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Need Help deciding color v. cut

E

epalenschat

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 10, 2015
Messages
43
Hello-

I'm shopping for an engagement ring. I know that my girlfriend prefers princess cut, but I don't know too much about it. My budget is $17k for the stone, but I'd love to pay less if possible. I know I want about 2.0 carrots, but would be happy with as little as 1.85 if I could find a great deal. Originally I was trying to find something online that was has G or F color, VS1 or VVS2 for clarity and ideal cut. However, it has been difficult to find something in my price range if I want to say around 2 carrots. So, I'm trying to decide if it is best to reduce the color, cut or clarity. I would love some help deciding what is more important. I am planning on getting a pave in platinum (or white gold) for the setting.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Best,
Evan
 
VS1+ is overkill and adds to price. Si1 to VS2 is my sweetspot. Some people go to Si2

G to F - colour is very subjective as to your sensitivity

cut - go for a good cut

go for 1.8 to 1.95 rather than 2.0 for size. There is a huge jump in price per carat when breaking 2.0

careful on your setting as corners will want to be kept safe from any possible wear and tear

i prefer platinum to white gold because I think re-plating is a pain in the ass
 
If you're looking to save dollars then sacrificing carat weight is a good move. 1.85 might be a couple tenths of a millimeter smaller than a 2ct yet be thousands cheaper. Also an ideal cut 1.85 might actually be bigger in visual size than a very good cut that has a thick girdle, etc.


I would stick with the ideal cut and look for one with good brilliance and fire. Even amongst ideal cut stones there can be quite the variance with some exhibiting better brilliance, fire, contrast.

Sacrificing clarity is another good option. VS1 vs VVS2 can be minimal and even SI1 can appear eye clean. I'd stick with VS2 or better depending upon what type of inclusion it has.

Color is another good option but make sure that surrounding stones are within 1-2 grades of the center. Usually the price difference between F and G isn't very great. But D or E will cost you significantly more. G-H can be a good compromise.

So the minimally spec'd diamond I'd look at is H, VS2, ideal cut.

Also stick with GIA grading as EGL varies quite a bit especially in the color department.
 
looks fine

may be better stones available for the budget, but that would be fine

do you NEED VS1?
 
I don't need VS1. I just want to make sure she won't be able to see any obvious flaw. So you're saying VS2 is sufficient for that purpose? Also, what about girdle? What should I be considering there?
 
HI,

aRE YOU IGNORING THE gog STONE. yOU GET 2 CTS,a and everything you want plus its a super ideal?


Annette
 
Plus it is on sale! It was formerly listed for over $18k. Princess does face up smaller than RB so you are aware.
 
Yes, definitely looking at the GOG link that was sent. I would prefer to be shopping for a RB, but she wants a princess cut. When you say the inclusion can be hidden with a prong, are you referring to the setting? Apologies for my ignorance. I really appreciate all of the posts.
 
epalenschat|1428690729|3859979 said:
Yes, definitely looking at the GOG link that was sent. I would prefer to be shopping for a RB, but she wants a princess cut. When you say the inclusion can be hidden with a prong, are you referring to the setting? Apologies for my ignorance. I really appreciate all of the posts.
Click to expand...

Yes, I believe the prong of the setting will cover the tiny dot inclusion in the corner. Easy for a good jeweler.

P.S. The GOG diamond has blue fluorescence, which is not necessarily a bad thing. The GOG guys could let you know if fluor affects negatively or positively the look of the diamond. GOG will make you a video showing the diamond's performance in different lighting conditions, if you're still interested.
 
Yes, I noticed the blue fluorescence. I had a diamond broker tell me that is a bad sign. I don't understand very much about how that works. Could you give me the basic run down?
 
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-flourescence

In most cases the blue fluorescence has little effect on the diamond, if not in black light.

In a tiny minority of cases fluorescence leads to a milky look. Unlikely for GOG stone, but ask them.

There's segment of diamond buyers who welcome fluor, who seek it out, because it makes the diamond look whiter in sunlight.

*

Fluoer definitely not a reason to categorically exclude a diamond. That's uneducated old school prejudice.
 
Yeah too bad I prefer a RB as 1.8-2.00 are huge compared to the same size priincess. Plus I am always afraid the corners will get nipped and chipped even if it is bezed of pronged.
 
I am sorry but it is impossible to buy cushion by the numbers. There is no cut or cheat sheet to narrow down the possibilities, much less select one. The picture is also a sample picture, which doesn't help.
 
So how do folks go about purchasing cushion diamonds then? Do they just have to go see them in person?
 
epalenschat|1428940223|3861238 said:
So how do folks go about purchasing cushion diamonds then? Do they just have to go see them in person?
Click to expand...
I buy mine online and only purchase from vendors who provide at the very least a picture, a video and the ASET.
 
you COULD buy blind, but that seems nuts to me.

I'm with Chrono on cushions.

Whiteflash and BrianGavin dont have cushions in your size atm in their in-house selection.

GoodOldGold has some in your size range and provide pics/videos. You also get a guaranteed quality level for cut that you dont get from trying your luck in huge inventories without pictures/images.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/diamonds/cushion.html?order=carat_weight&dir=desc

seems like tough luck that the lady wants a cushion, life would be much easier if she wanted a round brilliant.
 
I've been looking at a 2.08 ct, H, Flawless, cushion cut, no florescence, excellent polish and symmetry and from what I've read the cut seems to be very good. It is going for around $17k. Does that sound like a steal?
 
Impossible to tell whether it will sparkle or be a lifeless diamond. Can you please explain where you read that the cut seems to be very good because as mentioned prior, there is no cut sheet for cushions and no labs have given cut grades for cushions.
 
It does, assuming the cut is as good as you think it is

My instinct is that something is wrong though, because I expect a flawless diamond with those characteristics to be priced higher.

Is it GIA?
 
In your price range ($17k or a little below for the stone) you'll do very well by working with a reputable dealer with a signature cushion line. For example:

Good Old Gold with their August Vintage Cushions or Signature Modern Cushions
Brilliantly Engaged with their Royal Chandelier, X-Factor or Mark T Modern cushions
Brian Gavin has a signature Hearts and Arrow Cushion (limited selection on their website, but call to let them know what you want).

You'll pay a little more but you'll enjoy numerous benefits: 1) peace of mind in certainly getting a top quality diamond; 2) all these dealers offer beautiful settings; 3) I think these dealers offer money back guarantees, buyback/tradeup policies etc.

Budget option: calling Yekutiel at ID Jewelry (or another trustworthy dealer) and having him select a few non-signature cushions in your price range. But I don't really see the point of this if you have the huge stone budget. And definitely don't try to find random cushions on your own. It's a jungle out there.
 
Yes, it is GIA certified. I read on some websites that ideal table is between 61-67 (table here is 63) and ideal depth is also 61-67 (depth here is 69, which is still supposed to be very good). The girdle is slightly thick. The diamond looks good in the video, but I just don't know that much about diamonds. Don't want to miss out on a good opportunity.
 
would reiterate, there is no math cheat sheet to cushions.

ask the vendor to hold the diamond for you and request idealscope and ASET
 
epalenschat|1428941463|3861253 said:
Yes, it is GIA certified. I read on some websites that ideal table is between 61-67 (table here is 63) and ideal depth is also 61-67 (depth here is 69, which is still supposed to be very good). The girdle is slightly thick. The diamond looks good in the video, but I just don't know that much about diamonds. Don't want to miss out on a good opportunity.
Click to expand...

Dude, that's not a video of the stone you'd be buying. Be careful, your instinct for a good deal is leading you to bad places.
 
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