Engagement Ring- please help with diamond

[hopeful101]

I have decided to propose and am having trouble figuring out the best diamond to pick out. I have found the setting I like on blue diamond. My budget is 10-15k. The setting I have chosen (blue nile.com) can carry up to a 1.1 carat diamond.

What do I want? I great quality ring, that looks 'big', shiny...and has that wow effect.

Setting: http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_17373

Qualities of Diamond:

Cut: Blue Nile Signature Ideal
Color: D-F
Clarity: VVS 2- VS 1
Carat: 1.0-1.1

I have read extensively about diamonds. It is very difficult to get an idea of 'whats good' because I have little experience in judging diamonds. In terms of advance features- I would like no fluorescence, a high table % >56% because of the setting. Can someone please give me some insight. I am not sure if I am looking at this right-- in terms of pure looks does VVS2 vs VS1 matter? Any suggestions on diamonds?

I am a medical resident , come from a humble family (using money I sold from selling my car)- and just want to make the decision possible. Maybe will pass this ring on for generations as a family ring- so I want to make the best choice. Thank you for your time and help in advance.

 

[heididdl]

I have decided to propose and am having trouble figuring out the best diamond to pick out. I have found the setting I like on blue diamond. My budget is 10-15k. The setting I have chosen (blue nile.com) can carry up to a 1.1 carat diamond.

What do I want? I great quality ring, that looks 'big', shiny...and has that wow effect.

Setting: http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_17373

Qualities of Diamond:

Cut: Blue Nile Signature Ideal
Color: D-F
Clarity: VVS 2- VS 1
Carat: 1.0-1.1

I have read extensively about diamonds. It is very difficult to get an idea of 'whats good' because I have little experience in judging diamonds. In terms of advance features- I would like no fluorescence, a high table % >56% because of the setting. Can someone please give me some insight. I am not sure if I am looking at this right-- in terms of pure looks does VVS2 vs VS1 matter? Any suggestions on diamonds?

I am a medical resident , come from a humble family (using money I sold from selling my car)- and just want to make the decision possible. Maybe will pass this ring on for generations as a family ring- so I want to make the best choice. Thank you for your time and help in advance.

The most important of the 4 c is the Cut. (a GIA certified 3X you can comfortably drop in color and clarity as long as the inclusions are eye clean. The sparkle and flash from a diamond comes from the proportions and the cut. Ill look for stones brb.
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.124-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-104064814004#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/4/ This is underbudget if you selected the above setting.

This setting to die from http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/nicole-18k-white-gold-5869w18

that's a very specific setting is this something that your GF has hinted that she likes as opposed for a straight out halo? Just asking if this is your suggestion or comes from her.

 

[hopeful101]

So this is the design that she wants. She has hinted at this unique design for a while. This is the one she initially liked:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/designer-engagement-rings/14k-white-gold-pave-set-swirl-ae100-by-danhov-designer-engagement-ring-item-16582?gclid=COGduYiE_LoCFcpaMgodrx4AjA

But I feel the blue nile one (above) is better. Thoughts?

I know the cut is the most important, this is why I am selecting the Blue Nile Signature. Selecting the nuances between accepted a lower color vs clarity is hard to do in my price range. What is the 'best diamond': Signature Ideal 1.1 ct- E VS2 vs Signature Ideal F VVS2, ect.

The Blue Nile ring can only carry a 1.1 ct diamond. Whereas the James allen one does not matter. Any suggestions?

 

[JulieN]

The JA one is a Danhov, which is designer. You have a nice budget and I wouldn't ever spend extra on something you literally cannot see, D/E VVS. Either get a bigger rock or spend less to pay down your loans.

 

[D&T]

sounds like the blue nile ring is a "stocked" piece that only accommodates the diamond up to a certain point but if you found a larger diamond, maybe blue nile can customize it to fit your size diamond, if they can't then they just buy in bulk stock items with no ability to customize and have the "one size fit all model" . Danhov is a designer piece that James Allen partners with to create the setting custom to fit the diamond you choose.

