Going solo. Help! D colour

[Eubanks]

Hello everyone.

So I'm plunging into unknown territory and searching for a diamond ring to give to my OH.

I have decided upon a round soliatire. I have selected what I anticipate to be the diamond of choice from my local dealer.

The specs of said diamond, which I have to hand are as follows:

1.32 carat
7.03 mm (does this denote length?)
D colour
Triple excellent cut
GIA cert
SI1 (I have inspected and it is eye clear and a very good representation of SI1 from my limited knowledge)

From my point of view I want to ensure that I am making the right choices relative to my budget. This is where my questions arise.

I opted for D colour. Would I be wiser downgrading to F colour and increasing carat size? I think I could probably get up to 1.40 carat for a similiar price?

Secondly, what would you perceive as being a fair price in Euros all in for a ring of that type (18k yellow gold band, no additional diamonds on shoulders etc).

Thanks in advance.

 

[doberman]

I have an AGS 000 D color ring that is also SI1 and eye-clean. If I went down the scale, I could have afforded a much larger diamond - but I really wanted a D color stone this time.

Evaluate what is most important to you - size or color. I will say that my stone is very "crisp" looking, for lack of a better term and stands out when compared to my H color pear and N color OMC. And a "fair price" is difficult to determine because it depends on who is making the setting. Prices vary.

 

[Snowdrop13]

Cut is usually the thing to prioritise and all GIA xxx are not equal! These are the parameters to look for:

table: 54-58

depth: 60-62.3

crown angle: 34-35.0

pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41.0)

Colour and clarity are in the eye of the beholder- unless your OH is known to be colour sensitive you should be fine with a G VS2, possibly SI1 depending on the inclusions.

As to price, here's a nice F VS2:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...arat-f-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-872701

And a plain gold solitaire ring:

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...solitaire-engagement-ring-six-prong-item-7993

 

[Eubanks]

Thank you for the responses. As I'm picking the diamond for my girlfriend on my own I'm not entirely sure what matters most to her but from my perspective I like the idea of getting the best I can for the money and consequently having a D colour in theory does appeal to me as I believe this is something my gf will appreciate,

I managed to get dimensions, as shown below. By my calculations it has a total visual performance / HCA rating of 1.5. Happy for someone to correct me if I am wrong though. I think the total depth in the picture is 61.6%

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.



Measurements are 7.01 - 7.03 x 4.32mm

 

[ringo865]

Those dimensions look good. Note that it is 7 mm across. Do another search for stones with those parameters that is an F or a G color. See how many millimeters across you can get for the same money. Maybe you need to ask your other half whether she would appreciate size or color. F color is still considered "colorless"

 

[msop04]

You could even go to G and it still be super white... what is your budget?

 

[Tophat1]

Agree with this approach - I always thought I had to have a D colored stone because I wanted the best and didn't want a "yellow" diamond. Ultimately, I ended up with an I color and twice the carat weight for the same price vs a D and it still faces up quite white and is beautiful. I think you can go to F for sure and no one would be able to tell the difference in a set stone.

 

[msop04]

Agree with this approach - I always thought I had to have a D colored stone because I wanted the best and didn't want a "yellow" diamond. Ultimately, I ended up with an I color and twice the carat weight for the same price vs a D and it still faces up quite white and is beautiful. I think you can go to F for sure and no one would be able to tell the difference in a set stone.

Yes... I have a 3.33 ct I and it's really white. A 7-ish mm stone in a G or H would be very white too, since the larger the stone, the more concentrated the color will be.

OP, I'd get something people will notice -- size and cut. The last thing anyone will think when looking at a well-cut G or H color round is "yellow" -- it will be very white.

 

[msop04]

So, I was on JA looking at comps, and it looks like you're in the $8500 - 10,500 range for a GIA D/SI1 in 1.3-1.4 ct stone.

Here's what you can get if you go down to H color... This stone has medium fluorescence, so it will look even whiter in certain lighting situations. It's a 60/60 stone, so it will throw more white light as well. It also scored well with an HCA 0.6. It is an SI1, but should be eye clean... minimize it to at least TWICE THE SIZE of what it will be in real life -- perfectly clean. It is noticeably larger @ 7.6 mm. $10,300

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2665574

 

[msop04]

Here is a visual of a 7mm vs 7.6 mm round on a size 6 finger... The difference is significant.

 

[Eubanks]

Thanks for all the replies and taking the time to look up comparisons. Food for thought.

