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need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement ring

xodus8

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 4, 2011
Messages
22
Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

emeraldmurphy|1317836759|3033964 said:
slg47|1317830343|3033888 said:
I doubt you can get a 'deal' on the GOG stone. there is a discount for paying by wire.

Another issue that may affect total cost, is with a NY address, there will likely be sales tax, unless the shipping/delivery address can be in a different state?

Thats true but i have a friend in NJ were I can get it shipped to.

The actual concern is that it looks the gog diamond is sold. Any other suggestions??
 

emeraldmurphy

Rough_Rock
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Messages
38
Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

xodus8|1317849342|3034083 said:
emeraldmurphy|1317836759|3033964 said:
slg47|1317830343|3033888 said:
I doubt you can get a 'deal' on the GOG stone. there is a discount for paying by wire.

Another issue that may affect total cost, is with a NY address, there will likely be sales tax, unless the shipping/delivery address can be in a different state?

Thats true but i have a friend in NJ were I can get it shipped to.

The actual concern is that it looks the gog diamond is sold. Any other suggestions??

I came across this one which looks close to your requirements, the only concern is that while cut, polish, and symmetry appear to grade well, there is no indication of light performance so perhaps Mark at ERD can help you our with more information and confirm that it is Eye Clean.
http://engagementringsdirect.com/DiamondDetails.aspx?Item=181427531#grading_report
 

jstarfireb

Ideal_Rock
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6,232
Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

Since you're close to GOG, I would ask them if they have anything else around 1.6ct and your price range coming in any time soon. This one may also be worth looking into as it also has the lifetime guarantee and ideal light performance:

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/6491/

Since the optical symmetry is a little less than ideal, I'd either ask for a video comparing that to a GOG signature or go in person and check it out. Also be sure to make sure the SI1 is eye-clean. And if you can get to GOG, it's also worth taking trips to ID Jewelry and Engagement Rings Direct, both in NYC. They carry ideal-cut princesses and can guide you a little further.

Whiteflash has a gorgeous ACA near 1.6ct but it looks to be out of your price range:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2629040.htm

Finally, consider this one from James Allen, but reserve it and ask for an ASET so it doesn't get bought out from under you like the GOG one. It looks very promsing and is in your price range:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1381111.asp

The usual disclaimer of "ignore the vendor's cut grade of Good and just look at the ASET/image" applies. And as always, you must ask if an SI1 is eye-clean to your standards.
 

xodus8

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Messages
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Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

jstarfireb|1317857985|3034180 said:
Since you're close to GOG, I would ask them if they have anything else around 1.6ct and your price range coming in any time soon. This one may also be worth looking into as it also has the lifetime guarantee and ideal light performance:

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/6491/

Since the optical symmetry is a little less than ideal, I'd either ask for a video comparing that to a GOG signature or go in person and check it out. Also be sure to make sure the SI1 is eye-clean. And if you can get to GOG, it's also worth taking trips to ID Jewelry and Engagement Rings Direct, both in NYC. They carry ideal-cut princesses and can guide you a little further.

Whiteflash has a gorgeous ACA near 1.6ct but it looks to be out of your price range:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2629040.htm

Finally, consider this one from James Allen, but reserve it and ask for an ASET so it doesn't get bought out from under you like the GOG one. It looks very promsing and is in your price range:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1381111.asp

The usual disclaimer of "ignore the vendor's cut grade of Good and just look at the ASET/image" applies. And as always, you must ask if an SI1 is eye-clean to your standards.

ok I requested the ASET for the jamesallen ring

She gave me a link for the larger pic of the ring, Im really not sure what im looking at

http://www.jamesallen.com/DiamPics/IDO360-2pic.jpg
 

jstarfireb

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Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

All we can really say from a regular photo is that it looks promising. I see a very nice facet/contrast pattern without much visible leakage, but I'm concerned about the inclusion. Definitely make sure to ask if it's eye-clean and post the ASET when it comes in.

ETA: Between the one I posted from GOG and this one, it may simply come down to the question of which one is eye-clean. The prices and sizes are similar, and I suspect the light performance will be too.
 

xodus8

Rough_Rock
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Oct 4, 2011
Messages
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Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

jstarfireb|1317863590|3034235 said:
All we can really say from a regular photo is that it looks promising. I see a very nice facet/contrast pattern without much visible leakage, but I'm concerned about the inclusion. Definitely make sure to ask if it's eye-clean and post the ASET when it comes in.

ETA: Between the one I posted from GOG and this one, it may simply come down to the question of which one is eye-clean. The prices and sizes are similar, and I suspect the light performance will be too.

So this is what jamesallen said

"hank you for your patience while waiting for the ASET image of diamond 1381111. We took the liberty of having one of our graduate gemologists inspect this diamond before its ASET image was to be captured and they do not recommend purchasing this diamond. Its feathers located at the corners create a durability concern and they feel that this diamond will almost certainly chip during mounting.

I've completed a diamond search for you based on the specs of diamond 1381111 and I'd like to recommend looking at diamond 1424159, This diamond will have a whiter color performance than your current diamond and its cut should give you nice light performance. It's an SI2 graded diamond but its inclusions do not appear offensive in its magnified image. I am including a table with information on this diamond to the bottom of this email."

