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Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinions

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joe87865

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 9, 2013
Messages
20
Hey guys, first time diamond shopper and learned up the basics by lurking here. I have a pretty tight budget of ~ 3k for all 3 (ring,stone,band).

my SO prefers diamond bands and rings over main diamond size/quality and we have decided on a channel style.

I have only looked at JA and am probably going to stick with them due to ease of use and low risk.

I have this diamond picked out and want to know what you guys think of quality and price. $1340

B1biSUv.jpg


Carat weight:0.64
Certificate:GIA
Color:I
Shape: Round
Clarity: SI1
Cut: Very Good
Depth %:59.90
Girdle: Thin-Slightly Thick
Table %:58.00 Culet:NN Polish:Excellent Crown ∠: 34.00 Symmetry:Very Good Crown %:14.50 Fluorescence:Faint Pavilion ∠:40.60 L/W/D (mm): 5.61*5.59*3.36 Pavilion %: 42.50
--------

This is the setting
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channel-set/14k-white-gold-0.25ct-channel-set-princess-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1061

This is the Band
http://www.jamesallen.com/wedding-rings/womens-diamond/14k-white-gold-0.30ct-channel-set-diamond-wedding-ring-item-616


Those 2 would match right?.

The Total comes out to $3065. Best I can do right?
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

Also wanted to know if the primary diamond was going to be pretty much eye clean.

This is the another engagement ring that is very similar to the first one. with round instead of princess side stones and .13 ct instead of .25ct. but $175 cheaper. Any opinions?... is this a better value?
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channel-set/14k-white-gold-0.13ctw-channel-set-round-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-296


Thanks in advance!
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

If she has to have diamonds in the band, I would suggest one of the other o yes from JA. I find them cheaper and also better quality. Plus, the channel set is a bit dated. Is she in her 20s 30s or 40+?

Also, I don't like the cut of that stone. At the size your looking at. Drop down to a J at least and get the best cut you can. I'll look around see what they have.

Lastly, why are you buying the wedding band now? Are you getting married shortly? If not. But that closer to the wedding and that way she gets to pick it out and get exactly what she wants AND you don't have to put your money toward it.

You can latter go to IDjewelry or something and get a nice diamond band for 400-600
 
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

Thank you Niel for the reply,


What did you mean by "I would suggest one of the other o yes from JA". was the o yes a typo?


she is in her late 20s we are both novices in engagement rings and this style was the one that stuck out to her in the <$1000. We don't really know what is dated or not. She also likes some Halo designs but only the pricier ones.

The wedding band doesn't have to be now, but I will be getting married in < 10 months. My budget for both remains the same though.
was going to finance and by the time of the wedding it both should be paid off. I am still open to getting the band later. Will styles change all that much?... I want the band to match the e-ring somewhat.


What is wrong with the cut of the stone?... very good is second best right?.. Is the faint florescence an issue too?
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

Sorry yes I meant other ones.

Very good is "second best grading but is not good. I'm on my phone now so can't really explain but you want to stick with excellent stones that fall under 2 on the HCA. Google price scope HCA tool and you'll see what I mean.

After you find some that fall in that range (easy to find if you use the advance searches and search for stones no deeper than 62 and tables no larger than 57)

You'll have to ask JA to get asets.

And I'm staying you could probably get a matching e ring elsewhere for less. Don't have to get it all in one place. Plus, she will want to try on the rings together so she knows what goes best. Let her decide, you know?
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

So. I know you said she was into some of them., would this work?

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/wedding-sets/18k-white-gold-pave-halo-engagement-ring-pave-diamond-wedding-ring-item-1454

That plus the .70 ct J (which daces up bigger because of the depth) together with a Pricescope and wire discount could be around 3k


Or that band but this halo. Its pretty cute.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/wedding-sets/18k-white-gold-pave-halo-engagement-ring-pave-diamond-wedding-ring-item-1454


But if she loves channel set get her that, for sure. But of you are just assuming she will, I'd think about it as they are dated.
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

Niel|1376063131|3499736 said:
Sorry yes I meant other ones.

Very good is "second best grading but is not good ...you want to stick with excellent stones that fall under 2 on the HCA.

After you find some that fall in that range (easy to find if you use the advance searches and search for stones no deeper than 62 and tables no larger than 57)

And I'm staying you could probably get a matching e ring elsewhere for less. Don't have to get it all in one place. Plus, she will want to try on the rings together so she knows what goes best. Let her decide, you know?
Click to expand...

OP, Niel is absolutely right about the cut. When you get an excellent cut, the diamond will sparkle a lot more. An excellent cut will also allow you to go lower in color (and sometimes clarity) because it's just so bright!

