engagment ring

[gecky29]

hi guys,

I plan on proposing this summer and I was hoping to get some advise from you guys, as I am currently in the middle of the purchasing process.

so I have looked at quite a few diamonds in my price range (8000 all said and done) and my eye is always drawn to this one diamond in particular. my only problem is that compared to similar diamonds (same size,color,cut grade and clarity) it seems darker, it sparkles as much or more then the rest but it just seems bluer/greyer or sharper. im not sure how to explain it and I hope you guys understand what I mean. I actually like it more and I hope my gf does to. but do you guys think its a flaw or can you explain why its darker?

the jewellery store has a OGI or mega fire machine and I have attached the report of my potential diamond from that as well as the appraisal report from a local gem lab. how do the dimensions look and do you think its a big deal that there is a little discrepancy on a couple dimensions. and is it ok if the jewelry store sent it to an independent gem lab (im sure they have a working relationship)

that's prob long winded enough. thx guys! I appreciate any help.

 

[RockyRacoon]

I was able to open your link, and the stone is a 60/60 stone. Some people like these, some don't. Read more about them here:
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/60-60-proportioned-diamond


You can get a considerably larger stone, with a top-notch cut, in your price range.

Here are just a few options:
1.211ct, H, SI1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.211-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104076853001

1.001ct, H, VS2
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3114533.htm

.971ct, E, SI2
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.971-e-si2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104075658005

.970, G, SI1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.970-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-104076853015

.94ct, F, SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3237350.htm

.92ct, F, VS1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3273921.htm

 

[gecky29]

thx for the information! I read that article along with a couple others. some say its ok and some say its not.so im a bit confused. the one I was looking at has a lot of sparkle and that's really what I am looking for so can I assume its ok. as for the darker color none of the articles mentioned it, you think its because its 60/60?

all those diamonds look great, and I think ill ask to seem some bigger ones but they will have to be 6000 or less as the diamond and setting need to be below 8000.

 

[RockyRacoon]

thx for the information! I read that article along with a couple others. some say its ok and some say its not.so im a bit confused. the one I was looking at has a lot of sparkle and that's really what I am looking for so can I assume its ok. as for the darker color none of the articles mentioned it, you think its because its 60/60?

all those diamonds look great, and I think ill ask to seem some bigger ones but they will have to be 6000 or less as the diamond and setting need to be below 8000.

You would need to see some 60/60 stones side-by-side with Tolk stones, to get an idea of your preference. There are benefits to both!

I get the picture about your budget, now.

Here are five solid options (top-notch cut, higher color, eye-clean) that leave you enough room in the budget for a great setting:
.931ct, G, SI2
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.931-g-si2-round-diamond-ags-104076853017

.925ct, G, SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3253502.htm

.817ct, D, SI1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.817-d-si1-round-diamond-5-104076853011

.81ct, G, VS2 - August Vintage Round (different facet pattern)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-81ct-g-vs2-august-vintage-round-diamond.html

.8ct, F, SI1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-8ct-f-si1-superior-round-hearts-and-arrows-diamond.html


If you really want to save cash and are happy with the size of the stone you had linked, check out this option (GREAT price):
.80ct, F, VS1
http://highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=store-product-detail&id=236

 

[littleweight]

Hi gecky i am no expert, but i can tell you that for 6k you can find a much better diamond with an AGS 0/0/0 cut. I think for 6k you can get something a bit larger, with much better clarity as well.

If you're set on .7 ct then you can save yourself some money and not spend 8k on the whole thing

Take a look at these diamonds:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3222847.htm?source=pricescope

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3326171.htm?source=pricescope

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3192745.htm?source=pricescope

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity&id=1449

If you don't need F color you'll save even some more. Good luck!

 

[ccuheartnurse]

I would absolutely shop in the U.S. Even with our dollar sucking shite right now, still your advantage to buy south of the border. I'm in Toronto btw. I have never bought a diamond locally, not ever. The vendors here like to play ball with the grading lab in town that will grease their palms so to speak & they all play in the sandbox together ( cough Gemscan ( Gemscam) cough)..SO...that being said...either find a vendor locally that deals with GIA or AGS certed stones ( which might be very minimal) or buy south of the border. That goes for your setting as well.

