Diamond Purchase: Am I Just Having Buyer''s Remorse???

[glowbee]

Hello all,

I just bought a 1.04 carat princess cut diamond. The diamond is simply stunning, with particularly beautiful sparkle, but it appears to be much smaller than what I'd consider a 1CT to typically look like. To me it appears to be sized much more like a 0.75CT diamond. Can anyone please provide me with some assistance and guidance as to whether this is an undersized or poorly cut diamond? I have 30 days to return it and would really like an objective, yet knowledgable point of view. If the measurements I've listed below are undercut for this size, can you please help me to understand which ranges they should actually be within so I can purchase a new one? Also, as you will see from within the attached picture, this diamond is not yet set inside of it's permanent ring setting, it's still in a temporary oversized silver setting with tack around it for for added security. Thank you for your help, it is much appreciated!

Here are the diamonds specifications from the grading report:
Gemstone: Natural Diamond
Shape And Cut: Princess
Weight: 1.04 Carat
Color Grade: F
Clarity Grade: V2
Cut Grade: Very Good
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Measurements: 5.37 x 5.49 x 3.95 mm
Girdle: Thin To Medium
Cutlet: None
Fluorescence: None

Girdle Diameter: 5.44mm
Table: 68%
Pavilion Depth: 3.95mm / 72.6%

 

[puravida]

Pic?

 

[stone-cold11]

Which lab graded the stone?

Also, the dimension is quite on par with similar size 1c princess.

 

[Allison D.]

Date: 2/8/2010 4:58:45 PM
Author:glowbee

I just bought a 1.04 carat princess cut diamond. The diamond is simply stunning, with particularly beautiful sparkle, but it appears to be much smaller than what I''d consider a 1CT to typically look like. To me it appears to be sized much more like a 0.75CT diamond. Can anyone please provide me with some assistance and guidance as to whether this is an undersized or poorly cut diamond?

Fancy shapes typically do face up much smaller than their rounder counterparts, unfortunately.

Stone asked what lab issued the grading information you posted, and he did so because AGS is the only lab currently offering cut grades assignments for fancy stones. If your stone isn''t AGS graded, then the ''cut grade'' info offered is likely reflect of the vendor''s scale (similar to good, better, best), and it''s important to know what that scale means.

I''d recommend getting it appraised by an independent third party (preferable one who doesn''t himself sell diamonds); that''s the best way to get meaningful information about how well cut it is. Fancy shapes are less easy to predict ''by the numbers'', so it''s pretty important to have experienced eyes to review and give you feedback.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I am not sure if this is helpful but I looked up ACA Princess and saw the following measurements.

1.023ct - 5.46-5.47X4.20
1.047ct - 5.59-5.59X4.22

 

[akmiss]

Sorry but princess cuts always looked smaller than the actual carat weight to me. This is one of the reasons I decided on a round. Did you purchase the stone from a PS vendor?

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Glowbee and welcome!

The diameter of the stone is actually fine for its shape and weight, but to compare, a 1 carat round diamond will normally have the diameter of around 6.5mm. Maybe you might prefer a round diamond for the spread ( face up size) and sparkle? Which lab report does this stone have, AGS or GIA?

 

[vespergirl]

Hi Glowbee,

Unfortunately, square cut stones like princesses, asschers, radiants and cushions all face up smaller than round diamonds, which is probably the size gauge that you have in mind for a 1 ct stone.

When I got engaged, I begged my husband for an asscher after seeing pictures of them. However, my 1.64 ct asscher faced up the same size as a .8 ct round, and everyone was asking me if it was "almost a carat", which was upsetting, since DH had spent so much on the stone.

We eventually traded the stone for a round which faces up much larger, and I am much happier.

If you want the most spread for a 1 ct stone, I would suggest either a round brilliant, oval, pear or marquise shape. They all face up the largest for their carat size.

The princess that you bought seems to have the right face up spread for a 1 ct princess, but the square shaped stones will always just face up much smaller for their carat size.