Down to the wire, still a few decisions.

[mobius8]

I have lurked for a while. I have posted a few times. I have procrastinated as long as possible. Now it''s time.
I have the setting. CHECK
I have a way to pay for the center stone. CHECK
I have a decent idea of what I want. CHECK
I have a good idea of where I want to buy. CHECK.

I still need help with 2 more decisions.
1.5 vs 1.75 and Whiteflash vs. Good old gold

You folks have recommended both merchants highly and both seem like they will mount into my setting.
(I will of course contact to verify)

Please chime in with any suggestions or personal experiences to help me with this.

What I have: 14k white gold setting with 2 .40ct sidestones and 20 pave set accent stones totaling .40ct, uncert''d.

What I need: 1.5 to 1.75 round brilliant center stone around H in color. Around SI1 or VERY eye clean SI2 clarity. GOOD cut. With a budget of around 10k.

THANKS IN ADVANCE. You guys are the best!

 

[mobius8]

Addendum.
If there will be a noticeable WOW factor difference in the 1.75 vs. the 1.5 it will be worth it to me.
I guess that's my main point.
Neither of us are wealthy (obvious by the size considerations I'm sure), but I still want people to see her ring and go WOW.
(most importantly her)

 

[:)]

Is the 10K for stone only?

 

[Cleo]

I think to get opinions & preferences on the two stones it would be helpful if you could provide links for people, directly to the two diamonds, to allow them to compare.

Regarding the size - 1.5 or 1.75cts will *definitely* make people go WOW!

You might be interested in this thread, which will give you an idea of the visible difference face-up between the two sizes.

Do post links & I''ll let you know which I prefer.

x x x

 

[mobius8]

To:
Yes, 10k for the stone. I paid 3k for the setting. So total budget around 13k.

To: Cleo
Awesome link and very helpful. I am not yet comparing any particular stones to provide links to. Just want to figure out the size issue before picking out something.
Thanks!

 

[Cleo]

Date: 8/19/2008 12:50:12 AM
Author: mobius8
To:
Yes, 10k for the stone. I paid 3k for the setting. So total budget around 13k.

To: Cleo
Awesome link and very helpful. I am not yet comparing any particular stones to provide links to. Just want to figure out the size issue before picking out something.
Thanks!

Oh I seeeeeeeeeee!

OK, well in that case I''d say that for me there was nothing to choose between either Whiteflash or GOG - they are both amazing vendors and supply fantastic, well cut diamonds and both have a reputation for top-notch customer service.

As for 1.5 compared to 1.75, I''d have to judge that on a stone-by-stone basis.

I''m unashamedly a size queen, and would always say bigger is better.. BUT.. I would stick within your budget. It''s not worth getting in debt up to your eyeballs (for example) for the sake of an extra 0.25ct on an alreadly substantially sized diamond.

When it comes down to the final decision, I would just see which diamonds are available at each vendor that fit within your budget & selection criteria... and then pick your favourite diamond (with help from the lovely PS folks if you wish).

I''d simply look for stones between 1.5 and 1.75cts at WF and GOG and go from there.

Anything else might be just over-analysing it slightly...

x x x

 

[:)]

Mobius, if you already have the setting purchased, what diameter stone is it made for? You might have your answer there with regards to size.

 

[mobius8]

Pic

 

[mobius8]

Date: 8/19/2008 1:01:14 AM
Author:
Mobius, if you already have the setting purchased, what diameter stone is it made for? You might have your answer there with regards to size.

Originally thought I wanted 1.8
Local jeweler inspected and said 1.75 is pretty much max for head

 

[somehowcollide]

Date: 8/19/2008 12:24:33 AM
Author: mobius8
Addendum.

If there will be a noticeable WOW factor difference in the 1.75 vs. the 1.5 it will be worth it to me.

I guess that''s my main point.

Neither of us are wealthy (obvious by the size considerations I''m sure), but I still want people to see her ring and go WOW.

