What would you do?

[Lorelei]

Ok, EGL are considered by some to be softer on grading than GIA, also this can depend on which EGL lab graded the diamond, with EGL USA being considered the strongest lab, the other EGL labs such as Israel, Antwerp, Europe and others can be looser on grading according to some experts. This basically means it is important to know which EGL lab graded a diamond, and that there is a possibility that the colour and clarity grades could be lower. EGL diamonds normally carry a lower pricetag than GIA, AGS.

I would really recommend you stick to a vendor such as Whiteflash, James Allen, Good old Gold etc that has in house diamonds with GIA or AGS reports - one who has in house stones and can advise you on your selections. Many of the diamonds you see on a basic search are known as virtual stones, they are owned by the suppliers/ cutting houses, and are just listed with many of the vendors and not owned by them. That way you really can't tell what the cut quality is unless a vendor calls it in and can evaluate it for you. The cut is so important for a pretty diamond, so I really think working with a vendor with inventory diamonds is the best way forward.

ETA - check out the diamonds Ellen posted for you, that is the sort of diamond you would be wise to consider.

 

[DIShayley]

OK - Stick to GIA.

To be completely honest, I was hoping for a couple more cts than what my budget will allow at Whiteflash. Ideally, I would love .7 or over, but I would be happy with something close to that. For some reason I can''t find any 0.64-0.7ct Princess Cuts on Whiteflash

I do love their ACA and X Factor diamonds

I''ll keep searching both WF and JA for ''the one''!

 

[DIShayley]

Ok, last 2 for today

Let''s hope there''s a winner in one of these.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1138989.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1138994.asp

Both .72ct Princess Cuts, but I think the first one?

 

[EricaR]

Another thing to compare is the actual dimensions of the diamonds. My .58ct round from WF actually measures larger than the .7ct round I had had been looking at on Blue Nile.

They also have a setting similar to what you were looking for. You could get the round sides switched out to princess cuts.

WF Flush Fit

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/22/2008 11:29:10 AM
Author: DIShayley
Ok, last 2 for today

Let''s hope there''s a winner in one of these.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1138989.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1138994.asp

Both .72ct Princess Cuts, but I think the first one?

Both of those have potential, but you''d need at least an Idealscope pic of them before we could say more. An ASET would be better, but I don''t "think" JA does that. You could ask.

The reason the stones we are recommending are smaller in size, is because they are very well cut. You do get what you pay for.

So the better the cut, the more you''ll pay (which exceeds your budget), and therefore would have to go smaller in size.

 

[E B]

DIShayley,

What about this combination:

.65 ct I, VS2 AGS 0 Ideal Princess $1,127 wire

In this classic 4-prong basket $350

 

[DIShayley]

I do like that!

Are Excel Diamonds good?

 

[Rhea]

Excel is a good vendor. There have been a few people on here who have used them.