First Time Diamond Buyer-Need Engagement Ring Advice

[Matt-M]

Hey Everyone,

First off I'd like to say that I'm new to the forum and have already learned a wealth of information. Thank you all for what you contribute to the Pricescope community.

This is my first time making such a purchase and I'm looking for keen insight as to which is the best option. I've decided to do business with James Allen after reading many great things about them, and after seeing B&M stores inflated prices

Here is what I know: My girl likes round diamonds and halo settings. She has made clear that she doesn't like anything overly "gaudy" and prefers something that's more of simple elegance. With that said, I've narrowed it down to stones between .64 and .75 and I'm hoping that size will be ideal for what she prefers. Being that I'm looking at smaller stones, I'd like the fire and brilliance to make up for what the stone lacks in size if that makes any sense.

Here are the three stones I have on hold:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-engagement-ring-round-center-item-17445/url]

 

[alpackie]

Since you're looking for fire and brilliance, I'd say cut is your #1 priority.

Holloway Cut Adviser (HCA) is what we use to quickly eliminate poor light performers. Ideally you'd want something <2. I haven't run all the numbers, but the first stone you've put on hold is a 4.

Given that JA doesn't provide idealscope images for their non-TrueHearts stones, and GIA doesn't provide light performance images, personally I would either stay with JA's TrueHearts lines, AGS ideal cut stones, or narrow down some GIAXXX stones and ask for a gemologist review (in which they'd provide i-scope images for you). However, take heed since you only get ONE gemologist review for free from JA, for a maximum of 3 stones.

 

[Matt-M]

That's a great tool right there! Thank you for sharing that. I ran the other two and they come in at 3.3 and 2.8 respectively. I will follow your advice and ask James Allen to have a gemologist inspect the stones, and send me i-scope images. I may reconsider the .75 if I can find a suitable replacement.

 

[alpackie]

That's a great tool right there! Thank you for sharing that. I ran the other two and they come in at 3.3 and 2.8 respectively. I will follow your advice and ask James Allen to have a gemologist inspect the stones, and send me i-scope images. I may reconsider the .75 if I can find a suitable replacement.

As none of the stones score an HCA of <2, I personally would not use my one-time gemologist review on these three stones.

 

[alpackie]

The fact that you have spoken to your girl about what she wants in a ring and diamond makes me believe that she knows you are moving towards proposing to her and that in itself is not meant to be a surprise. With a $1,000 difference, I think it might be worth your time to go into a B&M jewelry store with her to have her try on some different sizes. The experts can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that most jewelers only offer samples of rings with 1+ ct center stones to try on. Therefore you can ask them to try on loose stones using a tension diamond holder, if possible.

That being said, there are also online resources for you to compare diamond sizes (just google "diamond comparison platform"), and you can plug in your girl's finger size/length and the various specs of two stones to virtually compare them side by side. However, I have not found a site that will compare various diamonds in a halo setting (which would make the stone appear larger). With a bit of imagination and/or photoshop, I'm sure that digital tool would be just fine

Regarding your original questions...

1) Which one appears to have the best specs overall?
2) Which one will offer the most fire and brilliance?
3) Would the thin girdle on the .64 be a concern?
4) There is exactly a $1,000 difference going from the .64 to the .75...Is it worth it?

1) Unless JA is offering an outlandishly good price for those stones, I'd pass on all three since the HCAs falls above 2.
2) Best cut = shiniest (i.e. AGS0 or GIA triple-X with i-scopes)
3) Thin girdles can be a durability concern. Be wary, however, since GIA and AGS measure girdle thickness in different methods. Check out PS's guide to girdle thickness to learn more.
4) I like to compare per carat prices of similarly spec'd stones, not individual prices.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I agree, if these scores aren't falling around 2 or lower, cancel the order for the images and start over. They only do three images for you, and you can find three better stones.

 

[Matt-M]

The fact that you have spoken to your girl about what she wants in a ring and diamond makes me believe that she knows you are moving towards proposing to her and that in itself is not meant to be a surprise. With a $1,000 difference, I think it might be worth your time to go into a B&M jewelry store with her to have her try on some different sizes. The experts can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that most jewelers only offer samples of rings with 1+ ct center stones to try on. Therefore you can ask them to try on loose stones using a tension diamond holder, if possible.

That being said, there are also online resources for you to compare diamond sizes (just google "diamond comparison platform"), and you can plug in your girl's finger size/length and the various specs of two stones to virtually compare them side by side. However, I have not found a site that will compare various diamonds in a halo setting (which would make the stone appear larger). With a bit of imagination and/or photoshop, I'm sure that digital tool would be just fine

Regarding your original questions...

1) Which one appears to have the best specs overall?
2) Which one will offer the most fire and brilliance?
3) Would the thin girdle on the .64 be a concern?
4) There is exactly a $1,000 difference going from the .64 to the .75...Is it worth it?

1) Unless JA is offering an outlandishly good price for those stones, I'd pass on all three since the HCAs falls above 2.
2) Best cut = shiniest (i.e. AGS0 or GIA triple-X with i-scopes)
3) Thin girdles can be a durability concern. Be wary, however, since GIA and AGS measure girdle thickness in different methods. Check out PS's guide to girdle thickness to learn more.
4) I like to compare per carat prices of similarly spec'd stones, not individual prices.

It would be great if we could do that, however I recently moved due to my job and therefore I'm planning the proposal as more of a surprise for when I visit next. She knows its going to happen eventually, and honestly she'd be thrilled with just about any size stone that I got her, I'm definitely the pickier one with stuff like this lol.

As for the stone prices, the .75 is $3,880 and the .64 is $2,880. I really like the .64 as it meets most of my criteria and is below my total budget. I'll see if I can find another stone with comparable color and clarity that has better light performance than this one without breaking the bank.

