Diamond Decision Time - Urgent Help Please!

[Jacey]

Hi all,

I could really use some help in making a final decision! I''ve spent the last month or two researching everything I can about diamonds for an engagement ring for my Canadian girlfriend. Her ideal ring is the Tiffany Lucida, but I''m afraid my budget doesnt quite match their prices!

It''s been a fairly long process, but I''ve now sourced the setting, a platinum x-prong from Vatche, through Good Old Gold, and have taken their advice about the best diamond to recreate a Tiffany Lucida as close as possible - they''ve suggested a Princess of Hearts, and have a .66 H VS1 example available that I can just about afford. My total budget $5000.

Most of my research has been into RB cut or Princess cut, so the POH is new to me and I can''t find too many examples to compare it to and I''m not sure how to grade it''s cut or anything. Can I get your opinion on whether you think this diamond is a winner please, or am I better off with a RB or Princess cut in this setting???

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4248/

Secondly, I live on the UK with my girlfriend and we''re travelling to Canada at the end of August, where I''m planning on proposing to her! Does anyone have experience of importing engagement rings to the UK / Canada from the US, and can you explain how the import duty works, and how much it will be in each case? I have the option of having the ring delivered to either country! The ring is costing approx $4800.

Thanks for any help you can give!

Cheers,

Jacey

 

[arjunajane]

Hi Jacey,
welcome and congrats on your upcoming engagement!
The PoH you have linked looks really pretty - the ones at GOG are all cut pretty tight so you don''t need to worry there.
As far as which shape you should go with, that will have to be up to you. GOG are correct, if your girl Really wants the Lucida look this will be closest.

I did buy a PoH almost the same size as yours (0.6)- here is a thread with pics if you''re interested. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-poh-rhr-more-pics.83238/
I have since upgraded to a RB, which was for various reasons. But I did really like the PoH and they''re very pretty IRL.
The only thing I will ask is how important is size/finger coverage to your girl? As they are H&A-type cut they do face up well, but RB will offer more bang for buck in the size dept.

The Vatche X prong is one of my fave settings. It looks incredible with either round or square imo, but the X-prong with an awesome RB is a perfect combo - just see Miss Ellen''s stunner - https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-wedding-band-for-dvatche-x-prong.63978/

I''m sorry, I hope I have just confusd you further!

As far as importing the ring, I will leave that to those with more experience. I have read on here recently some complaints about Canada customs.
I know many regular import to the UK with no issues.
Perhaps a new thread would be helpful just asking people for advice on UK vs Canada customs/duties etc?

 

[Jacey]

Hi jane,

I must admit I''d seen the pictures of your POH ring earlier today while I was digging around for news on POH diamonds, and hoped I might be able to get your opinion on this!!

I thought your ring looked really good! For a .6 it put my mind at rest about how big my .66 will appear in the Vatche setting because I was worried it might look a bit small - but no worries there anymore! Why did you decide to change it for an RB?

In terms of finger coverage, my GF has always said she isn''t too concerned about size of diamond (I guess I''m a lucky guy!!). That''s why she''s so keen on the Vatche setting, because it helps set the diamond quite flush against the finger, so it wont catch on things. She''s an outdoorsy kind of girl and anything too big would get in the way I think!!

My only concern now is that the POH doesnt give as much sparkle as a RB or Princess cut, or have the same brilliance? I''m really no diamond expert, so when Jonathan at GOG says it will easily stand up next to an Ideal cut RB / Princess then I guess I have to take his word for it, but it''s a scary decision to make without seeing it!!

Do you think I''m safe taking their advice that the POH is the best shape to mimic the Lucida (my GF prefers square diamonds), without losing out on some of the brilliance of the other cuts?

It''s a big decision, and I dont know if I''m taking to big a risk in buying a fancy shape (with less guidelines or means of comparison) instead of sticking to a safer, more classic cut...???

Help!!

 

[arjunajane]

Hi Jacey,
thanks for the compliments on my ring.
I originally got that as a RHR (as you can see in the pics), however soon after Fi and I decided to upgrade my ering.
We couldn''t afford to keep both, so traded in for a bigger RB instead.
I would''ve loved to keep the PoH if I could!

With re to your questions about the cut, imo it will be more sparkly than a princess and Jon is correct when he says it will stand up next to an ideal RB. Seeing as it has the simliar H&A patterning, it should give a nice mix of broad and pin fire, similar to RB, whereas princess is mainly pinfire.

You really can trust Jon, he is a rare thing in retail in that he won''t just tell you what you want to hear etc to make the sale.

If all else fails and she doesn''t like it, or changes her mind down the track, you know you are in great hands with their customer service and trade-in/upgrade policies. They will give you full value on that stone if you decide to change in the future. You also have a 30 day inspection period to decide if you''re happy.
But to be honest, if your girl has expressed desire for this style I''m thinking she''ll be stoked with it!

One thing I might suggest - have you asked Jon yet for a video of your diamond? You may have noticed his great educational diamond vids - I had him film so many when I was choosing my stones!
Just explain your concerns, he can make a tailor vid comparing your stone to a RB, princess etc and pointing out its performance aspects. I am also buying from abroad like yourself, so I found this invaluable in helping my decisions.


I hope that helps, I see you''ve started a shipping thread I hope you get more advice.
cheers
AJ