Gold Cathedral Setting - Want a Great .65-.75 ct Diamond!

[eysikal]

Glad I found this place, you guys seem very helpful. Been doing a lot of reading and while I've learned tons, it's also become a bit of an information overload and I'm having a hard time making a decision. I almost bought a stone from ShaneCo until I got online and started reading. I've mostly been looking at James Allen since.

Here is the setting I purchased: http://www.shaneco.com/detail/cathedral-diamond-engagement-ring-in-14k-yellow-gold/41060292/

I think it looks good with a .65-.75 diamond.

I've learned enough to value cut the most. Clarity might be my next most important. I also kind of like the idea of fluorescence, and would appreciate people's input on it.

Budget for stone is up 3.4k max.

Thank you!

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: Gold Cathedral Setting - Want a Great .65-.75 ct Diamond

Here are the top 5 stone options within your budget, from well-vetted, reputable vendors that I was able to find:

.81ct, I, SI1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-81ct-i-si1-premium-round-ideal-cut-diamond.html

.745ct, G, SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3109245.htm

.711ct, G, SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3259360.htm

.701ct, F, SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3109244.htm

.60ct, D, VS2 - different facet pattern
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-6ct-d-vs2-august-vintage-round-diamond.html


It would seem that the .745ct stone may be the best option, if you want to hit the top-end of your size range.

 

[eysikal]

Re: Gold Cathedral Setting - Want a Great .65-.75 ct Diamond

Thanks Rocky. Can you help to convince me that I shouldn't shy away from SI1 stones? I'm wary of the inclusions. ALso, just curious what makes these diamonds great? Is it the cut?

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: Gold Cathedral Setting - Want a Great .65-.75 ct Diamond

Thanks Rocky. Can you help to convince me that I shouldn't shy away from SI1 stones? I'm wary of the inclusions. ALso, just curious what makes these diamonds great? Is it the cut?

I have purchased SI1 stones and they were all eye-clean. The key is that you need to work with an experienced vendor that can examine the stones in person, and then give you an assessment based on that.

All of the stones I posted have exceptional cuts, and relatively high-colors (be sure to see I-colored stones in person, if you are considering that option).

Within your price range, a G-colored stone is a great option and all of the G colored stones I posted have been inspected in-person to be sure the inclusions do not detract from the stone.

It's key to work with an experienced vendor that can share their expertise with you, to make the process as smooth as possible.

I might also suggest trying to speak with the vendor that has the stone you like most about providing a similar setting to the one you had acquired at ShaneCo. They may able to do it for a better price, or with higher quality components. The side / pave stones provided by one of the vendors will inevitably be higher quality than the stones from ShaneCo.

It's also easier to get the stone + setting at the same place, so that you don't have to worry about shipping/insurance/mistakes during setting process. Also, if there is an issue with the complete ring, it is easier to get service when both the setting and stone come from the same vendor. They can't just point the finger at the person who contributed the other component of the finished ring and blame them for any issues.

 

[Diamondbug]

Re: Gold Cathedral Setting - Want a Great .65-.75 ct Diamond

Can you help to convince me that I shouldn't shy away from SI1 stones? I'm wary of the inclusions.

Most important thing is to work with a vendor you can trust to give you an honest opinion and to have a great return policy. I've owned 2 Si2 (one from GOG, the other from Blue Nile), an Si1 from Whiteflash and an 11 from GOG. There were all eye clean. I hate paying for something that I can't see.... eye clean is eye clean for me. This has given me the opportunity to get bigger ct for my $$

 

[SparklySoprano]

Re: Gold Cathedral Setting - Want a Great .65-.75 ct Diamond

Just to piggy-back off of Diamondbug, I recently did an upgrade for much better cut and larger stone, same color, but went down in clarity to SI2. No regrets here! I saved some money and the diamond is really great. Take the advice posted here when shopping for a SI1 and you should be on the right path.

