Recommendations on 1.3ish Princess cuts?

[dclumes]

I''ve been researching a few specific diamonds and was unsure of the two below, as well as whether their dimensions are appropriate (too much weight below and not much on top?). Here are the specs (all GIA):

1.31
F/VS1
6.07x6.04x4.3
Depth: 71.4%
Table: 69%
Girdle: sl thick - thick
Polish: Exc.; Sym: VG.
No fluor.

The other is a good 800 or so more:
1.36; E/VS2
6.05x6.00x4.37
Depth: 72.8%
Table: 67%
Gir: medium - thick
Polish: Exc; Sym: VG
No fluor

It seems to me that the 1.36 is smaller than it should be and depth is a little too deep. Are there any recommended mm for L/W I should be looking for in teh 1.35 range? Any help much appreciated.

 

[stone-cold11]

Need images to judge princess cut, preferably ASET.

These 2? Not sure what your budget or specs are.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5974/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5855/

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/2/2009 1:42:01 PM
Author:dclumes
I've been researching a few specific diamonds and was unsure of the two below, as well as whether their dimensions are appropriate (too much weight below and not much on top?). Here are the specs (all GIA):

1.31
F/VS1
6.07x6.04x4.3
Depth: 71.4%
Table: 69%
Girdle: sl thick - thick
Polish: Exc.; Sym: VG.
No fluor.

The other is a good 800 or so more:
1.36; E/VS2
6.05x6.00x4.37
Depth: 72.8%
Table: 67%
Gir: medium - thick
Polish: Exc; Sym: VG
No fluor

It seems to me that the 1.36 is smaller than it should be and depth is a little too deep. Are there any recommended mm for L/W I should be looking for in teh 1.35 range? Any help much appreciated.

The depth is fine, depth doesn't always relate to spread in these shapes. Do you have any photos and an ASET image for these diamonds please?

If you are unfamiliar with ASET, this page explains

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance

 

[dclumes]

No, I don''t have the pics. That''s what I was afraid of. I''m going to see if the merchants have any.
Regarding budget, it is upwards of 8500.

Would you advise E/VS2 over F/VS1 (generally speaking) or do you think there are too many variables to make any such recommendation?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/2/2009 1:50:57 PM
Author: dclumes
No, I don''t have the pics. That''s what I was afraid of. I''m going to see if the merchants have any.
Regarding budget, it is upwards of 8500.

Would you advise E/VS2 over F/VS1 (generally speaking) or do you think there are too many variables to make any such recommendation?

It depends on budget and preferences, either could be an excellent choice and probably to most eyes you would never notice a difference between either colour or clarity in this case.

 

[dclumes]

Thanks. The reason I ask re dimensions is b/c I had been told by a couple of jewelers that the 1.36 was small for its weight. That''s when I started thinking whether there was an acceptable range of mm for 1.3''s or if the differences are so miniscule you cannot notice. I just don''t want to spend $$ on a 1.3 and end up getting one that looks that same as a 1.00

 

[stone-cold11]

A princess cut for light performance generally has more depth and has smaller face up dimensions than one of the more commerical cuts. The dimensions seems to be about there for that depth.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/2/2009 1:59:27 PM
Author: dclumes
Thanks. The reason I ask re dimensions is b/c I had been told by a couple of jewelers that the 1.36 was small for its weight. That's when I started thinking whether there was an acceptable range of mm for 1.3's or if the differences are so miniscule you cannot notice. I just don't want to spend $$ on a 1.3 and end up getting one that looks that same as a 1.00

I understand. Here is a top cut Princess with similar depth, size and dimensions to give you a comparison that it faces up similar to others of this weight.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5974/

 

[dclumes]

Thanks. So it makes me wonder... there''s another 1.31 which I saw, which was E/VS2 , which was a few hundred less than the original 1.31 I was considering, which has the following dimensions: The first 1.31 was F/VS1 and 71.4% depth, whereas this one is also 1.31 but instead an E/VS2, and it''s 71.3% depth and 6.29X6.17X4.40. The faceup is larger but I''m wondering if it is even noticeable. The polish on the F/VS1 is excellent compared to this one at VG. So, it''s seemingly trading color for clarity and coming up $500 cheaper with the E/VS2. Am I correct that at this point the VS1 and VS2 aren''t going to be as important as b/w an E and F (which also prob. won''t be that noticeable of a difference either?)

