Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Please help me find a princess cut diamond

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
B

blueandwhite

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 12, 2009
Messages
7
Hey everyone. This is my first post, but I''ve been reading this site for the last few months trying to figure out how to go about finding a diamond for an engagement ring. I was basically clueless before this site, but I think I have a decent idea of the basics now (4c''s, depth, table, girdle, crown height, etc).

I''m looking for around a 2 carat princess. I''ve been trying to get the best cut I can after reading about how it''s probably the most aesthetically important of the 4 c''s. I''d like to stay under $20,000 for the diamond and setting. I''ve been primarily using James Allen and Blue Nile, so I''ve been mostly looking at the signature ideal (BN) and ideal (JA) cuts. I like the Platinum 0.30ctw Common Prong Diamond setting from JA and the Petite Pavé-Set Diamond Cathedral setting from BN.

I''ve been searching for D-G and VS2 or better, but I have never seen what these look like in person and would prefer to err on a whiter/completely eye clean diamond. I don''t know what the G color looks like in person so I have been somewhat wary of it. I feel like I am being specific when I search but it seems like there are still so many to choose from and I don''t want to buy anything without getting help because they all look the same to me, more or less.

Also, I''ve read that BN doesn''t supply any additional info but I''d like to ask JA for Idealscope or ASET pictures, but I''d like to narrow it down to a few first, if possible. I realize it''s probably hard to select them on the numbers and percentages alone.

These are the ones I''ve been looking at:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1256409.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1261838.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-859004.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1236266.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1262462.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-991969.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1261832.asp
http://www.bluenile.com/princess-diamond-2-carat-very-good-cut-f-color-vs1-clarity_LD01589237
http://www.bluenile.com/princess-cut-diamond-2-carat-signature-ideal-cut-f-color-vs2-clarity_LD01603050
http://www.bluenile.com/princess-cut-diamond-1-carat-signature-ideal-cut-f-color-vs1-clarity_LD01424751

Anyways, thank you all sooo much for reading this and responding if you have any suggestions. I know I''m being neurotic about all of this
4.gif
. I just want everything to be perfect so I can report back with good news!
 
Date: 12/12/2009 8:41:08 AM
Author:blueandwhite
Hey everyone. This is my first post, but I've been reading this site for the last few months trying to figure out how to go about finding a diamond for an engagement ring. I was basically clueless before this site, but I think I have a decent idea of the basics now (4c's, depth, table, girdle, crown height, etc).

I'm looking for around a 2 carat princess. I've been trying to get the best cut I can after reading about how it's probably the most aesthetically important of the 4 c's. I'd like to stay under $20,000 for the diamond and setting. I've been primarily using James Allen and Blue Nile, so I've been mostly looking at the signature ideal (BN) and ideal (JA) cuts. I like the Platinum 0.30ctw Common Prong Diamond setting from JA and the Petite Pavé-Set Diamond Cathedral setting from BN.

I've been searching for D-G and VS2 or better, but I have never seen what these look like in person and would prefer to err on a whiter/completely eye clean diamond. I don't know what the G color looks like in person so I have been somewhat wary of it. I feel like I am being specific when I search but it seems like there are still so many to choose from and I don't want to buy anything without getting help because they all look the same to me, more or less.

Also, I've read that BN doesn't supply any additional info but I'd like to ask JA for Idealscope or ASET pictures, but I'd like to narrow it down to a few first, if possible. I realize it's probably hard to select them on the numbers and percentages alone.

These are the ones I've been looking at:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1256409.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1261838.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-859004.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1236266.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1262462.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-991969.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1261832.asp
http://www.bluenile.com/princess-diamond-2-carat-very-good-cut-f-color-vs1-clarity_LD01589237
http://www.bluenile.com/princess-cut-diamond-2-carat-signature-ideal-cut-f-color-vs2-clarity_LD01603050
http://www.bluenile.com/princess-cut-diamond-1-carat-signature-ideal-cut-f-color-vs1-clarity_LD01424751

Anyways, thank you all sooo much for reading this and responding if you have any suggestions. I know I'm being neurotic about all of this
4.gif
. I just want everything to be perfect so I can report back with good news!
Click to expand...

Hi blue and white

You can ask JA for ASET images, but you will need to choose carefully as they limit free ASET to three diamonds, they will normally have photographs of the diamonds too. BN do not offer any images which are essential when dealing with fancy shapes to judge the cut quality. GIA or AGS graded D - H should be a good range for colour grades and you can consider even SI1 if verified eyeclean to your standards by a trusted vendor, but this comes down to personal preference and budget.
 
