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e-ring newbie, robbins bros, and designer ring - nuts yet?

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lb90274

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 3, 2008
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Hi all. First and foremost this has to be one of the nicest (no flames) forums I''ve seen in a looong while. I belong to a few, but I am a real newbie in this realm.

Problem. Took the GF to a RobbinsBros (Torrance) and she really really likes a SimonG wedding set. I like it too. See attached pic (I hope)

I -just- know enough that I probably don''t want to pay full-boat retail at an RB, but I wasn''t smart enough to keep her from getting her heart relatively set on this ring.

The e-ring and the band are each approx $990.00. Since it IS a designer ring I''d think it would be avail at a few places.

Any tips on where to get this ring and save some $$$

I''ll also be needing a center stone. Round cut. .8 to a carat max. Clean to the eye but no investment peice.

Will jeweler "A" set a stone in a ring bought from jeweler "B" ??? if I get them from seperate places ???

PS I am close enough to the LA jewelry mart to make a trip, but I REALLY want to go to a known good-guy.

Internet, mail order, cash&carry is all good.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

ringggggg1hf6emt.jpg
 
Here is a pic of the band AND the mens ring I like too. THANKS again.

ringgggggg2hf65j.jpg
 
Robbin's Bros is certainly usually a rip off. I would start with using the dealer locator tool on the Simon G website and see if there are any dealers near you. Then you can call around and find out about pricing.

You can also probably save a lot of $ buying the center stone from someplace other than Robbin's Bros too. Online vendors like Good Old Gold and Whiteflash are great to start with. I don't know of any of the respected online vendors that carry Simon G off the top of my head, but hopefully someone else does.
 
If I were looking for a RB, I''d try Whiteflash. Everyone here seems to love them, they put a lot of info/images on their website and have a big in-house inventory so they can compare stones for you without you having to pay to call them in, and the customer service I experienced was good (I didn''t wind up using them, but thought they were a good company from what I did experience).

I agree with Neatfreak - check for Simon G dealers in your area. I have seen some jewelry stores (ex. Dimend Scassi) that won''t set stones bought elsewhere. But I don''t think that''s the norm, so be sure to check with the dealer you locate.

Good luck! It''s a beautiful set!
 
Robbins Bros is about $75 over typical on th band and er. I love the stones at Whiteflash.

sooooo....

If I get the rings from RB and the stome from Whiteflash or somewhere else can ya recommend a local (Torrance, LA) jeweler to set it?

What should it cost to set?

THANKS
 
Robbins is well priced compared to some other B&M stores.... however, no way would I go with Robbins when WF is right there for the picking. I bought a diamond from Robbins Brothers but returned it once I found that WF was reputable and had such a good reputation for great value and great cuts.

No contest.
 
WF will be able to make pretty much syle ring you want, and probably similiar or cheaper price than SimonG..
 
Whiteflash is getting that exacting setting and band for me. Cheaper than RB and no tax either.

Now, I must pick a stone.

The band is only 2mm thick and fortunately when my fiance saw that ring at RB she said the 1 ct stone "looked a bit too big"
emteeth.gif


I''m gonna try to save some $$$ and find a nice stone in the .85 .95 range from WF.

H, vs1 - vs2, round.

Gonna go on the WF site and check now.

I''ll post my finalists here, for your expert opinions.

THANKS AGAIN
 
That''s great!! So glad to hear that. WF can help you select a great stone from their inventory too if you want...
 
Good Luck.
 
You and the girlfriend sound very efficient! Good luck with everything and I can''t wait to see your stone.
 
OK, totally spazzing out now.

I want an RB that is eye clean :)))) (My understanding of that is color h-i or better and clarity si1 or better).

I'd like a 1.0 or slightly under, but the budget of 4k is holding me in the .8 range.
7.gif


It also looks like I'll be most likely relegated to the WhiteFlash 4 star ES ratings rather than the 5 star H&A stones. Bummed.

Again, I am not looking for an investment peice. I just want a stone that will look really really good to most folks, thats a great value.

In all my comparing it seems you can get a 5 star H&A rb .8 ct --or-- a 4 star stone .9 ct for the same price. All other things similar.

Which is the better value, based on my "eye clean" desire?

