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Struggling with a Princess

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wannalude

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 14, 2009
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I''m another guy who has been lurking/ learning here for a while now and I''m finally ready to do something. It seems I picked a bad time to start looking for diamonds (after the holidays) as selections seems to be kind of slim. I was really stuck on an ACA as everything I''ve heard is how amazing they perform, but they won''t be available until March or April so I have been looking at AGS0s as well.


Stone budget: Up to $6500
CT.- .90- 1.50
Cut- AGS0 or ACA
Color- D-I
Clarity- VVS1-SI1

This is the stone the Sheerah at Whiteflash says "performs beautifully in person and is also completely eye clean from 3-5 and 8-10 inches with 20/20 vision from the top view."
It seems to be a good price for a D and around the size I''m looking for, I just hate the idea of knowing there would be an inclusion smack in the center. I did a "cut formula" I found and it rated it as an AGS1.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_details.aspx?idno=42154

I also saw that someone else on P.S. actually went and looked at this stone and had positive things to say about it.


https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/wf-princess-diamond-advice.101863/


Another from GOG, which I think I feel better about

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4839/


I really don''t want to settle, I made her wait 4 years so should I wait for the ACA (which with Brian gone who knows if they''ll be the same)

What do you think?
My setting is going to be a Whiteflash "Sleek Line Pave"
 
I don't see the relation between "making her wait 4 years" and an ACA. They're great, but WF isn't the only game in town, so to speak.

The GOG one looks really nice.

Why don't you have them shipped to you or a local appraiser so you can check them both out?
 
I second the motion of getting them both sent to an appraiser. If the SI2 really is eye clean, then go for it! It''s a lot less expensive and it will still be beautiful! If you are still nervous about the clarity... Go for the VS1 stone, or keep searching. Can''t wait to see what you end up with, I LOVE princesses!
 
I guess what I mean is that I don''t feel like I should settle for a lesser grade cut. It certainly seems like I could go with a lower color grade and aim towards an AGS0 in the 1ct range for a pretty good price. I do like the idea of getting the diamonds here to have them looked at.
 
I''m thinking the 5004
 
I would go for the larger size, since princesses face up smallish. I have an I color princess, and because it's an AGS ideal cut, the light return makes it face up like an F-G. There's nothing to fear with I color in an ideal cut princess! Those last 2 stones are both gorgeous and almost identical, but I think I would choose 5004 because I like the look of the photo better...something about the facet pattern, I guess! Could just be the photo though.

ETA: In response to the F/VS1 performing better, I disagree and say the opposite should be true. Look at the ASETs...there's a bit more green in the F/VS1 than in any of the others, which means less intense light return than the ones that have more red. It's subtle, and all are guaranteed to be great performers...but if you want the best of the best cut along with a great size, I'd stick with one of the 1.2 I/VS2s. I actually wish I would have gone with 1.2 instead of 1 for my princess, because it's starting to shrink!
 
Haha, yeah shrinking is something that really has me worried! I wanted to be on around the 1ct range but if I can get up to a 1.2ct and sacrifice a little on color while staying with an AGS0, then I feel pretty good for the price!
 
Date: 1/20/2009 4:48:53 PM
Author: wannalude
Haha, yeah shrinking is something that really has me worried! I wanted to be on around the 1ct range but if I can get up to a 1.2ct and sacrifice a little on color while staying with an AGS0, then I feel pretty good for the price!
Click to expand...
Jon at GOG has a return policy in the rare event you weren''t happy with an I colour, but going a bit larger might defer shrinkage, but you can always use the upgrade policy in the future if necessary....
11.gif
 

Thanks for all your help, Lorelei, you''ve been a big help! I''ve read many of your posts, thank you much!


I''ve been emailing with Sarah (Jon''s daughter) @ GOG and she has said that both the 1.2 and the 1.21 face up white and while they both are extremely similar in color/clarity/performance, she would steer toward the 1.20 because of the inclusions are off to the side more.


