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Advice needed with my choice and road to buying

Siyah said:
I am actually starting to think like this as well.

Just a simple question: what if I see a diamond I really adore in a real store WITH it's GIA certificate in place and all "excellent"...

Would this be a good deal for me or is it still easily possible to get scammed?
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It's less about getting "scammed" and more about you paying too much for a badly cut stone. GIA XXX doesn't mean it's well cut or rhay it's a good stone.
 
lovedogs said:
It's less about getting "scammed" and more about you paying too much for a badly cut stone. GIA XXX doesn't mean it's well cut or rhay it's a good stone.
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But if GIA doesn't say it's well cut, how can I be certain about buying online then? I am actually basing it on a photo/video + GIA report which state it's an "excellent" cut. So I shouldn't trust that one either then?

Hope you can clear my confusion...
 
I'm on a mobile and can't post a link, but if you use the search on my user name and "coarse filter" you'll find some threads discussing uses the proportion ranges, hca, and aset to confirm performace. GIA excellent is the start if the process, not the end.
 
If you stick with gia or AGS diamonds, they are laser inscribed with a number. You know you get what you bought by confirming the cert and stone match. Also, you want the diamond seller to set the stone.
 
Siyah said:
But if GIA doesn't say it's well cut, how can I be certain about buying online then? I am actually basing it on a photo/video + GIA report which state it's an "excellent" cut. So I shouldn't trust that one either then?

Hope you can clear my confusion...
Click to expand...

Gia XXX alone doesn't guarantee excellent performance, you need more info. We can help you with that . It's not about not trusting gia, it's about understanding that gia XXX isnt enough info to know it's an excellent performing stone.
 
lovedogs said:
Gia XXX alone doesn't guarantee excellent performance, you need more info. We can help you with that . It's not about not trusting gia, it's about understanding that gia XXX isnt enough info to know it's an excellent performing stone.
Click to expand...

Okay, that I understand, yet what is more I need to know then? What aspects should I look for?

So I have 4 links now which I think would be nice...

https://www.bluenile.com/nl/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD10450979 (actually shared by one of you today, superb, thank you!) --> don't know if the inclusions are eye clean though

https://www.bluenile.com/nl/diamond...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

https://www.bluenile.com/nl/diamond...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

https://www.bluenile.com/nl/diamond...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab (fluorescence is strong and I don't know if the inclusions are eye clean)

What do you guys think?
 
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Siyah said:
Okay, that I understand, yet what is more I need to know then? What aspects should I look for?

So I have 4 links now which I think would be nice...

https://www.bluenile.com/nl/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD10450979 (actually shared by one of you today, superb, thank you!) --> don't know if the inclusions are eye clean though

https://www.bluenile.com/nl/diamond...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

https://www.bluenile.com/nl/diamond...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab

https://www.bluenile.com/nl/diamond...AMONDS&track=viewDiamondDetails&action=newTab (fluorescence is strong and I don't know if the inclusions are eye clean)

What do you guys think?
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The only one of those I would consider is the first one, suggested here. The others are either too deep, have black inclusions , or don't have angles within the preferred range.
 
lovedogs said:
The only one of those I would consider is the first one, suggested here. The others are either too deep, have black inclusions , or don't have angles within the preferred range.
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Alright... so I would also like to see an alternative to the first one. What would be a good alternative? (preferably same or bigger carat size)...

Could you help me/show me some alternatives that are as good or similar to the first one?

I would also love some help with the setting :lol: Man, this is definitely hard without a womans touch... haha
 
Siyah said:
Alright... so I would also like to see an alternative to the first one. What would be a good alternative? (preferably same or bigger carat size)...

Could you help me/show me some alternatives that are as good or similar to the first one?

I would also love some help with the setting :lol: Man, this is definitely hard without a womans touch... haha
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What type of setting does she want? Halo? Plain solitaire?
 
lovedogs said:
What type of setting does she want? Halo? Plain solitaire?
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Plain solitaire...
Six prongs, I think, but they should not be that high.

The problem I have with the setting, is that I can't see it in real life and the fact that the example vids and pics are showing 1 ct diamonds while mine is 0.6ct which is significantly different...

Makes the choice hard!
 
