Buying a ring...scary business...HELP!

[aquintas]

Hello...just found this website in my desperate efforts to learn more about diamonds and what to look for.Planning on buying an engagement ring in the next few weeks.I have a few co-workers who have suggested jewelers to go see...but before I go into a shop, I wanted to become as educated so I don’t glaze over with too much information and too many dollar signs flying before my eyes. This whole process is more daunting then buying a car to me because I know so little. I read the tutorial on this website but I want to get peoples advice as well.

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I am not opposed to spending money on this ring...I want it to be a treasured item for my fiancé for years to come.However, like everyone, I do have to be realistic. I have about $10,000 set aside to buy a ring including a setting.She really likes princess cuts so I’m pretty set on that...even though I prefer round...but then again it''s not my ring to wear.What should I be looking for in a diamond...you always hear about the “4 C’s” but that means a whole lot of nothing to me...what''s more important...cut vs. clarity vs. color...what gives you the most sparkle and brilliance?.My idea is to get something around 1.2 carats...but I definitely want a quality diamond that looks good compared to others.With my budget do I stand a chance of pulling this off or am I going to have to sacrifice size or quality?/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]>/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]>

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Please help me become more educated before I am tossed to the wolves at the store!!!/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]>/www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/3.gif[/img]>

 

[valeria101]

Here's one receipe to select by cut proportions, light return, color and clarity:
#1: set your goal on a size (surface or average side length for a square princess), not weight. The cut makes size vary quite a bit for each weight.

#2: read the tutorial on fancy cuts here and set some lower threshold on what represents nice proportiosn of a princess cut for you.

#3: get some idea on what light return does for these stones (the collection of princess cuts at GoodOldGold and Whiteflash does have a bunch of info on this available - worth browsing even if you don't buy there).

#4: get in a store to see a few color and clarity grades to get an idea what works for you.

This should take a day (given #4).

What you have in mind to spend should really give you lots of choice.

Hope this an PS follow-up will help

 

[moremoremore]

HECK YA!!! For that amount, you can get an amzing stone....and bigger than 1.2 depending on the color you want. Cut is most important, and a superior cut can make a stone appear ultra white even though it has a "lower" color....say G or H (but not something you have to worry about in D, E, F and in my opinion, G- which is my color of choice) Check out Gemappraisers.com cut chart for princess stones to start. But with fancies, # don't tell the story....you gotta see the stone to see if it's a dazzler.... Re: color: In my opinion, an F will appear as colorless as a D. I actually prefer an amazingly cut, larger G to D E and F. You also have clarity to play with. I think that as long as it's eye clean, then who cares about clarity! I'd prefer whiter and bigger with a superior cut!!! I do respect people who go for higher clarity and color...I prefer a balance...I woulndn't want a teey D IF, I'd prefer a large F-G Vs2-Si1 with an awesome cut...Happy learning! And p.s. the princess is my favorite!

 

[valeria101]

It's hard to pinpoint what the 'local consensus' is about a great princess cut. However, I'd try to guess: G, VS2/Si1, square (length/width between 1 and 1.05 it's kinda harsh for me, but this is what you might hear), depth and table below 70%, crown height above 9%, good or better polish and symetry, and, good light return (ideal scope or Brilliance scope reports help with this last factor).

This may or may not sound good to you, the laundry list is just meant as a place to start.

Not sure it is useful to locate a stone without a link to teh seller... it is quite useful to post a stone or two and get comments on them.

 

[Nicrez]

First things first...read up on this board about all you can:

Here: Diamond Tutorial

You can also read about the AGA charts which many use as a good guideline for cut here: AGA Charts

Things to know: You can always go to the first page of priceScope and input what you are looking for. You will get some numbers on the kind of stones you like. If still totally clueless, know that a princess stone will have a deeper depth, and a larger crown (table %) than round stones. Also, princesses on the whole should be almost perfectly square.

For $9,225.00, you can get this: 1.5, E, VS2 Expert Selection princess and set it in white gold.

or if you want a fancier setting with diamonds in it, the stone could be something like this: 1.5ct , F, SI1 Expert Selection Princess for $7,675.

I think Whiteflash and quite a few vendors have some discounts for Price Scope people if you ask (about 2-5% depending)

That said, Good Old Gold has been turning out some of the BEST princess stones I have seen in a while!!!

Like this one: 1.51, G, VS2 $9,196

Or just try calling some of these people and seeing what they have in stock but is not posted...GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[moremoremore]

Lookie Lookie! OK- this is just an ex of a stone that would blow your socks right off!

It's more expensive....but just an example....it's also a vvs2...so price would be a lot less if it was a vs2 for ex....

http://www.superbcert.com/Shop_By_Product/Diamond_Details.cfm/P/694/N/1;1

Oh yes, and one more thing...prepare to have your head explode during the learning process!

JK!!!!

 

[valeria101]

And...
D-VS2, 1.14cts, $6500

1.38cts, F- VVS2, $8700

1.56cts, H-VS1, $7900

 

[aquintas]

First off...WOW...thank you to everyone for all the great replies. I can barely keep up! Just to clarify...I don't think I want to go much bigger then 1.3...usually I am a "go big or go home" type of guy...but my girlfriend is an elementary school teacher...and she is concerned about having a bulky ring getting caught on things/kids in the classroom.

 

[moremoremore]

LOL....look how we all ravage the newbie!

Fresh meat. But then again, I'm a newbie here....(kinda been banned from DT LOL...gotta watch my step)....

Just keep in mind that princess stones tend to look a smaller than rounds of the same carat weight....

That said, 1.3 is a lovely size !!! You can really get a blinding white D and superior clarity or go all out on a setting!

 

[valeria101]

An impressive ring does not have to contain the biggest of rocks. If you want this done fast, you could also charge one shop to select a stone within your parameters and make an outstanding ring too. This would not save you deciding what a nice princess cut looks like and what is a good price for it, but the rest of the process is all summed up.

Internet sellers do this too.

 

[diamondsman]

Princess cut diamonds are really nice and have lots of fire to them,If you are planing on getting one I would highly recommend it.
Try to stay withing the low 70's depth and table, no flour. thin- med girdle, g-vg polosh,g-vg symm.,in order to get the most brilliancy out of the stone.
If you are planning to get just a regular4-6 prong setting you can upgrade to a larger stone for your 10k.

check the web for 1.50+cts. and see what you can get for your budget.There are really good deals out there.

good luck