advice on 1ct round for halo setting

[Vander_25]

Hi, I have been reading up on diamonds the last few months and would appreciate any advice I can get on a particular diamond I am looking at.

here is the setting I am looking at: (Gabriel & Co 18k white gold cushion halo with H diamonds)
https://www.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/ER8152W84JJ

Diamond I am looking at is around $4000. My budget is $6000, if I could spend 5 that would be better.
Diamond info:
1.06ct, J color, SI1, GIA3ex with medium flourescence. HCA is a 1.7 (ex,ex,ex,vg)
No ASET or ideal scope images available to me.




I have read that it is recommended to match the diamond with the halo color, but that pushes the stones out of my price range. A couple very nice local jewelers have said it wont be a problem to put a J in this setting so I am not sure on that one now. I was trying to go for GIA3ex, eye clean, roughly 1ct, with dimensions of table 54-58, depth <62, and angles of around 34 and 40.5.

My questions are, is this a good stone for the setting I am looking at and is it priced well? Am I focusing too heavily on certain aspects of the diamond for a 1 carat stone? My thought is that I dont want to pay for something she wont be able to notice, so I didnt want to go above h/g color or VS1 clarity. Thank you all in advance!

 

[lalala]

Beautiful stone if she can tolerate a J. As for the halo, you should be fine with an I or J.

Can you request an IS image or an ASET?

Do you live in the states or another country? You'll have to consider extra fees if you're in another country.

 

[Vander_25]

I requested an IS and ASET but they don't provide them. I have the option to send the stone back if I get it looked at and it doesn't fare well. I live in the states. I have time to make a decision as I'm thinking of popping the question in the first quarter of 2018. This stone just looked like it might be a good deal if it checks out for the setting she likes.

 

[lalala]

Are you open to other sites?

 

[Vander_25]

I am open to any recommendations. I have plenty of time so I want to get the best stone I can for the setting without going over budget. I can bump the setting down to 14k gold which would put me closer to $5500 with a $4000 stone. The setting is for a 1ct stone so .95-1.05 is what I've been looking at. My main focus has been on cut and being eye clean.

 

[Vander_25]

I am also open and might even prefer strong to very strong fluorescence to brighten the stone.

We looked in store at about 20 loose stones ranging from L-D with no fluorescence to very strong. I had a good eye and could pick out the fluorescent stones within 1-2 color grade changes. (G with none vs I with strong). It was a fun and cool exercise the jeweler put us through. She thought they all looked nice and just wants it to be sparkly.

 

[lalala]

Lol, most women do. Don't let her ever find this site! It takes a toll on your bottom line,
Lol. I'll help tomorrow, going to bed. @rockysalamander is always helpful, hopefully she'll chime in.

 

[Vander_25]

Thank you so much! I appreciate it

 

[rockysalamander]

With white gold, stick with 14k. The higher the karat metal, the higher the amount of yellow gold and the metal has more color. They plate white gold, so you want the underlying metal as white as possible. Also, be aware that some people have nickel allergies, either now or late. Do check with her that she has never reacted to cheap rings or earrings.

The numbers on your stone are fine. The 36 degree CA is a bit beyond what I personally would be willing to buy without an IS or ASET image. I usually prefer a CA at 34.5 if there are no images. So, it's your call. You can always buy as ASET kit and use it with the diamond in hand. So, option #1 is to review your stone with your own ASET kit (https://datlas.com/ideal-scope-store/aset-kit/)

If you want the diamond to stay around $4k,
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.92-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3512033
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3512008**
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/v/479764041

With the budget you have, I would strongly recommend you set the ring in a basic solitaire and give more money to the diamond. You can upgrade the setting for an anniversary.

Solitaire: https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...e-flower-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-50320

Halo. If a halo is required, JA has a similar setting. https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...-edge-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-49492

With a $5000 diamond budget, you can get one of these lovely diamonds.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3586406 {Great angles. You'll want to request and IS.}
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...olor-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3438175** {Great angles. You'll want to request and IS. Love this}
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/v/609467Z31
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3916984.htm {super ideal, .956 I VS2}**

James Allen will provide you with 3 IS (idealscope) images per email (available on most stones). Give us some thoughts and do drop ID Jewelry an email.

