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Best Bang for the buck 35 to 40k

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Duaneb

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 25, 2005
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I guys & gals, I am finally very close to pulling the trigger. This will be my first marriage and I would like to get her a nice ring. I do not want any other stones on the ring other than the main and would like it to be round. Is it possible to get a nice 3 carat in this price range and what should I look for? I have done some reading and started to educate myself as, this site has been a great source of info.
 
"Is it possible to get a ''nice'' 3ct stone in this price range?"


Uh, NO- how about a drop dead, knock your socks off 3ct in that price range!
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Here''s one from Whiteflash.

Here''s one from GOG.

This one is from DCD
 
umm, umm...that one from GOG looks de-vine! i''d love to have a 3.3ct rock on my finger!
 
Thanks guys, I noticed that the middle one was I in color. Should I try to stay with D,E,F? Also is it safe to buy online? Also what about going to 3.5 carats does this make sense? thanks for all your help.
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First off, let me say what a lucky girl you have! She is going to be W
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WED!!

Color is a personal preference. Have you looked at diamonds in person to get an idea of color? I am comfortable with up to H color, sight unseen. I might be fine wth an I but I have never seen one in person. I like the Whiteflash one that Sevens posted.

As for going to 3.5...well, it depends on the girl. What size is her finger? Does she want a really big diamond? Do her friends all have big e-rings? Personally, I think 3.5 looks too big on me...but I wouldn''t say no if it was offered to me.
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Is she a quality kind of gal, or wants to impress her friends and even random strangers kinda gal?

My gal likes quality and was willing to give up some size for stuff like cut and color. Some girls want size first and foremost with the other stuff an afterthought. Every girl is different. Do you have an idea what your girl is like?

With your budget, she'll be impressed no matter what. My guess is that she may like a slightly smaller stone if the cut is better. Color is something that's definitely in the eye of the beholder.

Is the proposal complete surprise thing? If you guys have talked about it and she knows one is coming eventually, maybe start hinting and try and get more ideas as to what qualities she likes in a diamond. To me, her knowing it's coming but w/ no idea of the time frame just drives the anticipation up even more. That's a good thing in my opinion.
 
Date: 1/25/2005 11:5:22 AM
Author: Duaneb
Thanks guys, I noticed that the middle one was I in color. Should I try to stay with D,E,F? Also is it safe to buy online? Also what about going to 3.5 carats does this make sense? thanks for all your help.
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Does it have to be round ? No sidestones ?
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If this ends up a round solitaire, my vote goes to F-G/SI1, ideal cut (AGS0 and IdealScope, if no Harts and Arrows comes forth), definitely online... 'cause the prices are better and the cut is better to keep the 'unusual' sales channel afloat
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Anything between 3 and 4 carats would be a stunner.

And why not let the girl choose her favorite setting for the stone ? The invitation to pick her own ring for the stone can only be pleasant, and you can't go wrong... The diamond can always be presented in a basic setting - some jewelers would even throw one in anyway.

Just my 0.2, of course.

I wouldn't just pick a diamond for you... Anyway, running a search among the superideals (listed under the button "By HCA cut quality") put up here by a dozen or so competing shops can't hurt - at least as price and quality refference.
 
Thanks guys this has been so informative. Do you have the link to the 4.10 at whitefish? Also my girlfriend has average to small hands. I am not sure about her rings size. This will be a total surprise to her so I do not want to give any clues. Most of her friends are not married yet and she is the type of person who woud like the ring no matter what size it is, hence thats why I am going to marry her. But what woman in thier right mind would not want a 3 carat rock LOL?
 
Date: 1/25/2005 3
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Author: Duaneb
Thanks guys this has been so informative. Do you have the link to the 4.10 at whitefish? Also my girlfriend has average to small hands. I am not sure about her rings size. This will be a total surprise to her so I do not want to give any clues. Most of her friends are not married yet and she is the type of person who woud like the ring no matter what size it is, hence thats why I am going to marry her. But what woman in thier right mind would not want a 3 carat rock LOL?
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The 4.10 is no longer available -- Solange bought it a while ago.

Since you seem to be open to a lower color, here is one I found on Blue Nile:

3.83ct I SI1 - http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD00318782&item=5_49&filter_id=0&sec=&query=&page=1&sortby=size-d
 
Date: 1/25/2005 3:10:21 PM
Author: Duaneb
What do you guys thinks of this one?

