Engagement Ring - Advice very much appreciated

[moesymoe]

Hi Folks,

So I've been doing quite a bit of research and I'm trying to come up the very steep learning curve as fast as I can.

My basic requirements are:

Diamond:
Cut: Super Ideal, GIA 3xEx or AGS 0 (highest priority)
HCA less than 1.5
Style: Round
Size: .75 - .95 carat (ideally .85)
Colour: G-I (ideally H)
Clarity: VS1 - SI1 (ideally VS2)

Ring:
Platinum
Petite style, narrow band, with small diamonds halfway around (pave?).
Prongs as small and neat as possible.

Given that my fiance has ethical considerations quite high on her list of priorities, I am a little restricted in terms of where I can source the diamond. As a result, Brilliant Earth is the main online retailer I am currently considering.

Anyway, I've found a possible contender, and I was hoping I could get a little feedback from the diamond experts on here.

Carat: 0.83
Cut: Excellent (GIA)
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
Polish: Ex
Symmetry: Ex
Fluorescence: Ex
Characteristics: Feather, Crystal

Depth: 60.3
Table: 58
Crown: 34
Pavilion: 40.8
HCA: 1.1
GIA: 2176728251


Price: $4780 usd
(Note, I've also found the same diamond available on b2cjewels.com for 3824. I am aware this is a 20% premium but the ring options available on the BE site in addition to the ethical considerations means I have to consider paying this extra)

The questions I am hoping to get some feedback on:

1 - From my basic understanding, this diamond seems to be a very strong candidate. Would you agree?
2 - I don't have much experience assessing diamond info & images. Is there anything that stands out in the details above or in the images below that would be of concern?
3 - Is $4780 decent value for this albeit with a 20% premium?
4 - If I was to go with b2c given the price, does anyone have any experience with b2c to be able to comment on the quality of their craftsmanship?

Thanks in advance for any and all comments!!!

 

[Niel]

In regards to that particular diamond, i dont love how thin the arrows are, and the table is too big. For me, i would keep looking.

However, I more so wanted to post because of this

Given that my fiance has ethical considerations quite high on her list of priorities, I am a little restricted in terms of where I can source the diamond. As a result, Brilliant Earth is the main online retailer I am currently considering.

What are her ethical concerns exactly? due to US law, its illegal to sell conflict diamonds, so most retailers state on there website that they are conflict free.

However, the idea of an ethical diamond doesnt end with where its mined. Because of this, the most "green" or "ethical" rings are second hand ones and lab grown diamonds. Lab grown diamonds arent for everyone, and sense you havent mentioned that, ill move on to second hand ones.

There are two ways you could go on that, a "preloved" ring thats modern ring or an antique/vintage ring. Consider the "reduce, reuse, recycle" aspect. You are not producing anything. You have not contributed to any active mining, and you have reused old materials.

So, depending on what ethical issue she has with diamonds, you actually have a lot more options. Old cut diamonds are very popular right now, if you wanted to go that route, or as i said, if its just that she wants a conflict free diamond, you are not limited to brilliant earth.

 

[moesymoe]

Hi Niel,

Many thanks for your response.

Question: Would other experts out there agree that the above diamond has some issues and is not worth pursuing further?

In terms of the ethical concerns:

• - My fiance realises that no new diamond is without any ethical concerns but would like to minimize the associated guilt that goes along with purchasing a new diamond and therefore has this as a key consideration.
  - We had briefly considered a preowned diamond but discounted it for the desire to have something new. I appreciate that this is a contradiction given the point above.
  - The reason she favours BE more than any other retailer is because oftheir "beyond conflict free" policy which appears to go above and beyond the Kimberley process, by providing country of origin certificates, sourcing from specific mines which adhere to labor, trade and environmental standards, using recycled gold and platinum for the rings etc.
  - We both understand that much of this might be marketing hyperbole but even that they appear to be trying to help address issues in the industry beyond the kimberley process is enough of a reason for my fiance to have BE as her preferred retailer.

From my perspective, I am struggling to come to terms with the premium BE charges given that in a lot of cases I can purchase the exact same diamond from a different retailer for up to 25% less. As a result, I am still considering the other retailers.

Question: Does anyone have any opinions on b2cjewels based on previous experience in terms of customer service, craftsmanship, return policy etc?

b2cjewels also have a "Perfection" cut grading. The following is an example(GIA: 1166253196):

.81, H, SI1, GIA Ex, HCA 1.0. Images at the following link:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6240349-0.81-carat-Round-diamond-H-color-SI1-clarity.aspx

Question: Anyone have any thoughts or opinions on this diamond? Is it good value at $3839?