Your selected setting is $1650 from ID Jewelry in New York (a PS recommended vendor). You might also reach out to them. They may be able to call the stones (all but WF) I linked below and they have ASET and IS in house. They are also wonderful at working on a budget and might be able to provide you with some other choices.
https://idjewelry.com/0-39-ct-diamond-engagement-ring-set-in-14k-white-gold-diamond-halo-er8152w44jj-igcd-2347715.html

 

[Matthews1127]

With white gold, stick with 14k. The higher the karat metal, the higher the amount of yellow gold and the metal has more color. They plate white gold, so you want the underlying metal as white as possible. Also, be aware that some people have nickel allergies, either now or late. Do check with her that she has never reacted to cheap rings or earrings.

The numbers on your stone are fine. The 36 degree CA is a bit beyond what I personally would be willing to buy without an IS or ASET image. I usually prefer a CA at 34.5 if there are no images. So, it's your call. You can always buy as ASET kit and use it with the diamond in hand. So, option #1 is to review your stone with your own ASET kit (https://datlas.com/ideal-scope-store/aset-kit/)

If you want the diamond to stay around $4k,
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.92-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3512033
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3512008**
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/v/479764041

With the budget you have, I would strongly recommend you set the ring in a basic solitaire and give more money to the diamond. You can upgrade the setting for an anniversary.

Solitaire: https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...e-flower-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-50320

Halo. If a halo is required, JA has a similar setting. https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...-edge-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-49492

With a $5000 diamond budget, you can get one of these lovely diamonds.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3586406 {Great angles. You'll want to request and IS.}
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...olor-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3438175** {Great angles. You'll want to request and IS. Love this}
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/v/609467Z31
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3916984.htm {super ideal, .956 I VS2}**

James Allen will provide you with 3 IS (idealscope) images per email (available on most stones). Give us some thoughts and do drop ID Jewelry an email.

Your selected setting is $1650 from ID Jewelry in New York (a PS recommended vendor). You might also reach out to them. They may be able to call the stones (all but WF) I linked below and they have ASET and IS in house. They are also wonderful at working on a budget and might be able to provide you with some other choices.
https://idjewelry.com/0-39-ct-diamond-engagement-ring-set-in-14k-white-gold-diamond-halo-er8152w44jj-igcd-2347715.html

^——-This.
Hit the nail on the head, in most areas. Just under 1ct will save you money, and allow you to push for higher color to better match your halo diamonds. The halo adds size to the stone, and gives more finger coverage. Plus, if you find an ideal cut stone, with amazing spread, you don’t really need a halo, unless that is HER preference. ASET kits are extremely helpful, if ASETS are not available from your vendor. JA & WF do provide them, upon request, as mentioned, above.
Do investigate the suggested stones from @rockysalamander, and let us know what you think. Will also help, if you are in need of more help....
Enjoy this experience!!!

 

[WillyDiamond]

I know you can return......many on this site have stated numerous times, they don't buy without seeing images like an ASET.

 

[SimoneDi]

I actually really like the stone that OP picked and from experience with helping friends select engagement rings, if she want a halo now, she wants a halo, not a solitaire. The blue flouro will definitely help the color, if there is no negative impact, which I doubt, the stone looks transparent to me.

@rockysalamander, the crown angle on OPs stone is 35, not 36. It has nice fat arrows at 75lh, what's not to love about it!

OP, go with a 14kt gold setting. I do second the opinion to reach out to IDJ, see if they can source that same BN stone for you. They may be even able to beat the price and they provide the best prices on Gabriel&Co settings.

 

[rockysalamander]

I actually really like the stone that OP pick and from experience with helping friends select engagement rings, if she want a halo now, she wants a halo, not a solitaire. The blue flouro will definitely help the color, if there is no negative impact, which I doubt, the stone looks transparent to me.

@rockysalamander, the crown angle on OPs stone is 35, not 36. It has nice fat arrows at 75lh, what's not to love about it!

OP, go with a 14kt gold setting. I do second the opinion to reach out to IDJ, seen he can source that same BN stone for you. They may be even able to beat the price and they provide the best prices on Gabriel&Co settings.

