Desperate need of help in buying engagement diamond + ring. Any advice helpful

[horatio]

Hello all. I am looking to buy a 1.0+ carat diamond for my fiancee by the end of Sept. Our wedding is in Nov. I am LATE. I been doing some research for the last few weeks and the more I learn the more confusing and the more I don''t know! The 4C''s are really NO help, other to determine what you don''t want to buy.

What I do know is I have a budget of 7-8K, color of g-h, vs1-vs2, and most importantly something with the "best" cut and of course the "best" combination of fire, brilliance, and scintillation.

Even inputting all the "best" angles, heights, depths, diameters, height, and getting something with the most ideal cut, etc., you get many many choices from the various web sites.

Most of all the big sites I went to (blue nile, whiteflash, goodoldgold, union, excel diamonds, subperbcut, paul allen) has more of less the basic information with some sites offering more services and data on the diamonds (scopes, hca, ideal, sarin, acet, etc.)

1. Can people here tell which which internet retail web site i can go to without fear of
being "ripped" off, which can give me a "quality" diamond from the price i am willing to pay.

2. Which reports and data besides GIA/AGS is critical? And what device or "reports" is absolutely necessary...(again besides gia/ags)...

3. And if I do buy, I assume it''s a must that I should get an independent appraisal from a gemologist.


I am getting a bit frustrated a tired....about to give up and just buy from COSTCO.

Horatio

 

[neatfreak]

For a shortcut to a great stone, buy a Whiteflash ACA stone. They are hand picked and WF will certainly not rip you off. You can save a bit of $ if you take the time to choose something else yourself, but not a lot, and honestly, you can''t go wrong with an ACA stone!!!

Also, stick with stones that are ranked AGS0. Good Old Gold also stocks a large selection of these stones. ACA stones are kind of the cream of the crop of AGS0 stones.

But Whiteflash, Good Old Gold, Engagement Rings Direct to name a few are vendors who won''t rip you off.

Best of luck!!!

 

[Gypsy]

Hello and Welcome.

I have a some really critical advice for you I want you to follow:

Ready?

BREATHE.

It's going to just perfect. We are going to help you out. And she will have a beautiful ring. I promise.

First, If 7K is the budget for just the ROUND 1 carat stone, what you want is completely doable. If that's the budget for the ROUND stone and a nice classic and simple setting, also doable. If she wants a fancier setting, I think you might want to consider an eye clean SI1. That might raise flags and scare you, but rest assured we will help you understand why a GOOD SI 1 is perfectly safe, will not affect the performance of the diamond (the fire and scintillation etc) and will be a better value for you.

Another question: You are you looking for a round stone or another shape? Other shapes can cost you less per carat than a round, so your budget can fit a more elaborate setting as well. However, other shapes are harder to shop for, and will not have the same performance as a round.

As for vendors I personally would go with either WF or GOG or James Allen for a Round.

If you are looking for a different shape, then the vendor recommendation list might change a little, then again, maybe not.

Yes, and independant appraiser is a good idea. Both from a peace of mind standpoint, and from an insurance standpoint.

Now, why don't you give us some detail on the shape of the diamond you are looking for, and the type of setting you want for the diamond. And we'll be happy to suggest some nice stones for you and settings too.

You can get this done in no time, and you are in good hands. So step away from Costco. BREATHE, and let us help you out.

 

[whatmeworry]

Date: 9/1/2007 11:40:25 AM
Author:horatio
Hello all. I am looking to buy a 1.0+ carat diamond for my fiancee by the end of Sept. Our wedding is in Nov. I am LATE. I been doing some research for the last few weeks and the more I learn the more confusing and the more I don''t know! The 4C''s are really NO help, other to determine what you don''t want to buy.

What I do know is I have a budget of 7-8K, color of g-h, vs1-vs2, and most importantly something with the ''best'' cut and of course the ''best'' combination of fire, brilliance, and scintillation.

Even inputting all the ''best'' angles, heights, depths, diameters, height, and getting something with the most ideal cut, etc., you get many many choices from the various web sites.

Most of all the big sites I went to (blue nile, whiteflash, goodoldgold, union, excel diamonds, subperbcut, paul allen) has more of less the basic information with some sites offering more services and data on the diamonds (scopes, hca, ideal, sarin, acet, etc.)

1. Can people here tell which which internet retail web site i can go to without fear of
being ''ripped'' off, which can give me a ''quality'' diamond from the price i am willing to pay.

All those sites you listed will gie you a fair deal and not rip you off. Any of the other sites listed as Pricescope vendors will be good too.

2. Which reports and data besides GIA/AGS is critical? And what device or ''reports'' is absolutely necessary...(again besides gia/ags)...

If you buy an AGS0/GIA excellent with excellent/very good HCA scores you''ll get a pretty rock. The other reports aren''t necessary if you are doing #3 with an appraiser who can evaluate cut quaility.


3. And if I do buy, I assume it''s a must that I should get an independent appraisal from a gemologist.


I am getting a bit frustrated a tired....about to give up and just buy from COSTCO.

