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2ish carat for an Engagement Ring

L

Lenovo

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 10, 2013
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100
I have been reading and wanted some input re an engagement ring.

Looking for a round, around 2ish carat, cut – ideal or AGS000/excellent, color – as low as I, clarity – as low as Si2 as long it is eye clean. Size plus cut is priority.

Budget - 20-25K

I did get a GIA certificate for a diamond that I attached. What do you guys think of this stone?


As far as setting, something similar to the pic below: How much do you think a setting like that may cost?

Thanks and I welcome any input.

Also, if one buys a diamond from an online retailer, is it safe? Who is to say they won't send you something else than what is shown? Just curious bc it is a large purchase.

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Attachments

have you seen the diamond? I would just want to know how obvious the inclusions are since they are dead center in the diamond. So I would want to see it first. Does the vendor have a return policey? I have a 2.04ct I1 diamond that is completely eye clean (only see inclusions with a loupe), it has twining wisps (white inclusion) also in the center but it doesn't take away from the beauty at all. So there are definitely options out there for you. You just have to be picky.

As far as the setting goes if you have it CAD/ CAST it would run you around 3k. Hand forged I'm guessing it would be closer to 7k.
 
I have not seen the diamond physically.
Not sure if the vendor has a return - its from a custom ring maker that is offering to sell the stone as well.
As per the description, it is "100% eye clean"

How much does a similar diamond go for?
Also, what are some other options?

I also had a question about the melee - does the same rules apply to them as the main stone i.e. cut/color/clarity etc. guideline (meaning should I ask for the melee with similar characteristics as the main stone)?
 
I wouldn't buy a stone that is already set in most cases. I want to see a magnified image of the stone, for one thing.

Here are some diamonds:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2972971.htm ($20,446 with PS/wire discounts)

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2962088.htm ($22.927 " )

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11297/ (nice price on this one!)

All of these are SI1 which I would prefer over SI2.

I have bought multiple diamonds from both WF and GOG, and I can tell you with certainly they are both trustworthy. And there are hundreds of recommendations for both of them posted on the forum. I cannot get the same quality locally at these prices.
 
I bought a very similar diamond off Blue Nile today. 2.00 F XXX SI 1 eye clean, Holloway 1.6. Strong Fluorescence. I'm not too concerned by the fluoro as the stone isn't milky. It was $18,740 USD.

I'm not sure how much they are asking for your diamond but there are great stones out there below your budget. My experience with Blue Nile has been great so far. Make sure you request photos and assurances, they have a returns policy which is beneficial. Don't be wary of the online retailers, you will get a much better deal by purchasing through them.
 
Thanks for the input guys. Glad to hear it is ok to buy online safely.
I contacted Mege and was quoted 20k for that stone plus setting. How is that price?
Would I be better off if I bought a diamond from another retailer with help here and then had it set?
Ideally , I would like to keep the whole project around 20k or less (but am willing to go up a little if a stone is too good to pass up ).
 
LM will definitely give you better quality (at least for the setting) then your local person. If he quoted you around 20k for the whole thing and that is your budget I would go with it. However could you piece meal it together for less- sure. But I think for someone who is new to the diamond world and doesn't know alot of the small descrapanies I would just stick with LM. He produces amazing pieces.
 
I am aware of LM and his work as far as the setting goes.
Just curious, if the same can be said for his stone service and their selection, prices, etc.

Would also appreciate some info on the melee
 
help plz!

I contacted the vendor and was told that the inclusions are all white which is why the diamond is eye clean. That is why it doesn’t matter where the inclusions are as they cannot be picked up with the naked eye. Their interpretation of eye clean is from 6” away.
 
Lenovo|1389746344|3592848 said:
Also, if one buys a diamond from an online retailer, is it safe? Who is to say they won't send you something else than what is shown? Just curious bc it is a large purchase.
Click to expand...

It depends on the vendor. Use one that you can find a lot of reviews on. Search here, other jewelry forums, yelp, BBB, etc and check them out. The only time I've seen people get things other than what was shown are when they were buying from somewhere that only uses stock pictures, like the big chain jewelry stores or sellers on ebay that just use stock pics.

I am sure LM and his people will pick a beautiful stone. I personally would have absolutely no reservations on that count.
 
distracts|1389837966|3593718 said:
Lenovo|1389746344|3592848 said:
Also, if one buys a diamond from an online retailer, is it safe? Who is to say they won't send you something else than what is shown? Just curious bc it is a large purchase.
Click to expand...

