Looking at buying this princess cut today *help needed*

[LSUengineer07]

I have been shopping for about 3 months and I am currently ready to make the big purchase on an engagement ring. I am looking for a princess cut that is absolutely colorless. I am willing to step down in clarity as long as it is eye clean.

Here is the diamond that I have found and would like to purchase today. Any thoughtful tips, advice, or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!



http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-...tep=DIAMONDS_STEP|builder=BYOR|pid=LD03563859

Carat weight:
1.02
Cut: Very Good
Color: E
Clarity: SI1
Depth %: 71.6%
Table %: 64%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Medium to Thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.57 x 5.55 x 3.97 mm
Length/width ratio: 1

I would be putting it on this band:

http://www.bluenile.com/14k-white-gold-engagement-ring_20315

 

[kenny]

Re: Can you help me with this princess cut?

GIA does not grade the cut quality of princess cuts.
AGS does.

I'd get one that AGS gave their top cut grade to … AGS 0.
The only way I'd consider a princess cut graded by GIA is if it was a branded cut such as ACA from Whiteflash or a Solasfera which Goodoldgold sells.
They must meet the strict light performance standards of their brand.

 

[LSUengineer07]

Okay. Opinions on this diamond? It is the only one that fits my price range in the "A cut above" selection.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3022035.htm#

 

[kenny]

I really like that choice.

The only concern is possible feathers near two corners.
Look closely at both upper corners of the inclusion diagram on the right (pavilion view).
I think I see tiny features.
The red lines are barely visible but a corner is a bad location for a feather, the industry's pretty word for crack.

Princess cuts are notorious for corners chipping off during setting.



If you get this diamond I'd be sure to have Whiteflash set it since they'd be responsible for any breakage.

 

[E B]

Wow, great eye, Kenny. If that one poses any risks when set, James Allen has a handful in your budget at the carat mark (or above). This one is under and I don't see any inclusions at the corners:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-251848

 

[isaku5]

For what it's worth, I've had my princess for 8 years without incident, thank goodness.

I'm extremely careful with all of my jewellery and took one heck of a chance having my diamond set by the pro's at Birk's. Their diamond prices were outrageous so I passed on their stock. Once they saw my stone, they guaranteed (signed, on their letterhead) that if anything happened to the stone while it was in their possession, they would take responsibility . Luckily, it turned out beautifully.

If you do buy that lovely princess, make sure White Flash takes total responsibility for setting it. I was just lucky.

 

[LSUengineer07]

Thanks for the insight. I have contacted Whiteflash and I have been told that is not a concern. They will take liability for it if they set it and I will have insurance on the diamond.

I have narrowed it down to that diamond and 2 others. Can anyone take a look at the two diamonds and give their opinion on which diamond would be more brilliant? And will there be a noticeable difference in an f color and a g in color?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3022035.htm#


and

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2978547.htm

and

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2977142.htm#

All 3 include aset and ideal scope images. The last diamond has a large amount of red in the aset image. Im not sure if this is good or bad..

 

[kenny]

How noticeable is the difference between F and G?
Clearly AGS noticed a difference when grading them under lighting and environmental conditions that best reveals body color differences.
But when they are both set and viewed top-view I doubt 99% of the public would notice the difference in any lighting or or environment.
In a side view in certain lighting and environments some people may detect a bit more color in the G.
Whether that makes the F worth the higher price to you, only you can answer.



Here are all 3 ASETs, side by side, in the same order as your most-recent post.
I like #3 best.
#1 has a tad of darkness under the table.
#2 has much less but a bit of darkness under table compared to #3.
#2 does not look quite as symmetric as #3.
#2 has more blue near the center …. perhaps that translates into more contrast and liveliness since blue means the light came from a different location than the other 2 colors.

I welcome posters to chime in here who are more skilled at reading ASETs.
There may be important differences I'm unaware of that makes 1 or 2 better than 3.

Also I like that #3 has no feathers.
I realize that most feathers in AGS/GIA-graded VS stones pose little or no durability risk, but I just prefer a diamond has other kinds of inclusions.
That said, I have bought diamonds with feathers when selection was limited, as in Octavias or colored diamonds.
There are so many round and princess white diamonds available that I'll let someone else buy the ones with feathers.

BTW, we are really splitting hairs here, and you may see no difference between them in person.
Since they all 3 qualify as Whiteflash ACAs I'm sure they are all superb and you could just flip a coin.
But you are doing what I do by striving for the best of the best.

 

[LSUengineer07]

Thanks for the Reply Kenny! I was leaning towards the the looks of number 3 also but I am not very good at reading the other images.

Any other inputs are welcome from other member. I will be making my purchase soon!

 

[smilligan]

I prefer number 3 because it looks more symmetrical to my eyes. That's purely anecdotal, of course.