Newbie question on a Princess cut ring bought online

[newnewcomputer]

Hello all, I am a newbie to Pricecsope and its forums! I found the site because of a recent need to buy a diamond engagement ring.

Unfortunately I had bought one before I learnt from all the useful info posted on here The ring has arrived and I wonder if I should keep or return it. The return period is 30 days. It is from a very reputable and large online store but there is no independent certification. The specs are 3/4 caret, I-J Color, I1-I2 Clarity, 14k White Gold Princess-Cut Solitaire Engagement Ring.

With my camera zooming in, I could see a cloud in the upper left and an inclusion in the upper right which is very obvious in the second close-up photos. To be honest, they are to be expected for an I1-I2 Clarity rating.

I do not have very good eye sight so I could not see any imperfection with my naked eyes. I am quite certain my finance will not either because her sight is worse than mine. The ring was on sale and I only paid $1200 for this 3/4-caret ring. So I wonder if I should keep or return it.

What do you think? Let me know please; I have time to shop for a better ring if it comes to that.

 

[newnewcomputer]

Here is the second close up: the black inclusion in the upper right really showed in this photo although I had not noticed it until then.


PS: I am sorry in advance - if this post should be posted somewhere else or I should have posted my question in another thread, please feel free to move it.

 

[milton333]

You're likely to get more responses if you re-post in the Rocky Talky forum.

IMO, you should return it. I would not get an I1-I2 stone for an engagement ring. She will most likely scrutinize the diamond closely, and other people certainly will. Also, for something that is not independently certified, the color grades are completely unreliable. To get a well-cut stone that is at least SI2 clarity, you will most likely have to go down in size (you will not find a 3/4 ct with a good cut and good clarity at $1,200). Have you considered a round diamond? Princesses face up quite small anyway.

If you're still looking for a princess, here's a better quality and clarity .70 ct for $1,460 with the PS discount: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Fair-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1442848.asp Here's one that looks promising for $1,380 at .60 ct, better clarity and excellent color: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1451978.asp

You could do this setting for $420: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/2mm-Knife-Edge-18k-White-Gold-Solitaire-Ring.html

 

[newnewcomputer]

Thank you, Milton, for your advices! I will repost it there as well.

Yes, I know I will either have to go down in size or up in $ to get a nicer (or even the same) ring - it was an impulse buy because of it being the last one available.

After I found this site, I have been searching and looking at stones from WhiteFlash and James Allen - really like their posted pics along with the certificate for the stone. Round was my first choice; although after seaching a bit, it seems Princess cut may be slightly cheaper for comparable size. But you are right about Princess looking smaller too!

The thing that really bugs me is that without any certificate, how do I even know that the stone is really diamond? I checked on some sites that sell diamond rings but unless I buy the stone and setting separately, they will not provide a certificate either.

Thanks again for your help, Milton!

 

[milton333]

When you say that princess cuts may be "slightly cheaper for comparable size," do you mean carat size? Because, again, rounds of the same carat size face up larger than princesses. And when most women think of size, they think of diameter, finger coverage, how big it looks. For example, a 3/4 carat princess is 5 mm in diameter. A 1/2 carat round is 5 mm in diameter. A 3/4 ct ideal cut princess in G color, VS2 clarity is about $3,300. A 1/2 ct ideal cut round in G color, VS2 clarity is about $2,200.

 

[newnewcomputer]

Yes, I mean carat size. Thanks again, Milton - I know rounds look larger but did not realize there is such a big difference. Hmm....decision decision....I found a pretty good-looking round 3/4-ct on James Allen - I color, VS2, excellant cut just under $3000. Now I need to check and see its diameter. Funny I have always just looked at the carat size but ignored teh diameter. Learn another new thing here Thanks!

There are so many things to learn about diamond!

 

[Amys Bling]

Post links here an people can help you evaluate the stone