first time poster, any issues with this ring?

[bdubz]

First time poster, long time lurker here. I feel bad about my first post being just a request for help, but it seems like such an inviting and helpful community, that I feel comfortable enough sharing all this here. So now''s my time for me to join the fray, and I hope that you can provide some help.

I''ve done as much research as I can, and cut unanimously seems to be #1 here. Eightstar is out of my price range, but Hearts and Arrows round cut looks good to me. My gf''s hands are quite small (size 5), so I don''t think much greater than 1 ct is called for (it''s my minimum too). Otherwise, I''d like to budget about $4-6k total for the ring, and with the cut and color set, just balancing/maximizing color, clarity, and price is all that is left.

Anyway, I browsed all the websites that seem to get good reviews here, as well as the B&M stores in the area, and some other internet outlets. In the end, I put together this little guy from James Allen.

http://www.jamesallen.com/products/item_58-2801_build.asp?module=setting
18k White Gold Common Prong Diamond for the setting ($600)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1111995.asp
1.06 Carat G-SI2 Hearts & Arrows Ideal- Cut Round Diamond ($4600)

I''m just wondering, if there anything that seems to be off here? This is my first time buying a diamond. There are also a few cheaper options, copied from the website (note they don''t have the pricescope discount yet, that''s ~150-280). There are pictures on the website (very nice interface I should say, good job James Allen), but even though I''ve gone to many stores, I still don''t have a good eye for these kind of things. I''m just looking for the best diamond that will wow my gf.

details shape carat color clarity cut depth table pol/sym certificate price($)
Round 1.01 I SI1 Ideal 62.3% 55% EX/EX GIA $4,820
Round 1.01 H SI2 Ideal 61.6% 56% EX/EX GIA $4,480
Round 1.02 H SI2 Ideal 61.8% 56% EX/EX GIA $4,520
Round 1.06 G SI2 Ideal 62.3% 55% EX/EX GIA $4,880 <---this is one I have currently chosen

The links for the other three are (respectively)
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1101965.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1111985.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1112005.asp

Thank you for your help!

 

[honey22]

Hey bdubz, welcome to Pricescope and feel free to ask lots of questions!

I would firstly suggest, maybe considering dropping to the 0.9-0.98 range - you will save money by not hitting that magic 1ct mark and you won''t be able to tell the difference in size anyway.

Be careful with SI1 and SI2 clarity stones, you will need to check each of these on a stone by stone basis to verify that they are eyeclean.

 

[Lorelei]

Can you provide links for the first few diamonds please? Welcome to Pricescope!

 

[bdubz]

Thanks for the welcome. The reason I have >1 ct are because there is nothing less than 1 ct available. Everything that is less, is closer to the 3/4 ct range. Is the real photo and loupe feature on the James Allen site enough to see if a diamond is eyeclean or not when it is a SI1/2? Or do I physically have to get the diamond in my possesion? (if you go to the links I have, you can see those photos). Thanks again!

 

[bdubz]

ahh, the links were at the bottom of the first post. here they are again, in more convenient form


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1101965.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1111985.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1112005.asp

and the links for the one i had originally picked out

18k White Gold Common Prong Diamond for the setting ($600)
http://www.jamesallen.com/products/item_58-2801_build.asp?module=setting

1.06 Carat G-SI2 Hearts & Arrows Ideal- Cut Round Diamond ($4600)
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1111995.asp

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/6/2008 5:04:55 AM
Author: bdubz
Thanks for the welcome. The reason I have >1 ct are because there is nothing less than 1 ct available. Everything that is less, is closer to the 3/4 ct range. Is the real photo and loupe feature on the James Allen site enough to see if a diamond is eyeclean or not when it is a SI1/2? Or do I physically have to get the diamond in my possesion? (if you go to the links I have, you can see those photos). Thanks again!

Thanks for the links.

They are all promising diamonds, the second one appears to have a large dark inclusion on the side, so I would check very carefully - as you will need to do with all of them - that the diamonds are eyeclean. The photos of the diamonds you see aren''t supposed to be '' glamour shots'', and as you say, they are supposed to give you an idea of the inclusions a diamond may have, but the best way to be able to tell, is to ask them to examine the diamonds for you, they will be honest with you.

