10-16k Budget- what can i really buy?

[jirm]

Hello All!

New PSer here (actually, new to everything about diamonds

). I stumbled upon this forum while trying to do some research on an ER for my girlfriend. I gotta say I''m loving the forum and have learned a lot!

I''ve looked through many different rings, but Im pretty set on getting the Tacori 2620.

http://www.tacori.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SRCH&Search=2620RDLGP

I went into Baily Banks and saw that this setting was $3,800. I''m looking to spend around 15k, so i''m wondering what carat, color, clarity scaled diamond can i really buy for around 10-12K??

Any input will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome to Pricescope!

Have you considered buying online? If so, we could show you some examples of what you could get, but it you let us know what your preference is for colour, clarity and carat, then that would help. It is cut which is the most important factor for a diamond's beauty, so it is well worth concentrating on.

If you prefer to buy from a jeweller, ask to see some AGS0 and GIA Excellent cut grade, as this will make finding a lovely stone easier.

Here is a contender. http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4498/

If you want to maximise your carat weight, then perhaps a G or H, even I colour can be a good choice, and also a verified eyeclean SI1 or even SI2 - but it depends on your preference. As long as the cut is good, then you can drop to these grades quite comfortably and still have a very clean and white diamond.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4516/

Top clarity here, but it is a very nice diamond and in budget, so as I don't know your preferences, I thought I would post it - http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3450/

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-922673.htm#

 

[jirm]

i have no excluded the possibility of buying online.

ideally, i would like to get a diamond that is around 1.3 - 1.5ct, color of at least a G, and an excellent cut grade....of course this is just "ideal"....just wondering if my budget of 10-12k just for the diamond is reasonable for these requests...

Thanks for the quick replys btw!

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

Great picks Lorelei! I'm partial to GOG, but I like larger WF one! 1.55 ct. Yeah, baby! I just bought an I/SI1 from GOG and I am so pleased with it. No warmth at all, and I had been concerned about an I color.

jirm, I bought my Tacori set at a jewelry shop called Collections Fine Jewelry in Saginaw, Texas. 817-232-9251. I found their pricing to be good and I'm sure they wound't mind you doing mail order if you are sure of the style you want (ring has been tried on, etc.) Mailing is OK if you use registered mail.

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

Date: 6/21/2008 12:23:01 PM
Author: jirm
i have no excluded the possibility of buying online.

ideally, i would like to get a diamond that is around 1.3 - 1.5ct, color of at least a G, and an excellent cut grade....of course this is just 'ideal'....just wondering if my budget of 10-12k just for the diamond is reasonable for these requests...

Thanks for the quick replys btw!

Sorry, we were posting at the same time. Buyng online is perfectly safe and more cost effective, so no, you are not going to get near the diamond buying retail that you are going to get buying online. Same goes for the Tacori setting. BBB is very expensive.

I guess the better answer to your question is, yes, I would think that a budget of 10-12K is more than reasonable for an ideal cut diamond bought online and a setting from a store like Collections. I can't sing the praises of GOG and Collections enough. I have heard great things about WF too although I have never bought from them due to living in Texas and having to pay sales tax.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/21/2008 12:05:26 PM
Author: Lorelei
Welcome to Pricescope!

Have you considered buying online? If so, we could show you some examples of what you could get, but it you let us know what your preference is for colour, clarity and carat, then that would help. It is cut which is the most important factor for a diamond''s beauty, so it is well worth concentrating on.

If you prefer to buy from a jeweller, ask to see some AGS0 and GIA Excellent cut grade, as this will make finding a lovely stone easier.

Here is a contender. http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4498/

If you want to maximise your carat weight, then perhaps a G or H, even I colour can be a good choice, and also a verified eyeclean SI1 or even SI2 - but it depends on your preference. As long as the cut is good, then you can drop to these grades quite comfortably and still have a very clean and white diamond.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4516/

Top clarity here, but it is a very nice diamond and in budget, so as I don''t know your preferences, I thought I would post it - http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3450/

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-922673.htm#

Ditto. A very well cut stone will be more forgiving on color. Cut is the one thing you don''t want to scrimp on, it''s truly what makes the diamond.

Lorelei picked some really nice ones, I''ll throw this one in too. Rather rare size, and a great color/clarity combo, if eyeclean.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4498/

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

I used to be a clarity and color snob until I bought my first SI1 and got a bigger stone! My 2 diamonds are H and I so I guess I am over the color snobbiness too. In fact, I want a K-color round brilliant! I have fallen in love with the warmth!

All of the above diamonds would be amazing in that Tacori setting!

 

[jirm]

question: so can i buy the diamond online and take it to a local retailer to have it set? from what i understand i believe the retailer sends the setting to tacori and has them set it?

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

It depends. When I bought my Tacori locally, it already had a head for a 1 ct. square stone, so I lucked out. They popped the diamond right in. They did have to send it to Tacori for sizing, though. In most instances, though the diamond is sent to Tacori and they build the ring around the stone.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/21/2008 12:38:47 PM
Author: jirm
question: so can i buy the diamond online and take it to a local retailer to have it set? from what i understand i believe the retailer sends the setting to tacori and has them set it?

Yes, you can do that if Tacori sets it, and, if the retailer will agree to it, all won't take a diamond they don't sell you. If you got a setting where the designer doesn't set it, then we recommend sending the setting to the vendor, as they will take responsibility during the process, should the rare occurance of something going wrong happen.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 6/21/2008 12:23:01 PM
Author: jirm
i have no excluded the possibility of buying online.

ideally, i would like to get a diamond that is around 1.3 - 1.5ct, color of at least a G, and an excellent cut grade....of course this is just ''ideal''....just wondering if my budget of 10-12k just for the diamond is reasonable for these requests...

Thanks for the quick replys btw!

a top cut G SI1 sounds great

 

[mrssalvo]

I''d buy the diamond and Tacori from Goodoldgold. they''ll take responsibilty for the diamond while it''s being set at Tacori. then you get the benefit of their lifetime upgrade policy too.

 

[jirm]

only thing is i dont see the tacori 2620 on goodoldgold

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/22/2008 8:53:44 AM
Author: jirm
only thing is i dont see the tacori 2620 on goodoldgold

I would contact GOG and ask them if they could get the setting for you, well worth a try.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/22/2008 8:57:04 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 6/22/2008 8:53:44 AM
Author: jirm
only thing is i dont see the tacori 2620 on goodoldgold

I would contact GOG and ask them if they could get the setting for you, well worth a try.

Ditto. They don''t show all the settings on their site, but I''m pretty sure if they carry Tacori they can get it.

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 6/22/2008 9:01:45 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 6/22/2008 8:57:04 AM

Author: Lorelei

Date: 6/22/2008 8:53:44 AM

Author: jirm

only thing is i dont see the tacori 2620 on goodoldgold

I would contact GOG and ask them if they could get the setting for you, well worth a try.

Ditto. They don''t show all the settings on their site, but I''m pretty sure if they carry Tacori they can get it.

ditto. GOG carries tacori so they can get a hold of any tacori setting, even if it''s not shown on their website. tacori has so many settings there would be no way for a jeweler to be able to show them all.

 

[rainydaze]

hi jirm! ilike your setting choice!

just confirming for Lorelei, Ellen and mrssalvo - at the top of GOG''s site on the settings page it says this:


We carry all of the styles for each designer.
If you know of a specific style and it''s not on our search engine. .....