Poorly cut princess?

[ChallerS]

I am shopping for an engagement ring and thus far have been using a local retail jeweler. Until I started doing some research I thought they were being very helpful, but now I think they might be trying to sell me a sub-standard diamond. This is the stone they are trying to sell me:

Weight: 1.50 ct
Shape: Princess
Color: H
Clarity: SI 1
Measurements: 6.18 x 6.07 x 4.55 mm
Depth: 75.0
Table: 78.0
Crown: 7.6
Pavilion: 58.5
Girdle: Very thin to very thick polished
Polish: Good to very good
Symmetry: Good to very good
Fluorescence: Faint blue
Culet: None

Does the information above reflect a poorly cut princess diamond? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[SeaOats]

Well, I am no princess expert, but I do know that a "very thin" girdle on a princess cut diamond can be big trouble. If the very thin part is near any of the corners, your diamond will be even more susceptible to chipping on the corners. So you would need to find out where those problem areas exist on the girdle.

Also, what type of cert is this? It obviously isn''t GIA, because GIA does not say "good to very good."

Also, take a look at this chart for parameters for cut grades: LINK

Hope this helps!

 

[ChallerS]

The certificate is from EGL - the cert number is 72003505D

I found another diamond online and brought in that GIA certificate to the jeweler. They quickly told me it was not a good stone because it had a strong blue flurescence. However from other things I''ve heard a strong blue flor doesn''t necessarily mean a bad stone.

Here are the measurements on the other stone that I have available:

Weight: 1.44 ct Princess
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
Measurements: 6.14 x 6.02 x 4.36
Depth: 72.4
Table: 70
Crown: ??
Pavilion: ??
Girdle: Slightly thick
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: Strong Blue

I think this is a better cut stone than the previous, but I''m worried about the fluorescece especially because I haven''t actually seen the diamond yet.

Thoughts?????

 

[Kaleigh]

I would be leary of strong blue flourescence, can tend to make the stone appear milky. Medium blue is ok in a higher colored stone and there are some that even like it in the colorless range.

 

[ChallerS]

I''ve seen the larger of the two, but I would need to purchase the smaller stone with strong flor in order to view it I believe as it is coming from an internet based business. The rep for the internet business told me that the stone does not have a milky or cloudy appearence and the blue color will only show up under black light - you think they are misleading me?

 

[SeaOats]

Well, I definitely like the thicker girdle on the second one and the table is much smaller too. I would not be too concerned about strong fluorescence. I would contact the vendor and find out if the stone is one that is in house. If it is, I would have them take a look at it and see if the stone does appear milky due to the fluorescence. If the stone is not in house, perhaps they can get it in and also get a sarin on it so you can get the crown and pavilion info.

 

[Kaleigh]

Enlighten me, you think the stone is coming from an internet business?? You talked to the rep from the internet business?? Is this stone being sent to you or to your jeweler, I''m confused?? It could very well be a nice stone where the flour. isn''t a problem, what is their return policy??

 

[SeaOats]

It appears you answered my questions before I even asked! LOL

Is the internet vendor one that is commonly praised here on PS? If so, I would believe them when they are saying that the stone does not appear milky. The fluorescence would be apparent under a black light and in strong sunlight. Many people actually prefer blue fluorescence and plus, it often makes the stone appear whiter when viewed face up! It depends on your preferences. In the sunlight, the stone might take on a blueish hue (which I find attractive myself, but again, my preference, not yours necessarily!).

 

[SeaOats]

Kaleigh, I think the first stone that was presented is from a local jeweler. I guess this poster first approached this local jeweler about this second stone (with the blue fluro.) and asked them for their opinion. They said the fluro was not good and then presented the poster with the first listed stone here.

Challer, I would be suspicious of the local jeweler''s intentions. It''s very possible that the local jeweler would criticize a stone that they would not be making a sale off of, whether or not they really thought it was good or not. But like I said before, I can''t give an expert opinion on any princess stone, because first, I''m not an expert and secondly, I don''t know very much about cut specs on princess cuts.

 

[ChallerS]

The quote I received is from dirtcheapdiamonds.com

I''m not too familiar with diamonds so I''m not exactly sure what my preferences are either as far as the flor goes! Their return policy is 10 days so I could view the diamond and if I''m not happy I could just send it back. I feel a bit trapped by this retail jeweler because I haven''t been able to find the same setting elsewhere. Obviously, I''m quite new to this and the most important thing is getting a stone and setting that my girlfriend will be thrilled with - I just don''t want to overpay for something that isn''t worth it.

Thanks for all your help - It is much appreciated.

 

[SeaOats]

Well I would definitely respect DCD opinion on whether the fluoro adversely affects the diamond and yes, you could always return it if it really bothers you.

Have you considered having DCD custom make you the setting you want? I am always an advocate of having the same jeweler you purchase the stone from also set the diamond. That way, if there are any problems with setting the stone, it can be taken care of easily. Otherwise, most jewelers will not take responsbility for chipped/broken stones during the setting process. It is quite understandable from a cost effective perspective.

 

[ChallerS]

Thanks so much for your help - I''m going to call DCD on Monday. I think that''s probably the best way to go with regards to the stone and setting. The retail shop started to creep me out about the whole process.

 

[moremoremore]

Wow. That''s s bad princess...yes, they are trying to sell you a piece of carp!

 

[valeria101]

If you can see this stone before the sale becomes final... there can be no surprise from the strong fluorescence. It should be most aparent in strong sunlight (or whenever the light source goes into the UV spectrum) - so if you like the appearence of the stone even then, why not.

Some artificial lighting does contain significant UV and turns of diamond fluorescence as well - just like daylight. However, I can't guess what kind of lighting you have available and each type comes with different color and specs. Diamonds do wonders to reveal differences in lighting - the darn stones change face with every move