1st time buyer (getting engaged) with questions!

[lobstrosity]

Hello,
I''m so glad I stumbled on this site, its been extremely helpful in my search. I think I have narrowed down my stone choices and setting choices but would like a little help if possible.

I am deciding between 2 stones. Which in you opinion would be the better candidate and why?
stone 1:
. Report: AGS
. Shape: A Cut Above H&A
. Carat: 0.707
. Depth %: 60.6
. Table %: 57
. Crown Angle: 34.6
. Crown %: 14.8
. Star : 52
. Pavilion Angle: 40.7
. Pavilion %: 42.8
. Lower Girdle %: 77
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 5.75-5.77X3.50
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

stone 2:
. Report: AGS
. Shape: A Cut Above H&A
. Carat: 0.740
. Depth %: 61.2
. Table %: 55.8
. Crown Angle: 34.6
. Crown %: 15.2
. Star : 54
. Pavilion Angle: 40.7
. Pavilion %: 42.8
. Lower Girdle %: 78
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 5.81-5.86X3.57
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

Also, I will be purchasing the stone from one dealer, and the setting from another. I am assuming the 2nd dealer will be willing to set the stone for me even though I didn''t purchase it from them. My question is, what are the chances of (and how can I protect myself against) the jeweler pulling a switcheroo and mounting a different, lesser stone and pocketing the one I give them? Is this just me being paranoid?

Any advice anyone might have would be hugely appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome !

Both fabulously cut diamonds, what are the colour and clarities? As to any switcherooing, nothing to worry about with reputable vendors. Also you could buy a loupe and learn to identify your diamond yourself if it has any distinctive inclusions which are visible.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 9/4/2008 4:20:43 AM
Author: Lorelei
Welcome !

Both fabulously cut diamonds, what are the colour and clarities? As to any switcherooing, nothing to worry about with reputable vendors.

ditto, beautiful stones and don''t worry they are a reputable vendor

 

[Indira-London]

Unless you have a good reason for buying from one vendor and getting the ring from another trader (e.g. that other trader has a custom-design service or a style of setting that is unique) - you are likely to get the best deal/simplicity in warrantees if you get it all done from the same place. Not all traders will sell settings/set jewellery for clients who buy diamonds elsewhere and where they do they would usually need to charge more than if the person had bought the diamond from them as each vendor needs to make a profit. In terms of accountability - its simpler for you to deal with one entity.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/4/2008 4:25:39 AM
Author: Indira-London
Unless you have a good reason for buying from one vendor and getting the ring from another trader (e.g. that other trader has a custom-design service or a style of setting that is unique) - you are likely to get the best deal/simplicity in warrantees if you get it all done from the same place. Not all traders will sell settings/set jewellery for clients who buy diamonds elsewhere and where they do they would usually need to charge more than if the person had bought the diamond from them as each vendor needs to make a profit. In terms of accountability - its simpler for you to deal with one entity.

Ditto - the vendor who has the diamonds you listed above can do the whole ring no problem, is there some reason why you would prefer to get the diamond set elsewhere?

 

[honey22]

They are both ACAs which are fabulous stones. But I would base my decision on the better colour/clarity/price etc. Can you post the rest of the details? Or the links to the stone? I would also need to determine if they are eyeclean if a lower clarity. Basically we need a bit more info before we can decide

My ering is from WF and they have some lovely settings. I would''t risk having another vendor set it, as it won''t likely be covered if the event that it is damaged. Can''t you find something you like or get a quote for a custom setting from WF?

 

[stone_seeker]

to answer the last part it is highly irregular for someone to switch a stone but if you have the certificate, you could always take it along with the set stone to an independent appraiser (which you may want to do for insurance purposes) who can verify the stone in the setting matches what the certificate.

Many folks on here are paranoid about that issue but I have yet to see a post where it actually has happened. so long as you pick a setter/jeweler who has been in the business a while odds ae he wont want to do something criminal.

 

[lobstrosity]

Wow, thanks for the responses! Its good to hear that the switcheroo isn''t much of a concern. I would love to buy both the setting and the stone from the same place but, unfortunately, the stone seller doesn''t have the setting I need. They are looking to find one for me, but I am running out of time (and not enough time to do one custom)!

I''ve added in the missing info below (oops!) and also added a 3rd stone to the mix Decisions, decisions. All stones are virtually the same price, and all are verified eye-clean.

Stone 3:
. Color: F
. Clarity: SI1
. Report: AGS
. Shape: A Cut Above H&A
. Carat: 0.756
. Depth %: 61.8
. Table %: 55.9
. Crown Angle: 34.7
. Crown %: 15.2
. Star : 54.5
. Pavilion Angle: 40.7
. Pavilion %: 42.8
. Lower Girdle %: 77.9
. Girdle: Thin to Slightly Thick
. Measurements: 5.82-5.86X3.60
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible
. Notes on AGS: clouds and surface graining are not shown

stone 2:
. color: F
. Report: AGS
. Shape: A Cut Above H&A
. Carat: 0.740
. Depth %: 61.2
. Table %: 55.8
. Crown Angle: 34.6
. Crown %: 15.2
. Star : 54
. Pavilion Angle: 40.7
. Pavilion %: 42.8
. Lower Girdle %: 78
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 5.81-5.86X3.57
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible
. Notes on AGS: additional clouds not shown

stone 1:
. Color: G
. Clarity: VS2
. Report: AGS
. Shape: A Cut Above H&A
. Carat: 0.707
. Depth %: 60.6
. Table %: 57
. Crown Angle: 34.6
. Crown %: 14.8
. Star : 52
. Pavilion Angle: 40.7
. Pavilion %: 42.8
. Lower Girdle %: 77
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 5.75-5.77X3.50
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible
. Notes on AGS: (none)


Thanks again for any advice...I''ve tried to do my research but I''m still terrified to make a mistake!

 

[Lorelei]

All winners - you can''t go wrong. Check with WF concerning the SI1 diamond that it is eyeclean to your standards, but these are all excellent choices!

 

[lobstrosity]

Oops, I forgot to add the clarity on stone 2 again, it is also SI1. WF said all are eye-clean.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/5/2008 3:47:44 AM
Author: lobstrosity
Oops, I forgot to add the clarity on stone 2 again, it is also SI1. WF said all are eye-clean.

In that case ask your rep to advise you on which is best or ask for Brian Gavin to look at them and see which one might be the most suitable - you can''t go wrong in any case.

 

[lobstrosity]

After advice from my rep thorugh WF, I went with stone 3! thanks again for the help!