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Thoughts on three princess cuts please

TXTahoeZ71

TXTahoeZ71

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 29, 2013
Messages
21
I am new to all of this but have been reading up on here and am looking for some guidance. I am shopping for a stone to be set in a Tacori Twist setting. I am looking for a princess cut that's a 1.7-1.95 carat, eye clean (thinking G or H), SI2-SI2 and budget for the diamond is $15k, but would really like to spend $12-13k.

I found these three diamonds on White Flash and would like your opinion, or other recommendations.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare.aspx?idnos=2884491,2884524,2933793

Thanks for the help!!! :bigsmile:
 
04diamond<3|1372700552|3475434 said:
Those all have huge tables....How about this one? It's a J, but it faces up pretty white and JA offers a 1-5% discount for PS members. If you like it, you can put it on hold and request an aset image:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/2.05-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-189290

I'll keep looking too.
Click to expand...

What table size fits the princess cut best?

Thanks for the help. It's really nice but looks like it has a bit of a yellow hue; I don't mind spending the extra money for a G or H since she will have it for a long time (hopefully, haha).
 
JulieN|1372701920|3475450 said:
TXTahoeZ71|1372701008|3475441 said:
What about this one? http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/2.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-183943
Click to expand...
hideous!

you should stick to Whiteflash's A Cut Above or Expert Selection. Good Old Gold is a Tacori vendor, as well.
Click to expand...

Man, I have a lot to learn :(sad

Can you point me to some good ones? I found this one on WF: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2950511.htm (1.8 ct, H, VS1, 74% table, $13.8K)
 
JulieN|1372705367|3475490 said:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2957768.htm

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.64-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-197300

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8061/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10965/
Click to expand...

The WF one sounds extremely nice but is too small at 1.5ct. She has long fingers, so I want something 1.7 or higher otherwise it looks really small on her hand.

The JA one looks amazing, but for $15.4k, I would like something bigger than 1.64ct, and I think E clarity is overkill for what I am looking for. I just want it to be eye clean, sparkle and have a great shape. Neither my girlfriend nor any of my friends know jewelry well enough to judge between E or G clarity.

The GOG ones are radiant cut.
 
I don't see anything that matches exactly what you want. I much prefer a Princess of Hearts over a princess.

You should ask GOG to call in some diamonds that fit your specifications.
 
JulieN|1372706488|3475509 said:
I don't see anything that matches exactly what you want. I much prefer a Princess of Hearts over a princess.

You should ask GOG to call in some diamonds that fit your specifications.
Click to expand...

That's a good idea, I will give them a call.

White Flash has a location in Houston about 15 miles away from me. Do you think driving out there and talking with them would be worth it, or would they try to pitch something they have in stock? I'd like to be able to see whatever I buy in person before purchasing, ideally with the one or two other stones I am looking at to compare.
 
I think your parameters have been considered very carefully. Everyone sees color a little differently- even different gemology labs! Anything in the VS range is not going to have noticeable clarity characteristics. The defintion of "VS" is "very slightly" inlcuded (natural characteristics). As for the table facet issue, most princesses will have large table facets. It is the nature of the cut. A large table will return a lot of white light to the eye. This is a matter of personal preference. Some like the fire of a diamonds, some like the flash. A good cut will deliver both, although not in equal measure. You may want to consider something like this, which comes from one of the PS vendors: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-2248184-1.79-carat-Princess-diamond-G-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
At just under 12K, it meets all of your criteria.
 
Oh, yes! You should definitely go, as Whiteflash is also a Tacori authorized dealer.

If buying in person is important to you I would be surprised if you did not decide on one of the ones they have in stock, which would be their excellent A Cut Above diamonds. They have a larger I that may work for you. They also would be able to call in some alternatives, or tell you when they might have some G/H SI1 in stock. The SI1 stones get snapped up very quickly.
 
diamond_concierge|1372707927|3475528 said:
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-2248184-1.79-carat-Princess-diamond-G-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
At just under 12K, it meets all of your criteria.
Click to expand...
It isn't even square.
 
