Diamond cuts and a few stones at dirtcheapdiamonds

[d-man]

Hi,
I''ve been trying to become as informed as possible before asking this.

It seems that cuts are arbitrary with each vendor a little different/reliable. I''m still confused about the whole thing. Anyway, I found these Signature, IDeal and Premium Princess cuts at DCD.com. My budget is about 2000-2500, including the ring - I have selected one of their antique style rings. Is the Premium cut so much worse than the Ideal cut or Signature at DCD? I wanted to get a general idea of what you experts think about these stones. I don''t care much about the size differences but would like to have the color and clarity as high as I can. I will try to see them first (I live semi-near by) or at least send the one I like to an independent appraisor before purchase. Thanks in advance. Oh, this is for a 10-year anniversary in December, Princess and antique are required.

Here are the details:

DCD Signature Cut:
http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=6874703
Laboratory: GIA
Carat Weight: .56
Color: F
Clarity: VVS1
Measurements: 4.55x4.45x3.33
Depth: 74.8%
Table: 71%
Crown Height: 8.8%
Polish: GD
Symmetry: GD
Culet: None
Girdle: Ext Thin to Medium
Fluorescence: None
Culet: None
Lab Comments: None

DCD Ideal Cut 1:
http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=2342453
Laboratory: GIA
Carat Weight: 0.5
Color: D
Clarity: VVS2
Shape: Princess
Depth: 70.5%
Table: 68%
Polish: EX
Symmetry: VG
Culet: N
Girdle: STK-TK
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 4.4x4.4x3.1

DCD Ideal Cut 2:
http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=2334132
Laboratory: GIA
Carat Weight: 0.51
Color: D
Clarity: VVS2
Shape: Princess
Depth: 70.8%
Table: 66%
Polish: VG
Symmetry: VG
Culet: N
Girdle: STK-TK
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 4.70x4.28x3.03

DCD Premium Cut:
http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=2476643
Laboratory: GIA
Carat Weight: 0.62
Color: H
Clarity: VVS2
Shape: Princess
Depth: 71%
Table: 71%
Polish: VG
Symmetry: VG
Culet: N
Girdle: TN -STK
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 4.81x4.73x3.36

 

[niceice]

As much as we'd love to help you with narrowing down the selection of a princess cut diamond, the reality is that it really can't be done by the numbers, there are simply too many variables with fancy shape diamonds - although several of the gemological laboratories are trying to create systems for doing so at this moment. It is likely that when those systems are "complete" that they will only be reliable in terms of providing a glass ceiling for the public to bounce opinonated balloons off of. Your best bet is to call Jim at DCD and ask him to compare the four diamonds side-by-side in a variety of lighting scenarios to determine which one of those puppies is the most playful...

 

[valeria101]

Hm... I am a bit puzzled: "as high as possible in color and clarity" sounds like D/VVS but where does the H come from in the selection?

I suspect that only the "Signature" diamonds are selected for brilliance and the others follow some consideration on proportions (like the AGA charts do, but I am not aware of DCD's parameters for each cut class). Some of the "signature princess" stones sued to come with Iscope pictures at DCD - and I miss those good times

In keeping with previous post by Niceice, would it be possible to ask for Iscope pics on two D/E-VVS stones? maybe one "signature" and one not but both with tight AGA grades? I could not think of a better way to procede... (not that there isn't any!).

I particularly like the numbers of the "DCD Ideal 1" stone - it is perfectly square, not too deep and promissing by AGA blessing. (the other "ideal" D is not all that square...)

And how about THIS ?

 

[moremoremore]

that is very sweet!

I had one question- why are you aiming for vvs clarity? Are you set on that? Just wondering

 

[moremoremore]

I certainly do understand the sentiment about wanting to go for high clarity...but just figured if you weren't set on it...maybe these would also do?
DCD .56 F Vs1 69.6 depth, 65 table $1775
DCD .57 E vs1 67.9, 66 $1790
DCD .60 E Vs1 68.2, 66 $1884

Of course, that by no means that the stones are great performers...but it's not a bad place to start!!!

 

[moremoremore]

again, not trying to talk you into lower clarity...but check out the BScope and image of this puppy...all reds and blacks!

OK- no more from me!

http://www.superbcert.com/Shop_By_Product/Diamond_Details.cfm/P/671/N/1;1

 

[d-man]

Thanks for the advise. It is not an easy decision with all the options available. I believe I'll be sticking with DCD because they are the only online vendor that has a decent selection of antique style rings. It amazes me because they are "in" right now. After reading your responses and some more research, I will be focusing on finding a rock that is cut more for light return since I can't afford everything.

I did find out from DCD, and I haven't noticed it on any web sites (but I breeze through some of the technical content), about the percentage range for Princess-shape diamonds. From 1.00-1.05 anything over or under is when you start getting a rectangle. Thanks for the posts!