The Princess - Or the Story of My Square Cut Search.

[jj970]

Wow, I''m so glad I found pricescope.com. I feel so much more empowered than before, it''s incredible. I''ll start off by saying thanks to all who post, from the newbies to the pros, it''s all great and informative. Almost makes me wish I was in the industry since it''s so fascinating.

Anyway, I love reading the posts about people''s diamond searches so I thouht I''d post up my story as it unfolds right here.

Let''s go back, way back...into time...

I met Glabellla (an alias for secrecy purposes) about a year and a half ago. We had instant chemistry and became immediate friends. Because we were working together, we tried to keep it all plutonic, but by February we were inseperable. One night, I confessed that I wanted more and she shut the door on me! Haha...the next day, she was back over at my house and we had made up. We decided to take it slow (agonizingly slow), but to see where things would go. It was no surprise to either of us that we continued to click and are now shopping for an engagement ring. It''s funny, I liked the single life and had plenty of fun, but now I''m looking at throwing down some serious cash so I can stay with one person. Love is a crazy thing.

But I digress, you all want to hear about the bling, not they why of it.

She''s a picky one, Glabella is. She wants a princess cut stone and nothing else. She has the number 3 stuck in her head as well (when I think 2 is plenty big). After that, she''s very discerning about color and fire/brilliance, but not as much about clarity.

So, our search started at the mall stores. Bailey, Banks and Biddle, Jared, Shane Co etc. We happened to be in San Francisco and spent about 2 hours in a Shane Co there. Without having any knowledge, I was talked into putting some cash ($8g!) to hold a 3.01 ct, VS1, G stone without a certificate and not even knowing the measurements. I knew I was being naive but I could always get my money back if I wanted. They were asking $40,000 for it. This was already more than I wanted to spend.

Next, we were back on the East Coast in Orlando so we went to the Shane Co there. They had a 3.01 G, SI1 for us to see there, but it was "cloudy" so we passed. We spent another 2 hours there though and they went ahead and offered to bring in some other stones and the one we had saved in SF. We went back and looked at a total of 3 stones. The two I mentioned and a new 3.02 ct VS1, H. We ended up liking the newest one best, and since it was $36,000 we decided to place that one on hold with the funds I had already given them. Again, no cert shown, no dimensions known. I had no idea to even ask about such things. They would NOT budge on price.

They were all GREAT salespeople and very friendly and accomadating. I felt very comfortable and didn''t feel pressured at all. I put a hold on the stone because Glabella liked it so much and I knew I could back out anytime.

She also fell in love with a Calla cut band/setting from Nelson Ho, which I''ll post a pic of below.

Anyway, I still wanted to do more research on this very expensive purchase. I''m a huge fan of internet research and I spend hours online researching products/trips/restaurants that I am considering. Just for fun, here are my faves: www.fatwallet.com, www.slickdeals.net, www.yelp.com, www.biddingfortravel.com, www.avsforums.com and www.tripadvisor.com. I don''t represent any of these, but if even one of you finds them interesting, maybe I gave something back to this community. Sorry if it isn''t appropriate.

I went to bluenile first, and saw that the price I was paying was pretty steep. I finally found pricescope and really had my eyes opened. I''m still swimming in all the knowledge.

A few days ago, I called Shane Co again and talked to the guy who helped me buy the stone. I told him I had found some better prices online. I also told him about pricescope (he knew of it) and also asked about why the stone I had on hold didn''t have any lab certification. He said that they had their own in house people grade it, but never offered to give me the stats. He tried to minimize the grading laboratories. In the end though, he didn''t really offer too much resistance, and had my money transferred back to me.

Now we are all pretty much caught up.

I''ve seen some diamonds that caught my eye and I''m asking the PS community to give me some guidance.
I also would like to have some input on the setting and an appraiser.

 

[jj970]

Here's a diamond that a vendor has offered to me. She says it's brilliant and eye clean. I'm not so sure of the dimensions, I think the table is too much for the depth. Am I wrong? Thanks!

