narrowing it down...halo...this ain't easy

[Duke1199]

I'm working towards the purchase. I've narrowed down the setting to (3) based on the girl's likes: halo, split shank (wider split), a low height of ring. if anyone has another option, please share!

https://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/cushion-halo-diamond--v--band-engagement-ring-in-platinum/6327

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-open-split-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-item-50336

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-round-split-band-diamond-halo-engagement-ring-item-50003

Now, I am trying to find a nice round stone within a budget of around $3,000 for the stone. I believe I can get away with a .6 - .7 carat round in one of the settings above before the stone is too small and gets lost in the halo? Does that make sense?

 

[1stTimeRockHunter]

I think it makes sense, you want the center stone to be the star of the show. Whiteflash carries Ritani if you wanted to look at diamonds there.

 

[NOYFB]

I like the 3rd setting best.

 

[Duke1199]

I'm looking at stones like this :

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.71-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-380101

 

[marymm]

I like the 3rd setting best.

+ 1.

And that JA 0.71ct H-VS1 you linked to looks a beauty... please be sure to put a hold on it ASAP if you are seriously considering it.

 

[Gypsy]

The last one is the nicest by far.

But did your lady pick out any settings herself? What pictures did she show you?

 

[Duke1199]

The last one is the nicest by far.

But did your lady pick out any settings herself? What pictures did she show you?

We went together. She liked the Ritani style one (1st link)

I agree with you. I like the last one.
I feel with .7 stone the large gaps in the shanks might make the stone look smaller.

 

[Duke1199]

Or do I make an $800 jump to...

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-380052

Is it worth the jump in $ for these specs?

 

[MollyMalone]

Both of the JA semi-mounts maintain the double band after the shank is no longer split whereas the Ritani split shank merges into one band. Maybe the double band at the bottom of the shank would please her as well, but think it would be a good idea to explore whether she prefers that particular aspect of the Ritani mounting.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Buy what she likes/wants.

cheers--Sharon

 

[MollyMalone]

Both of the JA semi-mounts maintain the double band after the shank is no longer split whereas the Ritani split shank merges into one band. Maybe the double band at the bottom of the shank would please her as well, but think it would be a good idea to explore whether she prefers that particular aspect of the Ritani mounting.

Oops, I see I didn't also point out that the halo in that Ritani ring is a cushion-shaped one, not the more usual round halo seen in those two semi-mounts on the JA web site.

 

[Gypsy]

Or do I make an $800 jump to...

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-380052

Is it worth the jump in $ for these specs?

No. Color and clarity don't make a diamond beautiful. Cut does.


You'd be better off with a larger SI1 stone over any of these high clarity stones. Also you don't need the hearts and arrows. I can get you up in size if we do that, without any appreciable loss visually.

Read this please. Let me see what I can find you to eek out some size for you. Those are OVERPOWERING settings.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/[/URL]

 

[Gypsy]

Stones you should be looking into.

ASK FOR IDEALSCOPE IMAGE OF THESE (takes 5 business days):

80 points 6mm and gorgeous: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-381689

80 points 6mm. G VS2 http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-382173 Very well balanced stone. THIS is worth the price jump.

80 points 6mm and also gorgeous: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-351760

 

[Duke1199]

Or do I make an $800 jump to...

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-380052

Is it worth the jump in $ for these specs?

No. Color and clarity don't make a diamond beautiful. Cut does.


You'd be better off with a larger SI1 stone over any of these high clarity stones. Also you don't need the hearts and arrows. I can get you up in size if we do that, without any appreciable loss visually.

Read this please. Let me see what I can find you to eek out some size for you. Those are OVERPOWERING settings.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/[/URL]

Helluva post. Extremely insightful and educational. Show me the path and I'll walk it.

With the halo setting, I don't want the stone to get lost in it

 

[TitanCi]

Or do I make an $800 jump to...

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-380052

Is it worth the jump in $ for these specs?

No. Color and clarity don't make a diamond beautiful. Cut does.


You'd be better off with a larger SI1 stone over any of these high clarity stones. Also you don't need the hearts and arrows. I can get you up in size if we do that, without any appreciable loss visually.

Read this please. Let me see what I can find you to eek out some size for you. Those are OVERPOWERING settings.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/likelihood-of-finding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/[/URL]

Helluva post. Extremely insightful and educational. Show me the path and I'll walk it.

With the halo setting, I don't want the stone to get lost in it

She gives great advice

Op, Hearts and arrows are present in all stones, the degree of symmetry and perfection of shape vary from cutter to cutter, stone to stone. Some people covet the optical symmetry and want perfectly aligned facets and such, but hearts will seldom be seen once they're mounted. You can skip the h&a stones and the premiums that come with it if you want, so you can shift that budget around.

 

[GearGirly]

I'm very happy with my JA halo!

 

[Duke1199]

Stones you should be looking into.

ASK FOR IDEALSCOPE IMAGE OF THESE (takes 5 business days):

80 points 6mm and gorgeous: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-381689

80 points 6mm. G VS2 http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-382173 Very well balanced stone. THIS is worth the price jump.

80 points 6mm and also gorgeous: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-351760

I've requested the idealscope images.

Is a twinning wisp the "best" inclusion to have?

 

[Duke1199]

Does JA require you buy a center stone when purchasing a setting? This seems to be when trying to buy only a setting...

