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First E-ring, advice needed!

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Vintagedude17

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 12, 2020
Messages
7
Hey guys, going to be purchasing an E-ring pretty quick here, next couple of days that is. I was going to go through Blue Nile, as they seem to have the best selection and costs. I wanted to get as close to 1 ct as possible. I'm one of those people who, let's say I'm buying a new tool, I always get the best one I can find. Therefore, I feel I'm being a bit of a stickler when it comes to the 4 Cs. From what I know (which is very little lol) I think cut is the most important. Therefore, I was going to go with an ideal cut, but not astor ideal since the prices really jump up. As far as clarity goes, I was thinking VS2 - VVS1 range. Color, G or F range? Now, obviously I'd like to get the biggest diamond I can afford for my special lady, but, I just bought a house and can't spend absurd amounts of money on it. In all reality I'd like to keep it below 4 grand, but, would be willing to push to 5 max. Here's an example at .8 ct:

0.80-Carat Round Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com www.bluenile.com

Here's an example at .9 ct:

0.90-Carat Round Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com www.bluenile.com

I guess what I'm asking is, what would be the best out of the three C's to maybe sacrifice on to get me to 1 ct. While staying in my price range?
Any and all other advice would be greatly appreciated. I'll be choosing a very dainty petite micropave band if that helps (some people had said it makes the diamond look bigger). Anyways, I'd appreciate the experts' help! Thank you in advance!
 
Let me talk your talk.

Snap On or Mac Tools = super ideal vendors like WF, HPD, VC or BGD. They have strict cut standards and have their stones in-house. Full array of data to prove performance.

DeWalt or Milwaulkee = virtual inventory dealers like BN, JA, etc. Usually keeps no stock and works with mostly international suppliers. Many times the same stone is available at multiple retailers. Limited data to confirm performance.

For reference, I bought my wife a BGD Blue 0.867 H VS2 for about $4,500. The "blue" indicates it had medium+ levels of fluor. BGD is one of the only vendors that offer super ideal stones with fluor. The advantage is price as they trade cheaper, plus they are properly vetted to ensure no transparency issues (biggest concern w/ fluor).

Hands down, carat size affects price the most. You have major price bumps at major carat weight jumps like 1 carat. While a 0.96 stone may look the same to your naked eye as a 1.00 or 1.01, the price difference is significant normally for making the mental jump over this magic number. There are also smaller hurdles along the way. You will notice a 0.86 is likely a little cheaper per carat than a 0.90 for instance.

People get really hung up on weight, but what really matters is the spread (diameter). Remember carat weight is a function of L*W*D. So the proportions of the stone will affect weight.

A steep deep will have more vertical weight, likely leak and size up small for it's carat weight. A flat top will be too shallow, may have obstruction issues, can be "flat" in terms of performance but will size up larger for it's weight because more of it is pushed to the horizontal plane. As you are probably guessing, finding balance between the extremes yields a stone that looks it's size and usually has the best cut as well.

In a stone this size, I think clarity is a good spot to sacrifice a bit. Most your stones were very high clarity. A good eye clean SI1 or VS2 stone will help you maximize the other C's and look the same to the naked eye clarity wise.

You may be able to sacrifice on color but it really depends on both your and HER tolerance to color. Really I believe G is a sweet spot for value. Some push to an H and those desiring to push color may go to I or lower. None of these are "yellow" but rather they have slight tint variances. Again, the wearer's view on color matters the most here. FYI, color is most easily seen and graded from the side (pavilion) view of the stone.

diamond-color-side.jpg


ideal-cut-diamond-color-direct.jpg


Hands down, the area I would NOT sacrifice is cut. It's also the hardest of the C's to analyze. But you came to the palace of diamond cut, so we can help you there. Just remember, the whole point of a diamond is the sparkle and fire it produces. Cut is what determines that and point blank GIA's version of "excellent" is far too broad to be trusted by the word alone. You will have to get into the nitty gritty to make sure it's really excellent. Sort of like strip clubs, they all promise a good time but they are far from equal.

In regards to the 3 stones you posted. Hard pass on the first 2. The proportions don't work.

The 3rd one with the 36/40.6 has potential but she's a little deep at 62.6, which is to be expected with that steep crown. However there are times this combo works and yields a very firey stone. I think proportion wise we can find you a better alternative.