As far as settings and bands, I really like the first one Niel posted from JA. It's classic without being boring, yet different without risking your GF not liking it. However, I might get them elsewhere.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-pave-knife-edge-lotus-basket-engagement-ring-item-9305

*Niel, it seems we post in the same circles... simultaneously!* :lol:
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

Thanks, I am definitely going to show her the 2 pave' rings ... Im sure she is going to be iffy on the halo though.

What other places aside from JA do you guys recommend? any pros/cons?. I just really like how easy it is to use JA, with their 360* views on all stones. How much more expensive are they?


I will also look at excellent cuts instead this time around.. that .7 is out of my budget though.

since the stone is going to be small from .5-.7 ct, Which of the C's can I compromise on? Since Niel mentioned that Its ok to go down to a J if I get an excellent cut. is K also fine and the florescence? I am looking for a rough guideline on what to search for. Just want something that is pretty and cant spot any flaws with my eyes. (my gf isnt too picky about diamonds and wont care much)
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

I have a k and I'm very happy with how it looks and the price it was for the size I got.

Clarity, unless she cares what the certificate says, just try to find one that's eye clean. Because that's what you want, right? Do you card if it says VVS or SI as long as you can't see the inclusion?

Cut don't compromise on! That's what's going to give the ring its sparkle. Not color or clarity (unless you went really low!)

And the last one usually dictated by $ :lol:


I love JA. But if your on a budget, I'd email idjewelry too.they are amazing on a budget.

and that stone I posted I think you could make work..... keep in mind you get a discount if you ask for a Pricescope one and pay by wire transfer.
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

Starting to understand ... thanks!


btw, I tried the HCA and for the first stone I posted with the "very good cut" I got these results
Selected: 59% depth, 58% table, 34° crown angle, 40.6° pavilion angle
The result is for a symmetrical diamond with a medium girdle and very good polish
HCA scores were adjusted Dec. 15, 2001 and Feb. 6, 2003.



Factor Grade
Light Return Excellent
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Excellent
Spread
or diameter for weight Excellent
Total Visual Performance 0.5 - Excellent
within TIC range

--------------------


It indicates excellent, but I thought that stone is not excellent. Am Imissing something here? btw that stone has been sold in the past hour :( .. So I am looking at others now
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

The HCA tool is not for selection, but as an elimination tool. It is to be used when all other factors are pretty much equal (i.e. to compare several Excellent cut stones).

HCA doesn't determine how a stone is cut -- it determines light return.
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

Now I don't usually prefer blue Nile, but this set seems perfect.

http://www.bluenile.com/petite-milgrain-diamond-engagement-ring-14k-white-gold_42042

Plus the matching band they have (they showing lower down the page) together its $1240

And. I can't seem to pull up, but if you use the Pricescope diamond search engine there's an ags000 0.6 ct J for 1500


Under budget!
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

I think I get it. but with that exact diamond, if the HCA is .5 does it mean it is a really good performing "very good" cut?

because I plugged in some data from an "excellent" cut and the HCA was 1.1 . Does this mean the .5 very good would perform better than the excellent 1.1?
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

joe87865|1376083519|3499932 said:
I think I get it. but with that exact diamond, if the HCA is .5 does it mean it is a really good performing "very good" cut?

because I plugged in some data from an "excellent" cut and the HCA was 1.1 . Does this mean the .5 very good would perform better than the excellent 1.1?
Click to expand...


Under 2 is all your shooting for. 0 isn't better than 1, for example.


And as she said, it doesn't MEAN its good, means now its worth getting more info.

JA let's you reserve 3 stones to get asets. Then they can tell you which performs best.

If you think its worth pursuing, have that be one of the three ::)
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

joe87865|1376083519|3499932 said:
I think I get it. but with that exact diamond, if the HCA is .5 does it mean it is a really good performing "very good" cut?

because I plugged in some data from an "excellent" cut and the HCA was 1.1 . Does this mean the .5 very good would perform better than the excellent 1.1?
Click to expand...

joe, let's put it this way... if you had two diamonds, all things equal except cut and HCA, and the Ex cut had an HCA of 3.7 & VG had a 1.2, I'd say go with the VG or at least look at both of them IRL. However, since both of the stones scored well on the HCA, the Ex cut is going to be better. It doesn't matter if the VG is 0.7 and the Ex is 1.8. Like Niel said, <2 is what you want.

As far as the 4 C's, cut is the most important by far (assuming it's an acceptable color for you and clean enough for your liking)

So... what I'm getting at is that the Ex cut stone linked will most likely be better than the VG. :halo: :bigsmile:
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

yup, I definitely understand now, HCA is another tool to help decide between almost identical stones to see which might be better.

another one I am interested in, the Depth is .60 over 62% though. $1400. HCA : 1.5 (I cant find the Cutlet information to enter)

Carat weight:0.7
Certificate:GIA
Color:K
Shape: Round
Clarity: SI2
Cut: Ideal
Depth %:62.60
Girdle: Medium-Slightly Thick
Table %:54.00
Culet:NN
Polish:Excellent
Crown ∠: 34.00
Symmetry:Excellent
Crown %:15.50
Fluorescence:None
Pavilion ∠:41.00 L/W/D (mm): 5.73*5.70*3.58 Pavilion %: 43.50

XKAlyg4.jpg
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

ok, so... ive been doing some digging.

