Proposal Ring - Part 3

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damagpie

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Hi guys,

I've shortlisted three princess-cut diamonds here that all fall within my budget, but could I trouble you guys to give me expert advice on which is the best value-for-money?

Link to my shortlisted diamonds - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Wvj8RgzkR1ubQJLxU2dBbhinTP61GeWHuFjddk1GKEc/edit?usp=sharing

I also noticed that the table% for the two James Allen diamonds does not fall within the range that most guides put forth to determine if a princess-cut diamond is worthy of being graded "Ideal". However, AGS still certifies these two diamonds as "Ideal" cut - is this normal/common?

Lastly, I would like to hear your thoughts in regards to the safety of buying diamonds online - is it safe? apart from GST, is there other cost factors that I'd need to factor in?

Thank you guys in advance for your advice!
Can you at least get the AGS certificate number and ASET?

I would exclude the 0.7 James Allen due to symmetry issue.
 

Miltah

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Mind sharing what price they quoted for this? Excluding setting of coz

Hmm.. let me guess. $6500-6800?

JP/ HOH
0.41c, F, VS2, $1950 (ideal)
0.31c, E, VS2, $1850
0.37c G, VS1, $1950
0.35c F VS1, $2450 (Solasfera)
0.37c G VVS1, $2400 (Solasfera)
0.41 D VVS2 $2950
0.41 E VVS1 $2850
0.42 G VVS2 $ 2650
0.43 E VS2 $2750
0.43 D VS1 $3050
0.43 E VVS2 $2900
0.58 G VS1 $3,250 (ideal)
0.56 G VVS2 $3,300 (ideal)
0.58 E VS2 $3,500 (ideal)
0.51 G VVS2 - $3,500
0.54 F VS1 - $3,850
0.53 E VS1 - $3,900
0.52 D VS2 - $3,850
0.52 D VVS2 - $4450
0.52 G VS1 $4200 ( including white gold ring)
0.54 G VS1 $5000 (ring plus side melee include)
0.63 F VS2, $5100
0.60 E, VS1, $5400
0.74 G VVS2 $5900 (Ideal)
0.72 F VVS2, $6100 (Ideal)
0.73 E VS1, $6200 (Ideal)
0.72 F, VS1, $7000
0.76 G VS1 $7200
0.77 G VVS2 $7700
0.60 G VVS1 $6k (Solasfera)
0.60 G VS1, $6k+ (Solasfera)
0.65 E VS1, $7.1k (Solasfera)
0.83 F, VS1, $9300
0.96c G VS1, $10.2k
0.96c E VS2, $10.7k
0.98c F VS2, $10.8k
0.92 F VVS2 $12,400
0.95 F VVS2. $13,600
1.01c G, VS1, $14k
1.02 G VS1 - $14,300
1.09 G VS1 - $15,000
1.10 G VVS2 - $15,300
1.05 F VS1 - $15,800
1.01 E VS1 - $16,000
1.21c G VVS2, $18k
1.54c, G, VS2, $25k
 

Miltah

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Hi guys,

I've shortlisted three princess-cut diamonds here that all fall within my budget, but could I trouble you guys to give me expert advice on which is the best value-for-money?

Link to my shortlisted diamonds - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Wvj8RgzkR1ubQJLxU2dBbhinTP61GeWHuFjddk1GKEc/edit?usp=sharing

I also noticed that the table% for the two James Allen diamonds does not fall within the range that most guides put forth to determine if a princess-cut diamond is worthy of being graded "Ideal". However, AGS still certifies these two diamonds as "Ideal" cut - is this normal/common?

Lastly, I would like to hear your thoughts in regards to the safety of buying diamonds online - is it safe? apart from GST, is there other cost factors that I'd need to factor in?

The James Allen stone are likely dropshipped. They do not have ASET for both those stones. Without any scopes, it’s hard to say how they will perform

Whiteflash is a platinum cert vs the quality cert at James Allen. Just an aesthetic thing, platinum is much nicer.

Any reasons why u choosing princess cut? My advice is to get your gf finger size and get it set at the vendors (cost might be more though)

Did u ever notice that JP and even Brian Gavin dun do in house princess cuts? They have a very high setting risk. Especially at the corners. If u set it here and it breaks, it’s on u...

I have no issue with buying online, did it a few times. Other fee is FedEx admin as they pay the gst upfront. Can’t recall but not a lot
 

Miltah

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Can you at least get the AGS certificate number and ASET?

