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Engagement Ring in the UK

D

dan_s2k

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 7, 2010
Messages
13
Hi all,

I''ve stumbled across this forum and you guys seem very helpful and knowledgeable so I''m hoping you can help me find an engagement ring.

I don’t have a massive budget, I’m looking to spend upto £2000 (circa $2900), maybe a bit more if it improves the quality of ring by a considerable amount.

The main site I’ve been looking at is http://www.diamondmanufacturers.co.uk/ as it looks like I should be able to get 15% cashback through Quidco (a UK cashback site), and I’ve also found a discount code (AW5) that gives a further 5% off. So bearing this in mind this site seems to offer me good value for money. I should point out that £2000 is my budget for both the ring and the setting, and I am looking at a £399 (less 20% = £320) platinum 4 claw setting on this site, so this leaves about £1700 for the stone.


I thought I had narrowed it down to this stone (below) which seems to offer very good value for money, until I stumbled across this site where you seem to analyse the cut and request images etc.


0.89, D, VS1, Ideal - £1906 less 20% (£1524)
http://www.diamondmanufacturers.co.uk/DiamondDetails_LD140807/

I am looking for a stone that looks great to the eye, and am not worried about inclusions only visible with a loop. I also just had a look in the local jewellers window which had a 1.01, SI2, H, that looked great so am wondering if I should sacrifice the clarity and colour to get a larger stone as I would like something 1.00 +, but I don''t want to sacrifice the appearance to the naked eye. I was thinking about this one:


1.09, H, SI2, Ideal - £2161 less 20% (£1728)
http://www.diamondmanufacturers.co.uk/DiamondDetails_LD157527/

What information/images should I ask for from the site?

One other thing to point out, is that the site above also offer a “super-ideal” cut, so I assume this means their “ideal” cut equates to “excellent” in standard terms?


Can anyone suggest to me a nice ring/stone within my tight budget please, available in the UK? Am happy to look at other retailers provided they offer good value for money, as I think that’s crucial on my budget.


Thanks in anticipation.


Dan.
 
Clarity is a case by case situation. Some SI2 can be eye-clean, most VS2 are eye-clean.

Not enough information from that website. Also, note that these stones are not graded by reputable labs but are grade by in-house gemologist, these are sold at a discount within the trade because even the traders do not trust each others'' gemologist to be tell the truth on the 4C.
 
Hi,

I am in the UK and I was thinking of going with those guys but decided against it in the end due to the reasons Stone-cold mentioned and ended up getting mine from the USA. I''m sure others will come along with more useful advice but unless I had an Idealscope, a diamond measure guage, H&A viewer and loupe so I could really scrutinise the diamonds myself and match up the measurements then I wouldn''t go there.


Have you looked into some of the vendors recommended on here?
 
Thanks for the reply.

Is there any further details I could ask from them to discern if its of the quality they say it is? Or am I wasting my time with this supplier and my budget?

I notice bluenile have a uk site, so I will have a look on there later to see what they have. Should I be looking at a stone that is GIA certificated then?

Dan.
 
look for GIA or AGS
 
Plot graphs, images and the full certificate would help as that should have most of the info you will need to start to weed out the good from bad, but as one is dealing with an in-house certificate it could be so way off that what they consider ideal could be poor by GIA or AGS standards. They have a 30day no quibble returns, maybe you could purchase the one you like and then have it inpendently appraised?? But then I suppose thats just shelling out more money that will chip into your budget so maybe not a good idea.

I think your best bet is to look for AGS or GIA diamonds.
 
Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

Will have a look for GIA or AGS certified. Can anyone recommend any suppliers within the UK that are worth looking at? I''m not sure if buying from the states is a good idea as the exchange rate is currently quite poor (or are diamonds that much cheaper in the states that this is outweighed?) plus I''m also on a tight timescale as I''m planning on proposing in France and we''re going there in just over 2 weeks, I should have got my butt in gear sooner.
 
Even with BN, most of the stones are shipped in from the US as that is where most of the inventories are.
 
I thought if you purchased from BN UK then at least you wouldn''t have the issue with customs fees (or at least thats what they told me) as for timescale I really can''t comment, but I would have thought if its a simple setting then you could get it in time, you may have to do a lot of begging though :-)

I suppose the best you can do at this stage is ask (everyone you are considering going with) if they can get it done for you in time, if not then it would be pointless buying from them, unless you can move your proposal date of course
 
Thanks for your help guys, much appreciated.

