Need help/advice first time buyer

[Ianmac]

Alright here is the story. Looking to get engaged to my girlfriend of just under two years.
I know that she wants a square cut diamond in a platinum setting with side baguettes.
I have a budget of about 4000 dollars for this ring, and want to get the best I can. Thats
where all of you come in.

From a previous post I have the following recommendations:
Stone:
http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-2267105.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-2267153.htm
http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD00953543
http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=8557568
http://rockdiamond.com/index.php?crn=209&rn=392&action=show_detail
http://www.goodoldgold.com/0_708ct_j_si2_pr_ags-ideal.htm
http://whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-2323674.htm

And this is the setting I want, but I know I can find it cheaper than this:

http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=4524&nav1=engagement_segment.asp&page=1&col=2&row=1&pos=2&set_shape

Any suggestions / comments are greatly appreciated!

Matt

 

[E B]

Date: 3/1/2006 2:24:10 PM
Author:Ianmac
And this is the setting I want, but I know I can find it cheaper than this:

http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=4524&nav1=engagement_segment.asp&page=1&col=2&row=1&pos=2&set_shape

Any suggestions / comments are greatly appreciated!

Matt

Unless you''re willing to go for white gold, $1075 is a pretty good price for platinum with side diamonds. Platinum''s an expensive metal, and when you throw diamonds into it, well, the cost only goes up.

 

[madmarlin]

Matt,

I''d recommend you give Mark Turnowski a call at engagement rings direct (www.engagementringsdirect.com). On his website, you can choose the "customize your enagement ring online" option and choose your own stone and setting. Just playing around with it, There was a very nice option for a princess of .81cts, with a setting like the one you indicated, with a total cost of $3,900 (stone plus setting). He is a great guy who will make sure you are happy. It would be better to call him and let him know exactly what you want. I purchased from him when I upgraded my wife''s center stone for our 10th and then recently purchased a gorgeous tennis bracelet from him that he made for me based upon my specifications. To say I have been thoroughly satisfied with his work is an understatement.

Again, give him a call and you won''t be sorry. He is a joy to work with.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Ianmac]

Does anyone know anything about this mark guy, or his website?
I can get what IM looking for for about 3600 dollars on his site.
Is he trustworthy?

What about the quality of cut?
Idealscope pictures?

 

[february2003bride]

I read your other thread and FWIW, I had a great Blue Nile experience. We''ve bought three rings from BN, my brother bought his wife''s e-ring from BN and a friend bought his wife''s e-ring from there after seeing mine. They don''t have an upgrade policy, their stones are not in house (their sig. series diamond are) but they were wonderful to work with, and I wouldn''t hesitate to buy from them again!

Carrie

 

[Ianmac]

What does everyone think about www.diamond.com?

 

[madmarlin]

Matt,

Obvioulsy I will vouch for the guy to no end. Do a thread search for "mark turnowski" or engagement rings direct" on here and you will find others who have dealt with him. He is very accomodating and will defintley go the extra mile to make sure you are happy. My two experiences were absolutely flawless.

 

[solange]

I have not bought from Engagement Rings Direct but others who have seem to have been very pleased.
What kind of stone is in the $3700 ring?
You really should give him a call and discuss it with him. There is someone else posting here who is buying a stone from "Mark T." She seems very pleased with him.
Best of luck.

 

[Ianmac]

How about this stone?
http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD00387107&filter_id=1

 

[klavigne]

That looks like a nice stone to me. I''ve had nothing but good expieriences with Blue nile. I got my gf a great pear necklace from them about a year ago and every time she wears it people tell her how much they love it. Plus the 30 days return policy give you some wiggle room if you decide against it.

The stone your looking at is a nice stone but if the symetry was a little bit better then I''d be impressed. It''s not even close to being square. That color with the flourecence will make it appear "whiter" than it actually is. But my knowledge of princess cuts is limited, so maybe one of the "experts" can chime in here.

 

[Kaleigh]

If you type in Mark Turnowski in the search box plenty of threads will come up. From what I''ve heard he is great to work with and everyone seems very happy with what they have bought from him. Good luck!!!

 

[Ianmac]

How about this one...
http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD00393992&filter_id=1

A little more symetrical
better cut
Only problem is that J color.
Is that going to be really noticable in platinum???

 

[solange]

The only problem with Blue Nile is that they do not have an upgrade policy. Engagement Rings Direct, Whiteflash, GOG and others do.
If she should want a larger stone in the future, it is very hard to sell a diamond and you will take a big loss.
On the other hand, if you are sure that she will want to stay with this ring forever, the upgrade policy would not matter.
Also, I do not believe Blue Nile will send the stone to an appraiser for you to see before you pay. Other vendors will. If you do not like it, the appraiser will return it to the vendor and you will only have to pay for the appraiser and a small shipping charge. Also, do you know if Blue Nile sends for and examines the stone or do they drop ship?

 

[ChooChoo]

I would stay away from J in a princess. They really show color.

 

[pearcrazy]

I posted this in your other thread.

Have you considered getting a white gold setting until you can afford to switch to platinum? Here's a nice princess at DCD for about $3400 http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=9671927

Just at a carat and H color, SI1 med to thick girdle

Here's a baguette setting with matching wedding band for $499 in white gold http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/engagement-detail.cfm?did=62218


Honestly, I'd want my guy to put more of his money on a bigger better diamond than a more expensive setting.

 

[pearcrazy]

BTW, this looks to be almost the same setting as the one on Blue Nile. DCD''s price is $900 in platinum and $500 in white gold.

