Deciding between a few diamonds and a setting question

[JZief]

I''ve been on this forum for a while now, but I believe this is my first post. You guys (and gals) really know your stuff. I want to thank you all in advance for any advice you can give me, as it will all be greatly appreciated.

I have finally decided that it is go time for this whole proposing thing, so I''m going to need a ring. More or less, most of the details I have under control, I just want some advice (maybe reassurance?!) so I can get the best ring possible. My girlfriend really likes the trellis style setting (Vatche X-Prong and Whiteflash''s X-Prong)...in platinum, has to be platinum. That right there digs a little into my overall budget of $5K, leaving about $3500 for the diamond. With that in mind, I have looked at both Whiteflash and Good Old Gold, as they have a great reputation, and I have even worked with Whiteflash in the past on a necklace.

With that in mind, I have looked in the 0.7-0.8 carat range for the diamond, preferably something H or better and VS2 or better. I know going lower than an H is popular on this forum, but I have heard her mention how she sees yellow in some of her friends'' rings. Might mean she is more sensitive to color, might mean that the rings are junk...who knows. I do know that I got her a solitaire necklace from Whiteflash (a sweet ACA) in H and VS2 and she loved it. She says that "it''s perfect and white as can be", but she sugarcoats things sometimes. It was smaller (.4 carat) so its hard to say if she would see color in a larger size. Also, I''m willing to do SI1 as well, obviously if it is eyeclean. Here is what I have found so far:

Good Old Gold

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4150/ .77 HCA of 0.8 (EX, EX, EX, VG)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3893/ .81 HCA of 1.1 (EX, EX, EX, VG)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3833/ .83 HCA of 1.5 (EX, EX, VG, EX)...shallow depth at 60.3?

Whiteflash
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-129077.htm .71 HCA of 1.1 (EX, EX, EX, VG)
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-636717.htm .71 HCA of 0.8 (EX, EX, EX, VG)
http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-283293.htm .765 HCA of 1.1 (EX, EX, EX, VG)

They all look good to me. Just was curious if one stuck out more than the others. Any opinions on the diamonds or suggestions for others would be greatly appreciated.

The second question I had was about the setting. The Vatche X-Prong has a 3mm width band, whereas the Whiteflash X-Prong has a 4mm width band. Whiteflash told me that their band can be slimmed down. Does anyone have an experience with modifications like that to their regular rings? Ideally I''d liked to get that Vatch, as it is cheaper and a better width, but I have dealt with Whiteflash in the past and already have one diamond through them. Decisions, decisions.

I apologize if this was a bit long for a first post, just trying to get this all figured out. So stressful... Thank you so much.

Thanks!
Jon

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hi, and welcome!

I think this one looks great! http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3833/ The depth of 60.3 is terrific (not too shallow)! It results in the diamond having a larger diameter for it''s weight than a deeper stone would. So this one would appear largest of the ones you listed. It is also VS2 which is nice. I really like the Vatche x-prong...Ellen got her stone from GOG and has it set in the Vatche setting and it is really beautiful! So I don''t think you can go wrong with that combination!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/11/2008 11:35:04 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Hi, and welcome!

I think this one looks great! http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3833/ The depth of 60.3 is terrific (not too shallow)! It results in the diamond having a larger diameter for it''s weight than a deeper stone would. So this one would appear largest of the ones you listed. It is also VS2 which is nice. I really like the Vatche x-prong...Ellen got her stone from GOG and has it set in the Vatche setting and it is really beautiful! So I don''t think you can go wrong with that combination!

Agreed, I''d go with this one too. It''s also a branded stone, though not advertised (or priced) as one. I have one of these stones also, and they are stunning. You would be quite pleased with this, and that also makes it possible to get the D''Vatche X-Prong which GOG carries.

Obviously I think that would make a great combo.

 

[JZief]

Thanks for both of your quick responses...they are very appreciated. I really like the diamond you guys mentioned...biggest one too! HCA of 1.5 not a cause for concern? I know it is upper excelon, but will the other diamonds with a lower HCA out perform it in any noticable way? I am going to reserve the .83 diamond in the mean time. Thanks again.

Jon

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/12/2008 9:02:23 AM
Author: JZief
Thanks for both of your quick responses...they are very appreciated. I really like the diamond you guys mentioned...biggest one too! HCA of 1.5 not a cause for concern? I know it is upper excelon, but will the other diamonds with a lower HCA out perform it in any noticable way? I am going to reserve the .83 diamond in the mean time. Thanks again.

Jon

Very good idea!