Buying online is great, but being in Europe basically limits you to bluenile. They have a EU website and therefore taxes/customs/duties/carrier handling fees are included. With the other vendors returns are a hassle and it's a hassle to get the customs fee back, the fees and duties are not refunded. If you want superideal, Fortrez is your best bet. Their pricing in the EU is a smidge less than what you'd pay if you bought a cbi in the US and paid all applicable fees yourself . Returns are not a problem either.
 
kipari said:
Buying online is great, but being in Europe basically limits you to bluenile. They have a EU website and therefore taxes/cistoms/duties/carrier handling fees are included. With the other vendors returns are a hassle and it's a hassle to get the customs fee back, the fees and duties are not refunded. If you want superideal, Fortrez is your best bet. Their pricing in the EU is a smidge less than what you'd pay if you bought a cbi in the US and paid all applicable fees yourself . Returns are not a problem either.
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That's why finding a comparison stone is hard, bc I think BN is the only vendor that includes VAT/taxes. With other vendors the budget is totally different and I have no clue how much to leave for import fees, etc.
 
kipari said:
Buying online is great, but being in Europe basically limits you to bluenile. They have a EU website and therefore taxes/customs/duties/carrier handling fees are included. With the other vendors returns are a hassle and it's a hassle to get the customs fee back, the fees and duties are not refunded. If you want superideal, Fortrez is your best bet. Their pricing in the EU is a smidge less than what you'd pay if you bought a cbi in the US and paid all applicable fees yourself . Returns are not a problem either.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your response.

Is Blue Nile a good bet, though? Can I trust their quality and the diamond + setting being excellent?
 
lovedogs said:
That's why finding a comparison stone is hard, bc I think BN is the only vendor that includes VAT/taxes. With other vendors the budget is totally different and I have no clue how much to leave for import fees, etc.
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Yes, I know... Everyone only talks about the 20%VAT, BUT I always paid 30-35% all included . On the price plus shipping, that is.
Collected by the carrier.
 
Siyah said:
Thank you for your response.

Is Blue Nile a good bet, though? Can I trust their quality and the diamond + setting being excellent?
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They are reputable and trustworthy. But it's on you to sift through all the stones to find a well cut one.
I don't know about their settings. Quality should be decent and comparable to European high street jewellers, but nothing outstanding. Maybe someone has more experience with their settings and will chime in...
 
To clarify : sifting means you filter by weight, clarity, colour And the angles given by snowdrop
Snowdrop13 said:
table: 54-58
depth: 60-62.3
crown angle: 34-35.0
pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41.0)
Click to expand...
 
kipari said:
To clarify : sifting means you filter by weight, clarity, colour And the angles given by snowdrop
Click to expand...

Yes, so we found one (one of the links above) that fits in well with these numbers...

There are two problems left for me:
1) Finding the right setting
2) Being sure if this diamond actually looks nice in real life (meaning: quality, sparkling and so on). That's my only hesitation regarding buying online, as I have never done this before.
 
I'd try to find a setting from bluenile in that case (one stop shopping has huge advantages) . If you you're not sure setting-wise, they can guide you and sometimes they can show you pictures of that setting with stones that were bought by customers to give a visual how it looks with a particular size center stone.

As I said: if you don't like it irl, at least you can send it back. Please look up their return policy and keep a Screenshot of terms and conditions, though. I am not familiar with their particular returns/refund policy atm. And those policies can change as well. Hence the Screenshot.
 
kipari said:
I'd try to find a setting from bluenile in that case (one stop shopping has huge advantages) . If you you're not sure setting-wise, they can guide you and sometimes they can show you pictures of that setting with stones that were bought by customers to give a visual how it looks with a particular size center stone.

As I said: if you don't like it irl, at least you can send it back. Please look up their return policy and keep a Screenshot of terms and conditions, though. I am not familiar with their particular returns/refund policy atm. And those policies can change as well. Hence the Screenshot.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Kipari! Yes, I know what my future wife wants, yet I can't find a nice setting on BlueNile. I am not 100% sure about the size, but you are right... at least I can send it back.