 

[msop04]

Hey Everyone,

First off I'd like to say that I'm new to the forum and have already learned a wealth of information. Thank you all for what you contribute to the Pricescope community.

This is my first time making such a purchase and I'm looking for keen insight as to which is the best option. I've decided to do business with James Allen after reading many great things about them, and after seeing B&M stores inflated prices

Matt, what is your budget for the entire ring (stone + setting)?

 

[Matt-M]

I agree, if these scores aren't falling around 2 or lower, cancel the order for the images and start over. They only do three images for you, and you can find three better stones.

I haven't asked for the images yet, so I'll go back to the search and see what I can find.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Matt, I'd recommend sticking to G color and VS2 clarity. That is a good balance of color and clarity. You are really bumping up the price when you look at color and clarity higher than that. Make the most of your budget and get a slightly larger stone within your budget. I am seeing what they have.

 

[Matt-M]

Hey Everyone,

First off I'd like to say that I'm new to the forum and have already learned a wealth of information. Thank you all for what you contribute to the Pricescope community.

This is my first time making such a purchase and I'm looking for keen insight as to which is the best option. I've decided to do business with James Allen after reading many great things about them, and after seeing B&M stores inflated prices

Matt, what is your budget for the entire ring (stone + setting)?

My budget for the stone+setting is right around $4,500

 

[msop04]

Does this look like something she'd like? It's by Beverly K and very well made. It reminds me of Nicole Richie's ering. It's perfect for the size stone you're looking into buying. It has an interesting shape and lots of finger coverage, but is still dainty and elegant (not so blinged out and fussy) -- I think the airline makes the stone stand out.

Here is a thread with a POH stone that is similar in size (not round, but the only difference would be the stone shape inside).
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ev-k-ring-princess-of-hearts-from-gog.175328/

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Honestly, I don't see much at JA and I looked at the G VS1 and VS2 stones in your size range. This one might be okay, needs an idealscope image.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.65-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-301480

If you aren't 100% committed to buying from them, I am seeing more ideal cut stones in your range at WhiteFlash.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3059456.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3045716.htm

 

[Matt-M]

Matt, I'd recommend sticking to G color and VS2 clarity. That is a good balance of color and clarity. You are really bumping up the price when you look at color and clarity higher than that. Make the most of your budget and get a slightly larger stone within your budget. I am seeing what they have.

I wouldn't mind going a little bigger and stepping down to a G in color. As long is it's an ideal cut that's completely eye clean. That's why I loved the .75 so much at first, but I'm disappointed that it may not be as brilliant as some other options.

I'm certainly open to suggestions, thank you for the help so far.

 

[msop04]

Here are similar ones with a round halo...

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/beverley-k-jewelry/rings/101PP1/
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/beverley-k-jewelry/rings/192PP1/

But my favorite is this one...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

These two together would be a high quality combination:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3059456.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/ritani-french-set-cushion-halo-diamond-band-engagement-ring-3377.htm

 

[Matt-M]

Honestly, I don't see much at JA and I looked at the G VS1 and VS2 stones in your size range. This one might be okay, needs an idealscope image.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.65-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-301480

If you aren't 100% committed to buying from them, I am seeing more ideal cut stones in your range at WhiteFlash.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3059456.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3045716.htm

Thanks! I really like the one you suggested from james allen. It also registers as a 1.7 on the HCA. The others are nice as well, however my experience with james allen so far has won me over. That setting from whitefish is beautiful! I may just change my mind! lol.

Here are two others that they emailed me and suggested I consider...
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.78-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-362503
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.77-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-366408

I'm not so sure about them yet, I think she was just trying to help get me up and over the .70 range like I originally wanted.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You can't go to that price range stone if you want to be at $4500 with the setting. That's why I didn't look at F color or that large. I would not get a cheap setting because you may end up having problems with her losing little stones. You need quality in the setting.

We could look at H color if you want. But I'd still go locally and get a Ritani setting over the JA settings if I had to buy the diamond from JA. It's just so much easier to buy both from the same place.

 

[Matt-M]

You can't go to that price range stone if you want to be at $4500 with the setting. That's why I didn't look at F color or that large. I would not get a cheap setting because you may end up having problems with her losing little stones. You need quality in the setting.

We could look at H color if you want. But I'd still go locally and get a Ritani setting over the JA settings if I had to buy the diamond from JA. It's just so much easier to buy both from the same place.

Agreed. Unless I wanted to break the $5,000 price point then I'll be sticking around the .64-.68 range and get the better quality. I really like the stone from James Allen that you mentioned
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.65-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-301480

I can't believe I somehow missed this one, it looks very promising. I'll have them send me ideal scope images of this. Thanks again!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You are welcome! I look forward to seeing the idealscope images! Hope it turns out to be a great one!

 

[Matt-M]

Here are the ideal scope images James Allen sent me. Which is the best performer and why?
I particularly like .65 because the symmetry looks far better than the others. Am I missing something? The gemologist said the .71 is the best performer, but the symmetry looks off. Can someone shed some light on this? I'm torn between all three-especially because they're all priced within $100 of each other.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.64-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-296090




http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.65-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-301480



http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.71-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-323114

 

[alpackie]

You should take a look at Gary H's IdealScope Reference Chart to get an idea of what an ideal light performer would look like.

I like the 3rd the best out of the 3. I'm interested in hearing from the experts about why the .71's arrows seem a bit off (1 o'clock and 7 o'clock seems to be reflecting in a strange way).

 

[Matt-M]

As am I. I'll be making a decision today, so any additional input from folks would be nice. It's definitely between the .65 and .71.