- Joined
- Sep 2, 2002
- Messages
- 2,859
I got the idea about this thread from a consumer''s thread, and it offers a great example how stones with a totally different character can both have ideal light performance and an AGS-0 grade.
Because the cutting of rounds continues to concentrate around Tolkowsky-proportions, one hardly sees such differences in character in rounds, while in princess-cuts, in the absence of an historical ''ideal-set'', cutters have more liberty to explore different areas of high performance.
Much of the difference in character is due to the number of chevron-facets in the pavilion. I am lousy at drawing and illustrations, so I hope that a colleague of mine will jump in and offer some illustrations.
In the pavilion of a traditionally cut princess-cut, one tends to find a high number of chevron-facets. As such, the public might be used to a certain look of a princess-cut, which they find pleasing. Very often, this is refered to as a ''crushed-glass''-look, but it might be better to find another description, because this sounds rather negative.
Now, it is possible, and you will find for sale also princess-cuts with AGS-0-grades, that have 4 rows of chevron-facets. With extremely high light performance, these stones will also have the character or look of that traditional princess-cut.
On the other hand, one will also find princess-cuts with AGS-0-grades, where they only have 2 rows of chevron-facets. In total, this means 16 facets less in the pavilion. With similarly high light performance, these stones have a totally different character or look. Some people may like it, because it is bolder, while other dislike it, because it is not how they expect the look of a princess-cut.
Of course, also 3 rows of chevrons are possible, and I suppose maybe even 5.
Which look a consumer prefers, is impossible to predict. I know my personal preference, but you may have a totally different choice. And as far as my personal preference goes, it changes with the size of the stone.
I just wanted to write this to make you aware of this important difference in look. Your preference depends entirely on your eyes.
Live long,
Because the cutting of rounds continues to concentrate around Tolkowsky-proportions, one hardly sees such differences in character in rounds, while in princess-cuts, in the absence of an historical ''ideal-set'', cutters have more liberty to explore different areas of high performance.
Much of the difference in character is due to the number of chevron-facets in the pavilion. I am lousy at drawing and illustrations, so I hope that a colleague of mine will jump in and offer some illustrations.
In the pavilion of a traditionally cut princess-cut, one tends to find a high number of chevron-facets. As such, the public might be used to a certain look of a princess-cut, which they find pleasing. Very often, this is refered to as a ''crushed-glass''-look, but it might be better to find another description, because this sounds rather negative.
Now, it is possible, and you will find for sale also princess-cuts with AGS-0-grades, that have 4 rows of chevron-facets. With extremely high light performance, these stones will also have the character or look of that traditional princess-cut.
On the other hand, one will also find princess-cuts with AGS-0-grades, where they only have 2 rows of chevron-facets. In total, this means 16 facets less in the pavilion. With similarly high light performance, these stones have a totally different character or look. Some people may like it, because it is bolder, while other dislike it, because it is not how they expect the look of a princess-cut.
Of course, also 3 rows of chevrons are possible, and I suppose maybe even 5.
Which look a consumer prefers, is impossible to predict. I know my personal preference, but you may have a totally different choice. And as far as my personal preference goes, it changes with the size of the stone.
I just wanted to write this to make you aware of this important difference in look. Your preference depends entirely on your eyes.
Live long,