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1125945.htm
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duaneb:

just my two cents here. i dont know you or your fiance (who may want this and have tried this size on already so please hit eject if this is irrelevant)(and god knows i love a big diamond) BUT personally round brilliants over 2.5 to 3 look like doorknobs. I think they lose their grace if they are not on a comparably large/tall person with larger hands. Overall physique does come in to play as well as personal style...so its a different story for each person.

They also stand up quite high on the finger as they get deeper. I have a friend who is 5 2" with very small hands w/ a three carat and it looks ridiculous on her--not elegant--makes her hand look stubby. just food for thought... if you look around at the park avenue gals anything over 3 (and up up up)becomes an emerald cut, radiant or cushion. Another one I see a lot of is the three stone rounds(2.5 center with 1 on each side)
 
The Whiteflash stone is larger and better color than the Blue Nile. However it is an EGL certification and sometimes they are easier graders than GIA or AGS.

I'm sorry if I did not make it clear that I bought the 4.10 from Whiteflash. I am trying to find a link to it so you can see it.

If the 4 carat stone is in Whiteflash's inventory, which it seems to be since it is on their site, I would call and ask to speak with Brian. He will be able to tell you whether the stone is accurately graded. And you might ask what else they have or can get for you that is the best quality and value for the money.

By the way I live in Manhattan and I see many young women with round engagement rings larger than mine. I am 5'2 and I do not think my round stone looks like a doorknob. It is set low in a plain Tiffany setting and I don't think it is too big at all.
 
Thanks for the clarifacation, can I ask what you paid for the 4.10 from whiteflash? Also can you explain the differences in grading. What certification did the one you have purchased?
 
Duane here is Pricescope''s article about the different grading labs:
http://grading.pricescope.com/

Also, if you are definitely interested in the Whiteflash stone, ask them for a Sarin report. Currently, they don''t offer a lot of information about that diamond.
 
Duane that stone you posted, the 4.02c is not a stone WF has in inventory, it's a virtual stone meaning they would have to call it in...it's also an EGL grading and has a slightly thick girdle.

In terms of color, personally I don't know how keen I would be on an 'I' colored stone in a 3-4c sizing, as many people say that 'I' color is where they start to see a tinge, around 2c. However, that is not going to be everyone's eyes, but if you have not seen an 'I' in person in those sizes, check one out before buying and/or have them ship the stone to you for inspection first.

I would stick to something like a 3-3.5c G/H SI stone that is eye-clean and very well-cut because the excellence of the cut can also make the stone look brighter.

Lastly, I adore large stones and dream of a 3c but it IS a preference, your GF may not want a 3-4c doorknocker on her finger esp as you note she is small. Also even though I love larger stones, I don't know that I would go over a 3c for my finger (size 6), because I have tried on a 5c at a store and it looked too fake for me.

So 3c is around my limit....so again, just be sure she wants something like a 4c stone, don't just get carried away with how big or how great it can be--make sure you can get something that you both will love and if you are unsure on sizing, play a safe bet.

I would do a 3-3.5c G/H SI in a beautiful setting with pave on the shank/band for interest.

Actually this stone would be a great pick for me--nice clean color and no worries about inclusions with that clarity grade:
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=AGS-5163401#

Good luck!!
 
Are you sure about the size?

Duane,

I hope that if you plan to marry and to spend so much money on a ring that you know what your girlfriend likes and that you and she share the same taste. I wouldn''t want a huge diamond like that on my finger. I also think codex57 makes a good point when he asks is the "quality" kind of gal or an "I want to impress everyone" kind of gal.

I have every intention of going, now, to look at the stones you described...and any others I can find. I love pretending I can buy something with someone else''s money :-). But if my fiancé had a lot of money and wanted to spend it on a diamond for me, I would be thinking: why not D, IF (and *smaller*)?

Deb
 
Well...I put *my* criteria into the Pricescope search engine and came up with: NOTHING!! I said I was looking for a 2.50 to 2.80 D color IF AGS000 Hearts and Arrows RB. Nothing. I wonder what that would cost?

Deb

PS-I tried putting "$35,000-$40,000" and "search by quality only" and ALSO came up with nothing. Why would that be?
 
