Need help on evaluation of princess cut JA diamond.

[DoreFan]

I have been keeping my eye on the various sites for a diamond for an engagement ring. I must say that my standards continue to drop. When i started i was looking at stones in the 5-6K range (1 ct princess,E-F,>VVS2 etc). After reading tons of stuff here i have been convinced that to get what i want i can look at some cheaper stones. I will admit I make a good living, and can afford more than I am willing to spend. I just dont feel compelled to prove whatever it is by spending an extra grand or two on a stone. I know she will be happy with whatever, but at the same time i don''t necessarily want to have to explain myself to anyone who says "you only got her that". Catch my drift?

Anyway i somehow got to searching and this stone sneaked into my result set. Its is right under on just about all my critera. It is a 0.98ct-G-VS1 from JA listed as an "ideal" cut 72.9 Depth, 69.0 Table, EX polish, EX symmetry, slightly thick girdle with a size of 5.46x5.36x3.91.

After reading countless threads on PS about choosing a Princess cut online, I really have become timid with the idea. So attached are the images i requested from them. Feel free to give it to me straight. Also feel free to lay into me about my feeling on holding back on spending money, LOL. If there was one limit i didnt want to break it was the 1 ct mark. Perhaps this stones shortcoming on size is what makes it just under 4 grand. The cheapest stone i have really considered to date.

Thanks!

 

[DoreFan]

Ok for some reason the images wont attach. Give me a second.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/19/2009 3:52:06 PM
Author:DoreFan
I have been keeping my eye on the various sites for a diamond for an engagement ring. I must say that my standards continue to drop. When i started i was looking at stones in the 5-6K range (1 ct princess,E-F,>VVS2 etc). After reading tons of stuff here i have been convinced that to get what i want i can look at some cheaper stones. I will admit I make a good living, and can afford more than I am willing to spend. I just dont feel compelled to prove whatever it is by spending an extra grand or two on a stone. I know she will be happy with whatever, but at the same time i don't necessarily want to have to explain myself to anyone who says 'you only got her that'. Catch my drift?

Anyway i somehow got to searching and this stone sneaked into my result set. Its is right under on just about all my critera. It is a 0.98ct-G-VS1 from JA listed as an 'ideal' cut 72.9 Depth, 69.0 Table, EX polish, EX symmetry, slightly thick girdle with a size of 5.46x5.36x3.91.

After reading countless threads on PS about choosing a Princess cut online, I really have become timid with the idea. So attached are the images i requested from them. Feel free to give it to me straight. Also feel free to lay into me about my feeling on holding back on spending money, LOL. If there was one limit i didnt want to break it was the 1 ct mark. Perhaps this stones shortcoming on size is what makes it just under 4 grand. The cheapest stone i have really considered to date.

Thanks!

Welcome!

It sounds promising but post the images or the link and we can go from there, can't tell much by numbers with fancy shapes so images are essential.

 

[DoreFan]

Ok here is first image.

 

[DoreFan]

magnified image

 

[stone-cold11]

Looks promising.

In another thread, JA said that they will be able to take request for ASET, maybe you want to request one?

 

[Lorelei]

Looks very good.

 

[DoreFan]

Are there any specific comments on the IS image? I still am not confident enough to evaluate the light leakage. The JA associate said "ideal amount of light leakage and it is dispersed minimally which is very good."

I will request the ASET and post back if it becomes available. This stone is on hold for me until the end of the day today. Being an avid online shopper, i always try to look for bargains, and diamond prices are what they are. Stones don''t ever go on sale so you get pretty much get what you pay for. I still want a stone that will set itself apart from the majority of whats out there. Please tell me if I am barking up the wrong tree, and need to go back to my original standards and price range. I saw the $3900 price and couldn''t ignore its possibility or potential.

Thanks again PS gurus!

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 8/20/2009 7:54:00 AM
Author: DoreFan
Are there any specific comments on the IS image? I still am not confident enough to evaluate the light leakage. The JA associate said ''ideal amount of light leakage and it is dispersed minimally which is very good.''

I will request the ASET and post back if it becomes available. This stone is on hold for me until the end of the day today. Being an avid online shopper, i always try to look for bargains, and diamond prices are what they are. Stones don''t ever go on sale so you get pretty much get what you pay for. I still want a stone that will set itself apart from the majority of whats out there. Please tell me if I am barking up the wrong tree, and need to go back to my original standards and price range. I saw the $3900 price and couldn''t ignore its possibility or potential.

Thanks again PS gurus!

You''ll definitely get that with this diamond. It is better cut than probably 90-95% of the princess stones out there.

As far as specific comments on the IS. It shows good overall light return and carries that to the corners well, which is a big plus. The spots of leakeage on the edges are normal and help with contrast and sparkle/scintillation. The image shows mild leakage in the right hand and lower quadrants (paler pink areas), but it is most likely not enough to notice in real world viewing--the eye cannot distinguish that fine a difference in light return. It could also be a case of the diamond catching glare or being slightly tilted when the image was taken, though the way it matches with the photo makes me think this is not the case.

