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Another newbie looking for advice for engagement ring...

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Hank3

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 18, 2007
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I''ve been reading the information on this site and have become better knowledged with loose diamonds, but I''m nowhere close to where most of you guys are. I just started a couple weeks ago looking at engagement rings and diamonds and was directed to here. I''m planning to propose to my GF in August but would like to purchase the ring now to start making payments on it (my budget is under $1500 if possible with diamond and setting). We''ve been ring shopping a couple of times just so I can get a good idea on what she wants and what she thinks will loook good on her. She is pretty petite (4''10") and her hands and fingers kindly follow suit. She decided she didn''t want a huge diamond - she treid on rings from .5 - .75 and said the .75s were overkill for her tiny finger/hand. I''ve decided to get her a .5 to .6 carat diamond. She wants a round diamond set on a yellow gold Tiffany-style band with six prongs. With my limited knowledge, I''ve basically come to the conclusion that I''d like to buy the diamond somewhere on-line and then have it set locally by a reputable jeweler. Here are some questions I have:

What prongs should I get - platinum or white gold?
How do I arrange the online vendor to send it to a reputable appraiser? Once it''s sent to the appraiser - I''m assuming I pay for the shipping charges from there to me right?
Would getting it set locally be the smartest idea?
With it being set on yellow gold, how important is the cut, color, and inclusions? I''ve been narrowing my search criteira to ideal cut, color from F-H, and VS2-SI2. I haven''t really looked beyond those since I''m not too sure what the others mean.

I know I''m being pretty vague here but maybe y''all can help me a bit more. If I need to provide more information, I''ll try my best. From what I''ve read on here, I''d like to go with bluenile.com, whiteflash.com, or jamesallen.com. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. TIA
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BTW, they are I, but in a well cut stone, and this size, you should not see any color.
 
Thanks for the direct links
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So you recommend getting it set and everything by the vendor? I read that that would make it harder to inspect by an appraiser - or is getting it appraised not a big deal then? Also, the diamonds you linked are ones that would have that brilliant look on a yellow band? Is there a huge difference between ideal cut and cut above H&A? Any feedback on the prongs being platinum or white gold to make the diamond look even better?
 
Date: 6/18/2007 6:34:44 PM
Author: Hank3
Thanks for the direct links
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So you recommend getting it set and everything by the vendor? I read that that would make it harder to inspect by an appraiser - or is getting it appraised not a big deal then? Also, the diamonds you linked are ones that would have that brilliant look on a yellow band? Is there a huge difference between ideal cut and cut above H&A? Any feedback on the prongs being platinum or white gold to make the diamond look even better?
It does make it easier to get it all done in one place, but if you have someone local who will set a stone they didn''t sell you (need to find that out first), then you can do it that way. (be sure to insure stone first though)

If you are buying from a reputable vendor, who provides you with a detailed report, a full appraisal really isn''t necessary. I got a short one, just to make sure my stone matched the cert (as mine didn''t have any other way with a loupe to tell).

There are many Ideal/Excellent stones that are as pretty as ACA''s. And they can all look great in a yellow gold setting. Since you''re on a budget, WG prongs would cost less, and look very nice.

HTH
 
the jeweler of your choice probably won''t take responsibility for damage to the stone that happens while setting.

it''s not extremely important, but the appraiser should still be able to do a decent job of verifying the stone. also, they''ll be able to inspect the setting job.

all those diamonds look great... I was assuming you were going to for the 14K Tiffany style basic ring...usually 200-300?

platinum is considered safer than white gold.
 
Wow...great info. Thanks again. Yeah, I''m going to go with a 14k Tiffany-styled ring. I guess I''ll need to decide between the WG or platinum prongs. IS there a big color difference between 14k and 18k yellow gold? I ask because one of the online vendors (can''t remember if it''s whiteflash or bluenile) only offers 18k gold rings for the stone to be set in. We were gonna go with 14k wedding bands since that''s plenty fine for us.
 
I prefer white gold to platinum. White gold can be replated for $35 dollars and it will look brand new again. Platinum will "patina" and look like a stainless steel pot after a period of time.

MWG
 
Date: 6/18/2007 6:34:44 PM
Author: Hank3
Thanks for the direct links
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So you recommend getting it set and everything by the vendor? I read that that would make it harder to inspect by an appraiser - or is getting it appraised not a big deal then? Also, the diamonds you linked are ones that would have that brilliant look on a yellow band? Is there a huge difference between ideal cut and cut above H&A? Any feedback on the prongs being platinum or white gold to make the diamond look even better?
The appraiser should be looking at the diamond and the diamond''s grading report (ie. AGS or GIA) (like Ellen said). After they''ve verified that it is, indeed, the diamond, it can be appraised based on its merits. The fact that it is set already shouldn''t make a difference to an experienced appraiser, though they might have their preferences.
 
