Q&A: Looking for High Quality Princess Cut for My Perfectionist Princess ;-)

I would love some advice. Feeling a little overwhelmed with the options out there.

I am looking for either a round or princess (strongly leaning princess) cut diamond. I have been following Blue Nile but recently heard of James Allen and would be open to either. I have a total budget of $8,000-9,000 and would like a pave setting in platinum. So I think the diamond’s budget is up to $7,300 or so.

The only bit of information I have picked up is that she would prefer quality over size, so I would like to pick out a very high quality diamond. I still want at last 1 full carat though.

I have been leaning towards princess cuts with:

Carat: 1-1.5 carats

Color: G or H

Clarify: IF, VVS1, or VVS2 (but strongly leaning towards IF, love the “idea” of flawless)

Cut: Very Good or Ideal

I have found this one and would love an outside opinion.
Blue Nile LD02854842

I was also wondering if you think I should go up or down in any of the categories to best maximize value but with keeping quality above all else.

Thank you very much for any help.

Thanks so much for helping out. As far as the clarity, I read a lot more on your pages and understand it much better to a degree. The thing is my girl is a perfectionist (future surgeon) and I just want to give her a diamond that has as little flaws as possible, even if they are unseen. Especially since she has said in the past she would prefer a higher quality diamond instead of a bigger diamond. I don’t need an IF but would still love a VVS2 or higher (a VS1 could work I guess but the size increase would have to be worth it).

I’ve done a lot more searching on James Allen and Blue Nile. I actually talked with a rep at James Allen and have put a diamond on hold. I would love your opinion on it. It’s a VVS1 with just a few small feathers off to done side, the cut looks great (JA’s “ideal”), the depth is 71.3% and table 70.0%, the girdle looks to be a good thickness. What do you think of this diamond?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VVS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1515423.asp

Do you know of any any other diamonds that could meet/exceed H, VVS2, and 1ct?

I do have two side questions you might be able to help with. Have you ever heard of the FireMark line of princess diamonds? They claim a normal princess cuts returns 80-85% of light but their princess cut returns 95%. Local jeweler had this but the prices were border line absurd, anything VS1 and H was “over $10,000” for the diamond alone.

The other local jeweler had an “ideal square brilliant” (flannery cut). It seemed to have some great sparkle too but again, absurdly priced. Do you know anything about these?

…….

Oh the JA diamond I referred to is listed at $6,360.

Thanks Mike! It’s great to get your opinion on the diamond I picked. Having a third party confirm my thoughts gives me a lot of confidence in the process.

Good to know on the FireMark too, that make you feel like it’d be a stupid decision to go with something else.

Thanks for your help.