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Advice with purchasing an Engagement ring

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Gazpacho

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 10, 2015
Messages
5
Good evening everyone.

I was wondering if I could get some advice on whether this would be a good purchase. I am planning to propose to my girlfriend very soon and I have not yet bought the engagement ring. I was thinking of going with Blue Nile as I like their 30day return policy and good reputation from forums that I have read.

I was looking to limit the price to about $11,500.

Questions that I have is:

Are there really any differences between D-E-F, and Vs2-Vs1-VVs2?

I plan to go with an Signature Idea Cut, F, Vs1, 1.1(ish) carat.

She is petite and has smalle hands. Do you think this will look nice, and not too tacky/big. Will it look to small? With said color and clarity and cut will the diamond shine?

Any and all advice would be great as I know very little to nothing about these things.
 
F and Gs face up very white on the hand. If the stone is eyeclean - which it should be then I don't see the point in spending more for a higher clarity. Provided you buy a decent cut, that is the main thing that gives a stone the fire and sparkle (the shine I think you are asking about).... Better cut stones have edge to edge brightness meaning they face up to look bigger than a poorly cut stone.

Only you know what is an appropriate size for your g/f, has she ever hinted what she wants?
 
Gazpacho|1441940104|3926372 said:
I plan to go with an Signature Idea Cut, F, Vs1, 1.1(ish) carat.
Click to expand...
A well cut F VS1 sounds like a winner to me!
 
What makes a diamond shine and sparkle is the cut. I think an F and even VS2 would be smashing. With your budget, you could go up to a 1.2 carat and even with small hands, I think it would look very tasteful and elegant.

Here's a stunning option from another well regarded online vendor. They too have a solid 30 day return policy, no questions asked. They also have many perks and have a stellar customer service reputation.

If you go with BN, they do not provide performance images. Try to stick to these parameters for the best looking stone.

Table: 55-57%
Depth: 59-62.3%
Crown angle: 34-35 degrees (could maybe go up to 35.5)
Pavilion angle: 40.6 to 41 degrees


http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3372532.htm
 
I would be looking for an F/VS2 in your case. You have a pretty decent budget. Is the $11,500 also include the setting or just
the stone?

If it includes the setting, what kind of setting are you looking for?
 
Great advice everyone.

The 11,500$ was for the stone. I was thinking for the band/setting to go with the platinum nouveau 6 prong.

I was looking at both of these stones

http://www.bluenile.com/certs/2196661984.pdf?params=cHJvZHVjdD1CTiZwaG9uZT0xKzg4OC01NjUtNzY0MSZsaW5rPWh0dHAlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuYmx1ZW5pbGUuY29tJTJGX0xEMDU5MDE0MDUmc2t1PUxEMDU5MDE0MDUmbGFiPWdpYSZjb3VudHJ5PVVTQSZjdXJyZW5jeT1VU0Qm

and

http://www.bluenile.com/certs/5172212006.pdf?params=cHJvZHVjdD1CTiZwaG9uZT0xKzg4OC01NjUtNzY0MSZsaW5rPWh0dHAlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuYmx1ZW5pbGUuY29tJTJGX0xEMDYxOTk4MzYmc2t1PUxEMDYxOTk4MzYmbGFiPWdpYSZjb3VudHJ5PVVTQSZjdXJyZW5jeT1VU0Qm


With either of this settings:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/petite-solitaire-ring-platinum_19010?elem=title&track=product

or

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/petite-nouveau-solitaire-ring-platinum_19009?action=PlatinumSelect&track=alternate-metalsCustomizer

Any more thoughts.

JDDN, I know you said I could go up to 35.5 for the angle for the crown, what would be the big difference between 35 and 35.5 for the angle?

Thank you.
 
Those two stones you posted look like nice options. The thing about a CA of 35 vs 35.5 is that GIA does a fair amount of rounding when they average all the angles. Looking at the crown height though, they are both 15.5. I think either would be fine. I mentioned possibly going up to 35.5 more so that in the event you were finding the inventory lacking, 35.5 may afford you some other options.

Both options are close, I think I'm slightly leaning towards the angles of stone #1, but I like the size of stone #2 better.

