Going for the upgrade. Opinions on current stone vs. what we should get?

[caseyp2005]

We have decided to upgrade my center stone to a 1 ct. or slightly under. I thought since everyone here is so helpful I would post my current stone to see what you all think about what specs the upgraded stone should be. I kinda feel like the jeweler where my fiance bought my ring is just pushing us towards the more expensive stones to get a bigger sale.

Anyway, here is my current stone (and forgive me I am no expert so I am just copying what is on the EGL certificate)

Princess cut
weight: .62 ct

Proportions
Measurements: 4.78 x 4.49 x 3.38 mm
Depth: 75.1%
Table: 85%
Crown: 7.2%
Pavilion: 45.1%
Girdle: Very thin to thick polished
Culet: None

Finish
Polish: Good to very good
Symmetry: Good

Clarity Grade: VS2

Color Grade: E

Fluorescence: None

What do you think we could get in terms of color/clarity that would be comparable to what I currently have? The jeweler keeps telling me I should stay in the E range since "that is what I am used to" but from looking on here I have seen plenty of rings that are beautiful and not an E. And she keeps going on about how great of a stone he got and I should only keep the same specs when we upgrade. I am just afraid they are pushing the higher quality for a sale, like I said. And if that is the case, we can just go elsewhere!

Thanks for any opinions!
C

 

[Christy42]

Hey there, go to www.whiteflash.com, www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com, www.goodoldgold.com, www.bluenile.com. Try doing a search using some of your specs. You should get lots of choices.

Bump....Moving you up.

 

[Sashabella]

I think you should check out a bunch of different colour graded stones in person before deciding. A diamond can look very different in a photo than in person.

 

[valeria101]

EGL's "E" is probably GIA's "F"... so much for the idea that you should stay with the same grade.

G-VS2 should look no different; same goes for a lucky SI1 - I think.

It wouldn't hurt to keep depth and table near 65% (or at least below 70%), girdle thin-medium and look out for a piece known to be relatively brilliant for a princess cut.

There doensn't seem to be many princess diamonds neither too deep or flat faced (=with large tables) to choose from...

A seacrh for: "Princess, 0.8-0.99 cts, F-G color, VS2-SI1 clarity, 57-67% depth, 56-70% table, , GIA certified" turned up just 11 listings (6 stones, really). And that doesn't even account for brilliance: just size (hopefully about 5.5-5.7mm) and price.

Among them, this (0.87, G/VS2) looked good. DirtCheapDiamonds lists a better price (as usual) but the database link didn't seem to work.

Just an idea

 

[Mara]

I agree with Val that you probably would be fine with an F or a G esp from an EGL E...you can go into some local stores and see some colors side by side, but keep in mind that a well-cut stone will definitely look better face up than a badly-cut stone..so if you found a fabulously cut princess, the color may not matter *as much*. Good luck!

Oh and also, check out www.gemappraisers.com for the AGA cut grading chart. Princesses are tough to gauge in terms of just numbers, but the AGA Chart for Princesses should help you figure out what type of table and depth to look for, also the girdle (stay away from very thick or very thin as an average), etc. Your princess seems a bit deep with a larger table...so your upgrade if it is well cut could look even larger than a 1c to your eyes!

 

[caseyp2005]

thanks everyone, that helps a lot. I think we are just going to go to another store and shop around. We are already not getting my wedding band from that store because they were twice as much as Signed Pieces and that was their bottom line. No negotiation. Oh well, their loss