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22 y/o male needing help. Buying a princess cut stone

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ffc1991

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 22, 2014
Messages
15
Hello I planned on proposing to my partner of 3 years of whom I have a daughter with in May when going away on holiday but we've had to since cancel this and can only rearrange to go later this month. So I'm now panicing quite alot as you can imagine. I've looked online at places like bluenile and James Allen and I've read loads and loads of stuff about what you want etc but even after reading it all actually picking a diamond you can't see is proving quite difficult.

My budget is quite small unfortunately around the £750 mark total. I plan on just getting a basic white gold setting for now and upgrading it later in the year and around .4 carat.

I understand that the cut is the most important and when looking at bluenile is there a major difference between the very good cut and the ideal cut? as the price does go up quite a bit. Is SL1 clarity and G/H? ok for clarity and colour?

The bit i'm not most clued up on really is all about depths etc and what i should be looking for.

Any help much appreciated and any suggestions of places to look etc.

A couple I've just been browing the past couple days are below (be honest if poor lol)

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.40-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-265990

http://www.bluenile.com/uk/build-your-own-diamond-ring?first_step=diamond&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#diamonds_builder=BYOR|forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP|pid=LD03003225

http://www.bluenile.com/uk/build-your-own-diamond-ring?first_step=diamond&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#diamonds_builder=BYOR|forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP|pid=LD03186643

Thanks

James
 
Hi Rocky,

Would a K colour rating be ok though for that size diamond? I mean .57 for that price is great but are you able to explain more on what depth etc is very good etc.

Appreciate the post.
 
ffc1991|1390417163|3598695 said:
Hi Rocky,

Would a K colour rating be ok though for that size diamond? I mean .57 for that price is great but are you able to explain more on what depth etc is very good etc.

Appreciate the post.
Click to expand...


I would take a minute to search the 'Show Me the Bling' section for K-colored stones. You can see some real-life examples right there.

I will let other folks who are more informed about princess cuts chime in about specifics, but what I do know is that an AGS 0 is a guaranteed performer!
 
When shopping in stores in the UK it was just amazing how bad some of the diamonds they were selling and for the price that's all some of the diamonds hardly sparkled and so many inclusions from what I can tell. I'm not massively bothered on size just want a good quality stone really.

James

P.S thanks for tht
 
Hi Rocky,

Is there any other sites like that with AGS ideal cuts? maybe a little less in size maybe little better in other factors?

Anyone else able to offer any help?
 
ffc1991|1390418388|3598710 said:
Hi Rocky,

Is there any other sites like that with AGS ideal cuts? maybe a little less in size maybe little better in other factors?
Click to expand...

There are not a ton of places that carry AGS-certed princess stones.

You can find a few at JamesAllen, when using their 'Advanced Search' feature, specifying 'AGS' in the 'Lab' section.

This one looks good, is under budget, and is an AGS 0 (Ideal). You can have JA pull this stone and a couple of others to run analysis (ASET, in-person inspection, etc) on:

.39ct, G, VS1
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.39-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-239581
 
Thanks once again, it's so hard to decide and without much time left pulling my hair out :-/. I'd love to go for the bigger stone you sent me who wouldn't right? but the color rating does concern me that's all, I've looked on the forum and seen a few K color but not all the greatest pictures. The picture of the .57 aswell is just massive and I can't see how it sparkles etc in light. I just wish I had a bit more time to receive a stone I pick and if not what I imagined to return it :-/
 
I'm not really a fan of any of the gavin settings, is it easy to find somewhere that will sell you a setting and fit the stone for you? are you able to give any recommendations for this?
 
RockyRacoon|1390417020|3598688 said:
Check out this option.

It is an AGS 0 (Ideal) cut. The most important thing about a stone is the cut, and princess cuts are not graded on cut by GIA. For this reason, I would suggest going with an AGS-graded stone, so that you can be sure of performance.


.57ct, K, SI1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.571-k-si1-princess-diamond-ags-bl-104061772010


This would leave you enough room for a nice setting and still come in under budget!
Click to expand...


Oh do get this one. I have a k in a 80 point roud and the color faces up white. Thing is this also has Fluor (which mine doesn't)
Fluor will, in UV lighting make the stone look whiter due to the blue color I the Fluor.

Plus at that size color is harder to see.
 
I really like the Ashley. I like the side diamonds. It's a nice price. And I think it would be nice to put maybe her birthstone or favorite color in those peakaboo side stones. Let me look someone just got one in tht setting for a half ct round.
 
ffc1991|1390421369|3598755 said:
I'm not really a fan of any of the gavin settings, is it easy to find somewhere that will sell you a setting and fit the stone for you? are you able to give any recommendations for this?
Click to expand...


Yes you could send the diamond to almost any jeweler local or another trusted PS vendor to set for you. People "mix and match" all the time.

Goodluck!
 
