Princess cut search

[greg123x]

Hello all,

First and foremost, thanks for all the good information here ! As most novice diamond buyers I have learned alot !
As I begin my search for an e-ring I have a general idea of what i''m looking for...

First THIS setting at JamesAllen has really caught my eye and is the style my girl likes... have seen some similar other places but not quite as nice. Only problem with JamesAllen is one of their locations is in my state (MD, town actually...too bad no ''locals'' discount !) which means sales tax !

That could add up if got a diamond from them also.

Next is she likes the Princess cut, which seems to be one of the trickier cuts. Looking around 1ct (could go shy if good deal), F-H color, VS2 or better, and Ideal-Very Good cut. Looking to keep around $6K for total ring, so if setting is $1.7K that leaves around $4K for diamond.

Looking at pics of diamonds have noticed some look better than others but don''t know if it''s the diamond or the picture...
Example between these two at JamesAllen and WhiteFlash
The JamesAllen one looks a bit ''duller'' in the table area than the WhiteFlash one... while I know a real life look at them would be needed to really tell, do you think the pic is an accurate representation of the diamonds ? Or am I looking at it wrong ? Does JamesAllen do Ideal Scope images ?

Thanks in advance for any opinions/pointers !

 

[greg123x]

Oh, forgot. While the WhiteFlash diamond above looked better in photo, the depth sounded very high at 77.9% !

 

[greg123x]

Pretty quite on this topic huh ?

Ok... another one looking at is
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=130&item=1179923

it is pretty clean on the face according to the GIA, but there are 2 feathers that seem to meet on bottom at the culet... my concern here is that the diamond would chip/break easily in this area, is this a valid worry ?

Just trying to get some good candidates before requesting IS/ASET images...

Going with JamesAllen is prob going to add another ~$400 in taxes, but haven't found any similar settings that like, but their prices seem a bit better and seems would be easier dealing with one vendor if overall cost/quality is similar.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/29/2008 3:20:18 AM
Author: greg123x
Pretty quite on this topic huh ?

Ok... another one looking at is
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=130&item=1179923

it is pretty clean on the face according to the GIA, but there are 2 feathers that seem to meet on bottom at the culet... my concern here is that the diamond would chip/break easily in this area, is this a valid worry ?

Just trying to get some good candidates before requesting IS/ASET images...

Going with JamesAllen is prob going to add another ~$400 in taxes, but haven't found any similar settings that like, but their prices seem a bit better and seems would be easier dealing with one vendor if overall cost/quality is similar.

Out of the ones you listed, I like the last JA diamond and the WF stone, the depth is fine in the WF stone - depth doesn't affect fancy shapes the way it does with rounds. With the last JA diamond, I doubt the feathers would be a concern in VS clarity.

 

[greg123x]

Well thanks for your reply Lorelei...

Been waiting for over a week for the IS image on the last JamesAllen stone.... does that seem excessive to anyone else ? Glad wasn''t in a hurry !

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/7/2008 6:22:19 AM
Author: greg123x
Well thanks for your reply Lorelei...

Been waiting for over a week for the IS image on the last JamesAllen stone.... does that seem excessive to anyone else ? Glad wasn''t in a hurry !

Hum....give them a call and find out what gives....

 

[greg123x]

Yes, sure would get better response... but am a shift worker with long hours, either working or sleeping when their customer service is open (funny, the CS is only about 5 miles from my house !)... much easier for me to do things by email. But will try to get some phone time if things don''t progress.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/7/2008 7:13:56 AM
Author: greg123x
Yes, sure would get better response... but am a shift worker with long hours, either working or sleeping when their customer service is open (funny, the CS is only about 5 miles from my house !)... much easier for me to do things by email. But will try to get some phone time if things don''t progress.

Ok, shoot them another email if that is easier, hopefully you will get a fast response!

 

[greg123x]

Ok, finally got it..and of course NOW it shows ''No longer available'' !

but in case it is, opinions ??

Shape: Princess
Carat weight: 1.07
Cut: Ideal
Color: G
Clarity: VS2
Certificate: GIA

Depth: 71.3%
Table: 67.0%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Thin to medium
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.77*5.72*4.08
Ratio: 1.01

PIC

 

[jstarfireb]

All of these look like they have potential, except for the fact that the WF stone has only good symmetry and the first JA stone has only good polish. Can you get an ASET for the JA diamonds?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/7/2008 3:14:29 PM
Author: jstarfireb
All of these look like they have potential, except for the fact that the WF stone has only good symmetry and the first JA stone has only good polish. Can you get an ASET for the JA diamonds?

They could still be good diamonds with good for polish on one diamond and the same for symmetry on the other, it is said good and above look the same to the naked untrained eye and the diamonds as a whole look fine, although I prefer the WF diamond with the info we have. Also Jstar, James Allen do not use ASET unfortunately, I really wish they did though!

 

[greg123x]

Ok, it still available.... was pulled to take pic, and on hold for moment.

No, JA doesn''t do ASET images.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/7/2008 3:26:21 PM
Author: greg123x
Ok, it still available.... was pulled to take pic, and on hold for moment.

No, JA doesn't do ASET images.

Thats good! Thanks for the clarification concerning ASET, I was fairly sure they didn't offer it. A point I wanted to mention, both vendors, WF and JA have an upgrade policy, but in case it might ever be an option that you might want to upgrade the diamond at a later date, you might want to check out the terms of each. Also do JA still have the setting you like best?

 

[greg123x]

Date: 8/7/2008 3:30:39 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/7/2008 3:26:21 PM Also do JA still have the setting you like best?

