Advice needed with my choice and road to buying

[Stephan]

I have little doubts that any diamond you own wouldn't be perfectly cut rather it's super ideal, Astor, GIA 3X, etc. Sorry if my comments came across brash about your stone. That wasn't the intent so I apologize for that. I just think many aren't in the same caliber but are being marketed (and priced) as comparable equals.

Interesting about the reports. Have you bought any of the better PS stones from WF? They have GIA certs too and appears to be a brand line created for customers that prefer GIA. Unfortunately, many of them don't meet the super strict requirements of the ACA line and get overlooked. But I've seen some great PS stones, and at bargain prices.

Hey sledge, I didn't take it personally and I agree 200 % with your statement about Astor. I have to browse a lot of them before considering one to purchase, even if I think all Astor are at least decent (total depth and table % are always OK, and no 35.5/41.2 diamonds). Yet a lot of them show less than ideal optical symmetry. I also think they are priced too high. I never bought a Premium Select but yes, I saw some nice ones!

 

[Siyah]

@rockysalamander: I do not mind at all. I am actually incredibly grateful for all the help in this topic; it is much more and better than I ever imagined. Learned so much already, so thank you very much!

I will go to Fortrez/Antwerp tomorrow to talk to them in person. I went to some diamond stores in The Netherlands, but they were not very helpful and very expensive, so I pass. If you guys know a great store, then of course I will go there too.

@sledge: appreciate your help and not confused at all. I will go for the 0.57ct diamond and will choose a nice setting. But first, I will go to Fortrez tomorrow to talk to them in person. I will most probably avoid all other shops there.

 

[SimoneDi]

@Siyah it will be great to see some well cut stones in person, but know that the 0.57ct G SI1 will be very close in performance to a branded H&A stone as well, so if you select to get that one in the end, you won’t be settling for less.

If you go for the BN stone, just get the setting from them, their quality is good and it’s a one-stop hassle free shop.

Make sure to take pics tomorrow when you see diamonds in person!

 

[Siyah]

@Siyah it will be great to see some well cut stones in person, but know that the 0.57ct G SI1 will be very close in performance to a branded H&A stone as well, so if you select to get that one in the end, you won’t be settling for less.

If you go for the BN stone, just get the setting from them, their quality is good and it’s a one-stop hassle free shop.

Make sure to take pics tomorrow when you see diamonds in person!

Got it, @SimoneDi. Thank you very much! The 0.57ct was a VVS2, right? If I am correct, it was the VVS2. Doesn't matter anyway, I think it's a good stone, as long as it is big enough and the setting makes it pop out a bit more.

I will definitely buy the setting from BN if I go for that stone.

Will make pics. Thanks again, much appreciated!

 

[SimoneDi]

Got it, @SimoneDi. Thank you very much! The 0.57ct was a VVS2, right? If I am correct, it was the VVS2. Doesn't matter anyway, I think it's a good stone, as long as it is big enough and the setting makes it pop out a bit more.

I will definitely buy the setting from BN if I go for that stone.

Will make pics. Thanks again, much appreciated!

Sorry, too many stones today. VVS2, correct!

 

[Matilda]

It might be an idea to take a look at the inventory of fortrez before you arrive tomorrow. That way you can have some knowledge on the price and perhaps even ask to see one in particular. A heads up: as shown earlier, for the carat size you want it will be quite a lot more expensive at Fortrez so its important to know your maximum comfortable budget. And the stone you have from BN will also be a super performer! Its a good back up!!

Specifically ask for the crafted by infinity diamonds (ideal cut)

 

[Siyah]

It might be an idea to take a look at the inventory of fortrez before you arrive tomorrow. That way you can have some knowledge on the price and perhaps even ask to see one in particular. A heads up: as shown earlier, for the carat size you want it will be quite a lot more expensive at Fortrez so its important to know your maximum comfortable budget. And the stone you have from BN will also be a super performer! Its a good back up!!

Specifically ask for the crafted by infinity diamonds (ideal cut)

Will do, thank you very much!

 

[Diamond_Hawk]

This has been quite a journey to keep up with, even as a spectator! Excited to see how it plays out.

 

[Siyah]

Hello there,

So I went to Antwerp today. Fortrez was not in, I am afraid. They were closed due to holidays, so I couldn't visit them. Instead, I went to Diamond Land and some other stores there and they were incredibly surprised when I said I want an ideal cut stone with the right proportions (triple excellent) and said I also want the right angles.

They were not very happy with that info, haha. Anyhow, I got an offer from a store there and they were searching for a stone (will share it later on here).

I guess I will go for the 0.57ct at BN. I just have a very very hard time finding the right setting, as I know now she does not like thick prongs (they should be very subtle) and I can't seem to find the right setting at BN.