Thank you both for replying. It looks like the Whiteflash diamond Stone-cold11 posted was a hit...it was sold by the time I got home from work and saw it. I have a question about the GOG diamond. Do you think that inclusion near the center would be visible at all to the naked eye? Is this something I should call GOG about? I can''t see it even in the zoomed in picture but I remember reading that SI1''s could sometimes be visible. Is there a way to see what other inclusions there are since they aren''t mapped out like on a GIA report? Lorelei, do you think I should steer clear of the BN signature ideal cuts since there aren''t ASET images? I feel like they have a nice selection, but I want to be sure the cut quality is as good as the AGS graded ones. As far as which JA diamonds to get ASET images for, what do you guys think the most important number/percentage (table, crown height, etc) would be for me to narrow my search down? Thanks in advance!
 
Ya, ask GOG if the stone is eye-clean, no way to tell just looking at the images and report.
 
Date: 12/12/2009 7:31:08 PM
Author: blueandwhite
Thank you both for replying. It looks like the Whiteflash diamond Stone-cold11 posted was a hit...it was sold by the time I got home from work and saw it. I have a question about the GOG diamond. Do you think that inclusion near the center would be visible at all to the naked eye? Is this something I should call GOG about? I can't see it even in the zoomed in picture but I remember reading that SI1's could sometimes be visible. Is there a way to see what other inclusions there are since they aren't mapped out like on a GIA report? Lorelei, do you think I should steer clear of the BN signature ideal cuts since there aren't ASET images? I feel like they have a nice selection, but I want to be sure the cut quality is as good as the AGS graded ones. As far as which JA diamonds to get ASET images for, what do you guys think the most important number/percentage (table, crown height, etc) would be for me to narrow my search down? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Diamonds are flying off shelves this time of year from all the vendors, its the way it goes unfortunately so if you have a diamond you are seriously interested in, reserve it. For Princess I wouldn't purchase without images as it is just too risky to me as to what you will end up, the basic numbers tell you nothing about the stone....To narrow your target for Princess I would look at AGS0 graded diamonds as these will be the best cut stones for the most part, or hand selected GIA graded Princess with supporting images.

As for the GOG diamond, you will need to ask them if it is eyeclean.
 
Hi all,

I''ve narrowed down my search and currently have this one reserved. I was hoping I could get your opinions/thoughts on this diamond. It''s a 2.064 ct F VS1 Whiteflash ACA Princess.

Report: AGS
. Shape: Whiteflash ACA Princess
. Carat: 2.064
. Depth %: 74
. Table %: 75.4
. Crown Angle: 39.6
. Crown %: 9.2
. Pavilion Angle: 41
. Pavilion %: 61.8
. Girdle: Thin to Medium
. Measurements: 7.00-6.88X5.09
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

The 75.4% table and 9.2% crown worry me a bit, but I''m not sure if the table being bigger and the crown percent not being double digits matters if it is graded as an AGS 0. Anyways, here''s the link. Please let me know what you think!

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/Whiteflash-ACA-Princess-cut-diamond-2204729.htm#
 
I forgot to mention that I hope someone that''s familiar with Ideal Scope and ASET images can comment. I don''t really know what I should be looking for as far as they go.
 
http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/Whiteflash-ACA-Princess-cut-diamond-2204729.htm#

It's a nice princess, but I like the GOG linked by SC better--it carries the brightness out to the corners better (red in the ASET).

EDT: If you could possibly wait a bit to buy a stone, you might consider it--inventories are generally low right now because of Christmas. Once vendors get restocked, you would probably have more stones to choose from.
 
Date: 12/28/2009 5:47:21 PM
Author: jet2ks
http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/Whiteflash-ACA-Princess-cut-diamond-2204729.htm#


It''s a nice princess, but I like the GOG linked by SC better--it carries the brightness out to the corners better (red in the ASET).


EDT: If you could possibly wait a bit to buy a stone, you might consider it--inventories are generally low right now because of Christmas. Once vendors get restocked, you would probably have more stones to choose from.
Click to expand...

Hi jet2ks,

Thanks for the thoughts. How much longer do you think it will be for vendors to restock? 1 month, 2 months, etc.?
 
Depends on what the cutters they work with have in the pipeline. I''d place a call to a few vendors asking what they might have coming in the 2ct range. Keep in mind that with Valentine''s Day coming up, diamonds will be jumping off the shelves until then.
 
Date: 12/28/2009 5:27:42 PM
Author: blueandwhite
Hi all,

I''ve narrowed down my search and currently have this one reserved. I was hoping I could get your opinions/thoughts on this diamond. It''s a 2.064 ct F VS1 Whiteflash ACA Princess.

Report: AGS
. Shape: Whiteflash ACA Princess
. Carat: 2.064
. Depth %: 74
. Table %: 75.4
. Crown Angle: 39.6
. Crown %: 9.2
. Pavilion Angle: 41
. Pavilion %: 61.8
. Girdle: Thin to Medium
. Measurements: 7.00-6.88X5.09
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

The 75.4% table and 9.2% crown worry me a bit, but I''m not sure if the table being bigger and the crown percent not being double digits matters if it is graded as an AGS 0. Anyways, here''s the link. Please let me know what you think!

