12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Deserves

[msop04]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

I have an email into DK to attain more information but I am really liking his designs on Facebook. I am starting to think I should really start focusing on getting the best stone at the best price first and then I will also have it in hand to send to the designer when we agree on something. Is that a smart move on my part? I have no experience in picking the proper stone so I would 100% be relying on you folks to send me links to best deals out there. Now that I know WF won't be actually setting the diamond in one of their rings, I am open to purchasing it loose from any reputable online dealer.

Smart move! Do you have any specific color or clarity specs?… Or are you good with "eye clean" and "white"? [emoji4] If so, I'd look in the H/I, VS2-SI range. A "high" I with fluorescence in a clean SI would be The best case scenario and give you the best bang for the buck, IMO.

It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to go ahead and get a ballpark quote from DK. This will tell you how much you have left over for the stone.

Eye clean and white is fine by us. I still think I want to stay in that $9k-$12k range for the diamond. But I want bang for the buck and am perfectly fine with a lower carat looking larger because of the cut. Actual carat size doesn't mean anything to either of us. And if it matters, my wife wears a size 7.

In that case, you may be interested in 60/60 type stones as well. They face up larger for their carat weight and throw a lot of white light, which is awesome when you're looking at lower colors (not that I or J color are very low, but you get what I'm saying…). [emoji6]

I had a 2.43 ct J, and now I have a 3.33 I MRB, and both have been 60/60 type proportions. The 2.43 faced up just like a 2.5 or even a little larger, and the 3.33 faces up like a 3.5 ct, so I'm a big fan of the 60/60's! (I'm also an admitted size whore, so...) [emoji12][emoji12]

Some people do not like the 60/60 proportions; it's just individual taste. I happen to love them -- obviously. [emoji56]

 

[dkaar]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

I have an email into DK to attain more information but I am really liking his designs on Facebook. I am starting to think I should really start focusing on getting the best stone at the best price first and then I will also have it in hand to send to the designer when we agree on something. Is that a smart move on my part? I have no experience in picking the proper stone so I would 100% be relying on you folks to send me links to best deals out there. Now that I know WF won't be actually setting the diamond in one of their rings, I am open to purchasing it loose from any reputable online dealer.

Smart move! Do you have any specific color or clarity specs?… Or are you good with "eye clean" and "white"? [emoji4] If so, I'd look in the H/I, VS2-SI range. A "high" I with fluorescence in a clean SI would be The best case scenario and give you the best bang for the buck, IMO.

It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to go ahead and get a ballpark quote from DK. This will tell you how much you have left over for the stone.

Eye clean and white is fine by us. I still think I want to stay in that $9k-$12k range for the diamond. But I want bang for the buck and am perfectly fine with a lower carat looking larger because of the cut. Actual carat size doesn't mean anything to either of us. And if it matters, my wife wears a size 7.

In that case, you may be interested in 60/60 type stones as well. They face up larger for their carat weight and throw a lot of white light, which is awesome when you're looking at lower colors (not that I or J color are very low, but you get what I'm saying…). [emoji6]

I had a 2.43 ct J, and now I have a 3.33 I MRB, and both have been 60/60 type proportions. The 2.43 faced up just like a 2.5 or even a little larger, and the 3.33 faces up like a 3.5 ct, so I'm a big fan of the 60/60's! (I'm also an admitted size whore, so...) [emoji12][emoji12]

Some people do not like the 60/60 proportions; it's just individual taste. I happen to love them -- obviously. [emoji56]

I would love to see price and visual comparisons of some good 60/60's compared to "standard" cut at the same looking size. And also hear more opinions on them. Thanks for the info.

 

[msop04]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

I would love to see price and visual comparisons of some good 60/60's compared to "standard" cut at the same looking size. And also hear more opinions on them. Thanks for the info.

My 2.43 J wasn't the best cut (2.7 HCA [emoji16]), but I loved it. [emoji56]

My new stone scores great with an HCA of 0.8 -- FWIW, Yssie mentioned that scores lower than 1.0 tend to be very spready. It's not a tree 60/60, but as you can see, the proportions are similar.