My other concern is she's an E color, which I love personally, but it's coupled with very strong fluor. Many people dislike stronger levels of fluor in high colors like E. You may get a bluish tint more than desired and higher levels of fluor has greater odds of having transparency issues (usually in direct sunlight). To me, the stone appears to have a haze in the video which causes me concern.

I'm swapped at work but maybe others can offer a few alternate suggestions. I will try to check back this evening and do so myself if others haven't.

Good luck in your search.
 
Last edited:
sledge said:
Let me talk your talk.

Snap On or Mac Tools = super ideal vendors like WF, HPD, VC or BGD

DeWalt or Milwaulkee = BN, JA, etc

For reference, I bought my wife a BGD Blue 0.867 H VS2 for about $4,500. The "blue" indicates it had medium+ levels of fluor. BGD is one of the only vendors that offer super ideal stones with fluor. The advantage is price as they trade cheaper, plus they are properly vetted to ensure no transparency issues (biggest concern w/ fluor).

Hands down, carat size affects price the most. You have major price bumps at major carat weight jumps like 1 carat. While a 0.96 stone may look the same to your naked eye as a 1.00 or 1.01, the price difference is significant normally for making the mental jump over this magic number. There are also smaller hurdles along the way. You will notice a 0.86 is likely a little cheaper per carat than a 0.90 for instance.

People get really hung up on weight, but what really matters is the spread (diameter). Remember carat weight is a function of L*W*D. So the proportions of the stone will affect weight.

A steep deep will have more vertical weight, likely leak and size up small for it's carat weight. A flat top will be too shallow, may have obstruction issues, can be "flat" in terms of performance but will size up larger for it's weight because more of it is pushed to the horizontal plane. As you are probably guessing, finding balance between the extremes yields a stone that looks it's size and usually has the best cut as well.

In a stone this size, I think clarity is a good spot to sacrifice a bit. Most your stones were very high clarity. A good eye clean SI1 or VS2 stone will help you maximize the other C's and look the same to the naked eye clarity wise.

You may be able to sacrifice on color but it really depends on both your and HER tolerance to color. Really I believe G is a sweet spot for value. Some push to an H and those desiring to push color may go to I or lower. None of these are "yellow" but rather they have slight tint variances. Again, the wearer's view on color matters the most here. FYI, color is most easily seen and graded from the side (pavilion) view of the stone.

diamond-color-side.jpg


ideal-cut-diamond-color-direct.jpg


Hands down, the area I would NOT sacrifice is cut. It's also the hardest of the C's to analyze. But you came to the palace of diamond cut, so we can help you there. Just remember, the whole point of a diamond is the sparkle and fire it produces. Cut is what determines that and point blank GIA's version of "excellent" is far too broad to be trusted by the word alone. You will have to get into the nitty gritty to make sure it's really excellent. Sort of like strip clubs, they all promise a good time but they are far from equal.

In regards to the 3 stones you posted. Hard pass on the first 2. The proportions don't work.

The 3rd one with the 36/40.6 has potential but she's a little deep at 62.6, which is to be expected with that steep crown. However there are times this combo works and yields a very firey stone. I think proportion wise we can find you a better alternative.

My other concern is she's an E color, which I love personally, but it's coupled with very strong fluor. Many people dislike stronger levels of fluor in high colors like E. You may get a bluish tint more than desired and higher levels of fluor has greater odds of having transparency issues (usually in direct sunlight). To me, the stone appears to have a haze in the video which causes me concern.

I'm swapped at work but maybe others can offer a few alternate suggestions. I will try to check back this evening and do so myself if others haven't.

Good luck in your search.
Click to expand...

^——This.
 
sledge said:
Let me talk your talk.

Snap On or Mac Tools = super ideal vendors like WF, HPD, VC or BGD. They have strict cut standards and have their stones in-house. Full array of data to prove performance.

DeWalt or Milwaulkee = virtual inventory dealers like BN, JA, etc. Usually keeps no stock and works with mostly international suppliers. Many times the same stone is available at multiple retailers. Limited data to confirm performance.

For reference, I bought my wife a BGD Blue 0.867 H VS2 for about $4,500. The "blue" indicates it had medium+ levels of fluor. BGD is one of the only vendors that offer super ideal stones with fluor. The advantage is price as they trade cheaper, plus they are properly vetted to ensure no transparency issues (biggest concern w/ fluor).

Hands down, carat size affects price the most. You have major price bumps at major carat weight jumps like 1 carat. While a 0.96 stone may look the same to your naked eye as a 1.00 or 1.01, the price difference is significant normally for making the mental jump over this magic number. There are also smaller hurdles along the way. You will notice a 0.86 is likely a little cheaper per carat than a 0.90 for instance.

