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Where to buy a 0.5 Princess cut? "excellent" cut at JA?

Z

zane

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 5, 2012
Messages
4
Hello everybody,

I spended a couple of days in researching everything about the princess cut diamond.
I really want the best cut, to have the most fire and brilliance possible from a princess cut.

BUT I am not sure, if I can trust James Allen's "excellent" cut rating of the GIA rated diamond. (Did the stone just missed the AGS criteria for an AGS-0 and was sent to the GIA-labs though?)
But the setting of James Allen attracts me much more than the setting of Bluenile or Whiteflash.
But if it is a lot more safe to buy an AGS diamond, I will do so.
I found a nice "A CUT ABOVE"-diamonds at whiteflash for the same price as the one below, but am not sure, if that one is more reliable...

I reserved his one, but now I am scared, it might not be worth the money and exceed my needs:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1482694.asp

I read many comments, that stated a VS1 or VS2 would absolutely sufficient.
So I found these two at JA with nice characteristics as well for a lot less money:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1489343.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1421243.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
Are these diamonds better for the money? i mean, the first one is 300-400 bucks higher priced for the F and VVS2 rating than these two. But that seems not to be neccessary...

Here in Germany it's not common to spend 2 or 3 salaries, so me and my gf decided to go with a small 0.5 to fit her small hands (4.5!).
I was looking for an engagement ring with a platinum setting for under 2k in total.

I hope, you can help me to find something beautiful for my future fiancée!
 
zane|1336262243|3188357 said:
Hello everybody,

I spended a couple of days in researching everything about the princess cut diamond.
I really want the best cut, to have the most fire and brilliance possible from a princess cut.

BUT I am not sure, if I can trust James Allen's "excellent" cut rating of the GIA rated diamond. (Did the stone just missed the AGS criteria for an AGS-0 and was sent to the GIA-labs though?)
But the setting of James Allen attracts me much more than the setting of Bluenile or Whiteflash.
But if it is a lot more safe to buy an AGS diamond, I will do so.
I found a nice "A CUT ABOVE"-diamonds at whiteflash for the same price as the one below, but am not sure, if that one is more reliable...

I reserved his one, but now I am scared, it might not be worth the money and exceed my needs:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1482694.asp

I read many comments, that stated a VS1 or VS2 would absolutely sufficient.
So I found these two at JA with nice characteristics as well for a lot less money:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1489343.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1421243.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
Are these diamonds better for the money? i mean, the first one is 300-400 bucks higher priced for the F and VVS2 rating than these two. But that seems not to be neccessary...

Here in Germany it's not common to spend 2 or 3 salaries, so me and my gf decided to go with a small 0.5 to fit her small hands (4.5!).
I was looking for an engagement ring with a platinum setting for under 2k in total.

I hope, you can help me to find something beautiful for my future fiancée!
Click to expand...

James Allen's 'excellent' cut rating has nothing to do with whether or not the diamond just missed AGS0. Diamonds are sent to different labs for different reasons. There is nothing wrong with a princess cut graded by GIA, however, GIA does not grade the cut which really determines the sparkle and life of the diamond. James Allen does provide images though and ASET images so that can help evaluate the cut.

what type of setting are you looking for?
 
Thank you for your friendly comments!

concerning Christina's suggestions:
I really like that one too:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1481891.asp
the others have thick or very thick girdle and I read everywhere not to go with that. But thank you for the suggestions!
update: that one has small black inclusions visible right in the center. ...sadly. Or is that negligible?

Yes, ASET images might help, if one knows how to work with them. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about this...
I mean, sure, I looked at some ASETs, but they all looked quite nice and I don't think, I could see the difference.
But I will ask JA for these pics anyhow!
What do I have to look for on the ASETs?

What do you guys think about that one:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2675105.htm
It seems to be more reliable with the AGS-0 grading and "a cut above"...
but it's just a H and quite small (nevertheless would be sufficient in both, I guess) and I don't like the setting at WF...
So, I really want to get the most amazing one, you know, with the most brilliance and fire.
(BTW on the picture, it looks like a big scratch or inclusion (black dot) right in the middle -is that possible for a VS1??? or is it just a kind of reflection?)

The setting my gf wants, is a classic (tiffany-standard) solitaire. should have small prongs, which are mostly integrated in the ring itself. And we decided to go with platinum.
So there is only this one:
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/4-prong-tiffany-style-solitaire-engagement-ring-for-princess-428.htm
but I don't like the prongs -too bulky, a bit oversized and too rectangular, seem to be a light-eater as well...

Thank you for every comment!
 
The stone from JA is a VS1 so it would be extremely unlikely that you would see anything at all with the naked eye. And yes you should ask for an aset and then post the image here and we can help you determine what it means.