I would exclude the 0.7 James Allen due to symmetry issue.

I wouldn’t discount the James Allen stones but the G has a cert that’s dated 2009. They won’t recertify for u. It’s on u to pay

But the F color on the other hand is a very nice stone. It’s also got 3 chevrons. The white flash stone only has 2 btw.

This will add more facets to the F color diamond which will give it more pinpoint flashes of light while the G will have broader flashes due to the larger faceting.

Frankly, if u ask me to choose:
- If u like solasfera, I would pick the James Allen 0.78 F VS1 over whiteflash.
It’s bigger, higher clarity and cheaper with an AGS report that includes a gemex component.
- if u like SIC, pick the whiteflash
 
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jubeelant

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Can you at least get the AGS certificate number and ASET?

I would exclude the 0.7 James Allen due to symmetry issue.

If I could I would, unfortunately, the cert that James Allen sent has the cert number cancelled out. They also do not have ASET images for the diamond.
 

jubeelant

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The James Allen stone are likely dropshipped. They do not have ASET for both those stones. Without any scopes, it’s hard to say how they will perform

Whiteflash is a platinum cert vs the quality cert at James Allen. Just an aesthetic thing, platinum is much nicer.

Any reasons why u choosing princess cut? My advice is to get your gf finger size and get it set at the vendors (cost might be more though)

Did u ever notice that JP and even Brian Gavin dun do in house princess cuts? They have a very high setting risk. Especially at the corners. If u set it here and it breaks, it’s on u...

I have no issue with buying online, did it a few times. Other fee is FedEx admin as they pay the gst upfront. Can’t recall but not a lot

I’m only considering princess cuts because girlfriend likes this particular shape - so purely an aesthetic thing.

Hmmm, I’m considering a custom setting though. Will take your words into consideration. Thanks!
 

jubeelant

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I wouldn’t discount the James Allen stones but the G has a cert that’s dated 2009. They won’t recertify for u. It’s on u to pay

But the F color on the other hand is a very nice stone. It’s also got 3 chevrons. The white flash stone only has 2 btw.

This will add more facets to the F color diamond which will give it more pinpoint flashes of light while the G will have broader flashes due to the larger faceting.

Frankly, if u ask me to choose:
- If u like solasfera, I would pick the James Allen 0.78 F VS1 over whiteflash.
It’s bigger, higher clarity and cheaper with an AGS report that includes a gemex component.
- if u like SIC, pick the whiteflash

Hi, may I know the main difference between a solasfera and SIC?
 

Miltah

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If I could I would, unfortunately, the cert that James Allen sent has the cert number cancelled out. They also do not have ASET images for the diamond.

Typical dropshippers model
They dun want u to find the same stone cheaper elsewhere
 

Miltah

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I’m only considering princess cuts because girlfriend likes this particular shape - so purely an aesthetic thing.

Hmmm, I’m considering a custom setting though. Will take your words into consideration. Thanks!

James Allen recently set a princess cut for a client. Needless to say, they chipped it.
Full coverage on their part. Finding an alternative and all cost paid for.

Not saying it will but accidents can happen...
 
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CaptainFantastic

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Hi guys,

I've shortlisted three princess-cut diamonds here that all fall within my budget, but could I trouble you guys to give me expert advice on which is the best value-for-money?

Link to my shortlisted diamonds - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Wvj8RgzkR1ubQJLxU2dBbhinTP61GeWHuFjddk1GKEc/edit?usp=sharing

I also noticed that the table% for the two James Allen diamonds does not fall within the range that most guides put forth to determine if a princess-cut diamond is worthy of being graded "Ideal". However, AGS still certifies these two diamonds as "Ideal" cut - is this normal/common?

Lastly, I would like to hear your thoughts in regards to the safety of buying diamonds online - is it safe? apart from GST, is there other cost factors that I'd need to factor in?

Thank you guys in advance for your advice!

Ideally, the best way is to use the ASET scope. Proportions are a base guideline only.

Apart from GST, its the after services like having to resize, repolish, etc. your ring. If you set it locally, then it shouldnt be much of a problem as the shop should include these services for you. Though princess cut diamonds are known to chip in setting process. If the shop isn't good and chip your diamond.. GG.. Best is you set with the online vendor so its all covered if anything happen. Then find local shops to service your ring in future. Its more troublesome but I feel its worth the risk.

