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First time buyer - advice pls! 20k budget for Cushion Cut

T

TxDiamondHelp

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 9, 2015
Messages
2
:wavey:
Hi, thanks for your advice. So far the world of looking at engagement rings has been fun but a daunting experience.

Budget: 20k
Setting: http://www.simongjewelry.com/wps/portal/SimonG/products/MR1840-A/SET
It doesn’t necessarily have to be this Simon G ring, my girlfriend and I went to Robbins Brothers this weekend (I thought this would be a good start as they would have the most rings in one place to let her look and try on) and she loved this one. She certainly seems to want a Cushion cut diamond, a very slim band, micro-pave (if that is the correct term) diamonds around the band and halo around the center stone. She also likes a very low setting of the center stone to the band.

I would like to get a 1.5carat center stone with the above linked setting (or one as similar as possible to it), with the highest possible attributes to the stone for under $20,000 USD. If I can come out less than that or get her wedding band in that budget, that would be even better.

As this is my first time really stepping into the world of jewelry, much less diamonds I have some questions after doing some extensive reading online about the 4c’s, GIA ratings, etc. and would welcome any advice.

1.It obviously seems like there are major price breaks to purchasing a diamond offline. If I do this, can I still somehow purchase the Simon G setting through Robbins Brothers or another jeweler? Would that be recommended?

2.Offline purchasing versus going through a wholesaler in the city? I live in Houston, TX so there seem to be quite a few advertised here.

3.I have some interest in getting a Canadian diamond, is the idea that they are more responsibly sourced a farce or does it have some merit? Any idea how much more percentage-wise the price is and opinions on whether or not it is worth it?

4. I’ve read through a few threads on negative experiences with Robbins Brothers. Would you recommend not doing business with them at all, or do you think armed with comparative pricing information its possible to get a fair deal from them?

5.White Gold vs Platinum – the original ring we looked at (and linked above) was white gold. I’ve done some reading on the pros and con’s since and the summary I’ve gotten seems to be “if you can afford Platinum, go with Platinum” would you agree?
 
Re: First time buyer - advice pls! 20k budget for Cushion Cu

TxDiamondHelp|1425951119|3844640 said:
:wavey:
Hi, thanks for your advice. So far the world of looking at engagement rings has been fun but a daunting experience.

Budget: 20k
Setting: http://www.simongjewelry.com/wps/portal/SimonG/products/MR1840-A/SET
It doesn’t necessarily have to be this Simon G ring, my girlfriend and I went to Robbins Brothers this weekend (I thought this would be a good start as they would have the most rings in one place to let her look and try on) and she loved this one. She certainly seems to want a Cushion cut diamond, a very slim band, micro-pave (if that is the correct term) diamonds around the band and halo around the center stone. She also likes a very low setting of the center stone to the band.

I would like to get a 1.5carat center stone with the above linked setting (or one as similar as possible to it), with the highest possible attributes to the stone for under $20,000 USD. If I can come out less than that or get her wedding band in that budget, that would be even better.

As this is my first time really stepping into the world of jewelry, much less diamonds I have some questions after doing some extensive reading online about the 4c’s, GIA ratings, etc. and would welcome any advice.

1.It obviously seems like there are major price breaks to purchasing a diamond offline. If I do this, can I still somehow purchase the Simon G setting through Robbins Brothers or another jeweler? Would that be recommended?

2.Offline purchasing versus going through a wholesaler in the city? I live in Houston, TX so there seem to be quite a few advertised here.

3.I have some interest in getting a Canadian diamond, is the idea that they are more responsibly sourced a farce or does it have some merit? Any idea how much more percentage-wise the price is and opinions on whether or not it is worth it?

4. I’ve read through a few threads on negative experiences with Robbins Brothers. Would you recommend not doing business with them at all, or do you think armed with comparative pricing information its possible to get a fair deal from them?

5.White Gold vs Platinum – the original ring we looked at (and linked above) was white gold. I’ve done some reading on the pros and con’s since and the summary I’ve gotten seems to be “if you can afford Platinum, go with Platinum” would you agree?
Click to expand...

Welcome! :wavey:

That setting has a round diamond. Did you see it with a cushion cut diamond? Ideal cut rounds are easier to find, but if she really wants a cushion, we can look around.

1. Yes, if you buy a diamond online, you can buy a Simon G setting locally. But never tell them you bought the diamond online because it makes most local jewelers angry.

2. No such thing in reality as a wholesaler selling to the public. That is a sales ploy and somewhat dishonest, so I would never personally try that route.

3. No, it does not really have merit because all the vendors we know of here use ethically sourced diamonds today. Not to mention, finding a well cut cushion is challenging enough without limiting the location of origination.

4. If you are talking about Robbins Brothers for the setting, I will tell you that Whiteflash in Houston also carries Simon G and they are a great company! I think they will set customer stones in designer settings, but we'd have to be sure about that. They specialize in hearts and arrows rounds and ideal princess cuts, but they can source other shapes of stones. Are you wanting to buy the diamond out-of-state?

5. Platinum definitely. If you are able to express a preference, the two best (harder) alloys are either 90% platinum/10% iridium or 95% platinum/5% ruthenium.

I'll see what cushions I can find.
 
Re: First time buyer - advice pls! 20k budget for Cushion Cu

"3.I have some interest in getting a Canadian diamond, is the idea that they are more responsibly sourced a farce or does it have some merit? Any idea how much more percentage-wise the price is and opinions on whether or not it is worth it? "


There isn't always a major premium for Canadian diamonds - personally my favorite part of the Canadian diamond "experience" is that it comes with a little card that tells you the exact mine the diamond came from and the original weight of the rough, along with a serial number that lets you look up the diamond. The claim is that they are sustainably mined - and from what I've researched, its true.

This is referring to CanadaMark diamonds I've come across.
 
Re: First time buyer - advice pls! 20k budget for Cushion Cu

Thank you both for the replies! @Diamondseeker2006

-No, we did not see that setting with a Cushion diamond in it, I need to confirm with the girlfriend but I believe she said she loved the Cushion cut, and that setting style. But great example of a simple detail I should get right before I go much further!

-Both of those diamonds you’ve linked are fantastic!

If I were to source a stone and a setting through the links or others provided, most private jewelers would set them for me (for a fee)? I’m not necessarily looking to buy a diamond out of state – I’m mostly just looking to buy a good quality for an honest price and not get ‘taken for a ride.’ I’ll contact Whiteflash and see if they’d be willing to set my stone in a Simon G or other designer setting.

Thanks!

I’m still probably 2-4 weeks away from purchasing but I’ll be sure to post photos up (or ask more questions) once I’ve got the stone and ring!
 
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