See Deb and I disagree on the D IF. Even if I didn''t love big rings and wanted something smaller, I don''t love D IF either, I think it''s a huge waste of money. So if I was a smaller stone gal, and if Greg came home with a 3c and I hated it, I would hate a 2c D IF just as much if not more, because I would be thinking...why not a 2c G VS or something and taking the extra money for a vacation or engagement trip?

So it really DOES pay to know your fiance and/or GF very well because it can be an expensive mistake, however you look at it.
 
With your kind of budget, I would go for a great cut, and good color and clairty. I would not waste money on a D, IF stone. I would go for a VS or or SI clarity and an E, F, or G color. Something that large will attract a lot of attention and after the size and sparkle (from the cut), I''d want an excellent color. Clarity does not matter much to me, but since it does to most people, I say go with a VS or SI clarity.
 
SuperbCert has a 3c E IF that is $96k!
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Oooh!! I like it, Cath! It is nice to know that if I am ever proposed to by a man who wants to spend $75,000 on a single diamond, that I will know I can come up with a stone I like!
 
I would be sure she would want a solitare with no sides stones.  I am currently changing my setting from a solitare because I really want some "extras" to complement my stone.  if she has small hands she wont have room to do too much and a 3-4 karat ring will probably cover her finger.  I think it''s great you want it to be a surpise but you may try to get some info of what she would want.  I always knew what kind of ring my sister wanted so when her now hubby was starting the ring hunt he got some ideas from me and was able to completly surprise her with exactly what she wanted.  good luck.  with that budget you it would be hard to go wrong.
 
There''s also this 3.20 F SI1 AGS0 H&A for $37k. I''d want a little more info about the cut than just a note on a virtual cert, but it might be a contender if you''d like to stick to higher color. Just make sure that at this size, the inclusions aren''t noticeable.

Or go for size with this 3.83 I SI1 "Signature Ideal" AGS0 for $37k.

You have lots of options. Enjoy the process and enjoy the stone you get.
 
Is there any way a friend of hers or someone could get her ring size from her? Wth a rock that big, you don't want any re-sizing to affect the integrity of the ring if her fingers really are so tiny.

I'd try to be a bit stealthy and be sure of her tastes a bit more, if you can. A stone that large would be stunning in a plaine solitaire, but that isn't everyone's cup of tea....of course she will love whatever you get her, but just see if you can poke around at all...?


(eta, search around a bit on Show Me The Ring, or visit www.artofplatinum.com to see some examples of solitaires that have a little "extra")
 
And then, if you''re not worried about the doorknob thing, 5 vendors each sport this one, at 3.07, G VS2, which you can price match to $37,780.

Still, I''d call GOG.

Best,
 
I am 5''2", have a 3.29 ct RB, as the center of a three-stone ring, and it doesn''t look like a doorknob!!!

One-and-a-half years ago, I paid approx. $20K for a 3.29 (9.59mm) RB, EGL, H, SI2.
Therefore, you should be able to get the same size in waaaaaaay better quality for your budget.
 
This place is great. Its so nice to hear different perspectives on this. The truth of the matter is like I said before she is so cool when it comes to things like this and thats one of the many reasons I want to marry her. The good thing is I am not in a hurry and I have time to continue to be educated by this great community. I plan on doing this in April and I am just starting to plan on how I will do it. I like the idea of a the 3.83 in a h or I SI1 or 2 for around 37k. Can anyone posy some pics of what this size ring will actually look like on a hand? Thanks again.
 
It IS nice to have this forum, Duane! You will gets so many different opinions. Personally, I wouldn''t ever want to spend that much on a diamond *gasp*, but that''s just me. That''s an awesome down payment on a condo in the Myrtle Beach area!!!! Then again, I''m a stay at home mom with 2 toddlers and only one income right now. I think what I''m going to spend is extravagant
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(in the $10K range).

I agree with windowshopper about the size. I''m 5''0" and I would NEVER wear a 3 ct solitaire! However, headlight loves hers and she''s a small gal, too! Go figure. Also, I would think an F or G color in the VS range would be stunning.

Do you know FOR SURE she loves the round? I know you want it to be a total surprise. Is there any way at all to find out her favorite shape? Having said that, round is so classic & elegant. I was going to buy it, but I tried on an EC and fell in love.

Also have you looked for any diamonds in person, yet? If not, go to a store near you and try on something in the 2ct range. Rounds look larger than other cuts. Good luck and keep us posted!

Amy
 
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