Engagement Ring Help - Radiant 15k budget

[Gypsy]

I don't mind everyone's opinion, thats what an opinion is and it helps me a lot, since this is something I really don't have much idea about. Her friend said that she will email me pictures of the rings they looked at online or something and which ones she liked. Sorry for the random posting, I am reading everyones post and trying to respond to what I can, lol.

Good looking forward to the pictures. Since she told you no rounds. Maybe a princess is a safe choice. There are some really beautiful settings for Princess Cuts AND Princess Cuts are easy to shop for if you stick to AGS 0 ones.

My personal favorite Princess Cuts are from Infinity Diamonds: www.highperformancediamonds.com and Dimendscaasi.com are both vendors that carry Infinity. I didn't see any anything in the 12-13k range but you can call and Wink (at HighPerformanceDiamonds) is a great vendor and will be happy tell you if they might be getting more in that might suit you.

I also like Brian Gavin Signature Princess Diamonds.

BUT... I really LOVE the combination of round and princess represented in a Quadex by BGD... square diamond with cut corners with hearts and arrows faceting. If you like these you can send a pic to the best friends and see what she says. www.briangavindiamonds.com

ETA: I didn't see that you were considering Whiteflash, sorry! If I overstepped with vendor recommendations I'm sorry.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I don't mind everyone's opinion, thats what an opinion is and it helps me a lot, since this is something I really don't have much idea about. Her friend said that she will email me pictures of the rings they looked at online or something and which ones she liked. Sorry for the random posting, I am reading everyones post and trying to respond to what I can, lol.

Good looking forward to the pictures. Since she told you no rounds. Maybe a princess is a safe choice. There are some really beautiful settings for Princess Cuts AND Princess Cuts are easy to shop for if you stick to AGS 0 ones.

My personal favorite Princess Cuts are from Infinity Diamonds: www.highperformancediamonds.com and Dimendscaasi.com are both vendors that carry Infinity. I didn't see any anything in the 12-13k range but you can call and Wink (at HighPerformanceDiamonds) is a great vendor and will be happy tell you if they might be getting more in that might suit you.

I also like Brian Gavin Signature Princess Diamonds.

BUT... I really LOVE the combination of round and princess represented in a Quadex by BGD... square diamond with cut corners with hearts and arrows faceting. If you like these you can send a pic to the best friends and see what she says. www.briangavindiamonds.com

ETA: I didn't see that you were considering Whiteflash, sorry! If I overstepped with vendor recommendations I'm sorry.

Gypsy, I think you missed the post where her friend told him she likes round and princess! I said I thought it was funny we had a debate about radiants for 3 pages before we found out that rounds were back on the table!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

soldiersinx....I wanted to ask you one more thing. Is it a tradition where you live for the guy to show the girl's parents the engagement ring before he proposes? Because that is not usually done in my area. The guy usually does talk with her parents and tell of his intent and sort of seek the approval of her parents, but I have never heard of anyone showing the parents the ring before the girl sees it. Generally after you propose the couple would try to visit family (if feasible) to show the ring and celebrate the engagement. Of course there is nothing wrong with it if that is what you want to do, but I sort of like the idea of no one seeing it before the girl.

 

[soldiersinx]

Hey Diamondseeker,

I don't think it is any type of cultural thing, just my thinking. I have no idea about wedding culture or anything like that, so I didn't really know how to approach the situation of talking with her parents. She is Chinese and I think in the culture, you have to offer a gift, usually monetary, to the parents or something to be allowed to marry their daughter. Unfortunately, all my money goes towards school, bills, and saving up for this ring, so I don't really have anything to offer. Plus, I just wanted to have the ring ready just in case they ask, I want them to know that I am serious about everything, it would just be bad if they said no, lol.


Hey gypsy,

That quadex is something else, dunno what I think about it, lol. I am trying to limit the vendors to maybe like, 3 at most that I am going to deal with, anything more than that i would probably lose track, and then there would just be too much cross-talk in my mind and forget who i was talking to and about what and looking through each of their inventory would be killer.

