Bypass setting, now need a stone

[ndiniwacho]

Hello,

I'm ready to propose, and have found the setting but I'm having quite a time figuring out which stone to get.

Here is the setting; http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER10262W4JJJ

It's simple and elegant and will allow the stone to stand out more. Budget is $6-8K.

I've narrowed it down to the following but am flexible to find a better stone;
Shape: Round
Carat: 0.95-1.20 (willing to go below 1ct to get better quality in the other 3Cs)
Cut: Ideal
Colour: G
Clarity: SI1-VS2
Polish: Excellent
Flourescence: None
Symmetry: Excellent

I'd appreciate any comments on these stones or any others that you could recommend;
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-311134
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.04-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-308015
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.96-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-253107
http://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaRD#diamonds_pid=LD04191196
http://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaRD#diamonds_pid=LD04034042
http://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaRD#diamonds_pid=LD04109252

Thanks

 

[TC1987]

The first one doesn't look like it would be eyeclean, to me. Is there a reason why you want to go with James Allen or Blue nile? BN is only a drop- shipper unless perhaps for their Signature Series that they have in-house. James Allen has in-house stones but also a lot of drop-shipped ones.

Look at return policy and upgrade/tradein/buyback policy. B2C Jewels (no affiliation) has a decent tradein policy. http://www.b2cjewels.com/lifetime_upgrade.aspx

B2C Jewels and I.D. Jewelry are both good at finding nice stones that fit the budget.

https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca Look for score 2 or less. 2-3 might be okay, but you have to investigate those stones more to see if they are good enough performers.

 

[ndiniwacho]

Thanks for the tips. I was referred by a friend to James Allen & BN, but will look up your B2C & I.D. I'm in Canada, so cross border shopping maybe an issue for me.

 

[TC1987]

I'll bump this up for you. Post your budget and hopefully some people who watch the inventories closely will help you identify some candidates. I just don't have the time to help with that.

 

[tyty333]

Here are 3 H/VS2s...the middle one is my favorite. Ask gemologist about inclusions...is is eye-clean (should be).
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/?CaratFrom=0.96&CaratTo=10.00&Color=H,G&Clarity=VS2,VS1&Cut=Ideal,Excellent,TrueHearts&PriceFrom=400&PriceTo=8150&Sort=Price%20asc,%20DefaultOrder&ViewsOptions=Images&TabSelected=3&DiamondID=29562,306675,300114

Here are 3 Gs that might be worth looking into...I'm running out the door so dont have time to narrow it down any better right now.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/?CaratFrom=0.96&CaratTo=10.00&Color=G&Clarity=VS1,SI1&Cut=Ideal,Excellent,TrueHearts&PriceFrom=400&PriceTo=8150&ViewsOptions=Images&TabSelected=3&ps=15&DiamondID=273561,237871,296623

Did your GF ask for that setting or did you pick it? Just wondering...

 

[EvangelineG]

Thanks for the tips. I was referred by a friend to James Allen & BN, but will look up your B2C & I.D. I'm in Canada, so cross border shopping maybe an issue for me.

I'm from Canada too, and my husband recently purchased a diamond for me from Good Old Gold. They have an impeccable reputation around here, and I believe they carry the Gabriel NY line of settings that you are interested in. You may want to check them out.

Bringing it across the border was very little fuss. We paid taxes on it by credit card over the phone with the mail carrier (fedex I think? but not sure because my H took care of it), and then it was delivered. No duty is charged.

Good luck!

 

[RockyRacoon]

Make this easy on yourself.

Buy the stone + setting from the same place. Best combo might be Good Old Gold, as they are an authorized Gabriel NY vendor.

Check out these options, to get you started:

1.22ct, G, SI2 (ask Jon if eye-clean)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11364/

1.03ct, H, SI1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10986/

.95ct, H, SI1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12116/

What to do next:
Find a couple stones you like at Good Old Gold, ask Jon to make a video of you featuring those stones, choose the one you like most, have your chosen stone set it in the exact Gabriel setting you want, and you're done!