Here is what I found so far:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=1467043
Item Code: AGS-9975002


$3,716 F SI1




. Report: AGS
. Shape: A Cut Above H&A
. Carat: 0.808
. Depth %: 61.8
. Table %: 56
. Crown Angle: 34.8
. Crown %: 15.3
. Star : 55
. Pavilion Angle: 40.7
. Pavilion %: 42.8
. Lower Girdle %: 77
. Girdle: Thin to Slightly Thick Faceted
. Measurements: 5.95-5.97X3.69
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=1467023




Item Code: AGS-9974801




$3855 F SI1




. Report: AGS
. Shape: A Cut Above H&A
. Carat: 0.837
. Depth %: 61.7
. Table %: 56.8
. Crown Angle: 34.7
. Crown %: 15
. Star : 56
. Pavilion Angle: 40.8
. Pavilion %: 43
. Lower Girdle %: 77
. Girdle: Thin to Slightly Thick Faceted
. Measurements: 6.02-6.05X3.73
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-1313917.htm




Item Code: GIA_17570437CG




$3122 H SI1




. Report: GIA
. Shape: Round
. Carat: 0.84
. Depth %: 62
. Table %: 56
. Crown Angle: 34
. Crown %: 15
. Star : 50
. Pavilion Angle: 41.2
. Pavilion %: 43.5
. Lower Girdle %: 80
. Girdle: Thin to Slightly Thick Faceted
. Measurements: 6.05-6.08X3.76
. Polish: Excellent
. Symmetry: Good <---- Hmmmm???
. Culet: None
. Fluorescence: None


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-1181468.htm


Item Code: GIA_16953706AL

H SI1


$3717 on the WF site
$3605 when found via pricescope.


. Report: GIA
. Shape: Round
. Carat: 0.90
. Depth %: 60.1
. Table %: 61
. Crown Angle: 31.5
. Crown %: 12
. Star : 50
. Pavilion Angle: 42
. Pavilion %: 44.5
. Lower Girdle %: 80
. Girdle: Medium to slightly thick faceted
. Measurements: 6.26-6.31X3.78
. Polish: Excellent
. Symmetry: Very Good
. Culet: None
. Fluorescence: None


I know these stones are not in the upper $$$ region most of you are concerned with so I REALLY appreciate the effort, direction, and education so far.

I welcome any comments or suggestions on the stones I selected.

I'd also love someone to hunt down the BEST:
1) H&A 5-Star and
2) ES 4-Star rb that WF has to offer for my 4k.
(my criteria again - non investment piece, eye clean)


THANKS AGAIN and AGAIN!!!

WF is already getting the ER so I AM GOING to buy a stone from them. I won't waste your time with this.

 
Date: 12/3/2008 4:25:40 PM
Author: lb90274

OK, totally spazzing out now.

I want an RB that is eye clean :)))) (My understanding of that is color h-i or better and clarity si1 or better).

I''d like a 1.0 or slightly under, but the budget of 4k is holding me in the .8 range.
7.gif


It also looks like I''ll be most likely relegated to the WhiteFlash 4 star ES ratings rather than the 5 star H&A stones. Bummed. Don''t be bummed! the ES can actually be great values!

Again, I am not looking for an investment peice. I just want a stone that will look really really good to most folks, thats a great value. And the ES stones can knock socks off! You can do it and we will help!

In all my comparing it seems you can get a 5 star H&A rb .8 ct --or-- a 4 star stone .9 ct for the same price. All other things similar.

Which is the better value, based on my ''eye clean'' desire?

I will take a quick look at your selections, hold on...
Click to expand...
 
Not really liking the 0.9 GIA stone. HCA = 5.5.

EDT:
Not really liking both GIA stones...

The ACA stones both have big crystals. Are they check out eye-clean to your standard?

How long can you wait? I would prefer to see if there are better candidates in the next batch of stones coming into WF.
 
Okay, #1 and #2 splitting hairs (both ACA)
#3 would toss given you have #1 and 2
#4 is a different stone. It will have a slightly different look to it given the table size is a bit larger than we usually jump for on PS, but can still be a pretty stone (and would get you bigger size)

I took the liberty of looking through the database....
Wink Jones has two stones listed that WF may be able to get for you.
He has a 0.9 G Si1 for 3744 and a 0.92 HVS2 for 3974
I can''t link directly to them, but if you go to his webpage you can easily see them listed www.winkjones.com

and, if 1 carat is important, they may be able to get an interesting one I see listed at James Allen. It got dinged on cut grade for the very thick portion of girdle, so someone needs to take a look at the stone, it is 3860 and eyecleanliness would also need to be checked 1.05 E Si2 but I would totally find out about it!
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-898570.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

this one is a G Si2 of 1.04 for 3970 (eyecleanliness would need to be checked and an IS should be done, but has potential)
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1108290.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

caveat there may be a small additional charge for stones from another vendor given there are shipping costs, and two vendors involved, but it is worth asking...
9.gif
 
Wow, I just saw this totally cool looking diamond on GOG that I had never seen before. Not a round, but a cool modified cushion priced just over $4000 for bank wire. It's a J/SI2. Just thought I would point it out, but then, I am partial to modified square cushions.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5013/
 
Thanks to :) for the work and encouragement.

Stone-cold11 - I figured out what HCA was after investigating based on your comment. Thanks

I''m not in a big rush, How often does WF get new inventory?

I am a bit confused about all the stones mentioned that DO NOT come from the WF site.

Do these guys cooperate so much that WF can get a stone from goodold, winkjones, or jamesallen for the listed price?

