Another one of those "clueless boyfriend" questions!

[diamanteperfetto]

So... I have a very special someone that I would like to give the best I can possibly afford. She definitely would like a diamond with LOTS of "fire" and that seems to be the most important attribute for her. I just don''t want to get ripped off.

Currently, I am looking in the $7,000 - 15,000 range.

At the top point of my range, I have found the following:

1.51 carat Round Brilliant diamond
Color: G
Clarity: VVS2
Cut: Excellent (GIA)
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None

The table is 57% and the height?!? is 61.1%, it has a thin - medium girdle and no cutlet.

When I saw this diamond, it was in a white gold setting and the diamond looked crystal clear. Unfortunately, I felt that it lacked some of the "fire" the my girlfriend would like.

The next step down for me would be to buy a smaller diamond from Tiffany and Company. circa $12,000 in a platinum setting

Carat weight: 1.02
Color Grade: H
Clarity: VVS2 (I think)
Cut Grade: Excellent (GIA)

This diamond looked great to my eye and had all of the "fire" that I could ever imagine.

Those are all of the details I have on this diamond, but would I be paying too much of a premium for the "Tiffany" name.

Those are the two major contendors right now, but I am open to suggestions and any opinions.

I''m also considering buying a similarly rated 1 carat diamond round the $7,000-8,000 range and having some extra cash for the honeymoon. I have really just started my research and I probably won''t make a purchase for a couple of months now.

Help?!?

 

[Regular Guy]

Two main points I''d suggest:

1) Target VS2 instead (beyond it, you can''t see the benefit).

2) Study here (like above under knowledge the tutorial) to learn about how qualities of cut can be verified...as it will be worth it to you to pay more for something like cut over clarity, for example...and two diamonds that might otherwise appear equal, might not be so equal, once you know more about the markers to look for. Though...don''t give up your healthy naive valuations of "fire seeking," etc. as this is good.

Welcome!

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

depending on the exact angles and LGF/star numbers of your diamond the difference in fire you are observing may very well be due to different lighting. I don't know what store you were looking at but I know that Tif., Cartier, debeers, etc have mastered the art of using lights to make diamonds sparkle and fire, so make sure that you are comparing the diamonds under the same lighting conditions or you may well find yourself immensely disappointed when you bring your Tif home and it performs exactly like the other one did...only smaller.


and listen to regular guys advice, do some more studying on cut, and def learn more about clarity to determine if you really need to pay for the invisible benefits of VVS or not. if you want really high quality but still intend to maximize size for your dollar VS1 is also a good choice, it carries hefty premiums itself but will save a good deal off VVS while still being extremely commendable quality and well above the "eye cleanliness" that is so important when focusing on budget.

 

[diamanteperfetto]

Ira, thanks for the quick and straight forward help. I definitely will be studying and learning a lot before I make my purchase. It is important to me that this be something that she will enjoy for the rest of her life (duh!).

Any other comments are welcome

 

[somethingshiny]

I just wanted to say that I think it''s great that you''re actually researching this purchase. I''m sure you''ll get a beautiful ring! And, after you''ve proposed, you can bring your bride-to-be here and show her the effort you put into this memento.

Good Luck!

 

[InlovewithJHK]

If you are interested in a Tiffany''s ring... I strongly suggest checking out Signed Pieces (they sell consigned tiffany''s rings, the real deal).

http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=3855
http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=4080

 

[diamanteperfetto]

Are the Tif rings from that site "used"? Or does the company give them jewlery straight from them to sell. Those prices are pretty great AND they have a military discount! Thanks .

I''m still looking at loose diamonds as well. The lady also likes Tacori settings.

I found a nice diamond:
here!
A great price and very high quality... but I''m not sure that I''m okay with ''H'' color yet... I''ve got a lot of looking to do

 

[diamanteperfetto]

Any comments about the diamond I listed above?


Please excuse my ignorance in anything I have asked!

 

[ericad]

Just curious if you''ve given any thought to an antique diamond, like an old mine or european? Not to confuse you more! But the nice old diamond cuts are very fiery, and since she likes the tacori style settings (very feminine and romantic style), perhaps this could be a good option. I recently got hooked onto antique cuts, so just thought I''d throw it out there, but they''re not for everyone

 

[phoenixgirl]

I think that is an amazing diamond! You should have no fear working with WhiteFlash. Their customer service and reputation are impeccable!

You looked at an H at Tiffany's . . . were you ok with the color in that stone? The WF stone should be just as white, and actually, Tiffany's can sometimes have stones with a mediocre (well, for PS super ideal standards) cut. Knowing that the A Cut Above stone will be just that, all people will see is sparkle.

 

[Stone Hunter]

Do your research, take your time. You have started out on the right track!! Very thoughtful to think of what she wants and what would make her happy in the long run.

You have a very nice budget. Start looking around at Signed P., White Flash, GOG, James Allen and see what it can get you.

Check out some local jewelry stores and look at GIA graded stones next to other GIA graded stones to see what colors you like/dislike. Take your GF to see how picky she is about color. But try not to buy... as someone else said the lights they use make you think the stone sparkles more than it does.

Once you know the color range your comfortable with look online again.