Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

A Typical Guy Who Needs Advice on "The Ring"

N

NYCMedic

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 26, 2012
Messages
13
Hi everyone I really appreciate the time you are taking to read and hopefully help me out. I'm looking for an engagement and would like to purchase within two weeks. I have been with my girlfriend for over four years now and I know she's the one. My dilemma is that I know next to nothing about diamonds. I've looked through blue nile but my little sister referred me onto this site to get real advice from experts. As far as the specifics I know she wants a round cut solitaire ring but that's where my knowledge of what she likes ends. I have a budget of $10,000 and don't want to get ripped off. I have an acquaintance that works for a wholesale diamond company in the diamond district in Manhattan but not really sure how much I can trust her. She quoted me some prices that I will post up and she also told me that diamond prices have fallen in the past couple of weeks. I don't want to sacrifice quality for size but I do want a nice balance of both. Here are some diamond prices that she quoted me.

RBC 1.30 CT H VS1 WITH TRIPLE EXCELLENT CUT. $ 10088 TOTAL

RBC 1.06 CT F VS2 WITH EXCELLENT CUT AND VG VG $ 8700 TOTAL

RBC 1.27cts H VS2 WITH TRIPLE EXCELLENT CUT $ 9198 TOTAL

RBC 1.20CTS G VS2 WITH TRIPLE EXCELELNT CUST $ 9460 TOTAL

I went on blue nile and punched in the specs and the prices were close but still cheaper on blue nile. My sister said I shouldn't go with an H color diamond and I really want her to have something that will light up the room. I really appreciate all the input you guys have I am willing to spend a little more maybe max $12,000 if I have to but I want her jaw to drop- when she sees the ring.
 
Welcome! My ring stone actually comes from Good Old Gold on Long Island and I highly recommend them if you do want to shop locally. They specialize in well cut stones and have a good inventory plus can access much more from NYC diamond suppliers. You can get an idea of their current stock here:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamondResults.php?shape=1&optSym=3&inHouse=3&resultsColumns=402653263

If you'd prefer to buy out of state, I have also bought diamonds from WhiteFlash in Houston. They specialize in ideal cut rounds and have their own line cut for them. I'll link a few stones for you:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2777293.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2782638.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2721308.htm

Top cut quality stones will be brilliant and beautiful. The good thing about both of these vendors is that they do give 100% credit of the price of this stone if you ever wanted to trade up to a larger diamond later.
 
In addition, if you can get the GIA report numbers for the diamonds you listed above, we can check out the report and see if any of those stones would be worth investigating further.
 
Thanks for your input diamond seeker. I know you must come across these posts every single day. I will try and get the reports to you guys asap. My question is about the H color is that bad because my sister said it was not good. I'm trying to buy a diamond that has more bling and less concerned with the size.
 
Oh, it is sort of a hobby to help people since I can't afford to buy new diamonds all the time!

Hmm, well, my e-ring diamond is G color, but I have a pendant diamond that is H color and there isn't a whole lot of difference. The thing is, when a diamond is ideal cut, it has incredible light return and even lower colored diamonds like I and J face up very white. If you put an H next to a D color diamond, you can probably see a little difference. But that will almost never happen.

Color is very personal and most of us have to balance size and color. The question is, would she enjoy a 1.2 ct H more than a 1 ct G? Most here would go to the larger diamond. But some people are color sensitive and would rather have higher color and a smaller stone. Do her sisters or close friends have diamonds yet? That might guide you a little on what those around her are wearing and what she might be expecting (if you are trying to surprise her).
 
She will be the first of her friends to be engaged so I guess you can say I am setting the standard... Lol. I don't want to disappoint thanks for your input on color. The I know she was talking g about one of her professors and how shiny the diamond is on her ring and how her cousins wife has a large diamond that looks terrible and doesn't reflect light.
 
Well good! That shows she appreciates a well cut diamond! Cut is the most important and then all the other specs!
 
Re: A Typical Guy Who Needs Advice on "The Ring"

Yea I will be going down to the diamond district on Monday. I will hopefully come away with more info and diamond candidates. Will keep this thread updated and will be looking forward to further input.
 