 

[eysikal]

Re: Gold Cathedral Setting - Want a Great .65-.75 ct Diamond

Thank you for the above recommendations. I am still considering them. Since I have been wary of clarity, in my searches before posting here, I found this one. I kind of like the idea of fluorescence. I almost bought over the weekend. Any thoughts?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.75-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-443080

 

[eysikal]

Re: Gold Cathedral Setting - Want a Great .65-.75 ct Diamond

If anyone is curious, I ended up purchasing this one. It should be here later this week.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3061795.htm

 

[mrs-b]

Re: Gold Cathedral Setting - Want a Great .65-.75 ct Diamond

eysikal -

Just out of curiosity, did you get information on the side stones? Color? Clarity? Cut? I just wondered because they're 5pt channel set stones, so if they're poor quality, you'll definitely see a difference between them and the stone you bought. Also - what is the width of the ring and have you seen it in person?

 

[eysikal]

Re: Gold Cathedral Setting - Want a Great .65-.75 ct Diamond

I didn't get any info on the quality of diamonds set in the band. I'm sure they are of worse quality than what the center will be. I will be able to see a difference for sure. I guess that should bother me, but I hadn't really thought about it until now.

Yes, I have seen the ring in person. She tried it on and liked it a lot, which is why I bought it. I don't have a the width on the ring, does that make a difference?

 

[eysikal]

Re: Gold Cathedral Setting - Want a Great .65-.75 ct Diamond

There it is on her ring finger in Shane Co with a sample stone dropped in place. I think that diamond was about a .6 ct

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: Gold Cathedral Setting - Want a Great .65-.75 ct Diamond

This seems to be a somewhat similar setting, for a lower price than is advertised at ShaneCo:

18k White Gold "Cathedral Pave" Diamond Engagement Ring
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/cathedral-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-1421.htm

The diamonds on that ring will DEFINITELY be better than the stones on the ShaneCo ring.

Now that you've decided on Whiteflash, send them the photo of the setting you had purchased and see what they might be able to do for you.

It's beneficial to get the setting + stone with the same vendor (for the reasons I noted above).

 

[eysikal]

Re: Gold Cathedral Setting - Want a Great .65-.75 ct Diamond

This seems to be a somewhat similar setting, for a lower price than is advertised at ShaneCo:

It's beneficial to get the setting + stone with the same vendor (for the reasons I noted above).

It's close. But she really loved the uniqueness of that Shane Co setting. I understand the benefits of buying all in one place (and I totally would have bought the stone from Shane Co as well, were it not for their overpriced diamonds).

The fact of the matter is that I don't think she or I'd be happy unless the setting is an exact match. I'm thinking about getting an insurance policy from a 3rd party and maybe that will cover my bases for loss of stone/damage?

 

[eysikal]

Re: Gold Cathedral Setting - Want a Great .65-.75 ct Diamond

OK. To satisfy my obsessive needs, I ordered two stones. One from James Allen and one from Whiteflash. I will be keeping the one I like best and sending back the other.

James Allen
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...h-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-443080

Whiteflash
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3061795.htm

The James Allen stone is a little bigger and also has medium fluorescence, which I'm curious about. The Whiteflash is supposed to have a great cut and is also more colorless.

I'll come back on here with pictures of each if anyone is interested.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: Gold Cathedral Setting - Want a Great .65-.75 ct Diamond

OK. To satisfy my obsessive needs, I ordered two stones. One from James Allen and one from Whiteflash. I will be keeping the one I like best and sending back the other.

James Allen
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...h-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-443080

Whiteflash
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3061795.htm

The James Allen stone is a little bigger and also has medium fluorescence, which I'm curious about. The Whiteflash is supposed to have a great cut and is also more colorless.

I'll come back on here with pictures of each if anyone is interested.

Just FYI - the Whiteflash stone is actually larger, in terms of what you see. The JA stone weighs more, but if you look at the diameter, they are almost identical, with the Whiteflash stone being a hair larger than the JA stone.

Please update us with a full compare/contrast, when you get the two stones. Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[Diamondbug]

Re: Gold Cathedral Setting - Want a Great .65-.75 ct Diamond

I'll come back on here with pictures of each if anyone is interested.

Oh YA! we are definitely interested so please do come back with photos and feedback on which one you like better and why. Post like these helps other PSer similar circumstances.