Please don''t let these comments dissuade you from the diamond if you like it and the price is right. As I mentioned earlier, it is a very nice princess and better than the vast majority out there. My comments are only in the spirit of education in reading IS images.

 

[DoreFan]

Ok so just an update:

I requested the ASET image on friday which in turn has kept the diamond held for me until tomorrow (Mon Aug 24th). I will post that up as soon as it is sent to me. JA sure has been great to deal with so far.

Yesterday i visited a local B&M wholesale store who i have heard nothing but glowing reviews from. One of their slogans is "dont even bring your wallet in on the first visit". I will say they used a little pressure and tried for a deposit on the stone and setting "i liked the most". I really just went in to get a better feel of what i am getting into with this purchase. I was a bit surprised that they could not give me any real info on the cut quality of their princess cut diamonds. I even baited them with keywords i have read on these very forums. The two guys claimed to be gemologists, so much for that. They also never offered to give me the prices of the individual prices of the diamond or setting separately , they only gave me the total (although i never asked either). Needless to say, their price for a similar designed setting in 18K with half the ct of side stones and a very comparable diamond was $1400 more. I say comparable diamond but in reality it was a full ct, had lesser rated polish and symmetry, and really no clue on the cut quality. Its specific specs were 1.0ct,SI2,F,Table and depth in the very low 70''s that would be set in a 18K WG .33ct channel set princess cut diamond ring.

Anyway, that was my adventure yesterday. I am still strongly considering the diamond i posted about originally (pending the ASET evaluation from all the helpful members here). I will post the GIA just as a reminder until tomorrow.

 

[Lorelei]

All looks in order, be interested to see the ASET image when you have it.

 

[DoreFan]

Date: 8/23/2009 4:20:50 PM
Author: Lorelei
All looks in order, be interested to see the ASET image when you have it.

Thanks! I would be grateful.

 

[tap02150]

Hey DoreFan,

I recently just went through the process of finding a princess cut diamond for my engagement ring. I had very similar criteria; except I needed it a tad smaller to keep the price down. I went with a .77 ct that has very similar measurements to the diamond you are looking at from JA. I went with a Whiteflash ACA, but i have heard amazing things about JA as well. I got the ring a couple days ago and I wanted to mention how stunned I was at the quality of a ideal cut diamond such as the ones WF/JA has to offer.

I think your ideal scope looks pretty on par with my diamond and looks promising. I can''t wait to see the ASET picture!

Good luck and if you have any questions for me, don''t feel hesitant

 

[DoreFan]

Analysis and opinions please!

ASET

 

[DoreFan]

Bump.

While i wait for some feedback i will share what my thoughts are based on my very limited understanding.

I sent the image to the photo processor and got an actual 4x6. On my work monitor i could see no blue, but on the actual photo there are some blue shades. For the most part it has quite a bit of red indicating nice light return from above. The red carries to the corners for the most part which seems to me would be ideal. There is not alot of red on the edges which i am a bit concerned with. The green areas show nice reflection from side light while not being overwhelmed by leakage. The black blocks seem to be dispersed nicely and none are adjacent to the bluer hues meaning very little dark zones should be present in normal lighting conditions.

Experts?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/26/2009 7:09:01 PM
Author: DoreFan
Bump.

While i wait for some feedback i will share what my thoughts are based on my very limited understanding.

I sent the image to the photo processor and got an actual 4x6. On my work monitor i could see no blue, but on the actual photo there are some blue shades. For the most part it has quite a bit of red indicating nice light return from above. The red carries to the corners for the most part which seems to me would be ideal. There is not alot of red on the edges which i am a bit concerned with. The green areas show nice reflection from side light while not being overwhelmed by leakage. The black blocks seem to be dispersed nicely and none are adjacent to the bluer hues meaning very little dark zones should be present in normal lighting conditions.

Experts?

Its a good ASET, not the best I have seen but there is a reasonable amount of red and there is some red hitting the corners and outer areas of the diamond. If you want a nice make of Princess but aren''t bothered about having a top cut then this one can fit the bill I think.

 

[DoreFan]

Date: 8/27/2009 4:53:36 AM
Author: Lorelei

Its a good ASET, not the best I have seen but there is a reasonable amount of red and there is some red hitting the corners and outer areas of the diamond. If you want a nice make of Princess but aren''t bothered about having a top cut then this one can fit the bill I think.

Well i want a great cut. It doesnt have to be the best or even near perfect, but i want it differentiate itself from the majority. JA has it listed as "ideal" and i know that does not say a whole lot about it when compared to the AGS cut rating.

 

[stone-cold11]

It is better than most of the Princess cut out there, just not among the top.

 

[DoreFan]

Well i have one of their Gemologists calling me this afternoon to discuss this stone. How can i get some sort of understanding on where this stands? The last B&M store i went to could not really not answer my questions on cut of the princess stones. They just emphasized the visual comparisons of different stones. What kind of things can i ask them to help me understand over the phone? The fact that they can call the cut "ideal" on opinion with nothing backing them up from GIA certainly makes this decision difficult.

