Princess question

[bartb]

Hi, I have a question about a princess stone I''m considering buying this weekend. I bought a .57 carat, E color, VS2 from Blue Nile a couple of days ago for $2500, but I''m not too happy with the setting, so I''m thinking of returning it. The BN diamond itself is nice, I think, but a bit small. I figure that going with a simple white gold solitaire setting that costs about $300 (as opposed to $750 for the BN one) is a smarter idea at this point, since it will allow me to get a bigger stone. Anyway, here is the one I''m thinking about (it''s from James Allen):

URL: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1135488.asp
Carat weight: 0.76
Cut: Ideal
Color: E
Clarity: VS1
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 69.6
Table: 67
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Medium to slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Faint
Measurements: 5.13*5.00*3.48
Price: $2,720

Photo: http://www.jamesallen.com/grading_report.asp?pic=1135488&type=2

I don''t have any light ratings for it, but I''m working on getting some. Based on these numbers, does this look like a good deal? The final cost of the ring would only be $500 more than the BN one. The only real difference in the numbers between the two stones, aside from the weight of course, is the VG polish and faint fluorescence (the .57 had excellent polish and no fluorescence, but it was a VS2).

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I''m hoping to make a decision ASAP because I''d like to propose during a trip that''s starting next Tuesday.

By the way, I can''t say that I was particularly impressed with the BN packaging - the box cushion made the ring point forward and the felt under the box had threads coming off it. Small details, but they count when one''s spending $2500.

Thanks!

Bart

 

[bartb]

By the way, here are two other alternatives I've also considered (but am not sold on for some reason):

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-912087.htm
http://www.exceldiamonds.com/diamond/196854.html

Thank you!

Bart

 

[Lorelei]

Ask JA for an Idealscope image for this diamond, and some more pics, it is hard to tell from the pic provided. You could also ask them if they have any Princess they could recommend.

The WF ACA branded stone has all the info provided and looks great. Also this diamond would be upgradable should that ever be a consideration. JA also provide an upgrade option, read the terms of each vendor to see which you prefer should an upgrade possibly be in the future.

The Excel stone looks promising being an AGS0 cut grade, especially if you wanted high clarity, you would need to request the other info apparently and a pic.

 

[bartb]

Thanks, Lorelei. That''s very helpful. I''ve asked JA and Excel for more info and idealscope photos - I''ll post them as soon as they come in. My only concern with the ACA and the AGS0 is their depth which makes the diamonds smaller face-up. But I guess the advantage is guaranteed brilliance. I wonder if it''s worth the trade-off...

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/23/2008 4:27:53 AM
Author: bartb
Thanks, Lorelei. That''s very helpful. I''ve asked JA and Excel for more info and idealscope photos - I''ll post them as soon as they come in. My only concern with the ACA and the AGS0 is their depth which makes the diamonds smaller face-up. But I guess the advantage is guaranteed brilliance. I wonder if it''s worth the trade-off...

This might be useful info for you, but just to let you know, depth in Princess doesn''t have the same influence on spread or face up size as it does with round diamonds. In this case the ACA may yes be a bit smaller than the others, but it is a beautifully cut stone and will look superb in a ring.