Princess cut diamond

[brindelin]

Hello,

I had done some research on buying a round diamond in a BM about a month ago however, I found out my fiance would prefer a Princess cut.
Now I'd like to buy online(I felt like I was going to a used car salesmen on jewelers row - no offense).

1. Can I trust the labels for the cut on the online sites? Is the price you pay for the diamond labeled ideal online going to actually reflect that when you get the diamond.

2. If I need to learn the measurements in depth what are your recommendations for the Princess cut?

3. I've noticed that most of the sites online that I've visited (WhiteFlash, BlueNile, etc), have a small collection of settings that tend to be quite expensive. Is this the part where internet shopping gets you on?

4. Is it going to be that much of a pain to get the diamond and setting at different places?

I'll show you some of the diamonds I've been looking at and if you have any recommendations please let me know. Basically I want something .60-.75 carats Princess Cut with D - H clarity, VS1 - SI2 clarity, GIA certified for under 1800. I can go up to 2k if it's a steal though. Basically we have the money but we don't want to spend a ton on the ring(thats just us). However, we realize this a purchase for life(she would never want to upgrade due to the sentimental value) so if the diamond if a few couple hundred bucks will get a vastly superior diamonds we're ok with it.



http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD00488729&item=1_5&filter_id=0&sec=&query=&page=1&sortby=ranking

This one isn't GIA.

http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-2005513.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-2063901.htm


Thanks well in advance.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

depth % and table data used by sites to declare a stone well cut are quite useless.

AGS 0 grading from AGS lab only is the best way to be sure of a great stone.
Or at least then ask for or use an ideal-scope.
Brilliancescope is better than nothing too.

If you use an independdant appraiser form the list here on the upper left -rescources - then that will also help you.

 

[squarediamondlove]

Neither of the stones you picked out are bad per se. I think I favor the one in the middle the most. It has nice specs, better clarity and color and nice girtle thickness.

You once you narrow it down, which it seems like you have, you should ask them to send you an idealscope image and pictures of the diamond. You will have a much better idea of the stones you are dealing with. Specs only tell you so much.

 

[brindelin]

Thanks for your input both of you.

Kaleidoscopic you say they aren''t bad per se, is that because they are somewhat cheap? Do you think there are much better princess cuts with similiar specs for the price? Just curious and thanks again.

 

[squarediamondlove]

Date: 12/6/2005 4:10:52 PM
Author: brindelin
Thanks for your input both of you.


Kaleidoscopic you say they aren''t bad per se, is that because they are somewhat cheap? Do you think there are much better princess cuts with similiar specs for the price? Just curious and thanks again.

I''m not exactly sure what you mean. Let me explain what i meant so maybe that will clear it up. When I set "not bad per se," I meant that from the limited information that the web page is showing they have a chance of being very good stones, but it is still uncertain. If you would have knowlege about its other specs like the crown angle and if you had idealscope images of the diamonds, it would be easier to assess how good the stones really are.

Right now it is still uncertain.

 

[TexasLawyer]

I recently (2 days ago!) purchased a princess cut diamond online from Union Diamond. This was my method of searching, it worked for me.

I decided I wanted a 1.50-carat diamond. I then pulled up all diamonds between 1.50c and 1.60c with an H or I color, SI1-SI2 clarity, and selected the ones labeled "ideal" or "premium" cuts. Next, I looked for the ones with VG/VG polish and symmetry. Next, I looked for the ones with the best length x width ratio. This usually left me with a choice of 5-10 diamonds, with a mix of EGL and GIA certs.

I ended up purchasing a 1.50-carat, H-color, SI2-clarity (only because I was assured it was "eye clean"), 1.00 ratio, premium cut, VG/VG. My diamond has an EGL certificate. Some people stick with GIA certs only, but I was comfortable with the EGL, because as long as the diamond looks great to me, I don''t really care which cert it has. Plus, the EGL diamonds are about 15-20% cheaper. Online sites will give you between 10-30 days to return the diamond if you get it and don''t like it or if the diamond is not as advertised.

Figure out the carat, color, and clarity you want...and then determine what characteristics beyond that are most important. That way you can go to all the different vendors and use the same screening process.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck in your search!