Good luck and be sure to get the GIA report numbers of any stones you're interested in and we can look up the reports and give you price comps if a stone is a good one.
 
NYC Medic -

If you are a paramedic, btw, thank you for your service to the people of NYC...

With that said.. You have to check out GOG. If you live in the city, you're probably used to it... But expect stores that are kind of high-pressure and sales people that can be gruff....

Head to Massapequa (it might be Massapequa Park- close to LIRR)... and go to Good Old Gold... It'll be a more peaceful environment, and low stress. They will provide lots of info to you and they are very patient.

The store looks like a regular strip mall type location, with regular showcases... and I think they could use some new carpeting. :)

But what they have in inventory... WOW! You can go online and select some diamonds you're interested in and they will show them to you and more importantly, explain to what you're looking at.
 
Carbonlover|1343442217|3241766 said:
NYC Medic -

If you are a paramedic, btw, thank you for your service to the people of NYC...

With that said.. You have to check out GOG. If you live in the city, you're probably used to it... But expect stores that are kind of high-pressure and sales people that can be gruff....

Head to Massapequa (it might be Massapequa Park- close to LIRR)... and go to Good Old Gold... It'll be a more peaceful environment, and low stress. They will provide lots of info to you and they are very patient.

The store looks like a regular strip mall type location, with regular showcases... and I think they could use some new carpeting. :)

But what they have in inventory... WOW! You can go online and select some diamonds you're interested in and they will show them to you and more importantly, explain to what you're looking at.
Click to expand...

Yes I am a Paramedic and I appreciate the thanks. I've been working the streets of NYC for over 7 years now. I will keep GOG in mind, just heading into Manhattan to an acquaintances wholesale shop to see what she has to offer. I live in queens so it's easy for me to head out Massapequa. Will keep you guys updated come Monday night when i get back. Hopefully I will have a good deal on my hands.
 
Before you go, I would strong suggest you go to the GOG website and educate yourself on diamond cut and color etc. It will save you a lot of time and money. Getting a lower color that is well cut and a great performer trumps higher colors and clarity....and will cost you less for a great performing stone....good luck!
 
Bella_mezzo|1343459743|3241906 said:
Not sure if you've seen this, or if you are open to a K SI2 diamond, but you could probably get this at a great price...it's a gorgeous ring!
http://diamondbistro.com/category/216/Natural-Diamond-Center/listings/30803/154-ct-Round-Brilliant-Platinum-Ring.html

Good Old Gold is also an awesome local option!
Click to expand...

Wow, that ring is very overpriced considering 1.5 J SI2's are going for $8000 or so. I can't even find a comp for a K 1.5. Unless a girl purposely picks out a K color for herself, I'd never recommend K color for an e-ring because you will definitely see the color in a K.
 
I've found that private sellers can have significant wiggle room on the price, so it's always worth a shot to try a lower price and see if it works (if it is something that a buyer likes/wants).

I hear what you are saying re K color, but there are many of us that think J-K diamonds can be lovely, particularly at the right combination of size and value. it can be a personal choice, but it's also something that many people won't be sensitive, especially those who don't spend significant time on PS :cheeky: . Most people notice sparkle and size ;))

I'm sure when he goes to Good Old Gold, he can compare colors and see how he feels about K color. GOG has lots of options and it will likely give him a lot of option.
 
Re: A Typical Guy Who Needs Advice on "The Ring"

Thanks for the heads up. I probably won't make it out to GOG until Tuesday the earliest. I'm getting g real anxious about it though. This is going to be a new chapter in my life. The next thing g I need to figure out is what type of setting to get. I know she wants something simple and classic.
 
What an exciting time for you!!

I live on the west coast and recently bought my diamond through Good Old Gold online. I am very impressed with them. I got an August Vintage Cushion cut stone in J color and SI1 clarity. It is white, bright and stunning!! I would NOT shy away from an H colored stone at ALL!! Most women would never be able to tell them apart, unless sitting next to a D in the right lighting. My J has a little "warmth" in certain lighting, but I am actually partial to that, so I love it. It is not "yellow" by any means and looks bright white in daylight. I think an H would be a perfect balance between very white and very cost effective.