What should I expect to pay for an appraisal by a reputable place?
 
If you buy from WF, Good Old Gold, or JA, and are getting a round, I would not bother with an appraisal. The vendor should be able to give you everything you need for insurance purposes.
 
Date: 6/18/2007 11:31:15 PM
Author: MWG
I prefer white gold to platinum. White gold can be replated for $35 dollars and it will look brand new again. Platinum will 'patina' and look like a stainless steel pot after a period of time.


MWG

My plat ring came with a high polished sheen. When I get it cleaned and checked, the jeweler polishes it right back to that high polished sheen. Looks good as new as the day I bought it.

Plat, WG, it's a personal preference I think.

For prongs, I think I'd go plat for durability concerns. JMHO.
 
WF has a 5% discount on ACA stones if you mention you''re a PS member and pay by bank wire. If you buy the 18k WG with platinum head 6-prong Tiffany ($300), you have a cool $1200 left for the stone. How about one of these:

0.528 I VS2 - inclusion plot is a little scary-looking, but a VS2 pretty much guarantees eye-clean; about $1300 after discount, so you''re only $100 over budget
0.51 G SI2 - ask if it''s eye-clean; looks promising!
 
Date: 6/19/2007 11:37:35 PM
Author: jazmine
If you buy from WF, Good Old Gold, or JA, and are getting a round, I would not bother with an appraisal. The vendor should be able to give you everything you need for insurance purposes.
Thanks for the info. Pardon my ignorance, but the main reason to get the engagement ring appraised is to see how much value it is so you can add it to your homeowner''s insurance or whatever insurance you get correct? I''m assuming the appraiser will verify that it''s the diamond that I ordered during this entire process? Or does it cost extra - and how much will it cost?
 
That''s what I heard between the WG and platinum prongs - that platinum was more durable but I wanted to confirm that with y''all and wanted to know if it was worth the extra investment to go platinum. I think WG would be fine, though, and that platinum is a bit overkill maybe?
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wf sends a letter of verification from an independent appraiser and it has the replacement value stated.
 
Date: 6/20/2007 1:07:45 AM
Author: jstarfireb
WF has a 5% discount on ACA stones if you mention you''re a PS member and pay by bank wire. If you buy the 18k WG with platinum head 6-prong Tiffany ($300), you have a cool $1200 left for the stone. How about one of these:

0.528 I VS2 - inclusion plot is a little scary-looking, but a VS2 pretty much guarantees eye-clean; about $1300 after discount, so you''re only $100 over budget
0.51 G SI2 - ask if it''s eye-clean; looks promising!
That second one does seem very nice!!! Is asking them if it''s eye-clean a typical question to ask before purchasing?
 
Date: 6/20/2007 9:09:09 AM
Author: Hank3
That''s what I heard between the WG and platinum prongs - that platinum was more durable but I wanted to confirm that with y''all and wanted to know if it was worth the extra investment to go platinum. I think WG would be fine, though, and that platinum is a bit overkill maybe?
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It has definitely been said that platinum is more durable, and I can only speak of my experiences. I wore a WG setting for 24 years, and never had a problem. I then upgraded to another WG setting a little over a year ago. I knocked it pretty hard right after I got it, and one prong did move, but not near enough to jeopardize the stone. There are millions of WG settings out there, so I wouldn''t worry too much, as long as you get a quality setting. Remember, you do get what you pay for.
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And to answer your other question, if you get your ring independantly appraised, yes, they will verify it matches the cert at the same time, and that should be included in the cost. I paid 85.00 for mine.
 
Date: 6/20/2007 9:12:23 AM
Author: Hank3


That second one does seem very nice!!! Is asking them if it's eye-clean a typical question to ask before purchasing?
Yes. AND, make sure you are on the same page as to what eye clean means. If you don't want to see anything not only face up, but from any other angle, at any distance, etc., be sure to tell them that!
 
Thank you kindly for the generous information, Ellen (and everyone who has contributed to this thread). I think I'm pretty much set to make my purchase. I just need that 0% interest credit card offer to come in the mail now
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I hope y'all won't mind me asking any other questions that may come up between now and the purchasing date. I'll also be sure to post pics of the ring that I wind up with
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Date: 6/20/2007 9:09:38 AM
Author: belle
wf sends a letter of verification from an independent appraiser and it has the replacement value stated.
I want to ECHO what Belle said......WF send a letter of verification from an independant appraiser and it states the monetary value of the diamonds.

Very nice to have. WhiteFlash is first class all the way!!!!

MWG
 
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