Thoughts on the Blue Nile Signature Princess-Cut Specs?

[javajoejava]

Good morning! Seven or eight years ago I spent a lot of time soaking up some amazing info and insight from the folks here and that culminated in a beautifully-cut 1.70 Princess VS2 J for my bride. I have since used the cut advisor and other tools/info here to help about 10 friends get rocks for their women, the latest being a perfectly-cut 2.24 I-VS2 round brilliant in a pave halo setting from Blue Nile.

Anyway, I have a friend who is on his second round, and his girlfriend wants a princess not a round brilliant. He is a "keep it simple guy" and likes to buy through Blue Nile so that's already been decided.

So my question for the experts here is, what do you think of the Blue Nile signature princess cut specs as listed here:

http://www.bluenile.com/signature-ideal-princess-diamonds

Signature Princess-Cut Standards:
Crown Height: 8.5-13.5%
L/W Ratio: Square (1.0-1.05)
Depth %: 63.0-72.0%
Table %: 65.0-74.0%
Polish: EX to VG
Symmetry: EX to VG

"With its smaller table and precise symmetry, the Blue Nile Signature princess-cut diamond is able to return more light. Each diamond is crafted to maximize quality over size. While typical diamonds are cut to a depth of 88% or more, Blue Nile Signature diamonds are cut to a depth of 72% or less, sacrificing approximately 6% carat weight to ensure higher quality."

So what do you think of these specs? They're obviously a little different than the AGA Cut Grading specs as listed here:
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-grading-chart-princess

So do I go with the BN specs or stick with the AGA cut standards?

Thanks in advance for any insight or suggestions!

-JavaJoeJava

 

[javajoejava]

What do you think about this?

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02210010

Table is more than 68% but again I believe that is because of the slightly different specs. Please help! Are these legit or should I stick with the AGA cut guidelines?

-JavaJoeJava

 

[slg47]

I would stick with an AGS0 princess...Blue Nile has some. What is your friend's budget/specs?

ETA here are some
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02020243
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02020244
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02020358
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02032720
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02032741

 

[javajoejava]

As perfectly cut as possible with maximum sparkle/brilliance in a princess cut
2.0-2.3 cw
VS2-VS1
I-H
Budget not really an issue.
Will be set in a halo pave platinum setting

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[marygrace]

I found 3 more diamonds that fit your criteria:

2.04-Carat, AGS 000, I, VVS2, $16,447
http://www.bluenile.com/princess-cut-diamond-2-carat-very-good-cut-i-color-vvs2-clarity_LD01205987

2.03-Carat, AGS 000, F, VS2, $23,979
http://www.bluenile.com/princess-cut-diamond-2-carat-good-cut-f-color-vs2-clarity_LD02269590

2.22-Carat, AGS 000, F, VS2, $26,997
http://www.bluenile.com/princess-cut-diamond-2-carat-very-good-cut-f-color-vs2-clarity_LD02269591

I think that between the diamonds I listed and the ones in the other reply are all the 2.0-2.3 carat AGS 0 princess cuts listed on Blue Nile. If your friend chooses an AGS 000, he can feel confident that the light performance is excellent.

I noticed that the AGS chart for classes of cuts is merely a guideline, not a rule. I have found several diamonds with AGS 000 that fall outside the recommended ranges for ideal.

I have a Blue Nile signature princess cut. The benefit of their signature line is that for each diamond, the GCAL report is posted, which contains the optical brilliance results and a 10x magnified picture. Some of the signatures are more expensive that their AGS-graded counterparts. I'd recommend to look through the AGS diamonds first.