Question about Lucida diamond

[pad3006]

Hey All;
I know that the tiffany verision on the princess cut diamond is the lucida, but do they really look similar. Also, has anyone out there bought a lucida, and if so are you happy with the purchase. Thanks

Phil

 

[alexah]

It''s tiffany''s answer to a square-ish shaped stone - but it''s more like a lucere cut than a princess, as the lucida is a step cut. There''s been some threads here on it which you could find if you searched under lucida or lucere if you''re interested....

 

[katbadness]

Princess cut is not the same as a Lucida..

Shape-wise.. The princess is square shape with pointed corners, whereas Lucida is a square shape with cut corners.

The facet arrangement of a Lucida is completely different than the princess cut - and when you're looking at them face up, they look different too (I will look for an example in a little bit).

Lucida is Tiffany's branded square-shape diamond. Hence it will command the Tiffany premium.
Granted there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting a Tiffany brand diamond, there are other options you can take to get the Lucida "look". There's Lucere and Flanders (Elara is a branded Flanders cut).

Lucida, Lucere and Flanders (Elara) have the same outline (i.e. square with cut corners).. though the facet pattern arrangements are different. The one that is approximating the facet pattern of a Lucida is a Lucere..

Here's a side by side comparison of facet patterns of Flanders, Lucida and Lucere:

 

[katbadness]

OK.. So I found a pic that shows what a princess cut looks like.. (pic courtesy of Rhino of GOG)

 

[Hest88]

No, they look very different. The Lucida is much closer to a Flanders or Lucere.

 

[katbadness]

Here''s a Lucida (from Tiffany''s site, edited to exaggerate the facet pattern).

 

[chrono]

Here''s a Lucere from GOG''s website. I think it looks pretty close to a Lucida.

 

[valeria101]

I don't know where to get a picture of a loose Lucida (bar buying one!), but there are a couple of Lucere pictures and analyzed to death at GoodOldGold (check out their list of sold diamonds and rings). The biggest difference between these two, IMO is more about statistics: more Lucere are cut with larger tables & low crown than Lucida diamonds (which are meant to have a high crown - no idea if this is really true for every and each of them).

Only Tiffany puts that "Tiffany&Co." stamp on jewelry - diamonds are everywhere though.

On the aside, Tiffany does not make Lucidas in fancy colors, but there are champagne and yellows cut copycat (and well at that). Those broad facets show color big time !

 

[katbadness]

There's an old thread discussing the different square-ish shaped diamonds.. there's a few pics of what each of them look like.

And there's also the Jubilee.

Anyways, I'm getting long-winded here.

My point is if a square shaped stone (or at least square once set) is what you're looking for, you have a LOT of options, including Lucida.

If what you're looking for is Lucida, then by all means, go for it!
If you're not set on paying the Tiffany premium, then check out these other shapes..

Good luck with your search!

 

[katbadness]

Here''s another Lucida...

Currently on sale at Signed Pieces.

 

[pad3006]

Hey all;
Thanks very much for your input about the lucida.
The woman im looking at it for likes the princess shape but doesnt really remember how it looks so im sure she will love its shape, b/c even though its not the same as a princess its close.
Is sizing a problem? I hear its not but is that what other peoples experiences have been? Thanks

 

[katbadness]

Date: 10/28/2004 10:51:46 PM
Author: pad3006
Hey all;
Thanks very much for your input about the lucida.
The woman im looking at it for likes the princess shape but doesnt really remember how it looks so im sure she will love its shape, b/c even though its not the same as a princess its close.
Is sizing a problem? I hear its not but is that what other peoples experiences have been? Thanks

Well, if it's the princess cut that she likes and not necessarily the Tiffany stamp and you feel like the other shapes are equally viable options, then why don't you get one of the other options (Jubilee anyone???

) and do away with the Tiffany premium?

This way, you'll be able to stretch your budget further.

Just IMHO.

Reasonable sizing shouldn't be a problem if done by a competent benchperson. However, extreme sizing (from size 8 to size 4 for instance) may require the band to be reshaped accordingly. This may be a potential problem.