That''s also not a bad option. Just stick with AGS0/GIA excellents with ex/very good HCA scores. COSTCO has a great return policy at reasonable prices.

Horatio

Horatio, welcome. Make it easy for you. Get the biggest H/VS2 diamond with a plain tiffany style setting that you can. Congratulations.

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-179756.htm# Very clean VS2 it's a G and if you bank wire the funds, the price is lower than what is shown. 1.5 HCA score. TIC range. Has a lovely Ideal scope, ASET, and Hearts view. Spread is right on.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-312252.htm Very nice H VS2 about a thousand less than the G about, and also if you bank wire price will be lower. .8 HCA score. TIC range. Has a lovely Ideal scope, ASET and Hearts view. Spread is right on.

Settings, you can afford platinum. So get platinum, IMO.

Three stone:

Three stone setting that would look incredilble with either of those, since you ARE running a little behind, and it IS just before your wedding, I thought a three stone, for past, present, and future would be a lovely choice:

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/3Stone/-Trois-Brillant-_1031.htm

Solitares:

Beautiful Tiffany styles:
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/Narrow-V-Head-tiffany-style-Knife-Edge_792.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/Classic-tiffany-style-Knife-Edge_1137.htm


Lovely surprise diamond solitare. You get three stone out of this one two... but with the style of the solitare:

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/Comfort-Fit--Surprise--Diamond-Ring_765.htm#

Settings with Diamonds

Pave shank for that extra sparkle:

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/The--Legato--with-Micro-Pave_1071.htm

Pave split shank for extra sparkle with a lovely twist:

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/The--Divisi--by-WF_1068.htm

Shared prong eternity for that extra bling factor while still very classic, plus sizable as it's only 3/4

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Diamonds-for-an-Eternity--3-4-_1070.htm


See. Breathing and posting on here is good.

We'll get you a stunning diamond ring in no time!

So... do you like any of the above?

 

[Hest88]

I would also suggest that, this close to the wedding, you put the stone in a cheap temporary setting so the two of you can quickly shop for a wedding set as a permanent home. That way she can be sure that the wedding and engagement rings match the way she wants them to.

 

[lyra]

Date: 9/1/2007 1:10:14 PM
Author: Hest88
I would also suggest that, this close to the wedding, you put the stone in a cheap temporary setting so the two of you can quickly shop for a wedding set as a permanent home. That way she can be sure that the wedding and engagement rings match the way she wants them to.

Oh, I absolutely agree with this advice. I just got an upgrade stone and am having put in a cheap white gold setting so I can take my time with deciding which permanent setting would suit me best. No need to rush this part! Good luck.

 

[Gypsy]

I agree on the temp setting unless you have a good idea of what she wants, or access to her mom or sister or best friend who knows her taste. IF you want to propose with a ring. Otherwise I think it''s a waste and would just propose with the diamond and do setting shopping together.

Thething with Temp settings is sometimes they become permanent. Finacial priorities shift after marriage or even before. We aren''t married, but live together and I''ve had my temp setting for four years. Some of it is finaces, some of it was my own indecisiveness. But still, 4 years.

If you are going to replace the temp ASAP why waste a couple of hundred bucks. Just propose with the diamond. JMO.

 

[Lord Summerisle]

Date: 9/1/2007 12:07:06 PM
Author: neatfreak
For a shortcut to a great stone, buy a Whiteflash ACA stone. They are hand picked and WF will certainly not rip you off. You can save a bit of $ if you take the time to choose something else yourself, but not a lot, and honestly, you can't go wrong with an ACA stone!!!

just to correct you slightly - Whiteflash's A Cut Above stones are cut by their own cutting house in Atwerp* to the specifications of Brian Gavin - who inspects the stones to ensure they meet his exact standards, those that dont sometimes go into the Expert Selection, others in the Expert Selection listings are stones available through the wholesale dealers.

The same for Paul's Infinity Diamond - which are cut for him by his personal cutting house in Antwerp. One of Paul's Dealers is Wink Jones who has a good rep on here, as does Whiteflash.

Good Old Gold is more your traditional bricks and mortar shop - who go through the wholesale dealer lists and buy in the best stones they can find.

My advise is to go with the folks who have all the information upfront - if you want a simple life - go with a stone that has a AGS cert and has been graded AGS 0 (Ideal) or possibly GIA Excellent - the vendors mentioned above will 99% of the time have diamonds with the crown and pavilion details - which you can use the patented Holloway Cut Advisor to see a predicted light performace (you are looking for a diamond which scores under 2... but no more detailed than that - AGS 0 Ideal stones will all be scoreing <2)

So like others have said - if you want to make life easy - look through wink's selection of Infinity stones, and Whiteflash's selection of ACA's as well as the diamonds on offer from GoG.

to make life easy - use the 'pricescope your diamond' menu above - choose colour and clarity and click 'cut quality search' button 0- you can widen you colour and clarity search on the listing page and rerun the search from there.


