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Engagement Ring: Tight Budget, and New to PriceScope

jdamian123

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 26, 2013
Messages
17
Hi guys -

First of all, this is a fantastic forum! I've been with my gf for just about 6 years now and we are looking to get engaged in a year time. I am new to anything and everything re. diamond so my apologies in advance if my questions are way too basic. I would also appreciate if you guys could refer me to any existing threads that may help me jump start on this...

So far, I have done some very preliminary research on my own over the Internet and I've visited a few jewelers around here (NYC/NJ/CT) - so I do have some basic knowledge as to what the 4 C's are and etc. I've been poking around various different jewelry designers, such as Tacori, Ritani, Tiffany's and etc. One thing that struck me is that I wasn't able to find whole lot of diamond wholesalers - I've heard people visiting diamond wholesalers in California and etc. or through personal connections - they all claim to have gotten a much better quality diamond for the price they paid.

Would you guys know any well-known / proven diamond jewelers for an engagement ring? My budget is around $20K and I think anything between 1 to 1.5 ct is perfectly fine for her (ring size 6).

Any ideas? Much appreciate folks.
 
I would personally stick with a good/ well known online vendor for a few reasons.

- You typically get an upgrade policey.
-You get a return policey.
-Most PS vendors offer things like ASSET etc
-Don't pay sales tax
-General lower pricing due to not having to pay B&M overhead (labor, store front etc)

With all that said what type of diamond are you looking for? Round, step cut, antique etc? Does your budget include the diamond plus your setting? What are the stats you are most comfortable with? For example H/ SI1 (eyeclean) and 1.5ct? If you provide all that information typically a few ppl on this board will point you to a great find.

Good luck!
 
Thanks!

I am a bit flexible on my budget - I think maximum I would go for the whole package (center piece + setting) would be ~$25K.

Ideal Specs:
Shape: Round (that's what she prefers)
Carat: 1 - 1.5 ct (I think >1.5 ct is okay, but it does get a little bulky for her...would rather go for quality than size)
Cut: Reserve Ideal or Ideal
Color: D or E or F
Clarity: Flawless or Internally Flawless
Symmetry: Excellent or Very Good
Fluorescence: None
Certified, of course (GIA or other reputable)
 
Would you consider lowering the clarity and color specs? Almost all VS2 and a lot of SI1 diamonds are eye clean, so you physically wouldn't be able to tell the difference from an IF diamond without a magnifying loupe. IF stones are quite rare, and there's a hefty price premium. The same thing goes with color, the vast majority of people wouldn't be able to tell between F and G, yet the price difference is significant.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with wanting such a high color/clarity. Your budget is quite healthy for a 1.5ct, and I'm seeing quite a few good stones with high color, but lower (but still safely eye clean) clarity ranging in the VS category
 
In fact, yes, I would be open to VVS1 and VVS2 - I just don't know how negligible the differences are to naked eyes (untrained, regular folks)... I would rather buy a good quality diamond than going for a larger size...
 
If you have to have that colour and clarity;

http://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/inhvgx

http://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/ik3vam

If you want to stay with Ice white, go up in size & save money I would email him and ask if this one is eyeclean (I think it is highly likely that it is);

http://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/66y4p6

I personally think that the average person (especially ones that have not been around a lot of diamonds) can't distinguish between a well cut E or a well cut G and if the stone is eyeclean under very close inspection no-one and I mean no-one can actually tell the difference between a VVS1 or VVS2 and well cut VS2 or even a completely eye clean SI1. Its overkill in my humble opinion. EVERYONE can tell the difference in size of the rock on her hand!!!!!
 
