Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Cartier solitaire 1895

You didn't ask me, but my recommendation is usually not to go below I SI1 unless nothing but size is of importance. You are choosing a very fine setting and I'd want a good quality diamond in it. If you don't like GOG's current selection, they are in NY and can easily pick up a couple more stones for you to choose from if you'd like. When I buy from WF, I prefer the stones they have in stock because they have their own stones cut for their inventory.
 
As a side note, many heartfelt thanks to all who have been helping me on this journey. I really appreciate the support, and it makes this process a lot less stressful. :appl:
And to clarify, the question about size vs. quality is not just for Sakuracherry. I welcome everyone's feedback on on this.
 
let me ask you, have you gone and looked at GIA or AGS graded stones in the I -K color range in person?

And to your general question, my criteria go cut first,then size, color, and then clarity. So to me a well cut nice size stone in a J-K color range with SI clarity is still considered quality. The process of getting a diamond to me is all about compromises. what are you willing to compromise on to get the diamond that you are happiest with on your finger. And remembering cut is most important and something you would NOT want to compromise on, we will leave that out of the equation. So its in essence size color and clarity, yes? Will you prefer a D VVS1 smaller diamond? Or when you look at your hand would you prefer to see a larger one with near white or tint of color, and know that under a loop it has more inclusions? Because if you have 1k or 50k, its still a matter of finding that sweet spot of what characteristics you find most important vs what you're willing to pay.
 
Niel – Very well said! I reread your response twice for things to sink in. I think you articulated your perspective on this very well, and I agree with you. I think my criteria are cut, size, color, and clarity as well.
To answer your question, in the order of importance, I would like to maximize the size. I have not seen the I-K certified stones in person. I watched a few youtube videos, and the I color stones shown in the videos against a higher color grade stones did not strike me as unacceptable. I don’t know what an I would look like on my finger. If I don’t have other stones to compare against, then it might be okay. Maybe I should go and look at the I’s and J’s in person to be perfectly clear on what’s acceptable to me. Regarding the clarity, I don’t care about inclusions as long as they are not visible.
 
DS gave you great advice. (Btw, I love, love, love your new assher ring and the AVR!!!)

Ask yourself a few questions.

Do you ever want to upgrade?

How color sensitive are you?

Do you really have to have the Caroline? You can probably save about $1200-$1400 by going with a simple solitaire setting.


Are you willing to go down to eye-clean SI clarity to get a bigger size?

I'm color sensitive and sometimes the tint of my H bothers me when looking at the sides. I wanted an F, but realized that I wouldn't be able to get the size I wanted if I didn't go down to H.

I just looked on JA and BN, but there are not many stones that are worth looking further into.

If you want to hit the 1.5 mark, this one doesn't seem too bad. It's cut a little deep, though.

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.55-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-211459
 
blue328|1365877140|3426268 said:
Niel – Very well said! I reread your response twice for things to sink in. I think you articulated your perspective on this very well, and I agree with you. I think my criteria are cut, size, color, and clarity as well.
To answer your question, in the order of importance, I would like to maximize the size. I have not seen the I-K certified stones in person. I watched a few youtube videos, and the I color stones shown in the videos against a higher color grade stones did not strike me as unacceptable. I don’t know what an I would look like on my finger. If I don’t have other stones to compare against, then it might be okay. Maybe I should go and look at the I’s and J’s in person to be perfectly clear on what’s acceptable to me. Regarding the clarity, I don’t care about inclusions as long as they are not visible.
Click to expand...

haha im glad you understood, im sure it could have been more clear... but ive got a whiny toddler in my ear and she is throwing off my thought process :lol: :lol:

Then my advise first would be to go to a store that sells AGS 000 or GIA triple ex stones and ask to see just a plain solitaire with a I J or K colored stones. Hopefully there is a place around you that might have some. I went to a store the other day to look at wedding bands and i saw the store owner trying to sell a diamond and he placed it upside down on a white sheet of paper to show the tint. I remember thinking to myself, " how helpful is that really?", sense when will you ever look at your diamond like that ever again? So again, id try to see one set, then take it into lots of different lighting environments to see how you feel about it. Because jewelry store lights are magic, and youd want to see how it looks in normal everyday lighting, like outside. You might be color sensitive, you might not. But its best to see them with your own eyes not though a computer screen, just so you know your threshold

you said you watched videos, have you seen this one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vI3Tkd3VQU

and also i agree getting a slightly simpler setting for now might be a good idea. you can always upgrade the setting in a few years, and thats much cheaper than upgrading the diamond.

heres a really pretty platinum one thats would still be lovely for a few years, until you upgrade later. Nice price
http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/tulip-airline-solitaire-engagement-ring-in-platinum/5660
 
Sakuracherry|1365877638|3426272 said:
DS gave you great advice. (Btw, I love, love, love your new assher ring and the AVR!!!)

Ask yourself a few questions.

Do you ever want to upgrade?

How color sensitive are you?

Do you really have to have the Caroline? You can probably save about $1200-$1400 by going with a simple solitaire setting.


Are you willing to go down to eye-clean SI clarity to get a bigger size?

I'm color sensitive and sometimes the tint of my H bothers me when looking at the sides. I wanted an F, but realized that I wouldn't be able to get the size I wanted if I didn't go down to H.