Niel|1390424290|3598798 said:
I really like the Ashley. I like the side diamonds. It's a nice price. And I think it would be nice to put maybe her birthstone or favorite color in those peakaboo side stones. Let me look someone just got one in tht setting for a half ct round.
Click to expand...
Found it. Of course SB is right. But it's not as convenient or fast. And there are liability issue with some.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-daughter-is-engaged-with-a-beautiful-brian-gavin-diamond.180948/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-daughter-is-engaged-with-a-beautiful-brian-gavin-diamond.180948/[/URL]
 
Hi niel,

I just think it would be nice to maybe pick a setting with my partner as it's the only thing i'm not completely sure on tbh. Is there anywhere you would recommend?
 
Gorgeous ring and your right the setting does look quite nice. hmmm might have to have a think.
 
ffc1991|1390425296|3598819 said:
Gorgeous ring and your right the setting does look quite nice. hmmm might have to have a think.
Click to expand...
Does she maybe have a Pinterest? Showed you any setting she likes??
 
White Gold I know it's all it has to be. I reserved that diamond on. Rian and Gavin just need to speak to thwm more today and have a lool around.

What's peoples experiences with Brian and Gavin? Once paid for how long should it realistically take for them to put it in it's setting and then get it sent to the UK?
 
Can someone also explain to me about paying for vat and other stuff with brian gavin. I see they add it to the order but read other posts where you have to pay it at customs or something? They wont ve delivering via fedex as UK based will be strsight to my door. Does anyone have experiences with this?

Sorry for grammar on my phone
 
My SIL has a 2carat K color princess in a lovely setting (no melee or side diamonds just a nice plat setting, 4 prong).. I was shocked at how white that stone was.. K can be K yellow or K whiter I think.. :) I would def look at a K princess.




quote="Niel|1390423640|3598785"]
RockyRacoon|1390417020|3598688 said:
Check out this option.

It is an AGS 0 (Ideal) cut. The most important thing about a stone is the cut, and princess cuts are not graded on cut by GIA. For this reason, I would suggest going with an AGS-graded stone, so that you can be sure of performance.


.57ct, K, SI1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.571-k-si1-princess-diamond-ags-bl-104061772010


This would leave you enough room for a nice setting and still come in under budget!
Click to expand...


Oh do get this one. I have a k in a 80 point roud and the color faces up white. Thing is this also has Fluor (which mine doesn't)
Fluor will, in UV lighting make the stone look whiter due to the blue color I the Fluor.

Plus at that size color is harder to see.[/quote]
 
I like the BGD stone recommended as well. Also princess cuts face up smaller in size than some other shapes so in your case I would go for the added size the BG stone has to offer even with the lower color. Keep in mind that well cut stones face up whiter and brighter than less well cut stones.

As far as setting options...I've seen inexpensive white gold solitaire settings for under $200 USD. I think this is what I would do, she will be able to safely wear her new beauty now and later you can shop around for a more permanent home for the stone together without feeling as though you've wasted a lot of cash on the original setting.

Time is your biggest issue right now though. If I understood you correctly you plan to leave for your trip within a week? That's a really short amount of time to pull this off even for someone living in the states. BGD can give you a better idea of how long it will take to arrive. I've heard of them expediting projects for people in the past so hopefully they can make this happen for you. As far as the Vat....I'm not sure, like you though, I though that it was collected when the ring went through customs and before being delivered to you. BGD can answer that question for you too.

Good Luck!!

ETA doesn't Blue Nile have a UK based location? I'm thinking that if that is true, it will be a more expedient option for you...
 
Hi Christina,

I originally was going to go with Bluenile until the poster abov mentioned about the ags? ideal cut or w.e it was and bluenile don't tend to do those.

I believe if I just ordered the diamond from BrianGavin time wise be completely fine. I've emailed them asking how long it will take to put it in a setting etc.
 
Hi Christina,

I originally was going to go with Bluenile until the poster abov mentioned about the ags? ideal cut or w.e it was and bluenile don't tend to do those.

I believe if I just ordered the diamond from BrianGavin time wise be completely fine. I've emailed them asking how long it will take to put it in a setting etc.
 
I leave on the 6th of February aswell so a little time
 
Is it a safe process to get a diamond set into a separate setting? I'm just leaning towards a loose diamond that's all but a little apprehensive about then giving it to someone else to set etc. Does anyone know any reputable dealers in the UK who would do this and the cost?
 
Sorry to be the one negative, but K color in a princess is going to show more than in an ideal cut round, and I would not recommend K color for an engagement ring. I'd rather go slightly smaller and get a whiter stone, especially in the UK where most engagement rings are not that large anyway.

You can see the tint more easily when looking at James Allen. Here is an I color one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.46-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-215243

And here is a K, and the tint is very obvious:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.46-carat-k-color-vs2-clarity-sku-275165
 
Have you tried 77 diamonds or the diamond ring company or quality diamonds. All uk vendors with decent pricing
 
Don't have input on stones, but as for VAT when the stone is shipped: the second my ring got to FedEx to be sent (I also bought from Brian Gavin) I got a phonecall asking for the payment. It was settled in no time and didn't hang up the process at all.
 
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