I'm not quite sure what you define as "best"? A well performing diamond can be bought from any vendors as long as you do your research in terms of the numbers, and not just because its a "signature diamond". Although the signature line usually means, they have done a lot of leg work to sift through the well performing one from the not so well cut ones. Many times you can find a well performing diamond without the "mark up" of being called a signature item.

 

[hopeful101]

Thank you. So you would recommend purchasing a larger diamond if possible. If the largest they say is 1.1, perhaps they can accomodate 1.5. I will ask them to see if this is possible. If I can purchase a larger diamond, in terms of visual qualities to the naked eye-- would it be okay to go with an F VS2?

I understand that you do not necessarily have to buy signature to get the 'best', but isn't it hard to determine when they do not have the actual picture of the diamond.

 

[D&T]

Thank you. So you would recommend purchasing a larger diamond if possible. If the largest they say is 1.1, perhaps they can accomodate 1.5. I will ask them to see if this is possible. If I can purchase a larger diamond, in terms of visual qualities to the naked eye-- would it be okay to go with an F VS2?

I understand that you do not necessarily have to buy signature to get the 'best', but isn't it hard to determine when they do not have the actual picture of the diamond.

F/ G color I would doubt you see any color difference, VS2 is fine and most likely eye clean.

based on Crown angle, Pavilion Angle, table, depth and this tool will help you pick some very well cut stones yourself, but there are other factors to consider after you weed through some diamonds. (this applies to only Round diamonds)

https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

 

[heididdl]

Thank you. So you would recommend purchasing a larger diamond if possible. If the largest they say is 1.1, perhaps they can accomodate 1.5. I will ask them to see if this is possible. If I can purchase a larger diamond, in terms of visual qualities to the naked eye-- would it be okay to go with an F VS2?

I understand that you do not necessarily have to buy signature to get the 'best', but isn't it hard to determine when they do not have the actual picture of the diamond.

Again the suggestion is to go for the best cut and then size it is not necessary to do a F color and VS2 . as long as the stone faces up white a G or H is terrific as well as a si1 eye clean. So that money is better spent getting the 1.5 diamond with ideal cut. I would go with the James Allen setting.

James Allen must have a stone that would fit beautifully in your budget. Call them.....



http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.24-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-222325

 

[msop04]

Thank you. So you would recommend purchasing a larger diamond if possible. If the largest they say is 1.1, perhaps they can accomodate 1.5. I will ask them to see if this is possible. If I can purchase a larger diamond, in terms of visual qualities to the naked eye-- would it be okay to go with an F VS2?

I understand that you do not necessarily have to buy signature to get the 'best', but isn't it hard to determine when they do not have the actual picture of the diamond.

Again the suggestion is to go for the best cut and then size it is not necessary to do a F color and VS2 . as long as the stone faces up white a G or H is terrific as well as a si1 eye clean. So that money is better spent getting the 1.5 diamond with ideal cut. I would go with the James Allen setting.
James Allen must have a stone that would fit beautifully in your budget. Call them.....



http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.24-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-222325

This.

The JA setting is designer and looks to be of much better workmanship than the BN (which is just a stock setting). Besides, the JA setting will be fit to the diamond you choose, not the other way around.

Here are some others. Remember, JA gives a PS member discount!!

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-73694 $11,210
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...h-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-247299 $10,630

and some slightly larger ones...
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...arat-h-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-270756 $9570
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-265479 $11,500 **my favorite** 7.24 x 7.26mm w/ HCA 1.6!!

 

[hopeful101]

thanks for the help. Blue nile may accomodate a larger size, they will get back to me. Looking closer at the website it seems that the James Allen Setting

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/designer-engagement-rings/14k-white-gold-pave-set-swirl-ae100-by-danhov-designer-engagement-ring-item-16582?gclid=COGduYiE_LoCFcpaMgodrx4AjA

the Round Diamond can be set with up to 1.5 carat.

What I cannot determine is that it seems with the James Allen setting- it seems delicate and not as substancial. I am not sure if this is due to the increased space in between the diamond and the setting. Except the intricies of the diamond itself- what else about it makes it better than the blue nile setting: http://www.bluenile.com/reviews/diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_17373/offer.html

which received 5 of 5 stars from 11 people who purchased the diamond.

