Q&A: $3500 Budget. First Wants Round Brilliant, then Changes Mind and Opts for a Princess Cut

Thanks for the kind words about the site!

I took a look at the two stones you suggested. THey’re definitely great choices and will be beautiful and full of life and sparkle. I would only have 2 comments/suggestions:

1) I don’t recommend buying anything lower than a VS1 from Blue Nile since you can’t inspect the diamond before you buy it. Even VS2s, although rare, can be visible to the naked eye if they’re sufficiently ugly (black carbon in the center of the stone, for example). SI1s are certainly less rarely visible to the naked eye.

The stone you picked on James Allen definitely is eye clean. That stone I can wholeheartedly endorse because I was able to check it myself with JA’s magnified pic.

2) I would suggest taking a look to find an eye-clean SI2. Since both it, and the SI1 you suggested will be clean to the naked eye, why pay more for something that you won’t be able to appreciate in any event? I took a look, and here’s a good example:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1185073.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357 – eye clean. inclusion all on the side – can be covered by prong. Excellent Cut.

Anyway, have a look at that stone and let me know what you think!

It’s an interesting question. Here’s how I would put the answer: there is definitely a noticeable difference in brilliance between the regular ideal stones (I speak only of the ones that actually have an EX cut grade from GIA or Ideal cut grade from AGS – I don’t pay attention to James Allen’s own cut grade) and the Hearts & Arrows stones. The question is whether or not this difference is worth the extra money. And that’s really a difficult question to answer since everybody is different.

In the end, after a month of wear and tear, the diamond is going to collect enough dust, dead skin, and oils underneath to dull any added brilliance. So keep that in mind as well. For most people, it’s probably not worth it. But if you really want that stone to pop as much as is possible when you propose, then H&A is the way to go.

I hope I didn’t confuse you more 🙂

Hi T, I’m happy to help.

First, to answer your questions. Princess cuts are much deeper cuts than rounds. This means that for a given carat weight, more of the diamond mass is distributed in its depth than its LxW (or diameter in the case of a round). This means a smaller looking diamond. For example, in the stone you suggested, the LxW is about 5.7mm. And that stone happens to be exceptionally well cut. most 1 ct princess cuts are closer to 5.5mm. An exceptionally well cut round diamond weighing the same amount would be about 6.5mm in diameter.

The answer regarding price is related to the first answer. Take a look at this article here: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/shapes/ – I think it explains the answer to your question.

As far as the stone you selected is concerned – you did a great job. I’m not going to even bother looking for something else to show you because this is exactly what i would have looked for.

As far as the corners are concerned – don’t worry about it. Just go with the setting you like the best (don’t forget to use the coupon code TAD0611 to get 10% off). This stone has a “slightly thick” girdle which is perfect for a princess cut, as it will provide it with more durability, while not being Very thick or Extremely Thick (which would start to take away from the beauty of the stone).

Let me know anyway what setting you choose when you decide to buy, I’d love to get an idea of what your ring will look like!

I think the cheapest one is the best value (the 1.01 I VS2).  It’s bigger in LxW than the 1.06 carat stone, and the 1.09 carat stone is just way more money, and I don’t see enough value there to justify the jump in price.