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Cartier solitaire 1895

B

blue328

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 11, 2013
Messages
22
Hello! I am brand new to this community, and I am looking for your help with picking out an engagement ring. I am debating between a classic round cut Tiffany 6 prong style solitaire and a Cartier solitaire 1895 style with a 1 - 1.2 ct stone. Our budget is $10k, which means that would only be able to afford a replica. I would really appreciate if you could share your insights on the following questions:
1) What are the best jewelers that can do a Cartier or Tiffany replicas?
2) How important is the color of a diamond? From what I understand, the cut is very important for a round but can I sacrifice other C's to get a bigger stone? Considering the settings I am thinking of and given my budget, what are the lowest parameters I can select on the other C's to stay within my budget?
3) Do you trust Blue Nile for a setting or a diamond? The prices look very appealing but I am a bit concerned about the quality. Or is that negligible and not visible to a naked eye?
4) What would you pick: a Tiffany or a Cartier, and why?
Thank you so much for your time and help!
 
If I was going with a tiffany replica I would go with the vatche tiffany repro.

If I was going to go with the cartier replica (which I would absolutely pick that one) I would have it done from engagement rings direct.

If you are concerned about seeing tint, I would go down to an I , and get an eye clean si1. If you are tolerant with color, you get a lot of CTW when you drop down to a K or even more so an L, but those will show some tint.

I love love love the Cartier solitaire. And engagement rings direct make beautiful settings. Then you can get a beautiful rolling ring(obviously I'm partial) or other actual Cartier band to pair with it. Plus, i find the cartier one classic, yet a bit more unique compared to a tiffany repro. Thays why ot would be my choice. 10k is a nice budget, I'm certain you can get something lovely.
 
For the Tiffany repro, the Vatche U-113 is what several of us have. It is definitely the nicest one, in my opinion. My diamond and setting came from Good Old Gold and they have wonderful quality diamonds with excellent cut.

For the Cartier repro, I like Victor Canera's basket setting:

http://www.victorcanera.com/jewelry/engagement-rings/the-trueste-solitaire

I'd go no lower that H or I color in an ideal cut round brilliant. G-H is a very nice range, though.
 
I do think an I would be a good color because you can get a lot of size but still not see much tint, but, if you could handle a lower color, you can get a nice size for your budget. I would definitely see one in person to see how your eyes feel about them yourself, but if size is important, color is a good compromise. Also, you wont have any side diamonds to compare it to. but if you would be content staying at 1.2 or under, youll be great!

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds//TabSelected:3|DiamondID:191311,10383
 
Maybe with an I SI2 or a J color.

A 1.3 I SI1 is about 8K
 
My daughter has the Vatche Caroline, and it is one of my favorite solitaire settings! You won't make it to 1.5 cts with $8k unless you go very low in color and clarity, as Julie has already pointed out. I'll see what stones I see at WhiteFlash that might work.

I looked at H-I SI1 and these were about the best options:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2898154.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2898154.htm


Good Old Gold also sells Vatche, and they have this one for $8074:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10004/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10418/ $8504
 
1.5 at whiteflash would be dreaming with your budget...Here's the biggest one I could find:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2690312.htm

other nonwhiteflash options:

This one from JA faces up pretty white for a K, and is clean. JA also offers PS members a discount, and once you put it on hold you can request an ideal scope image:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.52-carat-k-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-10383

EDIT - both of the ones from GOG in the above posting have a LOT of leakage in the center!
 
Thanks for your input! What I am realizing based on the feedback I've received on this forum so far is that I will probably need to come down in size. Even if I increase my budget by another $1k, I won't be able to get a 1.5 ct stone at that price. K color has a too much yellow in it, so that won't be a good compromise. And thanks for pointing out the leakage issue. I had not idea what that meant, so I had to look that up. Seems to be pretty important thing to consider. Oh, the hard choices!
 