Any score of under 2 (and actually over some) that has the x fall within GIA/AGS territory means the same thing, you need to investigate further. That means getting Sarins, IS pics, etc. to tell you more about the stone. At this point, with all you have, the HCA is not needed anymore. You've got a killer stone there.

And you're welcome! Let us know what you decide.

 

[Imdanny]

Whiteflash G VS1

(double check the price of the Vatche X prong? The price on Excel for platinum is way above that)

 

[JZief]

I am checking the price now. I had inquired about the price about a month ago, but I know platinum prices have gone up since then. I''m just hoping it remains reasonable. I do know that the Whiteflash X-Prong setting is the same price as it was then, so there is hope.

Jon

 

[JZief]

Upon getting the AGS certificate and using its numbers, the HCA came back as a 2 with VG across the board (http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3833/). Also, I noticed the numbers differed greatly between what GOG has posted, the Sarin, AGS. Either way, I am not so psyched on that one anymore, even though it is the biggest. I decided to put a second one on hold from GOG (http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4150/). It''s a little smaller, but the specs seem to be better and it is an F. I asked GOG if they could give me a comparison between the two, so I will let you know what I find and decide on

Thanks again all.

Jon

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/12/2008 1:07:19 PM
Author: JZief
Upon getting the AGS certificate and using its numbers, the HCA came back as a 2 with VG across the board (http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3833/). Also, I noticed the numbers differed greatly between what GOG has posted, the Sarin, AGS. Either way, I am not so psyched on that one anymore, even though it is the biggest. I decided to put a second one on hold from GOG (http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4150/). It''s a little smaller, but the specs seem to be better and it is an F. I asked GOG if they could give me a comparison between the two, so I will let you know what I find and decide on

Thanks again all.

Jon

That''s a good idea. Let us know what they say.

Just a fyi, it''s not unusual for the numbers to vary some from one report to another.

 

[kcoursolle]

Although I love vatche and WF''s rings, there are other less expensive options out there if your gf likes the trellis design. This would allow you to spend quite a bit more on the stone.

I found this option for $630 in platinum: http://www.adiamor.com/R-1282-R2180-2-1.htm

The quality may not be as great at vatche or WF, but on the other hand they have a return policy. It might be worth it to order the ring and see how it looks and return it if quality is not up to snuff. Someone''s sister has this setting with a WF diamond in it by the way here on ps, but I can''t remember who at the moment.

 

[JZief]

I don''t think diamond size is a huge issue (but they all say that), quality is more important. I actually did inform her of the stark truth (platinum at $2000 an ounce), and I only have so much of a budget. She was kind of insistent on the platinum, but left the diamond completely up to me ("I''ll love whatever you get me"...I sure hope so!). I think her sister''s ring is platinum, which is a factor for some reason.

The crazy thing is that all of her friends (and mine) that got engaged recently have gotten ridiculous rings, for our age. Here is what I have seen:
- 3 stone emerald cut with a 1.5 carat in the center, .75 on both sides.
- 1.5 carat asscher
- 2.8 carat cushion I believe....maybe not, its an older/antique cut.
- etc.

I just don''t understand how kids right out of college (all around 25 like us) and throwing down so much money. I kinda believe fiscal responsbility is part of what makes a good marriage....and you have to start some time. But that''s just me. I''ll stop my party pooping

Here are the comparison pictures of the two stones:

 

[JZief]

Another picture:

 

[elle_chris]

Both stones look good face up. but I have to say, face down I can totally see the color difference. I''d go for the smaller one due to that. I''m kinda surpised too.

 

[Rhea]

I like that last photo with the stones upside down. That''s such a good comparison. Have you made a decision? I noticed both stones were still on hold.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/12/2008 4:03:17 PM
Author: JZief

I just don't understand how kids right out of college (all around 25 like us) and throwing down so much money. I kinda believe fiscal responsbility is part of what makes a good marriage....and you have to start some time. But that's just me. I'll stop my party pooping

Here are the comparison pictures of the two stones:

You're not being a party pooper at all, good for you. I see this more and more (I'm older), and young people are wanting to start out with what many of us end up with much later in life. I don't get it either. But to each his own, at least you won't be sweating, trying to make the payments each month.

I still say go with the smaller, because GOG said it's better. I got my stoner from them, I trust their eyes.

 

[JZief]

Well it''s all set now. Order is in and the wheels are turning. I settled on the .77 F VS2 and the platinum Vatche X-Prong. Should be a good combo...I''m psyched. I''ll post pictures when I get it in. Thank you everyone for your help. It was very appreciated.

Jon