"X" or Cross from diagonal corner to corner in Princess cuts (vs starburst in center)

[jstar]

I''ve been shopping for a princess cut stone recently (F-H, 1.7-2 ct, VS2-SI1), and have found that most of the diamonds I''ve seen have what looks like a large X formed by the cuts, drawn corner to corner, when looking straight down through the top of the diamond. Occasionally, I see one that looks like a round starburst in the middle, that isn''t broken up into those quadrants (and I like that). None of the sales people acknowledge the legitimacy of what I''m saying. Is it the lighting? Am I crazy? Are there any parameters I can tell a diamond dealer I''m interested in seeing when looking so I can quantify this distinction somehow? In the end, I''m looking for a squared round, and maybe a flanders or some other cut is the way to go? I just feel like the selection is much more limited, so then I''d have to pay extra for it. Anyway, any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks much. -Josh

 

[valeria101]

I like the Flanders and the other squares, but if you want something square that matches a round brilliant in 'sparkle', than the quadrillion may be the way to go for you. This is not my personal favorite (I like rose cuts!) but as far as I know, the 'X' shape shade you are talking about goes away in a quadrillion, at least when one is comparing a well cut pricess with a well cut quad. The 'Quad' is a brand name diamond and a demaning cut, so it comes at a premium. As it is true (I feel) for the other brand name cuts, it is best to look at what the makers who launched the brand haveto offer. For example:

http://www.store.yahoo.net/ambardiamonds/quad.html.

Hope this helps!

 

[valeria101]

OUPS: that was not the 'quadrillion',but something they cal the 'new quadrillion'. I am not aware of other 'brands' of pricesses which still aim to match the round's sparkle. These are true squares, with no rounded or cut corners. But there are more types of special cut squares out there, and most are on the list of Good Old Gold. I really don't think you will find do much theory about what a diamond cut should be like anywhere else...I haven't!

 

[diane5006]

HI I don't have answers for you re Princess...but I think the Princess has the X pattern...not my taste so I don't know too much...

If you are looking for a square round...a regent may be the a goos choie...I have one and I LOVE it...it is a modified square brilliant with H&A...really nice...

Best of Luck in you search

 

[diane5006]

here is a pic of my regent

 

[Hest88]

The round starburst look is probably from a radiant cut. Many people think that any square diamond is automatically called a princess and that any rectangular cut is automatically a radiant, but they're really two different shapes.

 

[jenibear]

Josh - you are not crazy. I know exactly what you are talking about.
I found the same thing when I was looking for my princess. I don't know why there's a difference, but I think it's the way the stone is cut. At least that's the only thing that makes sense to me. The one I got doesn't have that x-pattern - or if it does I don't see it and that's all that matters.
I got my gorgeous princess from Diamond Brokers of Florida. But Good Old Gold does also offer superb princesses as does Superbcert.
Good luck.

 

[jstar]

The regent looks very nice, but I think I could just get a round, and when it's set with 4 prongs, I think it will get much of that squareish shape anyway. Thanks for all the help. -Josh

 

[robbe]

dear jstar, you are seeing this cross from corner to corner because your pav.depth is more than 60% (probably somewhere between 62 & 65%). this is something you may like to see (beauty is in the eyes...)but in fact this is not desirable.
a princess cut yields more weight (from rough to polished)and amongst other reasons this is why a princess costs less than a marquise, pear or em-cut of the same weight & quality. therefore i would recommend you may as well go for the best possible cut and make sure your pavillion is less than 60% and make sure lightreturn is uniform. good luck! robbe