20K to spend on what!?!? Advice please!

[kokoro]

Hi everyone,
Over the past 4 days, I have gone from a total newbie, to a somewhat newbie, thanks to pricescope and all it''s great info. But now after mulling over what to get and where to get it, I''m ready for the next step. Hence, I need all of your advice.

Here is my situation. I''m looking for an engagement ring for the love of my life. My budget hovers sub 20K. I''m a little bit flexible, but 20K is what I would prefet. At first, I was hoping for a round brilliant in the 1.64-2+ carat range, VVS, D-F. However, after some research and heeding of advice from others, I''ve been told that the VVS is just a waste of money, when something in the VS range would be fine. And as for color, I can go to the G range and still have a beautiful stone. I know my carat range is wide, but of course I would want something larger. I''ve also been told that something just shy of 2.0 would also be a better buy. Now, of course I''m not a spendthrift, but bottome line, I want something that my girl will be head over heels, ecstatic over, as opposed to something of a good value. With that in mind, if anyone has any advice, I would be eternally grateful. Website links, addresses of jewelers, etc would be great.

Since I live in NYC, I did venture down to the Diamond district, of course that was quite a stressful experience, but I did learn a lot. I''m familiar with the GIA certification, and understand that aside from the 4C''s there are numerous other factors invoved w/ the "bling!". (table, depth, etc.) Again, I want a special ring. Of course, specialness coupled with value would be even better! Aside from the advice on the rock itself, I was wondering if you all had advice in regards to getting a good deal. Seems to me that with so many vendors out there, everyone''s prices are pretty much the same. Any advice on that?

As for the setting, I saw a Michael B that I know she would love. I assume I can get this cheaper if I just show a jeweler a picture of the setting?

To sum up my questions in a more orderly fashion:
1) With 20K (give or take) to spend, advice what''s the best diamond I can get?
2) I assume most vendors will have similar prices? Hence, a good deal is hard to find, but everyone has an okay deal?
3) I have a setting from Michael B in mind, can any jeweler reproduce the setting from a description/picture for a better price?
4) If I buy from a random jeweler in the Diamond district, chances that I may get ripped off? (ie. different stone, etc) Any advice on reputable vendors?

Thank you all so much for your help! This is one of the most stressful yet exciting endeavors I''ve experienced. I''m looking forward to your advice. Thanks!!!

Mike

 

[Lorelei]

Hi and welcome

What a nice project for you!!! I did a search at the top of the page using pricescope your diamonds and using the info given, for around the 20k you could get a great 2 carat stone - which is a fab size diamond. Give it a try. At around 1.7 carats the price is about 14 - 15k. If you can find a great stone just shy of 2 carats then that would save some money. If you were prepared to drop to the SI grades you could get something larger, H is still a really nice colour grade, but of course it depends on what is important to you and your GF. 20k is a lot of money to spend

so take your time here and really check out each stone carefully. For that money you deserve a smasher, don't settle and don't rush. When you find some stones you are interested in, why not post the specs here and see what the experts think ? As to the other questions I can't help much except say that buying online is great, many of us have done it and are thrilled with our diamonds!! Also make sure the diamond you choose has a great cut, check carefully - this is the most important to the beauty of the stone, so don't compromise here. Good luck, keep us posted as to your progress, I am sure you will find something she will love!!!

 

[rosy]

Wow, you have a super budget! A lot of people would kill to have that budget! What is your girl most happy with? Do you think she would like a larger diamond or one of better clarity & color? Whatever you do don''t sacrifice on cut. Does the 20K include the Michael B setting?

 

[dani13]

Hi Mike, welcome!

Well, you have a challenge ahead of you, but you''ve started in the right place. Do as much research and get a lot of advice here...everyone is so nice, willing to help, and extremely knowledeable.

I would definitely stay out of those shark-infested waters (NYC''s diamond district). Stick with the tried and true recomended vendors here on pricescope. Many of them are regular''s here too. Since you are in NYC, the vendors that come to mind that have really proven themselves include Good Old Gold (www.goodoldgold.com) in LI (which is only a short drive for you), and Mark at Engagement Rings Direct in Manhattan (www.engagementringsdirect.com). I am sure many will agree with the recommendation of these 2 vendors.

I would start be narrowing down your choices and begin looking at stones. Call the vendors, give them your specifications, and they will pull some stones for you to view. Get familiar with what you like in a diamond. Then come back here, so we can help you put all the info together.

As for the setting, you can definitely have it made custom. Dont know about prices though. Even though Michael B is insanely expensive and very high end, you would have to talk to some designers and see what they could do. But, most of the time going custom is cheaper than buying designer (especially Michael B)!!!

Good luck- I am sure many experts will chime in and help you-dont worry!!! You have a great budget and will find something GORGEOUS!!!!

 

[strmrdr]

My advise is to make an appointment with Jon at goodoldgold and go talk to him.
You will learn more about diamonds than you ever wanted to know in a short amount of time as well as checking out the various options.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 7/20/2005 1:09:03 AM
Author:kokoro

To sum up my questions in a more orderly fashion:

1) With 20K (give or take) to spend, advice what's the best diamond I can get?

