Ok, I listened to all of you...now what do you think?

[MadMontie1]

I listened to everyone in my last post when I was told but everyone they didnt like either of the two choices of stones I had located at a B&M near me.

So, I sucked it up and called Whiteflash. I should have done this first. They''ve been so easy to deal with since I know what I want. My budget is approx $3500 for everything. I''m looking for a Princess cut in a standard Tiffany yellow gold setting, and I want to the get a good balance of quality and size. For my money I know I can get 0.75 carats. I was really hoping to get something over .80, or over 5mm square.

Right now I seem to be down to two stones, this one "A Cut Above" which seems to be the best 3/4 out there:

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-174067.htm#

or this GIA stone that I located using Pricescope''s search. (D-F, VS1-SI1, 68-75 depth, 62-70 table)

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_details.aspx?idno=385034

Whiteflash has already brought the stone in. I''m gonna try and attach the photo and IS image.

Opinions now? Keeping in mind I definitley want a stone in the colorless range.

 

[MadMontie1]

IS

 

[boston_jeff]

The ACA, hands down.

 

[Ellen]

I''d get the ACA.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/14/2007 7:58:27 AM
Author: Ellen
I''d get the ACA.

ditto

 

[iheartscience]

Another vote for the ACA!

 

[Skippy123]

ACA, the pattern looks so crisp over the other diamond. 1st one is my choice.

 

[risingsun]

The ACA!!

 

[jaz464]

MadMontie1, have you asked WF if these are both eye-clean? They will be very honest and upfront about this. Tell them what your definition of eye-clean is and see if these stones fit it.

mdavis, I definitely prefer a better cut to a bigger size. I think many here on PS do as well. For me, the sparkle and scintillation of a superbly cut diamond is well worth the smaller dimensions. Regarding these two princesses, I think the IS images clearly show the ACA will be a better performing diamond.

 

[onedrop]

I like the ACA as well. If for no other reason than the IS image for the ACA just looks better to me. Millimeters in size difference mean less to me than the light performance.

ETA: mdavis, the ACA stone has been graded by AGS. And add me to the list of preferring light return and scintillation over the size. If it's eye clean, I'd take the ACA with the S1 inclusion.

 

[rainydaze]

keep in mind the ACA has a fantastic tradein policy so that if you are not opposed to this idea, you can trade it in to get a larger diamond say, for your 5th anniversary. and in the meantime you..er, she.... will have a killer performer!

on a personal note, i have a princess and my diamond was purchased pre-PS. having been on here for about six months or so, if i were to do it over again i would get an ACA princess, or one of GOG''s square H&A, or jubilee. and i would go smaller to get a stunning diamond. again, with the upgrade/tradein policies these companies have you really can''t go wrong! cut really does make a difference!!

 

[privatejeweler]

hey guys - I always prefer a better cut stone IF the differences are visible....looking at images of a stone are no substitiute for seeing the real thing. Just so you know - I happen to be an engineer who is now a G.G. and looks at a lot of diamonds......My best advice for anyone buying a diamond is to compare several stones IN PERSON with full knowledge of all of the differences between the stones and then decide!
Good news about the ACA being an AGS SI1! But I still recommend the bigger stone.

 

[kcoursolle]

Is there tilt in the IS photo posted in this thread???

 

[wen104]

As a female and lover of diamonds I will tell you this from my prospective. The prices are close and so is the size. For me I would go with the one that is Ideal and slightly smaller. The difference in appearance will be amazing in person. The ACA will blow your mind not saying that the other one isn''t a good diamond but for the size only being a small amount off and still in your range go for the ACA all the way! I chose a smaller diamond .72 to a 1ct but the H & A I got is amazing and was well worth the size I cut to have the best!

 

[FireGoddess]

With such a small difference in size I would honestly go for the ACA. The ES and mag images of the ACA just look better than the called in stone. Is there a hugely signicant price difference between the 2? If not, I''d go with the ACA.

 

[MadMontie1]

I just spoke with Celina at Whiteflash, they will be e-mailing me the SARIN on the GIA stone, as well as several photos of the AGS and GIA stone at normal vision.

In terms of the GIA stone, she thought the stone was a very good & would perform well.

To be honest, I have a ring in hand that I just purchased (doing this deal with Whiteflash daringly within the 30 day return policy at my local place) which is .83 carats, D, SI1. I like that the stone measures 5.2x5.17 and clearly looks bigger than a 3/4 carat.

Howver, that stone is cut shallow (66% depth) and long (77% table) and is actually a AGS cut 7 (fair). I can tell I don''t LOVE the cut, 1 quadrant doesnt reflect nearly enough light, which makes me think I''ll enjoy the GIA stone I had them bring in. Celina said that the GIA stone is definitley better than the stone I have in hand.


So I''m still torn. I likely wont have the next e-mail until Monday, they said they are very busy today.