I just looked on JA and BN, but there are not many stones that are worth recommending to you.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much, Sakuracherry! :))
 
Did you put that one on hold? If you side then I say ask if its eye clean. f so iI really really like that one.
 
Yes, I put it on hold and asked them to send me a video of it. GOG rep assured me that it was eye-clean. Are there any other questions I should ask them?
Also, would you please comment as to what you think is a fair price for this kind of stone?
And thank you very much for the links to other settings. I will definitely consider those. I also asked GOG for other similar settings, so I might be able to find something else that way too.
 
I hope you're the one who put the stone on hold. GOG carries Vatche and their upgrade policy is great. Buy it if it's eye-clean and within your budget!
 
Sakuracherry - I just put it on hold. The price is above my budget but I might be able to get a less expensive setting. Would you please comment on what do you think is a fair price for this stone?
 
at JA looks like they are between 9-10k, how much is he asking for it?
 
GOG is asking $9k.
 
Sakuracherry - Reg. the JA link you posted, would that be considered eye clean? When I look at the video of it, I think I can clearly see inclusions. Or is it just not polished well at this point? Just wondering.
 
oh that seems reasonable. Did you tell them you were a PS'er? I would maybe contact ERD and see if they can do that Cartier setting in plat for 1k if you pay by wire and mention your a PS member. Plat is pretty expensive so im not sure if they could, but worth asking, sense it was one of the original setting you liked

and to your question about eye clean, i think she was just posting because the specs were the same, not to say its the same clarity look as yours. If good old gold says its eye clean id trust them

sorry for so many edits :oops: :lol:
 
There's a possibility that the diamond is eye-clean from like 8 inches away, but I'm not sure. I just posted the stone as a reference since you were asking about the fair price. I believe eye-clean SI2s are hard to come by, especially at this size point.
 
9k? I'd definitely buy it. Just make sure the stone is eye-clean enough for you.
 
Niel|1365881225|3426314 said:
oh that seems reasonable. Did you tell them you were a PS'er? I would maybe contact ERD and see if they can do that Cartier setting in plat for 1k if you pay by wire and mention your a PS member. Plat is pretty expensive so im not sure if they could, but worth asking, sense it was one of the original setting you liked

and to your question about eye clean, i think she was just posting because the specs were the same, not to say its the same clarity look as yours. If good old gold says its eye clean id trust them

sorry for so many edits :oops: :lol:
Click to expand...

it would probably be best to call them if you go that route... they are very nice and helpful!
 
Thanks so much for your quick input on this one! I did ask for PS discount, and they said that the price is low enough already, so they won't budge. But if the price if fair, it is what it is. I understand that they are in business to make money, and they need their margins too.
To be honest, I am a bit concerned about SI2. I was told it was eye clean, and I asked them to shoot me a video of the stone in different lighting so that I can see it for myself. Is there anything else I can do remotely short of actually getting the physical stone in my hands to ensure that I am comfortable with that level of clarify?
 
thats ok, 9 is still a good price. And you never know if you dont ask. You could always ship it to you if youre that concerned. Maybe theres a local store near by that would sell you a setting you liked? that ritani or something? then you can see it for yourself and you wouldnt have to pay to ship it back anywhere for setting?
 
Every SI2 stone is different. Did you ask them if it is eye-clean from the sides? What is their definition of eye-clean? Is it still eye-clean from 2 inches away? Or is it eye-clean from 5 inches always?
 
To answer your question, I talked to two different people from GOG, and both said it was eye clean. The last person I talked to said that she looked at it from 4 inches away and said that it was very nice, and that she could only see an inclusion at a 90 degree angle. GOG has a really good reputation on here, so I am inclined to trust them until proven otherwise. I might just need to have the stone shipped to me first before setting it to be 100% comfortable with it. It would be a hassle but probably worth it for the peace of mind.
 
Oh I think it looks amazing! What did you think? I feel like that's about as best you could ask for for a si2 round.
 
I think you are right, and I like it too. To be perfectly honest though, my untrained eye just can't tell how they are supposed to look, so a second opinion is just really helpful here. Thank you for chiming in and helping with this. I sincerely appreciate it. :)
 
The diamond is very bright! The size difference is noticeable between the 1.2 and 1.4. I watched the video on my laptop first, and then on my phone. It's hard to tell where the inclusions are. I hope you order the diamond and examine it yourself. The price is great and the diamond is going to look beautiful in any solitaire setting!
 
Sakuracherry|1365900764|3426477 said:
The diamond is very bright! The size difference is noticeable between the 1.2 and 1.4. I watched the video on my laptop first, and then on my phone. It's hard to tell where the inclusions are. I hope you order the diamond and examine it yourself. The price is great and the diamond is going to look beautiful in any solitaire setting!
Click to expand...

yeah when i watched it on my phone i had trouble seeing the inclusions, personally. Do you think youll have it sent to you or jsut have it set? Also, would you consider 18k gold instead? that woud certainly save you money
 
Thanks, Sakuracherry! I do have a quick question for you regarding the Caroline. How do you like the surprise diamonds on the head of the setting? Are they fairly noticeable? I wasn't looking for pave on the head that when I started my quest for a Cartier style setting, but when I found your post with pictures, I really liked it. I think it gives the ring a unique look. I am just trying to figure out if it's worth having them removed or not (that is assuming I go with this setting). Many thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top