Baby steps..or full court press? To buy, or not to buy...

VH (aka GroomZilla)

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This post was brought to you by the Church of Cut Quality.

Note: I am not an expert. Just a friendly neighbor.

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On 5/12/2004 4:10:03 PM sixstrrzr wrote:

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1.Is it better to buy the diamond, then the setting?

Yes. Buy the diamond separately, then search for the setting. As a rule, high quality diamonds are not sold "pre-set" -- only the crud at maul stores (which you are wise to have avoided in the end, grasshopper) have pre-set stones.

2.Are the 4 C's most important? Or the desk percentages, etc.

General consensus here will probably be that of the four Cs, cut is the most important, provided that you chose a decent clarity and color grade. Why? Cut determines the light performance of the stone.
As for color -- most people are okay with anything up to H, I, or even J. This is a personal thing, though -- I'd go to a nice (not maul) jewelry store and look at some colors in WELL CUT stones to decide what your color threshold is. For your money, H-J in an ideal cut stone is usually the most "bang for your buck"
Clarity -- anything eyeclean is usually all that is worth paying for for most people. This means VS2, most SI1s, and some SI2s.
And of course, carat. Totally personal choice there.

3. GIA vs. IGL? Or other certs?

GIA or AGS are the most reputable, as is HRD (though not common). EGL USA (not any of the other EGLs) is okay too, you just have to be a little more careful since they're liberal on color/clarity grading.


4. Independent appraisals?
Always a good idea.
I really like the H&A, maybe .75-1.0 c, G-H, VS1, but there's probably more to consider.

Do I need to be more educated?
Don't we all? Check out the tutorial on goodoldgold.com -- it's got tons of info! And good Luck!

Thanks for the help - I know these seem like mundane questions, but I'd like to get pointed ('arrow'-style) in the right direction.
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VH (aka GroomZilla)

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This post was brought to you by the Church of Cut Quality.

Note: I am not an expert. Just a friendly neighbor.

Rhino
Good Old Gold

______________________________My therapist loves me. His name is Brian the Cutter.

Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian]

OK,

It's time to get serious...

It's been a while since my last post, and I got busy with other things for the last few months, and I'm re-educating myself on stones for an engagement ring. Last May, plunked down 10% at a maul, and next day cancelled, after poking around on net (mostly here).

My gosh, those mauls are truly full of carnival barkers...really creepy, imho.

What I'm looking for (mainly because my gf has small hands, and is active) is Round Brilliant, around .95ct, color J+ (it'll be set in a YG band), premium or ideal cut, VVs1 or 2, and would like good table/depth for max. brilliance (some maybe call this H&A - ?).

Is this the type of stone I can get on the Net? (hopefully, thast's not a dumb question).

Thanks in advance.....

Yes, you can find that on the net!  SuperbCert has a J, VS1 stone that is .95 for $3675.  You didn't mention your budget.  I'd also check out some of the other dealers who are often recommended here including Whiteflash and Good Old Gold.

I would focus on the CUT first and then the color and clarity.  Are you sure you want a VVS stone?  You can get a very clean VS stone for a lot less money. 

Hi, Patty,

Thanks,

No probably don't need VVS - except that my gf is really into gold & stones, and has a 50 loupe (I think - it's powerful), but only for evaluation - at this point, she'd probably accept CrackerJack ring (yes, we've been dating a while).

My budget for engagement ring, bridal band, and groom ring ~$8-10k.

Other than the stone (I'd like to get best value - doesn't look like B&M's the way to go), I'd like a specific setting - maybe Cathedral. Even though a Tiffany is recommended, I'd like something a little more secure for an active girl - like a channel set, or a combo channel/large prong.

LMAO!!! I just had to comment--you're very astute. I'm sure you'll be able to make her happy with what you select.

"...Why don't they just come right out and say it? 'Diamonds...that'll shut her up!' "

Not as astute as you might think (see above).

It's just that she deserves something better than she's willing to accept....I think.

I agree with Patty.  You can have a very secure setting in the Tiffany style or other prong style settings.  I think the key for someone who is very active is to not have it set high, but to pick a setting and/or crown head that is lower.  That way it won't get bumped around as much, will fit better into gloves if that matters, and in general is just more out of the way, while still looking nice.  You mentioned a cathedral style setting.  In general they tend to be higher settings tht others like the Tiffany style or a bezel set stone, so it might not be the best choice for someone active. 

Do you have any idea what style she really prefers?  (I think crackerjacks has had several variations.)  I would really try to find that out or involve her in the process, so that it is a ring that she loves. 

Second the lower setting idea... basket-type (the Wprong at Whiteflash and the Xprong by Vatche, or most Lucida-style) are usually very care-free and dainty in the same time.  After them, Tiffany's (and the copies) and the Royal crown by Vatche come close for confort, IMO. As long as there is little space and "no metal" under the center diamond, any setting model can be made lower.

Actually, these lower settings allow to make the prongs very small and still be safe (since there is way less likely for them to get bent when short). I don't hear this said very often... but it definitely holds true. The only problem ?  These settings needs to fit the stones well - it does not work to make one-size-fit-all models, as it works for the very cheap "Tiffany style" models

Just one more 0.2 thrown in. Can't wait to see the ring... 

Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian]

That was the "baby steps post"... here's the "full court press"

Since I interpret your GF's message as "better yesterday than sooner", here are two candidates off the bat: 1.33_H/VS1 and 1.5_J/VS2. 

Ana "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." [Souren Melikian]

Whiteflash.com has an Ideal cut G, VS2, GIA certed for $4809 (.95cts) 

http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-814454.htm

They also have 7 H&A's AGS certed that are just over a carat that start at $7,635 that are V2, G in color.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/advanced-diamond-search.aspx?refine

Hope this helps!

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I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.

~Mae West

Do the Wprong and xprong setting styles impair the viewing/ appearance of the diamond?

I've heard that you want as much of the top & bottom of the stone left "uncovered" to maximize brilliance - I'm just a little concerned that I'd cover up/ impede reflection of a fantastic stone with an overly protective setting.

Or, if the stone is a premioum cut, VVx clarity, it would look fantastic no matter what (possible slight over-generalization on my part) setting I choose?