Need help deciding between 2 princess stones

[Caseywan]

So here's my story - bought a ring and diamond 2 weeks ago from Robbins Bros and just found this site a couple days ago and started to realize I had paid way to much for the diamond I got from Robbins Bros. My fiance is very happy with the ring, but I found 2 diamonds specifically that are much better than the diamond we currently have and much less expensive. According to RB's guarantee they will price match if I find something that is a better deal within 30 days and ideally that is what I would like to do because she is extremely happy with her diamond now, but I seriously doubt that RB will give me back any money, especially the amount I'd save by going with the 2 below.

So here are the 2 that I think I have it narrowed down to and I am wondering if someone who is good at the "math" of the cut could tell me if there is a huge price to quality difference in the two below.

.603 ct H VVS1 A Cut Above Princess

.61 Carat D-SI1 Ideal- Cut Princess

I know typically AGS0 stones are a better cut than GIA Ideal cut, but between the two above specifically is there a huge difference based on depth, table, crown, etc. worth paying $400 more for the ASG0?

Thanks!

 

[Caseywan]

Actually one more to throw into the mix:

.6 ct H VVS1 A Cut Above

I''m still a newb to this, but from what I''ve read about Princess cut, the lower table % and higher crown % makes it a slightly better cut.

 

[Kay]

I posted this one on your other thread just as you were startign a new one, so I''ll post again:

I would be tempted by this WF Expert Selection princess for the combination of color and clarity and the great ideal scope image:

0.61 ct E VS2 Princess $1,713.00 http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-336529.htm#

 

[Caseywan]

Date: 11/30/2007 1:23:47 AM
Author: Kay
I posted this one on your other thread just as you were startign a new one, so I'll post again:


I would be tempted by this WF Expert Selection princess for the combination of color and clarity and the great ideal scope image:

0.61 ct E VS2 Princess $1,713.00 http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-336529.htm#

Yeah, I saw that one as well, but it is not an AGS0. From what I have been told thus far, the 2 I linked above are superior stones for a lesser price.

 

[Kay]

Date: 11/30/2007 12:41:14 PM
Author: Caseywan

Date: 11/30/2007 1:23:47 AM
Author: Kay

I posted this one on your other thread just as you were startign a new one, so I''ll post again:


I would be tempted by this WF Expert Selection princess for the combination of color and clarity and the great ideal scope image:

0.61 ct E VS2 Princess $1,713.00 http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-336529.htm#

Yeah, I saw that one as well, but it is not an AGS0. From what I have been told thus far, the 2 I linked above are superior stones for a lesser price.

AGS0 stones are nice because you are guaranteed a superior cut without having to analyze the numbers yourself. I suggested the Expert Selection stone as an option because it is 3 color grades higher (for an $18 increase in price), rates a class 1 cut on the AGA cut charts, and has an ideal scope image that is very close the ones for the ACAs. I am not an expert on princess cuts, but I thought it had potential to be a great diamond and was worth discussing with WF to get their opinion on how it compares to the H color ACAs, but of course you have to decide what cut, color and clarity parameters make you comfortable.

 

[Caseywan]

Date: 11/30/2007 5:02:07 PM
Author: Kay
AGS0 stones are nice because you are guaranteed a superior cut without having to analyze the numbers yourself. I suggested the Expert Selection stone as an option because it is 3 color grades higher (for an $18 increase in price), rates a class 1 cut on the AGA cut charts, and has an ideal scope image that is very close the ones for the ACAs. I am not an expert on princess cuts, but I thought it had potential to be a great diamond and was worth discussing with WF to get their opinion on how it compares to the H color ACAs, but of course you have to decide what cut, color and clarity parameters make you comfortable.

Ok, thank you very much for the info. I will definitely keep that one in mind as well and will probably call WF to compare it to the ACA I am looking at.

Anybody else got any opinions on these 3??

 

[neatfreak]

Casey,

I would just give WF a call and ask them what their opinions of the stones are. They will be honest with you and won''t just try to sell you the most expensive one unless it truly is better.

Good luck!

 

[Caseywan]

Ok, thanks. I will def call WF to compare them.

I am still wondering about the 2 in the first post above though. There is a $405 difference in the two, and I spoke with a guy at James Allen who said that their GIA Ideal would really be same as an ASG0. Now Neatfreak already told me that that is not always the case and that sometimes a GIA Ideal can be as good a cut or close to an ASG0. So I''m wondering if someone who is good at the math of figuring out the cut if they are close or not??

