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Please help picking out a princess cut

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day_dreamer

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 17, 2015
Messages
46
Hello,

I'm helping a friend to pick out a princess cut for his girlfriend, and would really appreciate if someone can please comment on the below 2 diamonds. Any help would be much much appreciated. He is not open to buying it online, so we're looking for the diamond through his designer. Thank you!

#1
Measurements
5.17 x 5.12 x 3.80 mm
Carat Weight
0.91 carat
Color Grade
H
Clarity Grade
VVS2
PROPORTIONS
Depth
74.2 %
Table
70 %
Girdle
Very Thick
Culet
None

FINISH
Polish
Very Good
Symmetry
Good

KNV9RKDJEE.jpg


imgService.aspx


#2

Measurements
5.41 x 5.30 x 3.87 mm
Carat Weight
0.90 carat
Color Grade
H
Clarity Grade
VS2
PROPORTIONS
Depth
73.1 %
Table
70 %
Girdle
Slightly Thick to Thick
Culet
None

FINISH
Polish
Excellent
Symmetry
Very Good



M7D6MMRL2O.jpg
 
#1 has poorer proportions than I look for and the ASET shows that. There is not a lot of red, but alot of green. You want mostly red and green, but not mostly green instead of red. It also lacks a distinct pattern.

Good explanation: https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/news/how-to-read-aset-for-a-princess-cut-diamond/

#2 is the better of these two, though not great. The facets look more crisp, but usually I'd cap the table at 69%. The girdle is also get to thick, which is not ideal. These have a very large spread, which suggest they likely have a lot crown angle, which typically leads to less fire. I think you will see these in an ASET.

This is an super-ideal princess (clarity is higher, so likely more expensive than your friends), click through the images at the bottom and you can see ideal ASETs.
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...0.905-g-vs1-princess-diamond-ags-104076314011

Another super-ideal example to give you ASET and videos to watch. This has the same specs as your friends above and you can see this is hopefully closer in price. If your friend is paying much more than this, please talk him into visiting us here at PS.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3930752.htm

This is an example of a not a great stone. See how the facets don't have lot of movement when the stone moves?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.71-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-4660204

This is much better and the kind of stone I think would do well under an ASET, though not quite up to par with that BGD stone. Lots of facets turning on and off as the stone rotates on all 4 directions of the large cross.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/2.02-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4663633
 
I think the H VS2 is better cut.
FYI, online price for these stones are about 3100~3200 USD.
 
rockysalamander said:
#1 has poorer proportions than I look for and the ASET shows that. There is not a lot of red, but alot of green. You want mostly red and green, but not mostly green instead of red. It also lacks a distinct pattern.

Good explanation: https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/news/how-to-read-aset-for-a-princess-cut-diamond/

#2 is the better of these two, though not great. The facets look more crisp, but usually I'd cap the table at 69%. The girdle is also get to thick, which is not ideal. These have a very large spread, which suggest they likely have a lot crown angle, which typically leads to less fire. I think you will see these in an ASET.

This is an super-ideal princess (clarity is higher, so likely more expensive than your friends), click through the images at the bottom and you can see ideal ASETs.
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...0.905-g-vs1-princess-diamond-ags-104076314011

Another super-ideal example to give you ASET and videos to watch. This has the same specs as your friends above and you can see this is hopefully closer in price. If your friend is paying much more than this, please talk him into visiting us here at PS.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3930752.htm

This is an example of a not a great stone. See how the facets don't have lot of movement when the stone moves?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.71-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-4660204

This is much better and the kind of stone I think would do well under an ASET, though not quite up to par with that BGD stone. Lots of facets turning on and off as the stone rotates on all 4 directions of the large cross.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/2.02-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-4663633
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for your input. I was concerned about the ASET for #1 having so much green and not as much red too. Plus, it's got a very thick girdle. Your examples and the link that explains how to interpret an ASET are very helpful and informative, thank you so much!

When I look at the video for #2, I think I saw some inclusions, I'm not sure if they are dusts or real inclusions.

I think we'll have to keep looking. Thank you again for your advice. I'll post more when I get them from my friend; I hope you could take a look at them and comment then too. Thank you again!
 
Hi Daydreamer,

I also prefer the bottom stone with FlyingPig. If your friend will only purchase from a jeweller and not online, then he has to do the best he can with the diamonds and tools he has available. He could buy an ASET scope and learn how to use it, it takes practise but it can be done.

https://datlas.com/ideal-scope-store/aset-scope/

But other than that, see if he can view any diamonds he's seriously considering away from the bright store lights which will make anything sparkle.

Re girdles, if the report says thin to very thick, it's not always an issue, a girdle which averages very thick can waste weight but in this situation it's very difficult to judge, so all he can do is look at as many as he can and choose from there.
 
Your friend should definitely look at the Princess Cut diamonds sold by Brian Gavin - they are likely to be the best cut available.

They can order one to compare to the stones locally and then return it within the permitted Returns Period if they prefer the local stones.
 
@day_dreamer Is it possible to share the general area that your friend lives? He may not like the idea of buying online, but he may live near GOG, WF, BGD, or some other jeweler who someone here may recommend he visit to see the nicest selection of diamonds with the right tools (ASET, IS, etc.) who can help ensure he gets the best diamond for his money.
 
Lorelei said:
Hi Daydreamer,

I also prefer the bottom stone with FlyingPig. If your friend will only purchase from a jeweller and not online, then he has to do the best he can with the diamonds and tools he has available. He could buy an ASET scope and learn how to use it, it takes practise but it can be done.

https://datlas.com/ideal-scope-store/aset-scope/

But other than that, see if he can view any diamonds he's seriously considering away from the bright store lights which will make anything sparkle.

