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Engagement Ring Decision/Comparison

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rodman23

Rough_Rock
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Dec 6, 2007
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Hi guys .... awesome forum here! I''m glad I found it!

I am planning on a special proposal to my gf this christmas.

I took her to Robins Bros, because she was debating on a heart shaped cut or a round cut. She''s always wanted a heart shaped ... all her life. So all the other local jewelry stores only had hearts in a .75 or just under 1ct.

I figure I take her to RB since they''d have a bigger selection. Well we found 1 and she loved it. So I got it:

Carat: 1.1
Cut: Good
Clarity: SI2
Color: H
14k White Gold Solitare
Price (after tax and their lifetime protection thingy) : Just under $6900

Now after finding out about bluenile.com a few hours ago I find this:

Carat: 1.23
Cut: Very Good
Clarity: SI2
Color: F
Platinum Solitare
Price : $5900 (Shipped)

Should I go and return my ring at Robins?

I am thinking of getting the one from Bluenile and comparing both of them!

Your thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Rod
 
Rodman,

Blue Nile is very reputable, tends to have prices that are very attractive, and they have a good return policy.

If your credit can take it, seems like the conservative idea would be to buy the BN, tell your gf the truth...that you made a discovery after the purchase that could work to your mutual advantage, show her the BN, and give her the choice.
 
i say do it!
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save a grand and get a bigger, better quality diamond? is there even a question? hehe, just kidding. if you''re able to get the blue nile ring here before you want to propose and can still compare the 2 and return the RB one, do it!!! it''s worth it to see, at the very least.

that''s just me, i''m sure the experts will weigh in soon. good luck and get on the picture taking when you get em!
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So I mean on paper .... the bluenile one would be the choice right?

Bigger .... Better Color .... and Platinum over 14k Gold!

The one thing that I am "losing" is Robins Bros Lifetime Protection Service? Which I paid $199 for!

Is that a big deal?
 
Date: 12/6/2007 12:55:43 PM
Author: rodman23
So I mean on paper .... the bluenile one would be the choice right?

Bigger .... Better Color .... and Platinum over 14k Gold!

The one thing that I am ''losing'' is Robins Bros Lifetime Protection Service? Which I paid $199 for!

Is that a big deal?
Click to expand...
Your girl friends involvement, the store''s provision of protection, and the store being conveniently available for servicing are all valuable. The first...it''s suggested, if possible, you keep. The second, in substance, you can get, in a somewhat advantaged way with routine insurance, the third...you would need to do without...so you''d problem solve and seek another local vendor to make friends with and replace. Based on the probable preference for the "bird in the bush," it''s a good gamble...likewise for a savings, to boot.
 
Date: 12/6/2007 12:55:43 PM
Author: rodman23
So I mean on paper .... the bluenile one would be the choice right?

Bigger .... Better Color .... and Platinum over 14k Gold!

The one thing that I am 'losing' is Robins Bros Lifetime Protection Service? Which I paid $199 for!

Is that a big deal?
Click to expand...
No, you need to insure the diamond yourself anyway, unless you would feel comfortable replacing it if it were lost, stolen, damaged, etc. Those protection services are full of loopholes and will not protect you in all circumstances.
 
Hi Chrono ....

thanks for that link .... you brought up a great point!

How can I find out the grade? If I''m looking at the bluenile site .... I didn''t see it on any of the details or certificate.
 
Date: 12/6/2007 1:03:41 PM
Author: Chrono
There has been very little mention of cut. This might come in handy:
http://www.gemappraisers.com/oldcutgraderules.asp
Click to expand...
Chrono, good work. Frankly, I just thought a heart to be wacky enough not to be covered anywhere...and that the statement of good vs very good was perhaps the best info available.

Yes, it would be good to confirm via a table like the one Chrono provided that the BN option offers no less...and hopefully, a better cut option.

(Edited to add...) re your concern: "How can I find out the grade? If I'm looking at the bluenile site .... I didn't see it on any of the details or certificate...."