Everyone on here has a pretty good opinion of white flash correct? They are probably my top vendor right now, then good old gold next.


I'll post more info from her friend when I get a chance.

 

[Gypsy]

I don't mind everyone's opinion, thats what an opinion is and it helps me a lot, since this is something I really don't have much idea about. Her friend said that she will email me pictures of the rings they looked at online or something and which ones she liked. Sorry for the random posting, I am reading everyones post and trying to respond to what I can, lol.

Good looking forward to the pictures. Since she told you no rounds. Maybe a princess is a safe choice. There are some really beautiful settings for Princess Cuts AND Princess Cuts are easy to shop for if you stick to AGS 0 ones.

My personal favorite Princess Cuts are from Infinity Diamonds: www.highperformancediamonds.com and Dimendscaasi.com are both vendors that carry Infinity. I didn't see any anything in the 12-13k range but you can call and Wink (at HighPerformanceDiamonds) is a great vendor and will be happy tell you if they might be getting more in that might suit you.

I also like Brian Gavin Signature Princess Diamonds.

BUT... I really LOVE the combination of round and princess represented in a Quadex by BGD... square diamond with cut corners with hearts and arrows faceting. If you like these you can send a pic to the best friends and see what she says. www.briangavindiamonds.com

ETA: I didn't see that you were considering Whiteflash, sorry! If I overstepped with vendor recommendations I'm sorry.

Gypsy, I think you missed the post where her friend told him she likes round and princess! I said I thought it was funny we had a debate about radiants for 3 pages before we found out that rounds were back on the table!

No I saw the post. I just don't think he should buy a round, unless the best friend knows for SURE they are back on the table. Since she told him outright NO ROUNDS... I'm thinking Princesses are a safer bet. The best friend could be confused, but he heard the words "no rounds" straight from the horses mouth.

 

[Gypsy]

I totally respect your vendor choices!

 

[Gypsy]

This is one to consider: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8289/

Well cut princesses are usually around 70% depth. Julibee is in the low sixties. Which means you get a well cut square shaped diamond that faces up larger than most other well cut square diamonds.

It's H color but gets great light return to mask the slight tint.

It would look very nice in this setting: http://www.goodoldgold.com/images/settings/Vatche%20Files%20w%203%20view%20large%20file/1502%20CAROLINE%20BRIGHT%20CUT%20PAVE/1502%20caroline%20bright%20cut%20pave%203%20view%20large.jpg (They make it for a Princess).

 

[audball]

I don't mind everyone's opinion, thats what an opinion is and it helps me a lot, since this is something I really don't have much idea about. Her friend said that she will email me pictures of the rings they looked at online or something and which ones she liked. Sorry for the random posting, I am reading everyones post and trying to respond to what I can, lol.

Good looking forward to the pictures. Since she told you no rounds. Maybe a princess is a safe choice. There are some really beautiful settings for Princess Cuts AND Princess Cuts are easy to shop for if you stick to AGS 0 ones.

My personal favorite Princess Cuts are from Infinity Diamonds: www.highperformancediamonds.com and Dimendscaasi.com are both vendors that carry Infinity. I didn't see any anything in the 12-13k range but you can call and Wink (at HighPerformanceDiamonds) is a great vendor and will be happy tell you if they might be getting more in that might suit you.

I also like Brian Gavin Signature Princess Diamonds.

BUT... I really LOVE the combination of round and princess represented in a Quadex by BGD... square diamond with cut corners with hearts and arrows faceting. If you like these you can send a pic to the best friends and see what she says. www.briangavindiamonds.com

ETA: I didn't see that you were considering Whiteflash, sorry! If I overstepped with vendor recommendations I'm sorry.

Gypsy, I think you missed the post where her friend told him she likes round and princess! I said I thought it was funny we had a debate about radiants for 3 pages before we found out that rounds were back on the table!

No I saw the post. I just don't think he should buy a round, unless the best friend knows for SURE they are back on the table. Since she told him outright NO ROUNDS... I'm thinking Princesses are a safer bet. The best friend could be confused, but he heard the words "no rounds" straight from the horses mouth.

