Diamond Length/Height Ratio Question

[pikers]

Hi all,

I''m new to the site so please forgive me if I do anything out of process or say something REALLY stupid

Here''s the deal...

I think I''ve found THE ring, but there''s a catch...I''m not in love with the diamond that is currently set in the ring. The specs are all good except for the table/height ratio. Below are the specs:

Carat: 1.02
Color: G
Clarity: VVS2
Cut: It''s a princess cut diamond and I was told the GIA does not rate cut for these diamonds

Since the GIA does not rate cut, I''ve read that I should look for table and total depth percentages in within a specific range. Supposedly, a good cut should have a table percentage between 62% and 80% and the total depth should be between 64% and 75%. It looks like the more expensive diamonds have a 1:1 (or 1.0) ratio. This diamond''s ratio is not that great (I left the actual percentages at work) which makes me worry. I believe it was around 1.12 or something like that. It basically has a large table and is more on the shallow side. This is great because it LOOKS like the diamond is bigger than it really is, but I''m afraid that its killing the overall "brilliance of the diamond.

So the problem is I can take the ring with the diamond as is or I can order the band and use my own diamond BUT it will take them AT LEAST 3 months to get the ring to me and then they have to set the diamond. This is REALLY raining on my parade as I was planning on popping the question on our trip to CA next month. The jeweler refuses to remove the diamond that is in there...they will only sell it as is or they will make me a new band.

Any advice?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/20/2009 10:35:19 PM
Author:pikers
Hi all,

I'm new to the site so please forgive me if I do anything out of process or say something REALLY stupid

Here's the deal...

I think I've found THE ring, but there's a catch...I'm not in love with the diamond that is currently set in the ring. The specs are all good except for the table/height ratio. Below are the specs:

Carat: 1.02
Color: G
Clarity: VVS2
Cut: It's a princess cut diamond and I was told the GIA does not rate cut for these diamonds

Since the GIA does not rate cut, I've read that I should look for table and total depth percentages in within a specific range. Supposedly, a good cut should have a table percentage between 62% and 80% and the total depth should be between 64% and 75%. It looks like the more expensive diamonds have a 1:1 (or 1.0) ratio. This diamond's ratio is not that great (I left the actual percentages at work) which makes me worry. I believe it was around 1.12 or something like that. It basically has a large table and is more on the shallow side. This is great because it LOOKS like the diamond is bigger than it really is, but I'm afraid that its killing the overall 'brilliance of the diamond.

So the problem is I can take the ring with the diamond as is or I can order the band and use my own diamond BUT it will take them AT LEAST 3 months to get the ring to me and then they have to set the diamond. This is REALLY raining on my parade as I was planning on popping the question on our trip to CA next month. The jeweler refuses to remove the diamond that is in there...they will only sell it as is or they will make me a new band.

Any advice?

The setting may not be exclusive to that jeweller, if you can find out the name or details then you might be able to get hold of one more quickly elsewhere.

 

[pikers]

Thanks, I forgot to mention that.

I guess this ring is made my a local jeweler so it''s not that easy to find. I''ve found a few that are similar, but not exactly the same. My girlfriend REALLY loves this ring so I''m not sure what to do. I may just go in there and try to talk them down in price as I think they are asking too much for a diamond with poor dimensions.

Once I get to work I''ll be able to post the exact specs of the diamond.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/21/2009 7:10:23 AM
Author: pikers
Thanks, I forgot to mention that.

I guess this ring is made my a local jeweler so it''s not that easy to find. I''ve found a few that are similar, but not exactly the same. My girlfriend REALLY loves this ring so I''m not sure what to do. I may just go in there and try to talk them down in price as I think they are asking too much for a diamond with poor dimensions.

Once I get to work I''ll be able to post the exact specs of the diamond.

Ok, I will look out for the specs when you can post them.

 

[stone-cold11]

not sure how the setting looks like, maybe the L/W ratio is too off for it to be used for normal square cut princess cut stone and so was specially made for that particular stone?

 

[pikers]

OK, I just talked to the place again and I talked to a MUCH nicer person. He gave me the rundown on the diamond:

GIA cert
Carat: 1.02
Color: G
Clarity: VVS2
Table: 82%
Total Depth: 73.6%
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Good
Dimensions: 5.85 x 5.42 x 3.99

I was the band would cost $1200 so I''m really paying about $4,800 for this diamond. Sound like a rip off? Blue nile has diamonds with similar specs that range in price from $4,100-$5,000 but their percentages are not as far off as this diamond.

So the diamond basically has a larger than normal table which makes it look bigger in this setting, but it may kill the brilliance of the diamond.

He also said that they could pull a prong back on the ring and put in another diamond with a similar shape/size. I really know nothing about rings...is this a bad idea? It sounds like it would be OK as people have rings fixed all the time...right? I told you I''m new to this

So do I go for this one or try to get a better looking diamond in there? This diamond has good stats everywhere else...just those damn percentages are making me worry. I guess I could just compare it to a few loose diamonds and see if there is a real difference. Again, any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/21/2009 11:03:15 AM
Author: pikers

OK, I just talked to the place again and I talked to a MUCH nicer person. He gave me the rundown on the diamond:

GIA cert
Carat: 1.02
Color: G
Clarity: VVS2
Table: 82%
Total Depth: 73.6%
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Good



Dimensions: 5.85 x 5.42 x 3.99

I was the band would cost $1200 so I'm really paying about $4,800 for this diamond. Sound like a rip off? Blue nile has diamonds with similar specs that range in price from $4,100-$5,000 but their percentages are not as far off as this diamond.

