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First time buyer - How are these dimensions and price?

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bducote

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 21, 2021
Messages
7
Hi all - as the subject suggests, I'm a little in the dark here. I've done extensive research - family/friends, this forum etc, but I wanted to ask the folks here some questions

I'm planning on proposing this summer, and I've been looking around James Allen for an ideal stone. Her mom suggested an oval cut, and a pave band.

My research suggests:

L/W ratio of close to 1.3
Color of grade H or better
Clarity of VS1 or VS2
I've settled on between 1.5 to 2 carats.

What do you all think of these numbers? I'm really just concerned with how this would look on a pave band and what all I should be looking out for in that regard. Here's a band I thought looked nice:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...row-pave-cathedral-engagement-ring-item-67698

.. and here's the stone I'm looking at:
www.jamesallen.com

1.51 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 1.51 carat H color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com

What are you all's opinions on this price? I really dont know if it's a good deal or not
 
I don’t like this one. The table is large and the whole center goes dark. Also, this will not be an eye clean VS2. Did her mom suggest an oval because your intended wants an oval? Oval preferences are quite subjective. I would suggest involving your intended in the process.
 
Tourmaline said:
I don’t like this one. The table is large and the whole center goes dark. Also, this will not be an eye clean VS2. Did her mom suggest an oval because your intended wants an oval? Oval preferences are quite subjective. I would suggest involving your intended in the process.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. The oval was just a loose suggestion. I was also looking at the traditional round cuts with these dimensions:

Table: 54 - 59%
Depth: 60-63%

Pavilion Angle: 40.5 - 41%
Crown Angle: 34-36%

L/W: close to 1

Heres one I landed on too

www.jamesallen.com

1.57 Carat round diamond

This 1.57 carat round diamond H color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI
www.jamesallen.com www.jamesallen.com

Any suggestions in regards to the above? I've read that round cuts a bit more objective when it comes to clear cut quality, is this true in your experience?
 
Those parameters aren’t close enough, and the angles have to work together and complement each other. That is a badly cut diamond. avoid IGI. Look for GIA or AGS. I’ll find a possible round diamond. Stay tuned.
 
I would take your partner out to a place that is going to have a variety of diamond options. Have your partner try on the different options. Tiffany is usually a good option, because they will usually have a nice variety of fancy shapes, plus the more traditional options like rounds.

I don't suggest buying from Tiffany, but I do suggest going somewhere where you can try on a variety of options in one place, to see what your partner likes.

A modern round cut diamond is safe for most people, but I would be very disappointed if I received that. If your partner's mom was suggesting that an oval might work she may not be someone that wants a round. I would definitely suggest going out and trying things on to see how they look on her hand and what she thinks before buying something.
 
@elizat is right, though. If your intended wants an oval, you need more information. Does she want a modern oval? I don’t like the ones at a James Allen at all, so I can’t help in that department.
 
elizat said:
I would take your partner out to a place that is going to have a variety of diamond options. Have your partner try on the different options. Tiffany is usually a good option, because they will usually have a nice variety of fancy shapes, plus the more traditional options like rounds.

I don't suggest buying from Tiffany, but I do suggest going somewhere where you can try on a variety of options in one place, to see what your partner likes.

A modern round cut diamond is safe for most people, but I would be very disappointed if I received that. If your partner's mom was suggesting that an oval might work she may not be someone that wants a round. I would definitely suggest going out and trying things on to see how they look on her hand and what she thinks before buying something.
Click to expand...

I may just end up involving her in the process. Thanks for the advice
 
bducote said:
It looks beautiful - for my education, what about the cut makes this better to you?
Click to expand...

The appearance. The patterning, the contrast, the symmetry to my eyes. It’s a pretty diamond and the other one isn’t.
 
bducote said:
I may just end up involving her in the process. Thanks for the advice
Click to expand...

I would 100% bring her on board with this. At the end if you still want it to be a surprise, you can do that, but at least have her try on a variety of different shapes and sizes and different types of settings to see what she likes. You are looking to purchase something that is going to be a fairly good expense, and while some women will say they would be happy with anything, they do end up having preferences!

Also to the extent that you might upgrade the stone in the future, I would look at what the upgrade policies are at the various vendors when you are looking at stones.

If there is even a slight chance that your partner is interested in upgrading her stone at a later time for an anniversary or a milestone, I would really look at what the policies are.
 
Tourmaline said:
The appearance. The patterning, the contrast, the symmetry to my eyes. It’s a pretty diamond and the other one isn’t.
Click to expand...
I will admit, I do like it more. My original plan was to call around jewelers to see if any would be able to sell me a pave band, and set a stone that I selected separately. I'd imagine that'd be a more expensive option, but are there any benefits of just doing it all in 1 place?
 
bducote said:
I will admit, I do like it more. My original plan was to call around jewelers to see if any would be able to sell me a pave band, and set a stone that I selected separately. I'd imagine that'd be a more expensive option, but are there any benefits of just doing it all in 1 place?
Click to expand...

Tons!

First, it's generally easier if you buy a setting and a stone from the same place. It's less hassle with moving things around.

Second, if you purchase a loose stone from someone and have someone else do the setting, there becomes a very real problem of what happens to your diamond if it is somehow damaged during the setting process. If your stone is damaged during setting, unless you have your own insurance which covers it during setting, the jeweler setting the stone will not be responsible or have insurance that covers it.

If your stone happens to be damaged while it is in the possession of the original vendor that is setting it, who also sold the stone, they have insurance that is available. At that point you could select a new stone, or they could polish out whatever happened, etc.

There is also the logistical problem of shipping a diamond. If you don't have a vendor ship the diamond from vendor to vendor, most shipping that you purchase as a consumer does not cover a loose diamond. Various companies will let you buy insurance for it, but when it comes to paying out most of them will not pay out for it if you read the terms and conditions.

It is much much easier to have one stop shopping done.
 
elizat said:
I would 100% bring her on board with this. At the end if you still want it to be a surprise, you can do that, but at least have her try on a variety of different shapes and sizes and different types of settings to see what she likes. You are looking to purchase something that is going to be a fairly good expense, and while some women will say they would be happy with anything, they do end up having preferences!

Also to the extent that you might upgrade the stone in the future, I would look at what the upgrade policies are at the various vendors when you are looking at stones.

If there is even a slight chance that your partner is interested in upgrading her stone at a later time for an anniversary or a milestone, I would really look at what the policies are.
Click to expand...

Awesome advice - I will definitely be involving her. Thank you so much!
 
elizat said:
Tons!

First, it's generally easier if you buy a setting and a stone from the same place. It's less hassle with moving things around.

Second, if you purchase a loose stone from someone and have someone else do the setting, there becomes a very real problem of what happens to your diamond if it is somehow damaged during the setting process. If your stone is damaged during setting, unless you have your own insurance which covers it during setting, the jeweler setting the stone will not be responsible or have insurance that covers it.

If your stone happens to be damaged while it is in the possession of the original vendor that is setting it, who also sold the stone, they have insurance that is available. At that point you could select a new stone, or they could polish out whatever happened, etc.

There is also the logistical problem of shipping a diamond. If you don't have a vendor ship the diamond from vendor to vendor, most shipping that you purchase as a consumer does not cover a loose diamond. Various companies will let you buy insurance for it, but when it comes to paying out most of them will not pay out for it if you read the terms and conditions.

It is much much easier to have one stop shopping done.
Click to expand...

That settles it then. You've been incredibly helpful. Thanks again
 
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