Too many different options.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/2/2009 2:10:52 PM
Author: dclumes
Thanks. So it makes me wonder... there's another 1.31 which I saw, which was E/VS2 , which was a few hundred less than the original 1.31 I was considering, which has the following dimensions: The first 1.31 was F/VS1 and 71.4% depth, whereas this one is also 1.31 but instead an E/VS2, and it's 71.3% depth and 6.29X6.17X4.40. The faceup is larger but I'm wondering if it is even noticeable. The polish on the F/VS1 is excellent compared to this one at VG. So, it's seemingly trading color for clarity and coming up $500 cheaper with the E/VS2. Am I correct that at this point the VS1 and VS2 aren't going to be as important as b/w an E and F (which also prob. won't be that noticeable of a difference either?)

Too many different options.

It isn't really as simple as that regrettably....There are so many variables on how the diamonds can look and perform that you can't really choose for beauty by a few numbers... Which one looks the most beautiful to you? They should be pretty much eyeclean in this size and clarity and will look very white, but Princess are not created equal for beauty. As we have very little info on each diamond it isn't really possible to advise on which way to go.

 

[dclumes]

What are your top suggestions for buying via online merchant? My concern is getting something that looks good on paper, then having to go through the hassle of a return if it''s dead in the flesh.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/2/2009 2:14:51 PM
Author: dclumes
What are your top suggestions for buying via online merchant? My concern is getting something that looks good on paper, then having to go through the hassle of a return if it's dead in the flesh.

This I can definitely help with! The trusted online vendors I will suggest all have good return policies and all the info provided so you can make an excellent choice! The vendors also have in house diamonds and can advise you every step of the way and provide photos and other images.

www.goodoldgold.com

www.highperformancediamonds.com

www.briangavindiamonds.com call and ask concerning their inventory

www.whiteflash.com

Working with vendors such as these greatly reduces the risk factor of you buying a diamond and not being pleased.

 

[dclumes]

Thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/2/2009 2:21:20 PM
Author: dclumes
Thanks!

Most welcome!

 

[jstarfireb]

Not sure of your budget, but this one looks top-notch from the picture:
JA 1.30 E/SI1

Get the IS image and ask JA if it's eye-clean if you're interested.

In this size range, there are actually quite a few nice looking princesses available through James Allen. I like the photo on that one the best.

ETA: James Allen is also a trusted PriceScope vendor. Their prices tend to be lower than some of the other PS vendors'. However, they can't provide ASET images, only IS. ASET would be the more helpful tool; however, this is better than nothing!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/2/2009 7:35:58 PM
Author: jstarfireb
Not sure of your budget, but this one looks top-notch from the picture:
JA 1.30 E/SI1

Get the IS image and ask JA if it''s eye-clean if you''re interested.

In this size range, there are actually quite a few nice looking princesses available through James Allen. I like the photo on that one the best.

ETA: James Allen is also a trusted PriceScope vendor. Their prices tend to be lower than some of the other PS vendors''. However, they can''t provide ASET images, only IS. ASET would be the more helpful tool; however, this is better than nothing!

It does look great!

 

[jstarfireb]

Doesn''t it? Great price for an E too. Could be a serious contender, but you won''t know for sure unless you get the IS from James Allen. Up to you, dclumes!

Just 2 other things to point out regarding that diamond. First, don''t be afraid of SI1 clarity. They are often completely eye-clean (not always though, so each SI diamond must be evaluated by a trained viewer). An eye-clean SI1 will look the same as an IF to the naked eye. Lots of people have a hangup about going to SI clarity, but in reality it can be a serious money saver. Second, regarding the depth, all the ones posted are in the typical range for an ideal cut princess. Often the AGS ideals tend to be cut even deeper, some being 76-78%. Their dimensions may be a bit smaller than commercial quality cuts because of this (though as Lorelei mentioned, the relationship between depth and size is not that simple in a princess). However, the best cuts will sparkle from corner to corner, giving the illusion of a larger-than-life size. Poor cuts will draw the eye inward and create the illusion of a smaller size.

