Need Help!!! Picking between two Princess Cut diamonds!!!

[ervinboy2012]

I really need someone opinion about these two diamonds. I am in the Air Force and I am coming home from a TDY to propose to my girl. Ok here are the two princess cut diamonds

1) VVS2 clarity, I color, 1.25 carat---$4500
2)SI2 clarity, D color, 1.31 carat----$5000

I dont know whether to sacrifice color for clarity or vice versa. I wish I had specs and pics but I dont, but I am not a diamond expert or no where near it. So any advice well help than none....THANKS!!!

 

[fiona00004]

Re: Need Help!!! Picking between two Princess Cut diamonds!!

hi,

with those carats and prices, I would be highly suspicious! when i was dating, I was naive and asked my then boyfriend for a diamond based on carats, color clarity and shape. I got a stone that was not well cut and had many "dead spots"...it did not sparkle like i was supposed to. my local gemologist deemed it a "dead stone". things like cut grade, depth, table... these need to be considered also! need to go beyond the 4 c's! especially if you cannot actually visually see and pick the stone!

after 8 years with that diamond, I am now trading it in with the original jeweler and choosing a better quality one...

 

[JulieN]

Re: Need Help!!! Picking between two Princess Cut diamonds!!

Hi Do these come with GIA reports? Because only when I drop it down to the lower limits of your color and clarity am I able to even get close to your price. 1.32 ct I SI2, is over $5000 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1532830.asp And that one needs to be checked because the SI2 is based on clouds.

 

[chrono]

Re: Need Help!!! Picking between two Princess Cut diamonds!!

Colour and clarity play a role in a diamond's beauty but cut plays the biggest role. Are these stone accompanied by a lab memo? If so, which lab and what are the cut specifications? I'm very concerned about the very low pricing for such stats and this warrants more investigation.

 

[sakari_8]

Re: Need Help!!! Picking between two Princess Cut diamonds!!

The first stone you have selected is I/VVS2 and second one you have selected is D/SI2, I would suggest to go for clarity in between VVS to VS2 and Color between D to H, anything lower than the color clarity range makes you compromise on the look, also I believe you need
to know more about these stones, do you know the depth and table percentage of the stones? make sure the princess stones you are looking for are square with the ratio between 1.0 to 1.02, share with us more info if you can, we would be able to provide assistance.

 

[jstarfireb]

Re: Need Help!!! Picking between two Princess Cut diamonds!!

Like the other posters said, it's impossible to choose between 2 princess cut stones without more information. There's just way too much variation in cut style and quality, and cut (much more than clarity or color) is really what makes a diamond sparkle. Also, if the diamonds are uncertified or if they are by a lab other than AGS or GIA, the color and clarity grades may not be what they seem. Additionally, AGS is the only lab that issues a cut quality grade for princesses, so the only way to ensure you're getting a well-cut princess without seeing pictures and reflector images is to buy an AGS 0 (ideal cut) stone.

As for clarity and color, I would pick something in the middle. I'd be concerned that the SI2 wouldn't be eye-clean, and I set my personal clarity comfort zone limit at VS2, so I'd probably choose the I/VVS2 (and indeed my princess has exactly those stats). However, I've become more color-sensitive over time and would choose something like an F-H VS1-VS2 knowing what I know now.

ETA: If you are OK with an accurately graded I/SI2, the one Julie posted looks very nice. Check to see if it's eye-clean and ask for an ASET image so we can help you evaluate the light performance.