EGL T-27087502
3.02 ct
8.24 -8.21 x 5.47mm
Total Depth 66.6%
Table Width 76%
Crown Depth 57%
Crown Height 8%
Girdle: Thick, Polished

Finish
Polish Very Good
Symmetry Very Good
Culet None

Clarity VS1

Color Grade G

Fluorescence None

 

[Kaleigh]

Glad you found PS!! I found PS doing a search for an eternity band and have been here ever since. I''d check out www.whiteflash.com for a gorgeous princess. And www.goodoldgold.com Not a big fan of EGL certs, they tend to be soft on their grading. Good luck in your search

 

[jj970]

Here''s the ring she wants the stone set in. I kinda think the 3 ct princess might be too big to fit into this band. What do you guys think?

Hmm, I can''t copy the pic from their site...

If you do a google search for R22-036218 then it will find the ring.

I think this one might be better designed to fit a larger center stone. R11-035610

I''ll try to find a way to get the pics to post.

 

[jj970]

Here''s another stone I was looking at. I have no pics or anything. The vendor says they don''t do idealscopes. She also said it was eye clean and "looked great".

Report Type: GIA Diamond Grading Report
Date of Issue: August 16, 2007
Square Modified Brilliant

Measurements: 7.84 x 7.66 x 5.67 mm
Carat Weight: 2.77
Color Grade: G
Clarity Grade: SI1

Proportions:
Depth: 74.0 %
Table: 74 %
Girdle: Thin to Slightly Thick
Culet: None

Finish:
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Good
Fluorescence: Faint

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Date: 11/6/2007 12:11:29 AM
Author: Kaleigh
Glad you found PS!! I found PS doing a search for an eternity band and have been here ever since. I''d check out www.whiteflash.com for a gorgeous princess. And www.goodoldgold.com Not a big fan of EGL certs, they tend to be soft on their grading. Good luck in your search

I''ll second Kaleigh''s WF''s recommendaton. They''re ACA & ES stones are to die for! I''ve seen them IRL.
Anyway, my stone came from WF (not a ACA or ES, though. it was before their time), and luv it.

oh yeah, have you seen any of the stones you''ve posted about IRL?? Numbers are cool and all, but let your eyes (and an idealscope) be a huge determining factor. So, I would pass on a vendor who won''t provide you with an idealscope!

 

[jj970]

Well, no, except for the stones at the ShaneCo, I haven''t seen any of them in person. The two I posted (one with the pics and the other without) are from an online vendor (who has a store). I may have to visit, but it''s a little far.

So do most people think I shouldn''t even bother without an Idealscope image if I can''t see it online? They have a 30 day return policy.

Thanks.

Jason

 

[jj970]

Looking at this stone too...any opinions on the Idealscope? To me it looks good, but I dont'' have an ASET.
They are asking $20,000

Carat weight: 2.52
Cut: Ideal
Color: H
Clarity: VS1
Certificate: GIA
Depth: 73.2%
Table: 70.0%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Very thin to medium
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Faint
Measurements: 7.60*7.36*5.39
Ratio: 1.03

 

[jj970]

Here''s the magnified...

 

[gtn]

Is this the one you were looking for?

 

[gtn]

Is this the one Glabella was looking at?

ETA: Rats, It didn't show up, let me try again

 

[jj970]

GTN, wow, where did you find those pics? I googled all over and couldn''t get it. Tried to copy it from the calla site too and couldn''t.

Well the one you have posted first, with the center stone built in (it''s meant to be an ering), is the one I found later that I thought would work better. The other ring (with 5 matched stones) is the one she saw and likes. I just don''t know how a 2.5-3 ct stone will fit in there...I mean, I''m sure it could be done, but I''m not sure how it will look.

Anway, thanks a lot!

J

 

[gtn]

i tried pulling the picture of the ring Glabella liked and the picture always shows up blury... but it will give people an idea. I took a screen shot of the ring. The ring you like (I also like it better for a 3c ring too, but Glabella is the important one.) The other picture came up when I googled it.

