Which one for a pendant?

[dutchie]

I am giving my wife a diamond pendant for our 10 year anniversary and I have to order the stone this week, so it gets here in time. Want to spend about $4k... which of the following stones do you believe is best. Your help is VERY MUCH appreciated!!

Here are the choices... for those who can''t find the attachment:

1. Princess: 1.01ct / Very Good Cut / E Color / SI1 / Polish Good / Symmetry Good / Depth 72% / Table 78% / Girdle Thin to Thick --> $4,233

2. Princess: 1.00ct / Very Good Cut / D Color / SI1 / Polish Excellent / Symmetry Good / Depth 73.5% / Table 78% / Girdle Slightly Thick to Very Thick --> $4,257

3. Princess: 1.10ct / Very Good Cut / G Color / SI1 / Polish Excellent / Symmetry Very Good / Depth 73.6% / Table 74% / Girdle Thick to Very Thick --> $4,282

4. Princess: 1.06ct / Very Good Cut / E Color / SI1 / Polish Excellent / Symmetry Good / Depth 73.2% / Table 77% / Faint Fluorescense / Girdle Thin to Thick --> $4,296

5. Princess: 0.93ct / Very Good Cut / HColor / VS1 / Polish very Good / Symmetry Very Good / Depth 73.8% / Table 78% / Girdle Medium to Thick --> $3,811
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6. Round: 0.92ct / Ideal Cut / G Color / SI1 / Polish Excellent / Symmetry Very Good / Depth 61.9% / Table 59% / Girdle Medium to Slightly Thick --> $4,041

7. Round: 0.92ct / Ideal Cut / G Color / SI1 / Polish Excellent / Symmetry Excellent / Depth 62.4% / Table 55% / Medium to Slightly Thick --> $4,231

 

[Ellen]

I would go with a round, and of the two you''ve posted, I''d go with #7.

 

[dutchie]

Thanks for your reply. Two questions, why would you go with a round versus a princess and why number 7 versus number 6.

Also, I am trying to get as much ''bang for the buck'', i.e., whatever looks biggest. Wouldn''t 6 look a bit bigger (larger table)?

 

[Ellen]

Usually rounds appear bigger for the same ct. weight. and they''re sparklier. I''m not saying I would turn down a well cut Princess pendant, but if I could only have one, I''d go with a round.

I picked the last one because I like the table better, even though it''s deeper, and may be facing up a hair smaller than the other. Smaller table means better fire.

Do you have the diameter measurements on the two rounds?

 

[Allison D.]

As Ellen notes, rounds do face up larger for their carat weight than princess stones. It''s also easier to gauge the potential performance of a round based on its measurement data, where fancy cuts really do need to be seen.

As far as picking a round, you really need a bit more data than you''ve given for either. In addition to depth and table and girdle, you really also need crown and pavilion measurements....preferably expressed as angles. It''s the relationship between the crown and pavilion that heavily influences the light return of the stone.

While most people looking for super/duper ''typical'' top-make parameters would prefer a smaller table than the 59% table on your first round stone, it''s actually possible that first stone could outperform the second one. It all depends on the crown/pavilion relationship.

If you can get the missing data for these stones, I''m sure people will chime in to help you.

Important last note on your round stone options: You didn''t identify any of them as lab-graded by AGS, GIA or otherwise. While your notations say they are ''ideal'' cut, you should be aware that''s likely is a generic dealer label meaning ''top-make''. Only AGS issues a grade of ''ideal''; GIA''s top grade is ''excellent''. Since lab-grading will impact your pricing, that''s important to find out as well. Be aware that GIA''s top cut grade parameters are far broader than AGS'' top cut grade parameters; that''s important to know in making your comparisons.

Good luck!

 

[Splinter]

I''d go with a round as well. I prefer larger tables myself, but without knowing the angles or grading lab, I''d hesitate to choose between #6 and #7.

 

[sugarplum]

i''d also go with a round (like ellen mentioned, it faces up bigger and is sparklier). did your wife say she wanted a princess cut or does her ering/wband have princesses and you want it to match? if you''re not looking for a princess for a specific reason and are open to other options (which i assume you are since you listed two rounds), i''d look for more rounds or even a nice cushion.

a gorgeous cushion halo pendant.

 

[dutchie]

Here are the measurements:

Number 6: - 6.18 x 6.25 x 3.85 mm
Number 7: - 6.20 x 6.24 x 3.88 mm

 

[dutchie]

Thanks for all your info. My wife didn''t specify what she wants, so i guess ican go either way... round or princess. Here engagement ring, wedding band and earrings are all round, so I fugured I change it up a bit, but am flexible.

Both of the round stones are G/SI1... is that ok for a pendant? Also, both are on bluenile and are GIA certified. I tried to get answers to the other questions, but am not sure where/how to get it. Following find the stock numbers on bluenile and if you have a chance and/or are willing, you can see the detailed reports, etc. Those may contain the measurements you have mentioned.

Number 6 --> LD01280462
Number 7 --> LD01304621

Now that most of you seem to go with the round version, I will do some more searches on bluenile and see if other good diamonds show up.

THANKS so much... you are all very helpful!

 

[dutchie]

bump. any thoughts?