Buying an engagement ring

[collinmaune]

I'm in the process for looking for engagement rings for my girlfriend. She wants a pave style ring and a round diamond. She has mentioned both lab created diamonds and natural. I have been looking through James allen and Blue nile but what to get the best bang for my buck. wanting around a 1-1.25 carat center stone. I also have no problem buying a used stone or ring and using the center stone from the pre loved ring.

 

[KKJohnson]

What is your budget for just the stone and parameters you wish to stay in?

 

[KKJohnson]

REDUCED 1.4ct G, VS1, Pave Setting | Loupe Troop

loupetroop.com

Halo? Not really what we would recommend stone wise but its a nice pickup for the price

1.20ct Round Brilliant Diamond Halo Ring by Brilliant Earth GIA G VS2

The halo setting is one of the most popular settings to have been designed in the last 5 years, and for good reason. Designed and done right, a halo setting showcases its center stone beautifully. In the case of this setting, the center diamond does not need much help - its a GIA triple EX after...

www.jewelsbygrace.com

 

[collinmaune]

price wise I would like to stay under $5K. and parameters J or better on color, SI1 or better and ideal cut.

 

[KKJohnson]

This stone has nice spread but you need to request for the report

loose diamonds, round cut, 1.02 carat g color si1 clarity excellent cut sku 7881297

7881297 - This 1.02 Carat Round diamond G Color SI1 Clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.16-Carat Round Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

1.10-Carat Round Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

Lab Diamonds of course you can get the best bang for the buck

loose diamonds, round cut, 1.55 carat f color vs1 clarity ideal cut sku 7325682

7325682 - This 1.55 Carat Round diamond F Color VS1 Clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

loose diamonds, round cut, 1.27 carat f color vs1 clarity ideal cut sku 7754506

7754506 - This 1.27 Carat Round diamond F Color VS1 Clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 1.36 Carat round diamond

This 1.36 carat Lab-Created round diamond E color si1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from GCAL

www.jamesallen.com

This one doesn't have an image but you can review the stones that do or just reach out to vendor and request, his diamonds are beautiful. He has a few that could fall wiithin what you want that done have images yet, I would recommend contacting him

Round Brilliant 1.21ct. G SI1 Laboratory Grown Diamond LG_290590014

Diamond Details Measurements 6.83 - 6.85 x 4.22 Cut Grade Ideal Polish Excellent Symmetry Excellent Fluorescence None Culet None Table 57 Depth 61.7 Lab Report

www.augustvintageinc.net

A little over stone budget

Round Brilliant 1.43ct. G SI1 Laboratory Grown Diamond LG_281770157

Diamond Details Measurements 7.21 - 7.24 x 4.47 Cut Grade Ideal Polish Excellent Symmetry Excellent Fluorescence None Culet None Table 55 Depth 61.9 Lab Report

www.augustvintageinc.net

 

[SouthernElle]

If you’re interested in lab created options, you should post in the MMD section. Everyone is super helpful with finding options over there.

 

[sledge]

MMD options may cost less dollars but I don't consider them a better value than traditional earth mined stones.

Do some research. LightBox introduced MMD up to 1 carat for less than $1,000. This is very cheap compared to most lab created stones. My point is there are shifts occuring in the market that likely point to a major decline in MMD pricing.

Granted, no diamond is a good financial investment. I just see MMD as more risky.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[collinmaune]

I am sticking with an earth diamond and will also be getting her a mossinate ring as well. She is a nurse in the surgery unit and scrubs in and out of surgeries all day so I think a replica of the real ring would be a great add for her to wear to work rather then a rubber ring. I have been in contact with White flash about a few stones but still looking.

 

[KKJohnson]

I am sticking with an earth diamond and will also be getting her a mossinate ring as well. She is a nurse in the surgery unit and scrubs in and out of surgeries all day so I think a replica of the real ring would be a great add for her to wear to work rather then a rubber ring. I have been in contact with White flash about a few stones but still looking.

I would see if she wants a low profile band to wear with the gloves over a replica ring, don't want the ring ripping through the gloves

 

[sledge]

Before you pony up for a MMD replica, I would gauge her thoughts on the matter. Your intentions seem good, but many nurses choose to use the rubber bands or simply wear no ring because of policy or their own preference for not having to fight with a ring.

