Please help me select the best performing diamond.

[garek007]

Hi,

I am trying to pick out a nice diamond that will perform well. I am at the starting point. I don't know if you can tell from just the images which ones are best, or if I should get ASETs and IdealScopes first? I've listed the diamonds in the poll.

James Allen .5 carat True Hearts (AGSL000)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.50-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-372628

James Allen .52 carat
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.52-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-383674

James Allen .57 carat
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.57-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-443809

Blue Nile .60 carat
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD05660242?click_id=341856640

Blue Nile .62 carat
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD02990874?click_id=676738849

Union Diamond Select Ideal .55 cut
http://www.uniondiamond.com/Princess-Shape-IDEAL-Cut-GIA-Certified-055-Carat-I-Color-VVS2-Clarity_AE1158431

 

[RockyRacoon]

If you want to really delve into buying a princess cut stone, you would benefit from reading this article:

https://www.pricescope.com/journal/ags-laboratories-diamond-cut-grading-princess-cut

 

[garek007]

Ok I've looked at the articles and they are gibberish to me. I've done a lot of homework, but I've posted here before and PSers offered to help when the time was here. So I'm posting hoping to get some opinions on the stones I've selected. I've seen other posts where people post stones and people weigh in on the stones, so why not for me?

 

[garek007]

To clarify, I've done a lot of research on princesses, even bought one, so I do have some idea of what to look for, but I can't look at several stones online and tell which are best. I just don't have the eye for it. I know I can probably get ASETs or IdealScopes, but I was hoping someone could weigh in on the nicest 3, then I could get the ASETs and IdealScopes for those.

 

[garek007]

Ok if it helps, I am requesting ASETs for a few of them and I'll repost.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Here are two in your price range that have ASET and Idealscope already, and are AGS 000 Ideal cut:

.564ct, G, VS2
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3329713.htm

.513ct, H, VS1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3244880.htm

 

[tyty333]

Where here is *my take on it...

No - to any stone that doesnt have a real picture. Just doesnt give me enough informaiton. You cant buy fancy cuts by the numbers.
So that eliminates the BN and the Union stone.

Out of the JA.

.5 AGS stone is lovely
.52 may be ok with an aset...(I still probably prefer the .5 stone)
.57 looks like it has too much leakage (aset will tell though)

So, out of the ones you posted the first stone would be my choice (the AGS) stone.

RR has posted 2 nice stones from WF. Do these fit in your budget because if they do, the .56 (bigger stone) would be my choice
out of all of them.

 

[garek007]

Ok here's another one, it's AGS000 triple ideal, only $30 more and seems like a great deal. This may be the one, am I missing something? Why is that price so good? I've requested ASET image

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.50-carat-i-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-394140

 

[garek007]

I'm fine with Whiteflash, they just don't have settings I like, so I think it's down to James Allen. I found a few more stones and I'll request ASETs and post here, but just one question. Most of the stones they have are I color. I had G before and it was very, very white. Very nice. I was willing to go to an H color, but not sure about I. How much of a difference is there between I and G color?

 

[tyty333]

That new one you found is nice too. I wish it went up in color instead of clarity.

 

[garek007]

So tyty you're saying color is more important than clarity? Then perhaps I should try to find H or better.

 

[garek007]

Ok so one other question. let's say I can't afford an AGS 000 (triple ideal). If I only look for stones that are AGS rated and almost triple ideal, will I still get a pretty good stone?