Novice Purchaser (Princess Cut - Need Input)

[e64mtd]

Hello Everyone,

I''m about to make my first diamond purchase and lack the knowledge to make a completely informed decision, specifically with regard to the cut of the stone. I was told this was a great place to come for help. I am specifically concerned with the cut''s brilliance based on these parameters. Any and all input would be greatly appreciated, especially if there may be any generally positive or negative comments on this diamond selection. I hope I''m on the right track! Thanks in advance.

Princess cut

Depth %: 68.6%

Table %: 71%

Symmetry: Very good

Polish: Excellent

Girdle: Slightly thick to thick

Culet: None

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 5.67 x 5.47 x 3.75 mm

Crown height: 9%

Length/width ratio: 1.04

Carat weight: 1.01

Cut: Signature Ideal

Color: H

Clarity: VS2

 

[Splinter]

Hi e64mtd!

Princess cuts are harder to judge than Rounds. Your best bet is to get an ASET image of it.

I'll just blatantly steal from Lorelei's recent post:

Great tools to help you buy a Princess or other fancy cut are ASET images and photos of the diamond.

The best recommendation I personally think, is to go with a vendor who has in house diamonds and has done the cut analysis and can see the diamonds. I would check out www.goodoldgold.com and www.whiteflash.com and some of the others who have the tools, in house diamonds and expertise to help you.

Also this chart might be of some help to you though: Fancy grading chart - select Princess at the top of the page

This article might have some useful insight: Fancy cut article

I don't know a lot about princess cuts, but your numbers actually look pretty good to me. It seems like a fairly solid stone. But as said above, get an ASET to be sure.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/24/2008 5:42:39 AM
Author: Splinter
Hi e64mtd!

Princess cuts are harder to judge than Rounds. Your best bet is to get an ASET image of it.

I''ll just blatantly steal from Lorelei''s recent post:

Great tools to help you buy a Princess or other fancy cut are ASET images and photos of the diamond.

The best recommendation I personally think, is to go with a vendor who has in house diamonds and has done the cut analysis and can see the diamonds. I would check out www.goodoldgold.com and www.whiteflash.com and some of the others who have the tools, in house diamonds and expertise to help you.

Also this chart might be of some help to you though: Fancy grading chart - select Princess at the top of the page

This article might have some useful insight: Fancy cut article

I am just so flattered you and Cleo think some of my posts are worth stealing from...

 

[chrono]

Crown height is low at 9%. I prefer at the very least 10% and upwards. Also, from the term "signature ideal'', it sounds like a Blue Nile stone and BN does not provide ASET pictures. It would be best to have an actual picture of the stone and ASET because numbers don''t tell you everything you need to make a true assessment of princess cut stones.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/24/2008 6:54:06 AM
Author: Chrono
Crown height is low at 9%. I prefer at the very least 10% and upwards. Also, from the term 'signature ideal', it sounds like a Blue Nile stone and BN does not provide ASET pictures. It would be best to have an actual picture of the stone and ASET because numbers don't tell you everything you need to make a true assessment of princess cut stones.

But even that doesn't necessarily mean it can really adversley affect a diamond does it? I was reading recently where one of the experts pointed out that a higher crown height doesn't necessarily give a stone greater sparkle or fire and I am just trying to learn which is the best approach.

 

[chrono]

Maybe, because it is border line. At this point, a picture and ASET is needed to make a decision, and I wouldn''t without them. I''d never make a decision based on just numbers for fancy cut diamonds.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/24/2008 7:06:42 AM
Author: Chrono
Maybe, because it is border line. At this point, a picture and ASET is needed to make a decision, and I wouldn''t without them. I''d never make a decision based on just numbers for fancy cut diamonds.

Thanks!

 

[Splinter]

Date: 4/24/2008 5:44:40 AM
Author: Lorelei
I am just so flattered you and Cleo think some of my posts are worth stealing from...

With almost 12 000 posts, you gotta have something good to say...

...besides, we tried stealing from your wallet, but it was empty.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/24/2008 7:50:28 AM
Author: Splinter

Date: 4/24/2008 5:44:40 AM
Author: Lorelei
I am just so flattered you and Cleo think some of my posts are worth stealing from...