Here is the link to the diamond http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1424159.asp

Also gog called me they recommend this stone http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/6491/ he said it was very similar.

What is everyones thoughts
 

jstarfireb

Ideal_Rock
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Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

Well, as you can tell, they gave you a very honest assessment of that stone rather than just an attempt to sell it. Good to know. Cut and light performance are #1 when it comes to diamond selection, but inclusions that threaten the structural integrity of the stone are certainly a dealbreaker.

Unfortunately I don't like their replacement choice. Julie's pick looks better and faces up huge, so I'd pursue that one if you're interested. However, it's not that appealing to MY personal tastes because I prefer fewer chevrons and slightly bigger facets. At this point I'd pursue the GOG stone if it were up to me (it's the same as the one I posted earlier). It looks better than anything I see at JA.
 

tenyearanniversary

Shiny_Rock
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Sep 18, 2011
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Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

FYI, this is GOG's facebook update tonight:

Good Old Gold
It's official! The folks over at Princess of Hearts are sitting on a mega inventory of rocks, between 6-700 or so and are looking to *move product*. We don't have this marked up high to begin with but not only have they come down on the prices but we helped as well by lowering markup on them more as well. On this page we'll have Q/A on the details.

Princess of Hearts Diamonds Promotion - GoodOldGold.com
www.goodoldgold.com
 

emeraldmurphy

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Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

This one was just added and more closely matches the original request but slightly higher in budget than the 1.54/1.6 stones on GoG...

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8748

1.71_ASET.jpg

1.71_AGS_PGS.jpg
 

jstarfireb

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Mar 24, 2007
Messages
6,232
Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

emeraldmurphy|1318028702|3035614 said:
This one was just added and more closely matches the original request but slightly higher in budget than the 1.54/1.6 stones on GoG...

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8748

If you can squeak out the extra cash, this one is great! Otherwise, the 1.54 is still a great choice.

ETA: Regarding the Princess of Hearts...that cut is beautiful but has completely different optics from a traditional princess cut. I for one love the optics of a princess cut and wouldn't have been happy with a POH because they look too much like a round brilliant to me. So I would talk to your girlfriend to make sure she's OK with a POH if she asked for a princess from the start.
 

xodus8

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Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

Hey guys, someone is offering me a round cut for 9300$. It has an EGL report

What are the thoughts, I havent seen the stone myself but I asked them if they can check if it is eye clean they should get back to me by today.

http://www.eglusa.com/oresults/SearchPage.php?st_num=902123110D
 

audball

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Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

xodus8|1318357237|3037870 said:
Hey guys, someone is offering me a round cut for 9300$. It has an EGL report

What are the thoughts, I havent seen the stone myself but I asked them if they can check if it is eye clean they should get back to me by today.

http://www.eglusa.com/oresults/SearchPage.php?st_num=902123110D

HCA scores this:
Factor Grade
Light Return Good
Fire Good
Scintillation Good
Spread or diameter for weight Very Good
Total Visual Performance 4.7 - Good - Only if price is your main criterion

I'd pass on the EGL round and go for the shape she asked for - a princess...from a trusted vendor with an upgrade policy. Both of the GOG stones look gorgeous to me and I don't even care for princess stones personally.
 

jstarfireb

Ideal_Rock
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Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

Please don't get a round if she wants a princess. Go for the shape she asked for!
 

xodus8

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Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

well she is actually fine with both, she told me its up to me.
 

jstarfireb

Ideal_Rock
Joined
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Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

Ah, OK. Well, I'm much more well-versed in princess cuts than rounds, but it sounds like this stone is not very well-cut. Plus, EGL tends to be soft on color and clarity, so I'd be very wary of an EGL SI2. It is likely to have eye-visible inclusions and might even be an I1. If you want a round, I'd look for a GIA or AGS stone so you know you're getting what you're paying for.
 

xodus8

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 4, 2011
Messages
22
Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

jstarfireb|1318374501|3038087 said:
Ah, OK. Well, I'm much more well-versed in princess cuts than rounds, but it sounds like this stone is not very well-cut. Plus, EGL tends to be soft on color and clarity, so I'd be very wary of an EGL SI2. It is likely to have eye-visible inclusions and might even be an I1. If you want a round, I'd look for a GIA or AGS stone so you know you're getting what you're paying for.

My cousin is offering me this for about 7500$

http://www2.gia.edu/reportcheck/ind...tVerification&reportno=2125036885&weight=1.70
 

slg47

Ideal_Rock
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9,667
Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

again, with GIA princess cuts you know nothing about cut without an ASET.
 

jstarfireb

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Mar 24, 2007
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6,232
Re: need help picking out a princess diamond for engagement

slg47|1318445660|3038724 said:
again, with GIA princess cuts you know nothing about cut without an ASET.

Ditto. There aren't any glaring red flags in the numbers, but we still know nothing about the light performance and cut quality. It may be beautiful, but it may be a dog. If you see the diamond in person and trust your own eyes, that's fine, but I personally want more than that when I'm in the market for a diamond. I trust an ASET image way better than my own eyes, unless I'm directly comparing more than 1 diamond in the same lighting right next to each other. Otherwise there are just too many variables (lighting, for instance). So what I would really want to see is your cousin's diamond right next to one of the GOG diamonds we recommended (which are still at the top of my list for you) or an ASET image of your cousin's diamond.
 
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