 

[lovedogs]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

I would love to see price and visual comparisons of some good 60/60's compared to "standard" cut at the same looking size. And also hear more opinions on them. Thanks for the info.

My 2.43 J wasn't the best cut (2.7 HCA [emoji16]), but I loved it. [emoji56]

My new stone scores great with an HCA of 0.8 -- FWIW, Yssie mentioned that scores lower than 1.0 tend to be very spready. It's not a tree 60/60, but as you can see, the proportions are similar.

FWIW, I also like the 60/60 style. One question for MSOP while we're talking about this: will 60/60 stones usually score "worse" on the HCA? Just trying to figure that out for myself, and also something I wonder when we recommend them to newbies on the boards in terms of how to evaluate them.

 

[msop04]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

FWIW, I also like the 60/60 style. One question for MSOP while we're talking about this: will 60/60 stones usually score "worse" on the HCA? Just trying to figure that out for myself, and also something I wonder when we recommend them to newbies on the boards in terms of how to evaluate them.

lovedogs, I honestly don't know... I think it really depends on the individual stone and how the angles work together. Maybe a veteran or expert will chime in and give a more definitive answer. [emoji16]

When I was shopping for my upgrade, I found myself honing in on the 60/60's too... My "final four" stones had 3 60/60's. I ended up choosing the largest one (shocker - HA!) before I even ran the HCA for any of them. I wanted my eyes to love it. As it turns out, it scored well anyway at 0.8, so that pretty much made up my mind. [emoji57] The other two 60/60 stones scored 1.7 and like 2.1-2.2 or something like that, while the stone with the smaller table scored 1.8... but I thought they all looked good. [emoji56]

 

[msop04]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

OP, I'm sure there are many PS members with 60/60 stones, but I can't think of any right now...

Here's the link to my upgrade, if you'd like to see some photos.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-dream-solitaire-from-cvb-lad.223818/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-dream-solitaire-from-cvb-lad.223818/[/URL]

 

[dkaar]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

I have not heard back from DK yet but if any professional finds a 1.5ct stone that is a good enough deal to not pass up, let me know.

 

[ac117]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

There are currently lots of stones that meet your criteria! If you want a superideal, DS linked a few stones at the beginning of this thread from Whiteflash. There's also this one from HPD: http://highperformancediamonds.com/shop/i/hpd7726/?shop=yes and this one from VC: https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/8amy13-1.430-i-si1-ideal-hearts-arrows-round

Personally, this stone has a beautiful cut, is still below your max budget and gets you extra size! https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.71-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1852734... With James Allen, you could request idealscopes for 3 diamonds (which they can usually provide if the stone is in NY). Also ask if the fluorescence has any negative effect on the diamond (it rarely does but it doesn't hurt to ask).

 

[dkaar]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

No idealscope.

06/29/16 13:24 Adam Blackstock
Since it has Strong fluorescence, it will glow like crazy under a black light, and in the sun, there will be some sort of reaction where the diamond becomes less transparent. Since it's not in the diamond district, I'm not able to have it looked at to verify if it's subtle or very noticeable.

 

[sparkle45]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

~$9,000: 1.50 Ex cut H SI2, ((7.3 dia))
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/1.50-platinum_select_round-EX-GIA-H-SI2-diamond-stock-14434-cert-

~$11,000: 1.52 Ideal cut H SI1, ((7.3 dia))
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/1.52-platinum_select_round-I-AGS-H-SI1-diamond-stock-13388-cert-104053044029

~$13,000: 1.75 Ex cut I SI1, ((7.7 dia))
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/1.75-platinum_select_round-EX-GIA-I-SI1-diamond-stock-14436-cert-

Does she like the Old European Cut or is she set on the modern round brilliant? If she likes OEC's

~$12,000: 1.53 I VS1, ((7.4 dia))
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00/1-53ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-i-vs1#.V3RMi_krK70

~$11,500: 1.59 I VS2, ((~7.3 dia))
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00/1-59ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-i-vs2#.V3RMofkrK70

Also, Love Affair Diamonds (LAD) has some mid-ornate setting you and your wife might want to browse through - you can modify these to an extent, and the general prices are listed, so that would help you to start budgeting if you found one you like.

http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/settings-by-love-affair-and-cvb/

 

[sparkle45]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

Also, I WISH there were more OEC's on the market with S or VS fluorescence! I LOVE the way they shine purplish in the sunlight. And I live in Denver, so that's a LOT of purple shine!

