Looking for the right princess diamond...

[liquidh2o]

I've decided to start my search for the right princess diamond for my soon-to-be Fiance. I am still relatively new to the diamond world and have a lot to learn, but based on what I have learned, I picked out and jotted down the numbers for seven different diamonds, in the hopes that I could get the forums feedback...

My goal is to find the best diamond in the 1.2-1.6c range w/ a price range of $7k-$10k, w/ $11k being my "if it's absolutely worth it I'll break the bank to get it" limit.

Feedback appreciated (good or bad), recommendations on diamonds you've found in this range are also greatly appreciated, thank you!!!

edit: I forgot to ask.. Am I right in assuming the HCA doesn't work for Princess diamonds?

1.) 1.2c

Table: 61.4
Depth: 76.7
Pavilion: 41.8
Crown: 31.8
Color: F
Clarity: VS2
Cut: Ideal
Poli/Sym: Ideal-Ideal
Flour: Negligible

2.) 1.43c

Table: 63
Depth: 78.9
Pavilion: 42.2
Crown: 33
Color: G
Clarity: VS2
Cut: Ideal
Poli/Sym: Ideal-Ideal
Flour: Very Strong Blue

3.) 1.29c

Table: 62.2
Depth: 77.2
Pavilion: 42.2
Crown: 32
Color: E
Clarity: VS2
Cut: Ideal
Poli/Sym: Ideal-Ideal
Flour: negligible

4.) 1.6

Table: 67.5
Depth: 74.4
Pavilion: 39.4
Crown: 42.6
Color: G
Clarity: SL1
Poli/Sym: Ideal-Ideal
Flour: Negligible

5.) 1.3c

Table: 71.12
Depth: 73.01
Pavilion: 38.74
Crown: 45.57
Color: G
Clarity: SL1
Poli/Sym: Ideal-Ideal
Flour: None

6.) 1.46c

Table: 66.21
Depth: 72.3
Pavilion: 39.2
Crown: 38.19
Color: G
Clarity: VS2
Poli/Sym: Ideal-Ideal
Flour: Medium

7.) 1.51c

Table: 67.97
Depth: 77.13
Pavilion: 40.69
Crown: 32.97
Color: F
Clarity: VS2
Poli/Sym: Very Good-Very Good
Flour: None

 

[Lorelei]

Yes, HCA only works for rounds.

Princess can't be evaluated by numbers, they give limited information on each stone. Images such as detailed photos, ASET and if not ASET, Idealscope images are essential. Can you request images from the sellers?

This link explains ASET, Idealscope and their uses

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance

Who is calling these Ideal Cut, the vendor? Which lab report does each diamond have? We also need the diameter measurements for each one please and the girdle thicknesses.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Could you also indicate which lab graded these?

 

[liquidh2o]

Apologies, only the first three were posted as ideal, I got going on typing all this and got ahead of myself!

I have ASET's and IS's for all 7, and they are all Cert'd by AGS w/ the exception of #7, which is GIA.

Images forthcoming!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/10/2009 6:33:15 AM
Author: liquidh2o
Apologies, only the first three were posted as ideal, I got going on typing all this and got ahead of myself!

I have ASET''s and IS''s for all 7, and they are all Cert''d by AGS w/ the exception of #6, which is GIA.

Images forthcoming!

Great stuff!

 

[liquidh2o]

Phew, posted! Was a little harder to get these images up than i thought it would be

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

5.)

6.)

7.)

 

[Lorelei]

Wow - well done!!

I know I am a PITA but I don't suppose you could post the pics of the actual diamonds too please?

I think I like 1, 3 and 6 best. Check with the sellers with any SI1 clarity grades that they are eyeclean to your standards.

 

[liquidh2o]

Done! Sorry for the delay, the actual images were the only ones I hadn't downloaded to my computer when doing research, problem solved!


1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

5.)

6.)

7.)

 

[Lorelei]

You are a star liquid, thanks so much!!!

Add to my original choices number 5 also.

 

[liquidh2o]

Excellent!! Thank you for your response Lorelei!

Few more questions for you if you''d be so kind...

1.) What in the ASET''s separated the 1,3 and 6 from the rest?

2.) What in the actual diamond photo''s made you want to include 5?

3.) Some of the diamonds are out of what would be considered the ideal range when it comes to Table/Depth/Girdle/Crown/Symmetry... Through reading on this forum chose to use those measurements as the primary factors in initially picking out diamonds. Is that a good measuring stick or should I look more at the Actual diamond/ASET/IS photos if possible?

And lastly...

do you have any recommendations in the 1.2c-1.6c $7-$10k range?

Thank you so much!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/10/2009 8:11:15 AM
Author: liquidh2o
Excellent!! Thank you for your response Lorelei!

Few more questions for you if you'd be so kind...

1.) What in the ASET's separated the 1,3 and 6 from the rest? The amount of red in ASET and its distribution is what made me pick the diamonds I did. Red is the primary colour to aim for which is ideally spread throughout the image of relatively even distribution. This is direct light return and highly desirable. Green reflected light, but you want minimal green, blue is contrast/ obscured light.

RED is Direct Light (drawn from 45-75 degrees). Red will be the most intense. It comes directly from the source.

GREEN is Reflected Light (drawn from 0-45 degrees). Green has less intensity. It is light reflected from walls, the environment, etc.

BLUE represents light Obscured by the observer (your head blocks this light from reaching the diamond). These areas will light up when the diamond is tilted and other areas will become shaded.

WHITE (if the diamond is backlit, as above) or BLACK (if not) is Leakage. These areas show where pavilion facets are acting as windows rather than mirrors. You see white because those windows allow you to look through the diamond and see the light underneath. White should be minimized.


2.) What in the actual diamond photo's made you want to include 5? The look of the diamond in the photo, I can see the faceting a little more clearly and I like to see ' the diamond' in a photo to get a feel for it.

3.) Some of the diamonds are out of what would be considered the ideal range when it comes to Table/Depth/Girdle/Crown/Symmetry... Through reading on this forum chose to use those measurements as the primary factors in initially picking out diamonds. Is that a good measuring stick or should I look more at the Actual diamond/ASET/IS photos if possible? Really there are no ideal ranges, images are the best way to judge cut quality, various proportion configurations can work well together and images show ' the proof of that pudding.' AGS0 cut grade gets you into the ballpark of well cut diamonds, with the vendors you used above, hand selected for optics and beauty GIA princess can also be strong contenders.

And lastly...

do you have any recommendations in the 1.2c-1.6c $7-$10k range?

I will have a look for some more suggestions for you if you like.

Thank you so much!

 

[Ellen]

I like 1 and 6 best.

 

[jet2ks]

I''m liking 1 & 3.

 

[stone-cold11]

#1 and #3 too.

 

[3Rocks]

Hi Liquid,

Is no.2 the Infinity diamond?

I was about to recommend that one to you.

How about this one: http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity&id=402

Good luck!

 

[jstarfireb]

Date: 6/10/2009 6:11:37 AM
Author:liquidh2o
6.) 1.46c
Table: 66.21
Depth: 72.3
Pavilion: 39.2
Crown: 38.19
Color: G
Clarity: VS2
Poli/Sym: Ideal-Ideal
Flour: Medium

Wow, you really did your homework! I like a lot about this one, #6:

1) really nice size, just under 1.5
2) slightly lower depth than the others *may* translate into better spread, though not necessarily
3) I''d pick G over E-F color to save money (you''re not likely to see a difference)
4) I like fluor, and this has it
5) ASET looks good, though they all do!

You honestly can''t go wrong with any of these, but 6 would be my fave.