Princess cut diamond, ~1 carat

[thadjudkins]

Hey, I'm looking to buy a 1-1.2 carat diamond in the next few days but most of the places that I've seen recommended here (gog, jamesallen, whiteflash) don't seem to have certs for most of the diamonds they list and you have to request them. Without actually seeing the cert I'm not comfortable buying a diamond, no matter what the return policy is like.

Here are 2 that I liked so far:

http://www.bluenile.com/princess-cut-diamond-1-carat-very-good-cut-g-color-vs2-clarity_LD01517045

http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-2145462.htm#

So first off, what do you guys think of these 2 stones? I like the bluenile one better based on the cert but the other one is definitely nice too.

Are there other places you'd recommend I should be looking where I can get more than basic information online or am I just foolish to not delay a bit and request certs from a few guys online? There were definitely a couple of ones that interested me at jamesallen and whiteflash.

thanks for your help! Never bought a princess cut before so this is pretty new to me!

BTW -- my plan for this diamond is to mount the diamond in a faux (bridged) tension mount as a solitare. The setting will be similar to a bridged version of this:

Example of Setting

 

[Sizzle]

I tend to recommend whiteflash over bluenile, because I have gone through them and the customer service was exceptional. Whiteflash also has that diamond in house so the actual images are there as well as all of the reports. That coupled with the fact that they can pretty much get you whatever style ring you''re looking for gives them my vote!

 

[stone-cold11]

So what is your budget and other specs?

This seems good to me.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5829/

 

[joelly]

Have you tried Infinity diamond website? I would recommend them because their princess cut is IMO is to die for. My neighbor is a proud owner of an Infinity princess cut diamond.

Here is a link to their website: http://www.highperformancediamonds.com

Good luck!!!

 

[thadjudkins]

Date: 9/19/2009 2:17:52 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
So what is your budget and other specs?


This seems good to me.


http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5829/

I like that one a lot too!

I hoping to spend around $4500-$5000. From diamonds that I''ve seen in stores I''d be happy with a good H/SI1 but I definitely wouldn''t mind G/VS2 for certain just to be safer if I''m buying sight unseen. I''m most concerned about the cut (VG or up) and am not a fan of rectangular princess cut stones.

/thad

 

[thadjudkins]

Ignore this post.

 

[stone-cold11]

Ya, the stone is good, just slightly off square.

 

[30yearsofdiamonds]

Neither stone is off square. There is a difference of .03 and .02 mm on either one and that is as square as you can get. Both stones look great, but the ideal color and clarity for me is a G-VS2 if it is afordable and all other characteristics are equal.

GIA is very strict with polish and symmetry, so the difference with an exceelent and VG polish could be the result of one facet having some polish lines and is insignificant.

 

[tap02150]

the good old gold diamond is .24 larger length wise =/ If you can''t seem to find one that you like, i would recommend calling the vendors and let them know what you are looking for. that way, when they do get one that fits your criteria, they can call you before it goes up.

 

[thadjudkins]

I might do that. I like the 2 that I posted, the other might be a bit less square than I''d like ideally. I guess I''ll just try to delay for a few days and ask them for GIA certs on Monday or something.

Question though, I''ve seen VS2s with inclusions marked on the cert, but a number of others with none indicated. If there are none indicated, yet it''s still graded as VS2, does that mean that there''s an overall cloudiness to the stone or something? Is it, in a sense, better to go with a VS2 that was graded as such because of a known inclusion?

 

[stone-cold11]

First, GIA grading reports are grading reports, not a cert, there is a world of difference between the two definition.

Clarity reports also depends on how serious it is. No way to tell just from the inclusion plot which only tells the location, type and how extensive it is. Do not judge a stone by the clarity plot. Ask the vendor to get it check out for eye-clean and if it is likely to cause any problem. If you do not trust the vendor, hire an independent appraiser to do that for you,

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/19/2009 11:33:10 PM
Author: thadjudkins
I might do that. I like the 2 that I posted, the other might be a bit less square than I''d like ideally. I guess I''ll just try to delay for a few days and ask them for GIA certs on Monday or something.

Question though, I''ve seen VS2s with inclusions marked on the cert, but a number of others with none indicated. If there are none indicated, yet it''s still graded as VS2, does that mean that there''s an overall cloudiness to the stone or something? Is it, in a sense, better to go with a VS2 that was graded as such because of a known inclusion?

You cannot tell by the clarity maps on the grading reports if a diamond is eyeclean, cloudy or anything else, VS * should* be pretty safe concerning '' eyecleanliness'' but the only way to know if a diamond is eyeclean or learn anything meaningful about a particular inclusion is from a vendor who has the diamond in their possession. That is the best way to select a diamond best suited for your particular needs.