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Help with a princess cut stone

T

tictoc

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 24, 2018
Messages
5
Hi everyone, I'm new to pricescope and I'm hoping someone could help me choose a princess cut stone for my solitaire (with a pave band) that I'm making in Australia with a local diamond dealer.

Option 1:
1.56ct G VS2 Excellent Polish and Symmetry No Fluorescence - $9123 USD

upload_2018-3-25_0-52-6.png

upload_2018-3-25_0-50-45.png

upload_2018-3-25_0-50-17.png

Option 2:

1.40 ct E VS1 Excellent Polish, Very Good Symmetry No Fluorescence - $8045 USD

upload_2018-3-25_0-55-37.png

upload_2018-3-25_0-58-13.png

Asset images pending.

The dealer comes recommended by a friend and has been a pleasure to work with. He has recommended these two stones (and prefers the 1.4 E due to the better colour). I will assume that prices will be slightly dearer than if I bought in America but I need the ring relatively quickly and I'm more than happy to support a local business as long as the price is reasonable and the diamond I get is good quality. Just wanted an expert opinion from pricescope so I can be sure that I'm on the right track.

In terms of my priorities, I would love a stone that is at least 1.4 carat (6 x 6 mm) with as good a cut as I can get that is eye clean. Initially I was happy with a G colour but I'm tempted by an E colour ring and I've been told that it helps with the brilliance and how 'sparkly' the diamond appears. It will be put into a platinum ring with a pave band.
 
In terms of my priorities, I would love a stone that is at least 1.4 carat (6 x 6 mm) with as good a cut as I can get that is eye clean. Initially I was happy with a G colour but I'm tempted by an E colour ring and I've been told that it helps with the brilliance and how 'sparkly' the diamond appears. It will be put into a platinum ring with a pave band.

Color has nothing to do with brilliance or how "sparkly" a diamond will be. The cut is what creates "sparkle"...polish and symmetry also play a role.

Do you have an aset for the second stone? Have you seen these stones in person in various lighting conditions? That would be the best
way to evaluate the stones. Are you able to compare them side-by-side?
 
As tyty333 says, colour doesn't influence brilliance or sparkle to any great degree - the Cut is what determines how the light is captured and returned to the viewer.

IIRC Whiteflash and Brian Gavin Diamonds both sell excellent cut, GIA or AGS certified Princess stones - check out their websites and compare the ASETscope images to those the local jeweller provides.
 
The G VS2 is a nice example of a well-cut larger-tabled 4-chevron princess. Not overly deep, and thick girdle is not IMO objectionable in princesses as long as it doesn’t indicate excess depth. Price is in line with expectations for a non-branded well-cut stone.

Post the report number or a picture of the entirety of the report.
 
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OP, I also much prefer the G over the E!
 
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@tictoc Followup to my last... Just as there are flavours of rounds and cushions... there are flavours of princesses ::)

Here is an unbranded example of an alternate flavour (small table, three chevrons):
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...ut/0.97-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-4377369
Solasfera is a brand that specializes in this flavour of princess. Crafted by Infinity used to cut superideal two-chevron princesses - they stopped manufacture several years ago, however.

In very general terms... smaller table, higher crown, and fewer chevrons yields more colored flash across a variety of environments at the expense of some bright white glittery sparkle.
 
yssie said:
@SimoneDi Thanks for the info! But if I may - would you mind removing the link until OP can confirm that his vendor has the stone in-hand? I know princesses aren’t too popular around here but... no need to make it easy for lurkers, I suppose ::)

https://www.gia.edu/sites/Satellite?reportno=2185594206&c=Page&childpagename=GIA/Page/ReportCheck&pagename=GIA/Wrapper&cid=1495237976866&encryptedString=45D4F116C8F6968EA88ACA3448F98458&qr=null
No flags.
Click to expand...

Good point! I still wonder how many (if any) stones actually get snatched by lurkers, but always better safe than sorry ;)
 
Thank you everyone for your replies!

tyty333 thanks for the correction. Whilst I can see these stones with video, I won’t be able to see them in person as my agent will be importing them in. That’s OK anyway, my eye is very untrained and I would be trusting the opinions of pricescope and my agent over what I can see (I'm a big believer in seeking advice from people who know what they're doing). I am waiting on an ASET for the second stone.

