GIA

1.21

H

VS2

6.14×6.03×4.04

Pol. Excellent

Sym. Very Good

Flo. None

Depth – 67%

Table – 74%

Thanks so much for your time!

A: That stone has a bit of an odd make. It’s a bit too shallow, and the table is a bit too large. You’d be better off finding something closer to 70 on both counts. Where is this stone from?

Also, I can’t comment on whether or not the VS2 is clean to the naked eye.

Would you like some help finding an alternative?

Q: Thanks so much Ira for getting back to me so quickly! What a response time! I was not so concerned about the depth on this diamond as it was only off by 1% of what I hear is recommended, but I was worried about the large table. I’m told by the jeweler that it is 100% eye clean. I would very much like for you to look to see if you could find any alternatives! (Do I understand correctly that your 10% commission comes into play if I purchase something you’ve recommended?) I might assume that before you travel looking for a stone for me, that you might simply find others online and provide links. Please clear this up if I’m misunderstanding.

Below is the criteria that I’ve been trying to adhere to in my search.

GIA

Princess cut

1.20 – 1.25 carat, although that is not as important to me as are the dimensions of the stone

6.0×6.0 or as close as I can get to that

H to I in color, provided both face white (my current setting has .50 ctw of princess and baguette diamonds, H in color I believe, very white, so I need to somewhat match them)

VS2 to SI1 Clarity, “eye clean”

Flo – None or Faint if it enhances the stone

Polish and Symmetry – Good and above

Depth and Table – I’ll leave that up to you

Budget, $4500 to $4800

I think that’s about it. Thanks so much for any help and again I am very appreciative of your website…I know it’s a lot of work and your dedication to provide this service is commendable.

A: The 10% commission is only relevant if I broker you a stone, not for sending online recommendations. See this article here for an explanation:

http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/truth-about/truthaboutdiamonds-com/

6.0mm is going to be difficult to get for this budget. It’s possible as with the stone you found, but you’ll be sacrificing brilliance for size.

So here’s what I like for your budget:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1344038.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VVS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1318212.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-IF-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1343932.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

Let me know what you think!

Q: Thanks for explaining the procedure for your commission.

I like all of what you sent except the first one – I see a lot of yellow in that stone. It may face white once set, but I see it clearly in the photo. The other two are beautiful and I’m amazed at the IF clarity on your third recommendation. I never would have considered going to that clarity.

So, unknown to me, yesterday afternoon, my husband ordered the stone I originally inquired about. It’s due to arrive tomorrow or Saturday. I guess now I have to wait to see what it looks like and take it from there. I’ve got 30 days to inspect it and return it if I’m not happy with it. I have a great local jeweler that I will take it to and explain to him your comments on the diamond and see what kind of feedback I get from him. Obviously, I’ll probably know when I first see it if it’s missing the brilliance that I want. I’ll be in touch after I inspect this diamond and let you know where I’m at.

Thank you again for such a prompt response! Have a great day!

A: Sounds great! I look forward to hearing from you! Let me know either way.

Q: I received the diamond and it is absolutely beautiful! It is bright white – no yellow and I’d say it’s more a VS1 than VS2, 100% eye clean! I do notice it’s a bit on the shallow side and the table is large, but I actually like the look of the larger table and it still sparkles beautifully! I may lose a little pop out the sides, but to achieve the 6×6 dimensions that I wanted and for the price – it is just perfect!

Thanks so much for your input as I was in the searching process. This one is a keeper!

Have a great week!

A: Hey Kathi. Thanks so much for writing and letting me know! That was very kind of you to keep me in mind.

Thanks again!

Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge

Shape: Pear

Carats: 1.64

Diamond Color: H

Diamond Clarity: SI2

Measurements: 9.89*6.60*4.29

Length/Width Ratio: 1.50

Depth: 65.0%

Table: 57%

Diamond Polish: Good

Diamond Symmetry: Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

Diamond Price: $7,660

Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TAD0611 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge

Shape: Pear

Carats: 2.05

Diamond Color: E

Diamond Clarity: SI1

Measurements: 10.60*6.82*4.68

Length/Width Ratio: 1.55

Depth: 68.6%

Table: 59%

Diamond Polish: Good

Diamond Symmetry: Good

Diamond Fluorescence: Medium Blue

Diamond Price: $18,320

Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TAD0611 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge

Carats: 1.60

Diamond Color: H

Diamond Clarity: SI1

Measurements: 6.47*6.42*4.43

Length/Width Ratio: 1.01

Depth: 69.0%

Table: 68%

Diamond Polish: Good

Diamond Symmetry: Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

Diamond Price: $8,210

Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TAD0611 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge

Carats: 1.06

Diamond Color: G

Diamond Clarity: SI1

Measurements: 6.29*5.48*3.78

Length/Width Ratio: 1.15

Depth: 69.0%

Table: 60%

Diamond Polish: Good

Diamond Symmetry: Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

Diamond Price: $3,320

Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TAD0611 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Today, we begin with the best Cushion Cut Diamond for $20,000.

Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge

Carats: 2.52

Diamond Color: G

Diamond Clarity: SI1

Measurements: 8.12*7.58*5.33

Length/Width Ratio: 1.07

Depth: 70.3%

Table: 66%

Diamond Polish: Good

Diamond Symmetry: Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

James Allen Engagement Ring

Diamond Price: $20,580

Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TAD0611 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!

James Allen also has a large variety of engagement rings to choose from to pair with today’s daily diamond selection.  When looking for a ring to match with a diamond as significant as today’s selection, it’s probably best to choose a band that isn’t too thin and delicate as it will look overpowered by the stone.  A great design that will balance quite nicely with today’s large diamond is James Allen’s 18k White Gold 4mm Rounded Cathedral Solitaire Diamond Ring.  This ring will really bring out the beauty in today’s cushion cut.

As always with our Daily Diamond selections, today’s stone is completely clean to the naked eye.

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge

Carats: 1.70

Diamond Color: G

Diamond Clarity: VS1

Measurements: 6.92*6.53*4.66

Length/Width Ratio: 1.06

Depth: 71.4%

Table: 64%

Diamond Polish: Good

Diamond Symmetry: Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

James Allen Engagement Ring

Diamond Price: $12,290

Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TAD0611 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!

James Allen also has a great selection of engagement rings to choose from to match with this diamond.  If your fiance to be is the kind of woman that needs a splash of color in everything, then James Allen’s Platinum 3-Stone Trillion Cut Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring might be the perfect setting for you.  The triangle shaped trillions are a great accent to a square princess cut center stone.

As with all of my princess cut daily diamond recommendations, the cut quality on today’s diamond is superb.  If you have a preference for small tables, then today’s diamond in particular might be perfect for you.  A table this small (64%) is truly difficult to find on most modern cut princess cuts.  The only caveat with today’s diamond is that the Length to Width ratio is a tiny bit too large.  GIA defines square as 1.00:1.00 to 1.05:1.00.  So today’s 1.06 is just outside of that range.  If you are very sensitive to squareness, then today’s diamond might not be right for you.

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Report Check):

Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge

Carats: 3.00

Diamond Color: I

Diamond Clarity: I1

Measurements: 13.70*7.38*4.63

Length/Width Ratio: 1.86

Depth: 62.7%

Table: 58%

Diamond Polish: Good

Diamond Symmetry: Good

Diamond Fluorescence: Medium Blue

James Allen Engagement Ring

Diamond Price: $13,090

Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TAD0611 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!

Now this stone is probably not technically eye clean.  If you study it for any amount of time, you will probably be able to make out the inclusions.  But, at a casual glance, the stone is definitely clean to the naked eye.  Marquise cuts are great at masking inclusions.  Notice how the inclusions blend into the overall look of the stone.

James Allen also has a great selection of engagement rings to choose from to match with this diamond.  As I mentioned yesterday, with a small diamond, I don’t recommend buying a setting with too much “bling” in the background – it’s better to let the center stone stand on its own.  But with a monster like today’s, diamond, I think it definitely adds to the beauty of the ring without taking anything away from the center stone.  Today’s stone is 13.70mm long!  That’s enormous.  This stone would look amazing with James Allen’s Platinum Round Brilliant Diamond Engagement Ring with 4 round brilliant side stones weighing a total of 0.70 ct.

Click Here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Diamond Magnified 20x - Click to Enlarge

Carats: 1.50

Diamond Color: H

Diamond Clarity: SI2

Measurements: 6.73*6.30*4.40

Length/Width Ratio: 1.07

Depth: 69.8%

Table: 64%

Diamond Polish: Good

Diamond Symmetry: Very Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

James Allen Engagement Ring

Diamond Price: $6,290

Don’t forget to use our exclusive coupon code TAD0611 with James Allen for 10% off Engagement Ring Settings!

James Allen also has a great selection of engagement rings to choose from to match with this diamond.  A wonderful compliment to this center stone would be James Allen’s 18k White Gold Common Prong Four Diamond Engagement Ring.

Click Here to be Brought to the Diamond on James Allen

Here’s the Stats (Or Click Here for a Copy of the GIA Certificate):

Diamond Magnified - Click to Enlarge

Carats: 3.00

Diamond Color: Natural Fancy Yellow

Diamond Clarity: VS2

Measurements: 8.60 X 8.69 X 4.58

Length/Width Ratio: 1.01

Diamond Polish: Good

Diamond Symmetry: Good

Diamond Fluorescence: None

Diamond Price: $21,000

This stone has a depth of 54.9% which helps bring out the color better, but more importantly, it gives the stone a huge spread face-up.  The stone looks like a 4ct diamond.

Click here to be Brought to the Diamond on Fancy Diamonds Leibish & Co.