NEU - I really like the way goodold has their diamond pages laid out. Impressive stones too.
 
Date: 12/4/2008 12:28:45 PM
Author: lb90274
Thanks to :) for the work and encouragement.

Stone-cold11 - I figured out what HCA was after investigating based on your comment. Thanks

I''m not in a big rush, How often does WF get new inventory?

I am a bit confused about all the stones mentioned that DO NOT come from the WF site.

Do these guys cooperate so much that WF can get a stone from goodold, winkjones, or jamesallen for the listed price?

NEU - I really like the way goodold has their diamond pages laid out. Impressive stones too.
Click to expand...

My understanding is that new stones comes in every 1.5-2 mths. Best to check with WF as some stones are bought before they are even put online thru the sales rep because they match what the customers are looking for.

These mentioned vendors work with one another to satisfy the customers. You can see projects with stones from one company, setting from another, sourcing of different gems and melee stones from others quite frequently here.
 
Date: 12/4/2008 12:28:45 PM
Author: lb90274
Thanks to :) for the work and encouragement.

Stone-cold11 - I figured out what HCA was after investigating based on your comment. Thanks

I'm not in a big rush, How often does WF get new inventory?

I am a bit confused about all the stones mentioned that DO NOT come from the WF site.

Do these guys cooperate so much that WF can get a stone from goodold, winkjones, or jamesallen for the listed price?

NEU - I really like the way goodold has their diamond pages laid out. Impressive stones too.
Click to expand...
You would need to contact them and ask, also tell them your requirements as they might know of, or be able to find what you are looking for and let you know when a suitable diamond comes along.

Also some diamonds which appear on many of the vendor listings are what are called ' virtual stones.' These are owned by the cutting house/ suppliers and the online vendors can call in these diamonds on request in some cases. Otherwise the diamonds are exclusive inventory diamonds to a particular vendor.
 
Date: 12/4/2008 12:28:45 PM
Author: lb90274
Thanks to :) for the work and encouragement.

Stone-cold11 - I figured out what HCA was after investigating based on your comment. Thanks

I'm not in a big rush, How often does WF get new inventory?

I am a bit confused about all the stones mentioned that DO NOT come from the WF site.

Do these guys cooperate so much that WF can get a stone from goodold, winkjones, or jamesallen for the listed price?

NEU - I really like the way goodold has their diamond pages laid out. Impressive stones too.
Click to expand...
I don't think so, but I have heard of GOG-purchased diamonds being set into settings purchased from Whiteflash. I think that Arjunajane's diamond came from GOG but was set by WF into one of their settings. Yes, GOG diamonds are awesome! I have two! And their upgrade policy rocks.
 
Yeah! I think I found my stone. The two I previously liked are not eye clean per Bob at WF. They were:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=1467043
$3,716 F SI1

and

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=1467023
$3855 F SI1


I DID find this one that I really like:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=1445181

0.797 ct I VS1 A Cut Above H&A

$3,297.00 - $3132 via pricescope search (I assume I can get it for the PS price)

HCA = 1.4
Light Return - Excellent
Fire - Excellent
Scintillation - Excellent
Spread or diameter for weight - Very Good


. Report: AGS
. Shape: A Cut Above H&A
. Carat: 0.797
. Depth %: 60.5
. Table %: 57.6
. Crown Angle: 34.7
. Crown %: 14.7
. Star : 54
. Pavilion Angle: 40.8
. Pavilion %: 43.1
. Lower Girdle %: 78
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 6.01-6.03X3.64
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

I''m happy with the size for a 2mm er band.
I''m happy with the VS1
I''m OK with the "I" grade
I''m happy w/the price too.

My SimonG ring won''t be in for another week or more, and Bob is expecting more diamonds before that. Of course, I''ll look at the new batch, but he''s holding this one for me.

Comments?

I''ve spent hours reading and learning here. Thanks SO MUCH. Thanks for the other suggestions too.
 
THANKS for all the help again.

Attached is a pic that WF just sent. The ring is shipping out today.

To review:

It''s a SimonG setting I saw at Robbins Brothers, but after reading here, would not buy from there :)

WF ordered the setting for me and saved me $350 on the 2 rings when you consider their cheaper price and NO tax.

Then you guys helped me learn, suggested stones, and I finally found this diamond:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=1445181

Which I bought at the PS price and Bob from WF mounted in the SimonG setting, once they received it from their supplier.

I am sure I have a much better stone and a much better price than I would have from RB.

THANKS AGAIN..............................................

Gonna propose this w/e at the spot we had our first date :)

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaassssssssssdddddddddd.jpg
 
Well done. You have chosen a lovely set and I hope she loves it.

Do post back to let us know how it goes with hand shots.
 
Great job. The ring is lovely!
 
looks like a gorgeous set to me! congrats!
 
It''s gorgeous! Congratulations, you found a great stone!
 
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