OooohShiny thank you, yes I will start to look at Whiteflash and Brian Gavin. My agent did say he is happy to look to see if he can source other stones if I give him GIA numbers. Any other sources you would use for princess cut?

yssie thank you so much for your advice! I didn’t post the GIA number (although I think there’s a number on the link you posted? whilst i'm sure anyone with good knowledge can find these diamonds i'm hoping to prevent casual lurkers from snatching them up). The JamesAllen stone is very nice. Can you explain what it means to be Ideal cut because it on the GIA report it states that the polish and symmetry are “Very Good”. Are the two stones I posted Ideal cut? Will the James Allen perform much better?

SimoneDi you have a very beautiful ring! I wish my fiancé liked round brilliant cut diamonds! I saw that diamond on Whiteflash but was worried that it was H colour and that it might show slightly yellow on profile on a platinum band? Would you prefer that stone to the two I posted.

In terms of number of Chevrons I think my finances preference is white sparkles. She’s the kind of girl who would prefer a hearts and arrows brilliant cut over august vintage type of cut ( I did all my research about round and cushions before I realised she wanted a princess!)

Hmm decisions to make I guess.
 
I was not recommending the JA I posted to you - simply offering it as an example of an alternate flavour of faceting. I use the word “flavour” deliberately - neither type is better or worse than the other, and a well-cut example of either will be glorious IRL!

GIA does not assign cut grades to princesses, correct. AGSL does. However, many vendors will group stones into cut grades based on their own metrics, which may or may not be advertised (you can always ask for more info).
 
Thanks yssie.
Hi I have video for the 1.4 E. How do you think it looks? The 1.5G is 1500 dollars dearer but if the E is extremely inferior in quality I will have to rethink.

https://m.imgur.com/a/jtr3I
 
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SimoneDi said:
Good point! I still wonder how many (if any) stones actually get snatched by lurkers, but always better safe than sorry ;-)
Click to expand...

There was a time where stone ' poaching' was rampant, no sooner did some poor poster add the link, it was approved and BOOM - swiped out from under them.
 
tictoc said:
Thanks yssie.
Hi I have video for the 1.4 E. How do you think it looks? The 1.5G is 1500 dollars dearer but if the E is extremely inferior in quality I will have to rethink.

https://m.imgur.com/a/jtr3I
Click to expand...

The video is pixel-y and I'm finding it nearly impossible to make out faceting details - and I can't figure out how to pause...?

Can your vendor acquire some clear still photos of the stone? (Not screenshots of this video paused at various points). That would be far more useful, honestly.
 
Sorry I didn’t know how to upload the video as the forum said file size was too large.


Is this better ? I assume the gif made the quality worse
 
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Your local vendor won't be able to source this stone, but you can buy directly from WF or BGD. This is an ideal cut princess (aka super-ideal) from a trusted vendor. It hits your size criteria, but drops color to H -- which should not be an issue for most.

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3967296.htm

This is under 6 mm, but higher color.
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...1.228-f-vs2-princess-diamond-ags-104084589002
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3967299.htm

When you set this, please please set the diamond with well-made V-prongs or carefully designed double-prongs (NOT single prongs). If they are delicate, they will be protective and lovely. The points of princess cuts are very subject to chipping as there is not a lot of material under the points. A halo or bezel are other options.

V-prongs
upload_2018-3-27_21-13-44.png

Double Prongs
upload_2018-3-27_21-13-58.png
 
Tyty33 is right cut is more important. But if the price of E not much different and the cut quality is par. I would recommend take the E because the higher the color the diamond appear more whiter and rare looking than G. ;)2

tyty333 said:
In terms of my priorities, I would love a stone that is at least 1.4 carat (6 x 6 mm) with as good a cut as I can get that is eye clean. Initially I was happy with a G colour but I'm tempted by an E colour ring and I've been told that it helps with the brilliance and how 'sparkly' the diamond appears. It will be put into a platinum ring with a pave band.

Color has nothing to do with brilliance or how "sparkly" a diamond will be. The cut is what creates "sparkle"...polish and symmetry also play a role.

Do you have an aset for the second stone? Have you seen these stones in person in various lighting conditions? That would be the best
way to evaluate the stones. Are you able to compare them side-by-side?
Click to expand...
 
Thanks everyone

Rockysalamandar yeah I saw that diamond as well and it’s the one I’m comparing to the 1.4E. I guess it depends on what kind of cut the E is, my jeweller is going to get me ASET images, but what do you think of the facets on the video? The E also has the convenience of buying from one vendor and expediting making the ring (I do have some time pressure).

Definitely hear you re the prongs. I’m going to make something similar to the Tiffany Grace setting with v prongs and a pave band.
 
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