Re girdles, if the report says thin to very thick, it's not always an issue, a girdle which averages very thick can waste weight but in this situation it's very difficult to judge, so all he can do is look at as many as he can and choose from there.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the suggestion. It looks like a useful tool!
 
OoohShiny said:
Your friend should definitely look at the Princess Cut diamonds sold by Brian Gavin - they are likely to be the best cut available.

They can order one to compare to the stones locally and then return it within the permitted Returns Period if they prefer the local stones.
Click to expand...

I will pass on the suggestion. Thank you so much!
 
the_mother_thing said:
@day_dreamer Is it possible to share the general area that your friend lives? He may not like the idea of buying online, but he may live near GOG, WF, BGD, or some other jeweler who someone here may recommend he visit to see the nicest selection of diamonds with the right tools (ASET, IS, etc.) who can help ensure he gets the best diamond for his money.
Click to expand...
He's in Toronto, so unfortunately, he's not near any of those jewelers :( Thank you for the information!
 
Here's another one. Any thoughts on this one? It looks nice and sparkly, but I think I could see an inclusion from the video. However, it's probably eye clean. Unfortunately, it doesn't have an ASET image. We'd love to hear your thoughts! Thank you!

Measurements
5.18 x 5.16 x 3.79 mm

Carat Weight
0.90 carat
Color Grade

The absence of color ranging from colorless to light yellow or brown when compared to GIA Master Color Comparison Diamonds.

H
Clarity Grade
VS2

proportions
Depth
73.4 %

Table
69 %

Girdle
Slightly Thick to Thick

Culet
None

finish
Polish
Excellent

Symmetry
Excellent

Fluorescence
Fluorescence
Faint

clarity characteristics
Crystal, Cloud, Feather

upload_2018-5-7_14-57-24.png
 
Can you provide a link to the video?
 
:cry2:

upload_2018-5-7_16-40-2.png
 
If you look at #2, in the centre, you see very bright light reflection forming a very clear checker board pattern. But around the edges of the table and four corners, it is a bit dull and mush. This is light leakage and you want to minimize this.

See how crisp the light reflection is throughout the entire table, and ASET is consistent with what you see.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.02-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3693998

#2 is not as good as the JA stone I linked. But I think it is still good.
But the #3 is too mushy and leaky to my taste, although it should be better than #1.
That's what I can say from these photos. You need the ASET images.
princess.png
 
flyingpig said:
If you look at #2, in the centre, you see very bright light reflection forming a very clear checker board pattern. But around the edges of the table and four corners, it is a bit dull and mush. This is light leakage and you want to minimize this.

See how crisp the light reflection is throughout the entire table, and ASET is consistent with what you see.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.02-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3693998

#2 is not as good as the JA stone I linked. But I think it is still good.
But the #3 is too mushy and leaky to my taste, although it should be better than #1.
That's what I can say from these photos. You need the ASET images.
princess.png
Click to expand...

Thank you for the thorough explaination. The pictures really helped too!!
 
This is really difficult because we are so limited in ways we can help your friend....Really the best he can do is look at as many as possible, check them out away from bright store lighting to see which he likes best as he's not open to buying online where all the info is often available. For what it's worth, I still prefer number 2.
 
Lorelei said:
This is really difficult because we are so limited in ways we can help your friend....Really the best he can do is look at as many as possible, check them out away from bright store lighting to see which he likes best as he's not open to buying online where all the info is often available. For what it's worth, I still prefer number 2.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your input. I will tell him to check out the stone away from the store lightings :)
 
Hi ladies, he's got 3 more to choose from. What do you think? I find the more I look at them, the more I get confused and can't decide which one I think is better. Specs wise, they are quite similar. Unfortunately, none of these have an ASET. From looking at the videos, I prefer option #4 then #5.
Thank you so much for your time in advance; you all have been very helpful!!

Option #4
Measurements
5.49 x 5.34 x 3.86 mm

Carat Weight
0.90 carat

Color Grade
H

Clarity Grade
VS1

proportions
Depth
72.3 %

Table
72 %

Girdle
Slightly Thick to Thick

Culet
None

finish

Polish
Excellent

Symmetry
Very Good

Fluorescence
Fluorescence
None

clarity characteristics
Feather, Cloud

#4.png
raw


Option #5
Measurements
5.23 x 5.18 x 3.79 mm

Carat Weight
0.92 carat

Color Grade
H

Clarity Grade
VS2

proportions
Depth
73.1 %

Table
70 %

Girdle
Thick to Very Thick

Culet
None

finish
Excellent

Symmetry
Excellent

Fluorescence
Fluorescence
None

clarity characteristics
Crystal

Video:

Option #6:

Measurements
5.41 x 5.40 x 3.94 mm

Carat Weight
0.95 carat

Color Grade
G

Clarity Grade
VS2

proportions
Depth
72.9 %

Table
70 %

Girdle
Slightly Thick

Culet
None

finish
Excellent

Symmetry
Very Good

Fluorescence
Fluorescence
None

clarity characteristics
Clarity Characteristics
Crystal, Cloud

video:
 
Do you have any face up photos?
 
Can't say anything about #4. The diamond is tilted
I like #6 better than #5.
Between #2 and #6, it is hard to say. The lighting environments are completely different in these video. Bring in both to the store and compare the two in person.

Like @Lorelei said, our inputs are based on the information you posted, which is rather limited and incomplete. So take the into account.
 
flyingpig said:
Can't say anything about #4. The diamond is tilted
I like #6 better than #5.
Between #2 and #6, it is hard to say. The lighting environments are completely different in these video. Bring in both to the store and compare the two in person.

Like @Lorelei said, our inputs are based on the information you posted, which is rather limited and incomplete. So take the into account.
Click to expand...

Sounds like #2 is a winner so far :) Thank you for your time!
 
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