If you really prefer the WF stone, would it be possible for you to order the diamond and have it set by a jeweler closer to home? JA will also set stones sourced through other vendors into their settings for a fee.
 
I believe the reason the prongs on the setting at WF are bulky is to protect the corners of a princess cut from chipping.
 
When buying a princess cut <1ct you may want to consider the pavilion faceting.

Many people don't realize Princess Cuts have different numbers of pavilion facets. In fact the number can more than double on the pavilion alone. Some have 24 pavilion facets and others have 48 (or more) for a total range of 45-69+ facets, but our industry still "lumps" them under one label... Can you imagine the trade-uproar if we did that with RBs, Leos, Eighternitys, Solasferas, etc?

Below is a plot showing 2, 3 and 4-chevron configurations (AGSL graphic, used with permission). Some PCs even have 5-chevrons.

Like comparing a traditional 57-facet round brilliant to a 66-facet Leo or an 81-facet Eighternity, the quality of the optics changes as more chevrons are added to the pavilion. As the facet count goes up each facet has a smaller surface area. Logically this changes the size of the virtual facets, ergo visible dispersion/scintillation. All else being equal, more facets create a smaller, more rapid quality to the sparkle (think of a disco ball with standard mirrors next to one with more numerous tiny mirrors).

In common sizes what you prefer may be a matter of taste. But as you get smaller there comes a point where a a higher facet count will cause some of the stone's virtual facets to become so small that dispersion/scintillation events become difficult or impossible to see.

If you want to know how many facets a princess has you can examine the clarity plot, where available. At least one of the linked diamonds has an AGSL report showing a 2-chevron configuration (24 pavilion facets). GIA Dossiers don't include a clarity plot so you'll need to ask your sales-rep/gemologist for details on those diamonds. For that matter GIA does not include any assessment of cut performance so it's a good idea to consult with an expert who has the diamond in-hand about the visual qualities anyway.

2-3-4-chevron-plots.jpg
 
Hi Sharon.

If you were thinking of HPD as a source for the Infinity Princess (as Infinity is all they sell) it's probably appropriate for me to mention that we've taken our princess off the market for now. Paul Slegers explains: https://www.pricescope.com/communit...and-aset-images.172999/#post-3147651#p3147651

If you were pointing there on general principal please forgive the presumption.

In any case it's nice to "see" you.

Cheers,
 
John Pollard|1336325483|3188740 said:
Hi Sharon.

If you were thinking of HPD as a source for the Infinity Princess (as Infinity is all they sell) it's probably appropriate for me to mention that we've taken our princess off the market for now. Paul Slegers explains: https://www.pricescope.com/communit...and-aset-images.172999/#post-3147651#p3147651

If you were pointing there on general principal please forgive the presumption.

In any case it's nice to "see" you.

Cheers,
Click to expand...


HI John:

I did miss that post--thank you for pointing it out to me. I am sad we won't be seeing those PC of "yours" in the near future, they were very worthy of consideration.

kind regards--Sharon
 
Thanks again for all the comments, interest and help!

I received the ASET images and JA also told me, they had their gemologist take a look on the two and they strongly recommend the 0.55 stone because of it's fire and brilliance.

I think, they are right - I compared with the ASET reference chart at:
http://www.ideal-scope.com/1.using_reference_chart_ASET.asp

The 0.51 doesn't seem to be a real winner...

So, what do you say to the ASETs?

And what do you think of the setting at WF?
Is it safer, better though?


Thank you for the suggestion Christina, but I really want to buy the stone in a setting...

1481891aset.bmp.jpg

1482694aset.bmp.jpg

1481891aset.jpg

1482694aset.jpg
 
The WF diamond really seems to be the sparkling star compared to the other two...

but 3 downbreakers:
- 4.3x4.3mm compared to 4.5x4.5mm (4.96ct. vs. 5.5ct.)
- H compared to G
- the setting at WF

I could really need an advice here...
I really like the 0.55 G with the setting at JA, but if you guys recommend the WF diamond, I would go with that one! (in the name of fire, brilliance and scintillation)

WF.jpg
 
the settings at WF and JA look equivalent to me so that should not determine where you get the diamond. Is it the V-tips that are bothering you about the WF one? those are there to protect the corners of the diamond. I think the one JA recommends looks good but it looks off-square to me. (is that important to you?) Actually, since the JA diamond is a little off-square, the width of both diamonds is the same. (4.57 x 4.34 vs 4.38 x 4.35 for this one http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2668213.htm)
 
The WF stones looks beautiful. That would be my pick. I take sparkle over size/color/clarity any day. And I'm sure WF would use different prongs if you asked.
 
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