(most importantly her)

I just wanted to pop in and say that you are spending a considerable amount in purchasing your FF engagement ring! I think it is a very generous gesture. I thought this might interest you, I had this little "fun fact" saved somewhere:

According to the Jewelry Information Center, over 60% spend between $1,000 and $5,000 on an engagement ring. Five percent of grooms spent more than $10,000. The average amount spent is $3,700. (Source: Diamond engagement rings are increasingly colourful. By Renee Garrison. Media General News Service.)

Good luck, there are a lot of very knowledgeable people on the forum who have, and will, respond!

 

[mobius8]

Another pic

 

[mobius8]

Date: 8/19/2008 1:08:56 AM
Author: somehowcollide
I just wanted to pop in and say that you are spending a considerable amount in purchasing your FF engagement ring!

FF?

 

[Cleo]

Future Fiancee

x x x

 

[Cleo]

Date: 8/19/2008 1:08:56 AM
Author: somehowcollide

I just wanted to pop in and say that you are spending a considerable amount in purchasing your FF engagement ring! I think it is a very generous gesture. I thought this might interest you, I had this little ''fun fact'' saved somewhere:

According to the Jewelry Information Center, over 60% spend between $1,000 and $5,000 on an engagement ring. Five percent of grooms spent more than $10,000. The average amount spent is $3,700. (Source: Diamond engagement rings are increasingly colourful. By Renee Garrison. Media General News Service.)

Good luck, there are a lot of very knowledgeable people on the forum who have, and will, respond!

Somehowcollide makes a great point.

You know that a 1ct diamond would also be utterly spectacular and just as WOW... especially in that wonderful setting?

x x x

 

[mobius8]

Date: 8/19/2008 1:23:05 AM
Author: Cleo
Somehowcollide makes a great point.

You know that a 1ct diamond would also be utterly spectacular and just as WOW... especially in that wonderful setting?

x x x

You both make valid points. And I appreciate you looking out for me. If you don''t think I will be giving up a lot of WOW then I will probably lean towards the 1.5
I don''t think I want to go less than that.

 

[somehowcollide]

Date: 8/19/2008 1:23:05 AM
Author: Cleo

Date: 8/19/2008 1:08:56 AM

Author: somehowcollide


I just wanted to pop in and say that you are spending a considerable amount in purchasing your FF engagement ring! I think it is a very generous gesture. I thought this might interest you, I had this little 'fun fact' saved somewhere:


According to the Jewelry Information Center, over 60% spend between $1,000 and $5,000 on an engagement ring. Five percent of grooms spent more than $10,000. The average amount spent is $3,700. (Source: Diamond engagement rings are increasingly colourful. By Renee Garrison. Media General News Service.)


Good luck, there are a lot of very knowledgeable people on the forum who have, and will, respond!

Somehowcollide makes a great point.


You know that a 1ct diamond would also be utterly spectacular and just as WOW... especially in that wonderful setting?


x x x

Aww she's just saying that 'cause she knows I have an e-crush on her

Hehe.

By all means, get the larger stone. But don't think that your stone is "small" or that it is a negative reflection on your "wealth" or social standing. A 1.50-1.75 carat stone is well above the national average, and as I cited earlier only about 5% of men spend more than 10k on their beloved's ering. I myself am getting "upgraded" to a 1.67 carat, and am ecstatic! I feel like it is fabulously huge for a newly engaged couple (yes, I am getting upgraded before the wedding-DSS at it's worst!) I referred to the above article only because I wanted you to appreciate just how much money and time you were putting into this and not to think that it was a paltry sum. You seem like a very genuine and sweet guy, I hope that you are able to find the perfect stone for your girlfriend/FF!! Do you feel like you are ready to make your decision on carat weight yet?

ETA My $.02 is that most women really do appreciate a larger stone. If 1.75 doesn't break the bank then you might as well invest in it (as I assume this will be a ring she will wear for many years to come, if not forever.) A happy compromise may be to get something in between the two, like a 1 2/3 (I'm biased, I know).

 

[Cleo]

Date: 8/19/2008 6:33:49 AM
Author: somehowcollide
Aww she''s just saying that ''cause she knows I have an e-crush on her

Hehe.