I probably need to think about it a bit more. Having the other d colour stone in hand with a local dealer was rushing my decision a bit.

While I have a thread, can I also ask people's opinions on the below setting? I would however go six claw.

 

[msop04]

Thanks for all the replies and taking the time to look up comparisons. Food for thought.

I probably need to think about it a bit more. Having the other d colour stone in hand with a local dealer was rushing my decision a bit.

While I have a thread, can I also ask people's opinions on the below setting? I would however go six claw.

Don't be rushed! This is an important and expensive decision. Regarding the setting, I think it's quite lovely. Will you be getting yellow gold or white metal?

 

[Dancing Fire]

If I have a lot of money I'd go for a top cut F VS1 stone, but since I don't then my fav. combo is G-H VS2-SI1

 

[Eubanks]

Thank you. For large purchasing decisions I am usually so well informed, but I do feel slightly out of my depth as I'm not purchasing for myself so just want the best!

I will be getting yellow gold as I know this is her preference. Probably another reason in favour of stepping down from D colour.

Would milgrain, as in the above picture, be something which would be considering polarising? While I know a ring is subjective, I want to steer clear of anything which really divides common opinion.

 

[Trudii]

The ring design you showed above does not have a great deal of milgrain, so I don't think it is over the top. Do you know any of her girlfriends or family that could float the idea of milgrain and see what she thinks of it?

 

[msop04]

While the setting you posted has hints of "antique", I think by going to 6 prongs a lot of that feel will be minimized. Also, I agree with the other poster... there isn't enough milgrain to make that much difference, IMO. I would definitely keep the milgrain with that style though. It suits it well.

 

[msop04]

Thank you. For large purchasing decisions I am usually so well informed, but I do feel slightly out of my depth as I'm not purchasing for myself so just want the best!

I will be getting yellow gold as I know this is her preference. Probably another reason in favour of stepping down from D colour.

Would milgrain, as in the above picture, be something which would be considering polarising? While I know a ring is subjective, I want to steer clear of anything which really divides common opinion.

Yes, then I would absolutely go to G or H color for yellow gold! I'd leave that setting as is (except for the 6 prong thing... if that is her preference).

 

[msop04]

Question... since you're going from 8 to 6 prongs... will you try to keep the traditional N/S prongs or will you have them do E/W orientation? This decision will have a big impact on the overall aesthetic of the ring... so you may want to run that by your intended first.

 

[msop04]

This is a gorgeous setting by Caysie Van Bebber (CVB)... notice how different the orientation of the prongs makes the ring look! It's totally a personal preference. If your SO likes the "old world/antique" feel, I would go E/W orientation... but if you aren't sure, I would show her this photo and ask her which she prefers.

FWIW, I would try to see if she is on board for the 8 prongs (as shown in the setting you posted). It really goes great with the aesthetic -- ESPECIALLY in yellow gold!! BUT if she must have 6 prongs, I would most definitely get her opinion on the orientation.

If it were my choice and I had to have 6 prongs, I would prefer the E/W option with the setting you chose. I typically don't like E/W 6 prongs, but on this particular style, E/W suits it better, IMO.

 

[EvaEvans]

I like the idea of snow white color diamond and clean VS1 clarity! I would get some of the 4 top colors: D, E, F, G, and I wouldn't compromise the clarity, my personal liking is VS1 or higher.

 

[msop04]

I like the idea of snow white color diamond and clean VS1 clarity! I would get some of the 4 top colors: D, E, F, G, and I wouldn't compromise the clarity, my personal liking is VS1 or higher.

I agree that think most of us like the idea... it's the whole cost thing that can be prohibitive to getting the size you want. In a perfect world, all diamonds would cost the same not matter what the grading, and ppl would just pick which one they preferred... but that's just not the case.

I believe in only buying only what my eye can appreciate. If it's white to me (G/H/I), then I'm good -- I don't like to pay for things that can't be seen, so if I find an eye clean SI... SCORE!! If I can get a white, eye clean diamond AND it allows me to own a much larger stone than if I'd paid for D/E/F, VS, then I'm SUUUUPER HAPPY!

Sure, most people can tell if there's an apparent tint to the stone (K/L/M...) or if it's obviously included, but what most notice overall is SIZE and *sparkle* (CUT)...

Everyone I know who has a very high color/clarity diamond (about 5 close friends) admits that they would've MUCH preferred a LARGER DIAMOND in the near colorless range (H/I) that was simply eye clean (VS2, SI).

