shape
carat
color
clarity

Advise needed

JoseeCL

Shiny_Rock
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Mar 4, 2016
Messages
103
Ok given what you’ve said here’s what I suggest...look on yelp for the best rated jewelry store in your area. I can pretty much guarantee it won’t be Michael hill and it probably won’t be Tiffany. Go to that store and tell them you’re looking for something over 1 carat, I color or better. SI or better, GIA certified. If they can’t produce something then ask them what they could bring in for you to look at. Have in mind your favorite looks and cuts.

The ones you posted are not worth the money. The two MH ones have a disorganized “crushed ice” look.

That's good advice. I could look at other jewelry stores. I thought Tiffany was good though :/ and Michael hill, I think you find the southern star cut radiant have that crushed ice look because there is more facets than a regular radiant. Regular radiant is what, 40 or 50 facets and these have 90. I know more facets will also hide imperfections or make them less visible.
Maybe I should be asking if anyone knows of any other propriatery diamond cuts or specialty cuts.
 

JoseeCL

Shiny_Rock
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Messages
103
How much is the Michael Hill professional care plan you have to BUY in order to get "free" inspection and cleanings?

"
Back to results
PEACE OF MIND FOR A LIFETIME
Life doesn’t stop just because you’re wearing jewelry. That’s why we make it easy to keep your piece shining as brightly as the day you got it. With the purchase of our lifetime Michael Hill Professional Care Plan, we cover the following repairs and services at no charge:

  • Ring sizings
  • Re-tipping of prongs
  • Stone tightening
  • Refinishing and polishing
  • Cleaning and inspecting
  • Earring repair
  • Chain and bracelet soldering
  • Rhodium plating white gold
  • Resetting diamonds and gemstones
  • Clasp replacement
The Michael Hill Professional Care Plan is currently not available to purchase online.

If you wish to purchase a Professional Care Plan, please contact your nearest store within 30 days of your purchase.

Read more for pricing information and full terms and conditions >"


*ETA: it is $400.00 for a 10k purchase which is such a RIP OFF that I am now angry about it

It's by price tier so the smaller ring is 540$ and bigger one is 800$
 

rockysalamander

Ideal_Rock
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May 20, 2016
Messages
5,105
I don't know of any B&M store that will replace a center diamond, unless due to a manufacturaing defect (read "never"). So, if they replace any diamonds, they will be the tiny melee diamonds and usually only if they re-sized it or caused the loss.

Buy from a B&M if that works for you. But, I think if you spend some time reading on this board, you will find that vendors we suggest offer excellent customer service. I know it can be daunting to try and do this all online and that is fine. It simply does not work for some. But, do some reading here before you decide. Spend time looking at B&M for GIA graded stones to learn about color and shape tolerances. Really look at settings, especially the same shape stone in a variety of settings.

There are many (thousands) of branded diamond cuts. Very few really look "unique" as they are often shades of grey from a more common cut..few are worth the premium. The Octavia is a great example of a branded cut that really does maintain its core performance while offering a unique look. However, I would say all but us real diamond nerds will look at the setting long before noticiing a unique diamond cut. I wear a range of diamond and colored gems and I mostly get comments on my settings or the color of gemstone. Only real diamond lovers (a rare breed) notice the actual faceting of the stone. Perhaps my Hanami cut sapphire is the exception where it is the shape that strikes folks.

You have a great budget. I'd suggest you just spend time looking and learning to see what you really want. What makes settings unique to you.

Just FYI---more facets will not hide inclusions better. Actually, the opposite can be true. The more facets, the more "mirror" images of a flaws can be apparent. We see many diamonds that have one small flaw, but due to placement it is mirrorer throughout the diamond making it look like 16 flaws.
 

JoseeCL

Shiny_Rock
Premium
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Mar 4, 2016
Messages
103
What about Diamonds By Lauren? I think they have some really lovely radiants.

I know this one doesn't have a halo, but wow, it has a pretty facet pattern:
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/ind...2-radiant-cut-gia-trapezoid-side-stones-r4709

This one has a halo and lovely prongs:
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/91ct-g-si1-radiant-cut-diamond-ring-gia-r6802

Both are gorgeous! If this is American, the exchange rate would surely be 10000$ or very close and then there is the shipping and import fees
I bought a Versace diamond watch and although I got an amazing deal on the watch I had to pay through the nose on the import fees because they charged me based on what is was worth not what I paid.
 

scarsmum

Brilliant_Rock
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Jul 22, 2017
Messages
893
Both are gorgeous! If this is American, the exchange rate would surely be 10000$ or very close and then there is the shipping and import fees
I bought a Versace diamond watch and although I got an amazing deal on the watch I had to pay through the nose on the import fees because they charged me based on what is was worth not what I paid.
Ok well all the best finding something you love.
 

foxinsox

Ideal_Rock
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Jul 18, 2015
Messages
4,061
Oh no. I’m in NZ which is where MH started. It is the very definition of a crappy mall store in my eyes - cheaply made poor quality diamonds. The ones here do not offer GIA graded diamonds.
I get that your husband wants some peace of mind but they aren’t the place to give it.
If you aren’t comfortable buying online, please see what local family-owned and well reviewed jewellers there are in your town and give them your business. Then get specific jewellery insurance for your upgrade that will let you have flexibility over any issues or losses you might have. All of the things covered by that lifetime plan are actually rare occurrences - I’ve had my ering sized once. And in a few years I will need the prongs retipped because it’s a ring from the 1920s and they’ve worn down from then. I’ll have had my ering for about 5-7 years by then. Plating is only needed if you’re getting a WG alloy that needs it - it wouldn’t apply to platinum, rose or yellow gold. Cleaning, inspecting, - any jeweller can do this and you can do it yourself really easily with a loupe.
As a thought, BlueNile have a Canadian presence. Would that work for you? You get a local store to do business with but the lower pricing of a company who’ve got a mainly online business.
 

whitewave

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Feb 29, 2012
Messages
12,331
I agree. Find a local, family owned jewelry store.
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Dec 17, 2008
Messages
27,198
There are some radiants that have nice faceting...unfortunately, I dont feel like that Southern Star has nice faceting. It just looks like a cracked ice
faceting pattern with a slight star pattern in it (I can see why they stopped making them). I know that sounds harsh but you have a very good budget
and you should get something that you really love that is personal for you. The best way to make that happen is to find a stone you love and a setting
that you love (you can design it yourself if you want) and make it happen.