How far are you from the border? I would think about finding a way to go shopping for the day & pick up at a Staffed Fed Ex location. Most vendors use Fed Ex. I've had issues with UPS as they have sent packages back. United States Postal Service is great too. Just find a location that is staffed for receiving packages & have the vendor write on the package "General Delivery, Customer to Pick Up in Person".

You have some great advice & references on the site, use them. Go for an H, I or a J (with Fluoro). Do not let the vendors at home scare you out of an ideal cut J. They can face up quite white & you can save a ton. And with that savings you should just go ahead & buy the wedding band when you buy the ring. LOL I know I know..the money! Is easier to buy that way to be honest. The ring doesn't have to be sent to anyone after the fact to line up the band & it's done. An idea to think about. I suggested this to my brother & at 1st he was like..really?? I said yes, you want to drive to the border again & ship the ring across to another state, wait for it, have it shipped & drive back across to pick it up? He chose the 1st suggestion. LOL He chose the band that matched the e-ring & gave his wife the band for Christmas. She was thrilled beyond thrilled. Most women like to have some control over that but lucky for my brother, my SIL was ok with him making the decision. She thought it was very romantic & took pressure off financially to buy the band. Better price buying it all together too if you like the designs the vendor for the diamond carries. Just an idea, not for everyone but is practical for us Canadians that have to drive 2-3 hrs to cross the border.

All the best with your ring search.

PS..dont wait too long! Our dollar is predicted to hit a low of mid 60's!

 

[gecky29]

thx for the suggestions! im in alberta and about 10-11 hours from the border, so that's not something I really want to do. our dollar is really scaring me, I actually put a deposit down on the stone so I would be guaranteed todays value just in case our dollar does reach the 60s. that being said im fine with not buying there and using the deposit for a gift down the line.

glad my suspicions of them being "in the sandbox together" are warranted. when I buy a ring I will be sure to take it to an independent appraiser I find.

you have some great advise, but maybe its just me but I can see a color difference at H so im comfortable going e-g color wise. and I wanted vs2 or better in clarity, the inclusion in this stone is in the perfect place and can be covered with a prong, thats why I was willing to go that low in clarity. but I think every one here is right. I can get a bigger diamond with the same or better quality in my price range.

as for the wedding band, the jeweler was showing me some in the settings I liked, but I was with your brother and felt a little weird about it...I mite do it though.

 

[ccuheartnurse]

Ahh.. I thought you were in Sask. I'm 2hrs from the Buffalo border & some days thats too much! Never mind 11hrs, I would never go. LOL
Seems like you are stuck buying in Canada or having the stone come up through customs TO Canada if you find something there. This isn't something I would suggest, & seems like you might know that already.

It's great you know what is a comfort zone to YOUR eyes & have made that decision. Up here, the vendors have less supply & versatility to obtain the GIA or AGS graded stones so they try to dish out what they have locally to them. Follow your eyes, follow the numbers & there should be no reason for you not to buy a great stone in Canada. Read the info here & take that with you. Stay strong in your wants because the vendors are going to try to walk all over you. In Canada we have less choices & we are limited. The Canadian vendors already know that. Be confident. They dont like anyone having too much information. If you really want to laugh, go to Peoples or Mappins (same company) & inquire about gems. IS comical at best. You will feel good about what you have learned here.

Not saying all vendors in Canada are chumps, not at all..but they have a limited range to work from. If you find something you like, is a fair price, & you think your lady will love it, go for it. But be informed & educated when you do.

As for the wedding band. If you buy locally, no need to buy as a set. If you bought in the US, would be easier since the vendor could mount the stone to the proportions of the band & have them sit flush. Also then eliminating the need to deal with a band down the road.

I've been following the dollar. IS bad. I just send a wire & cost me 1.295. BRUTAL. Still..you know, I hate to admit it, is still better to buy in the US & I'm quite lucky to be 2hrs from Buffalo. A definite advantage thats for sure.

All the best..

 

[gecky29]

the jewelry store ive been dealing with is in sask as im close to the sask/ab border. I definitely know what I want and I know what I like when I see it, but I do find I get lost in the numbers. I will really like a stone (just like the one in the original post) and I get home and research all the angles and start to question everything...I just want the best ring you know.

anyways your right about peoples and a lot of other stores...ive walked out of a few of them laughing. and the lack of GIA diamonds is very frustrating. thx for the help. it is very much appreciated!