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/Whiteflash-ACA-Princess-cut-diamond-2204729.htm#
Click to expand...
Its a good Princess, I would prefer a higher crown % but it looks like a lovely diamond from the images although it might be down a bit on fire due to the proportion configuration, ask for Bob to look at it for you and advise. I take it you prefer to stick to VS clarity?
 
Date: 12/29/2009 7:02:27 AM
Author: Lorelei
Date: 12/28/2009 5:27:42 PM

Author: blueandwhite

Hi all,


I''ve narrowed down my search and currently have this one reserved. I was hoping I could get your opinions/thoughts on this diamond. It''s a 2.064 ct F VS1 Whiteflash ACA Princess.


Report: AGS

. Shape: Whiteflash ACA Princess

. Carat: 2.064

. Depth %: 74

. Table %: 75.4

. Crown Angle: 39.6

. Crown %: 9.2

. Pavilion Angle: 41

. Pavilion %: 61.8

. Girdle: Thin to Medium

. Measurements: 7.00-6.88X5.09

. Light Performance: 0

. Polish: Ideal

. Symmetry: Ideal

. Culet: Pointed

. Fluorescence: Negligible


The 75.4% table and 9.2% crown worry me a bit, but I''m not sure if the table being bigger and the crown percent not being double digits matters if it is graded as an AGS 0. Anyways, here''s the link. Please let me know what you think!


http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/Whiteflash-ACA-Princess-cut-diamond-2204729.htm#
Click to expand...

Its a good Princess, I would prefer a higher crown % but it looks like a lovely diamond from the images although it might be down a bit on fire due to the proportion configuration, ask for Bob to look at it for you and advise. I take it you prefer to stick to VS clarity?
Click to expand...


Thanks for the feedback Lorelei. That''s kind of what I was worried about also. If the light performance is rated as an AGS 0, does that mean it will have really good fire, scintillation, and sparkle? That is really what I am after. Also, who is Bob? Is he from WF? I do prefer to stick to VS clarity. I did see an SI1 in person a little bit ago that I could see the inclusion from 5 or 6 inches away with my naked eye. I suppose the definition of eye clean isn''t quite what I first realized (i.e. arms length with naked eye). I would prefer to never see the inclusion with my naked eye, even from point blank range.

I don''t know if I should get a diamond I am not absolutely sold on. At the same time, I don''t want to pass up on this and risk not have anything else better that I like that comes along.

Anyone else have any thoughts? Will need to pull the trigger on this one today since I currently have it on reserve.
 
Bob is from WF and has a good reputation on PS for picking stones. I''d ask whoever you are working with to show it to several in the office there and get their opinions. It is a very nice princess

With the SI1 clarity you saw in person, was it GIA or AGS graded? If it was not lab graded, or graded by a lab with more lenient grading criteria, such as EGL or IGI, you are not comparing apples to apples. That said, there are reliably graded SI1 clarity stones that are not eye-clean, which is why it is important to work with a vendor who can look over a stone before shipping and confirm that it is eye-clean to your standards. WF''s definition of eye clean from their website is ''No inclusions visible face-up at a distance of 8-10 inches in natural lighting to a person with 20/20 vision.'' Whether you work with them or someone else it is important to let them know your definition--if you don''t want to see inclusions at 6 inches and from the top or side, let them know.
 
Date: 12/29/2009 9:52:41 AM
Author: jet2ks
Bob is from WF and has a good reputation on PS for picking stones. I''d ask whoever you are working with to show it to several in the office there and get their opinions. It is a very nice princess


With the SI1 clarity you saw in person, was it GIA or AGS graded? If it was not lab graded, or graded by a lab with more lenient grading criteria, such as EGL or IGI, you are not comparing apples to apples. That said, there are reliably graded SI1 clarity stones that are not eye-clean, which is why it is important to work with a vendor who can look over a stone before shipping and confirm that it is eye-clean to your standards. WF''s definition of eye clean from their website is ''No inclusions visible face-up at a distance of 8-10 inches in natural lighting to a person with 20/20 vision.'' Whether you work with them or someone else it is important to let them know your definition--if you don''t want to see inclusions at 6 inches and from the top or side, let them know.
Click to expand...

That was a very good and informative post. I will ask the people at WF to look at it, and Bob, if possible. I have spoke with two ladies there who are both very nice and helpful, so I don''t think it will be a problem at all to do that.

If I remember right, the one I saw in person was GIA graded. I will definitely be sure to tell people my definition of eye-clean in the future.
 
Bob is indeed from WF, he is their gemologist and also has a great eye, plus that is a great suggestion by Jet to ask the ladies in the office to check it out too. There won''t be eyecleanliness concerns with this diamond being VS1, there are eyeclean SI graded diamonds out there but as Jet says it depends on the grading and various other factors. The trick when working online with SI clarities is to make your expectations absolutely clear concerning what an eyeclean diamond is to you so that the vendor can assess suitability for you.
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top