I am going to try to find a nice setting.
 
lovedogs said:
If she wants 6 prong, why not this one?

https://www.bluenile.com/nl/build-y...ting_7214?elem=img&track=product&vtype=sample

Or
https://www.bluenile.com/nl/build-y...ngagement-ring_67522?elem=title&track=product
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Because I am worried about the combination of 0.6ct with that setting...
I have just no idea how it will look like, because on the vids and photos they are using a 1ct stone, which is obviously bigger and better looking than a 0.6ct...

Grrr, this is definitely not easy!

Should I maybe go for a bit bigger regarding the stone?
 
Siyah said:
Because I am worried about the combination of 0.6ct with that setting...
I have just no idea how it will look like, because on the vids and photos they are using a 1ct stone, which is obviously bigger and better looking than a 0.6ct...

Grrr, this is definitely not easy!

Should I maybe go for a bit bigger regarding the stone?
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If you are worried about size, search Google for images of a .6 ct in a 6 prong setting. Or ask BN directly what they think would work best with a .6 ct.

Whether to go bigger or not is up to you bc it depends on budget.
 
First off, take a deep breath.

Is your budget fixed, or does it have flex? Going to a bigger diamond means spending more money and/or dropping other qualities to make it work.

What size is your girl's finger? What width of setting are you considering? Does the band taper in (get skinny) as it approaches the stone? Smaller fingers with thin band that tapers can visually make the 0.60ct appear bigger.
 
lovedogs said:
If you are worried about size, search Google for images of a .6 ct in a 6 prong setting. Or ask BN directly what they think would work best with a .6 ct.

Whether to go bigger or not is up to you bc it depends on budget.
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I tried, but couldn't find a good picture... I'll ask BN indeed. Thank you!

sledge said:
First off, take a deep breath.

Is your budget fixed, or does it have flex? Going to a bigger diamond means spending more money and/or dropping other qualities to make it work.

What size is your girl's finger? What width of setting are you considering? Does the band taper in (get skinny) as it approaches the stone? Smaller fingers with thin band that tapers can visually make the 0.60ct appear bigger.
Click to expand...

So, I managed to get a photo of her hand very quickly. Have no clue about the size yet (her sister is going to find out for me), but I have a picture haha. Am a total noob regarding all of these things, so any help is appreciated.

What width should I consider at all? She likes the classic look, but she is also fine with stones on the edges that look classy (not too big, not too small, but definitely not too crowded). The diamond itself should stand out.

Tapering in as in when viewed from the top or from the side?

WhatsApp Image 2018-12-30 at 21.47.57.jpeg
 
If you select the setting and the diamond and both are in your cart they show you the ring. ..
Or at least the dimensions together
 
You can find sizing rings and ring sticks / gauge on Ebay. They are pretty accurate.
 
I don't have time right now, but I just checked. I clicked on the link to your setting but I hit "add to ring" and picked a random diamond *at 0.33 ct* , hit "add to ring" and it shows you Screenshot_20181230-222035.pngthatring with a 0.33 ct diamond
 
Siyah said:
I tried, but couldn't find a good picture... I'll ask BN indeed. Thank you!



So, I managed to get a photo of her hand very quickly. Have no clue about the size yet (her sister is going to find out for me), but I have a picture haha. Am a total noob regarding all of these things, so any help is appreciated.

What width should I consider at all? She likes the classic look, but she is also fine with stones on the edges that look classy (not too big, not too small, but definitely not too crowded). The diamond itself should stand out.

Tapering in as in when viewed from the top or from the side?

WhatsApp Image 2018-12-30 at 21.47.57.jpeg
Click to expand...

In both of those BN setting links there is a slider under the photo which you can move to see what a smaller diamond looks like.

Do you need to go bigger? I am always under the impression that most Europeans don’t buy large stones, is she expecting this?
 
kipari said:
If you select the setting and the diamond and both are in your cart they show you the ring. ..
Or at least the dimensions together
Click to expand...

But those pics and videos are not showing the right diamond. They are showing an example diamond of 1 carat, not the carat I actually chose.

kipari said:
I don't have time right now, but I just checked. I clicked on the link to your setting but I hit "add to ring" and picked a random diamond *at 0.33 ct* , hit "add to ring" and it shows you Screenshot_20181230-222035.pngthatring with a 0.33 ct diamond
Click to expand...

Where do you see it's actually a 0.33 carat diamond on the photo? It should be a stock diamond of 1 carat.
 
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