We are reader-supported. Buying through any red colored link on our site may earn us commissions. Learn More.

Q&A: Thoughts on a 1.25-1.5 Princess Cut Diamond

By Mike Fried,

I’m in the process of buying my first ever diamond to propose to my wonderful girlfriend. She wants a princess cut 1.25 -1.5 on a white gold/platinum pave setting. I reviewed your site and loved the advice. Based on your recommendations on color and clarity I saw the attached on James Allen. The inclusions look to be pretty invisible to the naked eye. Thoughts? It looks to be a pretty good deal to me. I appreciate any comments you might have.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-I1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1389611.asp

I don’t think that stone would be clean to the naked eye. There’s a vertical mark on the left side of the table that looks pretty big. Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to find an eye clean I1 in a princess cut.

I think these two would be great alternatives:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1370459.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1384999.asp

Let me know what you think!

Thanks, Ira. I was hoping against hope that the vertical mark would be hidden by the facets, but I trust your opinion. The two you sent are interesting alternatives, and I appreciate your thoughts. I worry on the first that the inclusions on the table would be visible to the naked eye, and the second is a tad on the smaller side. What about the following:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1350175.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1376096.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1370672.asp

Thoughts on which of these would be the best value in your opinion?

Any thoughts are appreciated!

The first two are no good because they have extremely thin girdles. THe last one is OK, but the two I suggested have far better cuts. The little inclusion in the center would not be visible to the naked eye. It’s too small.

Ira- thanks for putting up with no-nothings like myself. My takeaway is that I should be more concerned with cut, and importantly, with thin girdles. Last one and I’ll stop bugging you for today. I can’t begin to tell you how helpful your site is!

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1333885.asp

Am I putting too much emphasis on the distinction between I color and H color?

That’s a great stone!!

Thanks, Ira. It was a great stone, but sadly someone snatched it before I could. I’ll keep hunting, and besides looking for the depth and table dimensions you recommend I’ll try to avoid extremely thin girdles. I assume thin and above is OK, but if I’m wrong please let me know.

Thanks again for all your help!

That’s about it!

Hey Ira- still searching.

I found this at abazias. I know it has an EGL International cert, which you are not a fan of, but I tried to accommodate for some slide in the color and clarity. Thoughts?

http://www.abazias.com/database/NewDiamondInfo.asp?stock=95581297

The cut seems pretty good, and the cert looks clean.

Thanks!

This would be a better choice than that stone:

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1384996.asp

This EGL stone is probably an I VS2.

Thanks, Ira. They keep getting snatched up. I’ll keep pushing on….

How about this one: http://www.abazias.com/database/NewDiamondInfo.asp?stock=91964767

Thoughts?

67% depth is kind of pushing it a bit. A stone like this might end up being dull.

Thanks, Ira. I know I’m a pain, but I really appreciate your thoughts.

How about this below? I really like the way it looks in the virtual loupe, but my only fear is that its an I color and I plan on putting it in the James Allen white gold pave setting, which has F-G side diamonds. Do you think the color discrepancy be a problem?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1389585.asp

Thanks for all your input.

That stone looks great, but it is pushing it a bit color-wise. I think you’d be best of sticking with an H or better.

Cool. H or better it is…Getting close… Thanks again for your thoughts.

…….

One other thought- the kind folks at James Allen said they could use I color side stones in the pave setting if I requested it. Would that alleviate your color fears, or do you still think H or better regardless of the color of the side stones?

Yeah, that would be fine to use I color side stones. Then for sure you could use an I color center stone.

Awesome. OK, one last comparison and I’ll pull the trigger. You’ve been an immense help, Ira. Once I’ve received the ring I’ll be sure to send you pictures and let you know how it went.

Compared to the I color I sent you earlier

1. https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1389585.asp),

how about:

2. https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1376050.asp

My only reason that I’d switch to # 2 is because the dimensions are slightly larger at 6.12 mm vs. 5.82. Thoughts on which would give the most bang for the buck? Which would you go with?

Thank you Ira!!!

Great find! I’d go with #2 as well!

Hi Ira- I hope you are well! Thank you for helping through the diamond purchasing process. I ended up buying the stone at the first link, and it looks great!

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1376050.asp

However, I still have nagging doubts about the color (which I know is inevitable in an I color princess).

I’m Curious if you think that this I color princess would appear “whiter”.

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1405718.asp

I know I’d be giving up some face size (5.78 vs. 6.13), but I’m willing to do so if the stone will look whiter.

Thanks for your thoughts!

No, the difference in the pics is just different photography. They’d look exactly the same.

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online. Get 30% off lab-grown diamonds during a limited time sale.
What we love about them:
  • No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Free International Shipping
  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisals
  • One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
  • Free ring inscriptions
  • Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • Best-in-class packaging
Arrow down
Arrow up
Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

What we love about them:
  • No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Free Shipping
  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisal
  • One free resizing within the first year of purchase
  • High quality images of about half of their diamonds
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
  • Best in class fulfillment
Arrow down
Arrow up

Still afraid of getting ripped off?

Before you buy a diamond, get personal buying advice from industry veterans. We'll help you get the best diamond for the money.

Ask your diamond purchase question here

  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

DISCLAIMER: We don't use your email for marketing. Period.

Please enter your email address to receive your 25% off coupon code:

Here is your coupon code: GFDSF3GF