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Engagement ring help please

hitch2210

hitch2210

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 23, 2010
Messages
8
Hello all,

First please let me ask for your forgiveness ( as I am new) if this is not the correct place that I should be posting this question. But I really want to propose soon but I need a little bit more giudence on where to get what I am looking for.

Ok so here's what I need help with.

This is the ring I am looking for:
.92-1.0 carat
VS1-VVS1
H-G
Ideal Cut
Very Good Polish and Symetry
Tiffany setting (with a slightly thicker band)
8 prong
Platinum

I have looked everywhere but I am skeptical about all the places I have been. I came upon this site in doing some research on Bluenile.com(which after reading post on price scope is apparently over priced) . After reading and educating myself on diiferent asspects of diamond engagement ring buying, I still feel dumb and overwhelmed. If any of you experts out there can help and even more detailed specs that I should be looking for as well as where to look a range of price, this young man would be very grateful!!!!
Also, some tips about buying online and any suggested online sites that have been proven to give excellent customer service and sells really really good quality stuff that isn't over piced.

Thank you,

Andre'
 
Lions' fan? PSU alumni?

PSU alumni here, graduated in 2007.

First thing. Clarity, VS1 and above is going to be eye-clean to most people even with a loupe, so it is an overkill unless you want it for some other reason.

VS2 almost always eye-clean to most people unless those with eagle eyes, or you are just unlucky. Most SI1 are eye-clean.

https://www.pricescope.com/journal/what_eye_clean_diamond

Use this tool as a rejection tool.
https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

Score below 2 are good candidates for a request for idealscope image.
http://www.ideal-scope.com/1.light_return_and_shadow.asp

Or you can just tell us your budget and we can look around for you?
 
8 prong setting? Do you mean 6 prong setting? (The tiffany style is either 4 or 6 prongs)
 
It's definitely ok to feel overwhelmed, but definitely no need to feel dumb!
So we can see that clarity is an important factor for you, as opposed to color...
A lot is going to depend on your budget since V-VVS can get pricier fast! However, an H-V(...) combo might balance out rather nicely, with the color still being pretty white.
It's always a good idea to purchase a diamond that has been independently certified by a reputable company, such as GIA, so you're not just taking your jeweler's word for it.
What made you skeptical about the places you've looked? Reviews, return policy, guarantees...are all things to look for when purchasing online.
 
 
Edit. VS1 is overkill in my opinion. You are paying for something you can't see. As long as it's eyeclean I'd focus on cut and color personally.
 
YES PSU ALUM 2008 HERE.....GO STATE!

Thank you all for your help so far. 6 prong is what I'm looking for. What I am gathering is that I should be looking for something at least SI1 and Ideal cut as priority over everything else?

I am trying to keep the budget between 5 and 6500. I was skeptical from the places I have been cause I just had a bad feeling about the rings I was being shown most of which didn't really look as advertised. I also am not opposed to buying online, I just need to know what sites are good to consider and what specs to be looking for as well as price I should be expecting to pay.

Keep the knowledge comming!
 
Should I be looking to buy the stone and setting separate? Also, do any of you know what the band is called the looks just like the classic tiffany style knife edge that does't have the sharp edge(crease) through the middle of the band. I am looking for a setting that is just like the tiffany setting but slight more thickness and also that does not have the tapering of the band that meets the base of the prongs. I hope that makes sense. I want a band that is symetrical all the way to the base of the prongs. I don't know if thats even possible.

I know I listed somethings that I thought was what I wanted in reagrd to what I was being told by jewlers. To be completely honest I just want something that looks really nice for the money and is good quality from and honest jewler with a solid warranty and return policy. Size really doesn't matter as long as it's between.92 -1.00 and Ideal cut.
 
Forgot to add, unless the setting you find does not have a stone in about the same quality/price that you want, usually it is more convenient to have everything from the same place, else you usually will need to buy setting insurance as the jeweler involved in setting the stone will usually not insure the stone on damages done during setting, rare but not unheard of, unless it is a stone he sold to you.
 
•Round-cut diamond solitaire: .91 ct.
•Diamond Color: H
•Diamond Clarity: VS1
•Diamond Measurements: 6.06 x 6.03 x 3.93mm
•Depth%: 65.1
•Table%: 57.5
•Polish: Good
•Symmetry: Good
•Fluorescence: None
•Culet: None
•Girdle: Thin - Very Thick
•Certificate: IGI 33444059
•Setting: 6-prongs, Platinum Comfort-Fit
•Band width: 2.5mm

I found this on sams club.com I hear that have decent stones. Price is around $5065.
 