Out of stock settings yes.... girl fell for THIS SETTING at Kay''s and said she wanted something similar.. gave her a quick look at the JA setting and she "Oooh, that one too !" and I prefer the JA setting. Something along those lines, princess cut with side stones and some channel stones without getting TOO much in price.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/7/2008 3:40:54 PM
Author: greg123x

Date: 8/7/2008 3:30:39 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/7/2008 3:26:21 PM Also do JA still have the setting you like best?

Out of stock settings yes.... girl fell for THIS SETTING at Kay''s and said she wanted something similar.. gave her a quick look at the JA setting and she ''Oooh, that one too !'' and I prefer the JA setting. Something along those lines, princess cut with side stones and some channel stones without getting TOO much in price.

Those are lovely settings. Do WF have one similar that your GF likes? The reason I ask is according to which diamond you buy, it can be easier to buy the setting from the same vendor as the diamond and have them set it. Also that way they will generally take responsibility for the diamond should anything happen while setting it - which is rare- but needs consideration.

 

[greg123x]

Date: 8/7/2008 3:49:34 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/7/2008 3:40:54 PM

Author: Lorelei

Those are lovely settings. Do WF have one similar that your GF likes? The reason I ask is according to which diamond you buy, it can be easier to buy the setting from the same vendor as the diamond and have them set it. Also that way they will generally take responsibility for the diamond should anything happen while setting it - which is rare- but needs consideration.

No, haven''t seen anything at WF that seemed similar enough...know they do custom work, but what is the added expense of that ?

Agree about the ''responsibility'', why have been looking at JA, so could have them so the work and the whole ring would be covered by one company.... even though it will be an extra ~$400 tax hit.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/7/2008 4:01:51 PM
Author: greg123x

Date: 8/7/2008 3:49:34 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/7/2008 3:40:54 PM

Author: Lorelei

Those are lovely settings. Do WF have one similar that your GF likes? The reason I ask is according to which diamond you buy, it can be easier to buy the setting from the same vendor as the diamond and have them set it. Also that way they will generally take responsibility for the diamond should anything happen while setting it - which is rare- but needs consideration.

No, haven''t seen anything at WF that seemed similar enough...know they do custom work, but what is the added expense of that ?

Agree about the ''responsibility'', why have been looking at JA, so could have them so the work and the whole ring would be covered by one company.... even though it will be an extra ~$400 tax hit.

WF have created many lovely pieces, so I would ask then how much it would be to create the style of ring you want, nothing to lose by asking!

 

[greg123x]

Date: 8/7/2008 4:03:30 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/7/2008 4:01:51 PM

WF have created many lovely pieces, so I would ask then how much it would be to create the style of ring you want, nothing to lose by asking!


It''s always a possibility...just that would have to wait for them to get diamonds in to get pics since their in house stock seems more limited.... 95% of what want to see more of at WF is not in house.

I want to like the JA stone... it seems big for it''s size, the feathers are on the bottom and the face is pretty clean.
Just don''t know if there is too much white in that IS image...know it''s not as good as ASET, but it is something to go on.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/7/2008 5:24:47 PM
Author: greg123x

Date: 8/7/2008 4:03:30 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/7/2008 4:01:51 PM

WF have created many lovely pieces, so I would ask then how much it would be to create the style of ring you want, nothing to lose by asking!

"It''s always a possibility...just that would have to wait for them to get diamonds in to get pics since their in house stock seems more limited.... 95% of what want to see more of at WF is not in house.

I want to like the JA stone... it seems big for it''s size, the feathers are on the bottom and the face is pretty clean.
Just don''t know if there is too much white in that IS image...know it''s not as good as ASET, but it is something to go on."

I would ask JA for some more pics of that diamond, it is hard to tell just going by one photo, see if they would do this for you.

 

[greg123x]

Well thanks for your help lorelei... think going to give this one a try.. they assure me they don''t want a return so will give it an honest look over and let me know if they don''t think i''ll be happy with it. They have pretty good policies so will see how they do !

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/8/2008 4:00:59 PM
Author: greg123x
Well thanks for your help lorelei... think going to give this one a try.. they assure me they don''t want a return so will give it an honest look over and let me know if they don''t think i''ll be happy with it. They have pretty good policies so will see how they do !

Most welcome and JA are a great company!

 

[greg123x]

Came in today...couple pics:

 

[greg123x]

And another one:

 

[Lorelei]

Greg, it''s gorgeous!!!! Many congrats!!! Are you pleased with it??

 

[greg123x]

One more.

Yeah, I like it.... but i''m a guy, for that much money it should shoot lasers or something !

But i''m quite sure she''ll be thrilled with it !

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/22/2008 12:49:49 PM
Author: greg123x
One more.

Yeah, I like it.... but i''m a guy, for that much money it should shoot lasers or something !

But i''m quite sure she''ll be thrilled with it !

LOL! I bet there will be lasers zinging out of your girl''s eyes when she sees it!

 

[gracioso]

http://www.wonderjewelers.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=princess&Search=Find+It!

you can get financing with them and 30 days returns

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/22/2008 1:24:09 PM
Author: gracioso
http://www.wonderjewelers.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=princess&Search=Find+It!

you can get financing with them and 30 days returns

Greg has already purchased his ring gracioso.

 

[rainydaze]

Date: 8/22/2008 12:49:49 PM
Author: greg123x
One more.

Yeah, I like it.... but i'm a guy, for that much money it should shoot lasers or something !

But i'm quite sure she'll be thrilled with it !

i am dying laughing over here.... dad, is that you? hubby?

that is EXACTLY what both my dad and DH would say!!! too funny!

the ring is GORGEOUS!! absolutely GORGEOUS!!! i am alternating laughing and drooling over here!


P.S. any chance we could get some more pictures?

 

[greg123x]

Ok, few more then..