 

[Gypsy]

I don't know if there is a best inclusions. They are inclusions, they have pluses and minuses. But twinning wisps are usually eyeclean and rarely have a visual impact to performance (you would ask the gemologist about this). They also pose no risk to structural safety. So... I guess, in that respect they are 'best".

 

[Duke1199]

I don't know if there is a best inclusions. They are inclusions, they have pluses and minuses. But twinning wisps are usually eyeclean and rarely have a visual impact to performance (you would ask the gemologist about this). They also pose no risk to structural safety. So... I guess, in that respect they are 'best".

Yea, I guess that is what I was sort of asking. Structural safety.

JA is holding the stones and the setting. They are going to hold them for 24 hours and the setting after sending me the images. They are also going to honor the cyber Monday 25% off the setting because I have to wait for the Idealscope images which is very nice.

 

[Niel]

I don't know if there is a best inclusions. They are inclusions, they have pluses and minuses. But twinning wisps are usually eyeclean and rarely have a visual impact to performance (you would ask the gemologist about this). They also pose no risk to structural safety. So... I guess, in that respect they are 'best".

Yea, I guess that is what I was sort of asking. Structural safety.

JA is holding the stones and the setting. They are going to hold them for 24 hours and the setting after sending me the images. They are also going to honor the cyber Monday 25% off the setting because I have to wait for the Idealscope images which is very nice.

awesome! The two Hs are my favorite. The cheapest one might be my favorite too. Wouldn't that work out! Lol.

 

[Duke1199]

I don't know if there is a best inclusions. They are inclusions, they have pluses and minuses. But twinning wisps are usually eyeclean and rarely have a visual impact to performance (you would ask the gemologist about this). They also pose no risk to structural safety. So... I guess, in that respect they are 'best".

Yea, I guess that is what I was sort of asking. Structural safety.

JA is holding the stones and the setting. They are going to hold them for 24 hours and the setting after sending me the images. They are also going to honor the cyber Monday 25% off the setting because I have to wait for the Idealscope images which is very nice.

awesome! The two Hs are my favorite. The cheapest one might be my favorite too. Wouldn't that work out! Lol.

The suspense is killing me! If all goes well and I make the purchase from JA, I can immediately purchase insurance from jewelers mutual, correct? Then once I receive the ring I can get it independently appraised and then update the insurance policy with new documentation, correct?

 

[Niel]

Hmm, I do believe they need an appraisal? JA sent me an appraisal with my ring, so you might have to wait till then.

 

[Duke1199]

Images are in! I have until 12am EST! Help!

What are you thoughts!?!?!?

Notes from JA: " I am very pleased to inform you that the gemologist found all three diamonds to be spectacular in person. Each one is eye clean as well. He did favor diamond 351760, the 0.81ct H/VS1 ($4090) due to its wonderful level of brilliance and sparkle. This diamond has a high level of light return making it appear closer to a G color. The cut proportions are excellent and this diamond faces up closer to the size of an 0.85ct, looking the largest of the three.

A very close second is diamond 381689, the 0.80ct H/VS1 ($3910). This diamond faces up white and has a very good level of light return and overall brilliance. This diamond is very bright and has very nice fire and sparkle throughout. Rounding out the group is another nice recommendation, diamond 382173, the 0.80ct G/VS2 ($4080). This diamond also faces up white with great fire and sparkle as well. The table is a little larger giving this diamond a nice spread."

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-381689
/Users/Dmac/Downloads/381689.jpg

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-382173
/Users/Dmac/Downloads/382173.jpg

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-351760
/Users/Dmac/Downloads/351760.jpg

Thanks!

 

[Duke1199]

Images are in! I have until 12am EST! Help!

What are you thoughts!?!?!?

Notes from JA: " I am very pleased to inform you that the gemologist found all three diamonds to be spectacular in person. Each one is eye clean as well. He did favor diamond 351760, the 0.81ct H/VS1 ($4090) due to its wonderful level of brilliance and sparkle. This diamond has a high level of light return making it appear closer to a G color. The cut proportions are excellent and this diamond faces up closer to the size of an 0.85ct, looking the largest of the three.

A very close second is diamond 381689, the 0.80ct H/VS1 ($3910). This diamond faces up white and has a very good level of light return and overall brilliance. This diamond is very bright and has very nice fire and sparkle throughout. Rounding out the group is another nice recommendation, diamond 382173, the 0.80ct G/VS2 ($4080). This diamond also faces up white with great fire and sparkle as well. The table is a little larger giving this diamond a nice spread."

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-381689
/Users/Dmac/Downloads/381689.jpg

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-382173
/Users/Dmac/Downloads/382173.jpg

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-351760
/Users/Dmac/Downloads/351760.jpg

Thanks!

First time posting pictures...can you tell?

 

[Niel]

Which idealscope goes with which?

That first idealscope looks like perfection to me

 

[Duke1199]

sorry, i am terrible at this

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-381689


http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-382173


http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-351760


Thanks!

 

[Niel]

Oh yeah, that idealscope for the one that they preferred is my favorite.

So I vote with JA which to pick.

 

[Duke1199]

Oh yeah, that idealscope for the one that they preferred is my favorite.

So I vote with JA which to pick.

yea, Gypsy agrees.

From my amateur eyes, I agree that the idealscope image of the JA recommended stone is the best. I'm going to execute this order soon.

thanks!