ITA with Gypsy. If GF and BFF talk was a long time ago, she maybe was considering both, but GF told OP verbatim, no rounds. So I'd probably stick with princess (or something non-step cut square) as well.

Unfortunately, I know very little about princess diamonds so I won't be much help in selection but I'm staying tuned to see what you decide!

 

[soldiersinx]

Thanks for the links gypsy, I like that setting.

What do you guys think of this setting, I like how simple but nice it is:
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/charis-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1606.htm


Also, I would be more inclined to believe her best friend over what she told me. If her best friend was a guy, she would be going out with them instead of me, lol. Like I said, it was probably a natural reaction of hers to tell me no to whatever I though, ahahahaha. So definitely keep rounds on the table. If my gf told her bf rounds and princess, it should be accurate. Thanks guys

 

[canuk-gal]

Thanks for the links gypsy, I like that setting.

What do you guys think of this setting, I like how simple but nice it is:
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/charis-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1606.htm


Also, I would be more inclined to believe her best friend over what she told me. If her best friend was a guy, she would be going out with them instead of me, lol. Like I said, it was probably a natural reaction of hers to tell me no to whatever I though, ahahahaha. So definitely keep rounds on the table. If my gf told her bf rounds and princess, it should be accurate. Thanks guys

Glad you came back!

Classic solitaire--elegant and timeless.

cheers--Sharon

 

[soldiersinx]

Thanks for the links gypsy, I like that setting.

What do you guys think of this setting, I like how simple but nice it is:
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/charis-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1606.htm


Also, I would be more inclined to believe her best friend over what she told me. If her best friend was a guy, she would be going out with them instead of me, lol. Like I said, it was probably a natural reaction of hers to tell me no to whatever I though, ahahahaha. So definitely keep rounds on the table. If my gf told her bf rounds and princess, it should be accurate. Thanks guys

Glad you came back!

Classic solitaire--elegant and timeless.

cheers--Sharon

I like it, its simple and nice, lol. What do you guys think of this round:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2372492.htm

It is a cut above, only round that i see which is a vvs2 while the rest are vs1. As you guys say, cut is more important than color, so I am not looking at that. I saw these other two, which are expert selection, a couple hundred less and slightly bigger:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2531901.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2531902.htm

Do you guys recommend the cut above over the expert selection, is it worth the extra $$$? Also. would a round of the same carat size look bigger than a princess? I remember someone saying that earlier. Here is the post:

Keep in mind that the carat WEIGHT that you get for your dollar may be more with a radiant than a round, BUT the face up SIZE may actually be smaller. Because of the depth of square stones, a lot of the weight of the stone is on the underside. With the way that a round is cut, it's like a cone vs. a pyramid, so you end up with the average 1 carat round being 6.5mm, while the average 1 carat radiant would be 5.65mm. So, while everyone in a group of friends may have 1 carat diamonds, if one is a round and the others are radiants, the round is going to look significantly larger.

Okay, now that's out of the way...

I wouldn't get a radiant unless you know that's what she wants, and this is coming from someone who has a square radiant (I liked princesses but didn't want to deal with corners chipping). Eventually, I want one of Good Old Gold's August Vintage Cushions, and I'd highly recommend looking at their site for a myriad of square options that would all have excellent optics/light return. It's worth investing some time to watch some of the videos on that site to determine what appeals to you most. He does a lot of comparisons between different shapes, and well cut stones vs. 'average' cut stones.

I know you said D-G color, but these August Vintage antique style stones that are cut for awesome light return really don't show their color in the same way a badly cut modern stone would:

Love this 1.73 K VS2 August Vintage Cushion for significantly under budget at $11K: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8584/ (7.4 x 6.8 mm)

Or this more modern cut, a Princess of Hearts, 1.37 G VS1 for $13K: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8063/ (6.25 x 6.26 mm)

And for comparison, a Hearts & Arrows round, 1.42 H VS2 for $13K: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8672/ (7.25 x 7.2 mm) -- see what I mean about face up size vs. carat weight?

