help me please! princess cut grading for engagement ring..

[clueless86]

Hello,

I'm buying a diamond ring for my wife to be, trying to learn, had a good read of this site, as well as others over the last month or two..
Need advice on some things..

I'm buying without seeing the actual diamond, as I'm based in UK, the diamonds are in US, so a few Q's..

I'm after a princess cut. I understand that GIA don't grade the Cut, so I've chosen to go with AGS.. is this correct way to go about it?

To what extend will the clarity effect the "sparkle"?
eg) Will there be a noticeable difference in sparkle between an IF and a VS2, if all else is the same? (hypothetical question)
(I understand that a VS1/VS2 will have inclusions barely visible to the naked eye, but want to know effect on "sparkle", how it effects light entering/exiting..)

At the moment, I'm choosing between these 3, all AGS, but for some reason the 0.9 Carat doesn't have a Cut grade?

http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/8373709-PDQDFK.PDF
0.74 - F - VS2 - Ideal Cut (0)
£2067.22 - £2480.67 inc vat
Cert. Number 8373709
Depth: 71.20%
Table: 64.00%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Measurements:
5.06x5.03x3.58

http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/8220809-PDQDFK.PDF
0.75 - G - IF - Ideal Cut (0)
£2186.15 - £2623.38 inv vat
Cert. Number 8220809
Depth: 57.10%
Table: 64.00%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Measurements:
5.05x5.01x3.62

http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104062724005-GDQRNC.PDF
0.91 - H - VS2 - Cut???
£2726.54 - £3271.85 inc vat
Cert. Number 104062724005
Depth: 73.10%
Table: 65.00%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Measurements:
5.33x5.18x3.79

Which of the above would you recommend?

Many thanks..

 

[JulieN]

Re: help me please! princess cut grading for engagement ring

The SI range is where they are "barely" visible to the naked eye. Most VS clarity inclusions are INVISIBLE to the naked eye.

I don't think clarity affects "sparkle" in any discernible way. However, some SI with pervasive clouds, or I grades with big, noticeable defects, will be more detracting to the overall look than any hit in "sparkle."

The .911 has a different kind of report that does not include a cut grade. Can you get any pictures?

 

[clueless86]

Re: help me please! princess cut grading for engagement ring

Thanks for your input..

So the 0.91 would have to be excluded from my short list?
As I'm buying with any real knowledge on diamonds, I feel I'd be making a mistake buying a diamond without knowing what grade it's cut is, the figures mean little to me..

Based on what you've told me re: Clarity, if I went for the 0.75, I'd be paying a premium for IF clarity, with no real benefit?

 

[clueless86]

Re: help me please! princess cut grading for engagement ring

No pictures unfortunately. It's a website called 77diamonds, they've got a showroom in London. Saw some diamonds today, but they were unable to show me what I wanted, as more than half of their stock is in the US (so I was told).

 

[JulieN]

Re: help me please! princess cut grading for engagement ring

Well, it is really not that much more expensive than the F VS2.

Can they ship over the two with cut grades for you to see? Other option is to buy from US vendor.

 

[clueless86]

Re: help me please! princess cut grading for engagement ring

They will only ship once I buy.. They offer refunds, it's a reputable company, but I can't afford to buy 2, and then return the one I don't like..

I've looked on James Allen, but they've only got 2no AGS Princess cut, neither of which are suitable..

AGS Princess are really hard to find, when compared to GIA's.. Or maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places..

 

[JulieN]

Re: help me please! princess cut grading for engagement ring

www.goodoldgold.com
www.briangavindiamonds.com
www.whiteflash.com

 

[clueless86]

Re: help me please! princess cut grading for engagement ring

Thanks, I've just looked at them sites..
Found www.whiteflash.com to be the best by far!

They've even got my 0.75 diamond listed for $3268.00..
After shipping and TAX, it comes to $3954.28, which is approx £2432.95

My place in London is selling it to me for £2623.38!!

Not sure if it's worth buying from whiteflash to save the £200, but the site definitely has more selection in terms of AGS Princess cuts..

 

[JulieN]

Re: help me please! princess cut grading for engagement ring

The Whiteflash A Cut Above princesses is where I meant for you to look, sorry about that. All of the vendors I linked to has an in-house inventory with all sorts of pictures, they can look at them same day for you.