Few questions on E-ring

[nyc6]

I''ve been researching on the forum for a couple weeks now and have a decent idea of what type of an E-ring I would like to get my girlfriend. We''ve been dating for almost 3 1/2 years and this summer is the time to propose. We both just graduated (me from graduate school and her from undergrad) and I have some money saved up, but with a move coming soon I would rather not spend TOO much. With that being said, I''m looking to spend about $5500. I think I have the setting that I always come back to:

The 3/4 Eternity from WF: http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Diamonds-for-an-Eternity--3-4-_1070.htm

Now, for the questions:

I would like around a 1 carat diamond. However, I''ve seen on the forum that this is a magic number that commands more of a price tag simply because it''s "1 ct." So,

Question 1) Realistically, how close to 1 carat can you get so that it will still look like a 1 carat ring. I''ve been seeing that depth is important in that a stone can look bigger (or smaller) depending on the depth. What characteristics should I look for?

Question/comment 2) I''m looking for a VS2-VVS2 H-E Ideal cut diamond (again, near 1 carat) for around 4000. I''m more interested in cut (H&A) than size. With the setting that I''m looking at, will a diamond that is too small look too jumbled with the side stones?

Also, if there are similar bands that some of you know of, would you mind posting them? Thanks in advance for all the help

 

[JulieN]

.8s and up are a hot spot. they''ll be a bit like 1 caraters on their own, but not in comparison. I think you''d need .9s and up for that...

 

[Regular Guy]

This one''s $4340 wire priced, and may fit the bill.

Also, re the band...doesn''t WF show this as their band that specifically matches the ring you selected...

Regards,

 

[snlee]

Regular Guy, I think nyc meant any similar settings to the WF one he posted.

nyc, I love the WF 3/4 eternity setting! You are on the right track trying to find an ideal cut stone. Cut is the most important! I'd try to find something in the .90 range and I think it would look great in that WF setting! It definitely wouldn't look too small. However, for you budget of $4K, you'll probably have to go down in clarity. If you find an eye clean SI1 or SI2, you can maximize your budget.

Welcome to PS!

 

[nyc6]

snlee,
You are right. Sorry about how it was phrased but yes, I was referring to a similar setting to the 3/4 Eternity. As much as I like the setting it may be a bit too expensive because I feel as though I''ll be stubborn on coming down on the clarity

If you can''t already tell I fear the search for an e-ring may take me a while so thank you guys for your guidance.

So, .9 would still look to the amateur eye (mine) as 1 carat?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 6/24/2007 9:01:24 PM
Author: nyc6
snlee,

You are right. Sorry about how it was phrased but yes, I was referring to a similar setting to the 3/4 Eternity. As much as I like the setting it may be a bit too expensive because I feel as though I'll be stubborn on coming down on the clarity

If you can't already tell I fear the search for an e-ring may take me a while so thank you guys for your guidance.


So, .9 would still look to the amateur eye (mine) as 1 carat?

Depends. If you have 2 ideally cut stones side by side you will clearly be able to tell which is the bigger stone.

BUT in the real world that doesn't happen and also in the real world MOST diamonds are not ideal cut. SO a .9 ideal cut diamond WILL look like the majority of 1cts on the market. But it will never look the same as a 1ct ideal cut.

Make sense?

ETA: You really should strongly consider dropping the clarity. It would probably allow you to get the setting you want without a problem...and really you're only "losing" something you can't see at all!!!

 

[snlee]

Date: 6/24/2007 9:01:24 PM
Author: nyc6
snlee,

You are right. Sorry about how it was phrased but yes, I was referring to a similar setting to the 3/4 Eternity. As much as I like the setting it may be a bit too expensive because I feel as though I'll be stubborn on coming down on the clarity

If you can't already tell I fear the search for an e-ring may take me a while so thank you guys for your guidance.

So, .9 would still look to the amateur eye (mine) as 1 carat?

We're all willing to help you out! You can get a beautiful ring within your $5500 budget. You can get the 3/4 eternity setting in 14k WG for around $1200, leaving you about $4300 for the diamond.

Yes, a .90 would look about the same as a 1 carat on the hand. Especially an ideal cut .90 compared to a not ideal cut 1 carat. You wouldn't be able to tell a difference unless you looked at both side by side, which wouldn't happen in real life very often.

I strongly suggest you to go down in clarity to maximize your budget. Like neatfreak said, you aren't losing anything that you can't see! An eye clean SI would look the same as a VS or VVS! Getting an eye clean SI would allow you to get a diamond in the size you are looking for and you can get the setting you love as well.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/24/2007 9:09:20 PM
Author: neatfreak

Date: 6/24/2007 9:01:24 PM
Author: nyc6
snlee,

You are right. Sorry about how it was phrased but yes, I was referring to a similar setting to the 3/4 Eternity. As much as I like the setting it may be a bit too expensive because I feel as though I'll be stubborn on coming down on the clarity

If you can't already tell I fear the search for an e-ring may take me a while so thank you guys for your guidance.


So, .9 would still look to the amateur eye (mine) as 1 carat?

Depends. If you have 2 ideally cut stones side by side you will clearly be able to tell which is the bigger stone.

