Help me choose a diamond =)

[wangz09]

Hi everyone,

Really hope to get some opinion on the 3 diamonds below.
All are GIA graded, confirmed to be eye clean (so I'm not too worried about clarity here), all graded "excellent" in cut (by the retailer, so I guess that's generally meaningless).

I obviously prefer a bigger diamond, but the 1st one (2.01 ct) one is over $3k cheaper, and I read the radiant cut will disguise the color well. So is it worth it to spend more the extra money? Which one of the following would be the best "value"?

$12,000
Shape: Radiant
Carat: 2.01 ct.
Colour: I
Clarity: VVS2
Depth: 71.8%
Table: 68%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Very Thick
Measurements: 4.7x6.54x7.22


$15,300
Radiant
Carat: 2.25 ct.
Colour: H
Clarity: SI2
Depth: 69.8%
Table: 68%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
Girdle: Slightly Thick-Thick
Measurements: 4.99x7.15x7.17

$14,200
Shape: Princess
Carat: 2.11 ct.
Colour: I
Clarity: SI1
Depth: 66.6%
Table: 70%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Thin - Thick
Measurements: 4.78x7.17x7.42

 

[wangz09]

I was able to get a pictures of the $15300 (2nd one)... not sure if this helps

 

[krisjon]

I was able to get a pictures of the $15300 (2nd one)... not sure if this helps

Doesn't look eye clean. Hard to tell what magnification this is, though. With black crystals/inclusions under the table, I'd pass on that one.

For any of these, you'll need more than just pictures, though. IdealScope or ASET are preferable, but not all vendors can provide this. Modified/fancy cuts are also a little tougher to judge because there are fewer clear-cut, acceptable standards like rounds.

Here's a good place to start, though: http://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/radiant-cut-diamond

Who are you shopping with?

 

[ecf8503]

What shape are you looking for? I see you have both radiant and princess.

I'd never buy a fancy stone without seeing some kind of proof of light performance. ASET or Idealscope. A trusted vendor's opinion at the very least. However, a cut grade rating by the vendor and not a lab is worthless, as you stated. Princesses are graded on cut by AGS, so if you are looking for the best cut quality (which you should be) then that's a good place to start.

Radiants can often have a mushy, crushed ice look to them - not as much structure as a princess. Do you (or your lady) have a preference? There's nothing wrong with crushed ice - some people like that look, some don't.

An ideal cut stone will face up larger and whiter than an equivalently weighted stone that is less well cut. The cut is what makes it sparkle. And you can't judge fancy shape cut on numbers - they have to be seen.

Try looking at James Allen and Good Old Gold to start with - James Allen even has videos so you can see what the stone looks like.

 

[wangz09]

I was able to get a pictures of the $15300 (2nd one)... not sure if this helps

Doesn't look eye clean. Hard to tell what magnification this is, though. With black crystals/inclusions under the table, I'd pass on that one.

For any of these, you'll need more than just pictures, though. IdealScope or ASET are preferable, but not all vendors can provide this. Modified/fancy cuts are also a little tougher to judge because there are fewer clear-cut, acceptable standards like rounds.

Here's a good place to start, though: http://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/radiant-cut-diamond

Who are you shopping with?

Thanks for the advice

These diamonds are from Zoara.
I was weary of the black crystals too, and the rep from Zoara said he actually called the vendor to double confirm it is eye clean, which I found surprising too.

I guess the hunt continues...

 

[wangz09]

What shape are you looking for? I see you have both radiant and princess.

I'd never buy a fancy stone without seeing some kind of proof of light performance. ASET or Idealscope. A trusted vendor's opinion at the very least. However, a cut grade rating by the vendor and not a lab is worthless, as you stated. Princesses are graded on cut by AGS, so if you are looking for the best cut quality (which you should be) then that's a good place to start.

Radiants can often have a mushy, crushed ice look to them - not as much structure as a princess. Do you (or your lady) have a preference? There's nothing wrong with crushed ice - some people like that look, some don't.

An ideal cut stone will face up larger and whiter than an equivalently weighted stone that is less well cut. The cut is what makes it sparkle. And you can't judge fancy shape cut on numbers - they have to be seen.

Try looking at James Allen and Good Old Gold to start with - James Allen even has videos so you can see what the stone looks like.

My bf will be buying the ring, but I guess I'm a bit of a control freak so im pretty invovled in the *selection* process lol

I prefer a square/rectangle shaped stone, not very picky if its princess, radiant or asscher, and I don't really mind the crushed ice look either. I thought this would make the selection process easier..... but I guess it isn't helping much haha

We are also in Canada, we have People's (Zale's equivalent), and apparently most smaller jewelers are also overpriced (or so we've heard), so we kind of are stuck with online US retailers.....

 

[ecf8503]

Look on Good Old Gold's site. There are lots of "square" shaped stones - Brellia, princess, asschers, Octavia asscher, August Vintage Cushions, etc. Poke around there - see what you like the look of - maybe check out their videos on YouTube to get a better idea of what they really look like in motion.

http://www.youtube.com/user/GOGDiamondLab/videos

http://www.youtube.com/user/DiamondInfoMan/videos

 

[ecf8503]

I went looking on GOG - here are a few just to give you an idea of the flavors of square / rectangular stones out there.

Gorgeous princess for $13.3K (reserve it to see the price, then empty your cart) http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11765/

Signature cushion (more of a crushed ice look) http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10909/

Brellia Hearts & Arrows cushion http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11389/

Princess of hearts (yummy!) http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8093/

Octavia asscher http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11178/

August Vintage Cushion (larger, chunkier facets) http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10806/

 

[wangz09]

Thanks everyone for all the advice so far.



The vendor just sent the picture of the $12000 one 2.01ct

I guess it may not be the BEST cut, but the price point is definitely very attractive for the carat size.

Do you see any obvious problems with this one? I think I might go with this one ....
I personally don't see any obvious light leackage, but I'm no expert
the vendor confirmed there is no yellow/brownish tone in the diamond at all. Just want to hear your opinion

 

[JulieN]

If you are indifferent between a radiant and a princess, usually you can get better cut princesses than radiants.