Engagement Ring with a $7K - $8K Budget - Help?

[kwpask]

Hey guys, long time reader, first time poster.

I am getting ready to ask my girlfriend of 4 years to marry me.

I've been looking around and a lot of my friends say I can get great value from buying online at bluenile. I'm a little weary of the whole buying online thing - but also can believe in GIA reports from what I can read.

Here is a diamond I am considering:

1.3‑carat Diamond, Round, Ideal‑cut, J‑color, VVS2‑clarity

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD03855015

I am more interested in size, cut, clarity, and color in that order. I want a round brilliant and and it to be as eye clean as possible.

Any idea if this is a good deal/nice diamond? I know J color is borderline - but also have heard that you can get pretty good deals from them. I plan to put this in a petite white gold solitaire 4-prong setting.


Thoughts? Any help is greatly appreciated!!

 

[Niel]

Im not the biggest fan of that cut, the table is too big.

Also, I have concerns enough that id want to get an idealscope, and they dont do that at Blue nile.

Also I do not think you need to pay for a VVS clarity. Clarity is important because you dont want to see an inclusion when youre looking at it. But, stones can be clear of any eye visible inclusions easily down to SI1.

with that, here at james allen i found that i think might work. You would want to ask them to hold it and get you an idealscope to make sure though.


http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-358109


They have nice white gold settings to stay in budget.

This one is a nice one i think

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-double-prong-solitaire-item-41059

 

[kwpask]

I don't mind James Allen - I think they have a lot of quality stones - I am not a fan of any of their solitaire bands though. I am pretty particular in that I was a very slim <2 MM band with 4 prongs.

I really like the bluenile band here:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/14k-white-gold-engagement-ring_20315?elem=img&track=product

Not sure I see anything as simple/similar from James Allen and its been the number one reason I have not been looking as hard there.

What would be a good table for a round diamond in my size range?

 

[RockyRacoon]

If I had your budget, I would go with this option:

This setting:
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/4-prong-tiffany-style-solitaire-engagement-ring-587.htm

This stone:
1.176ct, I, SI1 eye-clean
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3157625.htm

You're out-the-door under your budget, with a killer stone and petite white gold setting!

 

[Niel]

I am more interested in size, cut, clarity, and color in that order. I want a round brilliant and and it to be as eye clean as possible.

With size the first priority and color the last, I see absolutely no reason to avoid a J.

 

[quaddio]

I like the Blue Nile setting you chose.

Here are a couple of alternatives in addition to Neil's gorgeous suggestion I'd recommend trying on rings in different widths, the <2mm idea seems a little arbitrary and with your budget it may look nicer with a large diamond.

6-prong perhaps it can be customized to 4-prong?
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...es-allen-exclusive-engagement-ring-item-49506

Cathedral - very 'Cartier' looking prongs. Check out the 'recently purchased' 18k Yellow Gold example.
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...es-allen-exclusive-engagement-ring-item-49887

 

[kwpask]

I'm just going with what she liked when we sort of looked and through ideas - she definitely likes a simple, cleaner band that is skinny and keeps its width the entire way around the band. She wants the round diamond to be the focal point, thus size being the biggest C she is interested.

 

[Niel]

My concern with the setting you chose is that the head and prongs look a tad cheap. fine, but what can happen when you get to sizes like you are looking at, the prongs can get bulky and overpower the stone.

I see one of those settings has the prongs set NSEW. Does she like that? Of so, what I would do is pop over to James Allen and start a live chat. Tell them they do not have any setting you like.( make sire to include that part or they'll try and sell you one they already have) say you want a custom setting made. 14k, 1.8mm and to look like this.
http://www.maisonbirks.com/en/birks-nordic-light-solitaire-canadian-diamond-engagement-ring

From my experience with JA they should be able to replicate this for you for the remaining balance of that 1.4 ct stone. I say should because they seem to have increased the price of their setting just a tad sense the last time I inquired with them. Also, make sure to ask for that 1.4 on hold, and if they can apply a Pricescope or "preferred customer" discount to make sure you get the best price on that diamond.

 

[kwpask]

OK jumped on the chat with the james allen rep - they suggested this:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-2mm-comfort-fit-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7086

they said anything below 2mm is just crazy - because the integrity of the band could go at any time.

What do you think with the initial diamond and this setup? Think it would be too bulky/goofy?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-358109

Do you think this would satisfy getting a great diamond and a thin, plain, center focused diamond?

 

[Niel]

OK jumped on the chat with the james allen rep - they suggested this:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-2mm-comfort-fit-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7086

they said anything below 2mm is just crazy - because the integrity of the band could go at any time.

What do you think with the initial diamond and this setup? Think it would be too bulky/goofy?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-358109

Do you think this would satisfy getting a great diamond and a thin, plain, center focused diamond?

