First Timer

[bhamer]

Hello all -

I just recently found this site and it''s been a huge help in introducing me to the world of diamond shopping. I am beginning the search for an engagement ring and everything I''ve read here has definitely helped me narrow things down. And even though I''ve done some research, I''m still a 23 yo first time diamond purchaser, so I was hoping to get at least some expert help from people here on helping me pick one out.

My girlfriend''s "dream ring" is the classic Tiffany solitaire 6 prong setting in white gold, but I don''t think she nor I care about having the brand name, just the look. As far as the diamond itself, here''s what I''m thinking I can afford:

Shape: Round
Color: G or H
Clarity: SI1-SI2
Size: >.90 c
Budget (diamond and setting): $4500-5000

Obviously, cut seems to be the most important thing, so I''m willing to sacrifice some size to get the best cut I can.

I''m a huge proponent of internet shopping, but having never dealt with such a big online purchase, I''ll have to defer to those more experienced than me on the reliability of all the online stores represented here. One thing I do want in a online store is a trade up policy for when I have a little more money to spend.

Here are a few I''ve found so far:
http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=8471552&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps
http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=8471527&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps
http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=8471540&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4950/


Any suggestions or additional finds would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rosa]

Hi and welcome. This is a great resource, isn''t it? :-}

Anyway, it is great that you are doing your research. There are lots of people with more experience, but just from lurking around this site for a while I have heard of other Pricescopers trading up at Whiteflash.com or GoodOldGold.com - check those two for a start. Also have heard good things about EngagementRingsDirect.com and think they might have a trade up policy, too.

Where do you live? I ask only b/c Whiteflash is in Houston, Good Old Gold (GOG) is in Long Island, and ERD is in NYC. It might eventually be nice if you can visit the people you work with on your purchase.

GOOD LUCK! And Congratulations on your upcoming engagement!

 

[JulieN]

the GOG stone blows your budget.

 

[stone-cold11]

What kind of price range are you going to put aside for your setting?

 

[bhamer]

It looks like I can get a pretty good imitation Tiffany setting in the $250-400 range. Does this sounds about right? What do places generally charge to set the diamond?

My budget is semi-flexible and if I find out I can get much more of a selection or quality for the money by spending $500 or $1000 more, I'm willing to do it. After all, this should be the only engagement ring I'll ever buy.

 

[bhamer]

I''m in Birmingham, AL.

I actually went to a B&M store this week here in Birmingham. Diamonds Direct was the name and they have offices in Charlotte and Raleigh, NC.
http://www.diamondsdirectbirmingham.com/

Apparently, they import diamonds from their own cutting facility in Israel and are supposed to have pretty good prices. Anybody ever dealt with them?

 

[JulieN]

I think a Tiffany replica in gold would generally cost more than that... more like 500? Union Diamond does have a replica for pretty cheap. But anyway, don''t expect the quality of an 800-1000 setting on a 200-400 setting. They are in Atlanta.

 

[Lorelei]

The GOG diamond could be a great choice if you could swing it...

 

[bhamer]

Thanks for the replies.

After my initial post yesterday and subsequent research, it looks I might have to spend a little more than I originally thought to get the quality I want. Funny how that works right?

The Superb Cert/Excel Diamonds Tiffany replica setting seems to be the best one out there at $925. Anybody had experience with that particular ring?

On the diamond, I''m leaning more towards G color and SI1 as my minimums, and I''d like to find one with an HCA score under 2 (what a great tool!).

Besides the GOG stone above, here are a couple of others I''ve found:
WF, 1.0 c, F, SI1
WF, 0.9 c, E, SI1

As long as it''s eye clean, I''m leaning towards the first WF stone.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 9/24/2008 3:55:12 PM
Author: bhamer
Thanks for the replies.

After my initial post yesterday and subsequent research, it looks I might have to spend a little more than I originally thought to get the quality I want. Funny how that works right?

The Superb Cert/Excel Diamonds Tiffany replica setting seems to be the best one out there at $925. Anybody had experience with that particular ring?

On the diamond, I''m leaning more towards G color and SI1 as my minimums, and I''d like to find one with an HCA score under 2 (what a great tool!).

Besides the GOG stone above, here are a couple of others I''ve found:
WF, 1.0 c, F, SI1
WF, 0.9 c, E, SI1

As long as it''s eye clean, I''m leaning towards the first WF stone.

I would highly recommend passing on that one, far from ideal angles.

Go with the E.

 

[bhamer]

Thanks for the advice Ellen.

What makes the angles far from ideal?

 

[stone-cold11]

That is a FIC. It will still score high on the HCA but a FIC stone has a larger crown so for the same weight of diamond, it will appear smaller than a TIC stone.