You can see good photos of one here:

http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/1-80ct-transitional-cut-diamond-gia-e-si1/

https://loveaffairdiamonds.smugmug.com/Loose-Vintage-and-Antique-Diam/1x80ct-Transitional-Cut-DiamondS/i-49GJLw8

 

[msop04]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

Personally, this stone has a beautiful cut, is still below your max budget and gets you extra size! https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.71-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1852734 With James Allen, you could request idealscopes for 3 diamonds (which they can usually provide if the stone is in NY). Also ask if the fluorescence has any negative effect on the diamond (it rarely does but it doesn't hurt to ask).

GAWD, this is one gorgeous stone!! Great find, ac117!!

I love this diamond! ...and I love love LOVE that it has SBF! It is dreamy and has a very nice spread! It scores well on the HCA (1.5), so I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. JA has a wonderful return policy, so you could always return if you didn't like it -- but I'm betting you will. The link wasn't working, so I'm gonna post it again.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.71-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1852734

 

[msop04]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

No idealscope.

06/29/16 13:24 Adam Blackstock
Since it has Strong fluorescence, it will glow like crazy under a black light, and in the sun, there will be some sort of reaction where the diamond becomes less transparent. Since it's not in the diamond district, I'm not able to have it looked at to verify if it's subtle or very noticeable.

"Milkiness" or "haziness" is very rare. FWIW, I've never seen fluorescence I didn't like (even in SBF). To me, an I color with medium to strong blue fluorescence is an awesome combination and a great value, since it will make the I appear whiter and give you a lot more diamond for the money. There will be a noticeable difference in 6.4 and 6.7 mm...

 

[dkaar]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

I am concerned about it not having an idealscope. Anyone else want to weigh in?

 

[msop04]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

I am concerned about it not having an idealscope. Anyone else want to weigh in?

I didn't have an Idealscope for mine. It wasn't a deal breaker. I saw it with my eyes and was pleased when it scored well on HCA. Is it super ideal? Nope, but I got a lot for my money, and it's significantly better than my old stone... which I loved as well. [emoji56]

I wouldn't turn up my nose simply bc they can't get an Idealscope without seeing it with your eyes first. You could miss out on an amazing diamond. Just MHO. [emoji56]

Also, I believe you can buy an IS kit and check it out as well, if that's the push you need to make the final purchase. [emoji1360]

 

[Niel]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

Ja has a very good return period of you think you'd be unhappy.

Looks nice to me.

 

[dkaar]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

I am holding it until they can see if a scope can be done in house.

 

[dkaar]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

OP, this is one heck of a deal!! It's owned by DS, a veteran PS member.

https://loupetroop.com/listings/settings/tacori-2623-platinum-setting-star-new-star;11087

I have been emailing with Jan as well but this diamond looks like it might be a hair large for this setting. Thoughts?

 

[msop04]

12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Deserves

OP, this is one heck of a deal!! It's owned by DS, a veteran PS member.

https://loupetroop.com/listings/settings/tacori-2623-platinum-setting-star-new-star;11087

I have been emailing with Jan as well but this diamond looks like it might be a hair large for this setting. Thoughts?

What are the suggested dimensions for her setting?

Never mind, I just looked at the listing. I believe it would fit!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

.