Remember, they can deal with nasty stuff. They wear gloves. Getting those gloves on without creating a hole/puncture so they aren't exposed to the nastiness is of the utmost importance.

 

[headlight]

Don’t get a lab diamond!

 

[monipod]

I'm impressed with the many lab diamond options available these days (AVCs... ) but for an engagement ring, I'd look at a mined stone. I think you will limit your upgrade/resell options with a lab diamond.

 

[xxxxxx]

@headlight Maybe you can explain or give some reasons for your statement? Just throwing out a sentence like that is not very helpful.

 

[rockysalamander]

For someone wearing gloves, how about a bezel set wedding band?

 

[SouthernElle]

For someone wearing gloves, how about a bezel set wedding band?

Personally, I would prefer this over a moissanite replica. (Which is not the same as an MMD.) Especially if she couldn’t even really wear the replica all the time anyways.

 

[headlight]

@headlight Maybe you can explain or give some reasons for your statement? Just throwing out a sentence like that is not very helpful.

I apologize for the delayed response. I just feel that a diamond from the earth, something unique and rare and valuable, is more desirable, especially for something as important and significant and meaningful as the symbol of one’s promise. Others may see it differently and I respect that.

 

[OoohShiny]

I apologize for the delayed response. I just feel that a diamond from the earth, something unique and rare and valuable, is more desirable, especially for something as important and significant and meaningful as the symbol of one’s promise. Others may see it differently and I respect that.

You mean one of the millions of carats of diamonds dug out of the earth each year?


I get where you are coming from, though - it is cool to think a mined diamond might have been formed 400 miles below the earth's crust 3-billion years ago and then travelled to the surface through kimberlite pipes and other mechanical actions - but it is also cool to think that us slightly-hairy monkeys have managed to recreate such things through the application of science and research gathered over what is merely a blip in time in universal terms, so I would respectfully say that you should indeed state your opinion, but that you should also justify it as you have done in your second post


There is plenty of room for both options in the market, and a wide range of buyers' opinions each offering will appeal to, so I don't (personally) think we should be attempting to influence others' decisions in any way but through laying out the facts as they stand and framing them from both/all sides of the picture, in order to ensure purchases are made from a position of knowledge and understanding, free of implication or influence!

 

[collinmaune]

So I have a very good family friend talking to a diamond wholesaler. I am still trying to get the cert but he can get me a round 1.26c ideal cut SI1 F color diamond for $6,500. Besides the GIA cert what else should I ask for, to see if it is really a good deal or not.

 

[sledge]

So I have a very good family friend talking to a diamond wholesaler. I am still trying to get the cert but he can get me a round 1.26c ideal cut SI1 F color diamond for $6,500. Besides the GIA cert what else should I ask for, to see if it is really a good deal or not.

No family friend. Just RareCarat. Almost identical. Not recommending, just showing you what is available with little effort.

Diamond Engagement Rings: Designer Quality, Best Prices | With Clarity

Explore diamond engagement rings and ring settings with the highest quality and craftsmanship made proudly in New York, USA. We’re the best in pricing, selection and service.

www.withclarity.com

In this case, the stone has medium blue fluor (MBF), so you would need to clarify there is no milky/hazy issues going on. Also, while this stone has a video, it would be recommended you at least see a photo (preferably video) of the stone. If possible, ask for an ASET or IS image.

FYI, I had a slew of diamonds from 1.20-1.30ct, F+ color, SI1+ clarity and $6,500 or less pop up on RC. Nearly all them had strong to medium fluor. All need to be examined to see what proportions do and don't work. What inclusions aren't acceptable, even though they may be SI1's. And which actually look like performers based on the videos.

I'm not against fluor necessarily, but you need to do your homework as I mentioned above. Also, in higher colors, lower levels of fluor are typically desired.

 

[collinmaune]

No family friend. Just RareCarat. Almost identical. Not recommending, just showing you what is available with little effort.

Diamond Engagement Rings: Designer Quality, Best Prices | With Clarity

Explore diamond engagement rings and ring settings with the highest quality and craftsmanship made proudly in New York, USA. We’re the best in pricing, selection and service.

www.withclarity.com

In this case, the stone has medium blue fluor (MBF), so you would need to clarify there is no milky/hazy issues going on. Also, while this stone has a video, it would be recommended you at least see a photo (preferably video) of the stone. If possible, ask for an ASET or IS image.

