So I've gone from knowing basically nothing about diamonds a few weeks ago, to reading everything I can and visiting multiple stores/jewelers to understand and view potential options for an engagement ring. It seems once I finally settle on something, I always find out something else that I should take into consideration. Now I'm a bit afraid of missing a key factor and buying a "wrong" diamond.
This forum is rather great and has a wealth of information. So I thought maybe I would just ask the experts here what the best strategy is.
Sparkle/brilliance/cut is the most important for me. Ever since I found out about fluorescence, I have been very intrigued by it and it seems like a "free" way to maximize value. I want the total ring to be about 10-11k out the door, hence the 8-9k budget for the center stone. What's the best way to go about this?
Some factors that probably matter:
- Ring will be a size 5, with pave stones on the side
- I color is fine with me, potentially J if the fluorescence will make it look whiter?
- I'd like to be within the 1.4-1.7 carat range
- Eye clean is fine with me, I'm not a clarity nut. As long as I can't see it with my naked eye that works (assuming it doesn't effect sparkle/brilliance)
- From my research and some very helpful threads here, it seems I do not need the super ideal / hearts and arrows. An ideal cut will be fine.
- I recently found out about these proportions for maximum light brilliance and the HCA numbers, etc. How important are slight deviations from these? For example, I found a round brilliant with these stats: 1.7ct, I, VS2, GIA XXX, Medium Fluorescence, Crown Angle 34.5, Depth 60.7, Pavilion Angle 40.8, Medium Girdle, Table 59%. That fits everything but has a 59% table...does that disqualify it?
The Brian Gavin Blue collection seems to be a great source, and they actually had an SI2 / J color blue that was in my budget, but I didn't pull the trigger and it sold. But is J too low a color or does the blue mitigate that?
I'm open to all ideas. At this point I swear I think I know more than some of the jewelers I met with. There are two local ones that seem very helpful but now I'm just not sure. But then again, if I buy it online without seeing it (not like if I saw it I'm an expert) could be risky absent something like WF or BG.
Finally, is it best to just get the ring/setting at the same place as the diamond? Seems easiest.
Sorry for all the newbie questions, but I will be very appreciative of all your responses!
Ryan
This forum is rather great and has a wealth of information. So I thought maybe I would just ask the experts here what the best strategy is.
Sparkle/brilliance/cut is the most important for me. Ever since I found out about fluorescence, I have been very intrigued by it and it seems like a "free" way to maximize value. I want the total ring to be about 10-11k out the door, hence the 8-9k budget for the center stone. What's the best way to go about this?
Some factors that probably matter:
- Ring will be a size 5, with pave stones on the side
- I color is fine with me, potentially J if the fluorescence will make it look whiter?
- I'd like to be within the 1.4-1.7 carat range
- Eye clean is fine with me, I'm not a clarity nut. As long as I can't see it with my naked eye that works (assuming it doesn't effect sparkle/brilliance)
- From my research and some very helpful threads here, it seems I do not need the super ideal / hearts and arrows. An ideal cut will be fine.
- I recently found out about these proportions for maximum light brilliance and the HCA numbers, etc. How important are slight deviations from these? For example, I found a round brilliant with these stats: 1.7ct, I, VS2, GIA XXX, Medium Fluorescence, Crown Angle 34.5, Depth 60.7, Pavilion Angle 40.8, Medium Girdle, Table 59%. That fits everything but has a 59% table...does that disqualify it?
The Brian Gavin Blue collection seems to be a great source, and they actually had an SI2 / J color blue that was in my budget, but I didn't pull the trigger and it sold. But is J too low a color or does the blue mitigate that?
I'm open to all ideas. At this point I swear I think I know more than some of the jewelers I met with. There are two local ones that seem very helpful but now I'm just not sure. But then again, if I buy it online without seeing it (not like if I saw it I'm an expert) could be risky absent something like WF or BG.
Finally, is it best to just get the ring/setting at the same place as the diamond? Seems easiest.
Sorry for all the newbie questions, but I will be very appreciative of all your responses!
Ryan