Square Shape With the Best Performance?

[BlueConundrum]

Hello everyone! This is my first time posting here, so go easy on me.

I''ve worked in the professional jewelry world for about three years now. I love diamonds and colored stones, am in training to become a bench jeweler, and take every opportunity to absorb as much information about this industry as I can. However, most of my knowledge about diamond cut is restricted to round brilliants. My brother is looking for an engagement ring, and she''s insisting on a square shape (and no amount of my insistence that rounds are the best for sparkle and fire will convince her otherwise).

I''m sure you all are aware that regular old princess cuts just don''t perform. Also, my brother likes the aesthetic of "chamfered" corners (I should note he''s an engineer) on some other cuts as opposed to a princess''s very delicate pointy corners. In our store, we carry Hearts on Fire, and so naturally the Dream is the first thing that jumps to mind. Although I''m generally satisfied with the quality and consistency of Hearts on Fire''s products, I realize that part of the cost is for the brand name, and I am trying to find the best possible value for my brother.

In this search, I''m inundated with things like "square radiant", "cut corner square brilliant", "princess of hearts", "jubilee"...I would really like some honest opinions on which cut to bring into the store to look at. I''m not going to be ordering from anyone off this forum, I''ll be going through The Boss''s own diamond channels (I trust him wholly on procurement). I just need to know what I should tell him to get.

Most basically, which square shape (NOT rectangular, as the stone will be turned on a 45 degree angle in the setting) has the best performance in a Firescope?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/12/2009 1:14:37 PM
Author:BlueConundrum
Hello everyone! This is my first time posting here, so go easy on me.

I've worked in the professional jewelry world for about three years now. I love diamonds and colored stones, am in training to become a bench jeweler, and take every opportunity to absorb as much information about this industry as I can. However, most of my knowledge about diamond cut is restricted to round brilliants. My brother is looking for an engagement ring, and she's insisting on a square shape (and no amount of my insistence that rounds are the best for sparkle and fire will convince her otherwise).

I'm sure you all are aware that regular old princess cuts just don't perform. Also, my brother likes the aesthetic of 'chamfered' corners (I should note he's an engineer) on some other cuts as opposed to a princess's very delicate pointy corners. In our store, we carry Hearts on Fire, and so naturally the Dream is the first thing that jumps to mind. Although I'm generally satisfied with the quality and consistency of Hearts on Fire's products, I realize that part of the cost is for the brand name, and I am trying to find the best possible value for my brother.

In this search, I'm inundated with things like 'square radiant', 'cut corner square brilliant', 'princess of hearts', 'jubilee'...I would really like some honest opinions on which cut to bring into the store to look at. I'm not going to be ordering from anyone off this forum, I'll be going through The Boss's own diamond channels (I trust him wholly on procurement). I just need to know what I should tell him to get.

Most basically, which square shape (NOT rectangular, as the stone will be turned on a 45 degree angle in the setting) has the best performance in a Firescope?

Welcome!

I would say if top optical performance is the goal to look at AGS0 cut grade Princess, that should narrow the field so you aren't dealing with the more commercial cut quality stones and get you into the ball park of the best looking Princess if you can order those in. Thats how I would approach it in your situation. These should be for the most part good all rounders in most lighting situations and also show well in ASET or Firescope. It might be possible to find one with chamfered corners, not sure on this one but it might be possible.


www.goodoldgold.com sometimes stock Jubilee and Princess of Hearts so you could look there to get an idea.

www.whiteflash.com have their X Factor but these are exclusive to them so it won't be possible to buy elsewhere.

Also Asschers can be superb it can be tricky to find a good one though. Same with square radiants.

 

[Gypsy]

Take a Look at Good Gold Gold they have three cuts: Jubilee, Princess of Hearts that would work. But for the performance closest to a round with a square shape, look at their square hearts and arrows.

 

[Moh 10]

double post

 

[Moh 10]

The square with the best performance?
To me there is more to a diamond cut than percentage of light return.

When it comes to square cuts IMHO the asscher takes the cake!

 

[Todd Gray]

Date: 8/12/2009 1:14:37 PM
Author:BlueConundrum
I''m sure you all are aware that regular old princess cuts just don''t perform. Also, my brother likes the aesthetic of ''chamfered'' corners (I should note he''s an engineer) on some other cuts as opposed to a princess''s very delicate pointy corners. In our store, we carry Hearts on Fire, and so naturally the Dream is the first thing that jumps to mind. Although I''m generally satisfied with the quality and consistency of Hearts on Fire''s products, I realize that part of the cost is for the brand name, and I am trying to find the best possible value for my brother.

The Crafted by Infinity princess cut diamond actually does have ''chamfered'' corners which exist to reduce chances of breakage and do so without changing the visible outline of the design.

Since you have indicated that you are a HOF dealer, I''ve always been curious... What chevron configuration does the HOF Dream Cut incorporate?

Here is a picture from AGS that shows how minor the chamfers on a princess cut are, they pretty much just make it easier for the setter to set the diamond without damage.