FYI, I had a slew of diamonds from 1.20-1.30ct, F+ color, SI1+ clarity and $6,500 or less pop up on RC. Nearly all them had strong to medium fluor. All need to be examined to see what proportions do and don't work. What inclusions aren't acceptable, even though they may be SI1's. And which actually look like performers based on the videos.

I'm not against fluor necessarily, but you need to do your homework as I mentioned above. Also, in higher colors, lower levels of fluor are typically desired.

Thanks Sledge,

I will do some more looking, I have been back and forth between Blue Nile, RareCarat, James Allen, White Flash and now a family friend.

 

[collinmaune]

My question now is between ideal and very good cut, with very good I could go to a 1.5 carat stone and with ideal I could go with a 1.20-1.30 stone.

 

[rockysalamander]

talking to a diamond wholesaler.

Diamond wholesalers don't sell to the public...by definition. If they are willing to sell to you, they are not offering you wholesale pricing. Go in with ryes wide open.

 

[collinmaune]

after doing more and more looking, I have found her Pintrest page and she has shared both round, radiant and princess cut diamonds on a pave band. Everything she shared was a non halo setting. I am no going back and forth between round vs radiant or princess. When looking at non round what are the main areas to focus on?

 

[rockysalamander]

after doing more and more looking, I have found her Pintrest page and she has shared both round, radiant and princess cut diamonds on a pave band. Everything she shared was a non halo setting. I am no going back and forth between round vs radiant or princess. When looking at non round what are the main areas to focus on?

Round is much easier. As soon as you get to fancies, it's harder. She pinned round, why change gears?

 

[collinmaune]

I think I’ll stick with round, now I’m back and forth on cut vs size.

 

[sledge]

Getting into fancies is a love/hate thing. Unless you specifically know she wants a particular shape, I would absolutely go round. And then if you get into certain shapes, the ratio (length:width) becomes a big deal for some people too. Some like rectangle, some like more square. Some in between.

As far as cut vs size -- for me, it's an absolute no brainer -- CUT, CUT, CUT!!!!

There are a few reasons:

1. More fire & sparkles = more smiles from you, her and everyone that sees it

2. Once you see a well cut stone, you really can't stand to see a poorly cut one

3. When it's cut right, light enters, bounces around and leaves the top. This is important because the diamond will look brighter and whiter as a result. Additionally it will reflect light from EDGE to EDGE, which makes a stone look bigger. In poorly cut stones, light doesn't go edge to edge and looks smaller than same (and sometimes smaller) stones.

Here's a video that shows #3 in effect. Both stones are 1 carat, but look at how the poorly cut stone shrinks because it lacks edge to edge light return.

 

[collinmaune]

What do you think about this diamond?

loose diamonds, round cut, 1.29 carat j color si2 clarity excellent cut sku 7004895

7004895 - This 1.29 Carat Round diamond J Color SI2 Clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[sledge]

What do you think about this diamond?

loose diamonds, round cut, 1.29 carat j color si2 clarity excellent cut sku 7004895

7004895 - This 1.29 Carat Round diamond J Color SI2 Clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

I would not recommend this stone. Crown is too shallow, and pavilion is too steep at 41.2. Take into account GIA rounding & averaging and you will have actual pavilion values slipping over the 41.2 line.

Suggest you stay within these criteria for ideal cut stone:

• 54-57 table
• 60-62.4 depth (prefer 62 or less)
• 34-35 crown (maybe 35.5, if paired w/ 40.6 pavilion)
• 40.6-40.9 pavilion (maybe 41, if paired w/ 34 crown)
• 75-80 lower girdle facets (aka LGF's)
• Inverse relationship between crown & pavilion, meaning steep crown/shallow pavilion or vice versa
• HCA score of 0-2 (maybe 2.5 in rare cases)

 

[rockysalamander]

What do you think about this diamond?

loose diamonds, round cut, 1.29 carat j color si2 clarity excellent cut sku 7004895

7004895 - This 1.29 Carat Round diamond J Color SI2 Clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

And...Clouds in any SI stone are rarely innocuous.

 

[Dancing Fire]

My question now is between ideal and very good cut, with very good I could go to a 1.5 carat stone and with ideal I could go with a 1.20-1.30 stone.

I'll always pick the better cut stone.