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1 ct round engagement ring advice... running out of time to buy!

M

miggitymac

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 7, 2017
Messages
10
Hello everyone,

First time poster here.... I've been researching diamonds for the last few weeks and have gotten to the point where I'm driving myself a little crazy and need some help. I've shopped the various sites and find that I like shopping on James Allen the most (due to being able to see all the stones) so I would prefer to purchase from them but it's not an absolute necessity. Here are the basics of what I'm looking for and my budget:
  • size: around ~1 carat (.9 something is fine!)
  • cost: budget is ~$6500 (give can up to $7000 or so if needed)
  • cut: this is the most important factor to me and will detail below
  • color: H color or better
  • clarity: VS2 or better (the least important of the 4cs to me but it has to be eye clean)
In regards to cut, here is what I'd like to find:
  • depth: 60 - 62.5% (although my personal preference is to allow up to 62.4%)
  • table: 54 - 57%
  • crown angle: 34 - 35 degrees
  • pavilion angle: 40.6 - 41 degrees
  • girdle: want to avoid extremes so I'm looking for thin to slightly thick, thin to medium, etc.
  • polish and symmetry: very good and above (would prefer excellent)
I've seen lots of diamonds I like come and go and now I'm left scrambling to get something ordered before my planned engagement trip in 4 weeks. So, I'm kind of throwing my hands up in the air and saying "HELP!" to you for some recommendations. I'm wondering if my criteria is too restrictive and "ideal" to realistically find anything in my price range. If I need to reset my expectations, that is fine too and am willing to think outside the box to find something that will work. Thanks in advance for any help and insights!
 
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Does it have to be on JA? BN shows photos/videos of some of their diamonds as well...
 
Also, here is an Idealscope image of a close to 1.1 ct diamond I am considering for 6,400... it is SI1 and F color. Any thoughts? It scores a 1.4 on HCA.

http://imgur.com/a/MVjGH
 
OP
Rather than buy a pig in a poke, why don't you call some of the PS vendors, give them your specs and budget and let them earn their money.
I have used Lesley at BGD a few times with good success.
Good luck.
 
msop04 said:
That's a 60/60 stone, but it looks lovely... some people don't care for 60/60's, but I love them. They will throw lots of white light, but not as much colored light (fire) as diamonds in the "ideal" cut range...

Regarding the SI1 being eye clean... I'd only worry about clouds not shown. Can the vendor tell you if it's eye clean??
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Ah, I should have caught that. No wonder it was the biggest bang for the buck I could find. Ideally not looking for a 60/60.
 
miggitymac said:
Ah, I should have caught that. No wonder it was the biggest bang for the buck I could find. Ideally not looking for a 60/60.
Click to expand...

Understood...
All of the suggestions I posted are Ideal.
 
miggitymac said:
What are everyone's thoughts on this stone for $6,900? Everything looks good to me but 1) not sure on value, and 2) not sure what effect the medium blue fluorescence will have on it.

https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=5181533949
Click to expand...

Based on the report alone, it looks fine... however, you're paying extra for the VS1 (when VS2 will be eye clean), while giving up size with the thicker girdle. Others have listed better options for the money. For $7K, you should be able to hit the 6.7 mm mark.
 
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OP, what type of setting does she want?
 
soxfan said:
YES!!!!!!!! I would be shocked if this is even still available. :shock:
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I would be too!! Such an amazing value for so much diamond! AND it's in a lovely solitaire setting already! Perfect for the OP!
 
I appreciate the LP link but that is way too big for what I'm after. I understand it's a good value, but anything that much over 1 carat and I'm buying the wrong thing.
 
miggitymac said:
I appreciate the LP link but that is way too big for what I'm after. I understand it's a good value, but anything that much over 1 carat and I'm buying the wrong thing.
Click to expand...

:confused: has she said she doesn't want a larger stone? Or is it just because its pre-loved/used? This is a really beautiful stone, definitely not subpar quality stone or setting.
 
farrahlyn said:
:confused: has she said she doesn't want a larger stone? Or is it just because its pre-loved/used? This is a really beautiful stone, definitely not subpar quality stone or setting.
Click to expand...

She said she does not want larger than a carat.
 
miggitymac said:
She said she does not want larger than a carat.
Click to expand...

What is her finger size?? Is it like a 3.5? :) ...many will tell you that DSS (Diamond Shrinkage Syndrome) is real -- would she be upset or reject a larger, gorgeous diamond?? I'm so confused. LOL

OP, if I were you, I'd message the seller on LT NOW in hopes it's still available! To show you the size difference in a 6.4 and 7.4 mm... 35% larger is A LOT. This is shown on a size 5 finger.

6.4 mm vs. 7.4 mm on size 5.png
 
soxfan said:
Soooo....just tell her it's a carat. :lol:
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Because it is 1 ct... and a little extra because she's so special to you! HA! Easy peasy! :)
 
Maybe she told you that to be kind to your wallet? You should ask her. =)2

But I totally understand as well if it is an aesthetic thing and know from when i lived in the Midwest for 2 years that girls like smaller rings there. I have small fingers, short, and 91 lbs and large things look clumsy and pretentious on me.

You have a very healthy budget for 1 carat. You might even call IDJ in New York and tell him your specs and he'll find you some beautiful stones for probably less than your budget and from what I understand, his turn around time is pretty fast.
 
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