 

[hkhphd]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

I'm not sure if this has already been mentioned as I have only skimmed the thread, but if you haven't written off Verragios yet they are having a liquidation of many Verragio semi-mounts on overstock.com. I just picked up the Insignia 7049D in 18k white gold for ~$950 (after the 10% off coupon). If you are still considering the brand, and she isn't dead set on very specific ring I highly suggest checking out the styles they are offering at a huge discount: http://www.overstock.com/Verragio,/brand,/results.html

Edited to add a few example pix. This one is somewhat simiar to the original Verragio you are looking at, except the halo is cushion-shaped rather than round. It's selling ~$1250, but if you sign up I think you can get the 10% off so it would be more like $1125. The savings would give you more financial flexibility when it comes to choosing a stone

 

[dkaar]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

I'm not sure if this has already been mentioned as I have only skimmed the thread, but if you haven't written off Verragios yet they are having a liquidation of many Verragio semi-mounts on overstock.com. I just picked up the Insignia 7049D in 18k white gold for ~$950 (after the 10% off coupon). If you are still considering the brand, and she isn't dead set on very specific ring I highly suggest checking out the styles they are offering at a huge discount: http://www.overstock.com/Verragio,/brand,/results.html

Thanks for the info, I will take a look.

 

[lovedogs]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

I'm not sure if this has already been mentioned as I have only skimmed the thread, but if you haven't written off Verragios yet they are having a liquidation of many Verragio semi-mounts on overstock.com. I just picked up the Insignia 7049D in 18k white gold for ~$950 (after the 10% off coupon). If you are still considering the brand, and she isn't dead set on very specific ring I highly suggest checking out the styles they are offering at a huge discount: http://www.overstock.com/Verragio,/brand,/results.html

Thanks for the info, I will take a look.

I'd strongly recommend against this. Overstock won't have quality melee at all (you can see that the "least expensive" ones listed say the melee is S1-S12). You'll be able to get much higher quality elsewhere, even given the sale

 

[hkhphd]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

I'm not sure if this has already been mentioned as I have only skimmed the thread, but if you haven't written off Verragios yet they are having a liquidation of many Verragio semi-mounts on overstock.com. I just picked up the Insignia 7049D in 18k white gold for ~$950 (after the 10% off coupon). If you are still considering the brand, and she isn't dead set on very specific ring I highly suggest checking out the styles they are offering at a huge discount: http://www.overstock.com/Verragio,/brand,/results.html

Thanks for the info, I will take a look.

I'd strongly recommend against this. Overstock won't have quality melee at all (you can see that the "least expensive" ones listed say the melee is S1-S12). You'll be able to get much higher quality elsewhere, even given the sale

Most of the rings they are offering are F-G & VS1/2, including the one I just purchased and the one I posted for OP above. These personally are good enough specs for me, especially considering I saved over $2000 and would not have been able to afford the setting otherwise. That said, I am not a diamond expert.

 

[dkaar]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

Okay folks. Attached is the scope for the 1.7ct. Please review and post comments. They will hold for 24 hrs.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.71-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1852734

 

[ac117]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

It's a solid IS!! Tiny amount of leakage that will be difficult for an untrained eye to detect. Will be absolutely beautiful in person can't wait to see it!!!

 

[msop04]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

Okay folks. Attached is the scope for the 1.7ct. Please review and post comments. They will hold for 24 hrs.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.71-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1852734

YAAAAASSSSS!!! BUY THAT STONE!!! [emoji7][emoji7]

 

[msop04]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

Omg!! Your wife is gonna freaking die!! Soooo pretty!! I'm super excited to see how you set it!! [emoji7]

 

[dkaar]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

Omg!! Your wife is gonna freaking die!! Soooo pretty!! I'm super excited to see how you set it!! [emoji7]

Any other opinions. Would love some more honest opinions before I make the purchase.

 

[Niel]

Re: 12 Years of Marriage & Time To Get My Wife What She Dese

I think yes you're making some alight compromises on cut, but to the average eye ii think they'll be negligible, what won't be is the 20 points you're getting more than you where aiming for. Also, the nice setting you'll be able to afford with nearly 4k left for the setting.

It's a game of compromises. I personally think compromising by not getting a branded cut will benefit the overall look you get with the completed ring.