So the diamond basically has a larger than normal table which makes it look bigger in this setting, but it may kill the brilliance of the diamond.

He also said that they could pull a prong back on the ring and put in another diamond with a similar shape/size. I really know nothing about rings...is this a bad idea? It sounds like it would be OK as people have rings fixed all the time...right? I told you I'm new to this

So do I go for this one or try to get a better looking diamond in there? This diamond has good stats everywhere else...just those damn percentages are making me worry. I guess I could just compare it to a few loose diamonds and see if there is a real difference. Again, any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

The table is huge and much greater than the depth, the reverse is usually preferred. If they can get you a better cut Princess and put it into that setting then that might be the best bet. What can happen is with such a large table that the crown height is flat and you won't get much fire - the diamond can look glassy also. You can get a bit of flash and brilliance but this sort of diamond often won't do much else. See if they can get in any AGS0 cut grade Princess, this might make pinning down a well cut Princess easier.

 

[mrscushion]

That is a very, very pretty setting but do get it with a different stone, please. If you find other princess cut stones you like, post them here and the experts will help you pick the best one.

 

[pikers]

My girlfriend LOVES this setting. I know it''s not the most romantic thing to do but I''m OCD when it comes to expensive things so I said pick your top 5 favorite rings...she picked two. The Tiffany''s Lucida and this guy. She was 100% set on the Lucida but she put this one on next to it and it just totally blew it out of the water.

I''m going to head to this place on Saturday morning to see what this guy has for other diamonds. I actually REALLY like radiant cut diamonds...I think they have more sparkle than princess. I was also told they have less prone to having the corners chip as they don''t really have any

I''ll try to pick out the best that I can afford and then I''ll post the specs on here. Look for an update on Saturday afternoon!

Thanks for you input everyone...this is worse than buying a car.

 

[girlie-girl]

Hello.

I don't know if you've seen these already or not, but both Whiteflash and James Allen have very similar settings. If they are similar enough to the one she loves, you could check with each vendor to see if the setting could have a princess center stone instead of a round.

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/-Allegro-in-D--Diamond-Engagement-Ring_1117.htm

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-2225.asp

Good luck.

 

[pikers]

Thanks for the links!

I didn''t get a chance to go this weekend, holiday plans got in the way

I plan on going this upcoming weekend with my girlfriend''s two sisters so I''ll keep you posted on my progress.

 

[pikers]

UPDATE

I ended up going to the FIST jeweler visited when I started my search. They are a family run place in Boston's Diamond Disterict and they are probably the nicest people on earth. The are SUPER patient and laid back about the whole process. The place is called BRAG something like Boston Ring And Gem. Anyway, they had a VERY similar split shank ring to the one I have shown above but with MUCH better diamonds and metal too (the one above is palladium). I ended up getting a split shank platinum ring with .50 carat worth of diamonds, the center stone's specs are below:

GIA Cert Jan 09
Measurements: 5.82x5.80x4.11mm
Carat: 1.11
Color: H
Clarity: VS1
Polish: Excellent
Symmertry: Very good
Fluorescence: None

I am in LOVE with this ring...I'm so pumped! The guy gave me a great deal (I think at least) on the entire package. I should have it in like 1.5 weeks so I'll post pics when I can.

The ring actually looks similar to girlie-girl's ring show a few posts above.

Thanks again for the advice!

 

[girlie-girl]

Thanks for coming back with an update. I''m excited to see what you ended up getting.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I"m sooo glad you shopped more! I think it was wise to get platinum and it sounds like the whole ring is better quality! Please come back with pictures after you propose!

 

[Stone Hunter]

Ah so she gets exactly what she wants and it''s better quality. Way to go!! Good shopping skills.

 

[pikers]

Oh, I''ll definitely send pics!

The plan is to do it on 6/13 in Newport, RI...gotta love those mansions

Anyway, thanks for the help and the support through this process!

 

[pikers]

Here it is!

Saturday is he big day...wish me luck!

 

[Lula]

Lovely diamond, and the setting looks much nicer in quality than the first picture you posted. Plus, this jeweler made your experience fun and you got exactly what your gf wanted! Congrats and good luck with your proposal!

 

[Clairitek]

Date: 5/31/2009 9:05:24 AM
Author: pikers
Oh, I''ll definitely send pics!

The plan is to do it on 6/13 in Newport, RI...gotta love those mansions

Anyway, thanks for the help and the support through this process!

Woo for Newport!! I hope you can find a nice private spot on the cliff walk or something! That ring is gorgeous! I can see why she loved the setting so much. Congrats!

 

[Lorelei]

Beautiful!!

 

[stone-cold11]

Good Luck.

 

[pikers]

Again, thanks for the help...this site and it''s members were amazingly helpful. I''m sure I''ll be back on when it comes time for wedding bands

I''ll post something on Sunday to let you know how it went.

 

[pikers]

Date: 6/11/2009 10:59:20 PM
Author: Clairitek

Date: 5/31/2009 9:05:24 AM

Author: pikers

Oh, I''ll definitely send pics!


The plan is to do it on 6/13 in Newport, RI...gotta love those mansions

Anyway, thanks for the help and the support through this process!

Woo for Newport!! I hope you can find a nice private spot on the cliff walk or something! That ring is gorgeous! I can see why she loved the setting so much. Congrats!

I''m thinking cliff walk or the Brenton Park. It''s at the bottom of Newport where everyone flies kites. I''m pretty sure either one is a winner