CluelessOnDiamonds
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2016
- Messages
- 13
Hello Everyone,
Just to start, I wanted to say thank you to all the diamond experts on this board as I have learned a bunch in the last week reading tons of topics/posts.
I am looking to propose within the next 2 months and need help with the diamond/setting.
Having gone with my girlfriend to different weddings and engagement parties, I now know she is deadset on a cushion cut with a halo. An example of the setting I am pretty sure I will get is:
http://www.simoneandson.com/viewitem.asp?idCategory=48&idProduct=1222&priceRange=0x999999
Some assumptions I am assuming (please call me out on incorrect info if you see it):
1.) I should always ask for ASET or IDEAL Scope images.
2.) If I can’t view a diamonds images, I shouldn’t buy the diamond.
3.) The diamond must come with a GIA / AGS certification only. Other labs aren’t really worth the cost of their accreditation.
4.) Cut is the most important aspect when I shop for a cushion diamond.
5.) I am looking to buy a ring in the 2.5 range. She likes cushion diamonds with a square look. I will look for cushion diamonds with a 1-1.05 ratio of width to length.
6.) I want the diamond to reflect tons of light and look clean (without yellow/blue or other color hues). So no Florescence to the diamond.
7.) Looking more for the cushion brilliant look then crushed ice look
8.) Looking to get a platinum setting vs gold.
Questions:
1.) Going for a diamond in the 2.5 carat range means I will have to search for different characteristics. What range on color and clarity should I be looking at? Right now I am aiming for F & G, while narrowing clarity to VVS1 to VS1.
2.) What type of ring retains the best ability for the ring to shine? 4 corners prong or one where diamond sits on a base of a ring? Would think more light could get in with just 4 prongs?
3.) Best type of setting for this type of diamond?
4.) What’s a good way to figure out her ring size? I don’t want to tip her off I'm buying her a ring. Should I buy a ring sizer on amazon and bring it over to her place and test out her rings in her jewelry box? I don’t want to seem like I'm going through her jewelry though. hmmmmm....
5.) I'll be spending a good amount of money on this ring/diamond combo and wanted opinions on best way to guarantee I get the stone promised through an advertised medium. (Maybe this question is irrelevant as I’m just being paranoid).
6.) Should I buy an ASET scope online for analyzing prospective diamonds i might see in person?
7.) Is AGS the only lab that still issues cut grades on cushions?
8.) Do I ignore the cut rating unless looking at an AGS certified diamond?
9.) Since I'm looking for a square cushion, what Table and depth measurements should I look for? Table measurements of 54-62% and depths of 59-64%? Table of 49-56% and Depth of 63-69%.
10.) Should I stay at G and better for a white diamond in a larger cushion cut I’m looking for or can I go as high as H for a 2.5 ct?
11.) How are some of the vendors on Pricescope selling for a decent discount to others? Example B2CJewels.
12.) Do gold settings wear easier over time vs Platinum? Also does gold have an easier tendency to have the part holding the diamond (prongs) more prone to bend?
13.) Assuming I find her ring size to a half size based on her current rings, should I go for the higher ring and has it just sized smaller then having to shave a small amount of material from the ring to increase it 1/2 size if needed?
What I am looking for:
-2.5 carats
-Color: F to G
-Clarity: VVS1 to VS1
-Cut: Very Good or Excellent
-Brilliant cut with facets, not "crushed ice" look
-Square stone with L:W ratio of 1 to 1.05
-AGS / GIA cert.
While this search is going on, I’m brainstorming original ideas on proposing. The top idea I have so far is to propose underwater while we go scuba diving. Still haven’t figured out the details as just the idea of bringing this ring with me into the water scares the living …. out of me! I might buy another ring that’s made from basic materials and then give her the real ring while on land? Hmmmmm, still have to iron out the details. The reason I’m pushing for this is she loves scuba diving and pushed me to get certified last year because of all the great places we went on vacation as well as destination weddings (Ecuador-Galapagos/Thailand/Belize/Grand Cayman).
