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First timer E-Ring buyer - Need some help/advice

BillyPilgrim

BillyPilgrim

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 5, 2014
Messages
5
Hey guys-

I've been following this forum for a while and now the time has come for me to make the purchase.

My budget is 9-12k depending on the ring. She's not incredibly into jewelry, so getting preferences has been like pulling teeth. She likes a Radiant or Princess cut diamond, and wants a simple platinum solitaire setting. She doesn't want any secondary diamonds and wants a setting with as low of a profile as possible. I did some research at some jewelers here in Philadelphia and have an idea of what I'd be looking at size wise(1.5ct).

I'm not sure if I'm better off working with a local jeweler or just using an online forum(since her setting is pretty simple). I'm not too well versed in diamonds, but plan to go sit down with one of the jewelers that I felt most comfortable with next week. He's going to show me some Radiant diamonds he'll bring in.

Then after some research i find stones like this online for the same price as the jewelers showed me 1.4ct stones:
http://www.bluenile.com/radiant-cut...ty_LD04185598?keyword_search_value=LD04185598

It's a little overwhelming. Just looking for some opinions on what I should ask the jeweler. Should I focus on the internet?

Thanks guys
 
You can't buy a Radiant without pictures. Just do not do it.

It could be a beauty or it could be a dog. And you don't know because you can't buy a radiant by the numbers.

I'll find some for you.
 
What I'd buy if you could stretch a little bit:
Branded Radiant (Branded name is Princess of Hearts).
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10965/ Ideal light performance with an AGS0 rating, 1.5 carats and gorgeous.

I'd put it into this setting: http://goodoldgold.com/images/classicjewelry/Vatche/Vatche%20Serenity%20Collection/1503/collage.jpg (available from GOG)

Or http://goodoldgold.com/SettingsGallery/ Style: LES002.3

Or this one: http://www.stuller.com/products/122100/?groupId=119111 Low profile and affordable they can get the right size for the POH (princess of hearts) Get in platinum through GOG.
 
This one has beautiful faceting and is very bright with no bowtie, so it has excellent potential:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.52-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-280189 James Allen can get you an ASET image and their gemologist can tell you if the stone is eyeclean when he examines it for you. I think it's a really lovely.

And they can get this setting: http://www.stuller.com/products/122100/?groupId=119111 For you in platinum (less than 1000 dollars. I think it's under 800 in platinum even).

I would put this one (ONLY THIS ONE, they will ask you for 3 DO NOT DO 3, you only get three total, so save the other two for now). It's no obligation and no cost for the hold and the ASET.
 
 
I can stretch the budget a bit. The branded stones, like the hearts and arrows...are they significantly more noticeable than a normal stone? As I said, she's not big into jewelry...

I think that stone looks fantastic. Also, do the lower profile solitaires usually come with that empty space toward the setting? I was specifically told that was a no-go,

Are you recommending the ASET because of the cut of the diamond, or just for shopping at a B&M in general?

I appreciate all the help!
 
SO I know that was a lot.

If you want to know my favorite of the options:

1)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.52-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-280189 James Allen can get you an ASET image and their gemologist can tell you if the stone is eyeclean when he examines it for you. This one is my top choice if it the ASET shows good performance and it is eyeclean

And they can get this setting: http://www.stuller.com/products/122100/?groupId=119111

2)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10965/ Ideal light performance with an AGS0 rating, 1.5 carats and gorgeous.

I'd put it into this setting: http://www.stuller.com/products/122100/?groupId=119111(available from GOG)

This one stretches your budget though.

3)
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3052166.htm
With this setting: http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/legato-sleek-line-solitaire-engagement-ring-728.htm made for a princess.
 
BillyPilgrim|1394084166|3628464 said:
I can stretch the budget a bit. The branded stones, like the hearts and arrows...are they significantly more noticeable than a normal stone? As I said, she's not big into jewelry...

I think that stone looks fantastic. Also, do the lower profile solitaires usually come with that empty space toward the setting? I was specifically told that was a no-go,

Are you recommending the ASET because of the cut of the diamond, or just for shopping at a B&M in general?

I appreciate all the help!
Click to expand...


Honestly? The Princess of Hearts is going to be one of the brightest stones ANYWHERE. Because it is an AGS O. Plus it doesn't have those fragile princess corners so it is going to safe as well.

BUT any of the AGS0 princesses will be a good competitor. And all the princesses I posted for you are AGS0.


FINALLY, the setting. OK so she doesn't want a cathedral style setting. I got that. NO, thats not something that you have to have. I can find you a nice setting without that issue. Give me a minute.

It's not the branding that makes them amazing. Not all branded stone have excellent performance. But the AGS0 is what lets you know it is amazing. And that Princess of Hearts is definitely amazing.
 
I recommend the ASET scope because you are shopping for a non-round. If you were shopping at one of our vendors (like Good Old Gold), they all have ASETs and can get you the images. If you look at the Braded Radiant I posted for you you'll see the ASET image already posted.

If you are shopping in person at jewelers who do not have ASETs you will have to bring your own. That's why I recommended getting one.

If you were shoping for a round I'd tell you to buy an idealscope.
 
Wow. thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it.

Is it normal to buy the stone online and then get a setting from the jeweler? When we looked in the stores she seemed to be WAY more particular about the setting. So i'm a little wary of buying a setting online.
 
You can do it that way.


I actually think it's SMART of you to buy her the stone and propose with just that. Then have her pick the setting herself.

THAT SAID. You will have to do one of three things:

Pick the setting at a vendor with an IN HOUSE BENCH (they do the setting and the repairs on site) and make sure they will insure you stone against loss or damage while it is being set.

OR

If you pick the setting from a place that will not insure your stone while it is being set (which is normal) then you will have to pay for the setting. And then have a letter from them about it sent to YOUR insurance (you will need to get it insured yourself anyway) and then have your insurance cover the stone while it is being set. Now jewelry insurance will not insure unset stones UNLESS you have a setting lined up then they will insure it while it is being set. But you have to send them all the paper work before anyone works on your stone.

You still need to make sure the jeweler has in house bench for the setting process.

OR

(Good Old Gold is in Long Island) you can buy the setting separate and made for the measurements of your stone (from the lab report) and have the setting sent to the vendor you bought your diamond from (along with the diamond) and they can set it for you. And they will insure it while setting.

Okay?
 
I think I got it.

Right now the plan is to take the two stones(the branded and the nicer JA) into the jeweler to see if he can compete with those. Does that seem wise?

I alternatively might look for a branded stone in the 10k range.
 
I think that's a great idea. :wavey:

Gentle reminder:
It's not the branding that makes them amazing. Not all branded stone have excellent performance. But the AGS0 is what lets you know it is amazing.
 
I love the very first Vatche setting that Gypsy picked out - and I was going to suggest Scholdt, but Gypsy beat me to it.

For what it's worth, Scholdt is my preference, if you think your girlfriend would appreciate a ring that's somewhat unconventional by current standards. I happen to like their bezel or semi-bezel settings, either of which would give her a unique and memorable ring - think "statement piece" - as well as a very durable ring. Here's a thread that shows more Scholdt styles IRL:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-sholdt-thread.175520/
 
I don't think she'd go for that. Had I not involved her in the process I'd have chosen a vintage style ring in yellow gold. I have the more unconventional/retro tastes. Hers skew very close to normal.
 
In that case my vote goes to the Vatche Serenity or the WF Legato Sleekline.
 
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