Will post more later on.

 

[sledge]

Hello there,

So I went to Antwerp today. Fortrez was not in, I am afraid. They were closed due to holidays, so I couldn't visit them. Instead, I went to Diamond Land and some other stores there and they were incredibly surprised when I said I want an ideal cut stone with the right proportions (triple excellent) and said I also want the right angles.

They were not very happy with that info, haha. Anyhow, I got an offer from a store there and they were searching for a stone (will share it later on here).

I guess I will go for the 0.57ct at BN. I just have a very very hard time finding the right setting, as I know now she does not like thick prongs (they should be very subtle) and I can't seem to find the right setting at BN.

Will post more later on.

Haha, not to say I told you so but I knew you wouldn't stop at just Fortrez.

Glad to hear you didn't buy anything though. Please, please, please -- if any of the other stores you visited happen to make you an offer on a diamond please get the information and run it by us. I don't want to see you get taken advantage of and that 0.57ct stone from BN is so proportionally great it's unreal. I'm not sure you will do any better to be honest when you consider your budget, location restrictions, etc.

FYI, if the prongs is the only issue then talk with BN and ask them if they can modify the prongs as you wish. I did a custom setting and I could choose any prong type I wanted. I chose delicate claws and I think many here prefer them too. Some places charge extra for this style, but it's not crazy expensive. It's just a detail you need to talk to BN about and make sure they can do it and how much it will cost.

Inserting a few pics of my fiancee's ring to show you how her prongs look.

 

[Siyah]

Thanks, @sledge. I loveeee that ring, but I can not afford that kind of setting I am afraid. Love it though and thank you for the great message.

So here is the detailed report of that stone they offered me:

ROUND BRILLIANT
Measurements
5.39 - 5.41 x 3.37 mm
Carat Weight
0.60 carat
Color Grade
F
Clarity Grade
SI1
Cut Grade
Excellent
PROPORTIONS
Depth
62.4 %
Table
58 %
Crown Angle
35.0°
Crown Height
14.5%
Pavilion Angle
41.2°
Pavilion Depth
44.0%
Star Length
50%
Lower Half
80%
Girdle
Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted, 4.0%
Culet
None

What do you think?

 

[Matilda]

Though other posters are far more knowledgeable to answer you, in my inexperienced opinion I would say the BN diamond is a better cut. Was it cheaper or more expensive than the BN one?
I could very well be wrong!

 

[Siyah]

Though other posters are far more knowledgeable to answer you, in my inexperienced opinion I would say the BN diamond is a better cut. Was it cheaper or more expensive than the BN one?
I could very well be wrong!

It's with setting and all, 2000 Euros. On BN, with the setting my future wife will probably prefer, I come to a price of 2500 Euro, I think.

 

[Matilda]

I am getting a bit confused, do I have the right numbers?

Okay so the diamond on BN is about 1690 euros. (0.57/G)
The setting you like is
https://www.bluenile.com/be/en/buil...old_43589?elem=img&track=product&vtype=sample

So the setting is about 300 euros. In total about 2000 euros, then remove the 75 euro (discount for signing up to newsletter), so about 1900 euros or so.

Did you decide on another setting or stone? I am sorry I'm getting lost!

In regards to the prongs you can call them and ask them to make them more dainty. They should be able to do that.

 

[Siyah]

I am getting a bit confused, do I have the right numbers?

Okay so the diamond on BN is about 1690 euros. (0.57/G)
The setting you like is
https://www.bluenile.com/be/en/buil...old_43589?elem=img&track=product&vtype=sample

So the setting is about 300 euros. In total about 2000 euros, then remove the 75 euro (discount for signing up to newsletter), so about 1900 euros or so.

Did you decide on another setting or stone? I am sorry I'm getting lost!

In regards to the prongs you can call them and ask them to make them more dainty. They should be able to do that.

@Matilda: you are absolutely not getting crazy... because you are right, yet I just found out that my girlfriend actually would prefer side stones! Her sister did some kind of test on BN and the only one she liked was 900+ Euros....

So there we are now )))

That's why I am wondering what @sledge @SimoneDi @rockysalamander @lovedogs would say about the diamond I shared above...

 

[lovedogs]

Thanks, @sledge. I loveeee that ring, but I can not afford that kind of setting I am afraid. Love it though and thank you for the great message.

So here is the detailed report of that stone they offered me:

ROUND BRILLIANT
Measurements
5.39 - 5.41 x 3.37 mm
Carat Weight
0.60 carat
Color Grade
F
Clarity Grade
SI1
Cut Grade
Excellent
PROPORTIONS
Depth
62.4 %
Table
58 %
Crown Angle
35.0°
Crown Height
14.5%
Pavilion Angle
41.2°
Pavilion Depth
44.0%
Star Length
50%
Lower Half
80%
Girdle
Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted, 4.0%
Culet
None

What do you think?

