shape
carat
color
clarity

Ideal cut vs very good

markrule

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 5, 2016
Messages
16
Hi all,

New here. Excited to propose to my partner but just have to find the right ring first. I'm basically looking for a pretty 1 carat princess cut that's eye clean for under $6000. So I've been looking at 1ct SI1 VG cut Ex polish/symmetry G-H colour on blue Nile. But recently I've read a little about having to get an ideal cut in order for it to really sparkle. Will this cut make a huge difference?

Thanks!
 
Yes, cut matters for all diamonds. And Blue Nile is not ideal for buying cuts other than rounds, because you can't see actual images of the stone you are selecting, and it's tough to select fancy cuts (anything other than a round diamond is a fancy cut) by the numbers--it's more helpful to see images, light return images (ASET and/or Idealscope--that Whiteflash stone that MissGotRocks posted has both images), or the trusted eyes of a vendor who knows what they are looking for.

I'd suggest checking out stones with images at James Allen, Good Old Gold, Brian Gavin Diamonds, Whiteflash, or a vendor like ID Jewelry or Diamonds By Lauren who can look at stones with their eyes and tell you if they have a good one that meets your specifications. The type of setting you want for this ring may also affect which vendor you select--if it's a simple solitaire, that can likely be gotten anywhere, that's easier, but if you want a halo or something more ornate, we might suggest specific vendors. It's much easier/less hassle to get both stone and setting from the same place.
 
cut is king. you have a great budget, $6k all in or just for the stone? With your budget, you could get a gorgeous AGS0 stone, they're ideal, great light return. What type of setting are you thinking of?
 
Just a heads up - GIA or AGS's (proportion based cut grade) grading reports do not assign cut grades to Fancy shapes. So any cut assignment that you see on fancy shape is vendors own opinion on the basis of some available numbers and is best arbitrary.

AGS's Light Performance based report does report a cut grade based on Light performance for some fancy shapes.

Beauty and light performance 'may' not be always the same thing in Fancy shapes.

Good luck with your purchase.

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Wow thanks for all the helpful replies.

Just to give a little more detail. The ring would be a standard solitaire white gold and the princess cut would be your standard square. The $6000 would be all inclusive and at the upper end of the budget! thanks for the site suggestions - ill have to check if they work for Australia.

If anyone has any suggestions that would fit my criteria it would be greatly appreciated!
 
Put this stone on hold and ask for an ASET image: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.01-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-807359 It's a nice rock.

Also this one: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-854894

Pair the winner with this setting (which can be made for a princess) and you are set: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-petite-diamond-accent-engagement-ring-item-50124

Or this one, which is the best simple solitaire at JA for a princess: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/james-allen-exclusive-engagement-ring-item-49507

I'm pretty sure there is someone here who knows how you can get $100 off. Also, the sale is only till Sunday.
 
These are great Gypsy! Thanks for taking the time to have a look. Only problem is when I changed the USD to Australian dollar it went up to $7000 all up :shock:

Its a shame the AUD is almost the lowest it has been in 5 years..
 
Hi OP,

I'd strongly suggest reaching out to Wade at the Australian Diamond Network for a quote. I had a pendant custom made through them earlier this year, and was thrilled with the result. Wade does post on these forums under the screen name ADN, if you want to check out his posts. I've also posted about my experience in the SMTB forum.

Good luck!
 
Will any of these keep you in budget with one of the settings gypsy posted?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-1053758
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-974268 feather on table that might
be visible at angles...ask JA
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.94-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-953753 nice but smaller than other 2

Also...I have this setting and really like it so I'll throw it in (it's quite affordable). It really lets the stone shine. Ask for claw prongs.
See my avatar...
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-twisted-shank-contemporary-solitaire-item-6854
 
markrule said:
These are great Gypsy! Thanks for taking the time to have a look. Only problem is when I changed the USD to Australian dollar it went up to $7000 all up :shock:

Its a shame the AUD is almost the lowest it has been in 5 years..
It has taken a fresh beating after RBA decided to cut the rate to 1.75%

Those prices also do not include 10% GST, about 40$ in FedEx advancement fees, and about a 100$ in ACS electronic entry charges. This will all need to be paid before your parcel is cleared and delivered to you.

There can be a potential 5% duty if the diamond comes set in a setting and is not supplied with certificate of origin by the vendor.

Good luck!!

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Can anyone please help to let me identify whether the above diamond is eye clean?
 
markrule said:
Can anyone please help to let me identify whether the above diamond is eye clean?
The only person who can do this for you is the one having that diamond physically with him. Which may or may not be the website you see this on and the diamond may be located anywhere in the world. So the website you see this on may not always be able to make a call on this.

If you're actually interested in a diamond you should ask your vendor to put it on hold for you (it may or may not be possible, as many listings are live inventories listed as guaranteed available, and they may not be able to put it on hold) as these diamonds may be listed with several vendors around the world and almost anyone who has an access to the trading network where it's listed can buy it.

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Find a vendor who can get a gemologist to examine the stone for you and tell you, that is the only way. There is no standard definition for eyeclean. Make sure you understand how your vendor is defining it.
 
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