How best to evaluate

[smackdaddy]

So, I''m in the initial phases of researching a diamond for an engagement ring. This forum has been fascinating reading and has been incredibly helpful, as I''m the type that obsessively investigates new hobbies/purchases/technologies, accumulating as much information as possible, to the point where I''d be comfortable offering advice in the future on the topic at hand.

As in any market, you get the best deal in the marketplace with the least overhead and the most competition. The internet has always been the clear winner when buying commodity product...your only concerns are vendor reliability and price.

However with diamonds, you introduce a huge degree of qualitative differentiation, especially when it comes to "fancy" shaped diamonds, as the cut quality is rarely certified.

My girlfriend has made two things absolutely clear: she wants a squareish diamond (she views RBs as borderline cliche, no offense meant to anybody), and she values the performance of the diamond above all other factors. She would like it to be as big as possible (does that even need to be said?), but isn''t color sensitive and only needs the diamond to be eye-clean.

From what I gather, she prefers the princess cut. I''m personally impressed with the Princess of Hearts cut, largely because the modified square cut is very unique (I''ve certainly never seen one in the wild, not saying much though), and from the video on the GOG website, it definitely performs. It gives you a feeling of "you can''t go wrong" with this cut of diamond.

But here''s where uncertainty sets in: How consistent are the diamonds within that classification?

For instance, I was investigating this diamond:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3616/

At first it seems like a great fit, meeting my budget and size desire (around 1.5 ct). But as I pulled up the Sarin report, I noticed a couple of "stray facets" for lack of a better term, basically shifts in the pitch of facets on the face of the diamong that don''t belong. Other diamonds from the PoH group are more expensive yet without those flaws, so my big question at the end of all of this is, is something like that an obvious deal breaker that would make the diamond lackluster in comparison when viewed in person?

I also looked at the diamonds offered by whiteflash, but it seems they don''t carry much larger than 1 ct in this type of diamond?

I''m open to all suggestions you think might be helpful.

Thanks in advance!

 

[tulip928]

If she values perfomance

above all else, and you know this diamond has stray facets that affect it''s appearance, I would think that would disqualify this diamond for you. I''ve got a diamond where the "good price" was more attractive than the cut flaws from my husband, and I wish he would have kept on shopping.

I see the disorganized facets everytime I look at the stone. It''s a shame, too, because the color and clarity are incredible.

 

[Ellen]

Hi smack,

I looked at the Sarin, but admittedly, it''s the first one on a POH I''ve seen, and I don''t know/can''t see what you''re referring to. What I would suggest, to get the best info on it the quickest, is simply call GOG and talk to John. He''ll be quite honest about it, and answer all your questions. They are great to work with.

I think, if your girlfriend would like this shape, it''s a great choice! I really like the look of them personally. I also like the Square H&A''s.