Help choosing diamond from James Allen, ASETS included

[aznknightt]

Hello everybody!

Been looking at diamonds and rings for the past month. Hoping to be purchasing one this week. Here are two selections i narrowed it down to.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1388841.asp
Carat weight: 1.01
Cut: Premium
Color: E
Clarity: VS2
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 73.5%
Table: 73.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Very thin to slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.70*5.46*4.01
Ratio: 1.04



and

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1444948.asp
Carat weight: 1.01
Cut: Ideal
Color: F
Clarity: VS2
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 72.6%
Table: 67.0%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Medium to slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.68*5.47*3.97
Ratio: 1.04





In the website pictures the first diamond (E-color) has a cleaner whiter look. After sending me the ASETs, I was surprised James Allen said the F color has very good fire and brilliance and is the brightest of your selections. Please help me look at the Asets to see if they are true. Are any of these diamonds even a good selection? Thank you guys! Love this forum!

Yang

 

[yssie]

The photography of those two is very different, so we couldn't compare them and say that the E is brighter even though it does look more brilliant in the pic.

As for what they said - stones have nuances that photos, numerical tools, reflector tools can't convey, and since they do have the stones in-hand and can examine and compare them for you I would definitely recommend asking your rep any questions about why they chose the F.


But... I can't say I'm head over heels for either. What's your budget? We might be able to help you find some others to consider as well.


1ct F SI1 WF ACA $6.3k http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2642472.htm

 

[aznknightt]

My budget is $5,500 for the diamond (1 ct, VS2 or better, and G color or better). Yeah I wasn't that excited after seeing the ASETs. Seems like most James Allen diamonds look like that. Now I don't feel ready to make a purchase....

 

[yssie]

My budget is $5,500 for the diamond (1 ct, VS2 or better, and G color or better). Yeah I wasn't that excited after seeing the ASETs. Seems like most James Allen diamonds look like that. Now I don't feel ready to make a purchase....

No worries. It's not a bad stone, or an ugly stone - sorry if I misled you!! In fact it should be very pretty IRL, it's just not uber super duper at returning direct light like you'll get from the boutiques, and given the even-ness and type of patterning that we can see in the photo we can actually make some of those comparisons, if that makes sense? Though if colour and/or clarity and/or size are the priorities this might turn out to be the best choice. The out-of-squaredness would bug me, if it was my stone, but that may not be something you/she cares about?

I'll poke around a bit in a few, and hopefully some of the Princess People like jstar will see this as well. We'll find something that you'll be thrilled with, not to worry!

 

[slg47]

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1356546.asp

what about this one?

 

[JulieN]

They both look ok, should be very pretty in real life, I prefer the F. The 1.02 G VS1, I'm anxious to see an ASET for, as I previously suggested it to another poster, but I guess he didn't pursue it.

 

[aznknightt]

I actually care about the light reflection the most. I want it to be very sparkly, therefore will pass on those two diamonds and keep looking. That G diamond does look very nice! Thank you guys.

 

[aznknightt]

The G diamond's GIA Report shows it as a rectangle....but the ratio i only 1.02 . The picture doesn't show a rectangle diamond... weird

 

[yssie]

I like that G from JA - that report is bizarre though, other princesses w/ bigger L/W differences don't have rectangular plots like that but looks like faceting matches, but if it was me I'd ask JA about it for peace of mind..!

0.91 F VS1 GOG signature http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7874/
1.02 G VS1 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1451904.asp no report though, I'd pick slg's G first for the last free ASET

 

[aznknightt]

Will update once i get the aset. Thank you!

 

[aznknightt]

Okay so couldn't get the Aset for the G diamond, guess lurkers took it already, but I saw this new diamond put in stock and had to ask for the Aset on it.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1452397.asp

Carat weight: 1.00
Cut: Ideal
Color: F
Clarity: VS1
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 69.6%
Table: 71.0%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Medium to extremely thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.47*5.49*3.82
Ratio: 1.00





Is this the one? Will it have good light reflection? Thanks for all the input

 

[yssie]

Good, it's on hold!

Well - all things considered, we have to give a bit somewhere - I think it looks like a nice stone, from the pics! What did your JA rep think of it?

I would recommend that you plan on an independent appraisal of the loose stone to confirm that it's in the condition described on the report - report is from 2009, you'll want to confirm that it hasn't acquired any significant wear & tear in the intervening years from setting or daily wear.

 

[JulieN]

I think it looks pretty good.

 

[farmer gal]

It looks like a nice stone, I agree with getting an appraisal done, you really should anyways

 

[aznknightt]

This is what James Allen rep said:

"I have great news, our gemologist has determined that diamond 1452397
has very good fire and brilliance and is perfectly eye clean. It has
a slightly higher F color performance than diamond 1452398, though the
average eye may not see this. Of your selections, this princess cut
is the most square in shape.

Diamonds 1452397 and 1452398 are both bright diamonds that will offer
you great fire and brilliance. You truly cannot go wrong with either
of these selections, though I would recommend diamond 1452397 as the
better diamond since it has a higher F color performance, a more
square cut, and doesn't have a cavity."



I called the rep and they don't have any history on the stone, so not sure if it's pre-owned (hope not). But they said the gemologist didn't mention any problems with it.

 

[jstarfireb]

Thanks for the shout-out, Yssie!

