Princess/Radiant cut...should I trust JA cut ratings?

[tmitchell]

Looking for a princess/radiant cut diamond. Do James Allen's "very good" and "excellent" cut ratings hold up? Should I trust them when they identify diamonds with "ideal" or "premium" proportions? I know this is largely subjective, but I think most people can agree on a lively diamond and a dull diamond.

Should I order one and see what I think? Have someone at JA give me a second opinion?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Looking for a princess/radiant cut diamond. Do James Allen's "very good" and "excellent" cut ratings hold up? Should I trust them when they identify diamonds with "ideal" or "premium" proportions? I know this is largely subjective, but I think most people can agree on a lively diamond and a dull diamond.

Should I order one and see what I think? Have someone at JA give me a second opinion?

Thanks for your help.

Actually, this is not true- especially when it comes to the shapes you're looking at.
The two main classes of Radiant Cut are "patterned"- a stone that shows a H&A type facet design and "Crushed ice"- many small virtual facets that create a bottomless pit of sparkle.
Not that you'll be able to glean any of this from measurements alone- but there's disagreement about which is most brilliant

 

[jstarfireb]

Don't trust the vendor cut grades at all! There are many princesses that I think would have made AGS ideal if they had been graded by AGS but only get a grade of good or premium from JA. This is because the vendor's cut grades are based solely on proportions (and maybe polish and symmetry), whereas the lab's cut grades are based on actual visual inspection of the diamond for light performance. I've noticed that many AGS ideal princesses have larger depths and smaller tables than what were previously considered ideal for a princess, but the proof is in the actual light performance.

ETA: You can request an ASET on up to 3 diamonds at JA and inspect them yourself as well as ask their gemologist. I recommend posting your budget and desired parameters, then we can find you ones that look promising from the photos, which you would then reserve and ask for ASETs.