASET looks better (except for that gap just below the center)? I know it''s at 40x, but every time I look at the second one those inclusions bug me.

Thanks to those of you who read this way too long first post!

At this clarity level, you should not be worrying, as you said, these picture are blown up.

Frankly, I don''t even see what you are seeing. And to be honest, you could possibly get an SI1 stone that would be totally eyeclean , and which would allow you to go bigger.

Either of these would be gorgeous, really. Toss a coin, or go for the cheapest.


But again, if it were me, I''d have them try and find a really clean SI1, and I''d also drop to at least G, and go bigger. But that''s just me.

 

[chrono]

Both look really good. At first glance, I thought they were the same stone until I really looked for the details. It''s your pick because both are gorgeous stones.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would seriously recommend considering going up to a .70 G VS2 stone and spending a little less on the setting. A princess at .50 is going to be very small. This ring in 18k white gold is only $1000 or $1500 in platinum and I think it is very elegant and beautiful. But I''d go with a plain solitaire, if necessary, to increase the size of the stone. You could always get her a diamond wedding band to add some sparkles!

https://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/The--Legato--with-Micro-Pave_1071.htm#

Stones:

https://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=114374,114377,31009

Remember that there is a 5% discount on ACA stones when you pay by wire and mention the PriceScope discount.

 

[happyfeet1988]

i have to agree with DS. As a woman, i would rather you spend most of your budget on the stone and less on the setting. For your budget you could get probably a nice
.75 ct. princess in a white gold solitaire. Or, look at that great setting DS suggested, it''s under a thousand dollars. Have you talked to your GF about this at all? That setting is something i would have to have a personal taste for to pick. It''s sort of chunky and almost masculine.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 10/5/2007 8:53:14 AM
Author: happyfeet1988
i have to agree with DS. As a woman, i would rather you spend most of your budget on the stone and less on the setting. For your budget you could get probably a nice
.75 ct. princess in a white gold solitaire. Or, look at that great setting DS suggested, it''s under a thousand dollars. Have you talked to your GF about this at all? That setting is something i would have to have a personal taste for to pick. It''s sort of chunky and almost masculine.

Double Ditto. .5 princess is very small. I would drop down to G VS2 in a heart beat. There isn''t going to be any appreciable difference in color or clarity in a diamond that size. But there will be an appreciable difference in impact and size. I would also get a much more delicate setting (like the one DS suggested) as the one you have picked will really overpower your diamond.

 

[jg550]

Thanks for the replies everyone.


Ellen, the clarity level isn''t an really an issue to me that''s why I rolled my eyes. I was initially looking towards a VS1-SI1 stone, and was assured by WF that all of their ACA stones are eye clean, but they really don''t have very many SI1s. A lot tend towards a higher clarity with a lower color, which wasn''t equaling a lower price.

Chrono, that''s the problem I''ve been having - basically down to flipping a coin like Ellen said!

As for the setting, this is the one she wants, so this is the one she''s getting.

They had it (or ones very similar) at several B&Ms we went to, and it looks good on her. That Legato is very nice - very dainty in my opinion, and I mean that as a good thing. I''ve shown her others, but this is the one she keeps going back to. I think she''s big on the symmetry of the princess sidestones with the princess main. I do agree about it overpowering a .5 carat though - it would only be about a millimeter wider than the bands widest point.

Ff I dropped back down to the white gold which is $300 cheaper, I may be able to stretch and do that. Too bad the rings not $900 like it is at Blue Nile, but after hanging around here I''m stuck on AGS reports that show more info! hehe. Thank you all again!aroot>

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 10/5/2007 2:25:58 PM
Author: jg550
Thanks for the replies everyone.


Ellen, the clarity level isn''t an really an issue to me that''s why I rolled my eyes. I was initially looking towards a VS1-SI1 stone, and was assured by WF that all of their ACA stones are eye clean, but they really don''t have very many SI1s. A lot tend towards a higher clarity with a lower color, which wasn''t equaling a lower price.

Chrono, that''s the problem I''ve been having - basically down to flipping a coin like Ellen said!

As for the setting, this is the one she wants, so this is the one she''s getting.

They had it (or ones very similar) at several B&Ms we went to, and it looks good on her. That Legato is very nice - very dainty in my opinion, and I mean that as a good thing. I''ve shown her others, but this is the one she keeps going back to. I think she''s big on the symmetry of the princess sidestones with the princess main. I do agree about it overpowering a .5 carat though - it would only be about a millimeter wider than the bands widest point.

Ff I dropped back down to the white gold which is $300 cheaper, I may be able to stretch and do that. Too bad the rings not $900 like it is at Blue Nile, but after hanging around here I''m stuck on AGS reports that show more info! hehe. Thank you all again!

Since that''s the setting she wants, I agree that it''s probably best to get her that one although it costs more than other settings. Are you considering the stone you linked here? I don''t know a lot about princesses, but I think the G/H SI range is a great value and still can be white and clear for a princess. I agree with others that there will be a substantial difference in appearance of size between a half carat and 3/4 carat princess.

 

[jg550]

Date: 10/5/2007 2:36:39 PM
Author: kcoursolle

Since that''s the setting she wants, I agree that it''s probably best to get her that one although it costs more than other settings. Are you considering the stone you linked here? I don''t know a lot about princesses, but I think the G/H SI range is a great value and still can be white and clear for a princess. I agree with others that there will be a substantial difference in appearance of size between a half carat and 3/4 carat princess.

Yeah the .716 that I linked would be stretching it, as far as what''s "affordable" to me. With what WF has to offer, the ring cost makes full .75s basically out of my range right now.

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 10/5/2007 2:59:08 PM
Author: jg550

Date: 10/5/2007 2:36:39 PM
Author: kcoursolle

Since that''s the setting she wants, I agree that it''s probably best to get her that one although it costs more than other settings. Are you considering the stone you linked here? I don''t know a lot about princesses, but I think the G/H SI range is a great value and still can be white and clear for a princess. I agree with others that there will be a substantial difference in appearance of size between a half carat and 3/4 carat princess.

Yeah the .716 that I linked would be stretching it, as far as what''s ''affordable'' to me. With what WF has to offer, the ring cost makes full .75s basically out of my range right now.

what if you got the setting in white gold? That would save you a few hundred dollars.

 

[jg550]

Date: 10/5/2007 3:21:52 PM
Author: kcoursolle

what if you got the setting in white gold? That would save you a few hundred dollars.

sorry, meant to mention that in my previous reply. Going back to the 18k white is what I''ll plan on sticking to.

 

[chrono]

jg,
Have you factored in the 5% PS/ACA wire discount yet? Maybe you can stretch it to get the .716 PC.
For example, this 0.728 AGS0 princess stone, I VS2 ACA is listed as $2067 but with the discount, you can get it for $1964.