With almost 12 000 posts, you gotta have something good to say...

...besides, we tried stealing from your wallet, but it was empty.

LOL!!! ''Tis always the case I am afraid!!

 

[e64mtd]

Thanks for the responses everyone. Yes it is a Blue Nile stone. It''s unfortunate I won''t be able to obtain any images before purchasing through Blue Nile, to show here and help with the decision. I wasn''t aware it was harder to judge the princess cut, even when given their dimensions and properties, without viewing them. It seems the more I try to learn, the more there is to learn. A difficult process indeed.......

 

[JulieN]

OK, how about this

http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD01255598#grading_report

AGS0, 1 higher color, 1 grade higher clarity, 13.8% CH, for 100$ more

No pics... of course.

 

[e64mtd]

Thanks for the response. Why does Bile Nile call this stone a "very good" cut but AGSL gives it an "AGS Ideal 0"? Also I wasn''t able to find the crown height listed in the report. Did you infer this based on other information or have I simply overlooked the notation?

 

[JulieN]

Date: 4/24/2008 3:37:20 PM
Author: e64mtd
Thanks for the response. Why does Bile Nile call this stone a ''very good'' cut but AGSL gives it an ''AGS Ideal 0''? Also I wasn''t able to find the crown height listed in the report. Did you infer this based on other information or have I simply overlooked the notation?

Lol! BILE NILE!

CH is on the proportion diagram.

BN has an exclusive contract with their "Signature Ideal" cutters. The cutter supplies only to BN. The Princess cut grades that BN supplies are Signature Ideal, VG, etc. There is no regular Ideal without the Signature. So the only "Ideal" princesses on BN are the Signature ones.

 

[e64mtd]

Ha ha! Bile Nile! I don''t know where that one came from?! Maybe my stomach is churning trying to figure this out!

 

[e64mtd]

So "very good" cuts through Blue Nile can actually be "excellent cuts". They wont be given the "signature ideal" cut notation, however, because they haven''t been supplied through their exclusive cutter. Is this correct?

 

[JulieN]

Date: 4/24/2008 3:55:49 PM
Author: e64mtd
So 'very good' cuts through Blue Nile can actually be 'excellent cuts'. They wont be given the 'signature ideal' cut notation, however, because they haven't been supplied through their exclusive cutter. Is this correct?

Yes.

Although, what defines an ideal princess, other than it getting AGS 0, is shady. Many members of Pricescope do not like calling a non AGS PR "ideal" without supporting evidence (although "excellent" is not as a hot topic.) So you might say BN is being responsible by not having an "ideal/excellent" princess cut grade category.

 

[e64mtd]

Thanks Julie. I''m going to strongly consider your purchase suggestion. I''ll let you know how it goes!

 

[JulieN]

Cool. I assume you're going with BN for some good reason. There is a small "chip" on it, per the AGS report. Check where it is. Shouldn't be a problem, being a VS1. And you wear a stone for 10 years, you'll probably get it minorly nicked.

Please post pics!

 

[e64mtd]

Yes, I was chosing between Blue Nile and Whiteflash based on their past reputation. I had chosen Blue Nile because they seem to be well reviewed and they have service within Canada, where I''m from. I have decided not to use a traditional retailer because I am uncomfortable with what seems to be an excessive markup compared to the online retailers. I guess you can say I''m a strict value consumer!

If you think I may be making a mistake by going this route, however, I certainly respect the input provided here by yourself and others, as most on these forums seem to be very knowledgable.

 

[JulieN]

They have a good return policy. It's really hard to know what that stone looks like. Probably only Paul has any good opinions about it. All I know is that AGS gave it a zero, and proportions are pretty traditional. If you don't like, don't hesitate to return.

Ask about the chip. Check the setting job, ask for V-tips/prongs. Get insurance.

 

[e64mtd]

Thanks, I''ll do all of the above.

 

[e64mtd]

Julie, I have ordered the suggested diamond with a solitaire band. The chip was in the corner and will be covered by the setting. I also have the v-tips. I will post a pic when it arrives. Thanks again for your help!