Help! Your thoughts on this diamond?

[gtoledo]

Hello Pricescope!

After doing much research, I decided I will be purchasing my soon to be fiance's engagement ring from Jame Allen. I liked Blue Nile's selection of diamonds,settings and prices, but after reading reviews for both vendors, I opted for James Allen. I have already opted on this setting:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-0.35ct-pave-cathedral-engagement-ring-item-22638

After selecting the setting, now is the more expensive and important decision, which is the diamond of course. My budget is up to $4,000 for a princess cut diamond of 0.9-1.0 carat, F or G color, at least VS2 clarity. I've been watching informative YouTube videos to learn the basics on diamonds, and have tried going the extra mile by comparing really expensive diamonds with a diamond within my budget. After my research, this is the diamond I am currently looking at:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-277289

Price- $3,710
Carat- 0.90
Color- G
Clarity- VS2
Depth %- 71.4
Table %- 69.0
Ratio- 1.01
Polish- Very Good
Symmetry- Very Good
Fluorescence-None
Girdle- Thick- Very Thick

Here are the results from the datlas tool calculator.

1234345567
Length:5.24
Width:5.18
Depth:3.70
Total Depth:71.43%
Table percent:69
Crown height:71.4
Girdle (from):Thick
Girdle (to):Very thick
Polish:Excellent / Very Good
Symmetry:Excellent / Very Good

Tab Percent: 1B
Crown Height: 4B
Girdle: 3A
Depth: 1A
Polish: 1A
Symmetry: 1A
TotalGrade: 4A

I see the crown height and girdle are not too impressive Not sure if I should weigh this heavily in choosing a different diamond? What do you guys think? Can you give me some advice and input on the one I have selected? Or if there is a different diamond that is within my budget you think, I should consider, please let me know I greatly appreciate any feedback! I see everyone here is so supportive and helpful towards each other

 

[Stive85]

Just because no one has answered yet Ill give my 0.02.

I think you can do better.

I've read that JA are a good place to buy your stone, although I've never purchased from them to date. I believe they will have a gemologist examine three stones for you.

That being said, you can talk to an adviser anytime. How set are you on VS2? Perhaps moving down to SI1 and confirming with JA that the stones are 100% eyeclean would be the way to go in order to get a diamond with more favorable stats.

I'm not an expert like some people on here. But I looks like your in the right direction. You looking at just princess cuts?

 

[gtoledo]

Just because no one has answered yet Ill give my 0.02.

I think you can do better.

I've read that JA are a good place to buy your stone, although I've never purchased from them to date. I believe they will have a gemologist examine three stones for you.

That being said, you can talk to an adviser anytime. How set are you on VS2? Perhaps moving down to SI1 and confirming with JA that the stones are 100% eyeclean would be the way to go in order to get a diamond with more favorable stats.

I'm not an expert like some people on here. But I looks like your in the right direction. You looking at just princess cuts?

Hi Stive85! Thanks for your response input!! I really appreciate it! I kept checking my post throughout the day and was sad I wasn't getting any responses despite the views lol.

Thanks for your suggestion on speaking with a JA adviser! This is one of the most expensive purchases I am about to make and I feel intimidated about it. Maybe I will pick out two more stones and ask the JA adviser for their opinion.

I am not extremely set on a VS2, so perhaps I will explore an eye clean SI1. I was just trying to get a great "all-around" diamond for my budget.

And yes, just looking at princess cuts.

 

[Stive85]

Well keep posting potential ones here and when you narrow it down to three ask for IS and/or ASETs of the stones to post here. There are so many experts who could tell you with that info whether the stone will be a winner.

Again, totally my opinion, but I think you can give a little on color. H and I color stones are often gorgeous and unless held right beside a D or an E look nice and white (unless you are uber color sensitive). Diamond buying is definitely give and get in terms of the 4 c's. You bend a little in one category in order to upgrade another. So for example moving up to VS1, but down in color to an H or an I. Or looking at an SI1 and aiming for a E/F.