By all means, get the larger stone. But don''t think that your stone is ''small'' or that it is a negative reflection on your ''wealth'' or social standing. A 1.50-1.75 carat stone is well above the national average, and as I cited earlier only about 5% of men spend more than 10k on their beloved''s ering. I myself am getting ''upgraded'' to a 1.67 carat, and am ecstatic! I feel like it is fabulously huge for a newly engaged couple (yes, I am getting upgraded before the wedding-DSS at it''s worst!) I referred to the above article only because I wanted you to appreciate just how much money and time you were putting into this and not to think that it was a paltry sum. You seem like a very genuine and sweet guy, I hope that you are able to find the perfect stone for your girlfriend/FF!! Do you feel like you are ready to make your decision on carat weight yet?

ETA My $.02 is that most women really do appreciate a larger stone. If 1.75 doesn''t break the bank then you might as well invest in it (as I assume this will be a ring she will wear for many years to come, if not forever.) A happy compromise may be to get something in between the two, like a 1 2/3 (I''m biased, I know).

LOL!!! That''s cute!

Ditto again to Somehowcollide though. As a useful gauge you could find out what kind of size e-rings her friends or work colleagues (or other girls in her social circle) wear... and then maybe get 0.25ct bigger, if appropriate/affordable.

That way she''ll have the biggest of the bunch (on average) but she''ll also have the best-cut & sparkliest diamond too... and they''ll all be wowed!

x x x

 

[Ellen]

Mobius, I would personally care more about the cut than the size. A very well cut stone is what makes people go WOW. My .58 ACA studs do that.

Plus, you have sidestones, it''s going to be blingy!

However, I doubt you''re not going to be able to swing a stone of that size in an H, or even I, and keep it at ten. Here''s what a nice I is running. 11,294 with bankwire.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4577/


To keep it at budget, here''s a beautiful J. And remember, a well cut stone will appear whiter than a not so hot stone.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4316/

WF didn''t have anything showing in this range. (that looked promising)

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

Date: 8/19/2008 9:24:07 AM
Author: Ellen
Mobius, I would personally care more about the cut than the size. A very well cut stone is what makes people go WOW. My .58 ACA studs do that.

Plus, you have sidestones, it''s going to be blingy!

However, I doubt you''re not going to be able to swing a stone of that size in an H, or even I, and keep it at ten. Here''s what a nice I is running. 11,294 with bankwire.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4577/


To keep it at budget, here''s a beautiful J. And remember, a well cut stone will appear whiter than a not so hot stone.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4316/

WF didn''t have anything showing in this range. (that looked promising)

Both of these that Ellen suggested look awesome. I just purchases an I/SI1 from GOG and it is beautiful. That J looks pretty too. Decisions, decisions!

 

[mercoledi]

I found stones at BN that might work for you. They're not a great vendor but they have a lot of stock these days.
1.62 G si2 $10178

1.58 E SI2 $10273

1.56 H SI2 $9790

Of if you're feeling lucky, this 1.7 E I1 from JA is in budget. It's hard to tell from the cert whether it's eye-clean; it lists inclusions that are usually clear but JA can look at it for you. It's nicely cut and certainly maximizes ct/$, but it probably isn't really eye-clean. I mean, a 1.71 E for under $9k? I don't know, I kind of want to call myself just to find out!

Good luck!

ETA: Ellen's right, dropping in color will help you get a great stone in your preferred size range.

 

[J2K]

Do you know the cut grade and color of the side stones? I would try to match those fairly closely with the color for the center stone.

When I saw a setting with F-G color side stones, it really brought out the color in a J... so I bought a F

 

[somehowcollide]

Date: 8/19/2008 12:43:10 PM
Author: J2K
Do you know the cut grade and color of the side stones? I would try to match those fairly closely with the color for the center stone.


When I saw a setting with F-G color side stones, it really brought out the color in a J... so I bought a F

Good point, I believe it is best to stay within two color grades of the sidestones.

 

[jstarfireb]

This stone from WF looks promising if it''s eye clean! Of course you would need to see pictures as well.

 

[:)]

Hi Mobius. slim pickings...