Unless it's important for the wearer to know or talk about having a D/VVS (and that's totally fine if that's the case!)... but all most people see is the small(er) diamond than it "could have been" for the same price...

 

[Eubanks]

All great advice, thank you. I'm taking it all onboard.

@sop04: as I'm going for the surprise factor I won't be able to check with her regarding the number of prongs. I could potentially ask a friend though. Thanks for the tips on the orientation of the six prong, I hadn't even appreciated that you could do that as had only seen 4 prong using the n/s/e/w orientation. I agree, e/w shows off the diamond better in that picture for the particular style.

I was staying away from the 8 prong as thought all the metal may detract from the size of the diamond as it will be between the 1.3 - 1.5 range.

Out of interest, would a jump of .08 in carat weight have much of a perceptible difference to the naked eye? On the compare tool it doesn't seem much at all.

 

[msop04]

All great advice, thank you. I'm taking it all onboard.

@msop04: as I'm going for the surprise factor I won't be able to check with her regarding the number of prongs. I could potentially ask a friend though. Thanks for the tips on the orientation of the six prong, I hadn't even appreciated that you could do that as had only seen 4 prong using the n/s/e/w orientation. I agree, e/w shows off the diamond better in that picture for the particular style.

I was staying away from the 8 prong as thought all the metal may detract from the size of the diamond as it will be between the 1.3 - 1.5 range.

Out of interest, would a jump of .08 in carat weight have much of a perceptible difference to the naked eye? On the compare tool it doesn't seem much at all.

No problem, @Eubanks! It's hard to imagine unless you see it, for sure! I totally get that you're wanting to stay away from 8 prongs in that size stone -- they might look a little crowded, if you will.

No, a jump of 0.08 ct most definitely will NOT show a perceptible difference in size UNLESS the diameter of said stone happens to be 0.3+ mm larger... that seems to be the point where a noticeable difference in size can be seen. All things equal (cut, color/desired whiteness, eye clean), compare diameters. If you have the diameter of the stones in question (and her ring size), I'd be happy to post a "real life" comparison photo so you can see for yourself.

 

[msop04]

Remember, carat is a measure of WEIGHT, not size... which is what the eye will see. It's very common for lower carat weight stones to face up larger than another of the same shape and weight and vice versa. (my 3.33 faces up larger than some 3.5 ct stones, for example) It's all about the angles.

 

[Jacquiemalta]

Not meaning to throw a spanner in the works but are you sure your girlfriend would like a solitaire? They do not look good on my fingers at all and I'd be very disappointed to receive one. Please, I beg of you!, if you aren't absolutely sure that a solitaire is what she wants, get a friend of hers to have a casual chat with her about ring styles (it's quite easy to do during a girly chat without giving anything away ) before you spend all that money. I'm in Europe too and you can't just return things over here as easily as you can in the US.

 

[Eubanks]

I know a soliatire is definitely her preference. That and yellow gold was all I had to go on.

With regard to the setting, here is a mock up using a 6 prong with E/W orientation. Does this work or should I consider reverting to N/S?

Also, am I wise to go with the crossbar, creating the basket effect or remove for more visibility of the diamond from the side?

Thanks again

 

[msop04]

I know a soliatire is definitely her preference. That and yellow gold was all I had to go on.

With regard to the setting, here is a mock up using a 6 prong with E/W orientation. Does this work or should I consider reverting to N/S?

Also, am I wise to go with the crossbar, creating the basket effect or remove for more visibility of the diamond from the side?

Thanks again

I. LOVE. THAT. No, I wouldn't consider a N/S rotation for that setting. It will totally change the aesthetic of the ring. It's really nice -- can't wait to see the finished piece!

Regarding the crossbar... I kind of like it -- but can you have the jeweler make the basket more decorative? I'll try to find some photos of examples...

 

[msop04]

This is a ring by CVB, and I know it has 8 prongs, but you see where I'm going... The profile/basket of the ring you posted doesn't seem to fit the overall look of the ring... too angular. I think it needs some lovely curves in the basket to mimic the beautiful view from the top.

...if she doesn't like a gap between e-ring and band, you could have them elevate the basket to accommodate a flush band.

 

[Eubanks]

I see what you mean and agree. A nice arch to the basket (less angular) will fit the overall aesthetic better.

Thanks, you have been a great help!

 

[msop04]

I see what you mean and agree. A nice arch to the basket (less angular) will fit the overall aesthetic better.

Thanks, you have been a great help!

You're very welcome! Here are some more examples...

This one is similar to the mockup you have, only with more fluid, curved lines.