I''m thinking I would get the diamond independently appraised immediately.


I haven''t looked into it yet but what would you recommend on getting my stone set in the whitflash setting. Is it worth sending the stone to whiteflash or to just find a local jeweler to do it, I''m a little concerned on maintenance/warranty work from two different places.

Thanks!
 
Date: 1/21/2009 1:56:49 PM
Author: wannalude

Thanks for all your help, Lorelei, you''ve been a big help! I''ve read many of your posts, thank you much!



I''ve been emailing with Sarah (Jon''s daughter) @ GOG and she has said that both the 1.2 and the 1.21 face up white and while they both are extremely similar in color/clarity/performance, she would steer toward the 1.20 because of the inclusions are off to the side more.



I''m thinking I would get the diamond independently appraised immediately.



I haven''t looked into it yet but what would you recommend on getting my stone set in the whitflash setting. Is it worth sending the stone to whiteflash or to just find a local jeweler to do it, I''m a little concerned on maintenance/warranty work from two different places.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
You are very kind, thank you!!!

Sarah has a good eye and rep so I would definitely consider her advice. As to the setting, I would check with GOG and then WF as to the logistics, one thing is that although it is rare, the diamond might not be covered against damage if it is set by a vendor who didn''t sell the diamond, so it is something to factor into your decision.
 
Any preference, the G ASET seems a little better, worth the $200 for the color upgrade.
 
Date: 1/21/2009 4:34:26 PM
Author: wannalude
Any preference, the G ASET seems a little better, worth the $200 for the color upgrade.
Click to expand...
It is a lovely diamond, it is hard to tell with the ASETs as the other looks darker, maybe due to the photography. What I would do if you can''t decide, contact Sarah and maybe she could arrange for some comparison photos or a video for you. It depends on your preferences too, one is an AGS0 which some value highly...Or whether the higher colour would be best for you.
 
Whoa, tough call! The G has a pretty nice ASET there. Did you ask Sarah what she thinks? You might be able to tell the difference between a G and I if you''re very color-sensitive, otherwise an I should face up fine. But honestly...if a color upgrade is only $200 for 2 grades (and the tradeoff is losing the AGS cert, but you still have GIA and the fact that the diamond passed GOG''s strict standards)...I''d go for the G. Not to mention that the G is a perfect square. Good find!

The sleek line pave is a very nice choice; I love the elegant Legato head. WF''s workmanship is top-notch, and I''d have no qualms about sending your diamond there to be set if that''s the setting you like. Stick with WF; you won''t be disappointed!
 
Here is the link to the video, its # 82, boy this is tuff. The 1.21 on the right is actually the 5005 from my link.


http://www.vimeo.com/2850529
 
Wow...well, I still say go for size, so the one on the left would be out for me. G vs I...they''re both so similar, but I actually think the I edges out the G when it comes to brilliance/white light. The color isn''t a detriment at all! Anyway, still a really tough call. I''d ask Sarah for her opinion.
 
Date: 1/22/2009 9:19:00 AM
Author: wannalude

Ok, well the 1.21 I in the video is actually the 5005 link below.



http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5004/



http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5005/



Sara says they perform nearly identical but would recommend the 1.20 I over the 1.21 I because the inclusions are off to the side more. The color certainly does not seem to be an issue.

I keep coming back to the 1.20 I, I think it is the one!
Click to expand...
IMO thats when you know that you might have found the one when a diamond keeps '' speaking'' to you!
 
I agree, and I still think the 1.20 I would be my choice (provided it performs as well as the 1.21 I, which I have no doubt it will). Now reserve that puppy before it''s gone!
 
Thanks again everyone!
 
Most welcome and like Miss Jstar says - get your name on that diamond!!!
 
Ok, I bought the setting from WF and put the deposit down on my stone. I''m gonna have the stone appraised loose and insured before it is set. I would like to have it set locally and have the maintence done there as well. Whiteflash says that they need to set the stone in the "legato" head. I''m not sure I understand why they would need to do it.
 
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