Help! Can I do better? 1.01 Carat, I Color, VS1 Princess

[Lukitas]

Hi,

After weeks of researching and learning about the subject I made a decision on the setting and would like some input on which rock to purchase.

I will be pairing it up with this setting or something similar if I have to go to another website:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7027

My budget for the diamond is between $4000 - $4300. Should I compromise the size to go with a better cur/color/clarity? The diamond that I had in mind was this:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-306658


Thank you so much for your help and I am so excited about this.

 

[ecf8503]

Don't buy anything without getting light performance images. Pick 2 more stones from JA and request ASET images for all 3 (they will evaluate up to 3 stones for free).

 

[Lukitas]

I will be picking up two more stones of similar specifications and ask for ASET images for them. Do you have any suggestions of which color/clarity combination makes up a good Princess cut? I seem a lot of information on the internet and it seems difficult to find a consensus of which table and depth combination I should be looking for to find the rock that is going to maximize light reflection for a princess cut.

 

[ecf8503]

Color is personal preference. Princesses face up smaller than rounds of equivalent weight, but they can concentrate color at times. I don't have any problem dropping down to a J, but if you want to be safe stick w I or above. Clarity depends as well - to get the most for your money I'd look for eye-clean SI's or VS's that pose no durability concerns (feathers breaking the surface, etc - the gemologist will evaluate that as well).

If I were shopping for a princess I'd narrow my search to AGS stones (under advanced search options) and look for stones that score a 0 in light performance. I took a quick look and there are several.

ETA: AGS 0 stones have already been proven to have ideal light performance and an additional ASET isn't necessary.

 

[RandG]

Pretty choice and worth an in-person view. I don't know that an ASET will help you too much with this stone. Your eyes will be the better judge.

If you're open to a pre-loved piece, I just happened to see this one come online and the mounting seems to be exactly what you're looking for. With a good polishing, it will look like new. It's a little bigger, slightly over your budget, but a signed piece with all the right hallmarks and paperwork. This ring, at the right price, is a better value than what you're currently eyeing, in my opinion.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tiffany-Co-1-20-Ct-Princess-Cut-Platinum-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-/131243672146?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item1e8ebb8252

I think there's room here to negotiate with the seller if you can get video and additional photos in other lighting conditions. I would also ask if you can return the ring, should it not please you, if you offer to pay return shipping.

Good luck in your search!

 

[tyty333]

Hi,

After weeks of researching and learning about the subject I made a decision on the setting and would like some input on which rock to purchase.

I will be pairing it up with this setting or something similar if I have to go to another website:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7027

My budget for the diamond is between $4000 - $4300. Should I compromise the size to go with a better cur/color/clarity? The diamond that I had in mind was this:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-306658


Thank you so much for your help and I am so excited about this.

I think this stone looks pretty nice. Request an aset then we can tell if its a really nice stone or not. I would try to stick with "I" or
above in color (but thats me) with a princess. Actually I would probably stop at "H" but if you are wanting to maximize size an
"I' makes sense.

You might try looking at Whiteflash also.

 

[Lukitas]

Pretty choice and worth an in-person view. I don't know that an ASET will help you too much with this stone. Your eyes will be the better judge.

If you're open to a pre-loved piece, I just happened to see this one come online and the mounting seems to be exactly what you're looking for. With a good polishing, it will look like new. It's a little bigger, slightly over your budget, but a signed piece with all the right hallmarks and paperwork. This ring, at the right price, is a better value than what you're currently eyeing, in my opinion.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tiffany-Co-1-20-Ct-Princess-Cut-Platinum-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-/131243672146?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item1e8ebb8252

I think there's room here to negotiate with the seller if you can get video and additional photos in other lighting conditions. I would also ask if you can return the ring, should it not please you, if you offer to pay return shipping.

Good luck in your search!

Randg,

That is a beauty of a ring. I never thought about a ''pre-loved'' piece. Is that generally accepted? At what price is this ring a better value than the one I have my eyes on?

Thank you for your help!

 

[RockyRacoon]

Have you seen an I-colored Princess stone in person?

In my experience, you will DEFINITELY see body color, and with the setting you have posted, you will see some tint from the side. Much more so than a round brilliant stone.

I would suggest dropping SLIGHTLY in size, if you can expand your budget a little bit:

.91ct, H, VVS2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12035/

.92ct, G, VS2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12036/

Personally, I would go for the G-colored stone, as you know the tint will be greatly reduced and it should look quite white, even from the side. I also like that it's a perfect square. It's under $5k and has killer performance, with a Lifetime Guarantee! GOG would be able to get you set up with a comparable setting to the one you had linked, and it will probably be less expensive, as they offer a discount on settings when purchasing a stone of this value.

