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Engagement Ring Diamond Search - Request for Guidance

Looking4aRock

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 19, 2016
Messages
13
Hi there,

I am a long time lurker who, after much consideration, has decided to take the plunge and ask for my girlfriend's hand in marriage.

Now the hard part, finding the perfect diamond! I have been looking at the great information in the forums over the past year or so and have some ideas, but would be eternally grateful if anyone can help confirm I am on the right path!

I have decided to go the online route as it seems like the best bang for one's buck, and I have been focusing on James Allen as I like that they have 3D images of the diamonds and a hassle-free returns and shipping to Canada (where I am based). I would also consider Blue Nile as it similarly seems like it would be relatively hassle free to Canada.

My basic criteria is as follows:
*Price range for the diamond is US$5700 to US$6500 (but I could go a bit beyond that for the perfect rock)
*Size would ideally be 1 carat or slighlty larger
*I would like a diamond with great fire/sparkle
*GIA certificate

I have never purchased a diamond before, and in my search I am having trouble determining how important colour is - however from what I have read it seems like we would not notice much difference as long is we have H or better. I am struggling with clarity, but think a VS2 is likely what I am after. The VS2s under 20X magnification sometimes have flaws/inclusions that do not look appealing, but practically speaking my guess is the inclusions/flaws would never be noticed - it would be great to get some reassurance on this.

Based on my amateur searching, I have found the following diamonds that seem to meet my goals. It would be great, and I would be eternally grateful, to get some reassurance, suggestions or comments from some more informed people.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1917185

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-892708

Thank you for any assistance!
 

flyingpig

Ideal_Rock
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Nov 7, 2015
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2,975
both look promising and prices are good.
try to get the IS images
 

Looking4aRock

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 19, 2016
Messages
13
Thank you!

This is the idealscope image for 1917185 - http://segoma.com/v.php?type=jpg&name=idealscope.jpg&id=MJNGDUXHPP

Unfortunately, they do not have imaging for 892708, but the rep said she liked 892708 best as "The diamond is nice and icy, as well as totally eye clean. The arrows are very well defined, and the diamond will have a lot of fire and brilliance."
 

Looking4aRock

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 19, 2016
Messages
13
Thank you all very much for taking the time to comment, this is really helpful!

The two other options presented also look nice, and present interesting trade-offs. I am a bit out of my depth and wonder what some of the you more informed members think regarding whether moving down to an "I" for a larger carat or up to a "G" with less carat makes sense (i.e. is the difference between G/H/I or the difference between VS2 and an eye clean S1 something that a typical consumer would ever notice?).

They only have an idealscope image for 1847787 and will be sending it later tonight.

Any comments on the idealscope image for 1917185? http://segoma.com/v.php?type=jpg&name=idealscope.jpg&id=MJNGDUXHPP
 

Looking4aRock

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 19, 2016
Messages
13
Hi all,

I'm starting to get some idealscope images, but am such a noob I can't really decipher if these are acceptable/great/bad....

Anyways, they have sent the idealscope for 1847787, the rock suggested by E B, which is set out below. They also advised that it was eye clean. Thoughts? How does this compare the idealscope for 1917185?

1847787-001.jpg
 

ac117

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 28, 2014
Messages
4,060
The IS for the stone EB suggested, 1847787, is perfect. I would choose this stone in a heartbeat - H is nice and white and the inclusion is very hard to spot even in the magnified video so I'm confident it would be eye clean.

The other IS for stone 1917185 shows leakage - I'd pass and get the one above.
 

Looking4aRock

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 19, 2016
Messages
13
Thanks ac117!

I am very close the pulling the trigger - does anyone else have any thoughts?
 

ac117

Ideal_Rock
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Apr 28, 2014
Messages
4,060
While you're waiting for others to comment, you should ask JA to put that stone on hold! It's still showing as available and we have lots of lurkers!
 

Looking4aRock

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 19, 2016
Messages
13
Great suggestion, thank you! I have put the ring on hold.

Would be great to get some further thoughts on the diamond before I complete the purchase!