Yes I think that would meet your needs perfectly.

I would ask them, though, if there's any way to get that shank with this head, just to make the prongs a little more delicate. If they say no, ask them if there is anything else they can do
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-rounded-pave-engagement-solitaire-item-8116

 

[kwpask]

I'm actually seeing a lot of the band sizes I want at JA in the pave setting - what is the general thoughts and feelings of a pave setting?

Any favorites you like from JA?

I like this one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-7092

 

[Niel]

I'm actually seeing a lot of the band sizes I want at JA in the pave setting - what is the general thoughts and feelings of a pave setting?

Any favorites you like from JA?

Hmm.... Well there are a few but they'll push you over budget.

Does she like pave?

 

[quaddio]

OK jumped on the chat with the james allen rep - they suggested this:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-2mm-comfort-fit-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7086

they said anything below 2mm is just crazy - because the integrity of the band could go at any time.

What do you think with the initial diamond and this setup? Think it would be too bulky/goofy?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-358109

Do you think this would satisfy getting a great diamond and a thin, plain, center focused diamond?

Yes I think that would meet your needs perfectly.

I would ask them, though, if there's any way to get that shank with this head, just to make the prongs a little more delicate. If they say no, ask them if there is anything else they can do
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-rounded-pave-engagement-solitaire-item-8116

Neil - I just love that 4-prong head, great find! Wonder why JA wouldn't use that style on many more of their rings as it's far prettier.

OP: Before you via off the path of a traditional solitaire please check what your lady would like. If she said plain solitaire I would not deviate from her preference. You can always spoil her with blingy bands later.

 

[kwpask]

she was on the fence - a lot of the diamonds she liked off pintrest were big and round, some with solitaire some with pave, but all thin - thin was the key factor - I guess what I liked more was the solitaire for my own preference - but I don't think it would be a deal breaker either way.

 

[Niel]

she was on the fence - a lot of the diamonds she liked off pintrest were big and round, some with solitaire some with pave, but all thin - thin was the key factor - I guess what I liked more was the solitaire for my own preference - but I don't think it would be a deal breaker either way.

stick with a solitaire. Thing about pave is its expensive when done well. The one you linked looks good in cads but in real life photos is bulky and less fluid. Plus remember, shell be wearing a wedding band with this eventually, right? So if she likes diamonds in the band, just add a diamond wedding band and you get the best of both worlds.

 

[kwpask]

So I told them I liked the less bulky head of this one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-rounded-pave-engagement-solitaire-item-8116

but I like the shank of this one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-2mm-comfort-fit-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7086

she said they could look into custom designing one - and I asked if that was the case could they go down to a 1.8 or 1.9 MM band. She said they would let me know if a few days.

Given the original diamond we discussed Here:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-358109

How ideal would this setting/ring combo be? Will this look OK?

 

[Niel]

So I told them I liked the less bulky head of this one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-rounded-pave-engagement-solitaire-item-8116

but I like the shank of this one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-2mm-comfort-fit-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7086

she said they could look into custom designing one - and I asked if that was the case could they go down to a 1.8 or 1.9 MM band. She said they would let me know if a few days.

Given the original diamond we discussed Here:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-358109

How ideal would this setting/ring combo be? Will this look OK?

I think you'll be really happy they are doing a custom one . When your setting is so simple,its little details like the prongs that really make the difference. Did you ask them to reserve that stone and get an idealscope to make sure its a nice performer?

I imagine the setting they come up with would just look like that pave one you used as a nice example of prongs minus the pave. Which frankly I would like to see! I'm surprised they don't already do that.

 

[kwpask]

OK so good news - they can custom make my solitaire band with the less bulky head for no additional cost - that's a win.

I went ahead and asked them to do an idealscope on the initial diamond we discussed:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-358109

I got back a guy who told me this:

The area of concern would when requesting an idealscope image, we would usually recommend to have a minimum of two diamonds to compare. In you case, having a very good symmetry does have some area of concern that may effect the outcome of the idealscope image. When supplying an idealscope of a ROUND diamond with an excellent cut, there would be a much greater chance you will find a better performing idealscope of a ROUND diamond.

He recommended two more diamonds:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/?CaratFrom=1.30&CaratTo=15.00&Color=I,J&Clarity=VS2&Cut=Ideal,Excellent,TrueHearts&PriceFrom=200&PriceTo=7450&Sort=Price%20asc,%20DefaultOrder&TabSelected=3&advancedParameter=Clarity&showAdvanced=show&DiamondID=291119,358668,325648&Polish=EX,ID&Symmetry=EX,ID&Lab=&Flour=&DepthFrom=61.0&DepthTo=62.7&TableFrom=55.0&TableTo=57.0

What does he mean by " In you case, having a very good symmetry does have some area of concern that may effect the outcome of the idealscope image. When supplying an idealscope of a ROUND diamond with an excellent cut, there would be a much greater chance you will find a better performing idealscope of a ROUND diamond."??