Best of luck!

 

[RandG]

Pretty choice and worth an in-person view. I don't know that an ASET will help you too much with this stone. Your eyes will be the better judge.

If you're open to a pre-loved piece, I just happened to see this one come online and the mounting seems to be exactly what you're looking for. With a good polishing, it will look like new. It's a little bigger, slightly over your budget, but a signed piece with all the right hallmarks and paperwork. This ring, at the right price, is a better value than what you're currently eyeing, in my opinion.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tiffany-Co-1-20-Ct-Princess-Cut-Platinum-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-/131243672146?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item1e8ebb8252

I think there's room here to negotiate with the seller if you can get video and additional photos in other lighting conditions. I would also ask if you can return the ring, should it not please you, if you offer to pay return shipping.

Good luck in your search!

Randg,

That is a beauty of a ring. I never thought about a ''pre-loved'' piece. Is that generally accepted? At what price is this ring a better value than the one I have my eyes on?

Thank you for your help!

Isn't it lovely? There are many, like me, who try diligently to avoid buying "new". If you Google vintage celebrity engagement rings, you will see an array who bought their rings on the secondary market, through reputable estate dealers and auction houses. Think Oscars-- mostly all vintage pieces. Utilizing the secondary market is a means of getting a signed piece without all the retail premiums you're going to have in buying a "new" piece. In this case, the price is aggressive. The ring is in MINT condition, and doesn't need a polishing. If you want it to look 100% new, you can take it to Tiffany, have it re-registered in your name, and get it serviced.

I would crunch the numbers and try to negotiate for this ring. It's not far off your numbers, presents solid specs, and it's Tiffany, a bonus. Tiffany has some of the highest diamond cut/grading standards out there. You're buying all that pedigree represents, with excellent re-sale value should you ever want to upgrade or need liquidity from the piece. If you can secure this ring in the $6000-7500 range, I thinks its a good value. I would offer $6000, to start. If you get it for less than $6500, you're a hero! Paypal/ebay fees are more than 10% of the selling price for this seller. There's room in the price, if you get creative. Seller has good feedback and a solid history selling other signed pieces.

If you proceed, make sure you have a chance to view it in-person before the deal is firm. Offer to pay shipping both ways, if that's what it takes.

Keep us posted!

 

[Lukitas]

Have you seen an I-colored Princess stone in person?

In my experience, you will DEFINITELY see body color, and with the setting you have posted, you will see some tint from the side. Much more so than a round brilliant stone.

I would suggest dropping SLIGHTLY in size, if you can expand your budget a little bit:

.91ct, H, VVS2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12035/

.92ct, G, VS2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12036/

Personally, I would go for the G-colored stone, as you know the tint will be greatly reduced and it should look quite white, even from the side. I also like that it's a perfect square. It's under $5k and has killer performance, with a Lifetime Guarantee! GOG would be able to get you set up with a comparable setting to the one you had linked, and it will probably be less expensive, as they offer a discount on settings when purchasing a stone of this value.

Best of luck!

Rocky Racoon,

I have seen an I colored diamond in person but at a display setting with the lights which made it more difficult for me to distinguish the color. Those are great diamonds and I will be calling to see the prices of the diamonds in the links. I do have room to expand my budget so I will be contacting the seller for pricing.

Thank you very much,

Lucas

 

[RockyRacoon]

Have you seen an I-colored Princess stone in person?

In my experience, you will DEFINITELY see body color, and with the setting you have posted, you will see some tint from the side. Much more so than a round brilliant stone.

I would suggest dropping SLIGHTLY in size, if you can expand your budget a little bit:

.91ct, H, VVS2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12035/

.92ct, G, VS2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12036/

Personally, I would go for the G-colored stone, as you know the tint will be greatly reduced and it should look quite white, even from the side. I also like that it's a perfect square. It's under $5k and has killer performance, with a Lifetime Guarantee! GOG would be able to get you set up with a comparable setting to the one you had linked, and it will probably be less expensive, as they offer a discount on settings when purchasing a stone of this value.

Best of luck!

Rocky Racoon,

I have seen an I colored diamond in person but at a display setting with the lights which made it more difficult for me to distinguish the color. Those are great diamonds and I will be calling to see the prices of the diamonds in the links. I do have room to expand my budget so I will be contacting the seller for pricing.

Thank you very much,

Lucas

If you click 'Reserve Diamond' on the page, the price will show in your cart (without you having to actually buy it).

Regardless, it would be worthwhile to give GOG a call to ask if they can make a video of those two stones, along with a similarly-priced I-colored stone, so you can compare them side by side!