BUT in the real world that doesn't happen and also in the real world MOST diamonds are not ideal cut. SO a .9 ideal cut diamond WILL look like the majority of 1cts on the market. But it will never look the same as a 1ct ideal cut.

Make sense?

ETA: You really should strongly consider dropping the clarity. It would probably allow you to get the setting you want without a problem...and really you're only 'losing' something you can't see at all!!!

Many prefer high clarities for purity reasons

Also face up size will depend on diameter measurements, some diamonds are spready and may face up bigger than a carat, which may be desirable or not depending on your point of view!

 

[nyc6]

First off, thanks for the input so far, especially neatfreak and snlee!!

Second, is the only way to tell if an SI is "eye-clean" is to see it in person? That is, if one buys a diamond online, is there any eye-clean certification or something of that nature?

Hypothetically, could an ideal cut stone, SI clarity, still have inclusions noticeable to the naked eye? Because I''m a little picky in that respect. I understand that dropping to SI may simply mean "losing" something one cannot see anyway, but I would know it in my head (despite the fact that I too wouldn''t be able to notice the difference anyway).

As Lorelei (thanks for your input as well) noted, as of now I have a slight preference for clarity, if only for the sake of clarity (however tautological that may seem).

Responses heeded and appreciated!

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 6/25/2007 11:49:22 AM
Author: nyc6
First off, thanks for the input so far, especially neatfreak and snlee!!


Second, is the only way to tell if an SI is ''eye-clean'' is to see it in person? That is, if one buys a diamond online, is there any eye-clean certification or something of that nature?


Hypothetically, could an ideal cut stone, SI clarity, still have inclusions noticeable to the naked eye? Because I''m a little picky in that respect. I understand that dropping to SI may simply mean ''losing'' something one cannot see anyway, but I would know it in my head (despite the fact that I too wouldn''t be able to notice the difference anyway).


As Lorelei (thanks for your input as well) noted, as of now I have a slight preference for clarity, if only for the sake of clarity (however tautological that may seem).


Responses heeded and appreciated!

Most PS vendors are VERY used to getting requests for eyeclean stones, so it shouldn''t be a problem if you are dealing with one of them. If mentally you don''t want to drop to an SI1 for fear of seeing the inclusions somewhere, stick to a VS2. IMO it''s the best of both worlds because you get the savings from dropping down a but in clarity, but MOST VS2s have nothing visible with the naked eye. Everyone wins.

 

[snlee]

Date: 6/25/2007 11:49:22 AM
Author: nyc6
First off, thanks for the input so far, especially neatfreak and snlee!!

Second, is the only way to tell if an SI is ''eye-clean'' is to see it in person? That is, if one buys a diamond online, is there any eye-clean certification or something of that nature?

Hypothetically, could an ideal cut stone, SI clarity, still have inclusions noticeable to the naked eye? Because I''m a little picky in that respect. I understand that dropping to SI may simply mean ''losing'' something one cannot see anyway, but I would know it in my head (despite the fact that I too wouldn''t be able to notice the difference anyway).

As Lorelei (thanks for your input as well) noted, as of now I have a slight preference for clarity, if only for the sake of clarity (however tautological that may seem).

Responses heeded and appreciated!

Yes, an ideal cut stone, SI clarity, can have inclusions noticeable to the naked eye. Just ask the vendor and they would be able to tell you if a diamond is eye clean or not. I would also double check what their definition of eye clean is.

I understand some people prefer high clarities for purity reasons. So you could get a VS2, however, you''ll have to go down a bit in size to stay within your budget.

 

[nyc6]

Does anyone have any real life pictures of the 3/4 WF http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Diamonds-for-an-Eternity--3-4-_1070.htm
that they can post?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Take it from me, if you have doubts about going down to SI, don''t do it. I also like VS or above. The .90 range is a great value, but they are harder to come by. But that would be your best bet.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Okay, your price and specs are not going to be in line. I''d suggest starting out with a simple white gold tiffany setting and putting the money in the diamond. Here''s my choice at .90:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-292602.htm

 

[hoorray]

I would suggest you check out the Whiteflash Expert Selection also. They have soem nice looking stones in the .8 - 1.1 range. Several prople here have had great luck with the ES stones -- particularly Mara. (Check out soem of her posts on her last upgrade).

 

[Jenn5504]

I absolutely LOVE the setting and band you''re after! GREAT choice!!!!! I didn''t find my center stone in WF''s ES (much less ACA) selection, but I did find it on their site----keep in mind that 1 or 2 stars on WF does not necessarially mean a bad cut---it often just means they don''t have the details on the stone. Mine is an AGS000 (ideal cut) that will go into the WF Expert Selection inventory some day when I upgrade! So, polk through the stones for good table and depths and narrow down and have them call in the certs. Then when you narrow it down farther you can have them call in the actual stone and they will do a Sarin report, Ideal Scope and 40X mag picture for you and will give you their very honest opinion of hte stone. You can probably find an ideal cut beautiful stone that way. I would completely trust WF to let you know if a VS2 or SI1 stone is eye clean. There are even some SI2''s out there that are eye clean. But sounds like that might be below your comfort level. I definately think you should stay at or below VS, VVS is overkill and a hefty price increase-----------I can''t think of many people who wouldn''t prefer a completely eye clean VS or even SI stone that is ideally cut and a bigger!