I would call BN...and ask them for the details. Hopefully they can find them out.
 
Does the link provide any information like the table %, depth %, girdle, polish, symmetry, culet, etc?
 
I''m really leaning towards the Blue Nile Ring/Diamond ...

and they have a link to Jewelers Mutual ....

From reading some threads here .... I think I might choose them over my State Farm Policy.
 
Chrono ....

Yes .... here''s the bluenile info:


Depth %: 53.1%
Table %: 60%
Symmetry: Very good
Polish: Excellent
Girdle: Thin to very thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 7.01 x 7.47 x 3.97 mm
Length/width ratio: 0.94
 
Date: 12/6/2007 1:12:37 PM
Author: rodman23
I''m really leaning towards the Blue Nile Ring/Diamond ...

and they have a link to Jewelers Mutual ....

From reading some threads here .... I think I might choose them over my State Farm Policy.
Click to expand...
actually...this is a relative downgrade. They use to partner with Chubb. Between JM, and state farm...I''d probably prefer State Farm. broadly.

Not that I''d let this decide for you.
 
Here is the specs for the Robins Bros Diamond:

Measurements: 6.52 x 6.78 x 4.21 mm
Carat Weight: 1.10
Color Grade: H
Clarity Grade: SI2
Proportions:
Depth: 62.1 %
Table: 60 %
Girdle: Thin to Slightly Thick, Faceted
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Good
Fluorescence: None
 
Thanks to Chrono ....

One thing I am seeing with the Bluenile diamond compared to the Robins Bros is:

RB - Depth: 62.1 %
Bluenile - Depth: 53.1%

----quote from bluenile----
The height of a gemstone, measured from the culet to the table, divided by the width of the gemstone. The depth percentage is critical to creating brilliance and fire in a diamond, and a gemstone with a depth percentage too low or too high will lack sparkle.
---------------------------

Kinda worried now!
 
a few comments...but you can read the AGA table as I can:

1) maybe smart ones can derive the l/w from the Robbins one? That would be good to know...

2) Otherwise, preliminarily, the Robbins one does rate better

3) I'm not sure otherwise how to evaluate/value the AGA table. Example...for princesses...it may not be designed to specify performance...and we know your gf did like the Robbins one.

Hopefully...others can read better the l/w ratio. But...if that doesn't prove to fall into a I category...you might refrain from rushing ahead.

Good due diligence, Chrono.
 
That is a very large difference in the depth. As I am no heart cut expert, I cannot tell what the downside could possibly be with such a shallow stone expect maybe a fish eye effect of some sort in the BN stone. At this point, just by the numbers alone, it appears the Robbin''s heart stone looks to be the better cut stone. Note that this is only my speculation based upon the AGA cut chart.
 
After seeing that big of a difference in the depth.

Would that one characteristic be enough to make or break a deal with the diamond from Bluenile?

Everything else favors the bluenile diamond, but from the research I've done on the web, a lot of sights are saying to look at depth and table before looking at the 4c's!
 
For me, yes. However, you do have another option since BN offers a very generous 30 day return policy. Buy it, compare it to the Robbins stone, then decide.

ETA
Depth and Table information is part of the Cut (one of the 4 Cs) and is usually the first C I look at.
 
Chrono,

Thanks for the advice! You''ve been a tremendous help!

I found some other diamonds on BN, that are close to the 1.25ct that my gf wants.

Some that are cut better:

Your toughts:

Price: $4,953
Bank wire price: $4,879
Carat weight: 1.25
Cut: Very Good
Color: H
Clarity: SI2
Depth %: 60.5%
Table %: 58%
Symmetry: Good
Polish: Very good
Girdle: Slightly thick to thick, faceted
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 6.59 x 7.26 x 4.39 mm
Length/width ratio: 0.91

With this being a better cut, would the sacrifice of getting a lower grade color be worth it, since we''ll be getting a better cut?
 
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