People get really hung up on weight, but what really matters is the spread (diameter). Remember carat weight is a function of L*W*D. So the proportions of the stone will affect weight.

A steep deep will have more vertical weight, likely leak and size up small for it's carat weight. A flat top will be too shallow, may have obstruction issues, can be "flat" in terms of performance but will size up larger for it's weight because more of it is pushed to the horizontal plane. As you are probably guessing, finding balance between the extremes yields a stone that looks it's size and usually has the best cut as well.

In a stone this size, I think clarity is a good spot to sacrifice a bit. Most your stones were very high clarity. A good eye clean SI1 or VS2 stone will help you maximize the other C's and look the same to the naked eye clarity wise.

You may be able to sacrifice on color but it really depends on both your and HER tolerance to color. Really I believe G is a sweet spot for value. Some push to an H and those desiring to push color may go to I or lower. None of these are "yellow" but rather they have slight tint variances. Again, the wearer's view on color matters the most here. FYI, color is most easily seen and graded from the side (pavilion) view of the stone.

diamond-color-side.jpg


ideal-cut-diamond-color-direct.jpg


Hands down, the area I would NOT sacrifice is cut. It's also the hardest of the C's to analyze. But you came to the palace of diamond cut, so we can help you there. Just remember, the whole point of a diamond is the sparkle and fire it produces. Cut is what determines that and point blank GIA's version of "excellent" is far too broad to be trusted by the word alone. You will have to get into the nitty gritty to make sure it's really excellent. Sort of like strip clubs, they all promise a good time but they are far from equal.

In regards to the 3 stones you posted. Hard pass on the first 2. The proportions don't work.

The 3rd one with the 36/40.6 has potential but she's a little deep at 62.6, which is to be expected with that steep crown. However there are times this combo works and yields a very firey stone. I think proportion wise we can find you a better alternative.

My other concern is she's an E color, which I love personally, but it's coupled with very strong fluor. Many people dislike stronger levels of fluor in high colors like E. You may get a bluish tint more than desired and higher levels of fluor has greater odds of having transparency issues (usually in direct sunlight). To me, the stone appears to have a haze in the video which causes me concern.

I'm swapped at work but maybe others can offer a few alternate suggestions. I will try to check back this evening and do so myself if others haven't.

Good luck in your search.
Click to expand...

Wow, great info. Couldn't have asked for a better response. I'm not too familiar with the diamond proportions or how to tell what's best, so some options when you find the time would be fantastic. We both really hate and diamonds that have the yellowish tint. It will be going in white gold or platinum depending on cost. Can't wait to take a look at what you find! Also I'm not Blue Nile bias, so any great online vendor will work for me!
 
This stone

Diamond | 0.801 ct G VS2 Expert Selection Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4094458

This fabulous 0.801 carat Round Ideal cut diamond has a clarity grade of VS2 and color grade of G.It is an excellent choice for engagement rings. | 4094458
www.whiteflash.com

With this setting would be really nice!

Valoria Petite Six Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring | 6158

Embrace the classic charm of the Valoria Petite Six Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring. Find your dream ring at Whiteflash and symbolize your everlasting bond. | 6158
www.whiteflash.com

AGS000, H&A Super Ideal Branded stone (these are one of the best cut you can get). The upgrade policy is also really nice.
Say a couple of years down the road or for a big anniversary, you can easily upgrade on size. Congrats on buying a home!
 
tyty333 said:
This stone

Diamond | 0.801 ct G VS2 Expert Selection Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4094458

This fabulous 0.801 carat Round Ideal cut diamond has a clarity grade of VS2 and color grade of G.It is an excellent choice for engagement rings. | 4094458
www.whiteflash.com

With this setting would be really nice!

Valoria Petite Six Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring | 6158

Embrace the classic charm of the Valoria Petite Six Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring. Find your dream ring at Whiteflash and symbolize your everlasting bond. | 6158
www.whiteflash.com

AGS000, H&A Super Ideal Branded stone (these are one of the best cut you can get). The upgrade policy is also really nice.
Say a couple of years down the road or for a big anniversary, you can easily upgrade on size. Congrats on buying a home!
Click to expand...

Classic, clean & GORGEOUS!
 
