Hello! I''m new and needs LOTs of help please

[rocks&purses]

Hello everyone,
I just discovered this site yesterday and I''m already hooked. I never knew I can learn so much about diamonds. I am looking to upgrade my ring I''ve had for 14 years. I started with a .63 round solitaire (GIA I color, SI2 clarity nice brilliance and very eye clean) 18k yellow gold. My husband picked it out and it actually looks better than the grading it has and people thought it''s larger than a .63. I then added .36 marquis (6stones) as side stones. Now, I am ready for an upgrade (shhhhh..my husband does not know yet).

I am not thinking very large as I am petite with little hands so I don''t want it to be overpowering. I am simply thinking of between .95- 1.25 carat center with a few small side stones. WG or Platinum.

6 prongs or 4 prongs?

WG with plat prongs or all WG or all plat?

Not sure how much I trust our few local jewelers here. I never thought I would look online but niceice.com seem like a nice site. Any suggestions?

Most people, if not everyone, probably would like the biggest size for their money. Any suggestions on what would be the best combination of cut, color, clarity for the money? Is it worth going for the ideal cut rather than a premium cut or close to ideal cut?

Would you most likely buy a diamond if it''s a GIA, AGS, or EGL certified? Which certification do people prefer?

Would a thin band (platinum for hardiness) the best way to go for small hands and to maximize bigger size effect of the stone?

Finally, Is $5000 - $6000 a reasonable budget for what I want or am I dreaming? I know it sounds stupid that I am contemplating on spending $6000 on a diamond ring but bought a purse for $6000 in a heartbeat.

Thanks so much in advance!!! Any help woild be greatly appreciated!

*rocks&purses*

 

[ame]

Decent budget. Id start by looking at sites like Whiteflash.com and Goodoldgold.com for stones in your price range. You can get a simple setting, solitaire or one with small sidestones, relatively inexpensively but I guess what i need to know is does this budget include the setting. In that case you might have a little problem getting both.

It isn''t a small budget but I do get a kick out of the fact that you spend this much on purses and haven''t gifted me with such a thing

 

[ame]

http://whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-499911.htm

http://whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-720077.htm

http://www.goodoldgold.com/1_012ct_i_si2_h%26a.htm

http://www.goodoldgold.com/1_12ct_i_si1_h%26a.htm

http://www.goodoldgold.com/1_031ct_g_si2_h%26a.htm



Both locations can set stones for you in either stock or custom rings.

 

[rocks&purses]

LOL, Ame. I guess my priorities are a little twisted. I get to these stages where I am into jewelry then purses then jewelry then purses. Now that I''ve gotten the ultimate purse (at least in my view) one can hope for. I think it''s time for me to upgrade the little rock I received 14 years ago. I don''t need a big, screaming rock. Just a decent size with sparkles to it. I am thinking of just $6000 including a simple setting. So you think it''s unattainable?

Thanks!

 

[Mara]

your budget sounds fine, i love your user name!! i would take a rock over a purse anyday though!!!

 

[ame]

Not necessarily, but adding stones to the setting will likely put you over budget. If you go under a full carat you will be able to do more with the setting. I think all the ones I posted there are over 1 ct.

You will find stones ranging from roughly 3K to about 6-7K in your size range assuming you go with H color/I Color and SI1 clarity. I assume you are looking for ideal cut stones.

 

[SeaOats]

A $6,000 purse?! WOW!!

I agree with Mara, I will take a rock over a purse anyday

.

 

[rocks&purses]

Thanks, Mara. I know it''s crazy (my husband almost fainted). I think I''m going to let one of them go to get the rock I want though.

 

[rocks&purses]

Thanks for the links, Ame! Wow, you are quick! A few questions..... ideal vs. non-ideal, is there a big difference? Polish and symmetry, big difference between good and excellent ratings? With the H & A, does it have an overall better quality look for an I, SI1 compared to a premium cut same I, SI1?

Thanks!

 

[ame]

I think, and this is just me, that the H&A looks different than a non-H&A in just the way sparkles are. If both are in fact ideal, I think that's the only real difference. Asfar as ideal and nonideal, I tend to beleive that Ideal is just better looking because it is cut perfectly. But there are some that are HAIR off of ideal proportion and still look drop-dead beautiful.

I think that those questions will get loads of responses from this board...

 

[rocks&purses]

Hi Stretch4,

Yup, call me crazy! But now, I''m turning my attention to just a slightly bigger rock. The information I have gotten just from the past 24 hours from this site and nice ice have been unbelievable. My head is spinning from all the infos on diamonds!

 

[rocks&purses]

Big price difference too? Pardon my ignorant assumption but H&As are not all ideally cut?

Thanks!

 

[ame]

I don''t believe so. I think H&A is supposed to be for great symmetry.

I think in the knowledge section of the board they explain that.

https://www.pricescope.com/hearts_indx.asp

 

[aljdewey]

Ideal cut refers to a diamond''s cu proportions (generally AGS0). H&A refers to the presence of an exacting pattern.

Not all ideally cut stones are also H&A. On the flip side, most H&A stones tend to be ideally cut; if a cutter is going to take the time/attention to detail to produce a true H&A, it makes sense to make sure the proportions are ideal, too.

Having said that, H&A diamonds may or may not perform as well as other ideal-cut, non H&A diamonds. H&A doesn''t measure performance, just the precision of the pattern.

 

[rocks&purses]

Thanks, Ame! I really appreciate your help!

 

[rocks&purses]

Hi Aljdewey,

Thanks! That makes sense. I am learning so much about diamonds, I can''t believe all the infos I''ve learned beyond the 4Cs. Amazing!