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First time purchase advice - Oval Engagement Ring in Philly

O

Oval_Philly_23

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 9, 2015
Messages
7
Hi everyone,

I'm a first-time buyer in the market for an engagement ring, and would love some advice. I'm planning to propose to my girlfriend over the summer (so I have lots of time), and she wants a solitaire oval ring, with a simple white gold or platinum band. My budget is in the $10-15k range.

Because this is going to be a pretty simple ring, I think I should just be focusing on finding the best stone possible at this point. I don't have any specific preferences about the L:W ratio or the cut -- basically, I just want the biggest, sparkliest diamond that I can get within my budget. My first question question is: where should I start looking? I live in a city with a well-known diamond district (Philly), and have easy access to NYC. Should I go to local jewelers, or is my best bet to look online? If so, where?

Thanks!
 
Re: First time purchase advice - Oval Engagement Ring in Phi

Hi!

I'm sure the experts will weigh in, but I'm soon to be in the market for an oval myself, and I've read good things about both James Allen (have people here suggest three stones to get ASET images of -- you can't go by specs alone with fancy cuts) and Good Old Gold, who will pull stones for you and have a good eye for ovals.

Good luck!
 
Re: First time purchase advice - Oval Engagement Ring in Phi

I haven't shopped for a diamond locally in Philly in some time, and when I did it was for a round. My experience was that no one had the slightest clue what an ideal scope was, and I had to really push to have stones with specific specs called in. I did end up buying from a jeweler in the suburbs, and even though I ultimately paid a fair price for what I bought (comparable to online pricing), not sure I'd go that route again now that I feel more comfortable with some of the online options.

I don't know anything about ovals, but I would be extremely surprised if any of the local stores have ASET available, which apparently is a good tool for ovals. There are some old threads on here about jewler's row, but not much that is recent. Some seem to have good luck with Barsky, but I found them not particularly responsive. I remember Safian & Rudolph tried to sell me a EGL-graded E VVS 1ct stone for over $10K in 2007, and told me that all the idealscope did was make diamonds look pink. :roll: I wish I had better suggestions!! Maybe someone else from the area will be able to offer more recent info.

One thing that is available is indpendent appraisal services -- not sure if David Atlas still does appraisals (he is in the suburbs now) but his former firm AGA is on Jewelers Row and I have used them for appraisals/verifications. One of them might be able to do ASET but I don't know. Knowing they were available made me more comfortable with purchases online and also second-hand b/c I could have everything verified.

Good luck!
 
Re: First time purchase advice - Oval Engagement Ring in Phi

I know this setting is more elaborate than you had mention, but here is one example of what GOG can offer, within your budget:

18K White Gold Tacori w/ 1.32ct DVS2 Oval Center Diamond Engagement Ring (1.57 tcw)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/18k-white-gold-tacori-oval-center-engagement-ring.html


I would certainly reach out to them, as they will be able to assist with sourcing an oval from the best resources possible.
 
Re: First time purchase advice - Oval Engagement Ring in Phi

Thanks, everyone. I've seen a lot of discussion about ASET here, but I'm not sure I understand what it does and how it's useful. Would someone mind pointing me to a good primer on what ASET is, why it's important, and how I can use it to evaluate diamonds?
 
Re: First time purchase advice - Oval Engagement Ring in Phi

Where should you start looking? On-line of course. There is a much greater selection to choose from on-line.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.58-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-324378
You would have to check if this is eye-clean
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.51-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-380317
Here is a large I but its probably not eye-clean and you will probably see some tint in it.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/2.01-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-sku-425674
 
 
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