 

[Niel]

OK. Two more suggestions, as I feel BE is overcharging for not necessarily better quality or more price of mind.

If you can buy the exact stone elsewhere for cheaper why wouldn't you ? Hypothetically, if you knew BE sold that stone, then you know it meets her ethical standards, regardless of where you purchase it.

Also, you can buy loose old cut stone, and have it set in a new setting. Just off the top of my head, boy CVB inspired designs and Green lake jewelry use recycled gold to make their jewelry as well. And I still think a quality old cut diamond, though you do not have the source info, is am option as well.

I can't comment on b2c's policies. Some people have a good experience with them others do not.

 

[TC1987]

I think I've seen Good Old Gold offer Canadian diamonds from time to time. You might contact them and explain your situation. They have good upgrade and buyback policies, too. I bought from them and then upgraded a couple of years later.

b2cjewels has found some attractive stones that fit within people's budgets. I can't recall any serious gripes about that vendor being posted here.

USA Certed is in Canada. The man's name is Martin, I believe. They are hard to get hold of and sometimes slow to respond. But he might have a source for Canadian diamonds. Call on the phone usually gets better results, from what I've heard.

I'm not sure where Brian Gavin's diamonds come from. But I'm sure that he knows. That might be another company to try.

 

[quaddio]

Hi Niel,

Many thanks for your response.

Question: Would other experts out there agree that the above diamond has some issues and is not worth pursuing further?

In terms of the ethical concerns:

• - My fiance realises that no new diamond is without any ethical concerns but would like to minimize the associated guilt that goes along with purchasing a new diamond and therefore has this as a key consideration.
  - We had briefly considered a preowned diamond but discounted it for the desire to have something new. I appreciate that this is a contradiction given the point above.
  - The reason she favours BE more than any other retailer is because oftheir "beyond conflict free" policy which appears to go above and beyond the Kimberley process, by providing country of origin certificates, sourcing from specific mines which adhere to labor, trade and environmental standards, using recycled gold and platinum for the rings etc.
  - We both understand that much of this might be marketing hyperbole but even that they appear to be trying to help address issues in the industry beyond the kimberley process is enough of a reason for my fiance to have BE as her preferred retailer.

From my perspective, I am struggling to come to terms with the premium BE charges given that in a lot of cases I can purchase the exact same diamond from a different retailer for up to 25% less. As a result, I am still considering the other retailers.

Question: Does anyone have any opinions on b2cjewels based on previous experience in terms of customer service, craftsmanship, return policy etc?

b2cjewels also have a "Perfection" cut grading. The following is an example(GIA: 1166253196):

.81, H, SI1, GIA Ex, HCA 1.0. Images at the following link:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6240349-0.81-carat-Round-diamond-H-color-SI1-clarity.aspx

Question: Anyone have any thoughts or opinions on this diamond? Is it good value at $3839?

It's great that you're so sensitive to your future wife's concerns regarding ethical practices. I agree with some of the other Pricescoper's comments around value but ultimately you should choose the vendor that will make you both the happiest. Brilliant Earth has made ethical practices a point of differentiation and central to their brand. http://www.businessinsider.com/the-20-most-inspiring-companies-of-2014-2014-8?op=1 Your choice to support the company for these reasons is completely valid. It's smart to consult pricescope experts for an uncompromising choice for diamond quality.

Good luck with your purchase, please come back with photos!

 

[missionCR]

I commiserate greatly with the original poster's dilemma--seeking to ethically purchase diamonds and looking for any other options in addition to BE.

I realize that not everyone is concerned with attempting to purchase conflict free / ethically processed diamonds, so feel free to pass over my post. But the idea that most 'reputable' retailers sell ethical diamonds does not seem to hold, if ethical sourcing and processing are a concern:

http://www.salon.com/2013/01/07/the_myth_of_conflict_free_diamonds/

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/01/02/rough_cut?page=0,0&wp_login_redirect=0

I have no intent of starting arguments, but I've received great help in the past tapping into the vast knowledge available on this forum. Does anyone know of any other online diamond sources other than BE that track their stones closely enough to avoid being mixed in with conflict stones during the polishing process? The Foreign Policy article above suggests that 90% of the world's unpolished diamonds are processed alongside conflict stones.

Thanks in advance.