 

[Kay]

Date: 12/1/2007 12:53:02 PM
Author: Caseywan
Ok, thanks. I will def call WF to compare them.

I am still wondering about the 2 in the first post above though. There is a $405 difference in the two, and I spoke with a guy at James Allen who said that their GIA Ideal would really be same as an ASG0. Now Neatfreak already told me that that is not always the case and that sometimes a GIA Ideal can be as good a cut or close to an ASG0. So I''m wondering if someone who is good at the math of figuring out the cut if they are close or not??

The JA stone could be a great value, but it is not possible for anyone to evaluate the cut based on the information provided on the website. Ask JA if they can email you a sarin report or ideal scope image. At a minimum, it would be nice to know the crown height percentage. For general guidelines, you can look at the AGA fancy diamond cut charts here: http://www.gemappraisers.com/oldcutgraderules.asp

The cut may or may not be comparable to an AGS ideal, but it probably is better cut than what you bought at RB, with slightly better clarity and much better color for a lower price. If you were happy with the original stone before you realized you over paid, then this could be a very good choice for you. I have a D color diamond with medium blue fluorescence and the crisp, icy white color is amazing.

You may want to consider buying this one from JA and your top pick from WF so that you and your FI can compare them side by side and see what appeals to you most. If both look really good, keep the cheaper one.

 

[Caseywan]

Date: 12/1/2007 10:36:21 PM
Author: Kay
The JA stone could be a great value, but it is not possible for anyone to evaluate the cut based on the information provided on the website. Ask JA if they can email you a sarin report or ideal scope image. At a minimum, it would be nice to know the crown height percentage. For general guidelines, you can look at the AGA fancy diamond cut charts here: http://www.gemappraisers.com/oldcutgraderules.asp


The cut may or may not be comparable to an AGS ideal, but it probably is better cut than what you bought at RB, with slightly better clarity and much better color for a lower price. If you were happy with the original stone before you realized you over paid, then this could be a very good choice for you. I have a D color diamond with medium blue fluorescence and the crisp, icy white color is amazing.


You may want to consider buying this one from JA and your top pick from WF so that you and your FI can compare them side by side and see what appeals to you most. If both look really good, keep the cheaper one.

I didn't even realize that JA didn't have all the info on the diamond that WF does. I will call JA and see if they can email me some more info and maybe post it here if you guys could help me out.

I am also considering just what you suggested, buying the best pick from WF and also the one from JA and comparing them and just return one. But I'm a little short on money seeing as I paid cash for the original ring and stone purchase.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Date: 12/1/2007 12:53:02 PM
Author: Caseywan
Ok, thanks. I will def call WF to compare them.

I am still wondering about the 2 in the first post above though. There is a $405 difference in the two, and I spoke with a guy at James Allen who said that their GIA Ideal would really be same as an ASG0. Now Neatfreak already told me that that is not always the case and that sometimes a GIA Ideal can be as good a cut or close to an ASG0. So I''m wondering if someone who is good at the math of figuring out the cut if they are close or not??

Last year, there was a big row on PS about the use of the term ''ideal'', and the admins of that time judged that vendors could use the term ''ideal'' since it is a generic term, and not limited to AGS-Ideal.

As such, there is probably a misunderstanding, since I cannot imagine someone at JA stating that their GIA Ideal is the same as AGS-0.

In this particular case, we have little info of course, but I for one am not capable of cutting an AGS-0 within the constraints of this depth and table, and with VG GIA-symmetry.

Therefore, I would qualify this ''assertion'' of a JA-associate as a misunderstanding of some sort. With all due respect.

Live long,

 

[Caseywan]

Thanks for all the help you guys, I really appreciate it!

Kay, thanks for letting me know about that one diamond you linked above. I called WF and they had 3 of their experts look at all 3 of the diamonds, the 2 ACA cuts and then the other one with the E color and the said the unanimous decision between them was the E colored stone because it''s brighter, whiter, and just all around more lively. They said even though it wasn''t graded the ACA/AGS0 it was right up there with them and nearly impossible to distinguish. So I think that is the diamond I''m going to get, although I may also purchase the one from JA as well and just let her decide between them.

Thanks again!