It depends on the vendor. Use one that you can find a lot of reviews on. Search here, other jewelry forums, yelp, BBB, etc and check them out. The only time I've seen people get things other than what was shown are when they were buying from somewhere that only uses stock pictures, like the big chain jewelry stores or sellers on ebay that just use stock pics.

I am sure LM and his people will pick a beautiful stone. I personally would have absolutely no reservations on that count.
Click to expand...

Thanks.
Did you see the initial GIA report of the stone I posted? That is the one picked by LM. Thougts?
 
Also, should I consider a used diamond? Is there any stigma with buying a pre-owned diamond for an e-ring?
I see user Phoenix has some nice ones on sale.
 
I personally don’t think there is a stigma to a pre-owned diamond. I am guessing there are a number of pre-owned diamonds on the market (trade-ins), but you just don’t know it. If I remember right, Phoenix’ diamonds are top cut and quality. But you need to be comfortable with it! I am not sure if Leon will set an outside stone for that particular setting, you would have to check with him and get a new quote for the setting alone. If not, you could go to Steven Kirsch and get a top quality ring from him.

It does seem like Leon is charging a reasonable price for the diamond…looks like comparables are $16-$18K, so the setting must be $2K-$4K (rough estimates of course). The cert is hard to read, but if I am reading the numbers right, it scores <less than 2 on the HCA tool, so that is good. I have not worked with Leon myself, so all I can tell you is to read reviews about his work and concierge service. There are a ton of them on Pricescope. That will help you decide if that is the route you want to go.
 
Thanks.
One if the diamonds phx is selling is actually being sold via Perry at LM.
Can you possibly compare the both and see which stone is better suited for an engagement ring ?
 
Phoenix's stones are J/VS2 so they are definitely eye clean. They are also ideal h&a. However you have to be comfortable with J color. The cert posted above has twinning wisps and feathers, which are typically inclusions not seen by naked eye. However, you have to see this particular stone in person or at least a picture to be ok with the clarity. Can the vendor provide you with pictures, aset, idealscope images?
 
What is Perry’s opinion? I think he is going to be your best “eyes” on the diamonds to help you choose. I found Phoenix’ diamonds and they are about 0.4mm bigger than the H SI2 . That is a decent size difference between the 2. They are also ideal cut so it will be a sparkler. You would need to ask Perry how the H compares from a cut perspective. I think then it comes down to what is important to you – size, color or clarity? You are making tradeoffs between both of them. The tint of a J would concern me a bit for an engagement ring, but that becomes less of an issue with a halo (the halo will mask the side of the stone). I can tell you I have an I SI2 2.3 ct that I am very happy with both color and clarity. I am not clarity sensitive as long as it is eye clean to me, but some people aren’t comfortable with the SI range.

I guess the bigger question is, what does your SO prioritize in a diamond (size, color, clarity)??? That is what counts! :wink2:
 
baby monster|1389906515|3594199 said:
Phoenix's stones are J/VS2 so they are definitely eye clean. They are also ideal h&a. However you have to be comfortable with J color. The cert posted above has twinning wisps and feathers, which are typically inclusions not seen by naked eye. However, you have to see this particular stone in person or at least a picture to be ok with the clarity. Can the vendor provide you with pictures, aset, idealscope images?
Click to expand...

I see.
I am not sure what a J color will look like in a ring. Is it yellowish? Will it not give the clear, whitish look?

I have asked the vendor for that info (LM) and will wait for response.
 
tweeter8177|1389915910|3594281 said:
What is Perry’s opinion? I think he is going to be your best “eyes” on the diamonds to help you choose. I found Phoenix’ diamonds and they are about 0.4mm bigger than the H SI2 . That is a decent size difference between the 2. They are also ideal cut so it will be a sparkler. You would need to ask Perry how the H compares from a cut perspective. I think then it comes down to what is important to you – size, color or clarity? You are making tradeoffs between both of them. The tint of a J would concern me a bit for an engagement ring, but that becomes less of an issue with a halo (the halo will mask the side of the stone). I can tell you I have an I SI2 2.3 ct that I am very happy with both color and clarity. I am not clarity sensitive as long as it is eye clean to me, but some people aren’t comfortable with the SI range.