Not all princess cuts are perfectly square, and nowhere did this diamond seeker mention that a perfect square shape was a criterion. Cut, color, clarity, and price are, though. It's fun to look! Don't you agree?
 
Not when the likelihood of disappointment is overwhelmingly high on a G/G finish, 1.09 lxw rectangle with no pictures. OP mentioned a princess, not a rectangular modified brilliant.
 
Very few people that I know are disappointed when finding something that fits their criteria and their budget. Finish grades are very good, not "good" or "fair" or "poor." Different people have different requirements. Some prefer carat weight over all else. Others need colorless to feel good about their purchase. It all comes down to personal preference.
 
Very few people that I know are disappointed when finding something that fits their criteria and their budget. Finish grades are very good, not "good" or "fair" or "poor." Different people have different requirements. Some prefer carat weight over all else. Others need colorless to feel good about their purchase. It all comes down to personal preference.
 
I do not believe that you will find a well cut stone in that size/color/clarity range for that budget. JMO
 
My point exactly. Something will have to be sacrificed. And it is up to each of us as individuals to decide what that is for ourselves. For some people, cut is everything. For others, it is their least concern.
 
I'd be willing to bump the budget up a bit for the right diamond, but I don't want to spend an extra $1-2,000 for something 99% of the population won't notice.

In order of importance to me is:
1. Carat - she has long fingers so needs to be a 1.7+ ct
2. Color - don't want it to have a yellow tint to it
3. Cut - I want it to sparkle

It looks like tables in the 60-73% are preferred, but I am not sure about depth.

I am here to learn, so please give me pointers as to what I can safely sacrifice and still get a great diamond that sparkles and is eye clean.

Thanks for the help!
 
These illustrate the impact of table facet percentage nicely. You can get a strong sense of white light return vs scintillation.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/2.00-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-20689
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-2803383-2.00-carat-Princess-diamond-H-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2862800.htm

Also, when you are shopping for a princess cut, pay attention to the length to width ratio, and the total depth as well as the carat weight. Princesses can be cut heavier on the pavilions. If you are interested in a higher carat weight because you want the bigger look, make sure that extra weight isn't going to the bottom of the stone! You could potetially find a 2.00 ct that appears smaller than a 1.80 ct! Read the specs and pay particular attention to dimensions so you can get a clear idea of the visual size of the stone.
 
diamond_concierge|1372773367|3476007 said:
These illustrate the impact of table facet percentage nicely. You can get a strong sense of white light return vs scintillation.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/2.00-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-20689
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-2803383-2.00-carat-Princess-diamond-H-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2862800.htm

Also, when you are shopping for a princess cut, pay attention to the length to width ratio, and the total depth as well as the carat weight. Princesses can be cut heavier on the pavilions. If you are interested in a higher carat weight because you want the bigger look, make sure that extra weight isn't going to the bottom of the stone! You could potetially find a 2.00 ct that appears smaller than a 1.80 ct! Read the specs and pay particular attention to dimensions so you can get a clear idea of the visual size of the stone.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's helpful.

Thank you for the advice about the depth, I will make sure to take that into consideration when shopping. And yes, I am going for a bigger look.
 
diamond_concierge|1372773367|3476007 said:
These illustrate the impact of table facet percentage nicely. You can get a strong sense of white light return vs scintillation.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/2.00-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-20689
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-2803383-2.00-carat-Princess-diamond-H-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2862800.htm

Also, when you are shopping for a princess cut, pay attention to the length to width ratio, and the total depth as well as the carat weight. Princesses can be cut heavier on the pavilions. If you are interested in a higher carat weight because you want the bigger look, make sure that extra weight isn't going to the bottom of the stone! You could potetially find a 2.00 ct that appears smaller than a 1.80 ct! Read the specs and pay particular attention to dimensions so you can get a clear idea of the visual size of the stone.
Click to expand...