Here are some other options:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.53-carat-j-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-32726

This one looks very white for a J, it scored a 2.4 on the HCA, but faces up beautiful, so I'd ask for an ideal scope image on it:


This next one is close to a 1.5 and it's AGS graded:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.41-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-209335

Another AGS graded stone:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.52-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-204278
 
Thank you so much for looking those up for me. I apologize for my ignorance, but what exactly does the ideal scope image will show me? Are there certain things I need to look for in that report? Also, I noticed that many of you advise that it is best to get a stone from the same vendor that will be setting the diamond. What are the reasons behind that? If I get a diamond from JA and send it to GOG or WF to set, would that work? Thanks again!
 
blue328|1365782838|3425514 said:
Thank you so much for looking those up for me. I apologize for my ignorance, but what exactly does the ideal scope image will show me? Are there certain things I need to look for in that report? Also, I noticed that many of you advise that it is best to get a stone from the same vendor that will be setting the diamond. What are the reasons behind that? If I get a diamond from JA and send it to GOG or WF to set, would that work? Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Yes, that would work and it happens a lot. It just saves you time to get it from the same place. But, often you find a better deal from JA which is why I always recommend them. A good deal, and they provide you with the information to make a wise purchase online....like a few other vendors dont....but an idealscope with show you the performance of the diamond. What you don't want is white. White means there's leakage. So red and black (for the arrows) is what you want! Please post them once you get them!
 
Given that my finger size is 5.5 and I have fairly long fingers, how visually different would a 1.2 vs. 1.3 vs. 1.5 be in a Vatche "Caroline" setting? Based on what I've seen at my local jewelry store, I thought 1 ct was not big enough and of course, 1.5 ct looked really nice. Would most of you, experts, pick a smaller stone of a higher quality?
 
blue328|1365785847|3425567 said:
Given that my finger size is 5.5 and I have fairly long fingers, how visually different would a 1.2 vs. 1.3 vs. 1.5 be in a Vatche "Caroline" setting? Based on what I've seen at my local jewelry store, I thought 1 ct was not big enough and of course, 1.5 ct looked really nice. Would most of you, experts, pick a smaller stone of a higher quality?
Click to expand...

I would find a compromise. I like larger diamonds too, but I wouldn't sacrifice cut...there are some "very good" symmetry stones that perform better than "excellent" ones, so you'd just have to search...There would be a difference between a 1.2 and 1.5, but not much difference between a 1.2 and 1.3. You can get a nice J stone with some fluorescence that will face up whiter for a good deal.
 
blue328|1365785847|3425567 said:
Given that my finger size is 5.5 and I have fairly long fingers, how visually different would a 1.2 vs. 1.3 vs. 1.5 be in a Vatche "Caroline" setting? Based on what I've seen at my local jewelry store, I thought 1 ct was not big enough and of course, 1.5 ct looked really nice. Would most of you, experts, pick a smaller stone of a higher quality?
Click to expand...

Cut I would never compromise on. But color and clarity I would. CLarity I would go down to si, as long as its eye clean you won't be able to see a difference anyways. Color I would in a modern round brilliant I personally would go to a k or l just because for me I am not color sensitive and those are still white enough that I would be happy to have one with strong fluorescence. But if you've seen one and those are too tinted for you, then go down as low as you can. Cut is what's going to give you sparkle, and you aren't wearing the gia cert on your finger. So to me as long as the color and clarity look good to YOU, then you should be comfortable going as low as you like.
 
That gives me some assurance. May be that if I were to go with a J it might not be such a bad option. Based on your recommendations and my own research, and keeping my budget in mind, here are the ones I am considering:

1) http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.41-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-209335

2) http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.52-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-204919

3) http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.52-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-163893

Could you please provide your opinion on which one is best? I asked for ideal scope on these as well but that may take a few days. Thanks for sharing your perspectives with me and helping a rookie choose a perfect stone. I sincerely appreciate that!
 
My phone won't get off the mobile JA website so I can't see, what are the HCA scores
 
Learn something new every day... :) If I did this right, HCA scores are as follows:
1) 2
2) 1.7 with TIC range
3) 1.7 with TIC range
Thanks, Niel!
 
blue328|1365796374|3425708 said:
Learn something new every day... :) If I did this right, HCA scores are as follows:
1) 2 Get JA to get you some photos
2) 1.7 with TIC range Not unless you're strapped for options... (which you aren't)
3) 1.7 with TIC range No
Thanks, Niel!
Click to expand...

