advise please

[CarrieSpin]

Hello,
I am a newbie to the world of diamonds. I have little knowledge other than the 4 C's. I am looking for a round diamond to be set into an engagement ring. I found a 2.13 carat, round, S12, color g stone set into a 18k white gold solitaire setting for $6,379! However, I found it on the Diamond Exchange website and it sold before I was knowledgeable enough to buy so now I am left trying to find the biggest and best diamond for my $6,400. budget. Thanks for any advise!

 

[apacherose]

Hi CarrieSpin, Well, that 'one that got away' sounds too good to be true. Read up here on PS, you will end up with a beautiful diamond if you take the time, I think, though I am a new person, myself. One point that is made here is that there are no 'deals' in the diamond world. You get what you pay for, if that... at least by becoming an educated consumer you can put yourself in the best position to get the most for your money. Happy hunting, and good luck----

oh- the folks on this forum will often try to help find diamonds if you put your specifications and budget out there- it is pretty neat.

 

[Gypsy]

That wasn't a good quality GIA or AGS stone. That "G" was no such thing. And SI2 was not accurate unless it was a clarity enhanced stone. Not for that price.

You don't have enough knowledge. No one is going to sell you a 2 carat stone worth buying for 6k. 6k won't even get you an accurately graded G one carat stone.

 

[Gypsy]

Incidentally I've been to the diamond exchange. I can guarantee you that the diamond that was advertised was barely a diamond and was probably closer to carbon still evolving into a diamond. They have some of the worst quality jewelry I've ever seen in one place.

 

[Gypsy]

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough. And you must stick to GIA and AGS only. EGL is a bad option: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/[/URL]
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want?
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it. YOU DO NOT USE HCA for AGS0 stones.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance. Under 2 is a pass. Under 2.5-2.1 is a maybe. 2.6 and over is a no. No score 2 and under is better than any other.
Is that enough? Not really.
So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. BGD, James Allen, GOG, HPD, ERD and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.


Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium.

 

[Gypsy]

Best buy for your budget:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.02-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-313222 Lovely 60/60 stone with great numbers, looks eyeclean. Nice I color and SI1 clarity. You put it on hold and ask for an idealscope image. $6,090

In one of these if you want 18kt:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-2mm-comfort-fit-solitaire-engagement-ring-six-prong-item-7992
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-six-prong-item-7987

Or one of these if you want 14kt:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-six-prong-item-7990
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-2mm-comfort-fit-solitaire-engagement-ring-six-prong-item-7995
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-double-prong-solitaire-item-41059

This is what your budget buys. And it's very nice.

 

[Gypsy]

If you want bigger, you are going to have to sacrifice color.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5071508-1.32-carat-Round-diamond-K-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=5071508&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com You would have to ask for an idealscope image. This gets you 7.0mm and medium blue fluorescence to help with the color. It will have more of a creamy white appearance than stark white, but that can be lovely.

Setting: http://www.b2cjewels.com/Round/1/6464/Traditional-Solitaire-Settings/Solitaire-Cathedral-Engagement-Ring-Mounting-Dome-14K-White-Gold-%282.0-mm%29.aspx

Or: http://www.b2cjewels.com/Round/1/8175/Traditional-Solitaire-Settings/Prong-Set-Solitaire-Engagement-Ring-14K-White-Gold-%282.8-mm%29.aspx

 

[CarrieSpin]

Gypsy, thank you so much! You are so knowledgeable. I am going to checkout your recommendations now!

 

[CarrieSpin]

Apacherose, thanks so much! I agree with you the hesitation was because it felt to good to be true.

 

[teobdl]

Is budget for diamond only? or diamond + setting?

 

[teobdl]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-289237

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-322407

These look like high J colors, are under budget ($6400 diamond only), eye clean, and 1.2 ct

 

[CarrieSpin]

My whole budget is $8,300 for everything including wedding band. I really like the round center stone with 8 side stones and the 9 stone matching wedding band

 

[teobdl]

how much are you expecting to pay for the wedding band?

There are many engagement ring settings that have approx. 8 sidetones... can you post an example of one you like so we can get a sense of how much is left for the diamond?

Other alternative, as gypsy suggested, is to get a simple solitaire setting and upgrade the setting later. personally I think this option is best, as you likely want to invest in a permanent wedding band rather than a permanent engagement ring setting.

There are many good options for diamond wedding bands (starting around $1000), and they look great w/ a simple solitaire ring.

 

[CarrieSpin]

http://diamondguyhawaii.com/06-19-13/ I do like this look with the solitaire you're right I would rather have the center stone and upgrade the setting later on.
This is the dream ring! I really love how the band is flat on each side instead of round. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/mark-morrell-settings-fluorescence-set.174459/#p3175498

 

[OECrystal]

Good Old Gold sells Mark Morrell settings so I'd recommend contacting them, telling them your budget, and working with the lovely people there. I think you'll have a reality check for how large of a center stone your budget can afford, but at the same time they'll do you right and get you the nicest you can get for your budget.