I don't like the first two...lots of leakage and asymmetrical light return. I think you've already ruled those out, though. It's a shame about the G! That looked like the best of the bunch from the pics. It doesn't say it's on hold, though, and it still comes up when I search; maybe the person who was considering it ended up passing on it? It's worth asking again.

The last one looks a lot nicer than the first two. I would ask about the extremely thick parts of the girdle and whether it might be affecting light performance or face-up size (although the proportions look perfect for a 1ct princess).

Here are a few more options at JA:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1453521.asp - looks bright, great color, good spread. Ask if the polish being "good" has any negative effect on light return. This is my favorite of the JA stones if the G that SLG and Julie recommended is truly unavailable.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1451904.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1452398.asp

Would you consider lower color and/or clarity (if eye-clean) to help stay in budget? I don't think you'll tell much of a difference between G and H color. As for clarity, the difference between VS2 and an eye-clean SI1-2 is that you're paying for something you can't actually see with the VS2. (Granted, I like high clarity and got a VVS2...)

This one is a good price and has GOG's lifetime guarantee, even if it might fall short of AGS0 standards (check if the SI2 is eye-clean):
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/8925/

Finally, consider a diamond in the 0.9-1.0 ct range to avoid the 1ct price premium. Have you seen this one? It faces up a respectable 5.3mm, very close to the "standard" of 5.5mm for 1ct:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...0.901-g-vs2-princess-diamond-ags-104046707017

 

[aznknightt]

Thanks Jstarfirb, I will have a friend help me get Aset on that G diamond and the E diamond you recommend and finally make a purchase

 

[jstarfireb]

Excellent! I have high hopes for both of them and am eager to see what the ASETs look like! The E will make me a teeny bit jealous if it has a nice ASET, considering it has such great color and spread at a really good price.

 

[aznknightt]

Ok here are the Asets!!! All 3 Choices seem to have good images. Please help me decide on one based on all the specs and not just the Aset alone. Which one would you buy? Looking to purchase tomorrow morning.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1453521.asp Note* GIA Certificate is from 2006

Carat weight: 1.03
Cut: Ideal
Color: E
Clarity: VS2
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 70.7%
Table: 70.0%
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Thin to thick
Culet:
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.65*5.63*3.98
Ratio: 1.00




OR


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1356546.asp Note* GIA Certificate reports Rectangular

Carat weight: 1.02
Cut: Good
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 75.9%
Table: 71.0%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Slightly thick to thick
Culet:
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.50*5.40*4.10
Ratio: 1.02





FROM JA REP: " Diamond 1453521 has very good fire and brilliance, faces eye clean and is icy white in color.
Diamond 1356546 has very good light performance as well but is slightly grey under the table. It is eye clean and faces white but is slightly warmer in comparison to diamond 1453521. It also faces slightly smaller."


OR

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1452397.asp (posted before) Note* GIA from 2009

Carat weight: 1.00
Cut: Ideal
Color: F
Clarity: VS1
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 69.6%
Table: 71.0%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Medium to extremely thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.47*5.49*3.82
Ratio: 1.00

 

[aznknightt]

 

[Amys Bling]

I like the 1.03 E stone best

 

[aznknightt]

Thanks Amy, I am debating on the E and F one, anybody else want to give me their opinion?

 

[jstarfireb]

ASETs are all pretty similar, so I would choose the E based on color, dimensions, and JA's review. I also think it looks much nicer in the photo.

 

[aznknightt]

Done, went with the E VS2, will post pics when i receive it

 

[aznknightt]

OMG, the diamond ring was supposed to be shipped today and instead I got e-mail saying my diamond has been chipped during setting... Now i have to cancel all my weekend engagement plans....

 

[slg47]

OMG, the diamond ring was supposed to be shipped today and instead I got e-mail saying my diamond has been chipped during setting... Now i have to cancel all my weekend engagement plans....

oh no! will they give you a suitable replacement?

 

[jstarfireb]

OMG, the diamond ring was supposed to be shipped today and instead I got e-mail saying my diamond has been chipped during setting... Now i have to cancel all my weekend engagement plans....

oh no! will they give you a suitable replacement?

That's terrible!!! You finally get your heart set on something and it's ruined. Can they refund you and just sell you the F or G instead? And you can still propose if you made all the plans...just use a cheapo temporary CZ ring from a department store or something as a placeholder. You can explain to her that the ring is in progress but you didn't want to delay the proposal just because there was a delay with the ring production.

 

[aznknightt]

Thanks for caring you guys. I already cancelled the weekend plans and changing them to next weekend (it's still going to be a surprise). I told them to replace it with the F vs1 diamond, which is about $400 more. No choice, don't really have time to choose another diamond. Shit happens i guess. Just hope the diamond ring will be nice.

 

[jstarfireb]

I think I would have picked the G over the F if that matters, given the info available. But you could go either way.

ETA: What I mean by that is I prefer the photo of the G, even though the ASETs are similar. My choices would have been E>G>F. However, I can understand why you'd choose the F considering the gemologist thought the G was greyish under the table.

 

[aznknightt]

I really feel like i didn't have an option since the F one was the only one available. The G currently is on hold or been sold. The only thing I don't like about the G is the GIA report stating it is rectangular.... But the F isn't a bad choice right? Would you say it's better than most of the jAMES ALLEN princess diamonds? It seems very hard to find a good one on their site. Thanks for all your input and help.