HELP - State of Confusion for Princess Cut

[kitandmouse]

Hi - Just made a post/poll today with 3 princess cuts and all 3 of them are terrible according to the experts on in this forum. (and I believe in their wise comments!) So I don''t know what to do.

I am looking for 1+ carat with excellent/very good cut (I want it to be "ahh..my eyes are hurting") and D-G color and VVS2-VS2 clarity. My budget for the diamond between 4000-4500. I''ve looked a some Ideals cut from the big named sites, but they''re a bit over my price range.

I am looking to purpose this Tuesday when we go to NYC for a romantic getaway. What can you guys and gals recommend? I''ve been reading soo much info just now that I am getting more confused than ever. (I call it analysis paralysis)

 

[Mr. Eric]

I don''t know too much about diamonds, but I don''t think that you will find what you want in your price range.

 

[Gypsy]

Yeah. I''d drop down to H I color and SI 1 or 2 (eye clean) and go for the BEST cut I could AGS 0. Plus I''d consider going just under a carat .90 or so.

 

[Gypsy]

Here ya go: Two lovely choices both right in budget. Call WF ask them if they either is completely eye clean. Ask them to look at the girdles and advise you if there''s a problem. Then ask them to recommend one to you. Pick a nice simple setting, they have a great selection. Use the Touchstone link to insure the puppy and you''ve got one stop shopping. If you have it sent to you overnight, you might just have it in time for your Tuesday proposal.

An ACA AGS0 I will look whiter and brighter than your poorly cut G''s. Cut is key.


http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-40277.htm#

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-78249.htm#

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3118/ H color. AGS 0. In budget. Ask if eye clean and about the girdle . GOG, like Whiteflash will go the extra mile for you, has lovely settings to choose from and will do their best to overnight the ring to you in time for your proposal.

 

[Hera]

How about this one:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3397/

with bank wire price 4726 and should be eye clean at si1

 

[kitandmouse]

Hmmm..
These are all good options! I think I like the Whiteflash diamonds much better than the GOG ones. More speficilly this one recommended by Gypsy.

What do you think about buying online and buying from Whiteflash?

I want to thank you all for taking time to give me guidance!

Question with Sarin view – the deeper the red the better or is it versus?

 

[Hera]

Are you color sensitive? Princess cuts show more color than round cuts do. Have you had a chance to see some of the color grades in person? An I will show a little "warmth". I personally would not pick an I princess (although I do have an I round). The diamonds you are looking for are great cuts, so they should be nice and sparkly, so it depends on what you find important.

 

[Gypsy]

Well, I would do a search on here regarding buying diamonds on line. That question has been asked many times.


In my personal opinion-- you can get a good deal, WF and GOG have a great reputation for their diamonds and strong customer service, and you can do it without pushy sales people telling you what you 'should' be seeing, buying, or wanting.

The diamonds you posted were terrible, you don't know enough about diamonds or what to look for to be able to do so from a local store, and local stores, because they of overhead, will usually have higher prices. You have a deadline. Both those vendors have a great return policy. And you can, and should, get the ring appraised right after your proposal. If you don't like it or it doesn't appraise well, or anything. You can return it.

That's just my opinion. But if I were you? I'd call whichever vendor it is that has the stones you prefer first thing in the morning. Get the stone information and listen to the advice of the vendors. Both have stong reputations on here for honesty and keen eyes that will tell you what you need to know.

I like the GOG one I posted quite a bit, personally, higher color. But the WF ones are lovely as well.

If color is an issue with her on the whiteflash I stones, as SHE will be wearing it, then you can return it then too. Great return policy is a good thing.


ALso if you pay by wire transfer with will give you a discount. There may or may not be an additional pricescope discount, I can't remember, but ask if they have one anyway.

 

[Hera]

I liked gypsy''s Good old gold one better too.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 8/31/2007 1:05:51 AM
Author: heraanderson
I liked gypsy's Good old gold one better too.

Yeah, that's my pick. IF it were me, I would reserve it tonight (to prevent some lurker from stealing out from under you) then call in the morning to verify eye clean and to check on the girdle. If everything checks out... I'd get a BASIC tiffany style 14K solitare as a setting and propose with that as a temp setting, and let her pick her own setting later. Or just propose with the diamond, and let her pick her own setting.

