projectwedding.com/
 

Diamond Jewelry Forums   Picture Gallery   Video Gallery   Journal

   
 Search Posted Today Most Active Help   
 » Home »  » Diamond Prices and Grading »  » RockyTalky »  » Marginally clueless newb needs help.


  

 Marginally clueless newb needs help.

P:  8/2/2004 2:10:29 PM  
dadamerican
dadamerican

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 7
Last Post: 8/3/2004
Member Since: 8/2/2004
 
Hey, everyone. I've read that this is THE place to go for advice about diamond-buying. And, boy, do I need some. Advice, that is.

So my girlfriend and I are going to get engaged in the next month or so. We've been shopping around for settings and I think we've found one we like. But I love her like the water loves the flower and I want to make sure I get her the best damn diamond for it possible. I'm a public school teacher, so the budget isn't exactly impressive, but I want the sparkliest, most impressive diamond I can get for my buck.

I'm looking for a round brilliant cut between .66 and .75 carats. No lower than J color, and eye clean. Brilliance and fire are big important factors here.

I've been looking at the diamonds these qualifications bring up and it's frankly overwhelming. What would your advice be for a New Yorker to do? Am I correct in thinking U.S.A Certed Diamonds has a NY office? There are so many listed here that I'm not even sure where to begin.

Any help would be highly appreciated.

EDIT: In this ring what is "be stock"? Is this a good ring? The IF caught my attention but the J . . .not so sure.
Posted:  8/2/2004 2:10:29 PM

 There are 13 replies to this message.  There are 13 replies on this page.

P: 8/2/2004 2:16:59 PM
chialea
chialea

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 520
Last Post: 9/3/2004
Member Since: 4/20/2004
 
You might try having a look at this thread:
http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=16663

Good Old Gold is currently under construction, but they're supposed to be great. Give them a call or send them an email and see what you can do if you'd like to work with them.

Posted:  8/2/2004 2:16:59 PM
P: 8/2/2004 2:24:54 PM
dadamerican
dadamerican

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 7
Last Post: 8/3/2004
Member Since: 8/2/2004
 
Cool. I've actually looked around a lot at Good Old Gold. They're definitely going to be a stand by, but I'd really like to know of a place that I can actually visit. Reading all the info online is nice, but I want to see the little buggers in my hand.

Posted:  8/2/2004 2:24:54 PM
P: 8/2/2004 2:26:19 PM
dadamerican
dadamerican

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 7
Last Post: 8/3/2004
Member Since: 8/2/2004
 
I found another stone that intrigued me. What do you guys think of this?

Posted:  8/2/2004 2:26:19 PM
P: 8/2/2004 2:28:02 PM
chialea
chialea

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 520
Last Post: 9/3/2004
Member Since: 4/20/2004
 
a) you don't have enough information to judge how good the cut is
b) but that is way, way too deep. it will look much smaller than it would with a better cut

Posted:  8/2/2004 2:28:02 PM
P: 8/2/2004 2:29:31 PM
reena
reena

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 2,531
Last Post: 8/22/2005
Member Since: 7/13/2004
 
if you're in NYC, the diamond district is a good place to LOOK just to get a sense of what the different colors, sizes, and clarities look like. they'll let you look at and try on just about anything. just be sure to be firm that you're just browsing, so that they ease off the pressue.

also, michael c fina, jewelers on fifth, and even high-end places like saks and fortunoff can be good places to look for ideas.


_____________________
Cap'n Zales says, "Friends don't let friends buy the $199 holiday special! Hardy-har!"

Posted:  8/2/2004 2:29:31 PM
P: 8/2/2004 2:31:35 PM
dadamerican
dadamerican

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 7
Last Post: 8/3/2004
Member Since: 8/2/2004
 
----------------
On 8/2/2004 2:28:02 PM chialea wrote:

a) you don't have enough information to judge how good the cut is
b) but that is way, way too deep. it will look much smaller than it would with a better cut----------------



Er, to which one are you referring?

EDIT: And what is a good range for depth?

Posted:  8/2/2004 2:31:35 PM
P: 8/2/2004 2:41:05 PM
quaeritur
quaeritur

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 1,238
Last Post: 2/3/2005
Member Since: 3/12/2004
 
----------------
On 8/2/2004 2:31:35 PM dadamerican wrote:

----------------
On 8/2/2004 2:28:02 PM chialea wrote:

a) you don't have enough information to judge how good the cut is
b) but that is way, way too deep. it will look much smaller than it would with a better cut----------------



Er, to which one are you referring?

