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First time diamond buyer. How'd i do?

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Wing16

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 20, 2015
Messages
4
Hello,

I am going to propose to my girlfriend in a few weeks and as I've spent a few months doing research on rings and the diamonds themselves, I've noticed how difficult it can be for an inexperienced person to shop for a quality stone without killing a budget. I wanted to find a website that offers great diamonds and settings for far cheaper than a fancy ring shop in he mall. I found what I think to be a great candidate on blue Nile. . I wanted a .75 ct RB set in a split shank paved halo.
The stone I picked is here:
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD05031208
The setting I picked is here:
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/cushion-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-14k-white-gold_34242
I just want some advie as far as the quality of the stone and the prices of both the setting and the stone itself.
Any tips or recommendations are welcomed. Again. I'm new at this so be gentle if I didn't pick an ideal stone. The table and depth seem to be about right and the ideal cut matched with excellent symmetry appealed to me as well. Let me know what you think!

Wing
 
Have they said it's eye clean? I don't think I'd buy an SI2 w/o that confirmation. I don't love the stock photos of the setting, but it looks nicer in their actual photos.
 
Thanks for a quick reply!
Is this a common question I can call and get an answer to? Or is it something I should email and wait on?
 
Hi Wing...

Would you consider purchasing from a vendor that shows actual photos/videos of their stones?? This way, you'd know if an SI1/SI2 is eye clean, in addition to many other things that a cert wont show...

James Allen
Whiteflash
Ritani
B2C
Enchanted Diamonds
Brian Gavin

...and others.
 
Msop04,

I'm not biased one way or the other as to which retailer. So long as they are reputable and can set the diamond of my choice in a setting that matches the above description. Unless it is far less difficult to buy a stone and have it mounted elsewhere than what I'm thinking. In that case is have no idea where to start In alll honesty...
 
I would never recommend buying a SI1 or SI2 diamond blind (or really, any diamond). It is far too much trouble to have to buy and return. There are soooo many vendors who offer pictures and many offer light return images. I'd add Good Old Gold to the list above, too.
 
I think it is important to remember that a magnified image or video doesn't necessarily tell you anything about whether a stone is eye clean or not. It can clear up questions about the size or color of inclusions which you can't always tell from the report, but it isn't an accurate represantation of what your eyes will actually see. So, in addition to getting pictures or video, you should be sure to ask many questions of the vendor that you choose to buy from and always make your definition of "eye clean" clear. There is no reason to shy away from or rule out all SI1 or SI2 diamonds if you have a vendor you trust.
 
Wow!

Thanks for the great and helpful replies all.

I went to white flash and found this diamond. What do you think?

http://m.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3365327.htm

I am so glad that I asked you guys first. I've been looking at a lot of diamonds they have on white flash and a lot of the SI1 one and SI2 diamonds have so many inclusions on the table that I know the diamond can't possibly look good in person. I'm glad I didn't get stuck buying one of these from a different vendor. So thank you for that in and of itself.

Also, do you think it's a good idea to purchase a setting from white flash, I mean if they do that? I haven't really looked into it. If not how would I go about getting a diamond set somewhere else?

Wing
 
pfunk|1426878928|3850218 said:
I think it is important to remember that a magnified image or video doesn't necessarily tell you anything about whether a stone is eye clean or not. It can clear up questions about the size or color of inclusions which you can't always tell from the report, but it isn't an accurate represantation of what your eyes will actually see. So, in addition to getting pictures or video, you should be sure to ask many questions of the vendor that you choose to buy from and always make your definition of "eye clean" clear. There is no reason to shy away from or rule out all SI1 or SI2 diamonds if you have a vendor you trust.
Click to expand...

That was my experience. I had a trusted vendor recommended here at PS, he found me a couple of eye clean Si2's to choose from, both AGS Ideal and great value. In magnified images and idealscope, the inclusions could be seen, but in real life, no. I have probably spent 30 minutes looking at the larger of the Si2 stones, and have seen the inclusions once. Except for that one time, I can't find them. So yeah, work with a vendor who can narrow it down for you, trust their judgement. Both diamonds were exceptional values, being Si2, and I could care less as long as they looked clean. There is no other way I could have gotten into a nearly perfectly cut AGS Ideal H 2.02ct for $14,400, or the same in an I color at 2.31ct for $15,800.
`
 
Wing16|1426883322|3850262 said:
Wow!

Thanks for the great and helpful replies all.

I went to white flash and found this diamond. What do you think?

http://m.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3365327.htm

I am so glad that I asked you guys first. I've been looking at a lot of diamonds they have on white flash and a lot of the SI1 one and SI2 diamonds have so many inclusions on the table that I know the diamond can't possibly look good in person. I'm glad I didn't get stuck buying one of these from a different vendor. So thank you for that in and of itself.

Also, do you think it's a good idea to purchase a setting from white flash, I mean if they do that? I haven't really looked into it. If not how would I go about getting a diamond set somewhere else?

Wing
Click to expand...

Haven't had a chance to view your diamond, but WF has some wonderful settings...
 
Hi Wing-
I really like the whiteflash diamond you posted.
 
I like that diamond a lot. I dropped its stats into the HCA tool and its a 1.5 (anything less than a 2 should have great light return) so it should be a beauty! https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

I'd bet you can find a setting at WhiteFlash too. They have a lot of good brands.
 
I would buy the setting from Whiteflash. I'm another happy customer of theirs :). I don't know if this is still the case, but back when I bought my setting they were one of the few vendors who allowed you to return a setting within the return period if you didn't like it. Other vendors consider a setting "used" and non-refundable once the diamond is set, so this was a great policy.
 
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