OHH.. I JUST REMEMBERED, you said you want to propose in NYC!! Good Old Gold is in Long Island. They have a store (a real one there) if you live close... you can reserve the diamond then make an appointment to see the sucker!!!! You really could propose with the stone, then take her to GOG to let her pick out her setting herself!

Sorry, that's just what I would do, or want my boyfriend to do if I lived close to NY.

 

[kitandmouse]

Date: 8/31/2007 1:10:46 AM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 8/31/2007 1:05:51 AM

Author: heraanderson

I liked gypsy''s Good old gold one better too.

Yeah, that''s my pick. IF it were me, I would reserve it tonight (to prevent some lurker from stealing out from under you) then call in the morning to verify eye clean and to check on the girdle. If everything checks out... I''d get a BASIC tiffany style 14K solitare as a setting and propose with that as a temp setting, and let her pick her own setting later. Or just propose with the diamond, and let her pick her own setting.

Thank you Gypsy and heraanderson for your super comments! I will call both stores tomorrow and evaluate my options.

 

[Gypsy]

Glad to help. Let us know what you decide... whatever that may be, online or not.

 

[alexah]

Date: 8/30/2007 11:16:36 PM
Author:kitandmouse

I am looking for 1+ carat with excellent/very good cut (I want it to be 'ahh..my eyes are hurting') and D-G color and VVS2-VS2 clarity. My budget for the diamond between 4000-4500. I've looked a some Ideals cut from the big named sites, but they're a bit over my price range.

I am looking to purpose this Tuesday when we go to NYC for a romantic getaway. What can you guys and gals recommend? I've been reading soo much info just now that I am getting more confused than ever. (I call it analysis paralysis)

There are some really luvly looking stones on good old gold & whiteflash that i spied online last nite just over your budget (i think they've been posted already by the other terrificly helpful gals here) so i'll throw a few ERD stones into the mix since you'll be in the city & could visit Mark and look at them? I trust Mark's eyes & he'll tell you if any of these are nice, if available. I'm sticking w G and above, as i can totally see a tint in an ideal cut princess (sigh) in H & below; not sure if you're that color-sensitive tho? Best of luck to you!!

1.01 G VS1 $4239

1.01 F SI1 $4228

1.01 E VS2 $4365

 

[Hera]

I got my diamond from Mark at ERD and he''s fantastic. Nothing better than getting something from someone who actually goes and hunts down your stone for you!!! His eyes are great, I still can''t locate my SI2 inclusions!!!

Also, He''s actually who warned me about going to low on the color scale in the fancy shape I was considering at the time. He knows how meticulous we are here on these boards. And I think he''s prices are super!

 

[Jenn5504]

Your situation is exactly why I love this site so much! A great guy looking to get a great ring for a great girl. Would probably have ended up with a very poorly cut stone if it were not for the help/info here! You can''t go wrong with GOG or WF. I have purchased from WF and they were great amazing wonderful! Nothing to worry about with any of these pricescope preferred vendors. Definately go with one of these AGS0 princess cuts, you will be glad you did. Can''t wait to see what you get!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A well cut H will be FINE IMO. Much much better than a poorly cut higher color for sure. And WF and GOG will shoot you straight on the clarity. SI1 is perfect IMO.

 

[kitandmouse]

Finally I am able to reply to this post and say thank you to all for your superb advice! The lucky diamond I purchased was alexah''s find on the 1.01 G VS1 from ERD. I originally wanted the E VS2, but Gary from ERD called and offered his advice that the E VS2 had a feathering at one of the corners, making it more vulnerable to chipping. As for the setting, we''re keeping the cheapy for now. My fiancee (

) is still searching for her dream mount.

Now the next part is finding an appraiser and insuring it. Any thoughts? I found a localer appraiser in LA - Gem Secure, but there are no posted information on them.

What insurance should I go with? I don''t own a home so owner''s insurance is out. I have researched JM and Chubb''s. Do you think Chubb''s will insurance my paltry 4200 diamond?

THANK YOU AGAIN!!