Blue Nile has a great 30d return policy if needed and their customer service is great. They do not offer ''upgrades'' if you want in the future

1.56 H S12 $9026
http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1181445.htm#
need to ask for an idealscope (could be a steep deep) - aset looks pretty good though - and also ask re: eyeclean. also need to ask if the clouds not shown are grade setting. Given it has a report from 10/07 I am not too optimistic but don''t know until you try

1.53 G si2 $9029
http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1181467.htm#
not in house - would need an IS to be sure, but based on Sarin the #s look good (enter sarin #s into the Holloway not GIA report #s which are rounded) WF says it is ''not in house but available'' - may be a possibility and definitely worth looking into


Blue Nile 1.57 H SI2 $9588
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-h-color-si2-clarity_LD00349596?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0


GOG does not have any in house right now but you could definitely call them and tell them what you want and they can find it for you (they are in NY so have access to a lot of stones)

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/19/2008 12:43:10 PM
Author: J2K
Do you know the cut grade and color of the side stones? I would try to match those fairly closely with the color for the center stone.

When I saw a setting with F-G color side stones, it really brought out the color in a J... so I bought a F

In a prior post, he stated the sidestones are uncerted, and a jeweler looked at them and said approximately G-H in color. As I suspect they are not ideal cut (but mobius please correct me if I''m wrong), there is a good chance with a very well cut J, there may not me much, if any difference.

But a very well cut I should be fine for sure.

 

[Cleo]

Date: 8/19/2008 8:14:54 PM
Author: Ellen

In a prior post, he stated the sidestones are uncerted, and a jeweler looked at them and said approximately G-H in color. As I suspect they are not ideal cut (but mobius please correct me if I''m wrong), there is a good chance with a very well cut J, there may not me much, if any difference.

But a very well cut I should be fine for sure.

I''d go with anything Ellen says...

x x x

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/19/2008 8:20:55 PM
Author: Cleo

Date: 8/19/2008 8:14:54 PM
Author: Ellen

In a prior post, he stated the sidestones are uncerted, and a jeweler looked at them and said approximately G-H in color. As I suspect they are not ideal cut (but mobius please correct me if I''m wrong), there is a good chance with a very well cut J, there may not me much, if any difference.

But a very well cut I should be fine for sure.

I''d go with anything Ellen says...

x x x

Why thank you Miss Cleo! In that case, everyone should hand over their diamonds to me.....

And that should be "may not be much", not me.

 

[Cleo]

Date: 8/19/2008 8:38:23 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 8/19/2008 8:20:55 PM
Author: Cleo


I''d go with anything Ellen says...

x x x

Why thank you Miss Cleo! In that case, everyone should hand over their diamonds to me.....

And that should be ''may not be much'', not me.

Um, well... ahem... apart from THAT!!

x x x

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/19/2008 8:39:35 PM
Author: Cleo

Date: 8/19/2008 8:38:23 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 8/19/2008 8:20:55 PM
Author: Cleo


I''d go with anything Ellen says...

x x x

Why thank you Miss Cleo! In that case, everyone should hand over their diamonds to me.....

And that should be ''may not be much'', not me.

Um, well... ahem... apart from THAT!!

x x x

How did I know??!

 

[mobius8]

Date: 8/19/2008 9:24:07 AM
Author: Ellen
Mobius, I would personally care more about the cut than the size. A very well cut stone is what makes people go WOW. My .58 ACA studs do that.

Plus, you have sidestones, it''s going to be blingy!


However, I doubt you''re not going to be able to swing a stone of that size in an H, or even I, and keep it at ten. Here''s what a nice I is running. 11,294 with bankwire.


http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4577/
To keep it at budget, here''s a beautiful J. And remember, a well cut stone will appear whiter than a not so hot stone.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4316/
WF didn''t have anything showing in this range. (that looked promising)

Okay. I know you know what you are talking about. And I trust your recommendations, but I am scared of a J.
It just seems SOOO FAR from a D.
And I do acknowledge that you are correct in stating that CUT is the most important C.
Argh. Soo confusing.
Anyone want to trade a new kitchen of appliances for a really nice diamond.
That''s something I understand


p.s. I sell appliances