Not better than the other ones suggested to you. Outside the ideal ranges.

 

[Matilda]

Okay gotcha! I hope I am wrong in suspecting it is not as good a diamond as the BN one!

 

[Siyah]

Not better than the other ones suggested to you. Outside the ideal ranges.

But is it way outside or is it minor? Would a non-expert like me and my girlfriend see the difference? Does it make that much of a difference?

If yes, then I'll keep going for the BN stone regardless of the price.

PS: am going to make sure my girlfriend tries some settings tomorrow or Saturday so that we know for 100% sure what she would like as a setting. That is my only problem now.

PS 2: I have the stone on hold until January 8th.

 

[lovedogs]

But is it way outside or is it minor? Would a non-expert like me and my girlfriend see the difference? Does it make that much of a difference?

If yes, then I'll keep going for the BN stone regardless of the price.

PS: am going to make sure my girlfriend tries some settings tomorrow or Saturday so that we know for 100% sure what she would like as a setting. That is my only problem now.

PS 2: I have the stone on hold until January 8th.

Is there any reason to want this one over the BN one? What are the advantages?

 

[Siyah]

Is there any reason to want this one over the BN one? What are the advantages?

The fact that I do not know what setting she will like and it's too hard for me to choose...
This problem can be mitigated on Saturday when I take her out to try out some settings...

The other problem would be the quality of the settings on BN. I just can't make out of pics how the diamond will look, what the size is of that setting and so on.

Anyhow, I know you are all keen on the BN stone and that's why I am still in the race for it and won't give up until I am 100% sure. It's still number one on my list, no doubt.

 

[Matilda]

Does she definitely want a three stone ring?

 

[lovedogs]

The fact that I do not know what setting she will like and it's too hard for me to choose...
This problem can be mitigated on Saturday when I take her out to try out some settings...

The other problem would be the quality of the settings on BN. I just can't make out of pics how the diamond will look, what the size is of that setting and so on.

Anyhow, I know you are all keen on the BN stone and that's why I am still in the race for it and won't give up until I am 100% sure. It's still number one on my list, no doubt.

Take her to look at settings, post a pic of what she likes, and we will help you find one on BN. I don't think going outside recommend proportions makes sense.

 

[sledge]

Thanks, @sledge. I loveeee that ring, but I can not afford that kind of setting I am afraid. Love it though and thank you for the great message.

So here is the detailed report of that stone they offered me:

ROUND BRILLIANT
Measurements
5.39 - 5.41 x 3.37 mm
Carat Weight
0.60 carat
Color Grade
F
Clarity Grade
SI1
Cut Grade
Excellent
PROPORTIONS
Depth
62.4 %
Table
58 %
Crown Angle
35.0°
Crown Height
14.5%
Pavilion Angle
41.2°
Pavilion Depth
44.0%
Star Length
50%
Lower Half
80%
Girdle
Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted, 4.0%
Culet
None

What do you think?

Nope -- I would pass on this stone. Stick with the BN stone, it's much better!

This stone has a large 58 table. More discerning is a steep 35 crown paired with a steep 41.2 pavilion. It's not complimentary and bad things start happening as that pavilion goes hits 41 and above -- especially when you consider the way GIA rounds & averages values to the nearest 0.2 degrees on pavilion measurements. Another indicator is 44% pavilion depth.

If you even consider buying this stone, you need to ask for an ASET or idealscope image; however, I'm pretty sure it's going to show some light leakage given the values.

Oh yeah, it gets a 3.8 HCA score and is predicting to be between excellent (EX) and very good (VG) cut using AGS proportions chart. As you know, we are looking for ideal.

 

[sledge]

Looking at BN, here are some .23ct stones that could be used on the sides, about 350 Euros each.

https://www.bluenile.com/be/en/diam...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

https://www.bluenile.com/be/en/diam...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab


Here is a different center diamond, reduced to about 0.40ct, around 830 Euros:

https://www.bluenile.com/be/en/diam...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab


All have 34.5/40.8 and either 55 or 56 tables, so will be similar to the other 0.57 stone we found you. Clarity needs verified on all them.

Big picture, this is what I see...

+700 Euros - 2 stones @ 0.23ct each
+830 Euros - 1 stone @ 0.40ct
+900 Euros - 3 stone setting you found
--------------------------------------------------------
+2,430 Euros total
- 75 Euros (coupon special)
--------------------------------------------------------
+2,355 Euros total

Total carat weight of 0.86.

Here's the deal -- your fiancee needs to understand you have a limited budget and understand what size of stones she may get if choosing a 3-stone ring, or that she can have a bigger single stone if going to a solitaire.

