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Can't decide between two 1.5ct Princess cut stones...

I

instant333

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 25, 2014
Messages
6
Stone A

Size = 1.51ct
Color = F
Clarity = VS2
Depth% = 75.4
Table% = 74
GIrdle - thick to very thick
Polish = Excellent
Symmetry = Excellent
Ratio = 1.057


Stone B (about 1500 dollars less)

Size = 1.5ct
Color = F
Clarity = VVS2
Depth% = 73.8
Table% = 80
Girdle = slightly thick to thick
Polish = Very Good
Symmetry = Excellent
Ratio = 1.018


I'm not a diamond expert beyond the internet research I've done the last few weeks. To me they both look really nice, but since they are at two different stores I can't compare the sparkle side by side, but to my untrained eye they are both pretty. Does anyone have advice on which of these is better? The only concern with stone B seems to be the Table%.

Thanks for any advice, it's really hard to make up my mind on such an important purchase.
 
Can't buy a fancy shape by the numbers - they need to be seen, and preferably have an ASET image to evaluate light performance. Can you get that?
 
Both stones don't pose great potential. Stone B is definitely OUT. The table is too large.
 
Have you read this? https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/princess-cut-diamond

You really need to concentrate on cut quality - it is what makes the stone sparkle, and that's the whole point, right? An ideal cut stone will face up whiter and larger than a less well cut one. And don't get too caught up in carat weight - look at the dimensions. A deeper stone will face up smaller than an equivalently weighted ideal cut stone.

What is your budget?

ETA: THIS is the kind of stone to look for - AGS 0 (ideal light performance) super ideal cut eye clean F color:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2968198.htm
 
So Stone A is 12191.90, plus tax, Stone B is 11695 but no tax (thats why the big price difference).

Both have cut ratings of excellent or very good and both are GIA certified. Seems like the only difference between these two and the one linked above is that the one linked has a smaller table while Stones A and B have better clarity.

Unfortunately I don't know about having an ASET image done, I suppose I can ask the stores. I have seen them both as I mentioned and they both look great to me.

I read many guides talking about princess cut but there seemed to be no consensus on table/depth values, many that I read had 80% in their very good ranges. But the table size of Stone B was my biggest concern. Just don't know if it's 1500 dollars worth of concern.

Thanks for any and all input guys.

SpicyItalian, why do you say both stones don't have great potential?
 
Hm

and looking at these GIA reports it appears stone A is 2 chevron and stone B is 4 chevron... i don't remember reading about that anywhere until the pricescope article linked above... how does that affect how they look?
 
80% table is too big.
 
instant333|1390702231|3601241 said:
Both have cut ratings of excellent or very good and both are GIA certified.
Click to expand...

As rated by who? GIA doesn't grade cut quality on princesses.


instant333|1390702231|3601241 said:
Unfortunately I don't know about having an ASET image done, I suppose I can ask the stores. I have seen them both as I mentioned and they both look great to me.
Click to expand...

Have you seen an ideal cut AGS 0 to compare them to? Everything looks good under jewelers lights. And I'll guarantee you'll see a difference under normal everyday lighting. And my guess is being the chain store that it is (we have one where I live, and they are scammers) that they won't help you with getting an ASET at all - they probably don't even know what it is. Besides, their job is comparable to that of a car salesman - say whatever it takes to sell the product.

80% table is WAY too big. Ideal cut stones run more in the 50's-60's.

Why not consider something like this? It's cheaper, and you know you are getting the best for your money.

1.53 F SI1 eye clean ideal cut AGS 0
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2968198.htm
 
Watch some videos - Good Old Gold's youtube channel has tons of comparisons.

"In this video we look at the mighty optics of the Solasfera Princess Cut alongside of a GIA Ex/VG with AGS Ideal Light Performance. We also examine these 2 alongside of a more commonly cut princess cut but with a 67 depth and a 75% table"

You'll see the difference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxJkQFYqtAY

2 chevron vs 3 chevron

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nneVwREmtgY
 
The excellent / very good ratings were just on polish and symmetry.

It seems that the AGS does a better comprehensive rating of princess cut diamonds, but it's harder to trust the color/clarity ratings of AGS.

I guess I can do a bit more research on what AGS-0 is and maybe look for something more in the E/VS1 range to be safe.
 
I would trust AGS. Drop color to f/g/h and keep clarity.
 
Well, it seems like even the AGS0 stones are very subjective and the eye test is more important than anything still. But from everything I've read GIA is the strictest on grading, I can certainly tell when the diamonds are tinted yellow, I can clearly pick a G from an F stone (GIA). So dropping to f/g/h AGS won't really do it for me.

I think I am going to have Store B bring in another stone with 71depth 69 table, 1.04, exc/very good on the cut ratings and see what that looks like. If that's no good I may try jamesallen.com. No sales tax to my state and free shipping with 100% return (and better prices of course).

Appreciate all the input from everyone here.
 
I would check out these on GOG...I like the 2nd one...G SI1..the ASET is very nice as is the performance. and the H VS2 also the best performer of the 3. Click on "reserve diamond" to see the prices. Good Old Gold will do a video of several stones so you can compare them side by side. All 3 are a lot less than $12k except for the 1.8c which is around 15k

Like stated above you can't tell fancies by the numbers.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10555/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10552/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11477/

Over budget but a great performer too and large:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11273/
 
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