Also, I'd add that Good Old Gold is working on a website re-vamp to showcase more of their setting options, but they are a bricks & mortar jewelry store and they have many, many setting options, so if you decide you like one of their stones, you can tell them what you're looking for in terms of setting (plain platinum solitaire) and they can give you options within your budget.

Edited for clarity.

Thanks

 

[soldiersinx]

Dang, I just looked at whiteflash website, and they had a coupon for 10% off an aca diamond and setting!!! Hopefully they can hook me up with something.

I am really liking this combination, what do you guys think?
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/charis-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1606.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2372492.htm

And two other alternative loose diamonds close to the same price:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2676048.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2688156.htm


What are your opinions? Thanks

 

[rubybeth]

Dang, I just looked at whiteflash website, and they had a coupon for 10% off an aca diamond and setting!!! Hopefully they can hook me up with something.

I am really liking this combination, what do you guys think?
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/charis-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1606.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2372492.htm

And two other alternative loose diamonds close to the same price:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2676048.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2688156.htm

What are your opinions? Thanks

I don't think you can go wrong with a Whiteflash ACA (A Cut Above) stone! I really like the 'Charis' solitaire setting you've chosen, too. It's going to let the diamond be the star, and the little details on the side of the basket (part that holds the stone) are really pretty. It will also be fairly easy to find a wedding band to match/fit with it.

The only thing I'd add is that VVS2 or VS1 clarity might be overkill since VS2 is generally eye-clean, but I have read before that Asian cultures value higher clarity stones, so this might be important to her. Good work!!

 

[soldiersinx]

I don't think you can go wrong with a Whiteflash ACA (A Cut Above) stone! I really like the 'Charis' solitaire setting you've chosen, too. It's going to let the diamond be the star, and the little details on the side of the basket (part that holds the stone) are really pretty. It will also be fairly easy to find a wedding band to match/fit with it.

The only thing I'd add is that VVS2 or VS1 clarity might be overkill since VS2 is generally eye-clean, but I have read before that Asian cultures value higher clarity stones, so this might be important to her. Good work!!

Thanks for the input! One of her friends has a princess cut, 1.5c and vs1, her friend was saying that she could see the inclusions, but I highly doubt she was able to, lol.

And of the 3 diamonds I put up, what are your guys opinions on them?

 

[E B]

Also, I would be more inclined to believe her best friend over what she told me. If her best friend was a guy, she would be going out with them instead of me, lol. Like I said, it was probably a natural reaction of hers to tell me no to whatever I though, ahahahaha. So definitely keep rounds on the table. If my gf told her bf rounds and princess, it should be accurate. Thanks guys

You've got two cuts on the table, says her best friend, but one of them she told you she didn't like. I really would re-think the round and go princess cut...it seems to be the safer choice in this case. I know, you've heard it before, but I wanted to give it one last shot. Some women just aren't into the round shape.

 

[slg47]

Also, I would be more inclined to believe her best friend over what she told me. If her best friend was a guy, she would be going out with them instead of me, lol. Like I said, it was probably a natural reaction of hers to tell me no to whatever I though, ahahahaha. So definitely keep rounds on the table. If my gf told her bf rounds and princess, it should be accurate. Thanks guys

You've got two cuts on the table, says her best friend, but one of them she told you she didn't like. I really would re-think the round and go princess cut...it seems to be the safer choice in this case. I know, you've heard it before, but I wanted to give it one last shot. Some women just aren't into the round shape.

I agree with this!!! or maybe get her friend to take her shopping or something to really find out!

ETA maybe she would like something like these...similar optics to a round but a square shape? plus it's unique so none of her friends would have one...just an idea
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8063/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8040/

ETA (again!) for some reason I thought you were only looking at VS...here is a larger POH
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8740/

 

[soldiersinx]

Also, I would be more inclined to believe her best friend over what she told me. If her best friend was a guy, she would be going out with them instead of me, lol. Like I said, it was probably a natural reaction of hers to tell me no to whatever I though, ahahahaha. So definitely keep rounds on the table. If my gf told her bf rounds and princess, it should be accurate. Thanks guys

You've got two cuts on the table, says her best friend, but one of them she told you she didn't like. I really would re-think the round and go princess cut...it seems to be the safer choice in this case. I know, you've heard it before, but I wanted to give it one last shot. Some women just aren't into the round shape.