Ack. Apparently I'm having trouble reading 35 vs. 36 on my phone (done this twice). Damn over 40 eyes...

 

[SimoneDi]

Ack. Apparently I'm having trouble reading 35 vs. 36 on my phone (done this twice). Damn over 40 eyes...

My eyes have tricked me in the past as well Also, please excuse all of my typos. Typing while walking is not my specialty

 

[Vander_25]

Thank you all so much for your input!!! I really appreciate all of the suggestions as well as the educational pointers.

She loves halos. She recently tried on about 50 different halo setting ranging from $800-$4000. This is the setting that won hands down for her. We are going to look once more to make sure the setting still holds up, so I'm mostly looking for a good stone for this setting.

I appreciate the suggestion to size down to around .95ct to bump up the color grade. I also appreciate the ID jewelry suggestion, I came across them but haven't heard much about them. They have the 14k setting for $1400 so that would give me up to $4600 for the diamond. If they can beat the price on the BN stone it may even keep me closer to my preferred budget of $5000-5500. I can go $6000 if need be and I'm prepared to but it's the max as I'm not going to finance it. I have it set aside already, so I have what I have. I'll look more into the stones @rockysalamander mentioned as well.

I will probably end up buying my own ASET / IS kit. I can use the kit for future purchases as well.

I really appreciate the help! I'll check back in when I have some more info.

 

[WillyDiamond]

OP, you can do your own viewing but what I meant is if you have the jeweler do the images, you can post them on this forum for comment by the experts (not me!). Are you locked into that setting? When I looked at the center stone in one of the pictures, it looks rather high, perhaps that is my view. Other PS vendors do halo's. If you are budget oriented you can speak to Chris at BE. BE usually comes in a little lower than SK and VC. People are happy with the quality. He can also source the stone and give you a package price.
Also, you may know this already, HCA is a rejection tool, not a selection tool, thats why the images are so important.
Anyway, best of luck.

 

[MollyMalone]

I'd be surprised if Brilliantly Engaged will produce a halo priced less than the GabrielNY setting that's captured her fancy. The least expensive halo setting I'm seeing on the BE web site is the Emily, priced at $2925 (with wire discount) in platinum,
https://www.brilliantlyengaged.com/emily-micro-pave-halo-engagement-ring-bpid-239-19.html
or about $600 more than Gabriel's suggested retail price for the Lyra setting in platinum & $1525 more than IDJ's quote for the Lyra in 14K white gold.

Plus, I'm not seeing any reason to not give her what's made her heart sing after trying on a multitude of rings/semi-mounts

IDJ's quote is 20% less than Gabriel's MSRP of $1765. So I don't know how much IDJ would be willing to undercut Blue Nile's price for the diamond (if they are able to obtain it), but of course, there's no downside to asking if they can do better for you. But do keep in mind that they are offering you services (ASET and IS images, plus video upon request; first-hand eyeballing of the BN diamond) that BN is not.

Hope you're finding this to be more fun than stressful!

 

[doberman]

If you like fluorescence, Brian Gavin Blue would be a good place to start. There are stones that meet your criteria there and they're well cut.

 

[Vander_25]

Thank you for the replies, I am enjoying it not finding it stressful. I would say the settin is set because she tried on so many halos and this was the clear winner for her against tacori, Ritani, verragio, Karl langerford, and multiple other brands. I wouldn't want one custom made because it would essentially have to be a clone of what I can just buy already and I don't see it being cheaper.

I had looked at the Brian Gavin blue as well as good old gold and white flash diamonds a few weeks ago and they didn't seem to have anything meeting my criteria in the budget I was set at. I'll take another look. I asked for images last night from James Allen on a couple stones but they are in the $5000 range which would put me around $6500 so it's pushing further out of my budget. The good thing is that I'm not in a rush so the perfect stone could show up with persistence that fits the budget.

 

[SimoneDi]

@Vander_25 I also agree with sticking with Gabriel&Co from IDJ.they can also only source you the setting, they pricing is always cheaper than G&Co's advertised.

BGDs sale of the year is usually right around thanksgiving, so just 2 weeks away!

