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Need help finding princess cut ring. 4k budget.

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darouter

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Dec 16, 2011
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I had picked out a nice round diamond then I found out a Princess cut is preferred.

I have been working on this for a while and am now completely lost when it comes to princess cut.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks,

Tim
 
I'm not one the experts here, just a lurker.

I learned the most about princess cuts from GoodOldGold's youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DiamondInfoMan

Here is a PriceScope's chart of classes of princess cuts: https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-grading-chart-princess

As far as I know, AGS is the only lab I know of that grades the princess cut (Ideal, Excellent, ...) . WhiteFlash has a large selection of AGS-graded princess cuts. Unfortunately, there is currently a lack of stones within the .7 - 1.0 carat range, ie the $4K range.

Blue Nile has AGS certified princess cuts. My diamond is from there. I am very happy with it.
 
Thank you, I will start there and see. I appreciate any help.
 
what do you want in terms of size/color/clarity?
 
I would like to get as close to a carat as possible. Probably something no worse than I and no visible inclusions.
 
I recommend reading through Truthaboutdiamonds.com

First off, I recommend only buying GIA cert. The other labs just don't compare consistently... just my opinion...

I used their advice to recently purchase a diamond from James allen. I was very satisfied with the whole experience. Diamond was very eye clean, SI2 and looks like a vs1 through a loop to me..., color was perfect, and best part...Saved me many thousands from what my family jeweler was trying to sell me.

his advice for a princess cut is Color g-i

there are 8 diamonds under 4 k on James allen website with GIA cert., color G & H, vs1. you can pick any of them and they will be eye clean at vs1. They only had 1 si2 under 1 ct with those color ranges and that didn't look eye clean to me, had bad inclusions in the center.

price ranged from 3.2K to 3.9K . I recommend best cut grade, they had some with very good cut.

best of luck.
here's the winner in your range. .98ct H VS1 3950. Pick a ring for a few hundred and done.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1390837.asp
 
^not true at all re: Gia only. Ags is VERY reputable.
 
I like AGS because it grades the cut of a princess whereas GIA does not. That said, my princess was graded by GIA. But as a non-expert, I feel more comfortable with AGS without seeing the stone in person. I like knowing the light performance beforehand.

WhiteFlash has this .948 H VS2 Princess Cut for the wire price of $4008 after the PriceScope and 12% discount.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2718880.htm

Contact GoodOldGold as well.

Blue Nile:
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform#diamonds_pid=LD02166640
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform#diamonds_pid=LD02206139
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform#diamonds_pid=LD01927256
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform#diamonds_pid=LD02097348
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform#diamonds_pid=LD02242021
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform#diamonds_pid=LD02153485
 
I didn't say they weren't reputable.
I said I didn't feel they compared consistently to GIA, in my opinion.

I'm sure it's been debated on here for years. Just trying to give the guy some advice.
 
Ok, I ordered that and they put the diamond on hold. They said it takes 3 days. What do I look for in that?
 
White Flash is "A Cut Above" and has an ideal cut. It's also eye clean. James Allen is a "good cut". There's the price difference. It may not mean anything to the naked eye. As sig47 suggested, get an ASET image from JA and ask if it's eye clean.
 
More options from White Flash. While you wait for JA, you could call White Flash and ask about their cut, brilliance, fire, eye cleanliness, etc.

0.90 ct G VS1 $3,916.94 http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2709653.htm
1.00 ct G SI1 $3,993.17 http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2730998.htm
0.90 ct H VS2 $3,389.08 http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2638950.htm
0.91 ct G VS2 $3,683.41 http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2701026.htm
0.90 ct H VS1 $3,661.21 http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2719093.htm
 
Here are the images. There is more green than the WF one, but I called WF and that ring is actually 4500, so 900 more than this one.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks

1390837aset.bmp.jpg

1390837aset.jpg
 
Any final thoughts on this diamond? Want to finalize this within the next couple of days.

Thank you,

Tim
 
Based on the ASET, the JA one is just OK, not terrible, but not nearly as nice as the WF one. I think you'll notice a big visual difference and would spring for the WF one if you can.
 
HI:

darouter said:
I had picked out a nice round diamond then I found out a Princess cut is preferred.

I have been working on this for a while and am now completely lost when it comes to princess cut.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks,

Tim
Click to expand...

HI:

Sorry, did you ask your FI about "shape" or did she see a ring or style she admired while in conversation? Did she try rings on without you and discovered she "preferred" a PC? Is this ring a "surprise"? Is there a rush"?

cheers--Sharon
 
jstarfireb|1325131716|3090568 said:
Based on the ASET, the JA one is just OK, not terrible, but not nearly as nice as the WF one. I think you'll notice a big visual difference and would spring for the WF one if you can.
Click to expand...

Ditto.
 
This might also be worth looking into if it's eye-clean:

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/8925/

There is a bit more leakage than I like, but the contrast pattern is pretty, and it was good enough for GOG's lifetime guarantee. I still like the WF one better, but this is a bit cheaper.
 
I would go with the whiteflash one first. Followed by the Good Old Gold one if budget is a constraint.
 
Her sister let me know that she wanted a PC and then I went out with her Mom who looked with her previously. She wants a solitare setting that is actually quite wide, 5mm. I am thinking my budget of 4k total is going to be tough. I have over a month to make a decision as I plan on proposing in March. Is it better to just put this off for a bit? How will the setting she wants look with this size diamond?
 
I would get an ASET on Julie's pick if you're OK with a slightly rectangular stone. It will be visibly off-square, but it would look nice set N/S.

Here's a setting that might work (it says it can be used for a princess)...$675 for 18k gold:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/contemporary-rings/diamond-solitaire-ring.html

You may have to increase your budget or go for a slightly smaller stone, as Julie mentioned (or go for a simple 14k solitaire, which you might be able to find for $300ish). These are worth looking into:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1442777.asp - actually, when you look at the measurements, you'll see that this is almost as big as the JA one you got the ASET on, despite the lower carat weight. This will look close to 1ct.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1442853.asp

I would recommend lower color and clarity to save money, but I can't find too many on JA with decent looking cuts.
 
darouter|1325807746|3096088 said:
Her sister let me know that she wanted a PC and then I went out with her Mom who looked with her previously. She wants a solitare setting that is actually quite wide, 5mm. I am thinking my budget of 4k total is going to be tough. I have over a month to make a decision as I plan on proposing in March. Is it better to just put this off for a bit? How will the setting she wants look with this size diamond?
Click to expand...

A 5mm band will be almost the entire width of the diamond. If it's done right (e.g. Tiffany Etoile), it can be a very sleek and modern look, but it will be expensive and require a lot of gold. Also keep in mind that a 5mm ring leaves little room on the finger for a weddnig band.
 
I know she also wants a thin band to go with it. It is tough because I want it to be a surprise and she is one that will keep whatever I give her. I can go up to 4500 total and a bit more if needed. I think the 3mm one may be an option, 5mm is pretty thick isn't it. Thank you all for your advise. I am not in a hurry which probably makes it worse...
 
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