Questions:
1. Which one would you choose?

Option 1: James Allen- can customize the diamond to the setting, it is designer, looks more delicate.
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/designer-engagement-rings/14k-white-gold-pave-set-swirl-ae100-by-danhov-designer-engagement-ring-item-16582?gclid=COGduYiE_LoCFcpaMgodrx4AjA

Option 2: Blue Nile- Setting pre-made, not custom, from the website seems more aesthetically pleasing from brief survey
http://www.bluenile.com/reviews/diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_17373/offer.html

2. Great options for diamonds with JA, anyone have suggestions for Blue Nile Diamonds? I am now looking at diamonds with ideal/signature ideal cut and higher carat up to 1.5 carat (F,G color and VS2). I hope they can accomodate the higher carat weight. Diamond budget up to 12,500.

Thank you again everyone. Just a week here and I have learned so much and have a different perspective on ring shopping.

 

[JulieN]

The Danhov one is very thin, it is 1.6mm. They're two different styles of pave.

Here is a thread, someone owns it! [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/danhov-abbraccio-swirl-ring-w-76ct-rb-th-mangagement-ring.178261/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/danhov-abbraccio-swirl-ring-w-76ct-rb-th-mangagement-ring.178261/[/URL]

 

[msop04]

thanks for the help. Blue nile may accomodate a larger size, they will get back to me. Looking closer at the website it seems that the James Allen Setting -
The Blue Nile ring is stock, meaning that if a larger diamond is set, it may not fit right in this setting. It will have to be set higher to accommodate it.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/designer-engagement-rings/14k-white-gold-pave-set-swirl-ae100-by-danhov-designer-engagement-ring-item-16582?gclid=COGduYiE_LoCFcpaMgodrx4AjA

the Round Diamond can be set with up to 1.5 carat. -
since this setting is designer, you could have JA ask Danhov to make the ring for whatever size stone you choose. It can probably be made to fit any stone...

What I cannot determine is that it seems with the James Allen setting- it seems delicate and not as substancial. I am not sure if this is due to the increased space in between the diamond and the setting.
- You could ask JA to set it lower.

Except the intricies of the diamond itself- what else about it makes it better than the blue nile setting -
IMO, the BN setting looks a little cheap. (again, just my thought)

http://www.bluenile.com/reviews/diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_17373/offer.html

which received 5 of 5 stars from 11 people who purchased the diamond. <--- this really doesn't tell you anything, so I wouldn't put a lot of stock in the "reviews."
Questions:
1. Which one would you choose?

This is going outside the box, but have you looked at A. Jaffe? They have a very similar setting that is awesome. I have actually tried it on, and it is substantial, yet delicate at the same time. It also has the knife edge like the BN setting, and a euroshank to keep the ring from spinning (since it'll be top-heavy). Here is the link and photo:

http://www.ajaffe.com/details.php?title=signature-spiral-halo-engagement-ring-mes322&iz=MES322_C.jpg

 

[hopeful101]

Thank you. Few updates

1. Blue nile will charge be 20-40% more, will delay ring for 4-8 weeks. So if it is blue nile, would have to settle for a 1.1 carat. is this a deal breaker?

2. James Allen is great, received some feedback that it may be too delicate with a band width of 1.6mm. Any thoughts on this?
They will not adjust the setting. Any good diamonds you guys would recommend. Thanks for the help above-- would want ideal cut, followed by largest carat with the best clean-look. Can I get a 1.5 carat in this range, or would i have to sacrifice for a 1.2-1.3.

3. I really like the A. Jaffe. Can I see this in the stores? Any experiece with this company? Would the diamond be better with James Allen? I am not sure how the company fares in terms of the guarentees that JA has. Any insight?

Thank you-- I am coming closer and closer to a decision.

 

[momma2boys]

Hello! I just want to comment and say that I like the A. Jaffe ring more than any of the other ones!

Where are you currently at with your decision?

 

[hopeful101]

Checked out the a jaffe ring in person and my gf loved it. What do you guys think the difference is between the two. I have to make my decision ASAP.

Thank you.