Thank you guys, very helpful. Have you guys looked into Tacori? Do they only sell the setting and not the centerpiece? I am trying to get comfortable with online / offline diamond wholesalers....I really do like Tacori, but they don't seem to sell the centerpiece with their rings...
 
arkieb1|1378180142|3513840 said:
I personally think that the average person (especially ones that have not been around a lot of diamonds) can't distinguish between a well cut E or a well cut G and if the stone is eyeclean under very close inspection no-one and I mean no-one can actually tell the difference between a VVS1 or VVS2 and well cut VS2 or even a completely eye clean SI1. Its overkill in my humble opinion. EVERYONE can tell the difference in size of the rock on her hand!!!!!

This!

Just my 2 cents... Why pay for something the eye can't even distinguish? The only difference anyone would notice in a 1.5 E/VVS1 and a 1.9 G/SI (eye clean) is size! I've never once heard anyone say, "I really wish I'd gone with the smaller stone..." when the diamond is white, eye clean, and LARGER!! ;)) I know I'd be much happier with a G/VS-SI (eye clean) that was noticeably larger than a 1.5 D-E-F/VVS... Especially since her finger size isn't tiny. $25K is a fabulous budget -- maximize it!!

Just a super quick search on JA...

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-198080 $20,900, HCA 1.9 (7.91 x 7.93)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...t-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-36192 $22,450, HCA 1.8 (7.76 x 7.81)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-169126 $20,560, HCA 0.9 (8.15 X 8.16) **if this presents eye clean, I'd be all over it!!**
 
jdamian123|1378180595|3513842 said:
Thank you guys, very helpful. Have you guys looked into Tacori? Do they only sell the setting and not the centerpiece? I am trying to get comfortable with online / offline diamond wholesalers....I really do like Tacori, but they don't seem to sell the centerpiece with their rings...

Tacori makes some beautiful pieces... That said, make sure you see the settings IRL -- a lot of them look very different than they do in ads and on TV/online. :)) In my opinion, there are several PS vendors that make better settings for less money.

Tacori can get expensive. The prices they advertise are for the smaller stones -- usually for 1 ct. For example, a setting I looked at was priced around $6900 for a 1.5 carat center, but was right under $10K for a 2 ct center... just something to keep in mind. :bigsmile:

What type of setting does she like?
 
Thanks all - very very helpful - I had no idea about these websites (James Allen etc. that you guys are posting here) thanks bunch!

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-73572

Seems like pretty good, decent color, clarity, cut, and a good size carat without being too gaudy / tacky big.

She does like Tacori's halo setting (flower as she would call it). It's priced around $5K (retail) and has about 0.45 ct around the halo...

Do you guys think 1.5 ct centerpiece and 0.45 ct around the halo would look a bit too tacky big?
 
Which tacori halo exactly do you know?
 
That's a beautiful setting! I personally wouldn't go larger than a 1.5 in that particular halo, but that's just a personal preference. If I were considering this style setting I would contact Victor Canera or Steven Kirsch. For the same of less money you could have an heirloom quality piece created by a master.
 
Christina...|1378226264|3514031 said:
That's a beautiful setting! I personally wouldn't go larger than a 1.5 in that particular halo, but that's just a personal preference. If I were considering this style setting I would contact Victor Canera or Steven Kirsch. For the same of less money you could have an heirloom quality piece created by a master.

Totally agree!!!! For the cost of a Tacori or a high end halo look at Victor Canera's website he does amazing work!!!! Also do a search of this work on here, you will see many stunning pieces. He is now selling his own line (he has his own cutter) of triple ex H & A stones and they are magnificent. He also gives a slight discount on the setting if you buy both the stone and setting from him.
 
I've read this website upside, sideways, down and through and without a doubt Victor Canera makes the most beautiful rings, if I were to reset my stone again I would send it to him, he seems a genius to me... best of luck, the setting she likes is not to my taste as I like very modern, step cut type stones, but the Tacori setting she has picked out seems very very feminine and lovely as I am sure your lady is.. best of luck she is lucky!
 
another vote for VIctor. You have a great budget and will be able to get a great diamond in an heirloom halo setting. Definitely shoot him an email...
 
Thanks for all these recommendations.
 
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