Help a guy find a princess for the love of his life!

[firefighter1983]

Hi Guys! I first just want to say that I have been searching through numerous posts and threads reading everyone''s advice and looking at all of the recommended informational sites and watching the videos. I still am not to familliar with the whole diamond thing, but I have learned some. With that said, here''s my story.. I am wanting to propose to my long time girlfriend, who is 5 months pg with our first child. She is the love of my life and I want nothing more than to make her happy. With that being said, I am a paramedic/fireman, and I don''t make a ton of money.

I know she would like a princess cut diamond. I would like to purchase this on the internet, because from what I''ve gathered, this is the best way to go. I have about $3500 to spend on the ring total. I am leaning toward getting the biggest diamond that is still the best quality that I can, and then possibly just getting a more inexpensive solitaire band to put it on, focusing most of the money on the diamond. Any opinions on that?

I have found some diamonds on my own, and if anyone could take the time to look them over, I would appreciate it.Basically, what I would like an expert opinion on is 1. am I going to small? (she is 5''0, and normally 100, when not pg!)2. Are these acceptable picks? And of course, if anyone has any other recommendations, I am all for those! Here is what I''ve found so far:

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/Whiteflash-ACA-Princess-cut-diamond-2119052.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-2032730.htm

SKU: 3HF3935H Cash Price $2,314 Credit Price: $2,361 Shape: Princess Carat Weight: 0.83 Color: H Clarity: Vs2 Cut Grade: Excellent Table %: 69.00 Depth %: 73.00 Girdle: Slightly Thick to Very Thick Culet: N Polish: Very Good Symmetry: Very Good Fluorescence: None Measurements: 5.13-5.07x3.70 Length/Width ratio: 1.01 GIA: 16705687 - Click to View – Solomon brothers

http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-1961735.htm

Thank you in advance for helping a guy out!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/4/2009 11:06:36 AM
Author:firefighter1983
Hi Guys! I first just want to say that I have been searching through numerous posts and threads reading everyone's advice and looking at all of the recommended informational sites and watching the videos. I still am not to familliar with the whole diamond thing, but I have learned some. With that said, here's my story.. I am wanting to propose to my long time girlfriend, who is 5 months pg with our first child. She is the love of my life and I want nothing more than to make her happy. With that being said, I am a paramedic/fireman, and I don't make a ton of money.

I know she would like a princess cut diamond. I would like to purchase this on the internet, because from what I've gathered, this is the best way to go. I have about $3500 to spend on the ring total. I am leaning toward getting the biggest diamond that is still the best quality that I can, and then possibly just getting a more inexpensive solitaire band to put it on, focusing most of the money on the diamond. Any opinions on that?

I have found some diamonds on my own, and if anyone could take the time to look them over, I would appreciate it.Basically, what I would like an expert opinion on is 1. am I going to small? (she is 5'0, and normally 100, when not pg!)2. Are these acceptable picks? And of course, if anyone has any other recommendations, I am all for those! Here is what I've found so far:

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/Whiteflash-ACA-Princess-cut-diamond-2119052.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-2032730.htm

SKU: 3HF3935H Cash Price $2,314 Credit Price: $2,361 Shape: Princess Carat Weight: 0.83 Color: H Clarity: Vs2 Cut Grade: Excellent Table %: 69.00 Depth %: 73.00 Girdle: Slightly Thick to Very Thick Culet: N Polish: Very Good Symmetry: Very Good Fluorescence: None Measurements: 5.13-5.07x3.70 Length/Width ratio: 1.01 GIA: 16705687 - Click to View – Solomon brothers

http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-1961735.htm

Thank you in advance for helping a guy out!

Welcome Firefighter and thank you for all you do!

With the diamonds, the first one could be a definite contender as it is cut which gives a diamond its beauty that could be a gorgeous rock. You could consider SI clarity grades if verified eyeclean by a trusted vendor ( such as WF). As to the size I think it is fine.