I will ask her friend again. I really would trust what she told her friend over what she told me, lol. Here is what I am looking at for the princess cut just in case.

Setting:
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/inara-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1612.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/alegria-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1607.htm

Diamonds:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2629040.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2650809.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2559248.htm

The pricescope wire transfer price is significantly less and I will see if they can work with me any further on price hopefully.

 

[E B]

I will ask her friend again. I really would trust what she told her friend over what she told me, lol. Here is what I am looking at for the princess cut just in case.

Setting:
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/inara-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1612.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/alegria-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1607.htm

Diamonds:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2629040.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2650809.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2559248.htm

The pricescope wire transfer price is significantly less and I will see if they can work with me any further on price hopefully.

If you go with a princess, you're still trusting what her friend told you as well as what your girlfriend told you. We've got nothing to gain from pushing you one way or the other, we've just been there.

I think both of those settings are stunning, and someone who knows princess cuts better can chime in with input about the three you've selected.

 

[soldiersinx]

Also, I would be more inclined to believe her best friend over what she told me. If her best friend was a guy, she would be going out with them instead of me, lol. Like I said, it was probably a natural reaction of hers to tell me no to whatever I though, ahahahaha. So definitely keep rounds on the table. If my gf told her bf rounds and princess, it should be accurate. Thanks guys

You've got two cuts on the table, says her best friend, but one of them she told you she didn't like. I really would re-think the round and go princess cut...it seems to be the safer choice in this case. I know, you've heard it before, but I wanted to give it one last shot. Some women just aren't into the round shape.

I agree with this!!! or maybe get her friend to take her shopping or something to really find out!

ETA maybe she would like something like these...similar optics to a round but a square shape? plus it's unique so none of her friends would have one...just an idea
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8063/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8040/

ETA (again!) for some reason I thought you were only looking at VS...here is a larger POH
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8740/

Thanks for those links! I'll make contact with good old gold and read up on them today.

 

[gardengloves]

See what your lady likes. Try some rings on and have fun. I have a radiant and I LOVE it, and get lots of compliments.

It's a bit hurtful, so many negative comments on radiant cut on this thread and others, but it is a beautiful stone and set right is gorgeous- one of the most frequent comments I get is that people love the square shape and blazing white sparkle. Ladies can have very strong images of what they want in a stone, so test the waters and hear what she says.

As to out of date stones, we recently helped some colleagues of my husbands shop 47th street- he took them to his sources and they were showed many shapes and sizes, and guess what? this hip, chic, young silicon valley couple selected a marquise.. she loved it.

 

[Gypsy]

Of the WF princess stones you chose this one has the best ASET by far: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2629040.htm

The second one's aset shows a lot of asymmetry and the third one is mostly green and you want red.

 

[soldiersinx]

Of the WF princess stones you chose this one has the best ASET by far: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2629040.htm

The second one's aset shows a lot of asymmetry and the third one is mostly green and you want red.

Thanks for the info gypsy. How can they be both considered ACA if they differ so much?

Also, will there be a big difference from 1.57c to 1.723c? 5k difference though.

So if I go for the round, I am pretty set on this combination:
Diamond - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2372492.htm
Setting - http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/charis-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1605.htm


For a princess, it is still up in the air with the following:
Diamond -
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2650809.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2629040.htm

Setting -
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/inara-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1612.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/alegria-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1607.htm

 

[Gypsy]

Of the WF princess stones you chose this one has the best ASET by far: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2629040.htm

The second one's aset shows a lot of asymmetry and the third one is mostly green and you want red.

Thanks for the info gypsy. How can they be both considered ACA if they differ so much? I honestly don't know much about how whiteflash does anything anymore, when Brian Gavin left, I pretty much stopped patronizing them.

Also, will there be a big difference from 1.57c to 1.723c? 5k difference though.

