Surprise proposal on VDay. Budget $20k. Help me do it right!

Written by sna77 » February 5th, 2012, 9:39 am:

Written by sna77 » December 30th, 2011, 3:50 pm:bored waiting for the WF pics to come in, so I've been surfing around at random EGL stones out of boredom.

2.7 ct D VS2 for $30k and a 0.7 on the HCA. Ha, I mean even if its an F / SI1, that's pretty good.

http://www.abazias.com/database/NewDiamondInfo.asp?stock=103403464&flag=ps
http://www.abazias.com/certtemp/103403464.jpg

Heck, you can even pay GIA to certify the damn thing during the inspection period...

So they got back to me:

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Hello [twinkie],
Thank you for contacting Abazias. Stock number 103403464--2.76ct round D VS2 EGL is available but will not be a GIA F/SI1 or better. All diamonds are priced according to their true qualities and this diamond is priced like a G color, SI2 clarity stone. The diamond cutter also said it has a mild haze which is accounted for in the price. Some EGL certified stones will be only two grades lower in color and one grade lower in clarity in comparison to what has been reported on the certifcate but price will be the biggest indicator of quality. If the price of the EGL diamond is lower than a comparable weight GIA stone of F color, SI1 clarity you can anticipate the color and clarity to be even lower than average for EGL. EGL is unfortunately very inconsistent with their grading. Please contact me with any questions or if you need further assistance with your search.
Thanks again and I look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Katie.

1. DS, you're so sweet...you totally made my day!

2. TT - I really think you'll get a lot of bang for your buck at BGD, without having to sacrifice quality in the least.

And I can see what DS is saying about keeping the diamond size at the upper limit of her peer group. That's sort of what we did. I'm very proud of my ring, but I don't feel uncomfortable when people fawn over it (let me tell you, BGD's diamonds are SO SPARKLY, so people will fawn). But if it was substantially bigger than almost everyone's ring, I might feel a little awkward. And I don't know how old your gf is, or what she does, but I'm a 27 yr old patent attorney, and I would feel uncomfortable wearing a ring so much bigger than my female coworkers or the wives of the partners at my firm. If they are millionaires and still stick to the low 2 carat range, what would I look like w something so much bigger? Especially when I'm so much poorer haha. But 10 years from now, when I myself am more established, I will probably feel differently .

So I would take her age and occupation into consideration, too. Also it sounds like she would prefer something perfect and smaller than tinted or hazy and bigger. But to each their own. The fact that you're doing all of this research is great and I'm sure she'll be ecstatic regardless. Having a beautiful ring is just icing on the cake for getting to spend the rest of your life with your best friend .

Good luck and if you have any questions for me about my bgd experience etc I'm happy to help.

What about this one?

Not as big as 3ct but in the middle
2.22 I SI1 MB Fluor $23,179 wire
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.225-i-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104055873018

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity&id=836 1.71 H vs1 for 24.9k infinity diamond, its a beauty

I like this BGD "Blue" 2.002Ct I VS2 for 20.7 before your PS discount

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.002-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104049675004


So you get an additional 5% off for being a PS member, then additional off if you wire, they have to compute that. Suddenly you have the entire ring, a amazing 2.0+ct ring complete for under $23.000 bucks.

I think that 3ct will look fine on a size 4 finger. Yes-it is big but not over the top as many people here would say. I myself have a 2.9 and I get nothing but compliments. It is an I SI1 and it shows no tint at all-nor can you see any inclusions. The one inclusion that it has is a crystal on the table-and it is not visible at all. So yes, it is possible to find a beautiful high quality diamond that is "low" colored and not VS2 or VS1. It is well cut, and all you see is beautiful sparkle. It really bothers me when people urge others to get what they need in a diamond-because there are MANY exceptional daimonds that are I or J or SI1 or S12. Yes an F VS2 that is well cut is a good quality diamond-but so is a well cut H, I, or J colored diamond. I have no regrets that my diamond is an I color and also an SI1-I love it. Get what you want and if you think you need to go larger-go larger and drop the color-just make sure that it is well cut. It does not have to be a perfect hearts and arrows-just well cut so your fiance can get her sparkle!

I think that the I colored diamonds that have been suggested to you will be beautiful! And a good value. I know Jon at GOG has some beauties-and if he says a diamond is a winner you can trust him! I bought my first 2.36 I colored SI1 from him-no inclusions-no "horrible" color tint-and I wore it on my size 4 finger with no problem at all-until I upgraded for the 2.9. I love the 2.9 more just because it is bigger!

Good luck to you-go with your gut. You know your fiance and you know what she likes-trust yourself.

Written by Ravinmad » February 6th, 2012, 4:04 pm:http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity&id=836 1.71 H vs1 for 24.9k infinity diamond, its a beauty

I like this BGD "Blue" 2.002Ct I VS2 for 20.7 before your PS discount

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.002-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104049675004


So you get an additional 5% off for being a PS member, then additional off if you wire, they have to compute that. Suddenly you have the entire ring, a amazing 2.0+ct ring complete for under $23.000 bucks.

Just want to point out, the total discount (both wire + PS) is 5%.

