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Help Picking New Ring!

mancou

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 28, 2015
Messages
7
Hello Everyone:

I've been reading on/off this forum for some time and hoping to pick my engagement ring. I am no expert but want to see if experts here can help me pick a good ring. I think if I go on this alone without you guys, I'll probably end up not getting as good of a ring or going to the mall! :angel:

Here is what I was thinking:
Budget: 7000-11000 (ring/Diamond included)
Cushion Size (that I know she wants for sure)
Colorless: At least not visible (thinking of G and above?)
Clarity: Vs1/Vs2 and above?

I have a hard time trying to understand the differences in the colorless/clarity but wonder whether these are reasonable?
I am from Canada, so hopefully Canadian options will be great as the US exchange is not great although I will be up for anything.

Thanks Everyone for your help!
=]m
 

Niel

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 23, 2012
Messages
19,631
Do you know what ki d of cushion shape? A modern cushion? Heats and arrows cushion? Antique cushion? They all have the same outline, for the most part, but can look fairly different

Eta: depending on the type of stone, h and even I color stones can appear near colorless (a g is near colorless) so you may consider opening your parameters. Same can be said for clarity. Si1 is often eye clean at the size your looking at.
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
25,387

mancou

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 28, 2015
Messages
7
Yes, I am looking for a modern cushion. I am open to more color and clarity so long as it is invisible to eye and light shades--I mean we don't look at the diamond under microscopes!
 

EvangelineG

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Feb 25, 2014
Messages
560
OP, is your max budget of 11000 in CDN or USD? And what type of setting are you interested in?

Setting prices can range from a few hundred for a simple solitaire to several thousand for a more elaborate pave setting, and beyond.

When the exchange rate was better it was a no brainer to order from the U.S. as far as getting the best price. Even now when you are adding an extra 20%+ in exchange that is still often a better deal than the ridiculous up-charge that most Canadian jewellers add, still I would check the prices that you can find online against what can be found locally. Just make sure you are comparing apples to apples - GIA or AGS graded stones with the same cut, clarity and colour grades. There is a lot of overpriced dreck to be found at your average jeweller here, and a tonne of misinformation pushed. I would be very skeptical of what you are told and always insist on the certificate (GIA or AGS), and then come post the specs here for the experts to help you review BEFORE you buy.
 

mancou

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 28, 2015
Messages
7
Thanks EvangelineG!

Yes I think my total budget is 11000 CAD in total. I am okay with getting the ring in the states, although with the 20% and customs, I really wonder whether it is all that great. I will probably look online at the sites and post it along here to see what you guys think as I am not the expert at this, but if anyone have any good ideas based on my recommendations, I'll certainly be interested!
 

EvangelineG

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Feb 25, 2014
Messages
560
I am no expert in cushions, so hopefully someone can come along and give you feedback on those stones, but I just wanted to clarify the customs thing- you will pay the sales tax applicable to your province whether you buy in Canada or the US, but there are no additional duties or taxes when purchasing from the US.

With the JA stones you posted, and again I am not an expert like many around here, but even I can see that particularly with the 1.21 ct, it is all mush under the table (that's not good). I recommend going to look at the beautiful modern cushions at Good Old Gold and Brilliantly Engaged to see examples of really well cut stones to educate your eye.

http://www.brilliantlyengaged.com/mark-t-cushion-diamonds/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/diamonds/cushion/signature-modern-cut.html

Both would also be excellent vendors to work with, although not the cheapest out there. I bought my centre stone from Good Old Gold, and they provide all sorts of extra information as part of their service so that you can feel confident in what you are buying sight unseen.
 

mancou

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 28, 2015
Messages
7
Thanks EvangelineG!

I will look around and train my "eye" on these things. Thanks again for your help. That is why I am relying on you guys because I have no idea whats good and whats not. I didn't know that you don't have to pay for customs when carrying the diamond back to Canada. Can anyone confirm? In any case, if the quality is so much better in the states, then I'll bite the bullet and buy from the US! :angel: Just concern about customs and bringing the diamond/ring back and forth if things are not right.
 

mancou

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 28, 2015
Messages
7
Anyone other experts with good suggestions? I've been looking but still not really sure what's a good one or not. Cheers
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
25,387
mancou|1425283307|3840611 said:
What do people thing about these options?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.19-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-sku-420623
This one is only so-so. So that makes it a no in my book. Let me take a look for you in this price range.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.21-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-384444
no on this one...not good light return. You need to look for bright, clear, crisp facets. This one has a lot of
what we call "mush" under the table.

Thanks!! :angel:
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
25,387
This looks like it could be a strong stone...lots of mirrors going off in it.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.20-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-384442

This one might be worth looking at. Really need an aset on it. See how bright it is even though it's an H. Does look
like it has some mush though.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-375740

This one has some strong facets under the table but I dont like how the E/W ends are going dark.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.13-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-441630
 
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