 

[jj970]

Anyone able to comment on this IS? See next post.
Also, what about the IS from the stone above? To me, the stone above has a better IS. Alas, I don't have ASETs for either.

Thanks for any and all input.

 

[jj970]

I think there''s too much white, right?

 

[Sharon101]

Just wondering, is the size negotiable?

 

[jj970]

Yeah...looking to stay between 2.5-3 ct''s.

Still no one can give me an opinion about the IS''s above?

Thanks.

 

[stormtrooper]

It seems like you are looking at 2 types of IS images...I think the second one is comparable to the first in light performance. But I do have to say that I can pick out inclusion on the 2nd image...not sure if they are eye visible though.

For comparision of the 2 types of IS images, following this link:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/pr1574gvs1/

 

[Sharon101]

Date: 11/15/2007 11:43:26 PM
Author: jj970
Yeah...looking to stay between 2.5-3 ct''s.

Still no one can give me an opinion about the IS''s above?

Thanks.

I just thought I would ask because you said she had the number 3 stuck in her head.....and you probably dont want an upgrade in the near future!!!!

Although I know that a 2.5 ,set beautifully, will still be all that and more! And 2.5 is still considered a humongous rock in most parts of the world!

Also it`s helpful to know what some of the fixed parameters are. For instance, if size and price are fixed, you sort of have to work backwards. And to some extent, there is no purpose in tearing a diamond to bits if an upgrade is out of the budget, and a downsize is not an option. Mind you, there are always things that can be juggled in trying to balance out the C`s.

Its very important that you use your eyes. Some people find it difficult to tell the difference between a good cut diamond and an ideal cut diamond, so maybe it`s not worth stressing over if you cant afford a super cut one in the size you are after.

(Fwiw, I am one of the few here to have a diamond that was bought for size.

It is white (E) and sparkes enough to look like a `proper`diamond and its big, 4 c. princess (to me).

My h. bought it for the price and I think it will look fab. when its ready.)

 

[iheartscience]

Did you see this one at Whiteflash? http://whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-71318.htm# Looks like it could fit the bill-it''s gorgeous!

 

[iheartscience]

And how about a square H&A? Some people go for those so they can get the performace of a round. There''s one at GoodOldGold that fits the bill: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2571/

 

[jj970]

Hey all, thanks for the feedback.

Yes, I know, one image was an IS and the other kind of a modified IS (DiamXray-Hi Jonathon! haha). I guess I wasn''t looking to compare them straight up, but just get a feel for the performance of each individually. Thanks for the GOG link though, I''ve read it already.

I''m thinking, in order, she would want size, cut, color, clarity and I should prioritize on that. For me, I want to keep below $30,000. Hmm, typing this out, I wonder if I''m doing this wrong.

Thing2, yes, I''ve talked to WF about that ACA you''ve linked, but it''s a bit too much. They offered it for a bit less, but still over my budget (after setting, appraising, shipping and all that).

I didn''t even ask about square rounds...hmm...that''s an interesting wrinkle....Maybe I should be! I do know that Glabella would like to see those in person before she said yes to it.

Thanks again all!

J

 

[Sharon101]

I personally found it hard to compromise on any of the C`s. Every time I had a diamond in front of me that had some of the C`s, all I did was lament the ones that I had forgone. And, I was getting angry at the prices and how they didnt let me have it all for what I wanted to spend!!!! In the end my h. just bought one that he believed would do the trick. He is in the trade but sells mostly other precious gems. So in some ways I trusted his eyes, but I personally couldnt choose because I kept wanting to up the budget, which we did double from the get go.

One story was that my h. brought me home a diamond (amongst many) that I criticised to death, the color wasnt right, it wasnt sparkly enough, it didnt have enough fire etc. Then a week later he brought me home this fabulous ring, it was devine, and I felt like a million bucks. It felt like a really big rock, which is what I wanted. Well, guess what...it was the same diamond. It just looked great once I had it on my hand!!!! I then knew that I had no idea, and not to over analyse it.

Of course if I could afford it, I would get the best of all the c`s. But in my real world, the size has more impact than the cut, even though cut is important.