Also, now I am onto settings (which I will also do on James Allen for convenience).

She is early 30s, has longer slender finger and would like the ring to be "sparkly". I think this would mean a pave setting, but the ones I am finding are relatively thin and I have heard that for longer slender fingers wider is better. Below are a couple I have found. Do you guys think either might work? Is the first option not wide enough? With the second option, would there be any concern that those diamonds would overshadow the centre stone?

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...ch-cut-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-7090

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...ed-triple-row-pave-engagement-ring-item-22577

Thanks again! The assistance has been invaluable!
 

farrahlyn

Brilliant_Rock
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Sep 22, 2015
Messages
1,170
Looking4aRock said:
Great suggestion, thank you! I have put the ring on hold.

Would be great to get some further thoughts on the diamond before I complete the purchase!

Also, now I am onto settings (which I will also do on James Allen for convenience).

She is early 30s, has longer slender finger and would like the ring to be "sparkly". I think this would mean a pave setting, but the ones I am finding are relatively thin and I have heard that for longer slender fingers wider is better. Below are a couple I have found. Do you guys think either might work? Is the first option not wide enough? With the second option, would there be any concern that those diamonds would overshadow the centre stone?


Thanks again! The assistance has been invaluable!

i'd pass on that triple row pave. overwhelming to the stone. The french cut.... just looks like a lot of metal to me. Does you know if she might have a pinterest page you can look through? ASK a friend if you're not sure. it's highly likely she has one if she has pinterest. Maybe even a private one that not everyone can see. always good to do a little sleuthing to find out exactly what she wants. Sometimes the experts here can even find an exact setting that is pinned.

editing to add, you really don't need to go wider for slender fingers. You don't want to go to thin on pave due to durability (no less than 2mm) but MOST women do not like a thicker band.
 

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
40,225
Please snoop on her Pinterest then post pictures for us here.
 

Looking4aRock

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 19, 2016
Messages
13
Thank you farrahlyn for your thoughts on the triple row pave - I think we are on the same page, that it is a little too much.

Unfortunately there is no pinterest or other social media to go on for her. Without ruining the surprise I have to base my search on basis that she wants some sparkle on the band, but the overall look should be simple and classic.

Here are another couple I have found which I think would fit in with her tastes:

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...pave-crown-diamond-engagement-ring-item-53057 - My only concern here is whether this would be thick enough for her long, slender fingers. Is the crown feature something that I should avoid?

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...cess-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1250 - This ring seems like it would be a bit bulkier/thicker than the other pave rings I have posted. Perhaps because it is not as rounded as the others. Do you think that would be the case?
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Looking4aRock

Rough_Rock
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Jul 19, 2016
Messages
13
Thank you tyty.

Both of those settings are quite nice, but I don't think she is a fan of the channel set look.

I am leaning very strongly towards the setting below. Does anyone see any issues with this one, or should I pull the trigger?

capture_34.png

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...-prong-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-53668

Thanks again for all your help, this has been quite the exercise!

Now I need a sneaky way to find out her ring size without tipping her off!
 

foxinsox

Ideal_Rock
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Jul 18, 2015
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4,061
Looking4aRock|1469239961|4058504 said:
I am leaning very strongly towards the setting below. Does anyone see any issues with this one, or should I pull the trigger?

capture_34.png

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...-prong-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-53668
Tbh there's something really clunky and odd looking with the smooth band and then the prongs for the pave. It doesn't look good but I can't quite pinpoint what bothers me about it. I also wonder if it would be a problem for it rubbing with a wedding band?
 

E B

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 31, 2005
Messages
9,490
Yay, that 1.10 diamond has a killer IS! That's the one for sure.

farrahlyn|1469216756|4058406 said:
editing to add, you really don't need to go wider for slender fingers. You don't want to go to thin on pave due to durability (no less than 2mm) but MOST women do not like a thicker band.