I''ve been having a look at GIA certificated diamonds and have found the following which seem to have good ratings after inputting the dimensions into the cut advisor on here.

http://www.adiamor.com/D-10013658.htm (£1839, 0.90, J, VS2, Excellent)
Light return: Excellent
Fire: Excellent
Scintillation: Excellent
Spread: Very Good

http://www.bluenile.co.uk/build-your-own-diamond-ring?action=add&offer_id=7214&shape=&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#diamonds_forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP|builder=BYOR|pid=LD01609195 (£2139, 0.94, J, SI1, Very Good)
Light return: Very Good
Fire: Excellent
Scintillation: Excellent
Spread: Excellent

http://www.bluenile.co.uk/build-your-own-diamond-ring?action=add&offer_id=7214&shape=&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#diamonds_forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP|builder=BYOR|pid=LD01761513 (£1690, 0.89, J, SI1, Ideal)
Light return: Very Good
Fire: Excellent
Scintillation: Excellent
Spread: Very Good

So providing I find a diamond with a score of less than 2 on the cut advisor, and ask if its clean to the eye am I on the right track? Is it most important to get an ideal cut?
 
try cool diamonds they have GIA certified diamonds and some nice settings too
 
Prefer #1 and #3, promising from the numbers but that is all that can be said.

#2 has too many red flags, Good finish (polish and symm), thick girdle, a low crown with a shallow pavilion.
 
yap, promising from the numbers.
 
Yeh it sounds good. I''ve e-mailed them and asked them for an ideal-scope image and grading report and asked them if its eye-clean, hopefully thats the right things to ask for.

I notice on the certifcate it says it has a stong blue floursence but understand this can be a positive thing and make the stone appear whiter than it is, which would be handy as its an I color. However it says under clarity characteristics "feather, crystal, cloud finish"... should I be concerned about this?

Is there anything I''m forgetting/missing?

By the ways thanks for your help people, its much appreciated. I felt fairly confident with my knowledge of diamonds until I stumbled across this site!
 
I''ve been told by Bluenile that they do not provide ideal-scope images (see explanation below) however they will have it inspected to let me know if it is eye-clean. Is this good enough??

"We arent. This is primarily because the majority of the vault locations where we store our diamonds do not have these machines on site, but also because we do not believe that the majority of our customers would be able to properly interpret these kinds of reports. A cut appraisal machine is only as good as its calibration, and unless these machines are meticulously calibrated, they will not produce accurate results. Even when perfectly calibrated, the same diamond run through the same machine three times will produce three different results. "
 
Apparently this diamond is not eye-clean and has a small white inclusion, any idea if this is a real issue or to be expected of an SI2? I have asked where the inclusion is.
 
Ok I think I''ve narrowed it down to these three:

LD01761513 - eye clean
Light Return Very Good
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Excellent
Spread Very Good
Total Visual Performance 1.7 - Excellent within TIC range
Price: £1690
Carat: 0.89
Cut: Ideal
Colour: J
Clarity: SI1
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
L/W Ratio: 1.01
Depth %: 61.4%
Table %: 58.0%
Crown 35.0
Pavilion 40.8
Measurements: 6.14 x 6.23 x 3.80
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: Thin
Culet: None
Report: GIA


LD01655044
Light Return Excellent
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Excellent
Spread Very Good
Total Visual Performance 1 - Excellent within TIC range
Price: £1904
Carat: 0.92
Cut: Ideal
Colour: J
Clarity: SI2
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
L/W Ratio: 1.00
Depth %: 61.4%
Table %: 56.0%
Crown 33.5
Pavilion 41.0
Measurements: 6.27 x 6.24 x 3.84
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: Medium
Culet: None
Report: GIA


LD01568236
Light Return Excellent
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Excellent
Spread Very Good
Total Visual Performance 0.8 - Excellent within TIC range
Price: £1909
Carat: 0.92
Cut: Very Good
Colour: J
Clarity: SI1
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Excellent
L/W Ratio: 1.01
Depth %: 61.7%
Table %: 57.0%
Crown 35.5
Pavilion 40.4
Measurements: 6.25 x 6.20 x 3.84
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: Thin
Culet: None
Report: GIA

I have been told the top one is eye-clean and am waiting to hear about the other two. As I said above unfortunately Bluenile won''t provide me with an ideal-scope image, should I worry about this? Or providing the diamond is eye-clean should that be ok? I don''t think I can afford to be too fussy on my budget, or can I? Is there a particular stone above that stands out or is there not much in it?