 

[Ianmac]

Ok... torn between this from dirtcheapdiamonds:
Item No. 7049330 $2,379
1.000 H-SI3 Princess Diamond
74.5% Depth | 70% Table | VG Polish | GD Sym | N Culet



Ring Wish List

Item No. 61263 Platinum: $899
Ring Size: 6.25

Engagement Rings with SideStones
.16cttw Tapered Baguette - This beautiful tapered baguette diamond engagement band is one of the most popular settings in history. 1/4cttw Matching wedding band sold seperately for 14kt Gold: $449.00, Platinum: $599.00.


Or this from Bluenile.com
http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD00393992
http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=4524&filter_id=1

Right around the same price..
Little bigger from DCD

Let me know!

 

[E B]

Blue Nile doesn't provide pictures or idealscopes. Without these, I wouldn't buy a diamond no matter how excellent they say the cut is. That's just me, though. I'm not sure if DCD provides pictures/idealscopes, but it's worth it to ask.

Have you heard anything regarding the two stones I posted from Whiteflash?

 

[pinkflamingo]

Ebree, I think he wants something closer to 1 carat.

 

[dani13]

We bought from Mark T.- he is an awesome guy, very patient, great prices, and will find you a BEAUTIFUl diamond within your budget. I highly recommend him!!!

 

[cymbrie]

Hi Matt-I don''t know much about princesses, but I do know they show color and they are difficult to get right. Personally I would work with one of the PS recommended vendors for a fancy cut e.g. GOG, ERD, WF, etc. You can call any of them give them your budget and they will hunt down the best stones that match your budget. They all have upgrade and good return policies (some even have buy back policies) and are ALL known for their beautiful stones. I''m working with GOG right now to find an asscher (also a square cut stone my personal favorite) and they have been TOTALLY AWESOME! If a sparkly, beautiful well cut stone is what you want go with a trusted vendor who will find you the best for your budget.

 

[headlight]

I know this isn''t a princess cut -- how does she feel about emerald cuts? Still a "square" shaped stone. This is from www.antiqueengagementrings.com and is just a wee bit over your $4k at $4850. It has a GIA certificate and is .95 carats, F color, VS1, in a platinum mounting (authentic circa 1950s).

 

[headlight]

Or, this one from the same site:
A radiant cut, 1.01 ct., H color w/ faint flourescence, SI1 clarity, GIA certificate, platinum authentic circa 1930''s mounting, $4550.

I''ve bought a few pieces from them (him) and he''s terrific to work with and has beautiful pieces.
Just a suggestion.

 

[Mara]

i would nix the whole EGL SI3 thing...because that''s really a GIA I1.

stick with GIA or AGS graded stones.

work with a vendor who can get an idealscope on a stone you select ideally or take lots of pictures of the stone in various lightings etc.

a vendor you can trust to give it to you straight.

almost any PS vendor would be that.

good luck.

 

[ChooChoo]

I absolutely LOVE the emerald-cut ring that Headlight posted first. Personally, I prefer emerald cuts to princesses, but we have to find out what your gf likes!

 

[Ianmac]

Date: 3/1/2006 10:41:39 PM
Author: Mara
i would nix the whole EGL SI3 thing...because that''s really a GIA I1.

stick with GIA or AGS graded stones.

work with a vendor who can get an idealscope on a stone you select ideally or take lots of pictures of the stone in various lightings etc.

a vendor you can trust to give it to you straight.

almost any PS vendor would be that.

good luck.

This is where the question comes in... What vendors offer that idealscope picture?
Dirtcheapdiamonds?
Bluenile?
GoodoldGold?
engagementrings?

Does anyone know. Right now I really like
DCD and Bluenile.

Matt

 

[Ianmac]

Lookie Lookie what I found this morning
http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=4355972&addtowishlist=4355972

I dont know if it will show up cause I have it on hold but here are the specs:
Seems like exactly what I am looking for! only $2322 and they have my setting for 899
So I can get away for only $3221-96.63(3%wire transfer bonus) =$3124.37 Comments/Suggestions?

Stock Number: 4355972
Laboratory:
Carat Weight: 1.06
Color: G
Clarity: SI2
Shape: Princess
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Depth: 67.1%
Table: 72%
Polish: GD
Symmetry: GD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Culet: N
Girdle: -
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.81x5.71x3.83
Cut: Premium

We strongly believe that a myriad of different cut proportions can yield breathtakingly beautiful diamonds. Round diamonds, for example, with table percentages just outside the "Ideal" range or only "Good" for symmetry rating are often just as beautiful, yet up to 20% less expensive. This diamond represent a stone that is more affordable, yet just as beautiful as the technically "better" diamonds listed on the site.

 

[coda72]

I''m not in love with this stone, but it is astonishingly cheap for over a carat. That must mean one or more things are wrong. It''s poorly cut. Possible with the depth as it is, and the table usually should be smaller than the depth. It may not be eyeclean. That''s a good possibility with an SI2, although there are eyeclean ones. The price is just too low. I would definitely buy from this vendor; if I ever get my right hand ring, I will get it from them. They are very responsive to emails, and they have a very good reputation. If you want to get a well-cut eyeclean diamond, I would stick to ones around 0.75 carats. They have plenty on this site in your price range. Here''s a couple I would take a closer look at:

http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=9693932

http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=9565189

http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=9608599

 

[Ianmac]

To be honest with you, Im not extraordinarily worried about "eye clean"
SI2 is fine for me because it keeps the price down.

If I can get an idealscope picture on this diamond that would tell me more about the cut right?

They have it rated as a premium cut, doesnt that count for anything?

Matt

 

[Ianmac]

I do however LOVE that last one, its on my wish list for when I get my call back from DCD today!