Hi guys
Sorry this is yet another diamond newbie looking for advice, hopefully you guys can give an opinion as I'm on the fence.
I'm looking for an engagement ring on a fairly tight budget. I am fairly decided on a pear diamond in a halo setting - I think my other half will like this style. Rather than go to the highstreet and get ripped off I'd like something that is at least marginally worth what I'm paying for it. I realise it won't suddenly double in value overnight and I'm not buying it as an investment per-se, I just don't like the idea of paying crazy markups for highstreet tat with diamonds that aren't certified etc.
I've found two main contenders, one at James Allen, another at B2C Jewels. I know James Allen is very popular on these forums but it would be great to get an objective answer. I'm also open to alternatives if they're within my budget.
I've done a bit of research and from the diamonds I've looked at I really don't like seeing inclusions so for that reason I'd like to prioritise clarity, and I'd also like to keep the size close to 0.66-0.7ct. I'm willing to compromise on color as I realise I'm on a very tight budget. I'd like it to come in around $2,000 for the ring and stone (plus taxes once it enters the UK), I also want to be able to see a photo of the diamond and certificate.
I'm in the UK but for simplicity I'll keep all these figures in $USD.
----------------------------
B2C Jewels - Stone
Size: 0.73ct (8.00 x 5.01 x 3.02mm)
Clarity: IF
Color: J
Certificate: IGI S3G20117
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4259227-0.73-carat-Pear-diamond-J-color-IF-clarity.aspx
http://www.77diamonds.com/certification_PSCP2ZSMDYRP.html (details)
http://www.77diamonds.com/viewOriginalCertificate.aspx?code=PSCP2ZSMDYRP (image)
B2C Jewels - Ring
http://www.b2cjewels.com/Pear/1/6385/Diamond-Accent-Settings/Pear-Halo-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-Milgrain-Edging-14K-White-Gold.aspx
B2C Total Cost: $1984 + $73 Shipping + $397 Taxes = $2454 (using voucher mom16)
Interestingly B2C don't have a photo of the actual diamond but I did find a more in depth copy of the cert and a photo of the diamond on a UK site, "77 diamonds". They are charging around $150 more than B2C for the same stone.
-----------------------------
James Allen - Stone
Size: 0.69ct (8.17 x 5.15 x 2.88mm)
Clarity: VVS2
Color: K
Certificate: GIA 5151926464
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/0.69-carat-k-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-325317
There is another J colored stone at $1220 which I considered but I can see horrible surface graining on it in the photo.
James Allen - Ring
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-pear-center-item-17441
James Allen Total Cost: $2062 + $412 taxes = $2474
-------------------------------
I realise IGI is not as well respected as the GIA, but presumably even an IGI J/IF might be similar to a GIA K/VVS2?
Thanks for taking your time to read this and sticking with me throughout my ramblings. Hopefully there's some good feedback as I'm getting a bit sick of looking at diamonds
.
P
Sorry this is yet another diamond newbie looking for advice, hopefully you guys can give an opinion as I'm on the fence.
I'm looking for an engagement ring on a fairly tight budget. I am fairly decided on a pear diamond in a halo setting - I think my other half will like this style. Rather than go to the highstreet and get ripped off I'd like something that is at least marginally worth what I'm paying for it. I realise it won't suddenly double in value overnight and I'm not buying it as an investment per-se, I just don't like the idea of paying crazy markups for highstreet tat with diamonds that aren't certified etc.
I've found two main contenders, one at James Allen, another at B2C Jewels. I know James Allen is very popular on these forums but it would be great to get an objective answer. I'm also open to alternatives if they're within my budget.
I've done a bit of research and from the diamonds I've looked at I really don't like seeing inclusions so for that reason I'd like to prioritise clarity, and I'd also like to keep the size close to 0.66-0.7ct. I'm willing to compromise on color as I realise I'm on a very tight budget. I'd like it to come in around $2,000 for the ring and stone (plus taxes once it enters the UK), I also want to be able to see a photo of the diamond and certificate.
I'm in the UK but for simplicity I'll keep all these figures in $USD.
----------------------------
B2C Jewels - Stone
Size: 0.73ct (8.00 x 5.01 x 3.02mm)
Clarity: IF
Color: J
Certificate: IGI S3G20117
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4259227-0.73-carat-Pear-diamond-J-color-IF-clarity.aspx
http://www.77diamonds.com/certification_PSCP2ZSMDYRP.html (details)
http://www.77diamonds.com/viewOriginalCertificate.aspx?code=PSCP2ZSMDYRP (image)
B2C Jewels - Ring
http://www.b2cjewels.com/Pear/1/6385/Diamond-Accent-Settings/Pear-Halo-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-Milgrain-Edging-14K-White-Gold.aspx
B2C Total Cost: $1984 + $73 Shipping + $397 Taxes = $2454 (using voucher mom16)
Interestingly B2C don't have a photo of the actual diamond but I did find a more in depth copy of the cert and a photo of the diamond on a UK site, "77 diamonds". They are charging around $150 more than B2C for the same stone.
-----------------------------
James Allen - Stone
Size: 0.69ct (8.17 x 5.15 x 2.88mm)
Clarity: VVS2
Color: K
Certificate: GIA 5151926464
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/pear-shaped/0.69-carat-k-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-325317
There is another J colored stone at $1220 which I considered but I can see horrible surface graining on it in the photo.
James Allen - Ring
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-pear-center-item-17441
James Allen Total Cost: $2062 + $412 taxes = $2474
-------------------------------
I realise IGI is not as well respected as the GIA, but presumably even an IGI J/IF might be similar to a GIA K/VVS2?
Thanks for taking your time to read this and sticking with me throughout my ramblings. Hopefully there's some good feedback as I'm getting a bit sick of looking at diamonds
P