Would you consider going to a VS2? Only reason I ask is that a VS2 is a really nice way to get a tad more size within your budget. I have had two VS2 stones (1.2 carat and 1.8 carat) and it was very hard to see any inclusions with a loupe. If you have your heart set on a VS1, then I will say no more.

For the settings the two links are for four prong (not sure since you mentioned a 6 prong Nouveau). I like the Nouveau setting better than the petite solitaire. Both the four and six prong Nouveau are nice. Here's another option that I have seen in person and it was really beautiful. It is a four prong however.

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/petite-trelis-solitaire-ring-platinum_7836?elem=title&track=product

P.S. Your links didn't work for me, but maybe it's because I'm in the US? In case my link doesn't work for you, it's the Petite Trellis Solitaire.
 
Thanks JDDN again for all the great help. Yeah for some reason your link did not work for me either.

I am now leaning more towards a four prong plantinum petite nouveau setting. I was thinking of going with the 1.2 carat option. As long as it is really bright/lively/flaming :angryfire: thats really all that I care about. My girlfriend's fingers are petite so I dont need to go too much bigger that what I have selected.

I had her try on a 0.87 carat diamond and it looked big on her, so a 1.1-1.2 should look nice.
 
I think the 1.2 carat option will be gorgeous and I love the 4 prong platinum Petite Nouveau setting. It will be stunning!

Please come back with photos of the finished ring and.....hand shots after you propose!! :naughty: :sun:
 
JDDN, could you do me a favor. Could you take a look at these two diamonds and tell me which one you think is worth the price.
I am looking at both GIA reports and on one there are quite a few red lines show on the clarity characteristics. It is still graded as a Vs1, which I am lead to believe will look clean and bright and firery with ideal/excellent cut.

Anyways here are the two diamonds and the prices for them:

1.22 sig ideal cut, F, Vs1 GIA 5172212006 - $10,922

1.23 sig ideal cut, F, VVS2 GIA 3205465007 - $11,800 (this one, the table angle is 35.5, the upper limit from what you mentioned earlier JDDN, and the pavilion is 40.8 so we are on the money for that one.)

http://www.gia.edu/report-check-landing Link to look up the GIA reports.

I know that the clarity is based on a 10x magnification, but will the red lines on the GIA report for the 10,922$ make that much of a difference. Is the extra 900$ worth bumping it up to a VVS2?

Your thoughts?

Thanks again.
 
It's up to you if you want a VVS2 for mental reassurance. Inclusions in a VS1 aren't going to compromise the stone in any tangible manner. But if you want peace of mind they it might be worth spending more. Since you ask if there are differences between d-e-f and vvs2-vs1-vs2 I'm wondering if you've seen any of these to see how sensitive you are. I find G to be plenty white and if you dropped down to a G VS2 you might get a decent size increase.
 
Don't be afraid of the plot, they always look super scary. For a VS1, it would be extremely rare to have issues with clarity or have any issues with the inclusions affecting the brilliance and sparkle of the diamond. I would not worry one ounce about a VS1 stone, even if the plot looks crazy to you.

I don't think going to the VVS2 will afford you any difference in the overall look of the diamond. The difference between a VS1 and a VVS2 is small and like I mentioned before, the cut is what will give the stone it's sparkle. I would go with the VS1 diamond in a heart beat and save yourself $900. You can use the money to take your intended out to a great dinner and splurge on an awesome hotel room! :))
 
Thanks again JDDN. I have made my mind with the Vs1 1.22 carat. I ran the numbers into the Holloway cut advsior calculator and came up with a 1.6, which I read is great (you want it under 2 from what I believe.).

Thank you for all the help and advice. I will post pictures once I propose.
 
Sounds lovely, I can't wait to see pictures!

All the best with the proposal!
 
I think both stones should be gorgeous but I vote for the F VS1. I like the $$ better and eye clean is eye clean. I also like the angle numbers better. I like CA angles of 35 and under to go with PA 40.8 and CA 35.5 to go with PA 40.6..... but really that's just splitting hairs.

I have to add that I have seen the Petite Trellis Solitaire in person and it is beautiful. The lines are fluid yet still architectural. hahaha have no idea what that means, but that was what came to mind when I saw it.

Edit: I see you picked the F VS1 :appl: :appl: :love: . Please come back with tons of photos.
 
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