 

[Joan]

Hi! No expert here...but I do have to say that on the one you chose I did notice some inclusions. On the third one (on the list) I didn''t notice any significant ones. I like the third one the best from the choices.

 

[ImpatientOne]

Are you set on JA or would you consider other vendors? Check out these stones:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3803/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3903/

=202&src=loupe:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=202&src=loupe

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-260699.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-680233.htm


JMHO, but I prefer all of these over the ones you listed. There are several more available - check out the pricing link above. With a simple setting such as the one you posated, they would all be within budget...

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/6/2008 12:53:34 PM
Author: ImpatientOne
Are you set on JA or would you consider other vendors? Check out these stones:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3803/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3903/

=202&src=loupe:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=202&src=loupe

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-260699.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-680233.htm


JMHO, but I prefer all of these over the ones you listed. There are several more available - check out the pricing link above. With a simple setting such as the one you posated, they would all be within budget...

I think bdudz wants a hearts and arrows cut, the last one I don't think would be perhaps the best cut choice for him, it is a deep stone also. The others are nice selections though if he is amenable to other vendors!

 

[jstarfireb]

You can''t always tell from the pictures, but I''d bet money that the G/SI2 is not eye-clean. That''s probably why it''s so inexpensive. Normally a G color commands a significantly higher price. I''d say the same of the second of the other three, the 1.01 H/SI2. I think the first and third are worth checking out. You may have found a great deal with the 1.02 H/SI2. Both of the ones I like score well on the HCA (1 and 1.3). I like your setting choice too; it''s very classic!

Also keep in mind that the upgrade policies at GOG and WF are better than at JA (they require a purchase of double the original price). You may not think this is important right now, but many PSers have experienced "diamond shrinkage syndrome" and decided to upgrade. In a few years, she may start thinking "you know, this 1ct stone is great, but I''d really love a 1.25," and you would easily be able to upgrade to that (which probably wouldn''t be double the price) at WF or GOG.

 

[bdubz]

thanks everybody for all of your help. I am okay with any reliable vendor, I just have been using their site b/c their prices are quite low and I like the way the site is organized (many of my friends work in IT, a good website can really make or break your business). Yes, I am looking for a hearts and arrows, because I would like that diamond to have that extra "oomph" of brilliance that I've read about here. As for the links lorelei provided (thanks so much for searching for other diamonds on other sites for me), they look very nice, but are also more expensive. Of the diamonds I did intially provide, I did also see the huge inclusion in the first one, but didn't know how that translates from photo to real life. I suppose I should've noticed the obvious Anyway, so an overview of the diamonds in contention

1.09ct I SI2 Round H&A
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3803/ ($4,987.92)
1.02ct I SI2 Round H&A
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3903/ ($4,710.80)

http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=202&src=loupe (SOLD!)

1.073 ct I SI2 A Cut Above H&A
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-260699.htm ($5,220.00)

1.01 Carat I-SI1 Hearts & Arrows Ideal- Cut Round Diamond
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1101965.asp ($4,550)
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1111985.asp yup I see that huge inclusion too

1.02 Carat H-SI2 Hearts & Arrows Ideal- Cut Round Diamond
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1112005.asp ($4,270)
1.06 Carat G-SI2 Hearts & Arrows Ideal- Cut Round Diamond
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1111995.asp a bit "dirty" looking now that I've seen others

 

[bdubz]

also, what if i were to get one of the cheaper diamonds on the list in order to upgrade to a platinum band (the premium I find is generally 2x the cost of a white gold). She does have a white gold ring I previously gave her, but I do notice that after just one year it is full of scratches and dents even though she takes it off when doing housework. This e-ring is supposed to last a lifetime, so perhaps platinum is a good investment? Would that be a bad tradeoff? For example, if the JA diamond going for 4270 is not bad, I could splurge on a nice platinum mount.