I highly recommend GOG. And I second the suggestion to get the biggest stone you can that is excellent cut and slightly lower in color and clarity. I recommend H, SI1. (In my SI1 I have TRIED to see the inclusions with my naked eye and simply cannot. And it it is SO bright and fiery!!)

Good luck, and keep us posted!!
 
Ok I didn't get a chance to go down to the diamond district but will head out there tomorrow. In the mean time I was able to obtain prices and GIA certs for the rocks she has picked out for me to look at.

Prices:

carat 1.12 ct GVS2 XXX $ 8455
carat 1.13 ct G VS2 VG VGVGVG $ 8228
carat 1.13 ct H VS1 VGVGVG $ 8030
carat 1.20ct G VS1 VG XX $ 10282
carat 1.27 ct H VS2 XXX $ 9251
carat 1.30ct H VS1 XXX $ 9915
carat 1.30 ct H VS2 XXX $ 9572

GIA Certs:

http://imageshack.us/g/685/87892.png/

Let me know what you guys think!!
 
Well I got a chance to go down there an take a look at the diamonds in person. My friend showed A G and H color diamond together and I couldn't tell the difference between any of them. After examining them I am leaning towards the 1.3 carate H VS2 with excellent cut grade. The Gia report is in my last post and would really appreciate someone's opininion on it. The only thing that worries me about the diamond is the HCA rating. It didn't score too well and was wondering how important that factor is.
 
Cut is king. I'd personally look for better than "very good".
 
Re: A Typical Guy Who Needs Advice on "The Ring"

I agree the cut on the diamond that I am thinking about purchasing is excellent.
 
Oh I see it now. I was looking at the wrong report.
 
Re: A Typical Guy Who Needs Advice on "The Ring"

Thanks for your input guys but was wondering what you thought about the diamond I was considering. My friend works in wholesale and I'm basically getting wholesale price. Their company supplies places like GOG and other retailers.
 
why don't you ask them their best price on this?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2721311.htm

you never know...

those prices don't seem wholesale given the ones here http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare.aspx?idnos=2762646,2762647,2715447,2668681... They are super ideals so the best of the best. A cut aboves as well.

11k with ideal cut, polish, & symmetry..... compared to 9k without... seems about the same

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare.aspx?idnos=2762637,2104641

these are STILL ideal, ideal, ideal (although i wouldn't recommend them specifically) and they're cheaper or almost the same price and you're still not sacrificing down to very good anything. and you can see obvious problems with the IS... wonder what the stones with VG would look like under an IS?

is your friend able to get cheaper than you posted up the top?
 
Thanks for all your input and man I'm confused as ever. Not really sure what to do now.
 
What's confusing you?
 
Gypsy|1343936198|3244991 said:
What's confusing you?
Click to expand...

I guess "overwhelmed" is a better term at this point. There are so many things to consider when purchasing this diamond I at the point where maybe I shouldn't rush into a purchase and give myself till the end of September. I really wanted to purchase before the end of August but I've been busy trying to pick up extra shifts at work so I can afford a diamond that is a little larger while still being high quality at the same time. I went down to manhattan and finally saw what a 1 carat diamond looked like and quite frankly I thought "Darn that looks small". Had no idea how minuscule they were compared to their cost.
 
ROFLMAO.

Yes, overwhelmed is not unusual. I would push out the buy date to take some pressure off.

If you are in Manhattan make an appointment with Engagement Rings direct for an early morning (9:30) appointment so you can still make it to work, but also start the buying process. And then if you can, on a Saturday make it over to Good Old Gold in Long Island. Make appointments with Mark at ERD and with Jon and GOG -- specifically request those two people. If you go to those two places and speak to those two guys you'll get all the diamond education/viewpoints you need to make a safe and informed choice whether it is at either shop or someplace else.
 
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top