The other diamonds, there isn't enough info to go on, so it is best to stick to vendors who have in house diamonds with all the info and images provided, the other 2 from WF are not inventory diamonds and would have to be called in for evaluation.

Here are some more vendors who sell well cut in house Princess, usually AGS0 cut grade and hand selected GIA. GIA do not grade Princess for cut at this time but there are well cut Princess out there which aren't AGS0.

www.highperformancediamonds.com

www.goodoldgold.com

www.briangavindiamonds.com

This is a new business so contact Lesley if interested and she will tell you what they have available and the price. Brian Gavin is the originator of the ACA diamond brand who now has his own business.

Also I think your idea of putting the most money into the diamond and a simple setting is a sound one.

Congrats on the happy event also! Just if you aren't sure of your lady's ring size as she is expecting, check carefully if she knows about this how the ring should be sized as apparently fingers swell when pregnant. A simple solitaire setting that you will probably go for by the sound of it can be resized relatively easily.

 

[stone-cold11]

For fancy cuts, we need more than numbers. So only the WF ACA has the information necessary to judge it''s cut. The WF ACA is good.

 

[firefighter1983]

Lorelei - Thank you for your kind words and suggestions!

I emailed whiteflash, and within an hour someone called me. They were very nice and extremely helpful. I am going to sleep on it tonight, but I think I am going to go with the first diamond. I am going to call back tomorrow. Now all I have to do is find that perfect setting! I am probably going to get it from a local family owned jewelry store in my town for a few reasons.. I guess my next question would be.. I know that I need to get this diamond insured before I get it set. Anyone have any recommendations on where to go for that and what the process is? I have not checked the forums about that yet, so if there is a post about that already, i apologize! I''m going there to look now! Thanks again for the help!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/4/2009 10:11:09 PM
Author: firefighter1983
Lorelei - Thank you for your kind words and suggestions!

I emailed whiteflash, and within an hour someone called me. They were very nice and extremely helpful. I am going to sleep on it tonight, but I think I am going to go with the first diamond. I am going to call back tomorrow. Now all I have to do is find that perfect setting! I am probably going to get it from a local family owned jewelry store in my town for a few reasons.. I guess my next question would be.. I know that I need to get this diamond insured before I get it set. Anyone have any recommendations on where to go for that and what the process is? I have not checked the forums about that yet, so if there is a post about that already, i apologize! I''m going there to look now! Thanks again for the help!

Thats great and you are most welcome! Make sure the diamond is reserved to prevent lurker poaching. For insurance here are two companies you can try.

www.jewelersmutual.com

www.chubb.com

 

[firefighter1983]

thanks for the recommendations! I have one more question before I begin my insurance search..
I have read from previous posts that I probably will not be able to get chubb insurance because the total of the diamond and setting is not going to be at least 10k. That is the only company I have read that so far does the "cash out" option that everyone says I should get.. Here''s my question.. if i go with touchstone or JM that do not do the cash out option.. will i be okay considering that i purchased an ACA diamond? Wouldn''t they have to find me another ACA diamond to replace it?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/5/2009 12:27:12 PM
Author: firefighter1983
thanks for the recommendations! I have one more question before I begin my insurance search..
I have read from previous posts that I probably will not be able to get chubb insurance because the total of the diamond and setting is not going to be at least 10k. That is the only company I have read that so far does the 'cash out' option that everyone says I should get.. Here's my question.. if i go with touchstone or JM that do not do the cash out option.. will i be okay considering that i purchased an ACA diamond? Wouldn't they have to find me another ACA diamond to replace it?

You really need to ask the companies of the specifics which apply in your case as I don't want to speculate as that would be irresponsible of me and I don't want to mislead you, also policies change over time so no way of knowing what was in those threads is accurate or current. Give them both a call or email them to find out how to proceed in your particular case. If you make sure you supply proof that you have a branded h&a diamond to the insurance company then make sure you can specify either cash out or replacing like with like or diamond of a similar value of your choosing. And read the small print carefully on your policy.