 

[strmrdr]

on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best I would give it a 8.5
The average princess would be a 4

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/27/2009 8:43:15 AM
Author: strmrdr
on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best I would give it a 8.5
The average princess would be a 4

Thats how I would rate it too.

 

[DoreFan]

Thanks everyone.

Now a question that has worked its way into my head (which is hurting at this point) from looking at various images . . . The black "X" in the very center of the diamond image (also represented by light pink in the IS image), is that a good, bad, or indifferent distraction. I say distraction because it now jumps out at me after looking at so many different diamond images.

Gosh, what happened to the good old days when you could fold a dollar into a ring with a note "check here yes or no" and call it a day.

 

[stone-cold11]

The black x is just the shadow of the camera. Nothing to worry about.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/27/2009 9:06:59 AM
Author: DoreFan
Thanks everyone.

Now a question that has worked its way into my head (which is hurting at this point) from looking at various images . . . The black ''X'' in the very center of the diamond image (also represented by light pink in the IS image), is that a good, bad, or indifferent distraction. I say distraction because it now jumps out at me after looking at so many different diamond images.

Gosh, what happened to the good old days when you could fold a dollar into a ring with a note ''check here yes or no'' and call it a day.

Its just obstruction from when the photo was taken, nothing to worry about.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

I am sorry, Lorelei, but I need to correct.

If the black in the actual pic would be a reflection of the camera, it would likely be blue in the ASET-view. However, in the ASET, it is green, and in the IS, it is a light pink.

The green in the ASET refers to light originating from close to the horizon, so the black must come from that direction.

Live long,

 

[DoreFan]

Date: 8/27/2009 10:42:21 AM
Author: Paul-Antwerp
I am sorry, Lorelei, but I need to correct.


If the black in the actual pic would be a reflection of the camera, it would likely be blue in the ASET-view. However, in the ASET, it is green, and in the IS, it is a light pink.


The green in the ASET refers to light originating from close to the horizon, so the black must come from that direction.


Live long,

Regardless, how will this affect its fire or light return when set in a ring?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/27/2009 10:42:21 AM
Author: Paul-Antwerp
I am sorry, Lorelei, but I need to correct.

If the black in the actual pic would be a reflection of the camera, it would likely be blue in the ASET-view. However, in the ASET, it is green, and in the IS, it is a light pink.

The green in the ASET refers to light originating from close to the horizon, so the black must come from that direction.

Live long,

No need to apologize Paul! Noted!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/27/2009 10:49:52 AM
Author: DoreFan

Date: 8/27/2009 10:42:21 AM
Author: Paul-Antwerp
I am sorry, Lorelei, but I need to correct.


If the black in the actual pic would be a reflection of the camera, it would likely be blue in the ASET-view. However, in the ASET, it is green, and in the IS, it is a light pink.


The green in the ASET refers to light originating from close to the horizon, so the black must come from that direction.


Live long,

Regardless, how will this affect its fire or light return when set in a ring?

I don''t think it would have an impact, it is a well cut Princess, as we said not a top cut but still better than many of the Princess out there.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/27/2009 10:42:21 AM
Author: Paul-Antwerp
I am sorry, Lorelei, but I need to correct.

If the black in the actual pic would be a reflection of the camera, it would likely be blue in the ASET-view. However, in the ASET, it is green, and in the IS, it is a light pink.

The green in the ASET refers to light originating from close to the horizon, so the black must come from that direction.

Live long,

Hi Paul,

If that is the case, and I''m not doubting you at all, my question then becomes, how come all the green in the ASET doesn''t show as black in the real pic? While there is definitely "some" showing, there is not as much black as there seems to be green? Just trying to learn here, maybe I am misunderstanding.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 8/27/2009 11:21:59 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 8/27/2009 10:42:21 AM

Author: Paul-Antwerp

I am sorry, Lorelei, but I need to correct.


If the black in the actual pic would be a reflection of the camera, it would likely be blue in the ASET-view. However, in the ASET, it is green, and in the IS, it is a light pink.


The green in the ASET refers to light originating from close to the horizon, so the black must come from that direction.


Live long,

Hi Paul,


If that is the case, and I'm not doubting you at all, my question then becomes, how come all the green in the ASET doesn't show as black in the real pic? While there is definitely 'some' showing, there is not as much black as there seems to be green? Just trying to learn here, maybe I am misunderstanding.

Green is a range and the black can be lack of light as well as obstruction in a regular picture.
Also green can be a mix of return and obstruction.
A VF can pick up week light from the sides and be obstructing from the top at the same time.
Take away that lighting and it is black in a picture, the obstruction shows.
The IS is showing partial leakage so it is right on the verge of leakage close to obstruction and in ASET it shows the red seen in the IS is coming from the sides.

This picture shows the range for green in ASET: