First timer in search of the perfect diamond

[MaxPow3r]

First off, I''m in the market for an engagement ring, actually either the Ritani Endless Love princess cut or the Ritani Bella Vita (similar design). I''m looking for:

* Princess cut diamond
* VS1 - VS2 clarity
* D - G color
* 1.0 - 1.1 carot
* Ideal cut (even though princess aren''t rated cut by AIG), but best cut I can get
* Excellent polish
* No fluorescence
* Depth < 75%

Am I missing anything?


I''ve spoken with an individual at Pearlman''s and am very happy with my experience there so far, so more than likely I''m going to order from them. Yesterday however, I went to Robbins Brothers just to take a look at a few different quality diamonds first hand. I looked at a few VS1 and VS2''s with color ranging from D - G and honestly couldn''t tell a difference between any of them with the naked eye. The depth varied as well and of course made certain 1 ct diamonds look slightly bigger than others. They also had some "special" cut princess cut called the Elexse (sp?), but it was an H color, however I could tell it had more brilliance to it than the comparable "Very good" cut of similar specs. They wouldn''t let me photocopy the diamond specs, but I''ll post what I can remember.

1.04 Ct Princess Cut - $6,200
* F Color
* VS1 Clarity
* Excellent Symmetry
* Very Good Polish
* Table ~ 73%
* Depth ~ 72%
* Girdle Med - Vry Thck

1.03 ct Princess Cut - $5,850
* H Color
* VS1 Clarity
* Excellent Symmetry
* Very Good Polish
* Table ~ 70%
* Depth ~ 72%
* Special Elexse cut (most brilliant)

Like I mentioned, the only noticeable difference between the two was that the latter (special cut) was definitely more brilliant and had more sparkle than the previous. Just looking at prices here on pricescope Robbin''s Bro''s seems pretty high. So in my search for the perfect diamond, other than the price am I on the right track? It feels so overwhelming at the moment and am a little weary of purchasing a diamond over the Internet that I''ve never seen first hand, but I know I''ll save a lot of money that way.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/29/2008 10:17:38 AM
Author:MaxPow3r
First off, I'm in the market for an engagement ring, actually either the Ritani Endless Love princess cut or the Ritani Bella Vita (similar design). I'm looking for:

* Princess cut diamond
* VS1 - VS2 clarity
* D - G color
* 1.0 - 1.1 carot
* Ideal cut (even though princess aren't rated cut by AIG), but best cut I can get
* Excellent polish
* No fluorescence
* Depth < 75%

Am I missing anything?


I've spoken with an individual at Pearlman's and am very happy with my experience there so far, so more than likely I'm going to order from them. Yesterday however, I went to Robbins Brothers just to take a look at a few different quality diamonds first hand. I looked at a few VS1 and VS2's with color ranging from D - G and honestly couldn't tell a difference between any of them with the naked eye. The depth varied as well and of course made certain 1 ct diamonds look slightly bigger than others. They also had some 'special' cut princess cut called the Elexse (sp?), but it was an H color, however I could tell it had more brilliance to it than the comparable 'Very good' cut of similar specs. They wouldn't let me photocopy the diamond specs, but I'll post what I can remember.

1.04 Ct Princess Cut - $6,200
* F Color
* VS1 Clarity
* Excellent Symmetry
* Very Good Polish
* Table ~ 73%
* Depth ~ 72%
* Girdle Med - Vry Thck

1.03 ct Princess Cut - $5,850
* H Color
* VS1 Clarity
* Excellent Symmetry
* Very Good Polish
* Table ~ 70%
* Depth ~ 72%
* Special Elexse cut (most brilliant)

Like I mentioned, the only noticeable difference between the two was that the latter (special cut) was definitely more brilliant and had more sparkle than the previous. Just looking at prices here on pricescope Robbin's Bro's seems pretty high. So in my search for the perfect diamond, other than the price am I on the right track? It feels so overwhelming at the moment and am a little weary of purchasing a diamond over the Internet that I've never seen first hand, but I know I'll save a lot of money that way.

Welcome Max,

I would perhaps consider an H colour and even SI clarity if eyeclean to your standards. This could help broaden the options. It is cut which makes a diamond beautiful, so you could perhaps try to find some AGS0 cut grade Princess as these should be good performers. The diamond above has a very thick girdle, so I would look for a diamond which has thin to medium, slightly thick etc - or even thick can be ok in these shapes if an expert vendor verifies that it is just an area of the girdle and isn't wasting weight. Fluorescence can be considered a positive attribute in a diamond, it has many fans here, so unless you definitely prefer to avoid it, it is unlikely a diamond with fluorescence will have an adverse effect on it, and it is rare that strong blue does anyway. Symmetry and polish, very good and above should be fine also. Why wouldn't the company noted above let you take note of the diamond's proportions??


As to the Elexse cut, that sounds like a branded diamond, you could certainly find an equally beautiful non branded stone and avoid any resultant price premium. Would you consider buying online at all? Pearlmans have an excellent rep here as do many of the other vendors, so you would be in good hands. Also don't rely on labels such as Very Good cut etc, these are not a guarantee of a well cut diamond, compare each on their own proportions, your own eyes and aids such as ASET if buying online.

 

[MaxPow3r]

What do you guys think of these two below that I found on Whiteflash?

1.01 ct G VS1 Princess

1.03 ct G VS1 Princess

 

[dockman3]

I would say pass on both of those. If you are going to use WF, go with their "A Cut Above" line, or ACA, as we call it. Those are going to be the best performing stones. The ASET images of both of these diamonds was too green for my taste. Green indicates leakage, if I''m not mistaken, and red is returned light. You want a lot of red in your image. Here''s a good ACA to compare to near your specs:

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-912089.htm#

This is a higher color than you wanted, but you get the idea. Look at the difference in the ASET and IS images and you''ll start to get a feel for what''s better or worse. Also, GoodOldGold has a great tutorial on ASET and IS. I''ll try to post the link in your other thread.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/29/2008 1:46:41 PM
Author: MaxPow3r
What do you guys think of these two below that I found on Whiteflash?

1.01 ct G VS1 Princess

1.03 ct G VS1 Princess

Actually, the first looks to be an attractive diamond, there can be some nice stones to be found in Expert Selection. I would ask WF for their opinion on the suitability of this diamond for you, and if not, then they could suggest some others. The second stone doesn't appeal to me as much.

 

[Lovinglife1983]

eh the I try to tell people to stay away from internet purchasing....The elexese is an awesome diamond as far as what it gives off (light performance wise). If price is such a big issue for you then dont go with that cut...i recently upgraded my diamond and found a great cut(at Robbins Brothers) at an awesome price. Not to mention the warranties they offer...a lifetime diamond warranty that covers her NO matter what...they have a way where you can purchase and save without receiving all that they have to offer but why would you do that?? if youre going to marry her dont you think she deserves the best...if you want to go above and beyond I say stick with Robbins Bros., why purchase a diamond you cannot see with no coverage? no face to face contact when she has a question or an issue with her ring?? youre not doing her justice, and if my husband went the "inexpensive" route and passed up on all I could receive I would be a pissy wife

I dont know; sorry if I seem too defensive but I cant help but cheer for that company they have made me one happy customer and treat me like a queen; and believe me I have shopped everywhere including the internet sites and ended up paying a little more but it was worth every penny...best of luck to you!!

 

[Lovinglife1983]

 

[jstarfireb]

Date: 7/30/2008 1:27:58 AM
Author: Lovinglife1983
eh the I try to tell people to stay away from internet purchasing....

Most people around here will say the opposite! There''s nothing wrong with purchasing online from a trusted vendor that provides a ton of info about their stones (and has a good return policy). Whiteflash, Good Old Gold, and James Allen tend to be the most popular around here because of their excellent customer service and beautiful diamonds. If you prefer going with a branded cut (like the Elexse), check out the "A Cut Above" stones from Whiteflash. They will be just as beautiful and sparkly with a lower price point. B&M stores tend to have a combination of stones of lower cut quality (please don''t compromise on cut!) and better cut stones that are extremely expensive.

FWIW, I think that first stone from WF looks pretty nice. The second one has a decent amount of red in the ASET, but its center pattern is not attractive to me.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/30/2008 1:41:29 AM
Author: jstarfireb

Date: 7/30/2008 1:27:58 AM
Author: Lovinglife1983
eh the I try to tell people to stay away from internet purchasing....

Most people around here will say the opposite! There''s nothing wrong with purchasing online from a trusted vendor that provides a ton of info about their stones (and has a good return policy). Whiteflash, Good Old Gold, and James Allen tend to be the most popular around here because of their excellent customer service and beautiful diamonds. If you prefer going with a branded cut (like the Elexse), check out the ''A Cut Above'' stones from Whiteflash. They will be just as beautiful and sparkly with a lower price point. B&M stores tend to have a combination of stones of lower cut quality (please don''t compromise on cut!) and better cut stones that are extremely expensive.

FWIW, I think that first stone from WF looks pretty nice. The second one has a decent amount of red in the ASET, but its center pattern is not attractive to me.

BIG ditto. Brenda, that is great that you had such a good experience, but many of us have purchased diamonds from the internet with excellent results and in fact have done so several times as we have been so pleased. I see you are new to Pricescope, if you stick around you will see how this place works and how successful purchasing online has been for many.