Bad Local Experiences…Need help please!!!

Hi everyone!  I am new to post here, but have been reading the forums and information sections for some time. Let me give a little back round info… I have been with an amazing girl for 5 years, and we are ready to get married.  I know she wants a “princess cut diamond, and either a white gold or platinum setting.”  So with that knowledge I did my research, learned as much as I thought I could, and started off….That was all about 6 months ago.  Knowing how people have been taken advantage of, I decided to ask friends and family for recommendations for a jeweler.  My first stop led me to a man that must have thought I was born without a brain.  I told him what I wanted, and he showed me the exact opposite.  I would have still worked with him, as he promised the best prices; however I caught him in one lie after the other.  Game over for him!  My next stop led me to a man that the family had been dealing with for over 25 years.  I went to him…very nice person, but he showed me diamonds that just were optically poor.  I really didn’t have a lot of confidence in him as an expert, but after a while, I thought I found a nice stone and asked him to mount it for me so I could see the finished product.  I went back a week later, and the diamond was mounted on an obvious angle.  He said he didn’t see it, and it looked level to him.  We went back and forth for a little while, and finally I gave up.  At this point, I have become so damn frustrated with this whole process I figured I would look at online stores again.  That’s when I discovered this website, and saw all of the recommendations from previous clients that went to good old gold.  They really seem to be on the up and up!  So I will give them a call tomorrow. 

In the mean time, I am hoping that I can get some questions answered from all of you.  I have been reading about the Jubilee cut diamond.  Now is that the same as the Square Hearts and Arrows cut?  Both are so beautiful, but I’m not sure which is which or if they are the same.  Also I read that you need to have a heavier weight princess cut to get the same size (mm) jubilee cut diamond.  So are there any cost savings by buying the lesser weight Jubilee versus the heavier princess cut?  I know this is a question that is not easily answered because of the many variables, but what can I expect to pay for a jubilee cut diamond in the 1.25 carat area d-h color and vs1-si1 clarity?  Again I am just looking for ballpark figures…I want to see if this is totally out of my range.  Would I be better off with a Square Hearts and Arrows diamond from a cost standpoint?  In terms of the setting…is platinum really better than white gold?  I am working on a budget here, and I would rather spend the money on the diamond rather than the setting.  I really like the Vatche X-Prong setting.  Does any one have experience with their costs? 

I know this was a really long winded post, but I really don’t know where else I can turn to have any of these questions answered.  Thank you all for any input you may be able to give.   

Paul

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A deal is only a deal if you are getting exactly what you want.

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Michelle

AKA Stretch4

I intend to live forever... so far, so good.

~~~ When in doubt...don't.~~~

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A deal is only a deal if you are getting exactly what you want.