Princess --> Square Radiant?

[split_shank]

Looking for a few opinions. I have a .74 F SI1 princess that I am not completely happy with because the symmetry isn''t very good and we weren''t as educated at the time when we purchased it and didnt not know ALL of the specs and how important they REALLY are.

I recently went to a different jeweler (who made our wedding bands and is VERY knoweldgable and honest) who showed me a square radiant. It is a 1.01 G VS1 with very good symmetry and polish. He is even willing to allow me to trade in my princess even though he did not sell it to me and is very willing to negotiate on my part. Side by side comparisons are unreal, I am surprised how different these perform. I have a hard time imagining what it will look like set, do you think it will look a little larger given a .25 increase, better cut, and clarity? I''m sure that is a dumb question, but just wondering if that much (or little) of a size difference is noticable. Thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/20/2008 10:08:23 AM
Author:split_shank
Looking for a few opinions. I have a .74 F SI1 princess that I am not completely happy with because the symmetry isn't very good and we weren't as educated at the time when we purchased it and didnt not know ALL of the specs and how important they REALLY are.

I recently went to a different jeweler (who made our wedding bands and is VERY knoweldgable and honest) who showed me a square radiant. It is a 1.01 G VS1 with very good symmetry and polish. He is even willing to allow me to trade in my princess even though he did not sell it to me and is very willing to negotiate on my part. Side by side comparisons are unreal, I am surprised how different these perform. I have a hard time imagining what it will look like set, do you think it will look a little larger given a .25 increase, better cut, and clarity? I'm sure that is a dumb question, but just wondering if that much (or little) of a size difference is noticable. Thanks!

The size difference depends on the diameter of each diamond, so the direct comparison is important as you have done, to see if the difference is enough for you, especially as they are both fancy shapes where normal rules don't apply! What is the symmetry grade on your Princess? Experts say good and above for symmetry is normally indistinguishable to the naked untrained eye, so I would be interested to know. It is possible what you are noticing is overall cut quality or lack of, this is what gives a diamond its beauty, all the pieces of the puzzle need to fit together to produce a beautiful sparkly diamond. What I would do is to ask the jeweller if you can look at the new diamond away from the store lights to make sure you like it in the lighting it will normally be worn in.

 

[split_shank]

The symmetry on the princess is only Fair.

I know. I know. You all can shame me. I feel foolish for not doing more research at the time.

He did let me take it in various lighting. Of course it looked incredible under their lighting, but over where their gemstones are kept is a different lighting, similar to incandescent I''m guessing. Looked fabulous. He let me take it over to the window. I almost ran with it

JK. I was in love. I flipped it over. Very cool. He held it away from me and it just grabbed the light.

Seems like a no brainer, but I just don''t want to make the same mistake twice.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/20/2008 10:52:58 AM
Author: split_shank
The symmetry on the princess is only Fair.

I know. I know. You all can shame me. I feel foolish for not doing more research at the time.

He did let me take it in various lighting. Of course it looked incredible under their lighting, but over where their gemstones are kept is a different lighting, similar to incandescent I''m guessing. Looked fabulous. He let me take it over to the window. I almost ran with it

JK. I was in love. I flipped it over. Very cool. He held it away from me and it just grabbed the light.

Seems like a no brainer, but I just don''t want to make the same mistake twice.

SS - why would we shame you??? I know we are all about stats and numbers here, but traditionally diamonds were and are bought because you love them! We have all bought diamonds in the past ( or many of us have) which we wouldn''t buy now with the knowledge we have got from researching, so you are in very good company!

It sounds incredibly promising with the new diamond, what I would suggest is to get all the info from the grading report if you want and post it here, along with a photo if you can take one. But otherwise if you love the diamond, then it is definitely worth considering!

 

[split_shank]

Thanks so much for the info and reassurance. I will see what I can dig up next time I get down there. I feel so comfortable working with them and I think that makes a big difference. I was working with one guy when the owner had to go grab something and he said that the owner is all about making it right and even though I paid too much, will probably give me more than it should be worth. He''s seen this happen so many times and he wants people to have a good piece that they love. Their word of mouth advertising from their repeat costumers (I''m one of them) is keeping them very busy.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/20/2008 11:17:18 AM
Author: split_shank
Thanks so much for the info and reassurance. I will see what I can dig up next time I get down there. I feel so comfortable working with them and I think that makes a big difference. I was working with one guy when the owner had to go grab something and he said that the owner is all about making it right and even though I paid too much, will probably give me more than it should be worth. He''s seen this happen so many times and he wants people to have a good piece that they love. Their word of mouth advertising from their repeat costumers (I''m one of them) is keeping them very busy.

Well that sounds great, that truly makes all the difference when you feel comfortable with who you are purchasing from! Let us know what happens!

 

[rainydaze]

hi split shank!

i''m glad you found a jeweler you trust and like - can you share his name with us? you never know who else from this forum could benefit from his service!

good luck with your decision and if you do go with the radiant we all look forward to pics!!