First time buyer...looking for some help

[akisan]

I am looking for advise in buying an engagement ring. I have read through a number of tutorials and through the forums and I must admit all the info is very overwhelming. Aside from the famous 4Cs, I am having difficulties trying to figure out what are the biggest determinant of both style/beauty and price. After searching through various websites, it is still unclear what I should be focusing on and how to determine what the best value is?

Thanks in advance.

-Akira

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome

The most important C regarding a diamonds beauty is CUT all the way and this should be your top priority. You could buy a D flawless diamond and if the cut isn't good, it will look like a chunk of glass, so remember cut all the way.

Online purchasing is the best way to find a beautifully cut diamond and to get the most from your money, online vendors are great, offer a good return policy and encourage you to get an independant appraisal during the return period. If you want a round diamond, good choices can be around an F to H colour, lower to an I or J if you like, to have a white looking diamond without the high premiums for the colourless. With clarity, great diamonds can be found in the SI clarities if eyeclean, online vendors will assess each diamond if in house or will call them in to check in many cases. Of course you could go higher in clarity, but many SI diamonds can be eyeclean.

Many in your situation focus on choosing a loose diamond, the choosing the setting and the vendor will create the ring from there. Look under vendors in the resource section at the top right of the page and start looking to see what you like.
If you post your budget and the shape of diamond you want, we can always help you and suggest some good ones for you. As long as you make cut your top priority, on a diamond which is eyeclean with a medium clarity and the above colour choices, you won't go far wrong. Cut is King! Hope this helps.

 

[akisan]

My gf likes both round and princess cut diamonds, and I would say that she leans more towards princess cut. As far as putting the ring together, after reading the numerous posts on the forum, I learned it would be best to buy the diamond and setting separately.

As far as the cut is concerned, all things being equal which cut is the most expensive? You mentioned that cut is the most important, is that in regards to the attractiveness of the diamond or to the cost?

My budget as this time is to spend approx $15K for both the diamond and setting.

 

[akisan]

Carat size i think somewhere between 1.7-2.25. But this is still preliminary since I want to give her something of a larger carat size but I dont'' want to sacrifice the look just to get something that is larger. Thus, I would get a smaller carat but with other better specs.

 

[Lorelei]

Cut is CRUCIAL to the attractiveness of the diamond, without a great cut, no diamond will sparkle. Cut does not seem to impact price as much as clarity, carat and colour it seems. With a fantastic cut you can go lower on clarity and colour and have the most beautiful diamond, especially with a round as these face up whiter anyway and hide inclusions better with the brilliance. Princesses can be a different case, as the standards of what makes the best cut Princess can vary, also they can show colour and inclusions more easily.

I am no expert on Princess cuts, Belle and some others are good with these, but I can try to find you an example of a nice round for your budget. Cut is so important, focus your search on cut quality whatever you do.

 

[Lorelei]

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-2313843.htm#

This could be a winner, within budget, but it depends on what type of setting you want, but this is a great diamond, as an example.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1264268.htm#

This one is 2.25 carat a J SI2. might be eyeclean and within budget, looks quite clean to me but WF could tell you exactly.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-2313847.htm#

This one at 1.67 ct, well within budget

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-2313846.htm#

This one too

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1829014.htm#

Here is a J colour which would face up very white, well within budget but a little smaller.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/1_718ct_g_vs2_princess_ags_ideal.htm

Here is a fabulous Princess which might be worth a look, from Good old Gold




http://www.goodoldgold.com/1_802ct_g_vs1_princess_ags-ideal.htm also this Princess.

 

[akisan]

Thank you for taking the time. These are some great diamonds, but I feel like given some of the prices I have seen the total cost of the diamond and the setting will be over my budget. The figure I had stated was for the combined stone and setting, so most of these will be out of my budget.

However, it seems at least from your reaction and others I have read, that it is easier to find a round diamond that looks more appealing.

what other websites do you recommend to look for rings.

 

[Shay37]

What kind of setting does she like? Plain or with side diamonds? What metal? Don''t give up. We''ll find you something for your budget. You may have to go a little smaller in carat weight to get a great cut under budget with the setting, but it can be done. I have to get the kiddos up for school, but I will return later.

shay

 

[Lorelei]

As Shay says, we will find you something to fit the budget. I was assuming a simple solitaire setting, but maybe you want something with side stones or platinum which is a lot more expensive? Don't worry, give us some ideas of the setting you want then we will try to find a diamond to fit.

Like this one http://www.goodoldgold.com/1_718ct_g_vs2_princess_ags_ideal.htm is just over $13k which would maybe give you enough for the setting.

This one http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1829014.htm at $9k

This too http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-2313846.htm at $13k

Have a look at these, they are all great diamonds and should give you enough for the setting.

 

[firebirdgold]

Having recently tried on a bunch of rings, I have to say that the 3 stone princess style ring is really beautiful and gives the impression of much more diamond on your finger. Since diamond prices jump dramatically as the carat size grows, you might want to think about 3 smaller diamonds. It would give you more diamond coverage on the finger without sacrficing cut or quality to do so.
For instance a nice, well cut 1.75 ish will run you in the low to mid teens. A nice 1 caratish will be somewhere around 6k, with 2 nice .5 carat sides for about 4k combined, bringing you to 10k for mor 2 carats of diamond with more spread. Basically 14+mm of diamond across her finger, compared to 7mm. Now a 2 carat diamond is more bragging rights, but I''d go for a 3 stone.

Just my .02

 

[akisan]

I am still trying to figure out whether to go with one diamond or three smaller ones...We have seen both before and she is open to both. I do see the appeal of having 3 diamonds versus 1 and vice versa. I have seen some 3 diamond princess rings, and I agree they are very nice.

For the setting as far as the metal, I am leaning towards platinum.

I appreciate all the help. I will continue to search based on your suggestions and welcome any input from ps members.

 

[akisan]

I think I am getting closer to defining what I want to give her... I am a ring with the following characteristics:

Princess cut
1.7 - 1.8 ct
platinum solitare setting (something very simple as to not take away from the diamond itself)
combined budget $15K max

Thanks again for the help

 

[jaz464]

What is your preference with color and clarity? Princesses don''t hide color as well as rounds do so you may need to stay a little higher than you would with a round.

As far a clarity, I would look for a great SI1. Many are completely eye clean and you won''t be spending money where it is not seen.

 

[dani13]

Ok- here is a princess solitaire I "built" for you at Whiteflash...you can click on the actual diamond to find out the specs of the stone I chose...and you even have a little money left over! I am not sure what kind of solitarie setting she wants, but I just chose a basic platinum one...

http://www.whiteflash.com/general/ring_builder.aspx

 

[dani13]

Oops-that looked like it didnt work....

Here is the link to the diamond....

http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-2328170.htm

And here is the link to the setting...$500 bucks!

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/4-Prong--Tiffany--Style-for-Princess_756.htm

Hope this helps!

 

[akisan]

Thank you. This is definitely in line with what I am looking for.... more suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

On the setting i was thinking of something like this...

http://www.billbarnes.com/product.asp?product=10516
http://www.billbarnes.com/product.asp?product=10519

How do you guys think that will go with a diamond such as that recommended by Dani

This is so helpful... thanks guys.

-Akira

 

[akisan]

following Dani''s guidance, here are a few other Whiteflash stones that seems very attractive

http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-1767158.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-1756094.htm

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciate it.