Fancy shape, F-G, VS2-Si1... as large and well cut as they get. H souunds good too. I would not look for higher grades unless they have some simbolic meaning to you and the girl like them small.


2) I assume most vendors will have similar prices? Hence, a good deal is hard to find, but everyone has an okay deal?

Not quite true. Take a look at thedatabase on linked on top of this page: fro the same weight and Cs prices can well vry 50% or more over a few dozen listings. SOmetimes the same stone is priced very differently by two sellers even if the listings are posted in the same place ! Between internet sellers and traditional shops, the price quotes can be just as different (higher on the ground, that is). Sad... and confusing.


3) I have a setting from Michael B in mind, can any jeweler reproduce the setting from a description/picture for a better price?

Try Platinumsmith (platinumsmith.com.au) on this forum and Art of Platinum (artofplatinum.com). The first is probably as good, the second better.


4) If I buy from a random jeweler in the Diamond district, chances that I may get ripped off? (ie. different stone, etc) Any advice on reputable vendors?

You will probably end up paying more and possibly end up with something else than you wanted, even if outright crime (what you mention) is improbable. It is rather hard to escape aggresive salesmanship, especially if yo do not know how to price and grade those goods on sight.
It would probably be useful to go on a fact finding mission first and evaluate the impressions afterwards without the hurry to get it done before the special '50%' off offer vanishes

Hope some of this helps

 

[kokoro]

Thanks everyone for all your help!!! Basically it comes down to this, I don''t want her to see a prettier ring on anyonelse''s finger! I''ll keep on doing some research and see what happens. If anyonelse has some more pearls of wisdom, thanks in advance!

Mike

 

[valeria101]

Date: 7/20/2005 10:40:06 AM
Author: kokoro

I don't want her to see a prettier ring on anyonelse's finger!

Glad to hear this spelld out ! Sure that... could not agree more !

Now, I would think there is no way to compete for the largest diamond of the bunch, because chances are there is going to be one around. So, shape and brighteness of the stone and the make of the ring will make it stand out.

Hopefully this is not way too long again...

Shape - well, it is not impossible these days to have a diamond like no other within a hundred miles because of the various new fancy cuts around (for ref. Good Old Gold lists a few - there are many others). Some of these carry serious (and, iMO, not quite pallatable premiums) over the best round brilliants (which remains the most common shape), but some do not and I would give them a thought because chances are these stones are cut for brilliance which cannot be said about many of the traditional fancies.

Brighteness - see above. It does make a difference and except for color (real color: pink, yellow... orange - not degree of colorlessness: D-J grades, say). A small vibrant diamond looks like nothing else, really. And nothing but cut insures that.

Workmanship - what can I say. To me, this is more important than the above. This might not be safe to say on a diamond forum, but really, I do believe it. So lets say design and make of the jewel is just as important as the stone. And (almost) no matter what, a superb setting would not come anywhere near the cost of the stone - at least not in your pricerange. Keep away from loudly advertized designer names and look for a custom design in 'old-world' techniques and fashion. That would definitely stand out against virtually anything but the more sophisticated Tiffany and Cartier and the like. However, it does make a difference to actually choose a model that does need and show off such craftmanship. It is not hard to find them on this forum - these are rings that amaze, generate endless discussion and follow up in many designs. As far as I remember, there were just two or three like this, and mostly commng from This shop for all the good reasons.

only PS. (i.e. 'postscriptum', not 'Pricescope')

- ok, color would help - it is fashionable to add a pink pinpoint here and there on the setting or use colored sidestones or something. Tha this really up to you and your insight in whether this will go along well with the wearer.

Case in point:

something simple:

and something not so simple...

that would turn heads as much as I can tell. No need to walk amid a 'club' like Pricescope - some fine touches are just stryking, fine as they are. Both are fancies: the first a Regent cut (H&A square from Good Old Gold) and the second an Asscher cut. Neither ringhas any tinge of color, but there are some for you to inspect around these forums here.

Of course, this is just my private, narrow, one-man-againt-the-tide view. Add salt ! Hope it helps.

 

[Regular Guy]

Here''s one idea, discountable to $20,819 if paid by wire, and reviewed seen at Pricescope...

Regards,

 

[hoorray]

If this 2.1 F/SI2 is eye clean, it could really be a beauty. If I were you, I''d call a few of the vendors who are known for selling ideal stone, explain what you are looking for, and see what they come up with. At some point in the process, you are better off establishing a relationship with the vendors, and you can then take advantage of their experience and eyes in the searching and selection process.

Good luck!

 

[Regular Guy]

Yes, sorry, here's another at $19,440 (F, VS2, 1.782)

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 7/20/2005 1:37:58 PM
Author: Regular Guy
Here''s one idea, discountable to $20,819 if paid by wire, and reviewed seen at Pricescope...

Regards,

can somebody tell me why?

this stone is dated July 05 still has teh old style AGS report?.

 

[petersong]

who is set 237? I would like to say that you are one of the true Americans and you shed some lights on local retailers as well as our reputable online vendors...

 

[pyramid]

Jessicaloss

It is against forum rules to advertise on this forum.

 

[Dancing Fire]

i think Leonid is going to execute another one very soon.