Thanks for all the help!!

 

[Niel]

OK so good news - they can custom make my solitaire band with the less bulky head for no additional cost - that's a win.

I went ahead and asked them to do an idealscope on the initial diamond we discussed:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-358109

I got back a guy who told me this:

The area of concern would when requesting an idealscope image, we would usually recommend to have a minimum of two diamonds to compare. In you case, having a very good symmetry does have some area of concern that may effect the outcome of the idealscope image. When supplying an idealscope of a ROUND diamond with an excellent cut, there would be a much greater chance you will find a better performing idealscope of a ROUND diamond.

He recommended two more diamonds:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/?CaratFrom=1.30&CaratTo=15.00&Color=I,J&Clarity=VS2&Cut=Ideal,Excellent,TrueHearts&PriceFrom=200&PriceTo=7450&Sort=Price%20asc,%20DefaultOrder&TabSelected=3&advancedParameter=Clarity&showAdvanced=show&DiamondID=291119,358668,325648&Polish=EX,ID&Symmetry=EX,ID&Lab=&Flour=&DepthFrom=61.0&DepthTo=62.7&TableFrom=55.0&TableTo=57.0

What does he mean by " In you case, having a very good symmetry does have some area of concern that may effect the outcome of the idealscope image. When supplying an idealscope of a ROUND diamond with an excellent cut, there would be a much greater chance you will find a better performing idealscope of a ROUND diamond."??

Thanks for all the help!!

I dont understand these sales reps sometimes!

Yes it has VG symm but its still a beautiful diamond, and there is NO REASON to exclude it. And they WILL ABSOLUTELY get an idealscope for just one stone..... I dont know what they are getting at, honestly. and to your question about what he is trying to "say'is that that isnt an excellent cut diamond, which it is. It isnt a Triple XXX, but you dont need it to be. The cut grade is ex, the angles are right, there is no reason to not get an idealscope for it

If they feel like getting more Idealscopes, let them, costs them money not you.

 

[Gypsy]

Just... ignore the sale reps.

 

[Niel]

get the idealscope for the one already reserved.. and replace that one they recommended with this

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.33-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-367541

then leave this one in the list of 3

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.31-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-325648

 

[kwpask]

Finally got the ideal scope images back. Here are the results of the three:



http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.31-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-325648 - $7,050




http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.33-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-367541 - $7,170




http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.40-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-358109 - $7,260


The 1.4 being the one that was initially suggested to me. What do you think? Any diamonds really look good and worth it?

 

[Niel]

That j 1.4 is perfection.


I'm glad we ignored that rep.

Can you post the write up the gemologist gave?

 

[emmebee]

#3 looks great!!

 

[kwpask]

So that's it - I am going to pull the trigger on the 1.4 then because the ideal scope looked good.

Last question - sort of overkill - but is the J still going to be good. I know people swear by them that they are good diamonds despite the lowest near colorless grade - but will I really notice it? also, if we elect to get diamonds in her wedding band - will it make the diamond look yellow??

 

[kwpask]

Also here is the GIA - looks like there is a lot of noise in the diamond. I don't see anywhere that it is eye clean...?

 

[Niel]

With size and cut being the main concern, I think its fair to drop to a j. People here often do it when color isn't their top priority.

I suggest just get it home and see it in person. Get it in all sorts of lighting conditions and see of its a good compromise for you. Because to get that size, you'll have to get that color.

I think its safe, as with lax grading on many diamonds from mall stores in the US, the average diamond color in the us is a J, and the average cut is much worse than yours.

 

[RockyRacoon]

So that's it - I am going to pull the trigger on the 1.4 then because the ideal scope looked good.

Last question - sort of overkill - but is the J still going to be good. I know people swear by them that they are good diamonds despite the lowest near colorless grade - but will I really notice it? also, if we elect to get diamonds in her wedding band - will it make the diamond look yellow??

Be sure to review the stone within the return period.

Color sensitivity is really a personal thing, so no one will be able to tell you that J is 'good enough' to your eyes.

There are definitely people who do not like the tint seen in J-colored stones. For me, the color is definitely noticeable, though I don't mind it. Some people (particularly folks from some Asian cultures) would find a J-colored stone to be unacceptable.

If the recipient is good with the color, then you're fine! No reason to pay more if you like the J-color.

 

[kwpask]

should I be concerned with the GIA reports - looks like there is a lot of stuff going on with the diamond itself...

 

[Niel]

should I be concerned with the GIA reports - looks like there is a lot of stuff going on with the diamond itself...

If its eye clean its eye clean . I wouldn't be concerned . Honestly I think just get it home. Your eyes will answer all your questions .