from newbie to purchase in one month?

[Chapter 41]

Hi there. I''m obviously new to the forums, and new to diamond/engagement ring shopping as well, though I''ve been lurking around here occasionally, knowing that this day was probably coming. I started my serious research just a few days ago, and have been soaking in lots of info since then.

I''m hoping to propose around the end of August, or very early September, around a special date. It''s not nearly the end of the world if I miss it, but it would be nice to hit it.

Having never bought a diamond, let alone an engagement ring, I have no idea how long the whole process takes. Choosing the right diamond, receiving it, possibly getting it appraised (is this even necessary if it has a good cert like GIA?), possibly sending it to a different place to get a setting, then receiving it back in time to propose... etc. Is it feasible to go from total diamond newbie to completed-ring-in-hand by the end of this month? And am I missing any key steps here?

And I do have one other question already, after my half-week of research. The best settings I''ve found so far are from Whiteflash and Blue Nile.... but do I need to buy my diamond from WF or BN to get their respective special settings? Or can I get my diamond elsewhere and still get one of their settings somehow? Also, are there any other good recommendations for places with good settings?

Thanks for any help at all you can provide to a newbie like myself.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/30/2008 2:12:44 AM
Author:Chapter 41
Hi there. I'm obviously new to the forums, and new to diamond/engagement ring shopping as well, though I've been lurking around here occasionally, knowing that this day was probably coming. I started my serious research just a few days ago, and have been soaking in lots of info since then.

I'm hoping to propose around the end of August, or very early September, around a special date. It's not nearly the end of the world if I miss it, but it would be nice to hit it.

Having never bought a diamond, let alone an engagement ring, I have no idea how long the whole process takes. Choosing the right diamond, receiving it, possibly getting it appraised (is this even necessary if it has a good cert like GIA?), possibly sending it to a different place to get a setting, then receiving it back in time to propose... etc. Is it feasible to go from total diamond newbie to completed-ring-in-hand by the end of this month? And am I missing any key steps here?

And I do have one other question already, after my half-week of research. The best settings I've found so far are from Whiteflash and Blue Nile.... but do I need to buy my diamond from WF or BN to get their respective special settings? Or can I get my diamond elsewhere and still get one of their settings somehow? Also, are there any other good recommendations for places with good settings?

Thanks for any help at all you can provide to a newbie like myself.

Welcome to Pricescope,

Is it a round diamond you want? That shouldn't be a problem to get the ring by the end of August hopefully if you start now. I would recommend you buy the diamond and the setting from the same vendor, that way they usually will take responsibility should anything happen to the diamond while setting - although this is rare. Whiteflash have excellent customer service and often have in house stones and can supply you with photographs and expert advice. Also they offer a lifetime upgrade policy on some of their diamonds, whereas BN do not, just another consideration.

 

[Ellen]

Hi Chap,

I''ll first answer your question from the size comparison thread. As for .90 being "just under a carat", I''m not sure if "technically" it is, but the difference between that and a 1.00 would not be huge. Once the stone is in a setting and on her finger, it''s going to have that 1 carat look.

I ditto what Lorelei has said, and will add that BN won''t sell a setting without a diamond from them too. But they will sell a diamond seperate. I would recommend going with WF for the setting. Also, depending on your preferred specs, Goodoldgold has a few in the .90 range right now (they seem to carry more on average than WF). I found them while searching for a poster the other day. They are a wonderful company also, and it would not be a big deal to have the WF setting sent to them to have the diamond set. Of course if you can find a diamond you like at WF, all the easier. But like I said, I often find more in the .90''s at GOG.

HTH

 

[girlie-girl]

Based on my experience, if you don''t go the custom route you should be able to get it all done in 3-4 weeks. I bought my stone from a different vendor than my ring and had the stone shipped directly to me first for review (actually they sent me two because I hadn''t decided which I wanted). Then I shipped it off to Danhov (per JamesAllen''s instructions) which took about 5 days since I had to send it registered mail. Then another 2 weeks for my ring to be made specifically for my diamond''s dimensions etc., shipped back to JamesAllen for final inspection and then to me.

June 13 - stones arrived at my house
June 16 - shipped stone to Danhov (other stone back to cutter)
June 30 - JamesAllen received the ring for final QC inspection
July 2 - JamesAllen shipped ring to me
July 3 - Fed-ex delivery, about 10AM

So, barring any hiccups along the way, it can be done. Good luck deciding!