*origonally said amsterdam - had just been talking on another forum about Anne Frank's House/Museum

 

[Regular Guy]

Gypsy provided a nice and conservative list. Seems like you can easily do what you want to do with your constraints.

Just to dot the I's and cross the T's though...

Date: 9/1/2007 6:46:21 PM
Author: Lord Summerisle

just to correct you slightly - Whiteflash's A Cut Above stones are cut by their own cutting house in Amsterdam to the specifications of Brian Gavin - who inspects the stones to ensure they meet his exact standards, those that dont sometimes go into the Expert Selection, others in the Expert Selection listings are stones available through the wholesale dealers.

I think the Lord is suggesting some or all of WF's Expert System are also virtual stones...which I don't think is the case. I think they're just as "in-house" as the ACA's...and frequently a good deal. For example...clearly there's a lot of that type horatio could consider, too, and I'm not sure that the least expensive G posted on the search by cut db isn't one I'd take a close look at.

 

[lyra]

I''m sorry, I misread your post. I thought the *wedding* was at the end of Sept., which would have indeed made for a big time crunch. Since you have until Nov., I agree that proposing with just the loose stone could be very exciting and fun for your future fiancee.

 

[Lord Summerisle]

Date: 9/1/2007 7:02:40 PM
Author: Regular Guy
I think the Lord is suggesting some or all of WF''s Expert System are also virtual stones...which I don''t think is the case. I think they''re just as ''in-house'' as the ACA''s...and frequently a good deal. For example...clearly there''s a lot of that type horatio could consider, too, and I''m not sure that the least expensive G posted on the search by cut db isn''t one I''d take a close look at.

RG: while i dont wish to argue - but i believe while all ACAs are in house, in their vault - the expert selection also lists many vitrual diamonds - i believe how to tell the differance between the virtual stones and those inhouse was discussed on here some months ago around the time WF introduced the WF diamond rating on thier listings - and i think the ifferance is the bit saying ''inhouse ready to ship'' and ''call for availiability'' - these virtual stones will be called in and have their experts look at it to make sure it matchers what the buyer is after (for instance is a SI1 stone ''eye clean''? ) and that they dont drop ship a virtual stone to you without seeing it first

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 9/1/2007 7:25:11 PM
Author: Lord Summerisle

Date: 9/1/2007 7:02:40 PM
Author: Regular Guy
I think the Lord is suggesting some or all of WF's Expert System are also virtual stones...which I don't think is the case. I think they're just as 'in-house' as the ACA's...and frequently a good deal. For example...clearly there's a lot of that type horatio could consider, too, and I'm not sure that the least expensive G posted on the search by cut db isn't one I'd take a close look at.

RG: while i dont wish to argue - but i believe while all ACAs are in house, in their vault - the expert selection also lists many vitrual diamonds - i believe how to tell the differance between the virtual stones and those inhouse was discussed on here some months ago around the time WF introduced the WF diamond rating on thier listings - and i think the ifferance is the bit saying 'inhouse ready to ship' and 'call for availiability' - these virtual stones will be called in and have their experts look at it to make sure it matchers what the buyer is after (for instance is a SI1 stone 'eye clean'? ) and that they dont drop ship a virtual stone to you without seeing it first

No disagreement yet. The question of substance...would any that are categorized as "expert selection" with their "cherry" also show "call for availability."

I don't think so.


Perhaps to clarify a bit further...yes...they do list virtual stones. These say "call for availability." But, they are not also "expert selection." Right?

The ACAs and Expert Selections combined number in hundreds. Add in the virtual ones, and you have thousands.

They do have them both. Only ES are in question here.

 

[iheartscience]

I''m with Regular Guy on this one, Lord S.-the ES stones at Whiteflash are in house.

Now, for Horatio: you''ve been given great advice here but the idea I agree with the most is that you should propose with a loose diamond/cheap temp setting so she can pick out the setting herself! That would be a fun and special thing for her. Just an FYI, apparently most insurance companies won''t insure a loose stone. So the temporary setting is probably your best bet.

I worked with Whiteflash for my diamond and it was a great experience for me-I highly recommend them! (FYI, Sheerah was my sales rep and she''s super helpful and nice!) I got a gorgeous custom setting and diamond for a really good price and I love their upgrade policy. Plus their ACA diamonds are well known for being GORGEOUS-you really can''t go wrong with one!

Good luck and I hope you let us know what you end up going with!

 

[Lord Summerisle]

Date: 9/1/2007 7:37:00 PM
Author: Regular Guy
No disagreement yet. The question of substance...would any that are categorized as ''expert selection'' with their ''cherry'' also show ''call for availability.''


I don''t think so.



Perhaps to clarify a bit further...yes...they do list virtual stones. These say ''call for availability.'' But, they are not also ''expert selection.'' Right?

My appologies... when ever i search WF - i''m doing so quickly and dont normally notice weither theres a cherry in the 40x picture link - and just look for the ''available for dispatch'' or the ''call for availiably'' and i''m normally using the advanced search which if i select ''round'' brings up ACA, ES and virtual stones all in the same list, or it does sometimes - which is i think a bug with me using Opera as my broswer