Need some help, please! It's go time for engagement.

[anonymuse]

Hi all,

You guys have a totally awesome website going on here. I'm quite the hobbyist myself (in other areas) and I can tell there's a ton of (a goldmine!) of knowledge in these forums. That said, I'm looking to take the engagement ring plunge. I've been doing a lot of research but I'm feeling totally overwhelmed. My total ring budget is 10K, and I'm looking for a princess cut and I'm pretty certain it's going to be pave and platinum as far as the setting goes.

I've been trolling around Bluenile as per the recommendation of a coworker, and I've since added Whiteflash.com upon discovering these forums. I actually went today with a friend who works "in the industry" to one of their suppliers so I could see some diamonds in person. My concern is that this ("at cost") price didn't feel much better than what I saw at BN. I'll follow this post up with description of some of the diamonds I've seen online, as well as the diamond today.

There's so much to consider, the more I learn the more lost I honestly feel!


Cheers.

 

[anonymuse]

Here's one from BN:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02881544

and one from WF:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2847480.htm

 

[tyty333]

I dont think either of those stones are going to be nice. You really cant buy fancy cut stones without pictures and aset images.
Bluenile does not provide either of those. Whiteflash provides them for the stones they have in house (ACA and other Expert
Selection.) James Allen can provide both.

You need to look at WF and JA and find a stone you like the look of.

 

[JulieN]

The first one from BN is not a top cut. Whiteflash has http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2790070.htm

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yes, Whiteflash has ideal cut princess stones in their A CUT ABOVE line. It is important to have the photos and the grading that indicates the stone has ideal light performance.

 

[Sakuracherry]

I think you should get from WF or GOG or maybe JA (they can provide ASET). If you have to get from BN, stick with AGS triple 0 stones.

 

[anonymuse]

Hey all, thanks so much for the responses thus far. We've had a bit of a rough week weather-wise here on the east coast, so this project was back-burnered a bit in the past week and a half. I'm pressing forward now, though!

I'm having some trouble understanding the differences in diamonds say in the 1.25-1.5 range that have the same "top" (table?) surface area. If that's all you really see, why would someone pick the 1.5 over the much less expensive 1.25 carat diamond?

I'm also having some trouble telling the differences in grading. Everyone seems to be pushing color and clarity, but the "cut grade" seems to be a much more important (and nebulous) factor. Does anyone have any further recommendations in the 7500-8500 range similar to what JulieN (thanks!) posted?

I've seen a square modified brilliant diamond for around 8K from a local friend of a friend. It's a color H and VVS1. It's 5.93 x 5.92 on top, which may be meaningless. I've been told it's a good deal as a wholesale price, but I'm a little wary of purchasing a VVS1 diamond as it doesn't seem like a good value (being at the top of the clarity scale.)

Does anyone have any more advice? Thanks!!

(Also having some trouble with all the acronyms, heh. Lots of technology and partners to learn!

 

[anonymuse]

Found this one at WF:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2787278.htm

Am I getting better at picking higher quality stones?

Should I be asking the current dealer for an Idealscope or ASET image? Do most wholesalers have those available? As mentioned before this is a family friend so I feel that I'm expected to rely on their expertise (which I do trust,) I'm just making sure I do my due dilligence on one of the largest purchases I've ever made!

Saw this too: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2803907.htm

If I may, why search for "A cut above?"

Thanks again.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Found this one at WF:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2787278.htm

Am I getting better at picking higher quality stones?

Should I be asking the current dealer for an Idealscope or ASET image? Do most wholesalers have those available? As mentioned before this is a family friend so I feel that I'm expected to rely on their expertise (which I do trust,) I'm just making sure I do my due dilligence on one of the largest purchases I've ever made!

Saw this too: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2803907.htm

If I may, why search for "A cut above?"

Thanks again.

Those are both gorgeous stones! I would be happy to have either! Why search for A Cut Above or top quality cut? Because those diamonds will be the most brilliant and beautiful! When you have poorly cut stones, they often will not have edge to edge brightness which will make them appear smaller from a distance. That is just one example. Some stones have leakage in the center and can look dull because of that.

If I were looking for a princess cut, I would only look at AGS Ideal cut because I know that usually means top cut quality and a beautiful stone. There may also be some Expert Selection stones at WF also worth considering, but the two you just posted are great choices!