Don't like the large tables and low crown on #3 even w/ that pav - I'd guess you'll see the the girdle reflection under the edges of the table at slighter-than-I-(personally)-prefer tilt, and I (personally) don't like "thin" girdles on stones w/ lower crowns - though I don't believe many other PSers share that particular hangup
 
Let me correct something that was said earlier. There is nothing whatsoever wrong with any of the stones I posted. Both Good Old Gold and WhiteFlash have excellent stones and you cannot go wrong with either!

There is a big advantage to buying the stone and setting from the same vendor. Number one is that the setting vendor will not cover your stone for damage during setting if they did not sell the diamond. Secondly, you are going to have to pay a setting fee if you buy the diamond somewhere else. An additional advantage of either GOG or Whiteflash is if you later decide you want to go up in color and clarity, you can trade the stone in with no minimum purchase required as long as it is more than the first diamond. James Allen requires double the price of the original purchase! But certainly, if you can't find a stone at GOG or WF, then you can have a stone from JA sent to GOG since they are both in NY and have the Vatche ring ordered there.
 
Yssie|1365805206|3425817 said:
blue328|1365796374|3425708 said:
Learn something new every day... :) If I did this right, HCA scores are as follows:
1) 2 Get JA to get you some photos
2) 1.7 with TIC range Not unless you're strapped for options... (which you aren't)
3) 1.7 with TIC range No
Thanks, Niel!
Click to expand...

Don't like the large tables and low crown on #3 even w/ that pav - I'd guess you'll see the the girdle reflection under the edges of the table at slighter-than-I-(personally)-prefer tilt, and I (personally) don't like "thin" girdles on stones w/ lower crowns - though I don't believe many other PSers share that particular hangup
Click to expand...

I agree. #1 is very nice, and I wouldn't consider #2 or #3 at all.
 
Yssie|1365805206|3425817 said:
blue328|1365796374|3425708 said:
Learn something new every day... :) If I did this right, HCA scores are as follows:
1) 2 Get JA to get you some photos
2) 1.7 with TIC range Not unless you're strapped for options... (which you aren't)
3) 1.7 with TIC range No
Thanks, Niel!
Click to expand...

Don't like the large tables and low crown on #3 even w/ that pav - I'd guess you'll see the the girdle reflection under the edges of the table at slighter-than-I-(personally)-prefer tilt, and I (personally) don't like "thin" girdles on stones w/ lower crowns - though I don't believe many other PSers share that particular hangup
Click to expand...

I do like #2 and (definitely #1), so maybe it'd be worth getting an idealscope image on that too. But, this all depends on how the stones look to you.
 
#2 has a huge table and only very good on symmetry. It is not in the same league as #1 as far as cut goes. Not to mention the lower color and clarity.
 
diamondseeker2006|1365806663|3425826 said:
#2 has a huge table and only very good on symmetry. It is not in the same league as #1 as far as cut goes. Not to mention the lower color and clarity.
Click to expand...

HOT DOG! I was looking a different list!!! Yeah, the absolute only one from the list you put together OP, is #1...
 
Hi,

I have the Caroline and love it! I bought the diamond and the setting from WF and I was very pleased by their customer service. However, if you're on a budget, I'd give IDJ a call. Yekutiel's pricing of the Caroline beat WF by like $200 or more. Tell him what you're looking for and see if he can get a few diamonds brought in for you. Also, I think it would not hurt to request 3 ASET images from JA.
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this! Looks like the consensus is that #1 is the only option to consider out of the ones I’ve selected. It would certainly be easier to buy a stone and a setting from the same vendor, not to mention the warranty and upgrade benefits that Diamondseeker pointed out. Sakuracherry – You post of Caroline was the reason I picked it out in the first place. Your ring is gorgeous, it’s a dream, and that is exactly what I want. What would you do if you had my constraints? Would you go to a smaller size but get the higher quality stone, or vice versa? If former, how low in size would you go? I have a lot to think about here. Sigh…
 
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