Newbie getting a bit desperate!!

[TheBlu]

I posted these stats earlier on a diamond I was looking at:

2.00 Carat Princess-Cut
7.04 x 7.04 x 4.77
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Polish: VG
Symmetry VG
Flour: None
Comments: Surface graining is not shown
Depth %: 67.8
Table % 61%
Girdle: Thin to medium

Now this diamond lists price wise below some other stones with lesser Polish and/or symmetry but same color, clarity and carat.

I have since found some facts about AGA standards for princess cut in regard to Table % and Total Depth %. The 64%- 75% Depth % is within 1A to 1B standards. According to those standards a 60% - 72% Table % falls in the 1B category, yet I can''t find any other princesses with a 60 or 61 % Table %. Also should I be worried about the Girdle measurement? Anyone able to give me some advice??

 

[somethingshiny]

I don''t know much about Princess stones. You could try using the search tool, and the Pricescope your diamond tool. They may give you some help. You will find it said often that a fancy cut needs to be seen in person. If you can''t see it in person, ask the vendor to eyeball it for you. Blue Nile doesn''t carry pics, so you may want to look at other sites, too. When purchasing a stone that large, I really wish you could at least see some pics. Other vendors to try would be Whiteflash, James Allen, GoodOldGold, engagementringsdirect.com. Good Luck!


BTW- instead of posting a new topic, you can "bump" your original thread. Any time a new message has been added, it automatically goes to the top. That way it''s easier to keep all info in one place. And to be able to review it.

 

[TheBlu]

I looked to do that and couldn''t find a way. I guess I didn''t look hard enough. Thanks for the info and I couldn''t agree more that I''d like some pictures. I looked at some of those other sites and they didn''t quite have what I was looking for. I really like the pictures with the magnifier at James Allen.

 

[somethingshiny]

If you post some basic specs that you''re wanting, we could help you to do the searches. Just give us the budget, stone preferences, and off we go!!

 

[TheBlu]

Princess Cut
Around 2.00 Carat
Color F-G
Clarity VS2 or better
Polish VG
Symmetry VG
Cut VG to Ideal/Premium to Ideal


Budget is in the neighborhood of $15,000 - $20,000. The stone I posted I can pick up for $15,775 with a bank transfer. I reserved it. It seems as if it will present as a larger stone because of the lxw, I''m just worried about brilliance. Its listed as a very good cut and it seems to fit into the AGA Premium Cut category. I might just have to see it, but I"m nervous as hell and I''m not a worrier. This is just a big purchase and I want her to like it.

 

[Kaleigh]

Thin girdles do concern me, not sure what part of the girdle is thin I know it''s thin to medium, I''d want to know what part is thin, etc.. As it can pose a risk for chipping. Anyway,if I were buying a princess cut, and had your budget, I''d check out www.whiteflash.com and www.goodoldgold.com I have bought from both and have been more than pleased!!! Best of luck to you!!!

 

[somethingshiny]

I''m not finding much in the range you listed. But, like i said, I don''t know princess stones very well. I would call GoodOldGold or Whiteflash. They have stones that aren''t listed, or they can find stones for you. Then they can send you pics and you have a great set of eyes looking it over for you. I think the budget you have in mind is appropriate for that carat weight. You may be able to go down on color a little to get an even bigger stone. I would trust the guys at the above listed places, though. Also, mention Pricescope when dealing with these vendors, that will allow you between a 2% and a 5% discount!! That''s big money towards your budget!!

Oh, another thing. Did your GF say she wants a princess? There are a lot of beautiful cut squares that aren''t princess.

Some of the PSers who aren''t online may be able to help you more tomorrow.

Good Luck!

 

[TheBlu]

I checked both places. WF doesn''t have any princess diamonds that size. Old Gold has three princess cuts over 2.00 carats. A 2.06 that has a major drool factor, but is outside of my budget. They do have a 2.015 and a 2.24, that could come into play. The color and clarity on the smaller is lower than I''d like, but the stone has great brilliance. The larger stone has a slightly lower polish and symmetry than I''d like, but will present nice with good brilliance (I think). The larger one is also pushing on the upper end of the budget and may affect the setting choices.

 

[TheBlu]

She specifically mentioned the princess cut in a conversation I had a friend start with her about a month ago. I''ve been thinking about the move for awhile, but am just getting serious.

 

[TheBlu]

Bumping this up to try to get some info.

 

[shminbabe]

Well, I wish I could offer some help. Just want to say you have every right to feel nervous: it''s a lot of money!! I was so nervous myself when we recently spent a bundle on my new stone. Yikes. It''s not for the faint of heart and you don''t want to make a mistake. I would spend some quality time bonding with a salesperson from one of the mentioned online vendors who you trust will be candid with you. I like Bob at Whiteflash b/c of these reasons: WF comes highly recommended from the people here so I called them and got Bob. When we were looking for an EC he was honest when the one we called in didn''t measure up and I wasn''t charged for calling it in. When I found my EC elsewhere Bob was gracious enough to say he was happy for me even though he didn''t get the sale. The other vendor, although highly recommended and nice to talk to one the phone did not reply to my e-mail telling him I''d got the stone elsewhere. Not that he had to reply but I thought it was nice of Bob, you know? So, Whiteflash is making my wedding band. The point: I''d be asking for lots of help from one or two vendors in making this important decision and I''d recommend Whiteflash as one of them. Trust is an important factor and honesty in the relationship enhances trust.

Good luck! Very exciting. A lovely princess stone as you are looking at will make a fabulous engagement ring, no doubt. Since you are doing your homework I don''t think you will make a mistake

.

 

[TheBlu]

I got the stone today. I looks good. I''ve looked at it in about 10 different lighting patterns. I''m going to take it in for an indapendant appraisal and find out more about its light performance. So far it seems like a very good stone.

 

[somethingshiny]

Congrats on finding the stone!! Do you have pics to post yet?

What settings are you thinking about?