 

[Vander_25]

ID jewelry has great pricing on the setting with a diamond. I didnt ask today about price for the setting alone. I am waiting back on images for a couple options they sent me today. Do you know if Brian Gavin ever has sales/discount codes on just the brian gavin blue diamonds? I saw that last year for black friday they had a discount in diamonds with purcahse of a setting. I called today and they would not be able to source a gabriel setting. I would have to buy the diamond and sit on it for a while until I could afford to buy the setting from IDJ.

 

[SimoneDi]

ID jewelry has great pricing on the setting with a diamond. I didnt ask today about price for the setting alone. I am waiting back on images for a couple options they sent me today. Do you know if Brian Gavin ever has sales/discount codes on just the brian gavin blue diamonds? I saw that last year for black friday they had a discount in diamonds with purcahse of a setting. I called today and they would not be able to source a gabriel setting. I would have to buy the diamond and sit on it for a while until I could afford to buy the setting from IDJ.

Awesome news on IDJ!

Yes, bgd has sales on diamonds only around thanksgiving (next week). Usually around 10% off and sometimes I have seen more. However, it is more work to source the diamond & setting separately. IDJ can probably find you a great diamond within budget,so let's see what they also come back with!

 

[Vander_25]

There are 3 possible diamonds I could go with in the Brian Gavin blue collection. Only 1 is really within reach for me budget wise and I'd have to hold off on the setting until I can raise some more money. But I don't plan to propose until after Valentine's Day. I could try for the thanksgiving sales and if I miss out then wait for the Valentine's Day sales.

With IDJ I had a price I was hoping for on the setting and with diamond purchase their quote blew what I was hoping for out of the water. They also gave me a couple stone options. One was listed on blue nile but they have it in their store right now. They beat the blue nile price by a good margin too. Combined it adds up to some very good savings which makes me wonder if the BGD Blue is worth an almost $2000 premium over identical grade stones when I figure in the setting savings. IDJ upgraded my stone parameters, and kept me in my $6000 budget. I'd end up around $7000-7500 with a Brian Gavin blue. I'll have to see what the images look like on the 2 stones they suggested when I get them tomorrow. I am excited to have options. I'm also considering an expert selection diamond on white flash that would keep me in my budget.

 

[SimoneDi]

@Vander_25 I have a BGD stone and I will still tell you that when you have a budget you are trying to stay with, sometimes it is not worth breaking the bank. Don't get me wrong - I love super ideals, but I have also seen some awesome GIA 3x. At this point thanksgiving is only a week away, might as well wait and see what they will have for offerings.
Also, please post the options provided by IDJ. They can provide an ASET/IS.

 

[Vander_25]

Here is the only stone I can see at the moment. They are sending images of both stones today. This one happens to be on blue nile
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD08789006?refTab=DIAMONDS

 

[SimoneDi]

I like the one you picked initially better than this one..

 

[Vander_25]

I have this stone on hold at the moment with whiteflash.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3916984.htm
I called on it and they said it is an ACA stone but was rejected because of the medium blue fluorescence. She said they don't cut ACA stones with fluorescence but every once in a while they will cut a few stones. It was finished being cut on November 7th which is the same day the BGD Blue was finished being cut, could be from the same cutter. I asked if I waited a few months if I might find a similar stone with either strong fluorescence or an I or H color and she said it would be highly unlikely because there are so few stones cut in the 1ct range that show up as an expert selection and fewer that would have higher color than a J. I have 24hrs to decide on this one. I can have IDJ request the setting and send it to whiteflash and whiteflash will set it for me. What are your thoughts?

 

[HappyNewLife]

I'm typically the "ACA troll" because I have one now and love it. BUT, that said, I think an H in a white gold halo would look really nice. If IDJ can get you ASET/idealscope images of the BN diamond you linked above, it might be a good find/buy.

 

[Vander_25]

Current stone options with IDJ that they are working on price with me.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3158859
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09516823
https://www.gia.edu/report-check?reportno=6261905668

Getting images on the last stone.

 

[Vander_25]

Here are the images on the 1.03ct H, VS1, GIA3ex w/ Strong blue flourescence. It is on hold right now. The scanex report looks good, the ASET and idealscope look like they may not be quite ideal but still very good. I dont have any experience grading these images though. Something goin on in the 10-11 o'clock position on the ASET. I could hide some of it with the prong in the setting.