Radiants with nice faceting patterns
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.09-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-3585975
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.12-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-2100615
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.07-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-3410790
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.12-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-364678 need an aset

Edit...I did not read ALL the post some I may have missed something...
 

whitewave

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
12,331
There are some radiants that have nice faceting...unfortunately, I dont feel like that Southern Star has nice faceting. It just looks like a cracked ice
faceting pattern with a slight star pattern in it (I can see why they stopped making them). I know that sounds harsh but you have a very good budget
and you should get something that you really love that is personal for you. The best way to make that happen is to find a stone you love and a setting
that you love (you can design it yourself if you want) and make it happen.

Radiants with nice faceting patterns
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.09-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-3585975
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.12-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-2100615
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.07-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-3410790
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.12-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-364678 need an aset

Edit...I did not read ALL the post some I may have missed something...

LOVE the middle two especially!
 

JoseeCL

Shiny_Rock
Premium
Joined
Mar 4, 2016
Messages
103
Oh no. I’m in NZ which is where MH started. It is the very definition of a crappy mall store in my eyes - cheaply made poor quality diamonds. The ones here do not offer GIA graded diamonds.
I get that your husband wants some peace of mind but they aren’t the place to give it.
If you aren’t comfortable buying online, please see what local family-owned and well reviewed jewellers there are in your town and give them your business. Then get specific jewellery insurance for your upgrade that will let you have flexibility over any issues or losses you might have. All of the things covered by that lifetime plan are actually rare occurrences - I’ve had my ering sized once. And in a few years I will need the prongs retipped because it’s a ring from the 1920s and they’ve worn down from then. I’ll have had my ering for about 5-7 years by then. Plating is only needed if you’re getting a WG alloy that needs it - it wouldn’t apply to platinum, rose or yellow gold. Cleaning, inspecting, - any jeweller can do this and you can do it yourself really easily with a loupe.
As a thought, BlueNile have a Canadian presence. Would that work for you? You get a local store to do business with but the lower pricing of a company who’ve got a mainly online business.

I've looked at Blue Nile before but I find there prices are high enough.
I delt with Pompeii who have great prices but the diamonds are poor quality.
 

JoseeCL

Shiny_Rock
Premium
Joined
Mar 4, 2016
Messages
103
There are some radiants that have nice faceting...unfortunately, I dont feel like that Southern Star has nice faceting. It just looks like a cracked ice
faceting pattern with a slight star pattern in it (I can see why they stopped making them). I know that sounds harsh but you have a very good budget
and you should get something that you really love that is personal for you. The best way to make that happen is to find a stone you love and a setting
that you love (you can design it yourself if you want) and make it happen.

Radiants with nice faceting patterns
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.09-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-3585975
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.12-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-2100615
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.07-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-3410790
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.12-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-364678 need an aset

Edit...I did not read ALL the post some I may have missed something...

They really are beautiful! Does it say anywhere how many facets? And exact dimensions?
 

scarsmum

Brilliant_Rock
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Joined
Jul 22, 2017
Messages
893
More facets does not equate to a more brilliant diamond.
 

JoseeCL

Shiny_Rock
Premium
Joined
Mar 4, 2016
Messages
103
i have a suggestion if you're looking for something different. What about an Octavia cut Asscher? it is a very uniquely cut stone and there are not a lot of them in existence. Your next door neighbor isn't gonna have a stone like this, you know?
https://www.octaviadiamond.com/about
https://www.octaviadiamond.com/scope-images

https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond...S-I-VS1-diamond-stock-11537-cert-104068657004

The Octavia is gorgeous! But... See the price :o 1ct would be 10000$cad!
 

JoseeCL

Shiny_Rock
Premium
Joined
Mar 4, 2016
Messages
103
Michael Hill doesn't cover lost stones:

"10.4 The twelve month limited warranty and the three year watch limited warranty each exclude, to the extent permitted by law, damage due to ordinary wear and tear, misuse, accident, abuse, alteration, substitution, improper repair or warranty service performed by someone other than us or our authorised repairers, theft, disappearance, loss (including lost stones) or any other type of use causing deterioration."

Good to know!
 

JoseeCL

Shiny_Rock
Premium
Joined
Mar 4, 2016
Messages
103
What about Diamonds By Lauren? I think they have some really lovely radiants.

I know this one doesn't have a halo, but wow, it has a pretty facet pattern:
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/ind...2-radiant-cut-gia-trapezoid-side-stones-r4709

This one has a halo and lovely prongs:
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/91ct-g-si1-radiant-cut-diamond-ring-gia-r6802

The first one looks like it has a yellowish tinge that I am not found of. The second it beautiful.
 

JoseeCL

Shiny_Rock
Premium
Joined
Mar 4, 2016
Messages
103
Ok...
So I've been looking at Diamonds by Lauren and James Allen.... I found loose diamonds that I love! And even a couple of rings on Diamonds by Lauren that I love too... But my hubby is not really into it :(
And my concern is the exchange rate from USD to CAD plus import charges.
But... I'm considering it! :)
I might make a few calls or send email for more info :)
 
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