buying engagement ring advice

[liynus]

i''m really tempted to purchase a loose diamond on the internet for my engagement ring.

I''m linking to two that I really like. The 0.90C one is 4800, and the 1.02 is 5300.
The cut may be better for the 0.90C. That being said, what is most important is the fire in the rings, since my sig other has small fingers. Someone on the forum also linked to a huge 1.236C one that looks like a great buy. I''m still a student, so I''m tight on the budget. Any recommendations? I''m looking for a round cut, ideal cut, will take SI1 if it is eye clean. F color even G. Budget is $5000 give or take.

1.02C
http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-283310.htm#

0.90C
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=53&item=1060573

1.236
http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-183729.htm

Btw, I live in NYC. So Mark at ERD is a good person to get the diamond set into, or is this better to do online. I''m concerned by my sig other''s fingers are very small. So I want to make sure the band doesn''t look too big on her finger.

Charles

 

[Regular Guy]

Hi, Liynus,

Welcome to Pricescope. A few thoughts for you...

1) Sorry, I can't get to your links...or maybe just the JA one. Either way, I did find that one from JA you found, and think it's probably nice. Point to Jim or Leonid...please have these signature picks come up in the sbc db. Thank you.

2) I also like this one from JA

3) I didn't find your pick from WF, but I found this one, at $5093 wire priced.

4) If you're going to ERD in NY, at least consider what he might be able to show you for a diamond, too.

5) Ditto, consider GOG in Long Island.

Regards,

 

[diasurfer]

I was the one who suggested the 1.23 WF diamond on the other thread. It's I color. You mentioned you were looking for F or G so keep that in mind.

I just bought a stone for an engagement ring. I knew from PS to get an excellent cut, so you're on the right track there. Like most people, I decided eye-clean was good enough as well, so I went with Si1. So that's two C's taken care of. The REALLY hard part is trading color grade (away from D) for carat (getting a bigger stone). The only thing I can say is try to get a read on what is important to your lady. I was lucky enough to see a J eightstar with her. She thought it was really nice and didn't seem to notice the color I saw at all. Her main priority was at least one carat! She has size 7.5 fingers. You're lucky your lady's fingers are small so you can get fewer carats and it will still look like it has size. I went with 1.21 carats in I color, so size won out over color, although I didn't go down to J. Try to figure out if size or a really white diamond (from the sides as well as face up) is HER priority.

I bought an ACA from Whiteflash, but I also spoke with Mark at ERD. He discussed a few diamonds with me. He ultimately couldn't find what I was looking for in my timeframe, but I experienced the honesty he is known for on this forum. Might be an advantage that he could show you some in person.

good luck

 

[liynus]

thanks i called Mark at ERD. So I''ll try to make an appt. The 0.93 looks great. It''s less expensive, and larger looking than the .90. I''m going to call to make sure it''s clean. I might go with the G VS2, if mark doesn''t have anything better thanks everyone.

charles

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/30/2007 11:41:15 PM
Author: Regular Guy
Hi, Liynus,

Welcome to Pricescope. A few thoughts for you...

1) Sorry, I can''t get to your links...or maybe just the JA one. Either way, I did find that one from JA you found, and think it''s probably nice. Point to Jim or Leonid...please have these signature picks come up in the sbc db. Thank you.

2) I also like this one from JA

3) I didn''t find your pick from WF, but I found this one, at $5093 wire priced.

4) If you''re going to ERD in NY, at least consider what he might be able to show you for a diamond, too.

5) Ditto, consider GOG in Long Island.

Regards,

Definitely. If you are lucky enough to be in the vicinity, these are two very good places to go. I''d try to do one stop shopping with whichever one can find what you want.