Another newbie "how did I do" diamond purchase thread

[jeffcon0]

Hi All,
I've been lurking here for about 2 months and have been blown away by the wealth of knowledge contained on this site. I had no idea an engagement ring purchase could be so complicated but thanks to you all I feel like I've been educated enough to take the plunge which is exactly what I've done.

Last night on my daily trip to browse the ring websites I stumbled on the James Allen Cyber Monday 25% off setting sale. I've been planning to purchase for a couple weeks now and the sale finally spurred me to action. It also meant I had to act fast since I only found out about the sale a few hours before it ended.

I'm hoping you experts and enthusiasts out there can opine on the purchase of a rank beginner. I was looking for a round brilliant cut in the .80c - .95c range and trying to keep the diamond under $4500 (with some flexibility). This is what I came up with:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1425619.asp

Shape: Round
Carat weight: 0.91
Cut: ID
Color: J
Clarity: VS2
Certificate: AGS
Depth: 61.6%
Table: 56.3%
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle: Thin to slightly thick
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: Negligible
Measurements: 6.19*6.21*3.82
Crown Angle: 34.1
Pavilion Angle: 40.7

It will be going into the following setting in white gold:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/18k-White-Gold-3-Stone,-Pave-Set-Diamond-Engagement-Ring.html

In my research on this site and some others I'd decided to target the G-J color range and have read numerous cases to go towards the lower end on the color scale as it can offer exceptional value. My main concern is that since I was choosing a setting with side stones that the center diamond being a lower color grade would not look brilliant enough. I was looking at some similar diamonds in the G range but that would have put the size closer to the ~.82 range. This is going on a size 8 ring so in the end I opted for size and what I am hoping is still a very nice diamond in the J that I mentioned above.

Do I have reason for concern or will the difference between the center and side stones be negligible? How does that diamond look to you PSers out there? I assume I still have time to switch things around if needed and am hoping for some words of advice.

Many thanks to all of you for this great community helping uninformed beginners like myself make (what I hope!) are educated decisions.

 

[tyty333]

You picked out a very nice stone. We usually say to stick to within 2 color grades of the center. If the pears are Gs then you
are off 3 grades. Call JA and tell them about your concern. I dont know if this setting already comes with the stones in it
from the maker or if JA can put whatever color stones you want in it. Call them and ask.

Or...you can wait until you receive the ring and see if you can tell a big difference or not and whether it bothers you or not.

 

[yennyfire]

I agree with tyty. Call James Allen and talk to them about it. They will be able to guide you so that you are happy with the finished product!

 

[NTave]

I think it will look great I'm not a long timer here, but I do have a J center with G sidestones and I can't tell the difference from the top. I have pics of my ring in a past thread if you want to take a look. If anything, I would think pear side stones would want to be a lighter color bc they show color more than a RB.

 

[jeffcon0]

Thank you all for the advice. I think I will take your suggestions to call James Allen today and see what sort of advice they offer. I have a feeling that much of this worry is unnecessary as I tend to research things to death while my GF just wants something with "lots of sparkly" (her words). I'm fairly certain she knows nothing about diamonds while I've been researching them obsessively for two months.

NTave: Your ring is gorgeous and definitely helps assuage some of my concerns. I was going back and forth between round side stones and pear side stones for about an hour side by side last night. Yours is making me second guess again. Doh!

I'll be sure to check back once I speak to JA.

 

[jeffcon0]

I called James Allen and they believed it wouldn't be an issue. According to them the side stones are not preset and they will be added once the ring and diamond go to the jeweler. They apparently have some discretion when choosing the stones. The rep said she was familiar with the J center stone configuration flanked by side stones of higher color quality and that to the untrained eye there should be little to no difference. She also mentioned since the side stones and center stones are different shapes they would reflect differently so it wouldn't be as much of an "apples to apples" comparison.

I of course have the 60 day refund policy I can take advantage of if it ends up looking like a hunk of quartz in the middle but I'm hoping it won't come to that.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

I think that it will be lovely and if your GF likes "lots of sparkly" she will be THRILLED! two color grades is the PS recommendation, but most people IRL who don't do crazy things like look at their diamonds through loupes, macrolenses, and microscopes on a regular basis probably won't notice that the center stone may be a tiny bit creamier than the sides. As the JA rep pointed out, since the sides are pears it will be even less of an issue since the sidestones are a different shape than the center (all three rounds could be a little more of an issue). You did great, maximized your value, and got what I think will be a killer ring for a great price!

 

[jeffcon0]

Thanks so much Bella! This is one of those things I hope I won't need to purchase more than once in life so I'm crossing my fingers that I can get it right the first time around. Based on the diamond images on the JA website and some of the proportions recommendations on this site I'm hoping I found something that will work out to be a good value me and provide plenty of "sparkly" for her.