Forgive my ignorance but how does one determine a "strong sense of white light return vs scintillation" from a "virtual picture" (ie. NOT a picture of the actual diamond")???
 
For sure, if you want to really see a diamond without being there in person, get it from GOG. JW was very helpful to me in my search, and my diamond is coming tomorrow.
 
jmarshall|1372813588|3476313 said:
For sure, if you want to really see a diamond without being there in person, get it from GOG. JW was very helpful to me in my search, and my diamond is coming tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Can you elaborate about the process at GOG?
 
TXTahoeZ71|1373030980|3477589 said:
jmarshall|1372813588|3476313 said:
For sure, if you want to really see a diamond without being there in person, get it from GOG. JW was very helpful to me in my search, and my diamond is coming tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Can you elaborate about the process at GOG?
Click to expand...

As I understand it, you contact GOG, give them your specs and budget, and they find diamonds for you. They can do a comparison Video so you can see the diamonds side by side to help you decide.

One mistake your making is confusing colour and clarity. Clarity (which is the VS-SI rating) determines whether a stone is eye clean. Colour (which is the E-F-G-H rating) determines the tint. I know that you dont want to go lower than G, but there are things (such as flouresence and great cut) that can make lower colours appear whiter. So make sure when you go to WF you get them to compare different colours from G to I to see if you notice the difference IRL with your own eyes. The pictures on here can be decieving.

To elaborate on a point someone else made as well, just because a stone is 1.7ct doesnt meant its bigger than a 1.5. Pay close attention to the dimensions of the stone, and that will tell you about the size. Go back and look at all of the stones JulieN posted and compare dimensions. I didn't look but I suspect some of the 1.5'ers that she sugested might be similar in face up size to the 1.7 you posted. That being said If you get an amazingly cut H-I-J that migh allow you to get much bigger which is your number one priority. So I would put cut above colour in your case. JMO but I think that would eliminate your colour concerns.
 
blackprophet|1373032471|3477597 said:
TXTahoeZ71|1373030980|3477589 said:
jmarshall|1372813588|3476313 said:
For sure, if you want to really see a diamond without being there in person, get it from GOG. JW was very helpful to me in my search, and my diamond is coming tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Can you elaborate about the process at GOG?
Click to expand...

As I understand it, you contact GOG, give them your specs and budget, and they find diamonds for you. They can do a comparison Video so you can see the diamonds side by side to help you decide.

One mistake your making is confusing colour and clarity. Clarity (which is the VS-SI rating) determines whether a stone is eye clean. Colour (which is the E-F-G-H rating) determines the tint. I know that you dont want to go lower than G, but there are things (such as flouresence and great cut) that can make lower colours appear whiter. So make sure when you go to WF you get them to compare different colours from G to I to see if you notice the difference IRL with your own eyes. The pictures on here can be decieving.

To elaborate on a point someone else made as well, just because a stone is 1.7ct doesnt meant its bigger than a 1.5. Pay close attention to the dimensions of the stone, and that will tell you about the size. Go back and look at all of the stones JulieN posted and compare dimensions. I didn't look but I suspect some of the 1.5'ers that she sugested might be similar in face up size to the 1.7 you posted. That being said If you get an amazingly cut H-I-J that migh allow you to get much bigger which is your number one priority. So I would put cut above colour in your case. JMO but I think that would eliminate your colour concerns.
Click to expand...

That's pretty good, especially the video comparison.

I need to look at the different color and clarity diamonds next to each other so I can better appreciate the differences. Most of my understanding is based on reading on here, not first person experience, so I appreciate the input.

I am planning to visit WF in Houston soon, though their hours are very inconvenient for people with M-F jobs :(sad

Thanks for all of the help, keep it coming!!!
 
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