Buying online is fine. There was one online site Enchanted Diamonds that closed down last week. People that bought from them 2 months back suffered. If you want to be safe, you can try paying by CC rather than direct bank transfer. Those that made bank transfer $$ all gone. For the victims that paid by CC, there is a chance the bank can recall.

FYI, James Allen was bought over by Signet in 2017. Alot of ppl have been complaining about their new direction and service since they got bought over. Signet owns many jewelry shops. They've been closed 262 stores this year and plan for another 150 stores next year. I'm not sure if this affects James Allen side.
 

CaptainFantastic

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Miltah

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I think I came across this. Is it from the Pricescope forums? lol
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/james-allen-assistance.249576/

I feel that they got called out by forummers then decided to rectify it.. So much drama there.

Yup, that is correct but I dun think it’s so much the vendor as opposed to advising @jubelant to reconsider the cut.

A princess cut has inherently more risk as compared to other cuts. The corners of princess ‘can’ also be chamfered to reduce the risk but this is never declared on the cert so u never know.

Personally I felt James Allen would have found the replacement. The issue is finding one in the same color/clarity n size without having the client fork out more.
As it stands currently, there’s only 31 True hearts princess on James Allen. Good luck finding a replacement if it breaks
 

CaptainFantastic

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Yup, that is correct but I dun think it’s so much the vendor as opposed to advising @jubelant to reconsider the cut.

A princess cut has inherently more risk as compared to other cuts. The corners of princess ‘can’ also be chamfered to reduce the risk but this is never declared on the cert so u never know.

Personally I felt James Allen would have found the replacement. The issue is finding one in the same color/clarity n size without having the client fork out more.
As it stands currently, there’s only 31 True hearts princess on James Allen. Good luck finding a replacement if it breaks

Ohh.. that's true. Out of all the cuts, princess cut is the riskiest. I'm not a big fan of it. If I had to choose different cut, I'll pick either the Octagon or Emerald cut. I always find that the step cut has a certain charm to it but too bad its the least brilliant one too.
 

jubeelant

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Quick question - anyone have experience buying from Good Old Gold? Safe? Or should I just stick to James Allen / Whiteflash?
 

Miltah

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Quick question - anyone have experience buying from Good Old Gold? Safe? Or should I just stick to James Allen / Whiteflash?

No experience but they have been in the business long enough. Family jewellers.

Even before JP started, Jonathan started at GOG in 2001 and is the face behind all the videos they put out. If u wanna learn more abt cut u should chk out some of it. He left in 2017 and needless to say, the YouTube and media front seem to have died down...

Well, he’s went to develop his own cut and focus on building his brand
https://www.augustvintageinc.net/

In any case, I feel they are reputable but you are comparing a jewellery shop vs online vendors who are aimed at online sales. Best u liase and see how u feel.
 
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plushJ

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Looks good.
Vs2 inclusion on the lower heart. But it’s fine

Thank you for the kind feedback Miltah.

Was kind of worried, as I see some issue with symmetry but it could just be me. Yes, also noticed the inclusion but not very keen to re-select. JP is preparing the setting for me as of now.
 

plushJ

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Mind sharing what price they quoted for this? Excluding setting of coz

Sure, bought it for $6,550. It is SIC (super ideal cut).


Looks good to me too. Go for it! 0.72 is decent size and value :)

Thank you for kind encouragement damagpie. Before this 0.72, went for a 0.52 but thought it is too small for my large fingers.... Was glad to find this piece which is F VS2.


Hmm.. let me guess. $6500-6800?

Yes you are so right Miltah!
But I seem to have got a worse deal than these 3 quotes below:

0.74 G VVS2 $5900 (Ideal)
0.72 F VVS2, $6100 (Ideal)
0.73 E VS1, $6200 (Ideal)
 

Miltah

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Thank you for the kind feedback Miltah.

Was kind of worried, as I see some issue with symmetry but it could just be me. Yes, also noticed the inclusion but not very keen to re-select. JP is preparing the setting for me as of now.

To put your mind at ease, any issues with symmetry? What do u think of the aset?

DSudi48.jpg
 

Miltah

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Yes you are so right Miltah!
But I seem to have got a worse deal than these 3 quotes below:

0.74 G VVS2 $5900 (Ideal)
0.72 F VVS2, $6100 (Ideal)
0.73 E VS1, $6200 (Ideal)

Those are ideal not super ideal cut
 
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