Wow, I do love it. What's the difference between 4 prong and 6 prong? One show the diamond better than the other? I found a valoria petite micropave setting I like, but it's 4 prong. Also, I know this is crazy, but it says 3 weeks to make the ring. Do any of the other websites with similar diamonds produce a little quicker. I knew I shouldn't have waited this long, but just found this site and figured I should ask first!
 
I love 4 prong BUT it can make your MRB look less round. A lot of women also prefer 6 prong for the extra protection.
 
Some websites can be quicker. I’ve had 4 and 6 prong settings and like both. Re colour sensitivity, my husband is very colour sensitive and even G’s bother him. I’m not that sensitive so probably even an H wouldn’t bother me unless is right next to a D.

In terms of the cut, you get the above vendors offering super ideal cut diamonds. However, if you’re ok with the level of cut quality found in Tiffany’s or Cartier, then you’ll be ok with James Allen or Blue Nile and just choosing Excellent cut diamond. That will get you a bigger stone than you’d get going for a super ideal.
 
Vintagedude17 said:
Wow, I do love it. What's the difference between 4 prong and 6 prong? One show the diamond better than the other? I found a valoria petite micropave setting I like, but it's 4 prong. Also, I know this is crazy, but it says 3 weeks to make the ring. Do any of the other websites with similar diamonds produce a little quicker. I knew I shouldn't have waited this long, but just found this site and figured I should ask first!
Click to expand...

You could call and ask if they are able to rush.
 
I would skip your 3 stones you referenced. Not great proportions. To maximize your budget, don't do VVS clarity, you don't need it. I do like going for the E. People here will dispute me but you said you want top, so if you want colorless then D,E,F. D is not necessary... the price is exorbitant. I feel you can see a little tint starting on F. D and E are virtually indistinguishable except to a very, very skilled observer, so E is your sweet spot. Oh, and if you go colorless D/E/F, do not get anything more that faint fluorescence.
 
Vintagedude17 said:
Wow, I do love it. What's the difference between 4 prong and 6 prong? One show the diamond better than the other? I found a valoria petite micropave setting I like, but it's 4 prong. Also, I know this is crazy, but it says 3 weeks to make the ring. Do any of the other websites with similar diamonds produce a little quicker. I knew I shouldn't have waited this long, but just found this site and figured I should ask first!
Click to expand...


Sometimes some people say that 4 prongs can make your stone look a little more squarish...I do see that with bit prongs but not so much with
petite prongs.

I would get the setting you think your GF would like most.

WF owns its stones so they are "in stock" which means it takes no time to "get" the stone. Depending on the stone you pick on other sites, extra time
is required for them to come from overseas. I would ask WF if they could expedite it as mentioned above.
 
Could someone find a few options in the .8-.94 range on Blue Nile as well. I am very intrigued by WF and their ideal cut, but perhaps Blue nile will have an E F color with ideal cut just so I could compare? I'm asking because i know nothing regarding the portions.... honestly would like to get ordered tomorrow.
 
diamondsR4eVR said:
I love 4 prong BUT it can make your MRB look less round. A lot of women also prefer 6 prong for the extra protection.
Click to expand...

In a solitaire of this style, I do like the 6 prong for exactly the reasons you have stated. I love how it emphasizes the roundness, and it does provide extra protection!
 
This is the only stone BGD has at the price-point you are looking for and even with the wire price it goes a smidge over but I don't know if your $4k is to include the mounting:
www.briangavindiamonds.com

0.815 H VS1 Signature Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS Graded 0.815 carat H VS1 super ideal cut Brian Gavin Hearts & Arrows Round Cut diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!
www.briangavindiamonds.com www.briangavindiamonds.com

This would be fabulous but way over what you want to spend:
www.briangavindiamonds.com

0.922 F SI1 Signature Round

Buy diamonds online - AGS Graded 0.922 carat F SI1 super ideal cut Brian Gavin Hearts & Arrows Round Cut diamond. Lifetime Upgrade Policy!
www.briangavindiamonds.com www.briangavindiamonds.com
 
I just wanted to add, that unless you really want this to be a surprise, the best way to maximize the budget in terms of money to happiness ration would be to also get her input if you are both open to that.

I know in my case, with a 5k budget I’d probably go with a low color ideal cut or a vintage cut diamond in a lower color.
 
Also I don’t know what your budget is for the setting or what her preferences/priorities are for settings.

You could go below budget and get this

And get a nice halo setting or 3 stone to boost visual impact! Or a diamond eternity wedding band
 
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