I would ask them to do this in 14k white gold, as it is whiter than 18k (means less rhodium plating) and cheaper.... just ask them to millgrain it. which is free

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-double-claw-prong-0.16ct-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-968

pair it with this (nicely priced!) ring from blue nile

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-ring-white-gold_21211


boom, matching bands for probably 1500, maybe even under....



I would get idealscopes on this (yes 2.4 so i know its not under 2 BUT the angles are good enough that id ask them to get an aset )
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.62-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-227369

and this as it looks eye clean and a NICE sze
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.72-carat-k-color-si2-clarity-sku-243461
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

haha posting at the same time!
I guess we both found Ks!

here are a few pics of my K, its .84

uploadfromtaptalk1373382862850.jpg

uploadfromtaptalk1373649513608.jpg

uploadfromtaptalk1376005657955.jpg
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

I showed the 2 pave settings to my girl and she liked them but still went back to the channel set. How good or bad of a ring is it?...
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channel-set/14k-white-gold-0.25ct-channel-set-princess-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1061


This one niel posted might be liked, I didnt get a chance to show it to my girl yet. It is similar to the channel set, but thinner and more smaller diamonds. I wish it came in 14k though to save on cost.
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-double-claw-prong-0.16ct-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-968
----




I think I really like this one Niel posted earlier for my stone, Looks to be good value but I am not so sure about the K color. Will it be that noticeable in a .7 ct excellent cut?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.72-carat-k-color-si2-clarity-sku-243461


----

If I were to go with the original channel set, and this .72 stone, I would be at $2330 which leaves 670ish for a band in the future. Maybe $100ish more with discounts.



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Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

I also keep reading about WF, GOG, Gavin, blue nile having good prices but I dont know I am searching wrong, I keep finding JA has better prices on the loose diamonds and offer more information and better pictures (360 view etc)
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

joe87865|1376168309|3500408 said:
I showed the 2 pave settings to my girl and she liked them but still went back to the channel set. How good or bad of a ring is it?...
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channel-set/14k-white-gold-0.25ct-channel-set-princess-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1061


This one niel posted might be liked, I didnt get a chance to show it to my girl yet. It is similar to the channel set, but thinner and more smaller diamonds. I wish it came in 14k though to save on cost.
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-double-claw-prong-0.16ct-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-968
----




I think I really like this one Niel posted earlier for my stone, Looks to be good value but I am not so sure about the K color. Will it be that noticeable in a .7 ct excellent cut?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.72-carat-k-color-si2-clarity-sku-243461


----

If I were to go with the original channel set, and this .72 stone, I would be at $2330 which leaves 670ish for a band in the future. Maybe $100ish more with discounts.



-----------
Click to expand...

all those pictures i posted above are of K colored stones in at about 0.8 cts, so that gives you a reference as to how much color they show. If i were you, i would get the K you posted, the K i posted, and the J I posted from JA. You are right they are very nicely priced and because they arent branded cuts, youre not going to probably find a lower price at WF, BG, or GOG. But again, reserve those, ask for Idealscopes, as well as if the stones are eye clean, and what they think of the color. Then you can choose which is the best of the three. Dont buy one without getting this information.


And I do like James allen more than I do blue nile, they have a nice upgrade policy and JA is a wonderful company to work with....

If she loves the channel set then by all means get her that. Im not wearing it ;) if she likes it thats all that matters. I do think the last one i posted is a better quality, and a tad more flattering on the hand, plus it sits up nice to make the stone look larger. plus, if you pair it with that blue nile wedding band, youre getting a wedding band for a steal. But of course, get her what she wants Im just commenting basically on the esthetic qualities.

and that setting is only on their website as 18k... as the representative you talk to for your idealscope images to see how much it would cost in 14k. Just because its not 14k on the website doesnt mean you cant ask them nicely to do it :mrgreen:

id get those stones reserved ASAP, takes about 3 days to get Idealscope images, you can discuss what setting you want while you wait
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

I def had those reserved last night, gonna look for a 3rd stone to get ideal scopes on all. They said they will only do it for up to 3 stones per customer.

had some new developments on rings, She is really liking the Halo twisted shank ring from JA.

