Another E-ring topic

[weebo]

Hi everyone,

I've just read through quite a few threads and tried to educate myself as best as possible with articles about AGS, GIA, DiamXray, etc . I'm open to buying a diamond / setting online without seeing it, but I've come to asks for your expertise since I'm new to this.

Goals:
Budget ~$8k (setting + diamond)
Band: delicate look (thinner width) and something that is elegant and classy, not overwhelming the stone
Diamond: Good quality (brilliance, scintillation, fire) is more important to me than size
Want her to be able to wear it with minimal coddling of the ring (although her personality will inevitably take great care of it)
Engagement in the summer

Girl:
Not high maintenance and isn't as concerned about social pressures when it comes to wedding rings

Diamond...not sure what to look for besides the stats since I cannot see it in person. I'm mainly referring to fine tuning my choices with particular stones knowing where to compromise to get a better price. (For example...translating a DiamXray or idealscope into what is visibly seen)

This particular stone I was looking at goes for $6800, is that decent?
0.94 CT RB G VS2, ideal
Table Percentage: 56.60%
Depth Percentage: 61.40%
Crown ∠: 34.30°
Pavilion ∠: 40.80°

http://www.goodoldgold.com/items/11574/LTSC.jpg
http://www.goodoldgold.com/items/11574/Pic1.jpg

I have some other stones bookmarked that I'll try to post later. Open to any suggestions too and am willing to compromise on color down to I/J if it's not too yellow as well as clarity to sl2 as long as it's eye clean.


I like these particular settings: Ranging from JA $900- Vatche $1500 - Mark $1800
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/platinum-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-2018
http://www.exceldiamonds.com/-Engagement-Rings-5/Designs-by-Vatche-Serenity-Collection-1533-with-Accent-Diamonds-185550.html

Mark Morrell Petite Torchier - no basket diamonds (customized to 4 prong)
http://www.mwmjewelry.com/GeoffB_PetiteTorch%20w-diamonds_~5mm_sz6.25__009s.JPG
Vatche U113 (or some other knife edge)
http://www.exceldiamonds.com/-Engagement-Rings-5/Solitaire-Diamond-Engagement-Rings-11/Vatche-6-Prong-Designer-Inspired-Solitaire-Engagement-Ring-U113-259706.html

I'm concerned about a 6 prong since it may cover too much of the stone since it's a bit smaller @ 0.9-1.0ct. I'm okay with a 4 prong look on a Round diamond. I'm leaning towards the Mark setting for it's simplicity combined with elegance but I like how some of the other settings like Vatche can be made in palladium from GOG rather than platinum since palladium may be of more practical value to her.


Questions:
Does a 6 prong like the vatche U113 overwhelm a diamond (0.9-1.0ct)?
Will the small pave diamonds take too much away from a diamond (0.9-1.0ct)?
Does the wedding band typically come from the same designer as the E-ring or should it just be the same metal alloy material?

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[Gypsy]

OK. So I would go with the setting and stone from the same vendor. It will be easier and your stone will be insured while setting. And GOG has nice settings. You have a great budget.
I would go with either a Vatche setting from Good Old Gold. They carry the whole line and they are nice and well made. OR I also love the Mark Morrell Setting.

There are a ton of Vatche settings that will suit your 4 prong desires. The Vatche Caroline in particular is gorgeous. And it might save you some money over the Mark Morrell. http://www.dvatche.com/?page=collection&search=caroline And I would get the diamonds on the basket. It's a nice touch. And it would be in budget.

And if you don't like the Caroline, look through the site. They have like 8 four prong settings.


I would NOT go with the G VS2 from good old gold though. It's an expensive stone and this stone: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11867/ is JUST as gorgeous. Will be completely eyeclean. And the mega scopes are identical. And has the same spread (dimensions) and saves you a ton of money. Which means you can get a Platinum Vatche setting. Which is what I really recommend.

It's a much better and smarter choice for a stone. And will let you get her a nicer setting. And if you went with the Mark Morrell you could get her diamonds in the head. Which again is nice as that is the view she will most often have when she is wearing it.

I agree with you about 6 prongs... I don't personally care for them on stones under 1.5 carats.

 

[weebo]

Thanks for the help gypsy, really appreciate your knowledge and I like your suggestion with the other diamond. The performance looks good and it's quite a bit cheaper. How can you tell if a particular stone is eye clean, especially when it's more crucial for a si1/2? Also, is there any way to know how the hazy white portion under the table affects viewing?

Was also looking at these stones in which case I would go be inclined to go with the Vatche serentiy setting #1533.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3045724.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3034525.htm
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11024/

Great recommendations for the caroline and balancing the diamond and setting budget. If I went with diamonds in the E-ring I may not put them in the wedding band, or have them in the wedding band and not the engagement ring.

All knowledge is welcome, thanks again everyone.

 

[Gypsy]

I would call GOG and WF and ask them to pull the stones and talk to you (or have a gemologist talk to you) about what they see.

I think the Whiteflash .904 will be perfectly eyeclean with NO visible marks or haziness or anything .

The .918 has a couple white crystals, so I am not sure it will be 100% eyeclean. But the vendor is the best place to start with that.

Just call them and chat with them. They are good vendors and will help you.

As for the GOG stone. I REALLY prefer this one over the F. http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11867/ It's really a gorgeous stone.

 

[weebo]

So I went ahead and put the diamond you recommended on hold to further evaluate it.

GOG made a video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OwuL58AcZI

Is there anything I should be concerned about when seeing this? Thanks!