Here is one I kind of like:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1384420.asp (True Hearts 1.71 H, VS1, $19.3k, but HCA score of 2.0)

So I found this picture of diamond clouds in a RB. If the clouds were its only inclusion, would it likely be SI1 or far lower (maybe I1?) - http://i.imgur.com/LIHrY.jpg

Written by Phoenix » February 6th, 2012, 10:04 pm:

Written by Ravinmad » February 6th, 2012, 4:04 pm:http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity&id=836 1.71 H vs1 for 24.9k infinity diamond, its a beauty

I like this BGD "Blue" 2.002Ct I VS2 for 20.7 before your PS discount

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.002-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104049675004


So you get an additional 5% off for being a PS member, then additional off if you wire, they have to compute that. Suddenly you have the entire ring, a amazing 2.0+ct ring complete for under $23.000 bucks.

Just want to point out, the total discount (both wire + PS) is 5%.

I am shopping diamonds with BGD right now, and just yesterday they said I would get the 5% PS discount, and then another lesser discount if I wired, its not a HUGE discount, but since my bank charges $25 bucks to wire, if it was worth it or not for me to do it by wire transfer. It turns out that a wire transfer will save me about $8 over using a card for the purchase. You are correct in that the 5% is the PS discount, but if you ask they will give you the skinny if you can save another $1 to ???? using the wire service. I would think on a 20,000 purchase it might be a bit more then the 2,000 i was looking to spend. YMMV

Written by twinkie_transformer » February 6th, 2012, 11:01 pm:Here is one I kind of like:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1384420.asp (True Hearts 1.71 H, VS1, $19.3k, but HCA score of 2.0)

Imo, 1.7 vs. 2ct size difference is huge, 1.5ct vs. 1.7 - not so much.

BGD blue 2.002ct I VS2 looks lovely!

I'd do the 2 ct. I over the 1.7 H.

im new to these forums! ive been researching diamonds with your EXACT same budget and concern about quality. I made an account just to reply haha. I didn't read all these posts but here was my take. I JUST pulled the trigger on a 1.55 F, VS1, XXX 1.4-1.6 HCA, no fluor. At one point I really did consider a larger diamond of around 2 carats... it came down to modesty to me. Sure some of her friends and such have 2+ carats, but that seems to be the norm around this budget. Every girl including my girlfriend would prefer a bigger diamond, but this purchase is between me and her. As long as she knows what I got her and how much better it is than most diamonds it'll make me and her happy. I don't care so much about what others think.. if its too small.. if its too overpriced.. blah blah. For the money I make, in reality, I should've gone with slightly less $ but i suppose its kind of a way to disguise how great the diamond is. I'm happy with my diamond which is being set as we speak.. now the hard part. i'd say stick with your first instincts and get a smaller with higher specs, but thats my take.

I think i got lucky. I got mine through family jeweler. It was actually posted on bluenile, but I secured it and got it cheaper than 20K! Cheaper than the wire price of bluenile woot.

good luck with your purchase! Hope i didn't offend anyone..

Written by idolo-2 » February 7th, 2012, 10:16 pm:im new to these forums! ive been researching diamonds with your EXACT same budget and concern about quality. I made an account just to reply haha. I didn't read all these posts but here was my take. I JUST pulled the trigger on a 1.55 F, VS1, XXX 1.4-1.6 HCA, no fluor. At one point I really did consider a larger diamond of around 2 carats... it came down to modesty to me. Sure some of her friends and such have 2+ carats, but that seems to be the norm around this budget. Every girl including my girlfriend would prefer a bigger diamond, but this purchase is between me and her. As long as she knows what I got her and how much better it is than most diamonds it'll make me and her happy. I don't care so much about what others think.. if its too small.. if its too overpriced.. blah blah. For the money I make, in reality, I should've gone with slightly less $ but i suppose its kind of a way to disguise how great the diamond is. I'm happy with my diamond which is being set as we speak.. now the hard part. i'd say stick with your first instincts and get a smaller with higher specs, but thats my take.

I think i got lucky. I got mine through family jeweler. It was actually posted on bluenile, but I secured it and got it cheaper than 20K! Cheaper than the wire price of bluenile woot.

good luck with your purchase! Hope i didn't offend anyone..

Great job! You certainly chose a wonderful stone and did well on your price! I basically did the same thing and went with a 1.58 G VS1 instead of going to 2 cts. in a lower color/clarity. I think a 2 ct. diamond is great for those who feel more comfortable with that. Where I would personally be uncomfortable is having a ring that is far larger than anyone else in my family or social circle. I just don't have any desire to even have the appearance of trying to outdo others.

So happy! I pulled the trigger! It's a 2.01 carat, I color, VS1 clarity, no flour, GIA XXX, 1.0 HCA FIREBALL . Seriously, when I saw this, I was immediately in love. Clarity is outstanding, nearly a VVS2. Color is high I for sure, but the cut is so amazing it faces up like an F

Don't take my word for it. Here are some pictures taken with my godawful phone camera. Remember I am not a hand model.

First, I call this The Flashlight:


This one is The Bonfire:


And here is The Icecube (taken by Derco's):


Got this bad boy for $22k on the dot (plus setting and sales tax) at Derco's in SF. Thank you John!

congrats! that is noice and sparkly

Thanks to everyone here who helped guide me towards the middle-ground between a 1.51 F and a 3.2 J. To everyone who steered me clear of "Clarity determined by clouds not shown." Especially to those in this thread who went the extra mile and showed me stones I wasn't previously thinking about.

Now comes the easy part.

Great job! It is beautiful.

Way to go! thats a beautiful stone and discussion gets the thought process going and sometimes tempers us. I believe that Its too easy to get carried away in the heat of the moment/idea etc of a major decision and not make the best choice.

again, congratulations

Wow, beautiful!!

Please let us know how it goes! I hope you bowl her over with that stone!!!

I'd say you did it right!