It's a noticeable difference when side by side about .2 mm. But I personally wouldn't spend 5k for that amount of size. Plus the 1.57 is more symmetrical in terms of patterning.
Diamond -

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2629040.htm

Setting -
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/inara-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1612.htm

The diamond and setting above get my vote of the Whiteflash choices.

 

[soldiersinx]

Thanks gypsy, I am really liking that one also. Too bad they don't have one a little bigger. I want to spend as much of my budget, or else I am going to waste the left over money on my motorcycle, lol.

I am asking another of her close friends to see what they say about shape also, just to verify..

The good thing about whiteflash is that I have a 30 day return and a 100% trade up for their in house diamonds, so I am pretty comfortable buying from them, even if it is the wrong ring, lol.


Was Brian Gavin someone who inspected whiteflash diamonds? I saw he has his own website now. Who does whiteflash checking, are they reputable?

 

[rubybeth]

Thanks gypsy, I am really liking that one also. Too bad they don't have one a little bigger. I want to spend as much of my budget, or else I am going to waste the left over money on my motorcycle, lol.

I am asking another of her close friends to see what they say about shape also, just to verify..

The good thing about whiteflash is that I have a 30 day return and a 100% trade up for their in house diamonds, so I am pretty comfortable buying from them, even if it is the wrong ring, lol.


Was Brian Gavin someone who inspected whiteflash diamonds? I saw he has his own website now. Who does whiteflash checking, are they reputable?

Brian Gavin started Whiteflash, he's a diamond cutter with years of experience cutting and selecting diamonds. I think Whiteflash is still a very reputable company, even though he has left and started Brian Gavin Diamonds.

I really like the setting and the princess stone you've selected; about using up your budget, stash it away for the wedding ring!! You could get her something really lovely and blingy, like this:

http://www.whiteflash.com/wedding-bands/scarlet-diamond-wedding-ring-1623.htm

Plus, you get a wedding band, too.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I buy from Good Old Gold, WhiteFlash, or Brian Gavin because they all specialize in top cut quality stones.

Personally, I think round is more timeless than a princess cut (assuming her friend is correct about her preferences), but if I wanted to go with a more squarish stone, I would go with princess of hearts from GOG.

Okay, one more thing. I love all the round ACA's. And I understand the clarity thing and I like it, too. But don't Asians in general enjoy higher diamond colors? I am sorry if I am stereotyping, but since there is a concern for her parents, etc., I am wondering if I color is going to be what she is expecting???

 

[soldiersinx]

Thanks for the info rubybeth. If I do go with that princess cut, I'll try to save the extra cash, lol.


Diamondseeker, I am not too sure on the cultural aspect and color and all that jazz, hopefully someone with more knowledge about wedding culture can chime in. I was wondering how much color would play into things especially with an ACA diamond. I asked before and someone said that with a great cut, color isn't as important compared to an ok cut. Is that correct?


I am still waiting on her other friend to verify her cut preferences, but I am really liking the round solitaire, i really think it looks very classy and classic. I just have to figure out her ring size afterwards.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, she is really making this difficult if you also don't know her ring size! I'd ask the friend that,too! It is really sad to receive an engagement ring and immediately have to send it for resizing (but I would do that locally).

You may want to start a thread and ask if it is traditional for Asians to desire higher color and clarity stones, because that is just my understanding from what I have read here. We do have girls here who have a lot of knowledge on cut quality, etc. who do go for larger size with lower color and clarity. But in the case of those without that knowledge, I would want to be sure what the expectations are. I am just thinking of you showing her parents the ring and what if they asked the specs of the stone?! Again, talk with her friend about all this!

 

[soldiersinx]

Just an update, it definitely is Princess Cut above a round cut I liked the round one much better, but its not for me, lol. Sssoooo the search continues. If you guys can shoot me some princess cuts, it would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

 

[slg47]

Just an update, it definitely is Princess Cut above a round cut I liked the round one much better, but its not for me, lol. Sssoooo the search continues. If you guys can shoot me some princess cuts, it would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

did you find out her preferences on color/clarity?