Please assist this clueless man in his quest to find light at the end of the tunnel!
Just to start, I wanted to say thank you to all the diamond experts on this board as I have learned a bunch in the last week reading tons of topics/posts.
I am looking to propose within the next 2 months and need help with the diamond/setting.
Having gone with my girlfriend to different weddings and engagement parties, I now know she is deadset on a cushion cut with a halo. An example of the setting I am pretty sure I will get is:
http://www.simoneandson.com/viewitem.asp?idCategory=48&idProduct=1222&priceRange=0x999999
Some assumptions I am assuming (please call me out on incorrect info if you see it):
1.) I should always ask for ASET or IDEAL Scope images.
2.) If I can’t view a diamonds images, I shouldn’t buy the diamond.
3.) The diamond must come with a GIA / AGS certification only. Other labs aren’t really worth the cost of their accreditation.
4.) Cut is the most important aspect when I shop for a cushion diamond.
5.) I am looking to buy a ring in the 2.5 range. She likes cushion diamonds with a square look. I will look for cushion diamonds with a 1-1.05 ratio of width to length.
6.) I want the diamond to reflect tons of light and look clean (without yellow/blue or other color hues). So no Florescence to the diamond.
7.) Looking more for the cushion brilliant look then crushed ice look
8.) Looking to get a platinum setting vs gold.
Questions:
1.) Going for a diamond in the 2.5 carat range means I will have to search for different characteristics. What range on color and clarity should I be looking at? Right now I am aiming for F & G, while narrowing clarity to VVS1 to VS1.
2.) What type of ring retains the best ability for the ring to shine? 4 corners prong or one where diamond sits on a base of a ring? Would think more light could get in with just 4 prongs?
3.) Best type of setting for this type of diamond?
4.) What’s a good way to figure out her ring size? I don’t want to tip her off I'm buying her a ring. Should I buy a ring sizer on amazon and bring it over to her place and test out her rings in her jewelry box? I don’t want to seem like I'm going through her jewelry though. hmmmmm....
5.) I'll be spending a good amount of money on this ring/diamond combo and wanted opinions on best way to guarantee I get the stone promised through an advertised medium. (Maybe this question is irrelevant as I’m just being paranoid).
6.) Should I buy an ASET scope online for analyzing prospective diamonds i might see in person?
7.) Is AGS the only lab that still issues cut grades on cushions?
8.) Do I ignore the cut rating unless looking at an AGS certified diamond?
9.) Since I'm looking for a square cushion, what Table and depth measurements should I look for? Table measurements of 54-62% and depths of 59-64%? Table of 49-56% and Depth of 63-69%.
10.) Should I stay at G and better for a white diamond in a larger cushion cut I’m looking for or can I go as high as H for a 2.5 ct?
11.) How are some of the vendors on Pricescope selling for a decent discount to others? Example B2CJewels.
12.) Do gold settings wear easier over time vs Platinum? Also does gold have an easier tendency to have the part holding the diamond (prongs) more prone to bend?
13.) Assuming I find her ring size to a half size based on her current rings, should I go for the higher ring and has it just sized smaller then having to shave a small amount of material from the ring to increase it 1/2 size if needed?
What I am looking for:
-2.5 carats
-Color: F to G
-Clarity: VVS1 to VS1
-Cut: Very Good or Excellent
-Brilliant cut with facets, not "crushed ice" look
-Square stone with L:W ratio of 1 to 1.05
-AGS / GIA cert.
While this search is going on, I’m brainstorming original ideas on proposing. The top idea I have so far is to propose underwater while we go scuba diving. Still haven’t figured out the details as just the idea of bringing this ring with me into the water scares the living …. out of me! I might buy another ring that’s made from basic materials and then give her the real ring while on land? Hmmmmm, still have to iron out the details. The reason I’m pushing for this is she loves scuba diving and pushed me to get certified last year because of all the great places we went on vacation as well as destination weddings (Ecuador-Galapagos/Thailand/Belize/Grand Cayman).
Please assist this clueless man in his quest to find light at the end of the tunnel!