I guess the bigger question is, what does your SO prioritize in a diamond (size, color, clarity)??? That is what counts! :wink2:
Click to expand...

excellent points!
I think eye clean would suffice - as per Perry, the diamond that he recommended is eye clean from 6inches away.
Not sure if I have enough experience to tell what a J vs H will look.
For my SO, I think size and sparkle trumps all (or so I think ahahaha)
 
I am also thinking maybe I should tone the setting down a little as it close to like 5ish K and use that money for a better center stone. What would be a comparable setting that is not so expensive?
 
A couple of thoughts instead of going with Leon...

Engagement Rings Direct does custom CAD (or hand forged if you want) and will definitely be less than Leon. They get great reviews. Here is a thread on just ERD and they have done a ton of halos. If you go with them you can open up your diamond search to a number of Pricescope vendors. You can also use ERD to source your diamond. I am guessing they can send you pictures and idealscope images of a few choices they pick. I don't know for sure, but call Chris. I sourced my diamond through them, but I actually flew there to pick out the diamond.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-erd-brilliantly-engaged-thread.192763/

Here is a Ritani Halo ring for less:
http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/french-set-halo-diamond-band-engagement-ring-in-platinum/4975 I am sure there are a number of Ritani vendors on PS, but I know Whiteflash is one of them. Here is one consideration for a diamond but there are others in your specs:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2936493.htm

I think you need to think through what is important to you. A J will still face-up white but will have tint on the side, which a halo can mask. For me an I is perfect and I own a number of diamonds in that color. My diamonds are also in the SI range and I am totally fine with them (they are eyeclean). Cut is the most important so that should be priority #1! Then, it is deciding what is most important...size, color or clarity. It is always a trade-off unless you have an unlimited budget!

Have you seen some diamonds in person to check out color? If not, head to a local jeweler and have them show you some GIA or AGS diamonds in different colors to help with that decision.

Good luck!
 
I just looked at you ring picture again and it isn't a halo ( I don't think)! Sorry! ERD can definitely make that for far less than $5k and it would still be custom and unique!
 
Sweet. Thanks tweeter. Will email ERD and see what they say.
Is it better to source a diamond from them as well or go to an outside retailer where I can maybe get a price ?
 
In my opinion, it would be tough to beat ERD diamond pricing. They are a drop shipper just like Blue Nile, so very competitive. They are located in the main "diamond" building in NY, so they can access diamonds quickly. I don't know for sure, but I believe they would pick you out a couple of nice diamonds and send you pictures, etc. for you to choose. They will need you to provide them your minimum specs, price range and examples of diamonds on their website that you like. Also, tell them you want an HCA score <2! If you are still staying in your current budget, I think you could look at I SI1s. Here are a few examples:
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/2.10-carat-i-si1-excellent-round-cut-diamond-gid-146978.html
http://www.engagementringsdirect.co...-and-arrows-round-cut-diamond-gid-146973.html
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/2.11-carat-i-si1-excellent-round-cut-diamond-gid-148306.html

Otherwise, you can go with someone like Good Old Gold (very reputable on PS).
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11297/

Or Whiteflash that I mentioned before with their in house diamonds (also very reputable). Here is another diamond in your specs.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2936493.htm

Both GOG and WF have in-house diamonds. They might cost a little more, but that is because they have already filtered through the diamonds for you and provide you a ton of information about the diamonds. It takes more of the guesswork out of on-line shopping, so you can feel comfortable you are getting a beautiful diamond.

It depends what you are comfortable with!
 
Emailed ERD. Let's see what happens.

Is it common to have stone sent to a ring maker or do most just opt for the house selection a custom maker has?
 
Right on tweeter.
Setting is almost half as much as LM or SK...

Does the quality differ significantly between ERD and other custom makers? Is it worth a 50% premium?
 
tweeter8177|1389972834|3594648 said:
In my opinion, it would be tough to beat ERD diamond pricing. They are a drop shipper just like Blue Nile, so very competitive.
Click to expand...

ERD is not exactly a drop shipper. They actually look at all the diamonds they sell to customers. They just don't keep a show room with plenty of stock. No different than Perry at Leon Mege.
 
Lenovo|1390078693|3595642 said:
Does the quality differ significantly between ERD and other custom makers? Is it worth a 50% premium?
Click to expand...

It's a tough question to answer. Have you had a chance to compare the work in person?

For some people, the premium is worth it and for others .. they can't tell the difference and it isn't worth it.
 
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