Good luck

 

[princessfeedme]

Hi GToledo,

I'm no expert in evaluating the cut for this princess, but based on the magnified video (40x) for this stone, the black crystals are pretty obvious for a VS2. On the other hand, the stone's size is small enough to make it possibly eye clean. Like Stive85 said, if you're still interested, you may want to chat (the expert icon on the right side of the price) with a representative first. They will tell you what they think based on the video and magnified picture, then if you still want to continue, they will forward your information and the pull the stone for a gemologist to look at. Good luck with your search!

 

[JulieN]

Looks not that great.

 

[Gypsy]

I don't like that Princess. JA provides ASETs. Why are you focusing on the princesses numbers (which mean nothing) and not just getting an ASET?

Plus that VS2 has a lot of black carbon.

Sorry but... you can do much better.
Put these three on hold and get an ASET from JA for each.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-261703
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-247778
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.91-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-260884

 

[gtoledo]

Thank you everyone for your replies! Finally feeling some love here and I am very grateful for everyone's responses! I was planning on purchasing the original diamond last night, but then I said let me check what the experts on Pricescope have to say first!

Well keep posting potential ones here and when you narrow it down to three ask for IS and/or ASETs of the stones to post here. There are so many experts who could tell you with that info whether the stone will be a winner.

Again, totally my opinion, but I think you can give a little on color. H and I color stones are often gorgeous and unless held right beside a D or an E look nice and white (unless you are uber color sensitive). Diamond buying is definitely give and get in terms of the 4 c's. You bend a little in one category in order to upgrade another. So for example moving up to VS1, but down in color to an H or an I. Or looking at an SI1 and aiming for a E/F.

Good luck

Hi Stive85, totally agree with you and thanks again for getting the ball rolling on this topic!

Hi GToledo,

I'm no expert in evaluating the cut for this princess, but based on the magnified video (40x) for this stone, the black crystals are pretty obvious for a VS2. On the other hand, the stone's size is small enough to make it possibly eye clean. Like Stive85 said, if you're still interested, you may want to chat (the expert icon on the right side of the price) with a representative first. They will tell you what they think based on the video and magnified picture, then if you still want to continue, they will forward your information and the pull the stone for a gemologist to look at. Good luck with your search!

Thanks princessfeedme! I am glad you pointed out the black crystals because I wasn't sure if it was something that was a very minor detail that could be compensated for

Looks not that great.

Thanks JulieN! I really appreciate the honest response!!

 

[gtoledo]

I don't like that Princess. JA provides ASETs. Why are you focusing on the princesses numbers (which mean nothing) and not just getting an ASET?

Plus that VS2 has a lot of black carbon.

Sorry but... you can do much better.
Put these three on hold and get an ASET from JA for each.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-261703
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-247778
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.91-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-260884

Hi Gypsy! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! You've made my morning so far!!! These are some beautiful diamonds you have personally chosen for me!!!

I just finished chatting with an excellent customer service Rep named Erika and she put these three diamonds on hold for me. I also requested the ASET images for these three diamonds and she said it will take about 3-4 business days. I will be sure to post those up as soon as I get them.

Also, she also offered by the Pricescope discount so it knocked off about $130 off each diamond, which is nice because it not puts all the diamonds within my budget!

Thanks again Gypsy!! To you it just might be a simple post... but to me, your post was a recommendation to a potential diamond that will be on my future wife's ring forever!! Hehehe

 

[stargurl78]

I don't like that Princess. JA provides ASETs. Why are you focusing on the princesses numbers (which mean nothing) and not just getting an ASET?

Plus that VS2 has a lot of black carbon.

Sorry but... you can do much better.
Put these three on hold and get an ASET from JA for each.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-261703
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-247778
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.91-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-260884

I love the third one!

 

[gtoledo]

I don't like that Princess. JA provides ASETs. Why are you focusing on the princesses numbers (which mean nothing) and not just getting an ASET?

Plus that VS2 has a lot of black carbon.

Sorry but... you can do much better.
Put these three on hold and get an ASET from JA for each.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-261703
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-247778
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.91-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-260884

I love the third one!

lol thanks stargurl78!! I can't wait for the ASET images to come in so I can show it to you guys!