No crown and pavilion angles, so cannot use HCA.

2 big red flags.

Very thick in the girdle variation and depth of over 65%, implies that it is not well cut, has a smaller diameter than a well cut stone of same weight. A well cut stone with a diameter 6mm should weigh about 0.8c not 0.9c.

In short, cut for weight not for performance.
 
THANKS! So this isn't a good stone as far as looks goes but it's good for weight vs. price?
 
I've purchased diamonds from Costco.com and they were quite nice. I have to say though that my ideal cut stone from Bluenile.com blows it out of the water. James Allen, White Flash, etc. are apparently much better than Bluenile but when my FI bought mine we were both pretty happy with the overall experience. I would definitely reconsider buying a stone from Sam's club, etc. if you're open to trying the vendors that are suggested by fellow PS'ers unless you can get all the specs needed to use the HCA calculator.

ETA: A well cut stone will actually appear larger, and MUCH prettier. Cut is by far the most important "c" to me, and I am positive that many PS'ers would agree. ::)

Good luck!
 
Sorry, you are in effect paying for a size of 0.8c instead of 0.9c.

For example, a 0.8c H VS1 AGS0 cut grade stone on JamesAllen, is selling at 3.3k. Sams club a deal? Definitely not.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1289322.asp

From the knowledge section on carat.
http://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-carat-weight/
Both gems are the same diameter and could be cut from the rough diamond. The well cut diamond on the left weighs 0.84ct and the dull drab stone weighs 1.00ct. Because it is a carat it will sell for more.
cut_comparison2.jpg
Click to expand...
 
STONE-COLD, How reliable is JA when is comes to products? That .90 looks really nice and the price isn't bad at all. Would you suggest I use the specs and price of the .90 on JA as reference for other stones that I see? Also, what is the downfall of buy stones/rings at Samsclub, the return policy states that you can return the item any time you want with a receipt for any reason so with that said the consumer has nothing to loose should they purchase a ring or stone from there get it apraised and have a jewler look and it and assess it and if it doesn't measure up they can just take it back.
 
JA also didn't list crown and pavilion for those two stones.
 
hitch2210 said:
JA also didn't list crown and pavilion for those two stones.
Click to expand...

They are in the grading report. Request Idealscope image from JA to verify the cut performance, if you are interested, up to 3 in total for each purchase. JA is reputable, just do a search on PS to see how many people are satisfied with their purchase. They also gave a PS discount and wire-transfer discount. They also have trade up and buy back policy in addition to the normal 30days refund period. http://www.jamesallen.com/about-us/upgrade-policies.html

Does Sam's Club has trade up/buy back policy?

Not sure about the policy of Sam's club as I am not a member and do not shop there. If it doesn't measure up, what is the criteria, usually just color and clarity difference, or for any reason? Also, if it does not measure up, you will loose the the appraisal fees, how many times are you will to go through that?
 
hitch2210 said:
STONE-COLD, How reliable is JA when is comes to products? That .90 looks really nice and the price isn't bad at all. Would you suggest I use the specs and price of the .90 on JA as reference for other stones that I see? Also, what is the downfall of buy stones/rings at Samsclub, the return policy states that you can return the item any time you want with a receipt for any reason so with that said the consumer has nothing to loose should they purchase a ring or stone from there get it apraised and have a jewler look and it and assess it and if it doesn't measure up they can just take it back.
Click to expand...


The James Allen diamond looks very nice. My e-ring is from JA. My husband and I had a great experience shopping with them. I have recommended them to several friends who were skeptical about shopping online. Of note... They offer 100% buyback on upgrades (you have to double-up on the upgrade though). Also, they have a 30-day return policy on non-custom rings (the band has to be listed on the site).

I think almost all (someone correct me if I'm wrong here) of the internet-vendors listed on this site will send actual diamond images if you request them.
 
Ok gang, I'm convinced that I am going to use JA for a stone. As a looked over a couple of stones with this criteria: Ideal, VS1, H and between .90-.92 I can't really tell which ones look the best ( excuse my ignorance). What should I be looking for when I am looking at these stones. I have also figured out that cut is def going to be number one priority. Should you see anything that you think is a quality stone other than:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1321918.asp


Let me know.

Thank you all for your continued patience with me!!!!!!!!!
 
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