I have to agree with this. Long, slender fingers are like the models of the finger world. Most looks good on them. I'd focus not on width, but more importantly on 1. workmanship and 2. how easy it'll be to pair with a wedding band. ANY wedding band, because you're not sure what she'll want. Thin, wide, plain, pave, etc.

You've gotten great suggestions above, but I'll suggest this one too. I think it's gorgeous and incredibly classic, and it'll allow a wedding band (or two?) to sit right up next to it:

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...k-white-gold-carie-engagement-ring-item-54248

(It has a matching wedding band, too, and I don't think it'll have the issues with rubbing together prong-set bands do: https://twitter.com/jcooperdesigns/status/668820365683068929)
 

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
40,225
E B|1469279731|4058575 said:
You've gotten great suggestions above, but I'll suggest this one too. I think it's gorgeous and incredibly classic, and it'll allow a wedding band (or two?) to sit right up next to it:

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...k-white-gold-carie-engagement-ring-item-54248

(It has a matching wedding band, too, and I don't think it'll have the issues with rubbing together prong-set bands do: https://twitter.com/jcooperdesigns/status/668820365683068929)


Yeah. I meant to post this one in my second link, but messed it up somehow. I think this is the best choice for a setting for her.
 

Looking4aRock

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 19, 2016
Messages
13
Thanks for all the help! I will skip the one i had decided on. I forgot to add that I need the ring by mid august. I love most of the designs posted, especially the last James cooper one, but they aren't shipping until late August.

Below are some that ship sooner. Would I be making a mistake with any of these?

Thanks for all the help! I will ski...round-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-139

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ound-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1982

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ncess-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-246

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ound-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-2208

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ch-cut-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1301

Or should I order the loose diamond and make arrangements for the setting locally? Would I have enough time?

Is platinum worth it?
 

E B

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 31, 2005
Messages
9,490
I think the first one in your list looks the nicest, though the head (that holds the diamond) is just okay. It doesn't flow that well, but that may not be a dealbreaker. You know what she likes best.

If you liked the Jeff Cooper, check this one out. The head is different, but the trellis flows nicely. It does look like it may cause a little bit of a gap with a wedding band, but nothing major. And if you scroll down a little to where it says "Recently Purchased," the third and fourth videos over have a 1.10 in it so you can get a good idea of proportions.

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ellis-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-50130
 

farrahlyn

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 22, 2015
Messages
1,170
I really love this one that EB posted, such a lovely flow. The head will probably cause a small gap but i don't think it's a huge thing.

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ellis-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-50130

And this one that gypsy posted too is SO beautiful. Very classy, the tapering at the head really emphasizes the stone i think. Check out the ship date on it, 8/8 which is the same as several you posted

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...-gold-perfect-pave-engagement-ring-item-55361

the first two you posted, i think the prongs just look clunky. 3 and 4, the bands are too thick, really dislike the look of the cathedral on both and the way it meets the head, it overwhelms the stone. the french cut pave, the amount of metal really bugs me. I don't think you're going to get the sparkle you want from it.

is there a reason you're planning the proposal so soon?
 

Looking4aRock

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 19, 2016
Messages
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Thank you all for your help and insight on the settings!

After much deliberation, I have made my order and have decided to go with the Jeff Cooper setting initially suggested by Gypsy and seconded by E B.

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...k-white-gold-carie-engagement-ring-item-54248

The wait is longer than I had hoped for, but I think it is worth it for the perfect ring.

Your assistance has been invaluable, many thanks!
 

ac117

Ideal_Rock
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Stunning choice! I can't wait to see the final product! Please remember to come back and post hand shots! :love:
 

E B

Ideal_Rock
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It's going to be stunning. If you remember, please share a picture or two with us!
 

foxinsox

Ideal_Rock
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Oh that's a lovely SPARKLY elegant choice! :appl: Super good luck with your proposal and please come back and post pix (especially hand shots) when she says yes.
 

farrahlyn

Brilliant_Rock
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Sep 22, 2015
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1,170
Great choice! I love the details on it, it's so graceful and feminine. Can't wait to see the finished product, it'll be well worth the wait!
 
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