EDIT: And what is a good range for depth?----------------



I'm pretty sure she's referring to the link you posted. And by the way, I agree with her. I wouldn't want anything deeper than 63% and I'd really rather keep it to no more than 62%. You can run a search based on cut quality from here

Here are another couple of well-cut pretties for ya...
0.612 F SI1
0.62 G VS2

quaeritur

Posted:  8/2/2004 2:41:05 PM
P: 8/2/2004 3:06:02 PM
dadamerican
dadamerican

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 7
Last Post: 8/3/2004
Member Since: 8/2/2004
 
Hey, I might as well bug you folks about this, as well. (Sorry if I'm a pest.) The setting we've found that we like quite a bit is from Leigh Jay Nacht at antiqueengagementrings.com. He seemed GREAT, the absolute nicest guy we've dealt with. Has anyone else had good experiencs with him? Bad ones? Please let me know.

Posted:  8/2/2004 3:06:02 PM
P: 8/2/2004 6:54:53 PM
Rowan
Rowan

Cut Rock
Total Posts: 467
Last Post: 9/1/2006
Member Since: 7/14/2004
 
And the cut quality is what will determine how sparkly that rock is.

~*Rowan*~

Posted:  8/2/2004 6:54:53 PM
P: 8/2/2004 7:16:04 PM
wonka27
wonka27

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 628
Last Post: 9/13/2007
Member Since: 6/22/2004
 
That's right...don't sacrifice the cut!!!

Posted:  8/2/2004 7:16:04 PM
P: 8/3/2004 9:22:50 AM
Diamondsbybree
Diamondsbybree

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 575
Last Post: 5/5/2005
Member Since: 6/24/2004
 
I have heard some pretty good reviews on antiqueengagementrings.com

Posted:  8/3/2004 9:22:50 AM
P: 8/3/2004 9:52:33 AM
ChooChoo
ChooChoo

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 513
Last Post: 10/15/2006
Member Since: 9/25/2003
 
USA Certed is a good company, and they have some good stones, but you won't find it using their search function yourself, since it doesn't let you sort by cut. You should just send them an e-mail, state your price limit, and ask them what ideal-cut stones (or at least premium cuts) they have in your price range. I would drop the clarity to SI1, by the way, and if you're willing to go as low as J (though I would stay at an H/I or better) you should be able to find a decent size stone.

If you post your max price for the stone, I can also pull up some good examples from DirtCheapDiamonds and a few otehr discount vendors.

Posted:  8/3/2004 9:52:33 AM
P: 8/3/2004 10:16:13 AM
dadamerican
dadamerican

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 7
Last Post: 8/3/2004
Member Since: 8/2/2004
 
Thanks, guys. Going to see the altered setting tomorrow at antique engagement rings, then Thursday I've got an appointment with USA Certed to look at a few diamonds.

I feel this bizarre mix of fear and excitement and frustration when looking online at these things. I just want to do it in person!

Posted:  8/3/2004 10:16:13 AM

 Previous Page Next Page 
« Need advice on what to buy... «» Appraisal Est. Retail Value vs. Actual Price Paid »
Next Topics
Which Princess Diamond? Appraiser in Buffalo, NY area Diamond Wholesalers Some opinions needed on a purchase just purchased princess cut and looks too small How to look up GIA numbers Where to go for Appraising are Canadian diamonds really Canadian? Vancouver BC - loose stones? people to work with? Appraisal Est. Retail Value vs. Actual Price Paid Need help picking an engagement ring (where to buy)? Let Me Ask A Dumb Question Looking for stores in either Philly area or metro DC Opinions on these specs please! Round diamond with cavity in girdle...should i be concerned? Insurance Premium What specs do I need??? I got the GIA SPECS! take a look... First timer! RETURN OF THE FLANDERS!!! Thoughts on cut... would anyone here recommend JUBILEE - HOW MUCH!? Smaller diamond on larger hands... AGS DQD vs. DQR Breakdown (Literally & Figuratively) Tell me what you think Anyone else see the PBS specials on Diamonds? Princess Diamond on the AGA Cut Chart What is HCA, Sarin, and Ideal Scope? No Clue... Need advice on a diamond How does www.engagementringsdirect.com rate? does somebody have a IS with the specs for FIC stones... I've narrowed it down... to seventeen candidates

Jump to:



Contact Us  |  Back Home  |  Privacy Statement  |  Forum Agreement  |  Forum Policies

Ideal BB Version: 0.1.5.4.beta1 Message forum software powered by  the Ideal BB

IdealBB Badge


Pricescope - Knowledge - Diamond Prices - Tools - Resources - About

© 2000-2009 Pricescope. Terms of Use Privacy Policy Disclaimer
forum archives