Alternatively, you can increase your budget.

 

[Siyah]

Does she definitely want a three stone ring?

Not necessarily 3. Just side stones, so could also be one of those Pave ones with a lot of side stones.

@sledge: thank you for the nice overview, it is definitely a no-go for me then. Thanks a bunch! I will make sure I have more info tomorrow as I will go out with her to try some on.

 

[sledge]

You're welcome @Siyah.

If she doesn't want a 3 stone I'd recommend you stay with the 0.57ct stone we found and a simple plain solitaire. Reasoning is simple, your budget is stretched and you are already on the fence if that is large enough.

Also I actually think it looks nicer when you have plain metal next to diamonds. So if you do a plain solitaire you could get a simple and complimentary thin diamond eternity band to place next to it as the wedding band.

That would save you money overall and allow you to space out the purchases (and save additional money) as many people buy the e-ring first and then buys the wedding band as the wedding day gets closer.

 

[rockysalamander]

I would recommend you stay with a solitaire with the BN .57. You can always upgrade the setting for a 1, 2, 3, 5, 10... year anniversary, valentine's day, etc. As long you are won't get all upset if she wants to change the setting, then all will be good.

Edited to add. If you can up your budget, you can consider on the BN's three stone settings. The price includes the side stones. But, this setting will not allow a wedding band to set flush - if that it important to her.
https://www.bluenile.com/nl/build-y...old_62483?elem=img&track=product&vtype=sample

Simple pave
https://www.bluenile.com/nl/build-y...old_46751?elem=img&track=product&vtype=sample

 

[Siyah]

You're welcome @Siyah.

If she doesn't want a 3 stone I'd recommend you stay with the 0.57ct stone we found and a simple plain solitaire. Reasoning is simple, your budget is stretched and you are already on the fence if that is large enough.

Also I actually think it looks nicer when you have plain metal next to diamonds. So if you do a plain solitaire you could get a simple and complimentary thin diamond eternity band to place next to it as the wedding band.

That would save you money overall and allow you to space out the purchases (and save additional money) as many people buy the e-ring first and then buys the wedding band as the wedding day gets closer.

I would recommend you stay with a solitaire with the BN .57. You can always upgrade the setting for a 1, 2, 3, 5, 10... year anniversary, valentine's day, etc. As long you are won't get all upset if she wants to change the setting, then all will be good.

Edited to add. If you can up your budget, you can consider on the BN's three stone settings. The price includes the side stones. But, this setting will not allow a wedding band to set flush - if that it important to her.
https://www.bluenile.com/nl/build-y...old_62483?elem=img&track=product&vtype=sample

Simple pave
https://www.bluenile.com/nl/build-y...old_46751?elem=img&track=product&vtype=sample

Thank you very much for the information, once again. I can not tell you how grateful I am. I talked with the sister of my future wife and she is now sorting out the size of the ring for me. With that in mind, I will check settings with my future wife tomorrow and try to grasp what she looks like. I will definitely make photos.

First choice is still the brilliant diamond of 0.57ct. No doubt about that. I am happy I have it on hold until the 8th of January, so that gives me some time to find the right setting.

 

[ringo865]

When you’re at the jewelry store, ask them to measure the size of her ring finger (the one on which she’ll wear this ring). That way you’ll know for sure.

 

[sledge]

Thank you very much for the information, once again. I can not tell you how grateful I am. I talked with the sister of my future wife and she is now sorting out the size of the ring for me. With that in mind, I will check settings with my future wife tomorrow and try to grasp what she looks like. I will definitely make photos.

First choice is still the brilliant diamond of 0.57ct. No doubt about that. I am happy I have it on hold until the 8th of January, so that gives me some time to find the right setting.

Absolutely do not let that stone slip away. It's a great stone and you won't easily find a stone to replace it that is as well cut with the color, clarity and reasonable price tag. I understand you are trying to sort out what's best for you, but also want you to understand what a little unicorn you have found.

When you’re at the jewelry store, ask them to measure the size of her ring finger (the one on which she’ll wear this ring). That way you’ll know for sure.

Exactly -- forget the sister and get her sized while you are looking!!

Then you will know for sure, and also have her feedback as I suspect she will say one size is kind of snug, one is kind of big and how one might be better when her finger swells, etc. Between you, her and the jeweler you can reason and decide on a size that works best. Also, you get an opportunity to talk about metal types and how certain ring types may not be sizable should her fingers swell (pregnant, etc).

If you call a jeweler ahead of time maybe they can have a 3 stone with a 0.40ct center and (2) 0.25ct center stones setup for her to view along with a simple 0.60ct solitaire.

You have a real opportunity to gain some valuable feedback here. Don't waste it!