Buying an engagement ring, need rock help.

[Kaje77]

I''m new to this diamond shopping process and any help would be greatly appreciated. Hopefully I''ve found the right forum. My gut says I should trust those here more than someone actually trying to sell me the diamond.

I have been comparing diamonds/rings from the following places:
Costco
NiceIce
BlueNile
KasaabJewelers (local, Portland OR)

My budget is between 2000, and 3000.

I know that I will be getting a princess cut (H or better, SI1 or better, and a good to excellent cut), with white gold band,

Deciding exactly what willl look the best is tough to figure out. For a moment I thought I had a handle on things, then I started to look at too many diamonds and rings so it is becoming a big blur.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can throw suggestions or advice my way!!

Kevin

 

[Agent3Civ]

Kevin,

I know exactly where you are coming from. I just recently purchased a ring and I knew little to nothing before posting and reading all the information here. These people will stear you in the right direction.

In my opinion, go with the excellent cut for the diamond. The cut is the most important of the 4 c''s. Besides that it kinda depends on the diamonds. What are you looking for, meaning do you want a big diamond where you will sacrifice clarity and color? or is color most important to you? I think the best deal is getting something like an SI1 that is eye clean.

 

[Kaje77]

Thanks for the prompt response. I agree that this forum\website seems to be the prime place for information and help.

Yes, something eyeclean matters more to me since more money spent on qualities unseen or unnoticeable aren''t important right now. Perhaps down the road we could upgrade the ring to something heirloom-esque(?).

"True Love is the greatest thing in the world, except for a nice MLT (Mutton, Lettuce, and Tomatto) especially when the mutton is real lean"

 

[mrssalvo]

Out of the vendors you listed NiceIce has a very good reputation here. BlueNile doesn''t usually provide enough info for most Pricescopers to purchase and because they don''t stock most of their stones, getting that info/pictures etc. is difficult.

 

[Kaje77]

Thanks for the info. Thus far I''ve used BlueNiles search engine to help me get info to have other stores look into.

I''d like to add one more store, simply because the deal looks too good: SignedPieces.com

Are these rings that are "used" and are being resold?

KJ

 

[icekid]

Date: 4/18/2006 3:02:44 PM
Author: Kaje77
Thanks for the info. Thus far I''ve used BlueNiles search engine to help me get info to have other stores look into.

I''d like to add one more store, simply because the deal looks too good: SignedPieces.com

Are these rings that are ''used'' and are being resold?

KJ

Yes, the signed pieces rings are "used." However, many diamonds had previos owners before they get to you. When people trade up etc, they don''t just throw them away

 

[Lorelei]

Kaje welcome to PS

As mrssalvo says, a good way to look is to look at vendor''s sites who have the diamonds in house and have all the cut quality info available etc - make cut your most important C. Your colour and clarity specs should give you a good bang for the buck, you could even consider an SI2 if eyeclean. Go to the PS vendors page and check out the sites such as

Good Old Gold
Whiteflash
James Allen
Wink Jones

and I am sure there are more that I have missed. These vendors are great to deal with and guide you every step of the way. They also can eyeball the diamonds for you and have all the cut quality info you need to start looking. Hope this helps.

 

[belle]

Date: 4/18/2006 2:52:52 PM
Author: Kaje77


''True Love is the greatest thing in the world, except for a nice MLT (Mutton, Lettuce, and Tomatto) especially when the mutton is real lean''

i love the princess bride!

try using the ''pricescope your diamond'' search tool above. you can search for stones that are ''in house'' to narrow the selection.

 

[Lorelei]

Quick hijack - Miss Belle, I love that movie too!

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

I would definitely contact Todd at NiceIce, and explain him what you are looking for. He is a great guy, and he will give you the best possible assistance.

Live long,

 

[firebirdgold]

Date: 4/18/2006 3:25:55 PM
Author: icekid

Date: 4/18/2006 3:02:44 PM

Author: Kaje77

Thanks for the info. Thus far I''ve used BlueNiles search engine to help me get info to have other stores look into.


I''d like to add one more store, simply because the deal looks too good: SignedPieces.com


Are these rings that are ''used'' and are being resold?


KJ

Yes, the signed pieces rings are ''used.'' However, many diamonds had previos owners before they get to you. When people trade up etc, they don''t just throw them away

Actually I believe only the designer pieces are 2nd hand. Their facets collection are new.