First-time buyer seeking advice

[rockle55]

Hi All,
I'm looking for a solitaire e-ring. I have priced Tiffany's as I really like their classic solitare, but feel I could do better with my upper budget limit (around $5000 for the stone). Reading around this forum has convinced me that this is probably the case but I could really use some help in selecting the right one. The forum has led me to looking on Whiteflash - Bluenile attracted my wallet, but I gather it can be potluck without having all the specs and pics to compare. The Tiffany's-like-setting on offer from WF seems to have a more attractive outline than the one on offer from BN and I didn't like any of the settings offered by James Allen. I would need to have it shipped to a different country so it would be awkward to have the stone and setting come from different vendors.

It looks like the 'Platinum Vatche 6 Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring' (http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1778.htm) could work - has anyone experienced this setting?

My first real attempt at searching for the diamond yielded an 0.836 G VS1 that looks great - but what do I know:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2340000.htm#divReviews
I'd certainly welcome some alternative options (maybe a little bigger).

I felt that I saw too much yellow in an I colour stone in Tiffany's so I would like to stay with H or above. My girl is not into showy things but surprised me by saying she'd like a 1C when I brought it up, but I fear for sacrificing quality for size on my budget.

Thanks in advance and also for all of the advice I've already read - you guys are a lifesaver for the likes of me...

 

[Snowdrop13]

That looks like a lovely stone which should be super sparkly! You don't say where you live but if you are in the UK I'm pretty sure that will out perform any stone your gf's friends have.

You'd have to up the budget a fair way to get to a 1ct with similar specs, have you thought of doing a cheaper setting then maybe upgrading later?

 

[Dancing Fire]

Hi All,


My first real attempt at searching for the diamond yielded an 0.836 G VS1 that looks great - but what do I know:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2340000.htm#divReviews
I'd certainly welcome some alternative options (maybe a little bigger).

A very nice stone!..

 

[rockle55]

Hi Snowdrop13,
I don't really like the idea of upgrading later so would like this to be the one (like her!). I am willing to consider lower specs on the stone if the effect on size would make for a better ring. I'm in HK btw- so no shortage of sparkly competition here...

 

[rockle55]

Thanks Dancing Fire,
Do you guys think it advisable to look for bigger but lower specs?

 

[Dancing Fire]

Thanks Dancing Fire,
Do you guys think it advisable to look for bigger but lower specs?

A G VS1 is a very nice combo..

 

[ecf8503]

Personally I think VS2/SI1 is my own sweet spot. Most VS2 and many SI1 are eye clean, and you can gain size by dropping clarity a bit.

 

[Gypsy]

Personally I think VS2/SI1 is my own sweet spot. Most VS2 and many SI1 are eye clean, and you can gain size by dropping clarity a bit.

Ditto.

 

[rockle55]

Thanks for the suggestion. I don't see any significantly larger stone for that price by dropping clarity - any help in finding one would be greatly appreciated.

Regarding the HCA, I could use some help differentiating between these two stones:

Original choice stone:
0.836 ct G VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2340000.htm#divReviews:
Depth % 61.8
Table % 55.7
Crown Angle 34.8
Pavilion Angle 40.9

Factor Grade
Light Return Excellent
Fire Very Good
Scintillation Very Good
Spread or diameter for weight Very Good
Total Visual Performance 1.8 - Excellent
within TIC range

Possible other ($375 less):
0.84 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3256249.htm:
Depth % 61.7
Table % 57.0
Crown Angle 34.7
Pavilion Angle 40.8

Factor Grade
Light Return Excellent
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Excellent
Spread or diameter for weight Very Good
Total Visual Performance 1.5 - Excellent
within TIC range

Is there likely to be much difference between "excellent" and "very good" from the HCA?

 

[Dancing Fire]

I'll take the first one...

 

[Snowdrop13]

From what I've read elsewhere on the forum you don't need to use the HCA on these super ideals as they've already been graded for performance? I'm guessing the 2 would be very similar performers and the second one is cheaper due to the lower clarity only. Buy whatever the budget will allow!

 

[Gypsy]

Numbers 2 for me.

 

[rockle55]

I'm going to let this one go until next year.
I didn't realise the wait time for this setting was an issue and it definitely can't make it to me on time for my originally planned proposal date. The realistic delivery date is scarily close (2 days) to when we set off overseas for a month and the fretting over whether it arrives on time would have me on edge for the entire 20 working days and over the edge if it goes over. Now I definitely can't hit my originally planned date it seems pointless to suffer the stress for an arbitrary date.

I want to sincerely thank you all for your sound advice (I was going to go with number 1) and I will be back to ask again in the near future.