This one , has diamonds on the sides on one shank. They also make one with all 4 shanks have diamonds for an extra $200, which is out of budget and my girl said looks too blingy
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-twisted-shank-solitaire-item-17466

And this one which is the same with no diamonds on the shank and is $400 cheaper.
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-twisted-shank-solitaire-item-17470


Any thoughts on either?... are they good rings. How is the build quality of JA rings?... been reading about how pave stones might fall off and what not which gave me a scare. I noticed in recently purchased pictures that each ring (channel and pave) are not 100% identical but slightly off from each other like they were handmade. Is this a normal thing with rings?

-----

Now it is between these and the original channel set I posted, she still likes them too but I think she changed from wanting a round to a Princess on those. (Cant seem to find any princess in the .7 for the same price as that round) but the .6's are all cheaper than rounds.)
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

So you reserved the 2 ks? I'd reserve the J I posted as well I know the HCA score is 2.4 or something but the angles are good enough to get info on.

The 360 views of the settings I think is a good representation of the quality. I was haply with the quality of my JA ring. Obviously not hand made but nice quality for the price. I actually think that setting is pretty cool! With a diamond wedding band will be plenty blingy!

I think either would be nice. I like the halo, but that's just personal preference. What band would you get?
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

Yes the 2 K's, I love the J you posted as well, but at $1990, it is out my budget and figured it would be a waste to reserve it and let someone else have a look at it. I was also assuming that the pricescope discount applies to the whole order but JA just imformed me that is only for the stone.

I would love to see that twisted shank IRL finger pictures. Going to google it up.


This is the band she likes. I do too, just wish I could find one similar that doesn't as many diamonds running down the side.
She is a size 4.5 and only needs as much stones to cover half way, and not more. it would be cheaper too then
http://www.jamesallen.com/wedding-rings/womens-diamond/14k-white-gold-0.29ct-art-nouveau-pave-set-diamond-wedding-ring-item-1173


This also
http://www.jamesallen.com/wedding-rings/womens-diamond/14k-white-gold-0.34ct-rounded-french-cut-pave-diamond-wedding-ring-item-7091

----

Ring will be about 2505, with these bands, ill be in the a couple hundred dollars over budget which is livable. unless I find a really good deal else where for the band (I will wait till closer to the wedding date for a band) Only requirement for her is that the band isnt thin. Something in the 2.x mm is what she would prefer

----------------


btw, when did halos become popular?... Is it a short term style that will fall out of fashion soon whereas the channels are timless? She was wondering because under recently purchased rings, there were A LOT more channels sold, and about 20ish halos.
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

No I mean this j

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.62-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-227369


Also, what about this band. About 2mm, half eternity, and cheaper.

http://www.bluenile.com/pave-diamond-ring-14k-white-gold_43663

And as for your question about halos, I would say the last 19 years. The thing is they are probably as equally timeless. A channel set seems to be from a certain era, halos will too, but they have been in fashion on and off for decades.
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

Ill think about that stone, I forgot about it. pricewise it doesnt seem as good of a deal as the .72 I am hoping that they will find the K to be just fine


one thing that I just saw during searching is that some people complain about pave's irritating,scratching their other fingers. do you have any experience with that? It mentioned this is more apparent in bigger pave stones that stick out more and I dont know if the halo twisted shank I posted is small enough to not matter.

Also worried about pave stones falling out. Seems that you need to be gentler with pave rings than something like the channel.

Any thoughts on this diamond?... In case we go with the channel, I might try a princess to match the side princess stones
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.72-carat-k-color-vs1-clarity-sku-218925
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

that stone is for $1250 btw
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

i dont know much about princesses, but as for pave it being small shouldnt be too uncomfortable.
 
Re: Going to purchase E-ring and W-band soon and need opinio

well, I think I am down to the final choices,

the 2 stones ill be picking out of is a .72 Princess and a .72 round.
Down to 2 settings that we like, the first channel one we picked out and a bowtie

This is the original channel in either round or princess cut. (still trying to decide, we want the round cause it would look bigger, but the princess might match the side stones better and the price is better tough choice)
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channel-set/14k-white-gold-0.25ct-channel-set-princess-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1061



---------------------------
This is a new setting we have liked a lot and is iffy about because of the 3.9mm width. I hope a .72 isnt too small for this ring. most of the recently purchased ones are 1ct+ for this bowtie ring but there are some .7s in there. Also we hope it isnt too big for a 4.5 size hand. We would only want a round with this ring.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channel-set/14k-white-gold-bow-tie-channel-set-round-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring--item-7095

This picture is of 2 bow tie rings with a .7 stone in it.
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channel-set/18k-white-gold-bow-tie-channel-set-round-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring--item-506-purchased-1117

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channel-set/platinum-bow-tie-channel-set-round-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring--item-812-purchased-2561

---------------



Going to the mall tonight to see some rings and decide if 3.9mm is too big or not
 
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