Engagement Ring & Diamond Help

[Eagle48]

Hi folks, new guy here in need of some advice.

I think I''ve got a decent idea of what I want, but need some help. I''m in the process of talking with a local jeweler here in Huntsville, AL that only does custom work, and I''ve liked everything I''ve seen so far. He does a CAD design of the ring, a wax design, and makes sure that everything is agreed upon before going on to the final stage of actually making the ring.

His quote on making the setting seemed reasonable to me based off of what I''ve seen ($1500-$2000), but his diamond prices seemed high based off of internet loose diamond sales. I think what I''m going to do is have him make the setting and I''ll provide the loose diamond for him to mount. He agreed to this and is basically waiting on me to get him the diamonds dimensions so he can start the design process.

Here''s where some questions come in. I''ve been looking online at union diamond for the most part as they seem to have the best prices, and I haven''t really seen a lot of negative statements about them, but if you''ve got some places I should check out, please list them.

What I''m looking for is around a .75-.80 ct princess cut, D-F color, SI1 clarity, 1.00-1.02 ratio, excellent/very good polish, excellent/very good symmetry, no flouresence, 70-72% table, 68-75% depth diamond. I''m concerned about feathers because of possible chipping, should I be? Is one defect "beter" than another?

Here''s an idea of what the final ring will look like.
http://www.robbinsbros.com/ProductSearch/productDetail.asp?prod_id=30888&set_shape=&pType=ring&flag=&intIsJewelry=0

My future fiance has a 4.5 ring size and she doesn''t want something on her hand that looks huge which works out nicely for my budget. I guess my tops for the diamond is around $2500.

So advice, suggestions, anything?

Thanks

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I''d encourage you to consider G color, too, in an AGS0 princess:

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-912074.htm ($2310 w/ wire/pricescope discount)

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-336523.htm ($2520 ")

WhiteFlash has an excellent selection of .70-.76 F-G SI1 stones at the moment. I used this search:

https://www.pricescope.com/sift.aspx

I would recommend WF or Good Old Gold because they carry top quality stones in-house as opposed to some of the vendors that have mostly virtual listings and do not have pictures and other info on the actual stone for you.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/10/2008 11:48:10 AM
Author:Eagle48
Hi folks, new guy here in need of some advice.

I think I''ve got a decent idea of what I want, but need some help. I''m in the process of talking with a local jeweler here in Huntsville, AL that only does custom work, and I''ve liked everything I''ve seen so far. He does a CAD design of the ring, a wax design, and makes sure that everything is agreed upon before going on to the final stage of actually making the ring.

His quote on making the setting seemed reasonable to me based off of what I''ve seen ($1500-$2000), but his diamond prices seemed high based off of internet loose diamond sales. I think what I''m going to do is have him make the setting and I''ll provide the loose diamond for him to mount. He agreed to this and is basically waiting on me to get him the diamonds dimensions so he can start the design process.

Here''s where some questions come in. I''ve been looking online at union diamond for the most part as they seem to have the best prices, and I haven''t really seen a lot of negative statements about them, but if you''ve got some places I should check out, please list them.

What I''m looking for is around a .75-.80 ct princess cut, D-F color, SI1 clarity, 1.00-1.02 ratio, excellent/very good polish, excellent/very good symmetry, no flouresence, 70-72% table, 68-75% depth diamond. I''m concerned about feathers because of possible chipping, should I be? Is one defect ''beter'' than another?

Here''s an idea of what the final ring will look like.
http://www.robbinsbros.com/ProductSearch/productDetail.asp?prod_id=30888&set_shape=&pType=ring&flag=&intIsJewelry=0

My future fiance has a 4.5 ring size and she doesn''t want something on her hand that looks huge which works out nicely for my budget. I guess my tops for the diamond is around $2500.

So advice, suggestions, anything?

Thanks

Welcome!

As DS says, it is best to stick to vendors who have in house stones, and have done the cut analysis on the diamonds. Otherwise it is a guessing game how each diamond may look and perform, unlike rounds, you can''t judge fancy shapes effectively by the numbers. As to inclusions, your vendor will be able to advise you if you use one who has in house stones. SI1 clarity should be fine, just make sure that the diamond is eyeclean to your specifications, a good vendor will advise you if the diamond has any issues with it, which is rare anyway. They will also be able to advise you on any durability issues such as the potential for chipping if there are any extra vulnerable areas on the stone.

Colour - D to F is fine, you could consider G and possibly H as these grades should still face up very white if the cut quality is excellent.