Any opinions greatly appreciated! If I order it by the end of tomorrow then I should receive it before we go to France.... I may need to look into a plan B though!?




 
Hi Dan

I''m a long time lurker and first time poster! And I agree - this site is fab!

I''m just in the process of getting my ring in the UK and my budget is similar to yours. After browsing loads of threads on here for information and looking at pretty much every retailer going I''ve ended up working with David of River Oak Diamonds and can''t recommend him highly enough. Its definately worth emailing him with your spec and seeing what he can do for you - his prices are very competitive and he''s a really nice bloke as well. http://www.riveroakdiamonds.co.uk
 
Thanks scousie, I shall look into them.

If you don''t mind me asking, what sort of spec diamond did you end up getting and for what price? Just had a quick look and I notice they don''t list anything lower than a VS2 which I think would be out of my price range as I''d like a 0.9 carot.
 
Hi Dan

I''m having 3 square cushion cut certified diamonds in a platinum band, total carat weight is 1.05. The diamonds are being certified as we speak but will be max H colour, VS2 clarity and 0 or ideal cut. Cost was a little more than your budget but not much more. David was able to source exactly what I wanted and was really good at advising what was possible within my budget - I''ve not gone for any of the rings or settings on his website as I had something quite specific in mind. Defo worth an email to enquire as to whether he can help you.
 
Sounds good scousie.

Well, after much deliberation I''ve reserved the stone below, have increased by budget by quite a bit but think its probably worth it, going to sleep on it.

Would be pleased to hear what people think of it though?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2262621.htm

I wasl also very interested in the stone below which is much closer to my orginal budget, however it has been sent off for re-evaulation and won''t be back in time to meet my deadline. I don''t suppose anyone has seen a similar stone elsewhere??

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2145407.htm

Thanks for all your help so far guys, who''s what I would have ended up with otherwise!
 
*bump*

Sorry to be impatient but I''d really like the OK from some experts on here before I sign the deal on the stone above.

I was thinking of holding out for the 2nd one as I think its very good value for money, but that would mean buying a cheapy ring to propose with in France and giving her the real thing when we get back which wouldn''t be great.

I am wondering why the 2nd stone gets 5stars whereas the 1st only gets 4.5stars as the 1st seems to look that more defined...?
 
Date: 6/8/2010 1:33:03 PM
Author: dan_s2k
I've been told by Bluenile that they do not provide ideal-scope images (see explanation below) however they will have it inspected to let me know if it is eye-clean. Is this good enough??

'We arent. This is primarily because the majority of the vault locations where we store our diamonds do not have these machines on site, but also because we do not believe that the majority of our customers would be able to properly interpret these kinds of reports. A cut appraisal machine is only as good as its calibration, and unless these machines are meticulously calibrated, they will not produce accurate results. Even when perfectly calibrated, the same diamond run through the same machine three times will produce three different results. '
Click to expand...
This is a reply written to address requests for mechanical metrics designed for sales such as Brilliancescope and ISEE2. The same diamond appearing in the same Ideal-scope or ASET setup should reliably have the same appearance. Standardization between setups can be an issue but that's a completely different topic than mechanical calibration, which has nothing to do with IS or ASET.
 
Date: 6/10/2010 4:49:03 AM
Author: dan_s2k
*bump*

Sorry to be impatient but I'd really like the OK from some experts on here before I sign the deal on the stone above.
Click to expand...
PS Trade Member Policy 2g prohibits professionals from commenting on other vendor products unless there is obvious misinformation.


I am wondering why the 2nd stone gets 5stars whereas the 1st only gets 4.5stars as the 1st seems to look that more defined...?
Click to expand...
I believe I'm ok to point out that the 5-star diamond is included in their branded H&A line, with a hearts image included. The 4.5-star falls in their secondary line, which is not H&A by their definition.
 
Thanks John.

Are any non-traders able to give me their opionion on the above stone?
 
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