Having a hard time!

[zach_xt]

This post may be nothing more than a vent, but I am creating it in an effort to field some suggestions. My GF originally stated that she wanted a Princess cut, as she is more drawn to the square aesthetic. In my research, I learned of all the other square shapes available, and wanted her to see what else is out there - to "open her eyes" to the options. Also in my research, I learned of the importance of cut, and was drawn to the Jubilee and Square H&A. I really wanted to get her the best possible performing stone that I could afford, something that would POP! However, she hasn''t really put much emphasis on this. The two most important factors seem to be size and color (we''re both fairly color-sensitive). Maybe I am placing too much importance on the wrong aspects of the diamond.

She likes Asschers and Princess, but we haven''t had the chance to see any other square shapes in person. She has even said that she''d be fine with a Round. I asked her recently if she would honestly prefer the princess cut. Her reply: "Mmmm, I don''t know." I started off on a clear path toward a Princess, but now through my countless hours on the net, have gone and muddied up everything. I guess I just want to hear something, anything, to help clear my mind a bit.

I am open to any stone suggestions with these parameters: Well cut, white as possible, big spread

My budget is ~$4000, but I''ll budge a bit for something really special. Does anyone out there have any suggestions or guidance for me?

 

[RockDoc]

Sounds to me like you go need to see more of the squarish shaped stones, with her ( since she obviously knows this is in the future for you) and see how she responds to such stones.

Where are you located? Are you near any of the vendor''s stores on PS?

Rockdoc

 

[belle]

if she just wants the biggest stone and is not worried about too much else (gasp!) then go for the princess. those corners can really make a stone look bigger (a round can fit in a square!). best of luck!

 

[XChick03]

Belle, I've always heard (and seen) that RBs look bigger than princesses. I have a .85 ct round and compared it to my mom's 1 ct princess and mine appears bigger, though not by much.

If she wants a square, but also likes rounds, a Square H&A may be perfect. I think they are absolutely gorgeous.

 

[AndyRosse]

You have to take her out looking at all different shape diamonds. If that is not possible, then sit her down with you here on PS and show her all the different shapes available.

I first told my FI that I wanted a princess or a round. But once I saw a princess and a round side by side, there was just no comparison to me, I wanted the round

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 2/21/2006 5:52:10 PM
Author: belle
if she just wants the biggest stone and is not worried about too much else (gasp!) then go for the princess. those corners can really make a stone look bigger (a round can fit in a square!). best of luck!

What she said.

I think you may be overthinking this a bit. Sounds to me like she wants a princess. If you''ve showed her Good Old Gold''s home page ... that there are other square shapes out there but none JUMPED out at her and made her change her mind ... Princess it is!

Asschers and Square H&A both seem to look smaller than Princesses too, so - since size is a priority, and she likes SQUARE better than round ... I think you have your answer.

The suggestion to look more in person is a good one -- does she seem interested in this. Unless you''re in a big metro area, it''s often hard to see more than round & princesses in person.

 

[zach_xt]

I live in California - nowhere near any of the good online vendors. I have taken her out to look at different shapes and shown her images online, but, frankly, she is tired of looking at diamonds. She just wants to try things on. I am going to try to take her out again to look at some cuts, hoping that she''ll make a decision regarding cut quality. The last time I took her out she felt that basically everything we were presented with looked nice. The only square shapes that exist around us are princess, radiant, and asscher. I have been talking to Tim at GOG for quite some time regarding Sq H&A. He has been terrific, BTW. I was heavily leaning toward that stone, but my girlfriend''s response to the images online was, "Ehhh, I need to see it on my hand. I don''t know. You know better than I do." When it comes down to it, she''ll probably be happy with anything. Maybe I should shift the price premium of the Sq H&A to a larger AGS0 Princess...

 

[belle]

Date: 2/21/2006 5:55:32 PM
Author: XChick03
Belle, I''ve always heard (and seen) that RBs look bigger than princesses. I have a .85 ct round and compared it to my mom''s 1 ct princess and mine appears bigger, though not by much.

If she wants a square, but also likes rounds, a Square H&A may be perfect. I think they are absolutely gorgeous.

that''s where cut quality makes a HUGE difference. 95% of the princess stones on the market are cut for weight and nothing more. you have a really well cut rb that is going to look bigger than many diamonds of the same weight range...including your mom''s 1ct princess

 

[belle]

Date: 2/21/2006 6:10:15 PM
Author: zach_xt

Maybe I should shift the price premium of the Sq H&A to a larger AGS0 Princess...

that would be my suggestion for sure. i can tell you from experience that the cut cornered squares do not look like squares when set. if she wants square, get the ags0 princess. otherwise get a quality round.

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 2/21/2006 6:10:15 PM
Author: zach_xt
Maybe I should shift the price premium of the Sq H& A to a larger AGS0 Princess...

That''s exactly what I''d do ... it may be hard to see an AGSO princess in person & have her try it on unless you pick one & have it sent (in a temp setting) to an appraiser near you ... and let her try it on that way. If it blows you both away, perfect! ... OR ... you could go out anywhere & try on regular Princesses to make sure she loves that shape & hone in on a setting ... then WOW WOW WOW her with an ideal cut one that will blow away all the ones she saw in person.

 

[Rhapsody]

If her first thought was that she wanted a square and she''s wishy-washy about the other shapes I would stick with a princess. I wanted a square too and wasn''t happy with the square-ish shapes like the square h&a, I knew that there was a sacrafice in sparkle with the princess but in the end I really wanted those corners!

Don''t let all the options bog you down! Good luck!

 

[zach_xt]

I tried again tonight to see if she would give me some direction. I showed her the round solitaire on the Tiffany site and she found it very attractive. I then showed her some rounds next to some princess, and she actually seemed to prefer the round. After giving her some time to think, I asked again what she''d prefer, and she told me she''d be happy with either. I think round may be the way to go after all. Anybody want to help me find a good ROUND stone?

 

[valeria101]

Square shape large for the weight (and money!) and brilliant.... sounds like one of the H&A things or a really well cut princes... or a square radiant.

I might even lean towards the last, since there may be less of a premium for fancy cut branding involved (even for one of the Grossbardt radiants) and it is easier -IMO- to find a radiant with good spread than a princess.

About the cut corners... well, they aren''t'' deep cut on radiants and there are prongs there anyway.

Also IMO, a badly cut princess is a scary, scary thing. A not so brilliant radiant cut would look better because the cut tends to have better scintillation even if brilliance is dead in the bush. But... please don''t look for bad cut diamonds

My 2c



And one more... about cut and whether it is important. IMO, anyone would find it important: only you guys may like the techie numbers and charts and girls might want the same demonstration based on diamonds laid out in front of them

The result may be the same - different methods. Pictures don''t help very well with that. They may even look ''fake''