Ex-Lurker: Biggest, Best E-Ring Upgrade Diamond on a Budget!

[uiggu]

Hello everyone! First I'd like to say how helpful these boards have been to me in the last few months. I've gone from knowing absolutely nothing about diamonds to a) totally addicted to bling and b) being sure that I will never again buy from a high street jeweller!

I'm confident in my knowledge about the 4Cs, but I do not know much about depth and table and how this affects how a stone faces up, or about fluorescence.

So now to the point: I'm looking for an engagement ring upgrade, and basically I want to get as much bang for my (rather tight) budget as I can. I've been looking at diamonds on WF, Blue Nile, BC2 Jewels, James Allen, and so on, and done my research on reviews, customer service, etc. I'm leaning towards BC2 Jewels at this point if only because they seem to have significantly lower prices for the same stones I've seen elsewhere - the only thing is that I don't particularly like their settings.

So, the challenge:

A diamond for an e-ring
- in the 0.85 and above range (the bigger the better, really)
- ideal/excellent cut (this is the one spec I will not compromise on)
- eye clean (I don't care how included it is as long as I can't see it and it doesn't mean the stone will shatter on impact!)
- as white as possible (I am perfectly happy with a J if it looks white)
- ... for under $2500.

Ideally I am aiming to have the whole ring done for $3000.

I have found a few stones with these specs in this price bracket, but I couldn't be sure if I was missing some glaring flaw in the table or something similar.

I would really appreciate any help or pointers from the experts here. Thank you in advance!

 

[CaratLover2]

Re: Ex-Lurker: Biggest, Best E-Ring Upgrade Diamond on a Bud

Have you thought about GOG - they have this on sale at the moment = a $1,000 reduction in price - http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8999/ - you could always upgrade later.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Re: Ex-Lurker: Biggest, Best E-Ring Upgrade Diamond on a Bud

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1479337.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

Another possible contender - you'd have to check with them to see how prominent the feather is.

 

[SB621]

Re: Ex-Lurker: Biggest, Best E-Ring Upgrade Diamond on a Bud

Have you thought about GOG - they have this on sale at the moment = a $1,000 reduction in price - http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8999/ - you could always upgrade later.

I didn't hit the link so I"m not sure if this diamond is part of their lifetime upgrade policy but I also wanted to recommend GOG because if you decide down the line to upgrade again they will put 100% of what you paid for the first diamond towards your upgrade and then don't charge a mimimum to upgrade....best upgrade policy I have ever seen!

 

[farmer gal]

Re: Ex-Lurker: Biggest, Best E-Ring Upgrade Diamond on a Bud

Going by numbers this one has possibility

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02812171

Setting:
http://www.bluenile.com/solitaire-engagement-ring-white-gold_19787


I would also try ID jewelry, tell them you are from pricescope, they have really pulled out some beautiful rings for other psers on a budget.
http://idjewelryonline.com/index.php

 

[CaratLover2]

Re: Ex-Lurker: Biggest, Best E-Ring Upgrade Diamond on a Bud

Have you thought about GOG - they have this on sale at the moment = a $1,000 reduction in price - http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8999/ - you could always upgrade later.

I didn't hit the link so I"m not sure if this diamond is part of their lifetime upgrade policy but I also wanted to recommend GOG because if you decide down the line to upgrade again they will put 100% of what you paid for the first diamond towards your upgrade and then don't charge a mimimum to upgrade....best upgrade policy I have ever seen!

I agree!!

The link is show that this stone has the lifetime policy on it, so it seems there would be no problem upgrading later.

It's a beautiful icy-white "D" too!!

 

[uiggu]

Re: Ex-Lurker: Biggest, Best E-Ring Upgrade Diamond on a Bud

Have you thought about GOG - they have this on sale at the moment = a $1,000 reduction in price - http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8999/ - you could always upgrade later.

I am VERY tempted by this, although it's slightly under what I wanted in size, because its other specs are so appealing. Thank you for the info about the upgrade policy, too - seems insanely generous with no minimum spend.

MissGotRocks, farmer gal, thanks for the links - I checked out the Blue Nile one myself already!

The best I've found on my own so far, I think, is this: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3207863-0.89-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-VS2-clarity.aspx

What do you all think?

 

[CaratLover2]

Re: Ex-Lurker: Biggest, Best E-Ring Upgrade Diamond on a Bud

Have you thought about GOG - they have this on sale at the moment = a $1,000 reduction in price - http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8999/ - you could always upgrade later.

I am VERY tempted by this, although it's slightly under what I wanted in size, because its other specs are so appealing. Thank you for the info about the upgrade policy, too - seems insanely generous with no minimum spend.

MissGotRocks, farmer gal, thanks for the links - I checked out the Blue Nile one myself already!

The best I've found on my own so far, I think, is this: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3207863-0.89-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-VS2-clarity.aspx

What do you all think?

I'm no expert, so I can't comment on the B2C Jewels stone. Maybe someone else may be able to weigh in here and give you some feed back on the table/depth sizes. At the end of the day, you need to feel that you've educated yourself enough so that you're happy and comfortable with with your purchase. Do B2C provide ASET's or some other type of analysis? Can they give you any information on the light performance of the stone? If you feel comfortable purchasing a stone with that level of information, then that's perfectly fine! But I suggest you dig deeper, ask more questions and find out what you can. Be aware that the photo on the site, is not an actual photo of the stone - it's only a sample photo. No harm in asking the questions, right?!

Personally, I'd consider sticking with GOG. Like I said, I'm no expert, but it's because of the level of information provided by GOG that makes me feel comfortable with my purchases. However, in relation to this particular stone, given that it is an SI2, even if you are interested you'd still need to contact them and question them about whether the stone is eye clean, whether the inclusions are likely to compromise the integrity of the stone and then see whether they'll upload a little video for you. If you don't like the look of it, then you can dismiss it and keep looking.

No real point buying a rock that doesn't sparkle! I know you are worried about size - but an icy-white, bright and well cut D will have much more "presence" than a larger J with poor light performance.

The most important thing is not to rush ... take your time and do your research.

EDIT: If size is everything, then maybe the one found by MissGotRocks - it's certified with AGS ideal light performance
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1479337.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Re: Ex-Lurker: Biggest, Best E-Ring Upgrade Diamond on a Bud

I would call James Allen and ID Jewelry and tell them your specs to see what they find you. Those two vendors are usually the most competative on price.

Their upgrade policies aren't as generous as GOG, but they are decent and I think that their pricing will get you to the size you want in your budget. If you are near NYC you could also see them in person...

 

[vintagelover229]

Re: Ex-Lurker: Biggest, Best E-Ring Upgrade Diamond on a Bud

I just wanted to quickly chime in that if you DO really like that GOG stone (and find out it's eye clean) I'd get it reserved right away. It's a very good size, great color/clarity combo and a lurker will likely snatch it up quickly.