Also, am I correct when I thinking that the GoG and WF diamonds look like they have much less inclusions (and are generally nicer) than the JA diamonds I have listed? Thanks again!

 

[Lorelei]

The diamonds linked ImpatientOne found, it looked as if I did as I quoted the links, she found some nice ones! With your contenders, they are all well cut, so the next step is to see which are perhaps your favourite 3, then verify which are eyeclean to your standards as this is an essential next step. You can''t tell by the magnified pics or grading report, you will need to contact the vendors and ask them about each diamond. Then once you know which are eyeclean, you can make your selection.

Platinum can be a good choice, some find WG needs attention on occasion, see what you have left once you have chosen the rock, then maybe you will have enough left to splurge on a nice platinum setting!

 

[bdubz]

Ahh, I am sorry, I must give credit where it is due, thank you ImpatientOne I''ll look through the diamonds one by one again and try to come up with three

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/6/2008 4:20:38 PM
Author: bdubz
Ahh, I am sorry, I must give credit where it is due, thank you ImpatientOne I'll look through the diamonds one by one again and try to come up with three

Also the vendors do have upgrade policies, but the terms can vary, so in case that could ever be a consideration, you might want to bear that in mind when picking your diamonds, and read the upgrade policies for each vendor. Also it can be easier to have the vendor you purchase the diamond from provide the setting also, so check out each one to see who has the setting you want.

 

[bdubz]

So here are the final three...

1) 1.02ct I SI2 Round H&A
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3903/ ($4,710.80) <---- I think this is the best value for the money, the pictures in the gemex report look so great. This is the current frontrunner

2) 1.02 Carat H-SI2 Hearts & Arrows Ideal- Cut Round Diamond
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1112005.asp ($4,270) <-- I can see lots of little inclusions, but there are no major ones/ones of the edges. This will give me the most breathing room to get a nice platinum setting. But, wow #1 looks nice.

3) 1.01 Carat I-SI1 Hearts & Arrows Ideal- Cut Round Diamond
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1101965.asp ($4,550) this doesn''t look too bad, but i''d might as well spend a little more for the GoG. I can''t follow that reasoning too far, or I''ll find myself getting a 20k ring

The whiteflash looks absolutely beautiful (see link above), but it''s just starting to get a little too pricey, and the other GoG''s are priced just a little too high.

 

[bdubz]

is mixing and matching a setting and a diamond from different places hard to do? I really like the band from JA, my gf has really delicate fingers so a small width would look very good on her. I haven''t been able to find anything that strikes my fancy the same way anywhere else. Also, is there an issue with the the width being under 2mm? The one I have right now is 1.9mm. I think for such a delicate ring, platinum is the way to go, so that it really can last. thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

Your choices look good, next thing is to check which are eyeclean.

As to the setting, it can be easier to buy the setting from the same place as the diamond, that way the vendor will often take the risk should anything happen to the diamond while setting ( rare).

 

[bdubz]

put a deposit on this stone, as GoG doesn't open until Tuesday, don't want it snatched away! Pending it is eyeclean (I will call them tomorrow and have them examine it for me, if not I'll ask them for other recommendations), this looks like a good diamond all around? No big deficiencies? This is my first real diamond purchase, once I finish this up, I have to rush to finish up all the proposal arrangements. An exciting but busy time!

Anyway here is the diamond again, a 1.02 ct, I, SI2, H&A. Going just under $4600. I have my fingers crossed that its eye-clean.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3903/

 

[Lorelei]

Gorgeous diamond, and if verified eyeclean, I am sure it will be beautiful!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 7/7/2008 12:01:05 PM
Author: Lorelei
Gorgeous diamond, and if verified eyeclean, I am sure it will be beautiful!

Ditto!

 

[bdubz]

turns out this guy has an inclusion on the side, not on the table but on the side, which you can see (if you look hard) from about five inches away
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3803/

On the other hand, this one has inclusions smack in the middle of the table, BUT you can''t see them unless you use a loupe! So this one looks like the better choice? It''s about $300 more, but seems to be worth it for not having a big chunk out of the front of the diamond.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3903/