 

[dclumes]

Thanks everyone! Regarding the SI clarity, you hit the nail on the head. It seemed that given my budget in the 8-9K area, I was looking primarily at 1.3s that seemed decent, which were VS1 or VS2. Do you think it is safe to consider looking at 1.5 SI1s or am I better off sticking to a smaller carat weight and higher attributes in other areas?

I believe my GF will prefer quality over faceup size, but as I mentioned before, I don''t want to end up with a small faceup diamond that costs as much as a larger faceup one with all other attributes being equal. I had also been sticking with the colorless but think I need to make some more trips out to the stores to compare some Fs and G''s to see the difference and whether it might be worth it to consider going to a G if something caught my eye. Any thoughts?

 

[jet2ks]

With a well cut princess, you can easily look at G color, and possibly even H or I--these colors will be very white in any setting. If you have a Jared's near you, go look at their Peerless line of princess. These are all AGS0 diamonds. The key is to compare colors in well cut and reliably graded diamonds, an average or poorly cut and leniently graded stone will not give you a true idea.

SI clarity is fine, as long as the vendor can confirm that the stone is eye-clean. All of the PS recommended vendors will do that for you. I like SI1 clarity stones, as they provide great value and many are eye-clean.

EDT: I'm digging this one, see what jstar and others think.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1178843.asp

And this one may have possibilities, as well

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1235841.asp

 

[dclumes]

What do you think of this one?
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1178843.asp

I don''t know about that brownish item in the center. Sorry for the newbieness but I was wondering what that was all about.

 

[dclumes]

Hahaha, sorry, didn''t see your post of the same diamond as I posted.

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 7/3/2009 11:07:30 AM
Author: dclumes
Hahaha, sorry, didn''t see your post of the same diamond as I posted.

Yeah, I was editing my post to include that stone when you posted it--I think you found it first

. I would ask for an IS on that one. I tend to think the brownish tint on the one main is a reflection of something in the room, but an IS will tell more.

 

[Lorelei]

The brown isn''t coming from the diamond, probably a reflection of a colour in the surroundings the diamond is picking up.

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 7/3/2009 11:11:58 AM
Author: Lorelei
The brown isn''t coming from the diamond, probably a reflection of a colour in the surroundings the diamond is picking up.

I seem to be having thoughts at the same time as others today. I must be psychotic, uh, psychic.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/3/2009 11:14:16 AM
Author: jet2ks

Date: 7/3/2009 11:11:58 AM
Author: Lorelei
The brown isn''t coming from the diamond, probably a reflection of a colour in the surroundings the diamond is picking up.

I seem to be having thoughts at the same time as others today. I must be psychotic, uh, psychic.

LOL!!!

I wish I had that strike through feature!

 

[dclumes]

Haha, you guys are great. I had just requested an IS image on a 1.3 I had seen on there. How many would they likely provide me with? Any ideas?

 

[jet2ks]

JA will provide images for up to 3 stones for a customer at no charge.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/3/2009 11:20:53 AM
Author: jet2ks
JA will provide images for up to 3 stones for a customer at no charge.

Ditto!

 

[dclumes]

Date: 7/3/2009 11:28:23 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 7/3/2009 11:20:53 AM

Author: jet2ks

JA will provide images for up to 3 stones for a customer at no charge.

Ditto!

Thanks! I requested the images and will post when received. They will let me know re eyecleanliness on Monday and will send IS images by Wednesday they said.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/3/2009 11:32:33 AM
Author: dclumes

Date: 7/3/2009 11:28:23 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 7/3/2009 11:20:53 AM

Author: jet2ks

JA will provide images for up to 3 stones for a customer at no charge.

Ditto!

Thanks! I requested the images and will post when received. They will let me know re eyecleanliness on Monday and will send IS images by Wednesday they said.

Sounds good, we will be here when those are ready