HELP!!! Buying engagement ring

[beijing_little]

Hi guys,

I am in need of some serious help. I am planning to buy an engagement ring, and I have been reading all the information on this site nonstop for the past month. This is really the best place for diamonds, and I am very happy to have found you guys here.

My questions:

1. Since most people want the one carat size, diamonds from .9-.99 have a better price-quality ratio? Is this true or not?

2. I am looking at a round stone on a solitaire setting. I know this is very cliche and stereotypical, but I think sometimes less is more, and I prefer the simpleness of the design. I have decided on a 6 prong, because it looks more roundish. (right or wrong?) I have been searching for diamonds here, and I found this one.

http://www.eternitydiamonds.com/diamond_detail.php?id=642918&ref=pricescope

What do you guys think?

Some diamonds have the heart & arrow stuff. Do you think they are actually better diamonds? Or is this just a marketing tool to get you pay the premium?

3. International Shipping. I am currently working and living in Italy. I called eternity diamonds and good old gold. They all said they ship internationally, and the shipping is insured until the moment I sign to receive. I am still paranoid. They said they are willing to work with me to lower the value of the package for duty purposes. What do you guys think? Have any of you purchased internationally and have them shipped a 10k ring to you? I would like to hear about your experience.

4. Personal engraving. Do you all engrave it? I cannot make up my mind on this. What do you guys think?

I am a smart guy in terms of my work and stuff, but when it comes to diamonds and rings, I am really just a stupid boy who wants to marry this girl I love. HELP!!!!!!!

 

[slg47]

Hello and welcome!

You are absolutely correct that there is a large price jump in price/carat once you get to the 1 carat mark. And I think a round in a six-prong solitaire is a great choice!

As far as H&A, whether there is a visual difference or not is debated. If you are buying a diamond sold as H&A I would want to see hearts images.

I had a ring shipped across the country (not internationally!) and it was fine...but I know several PSers have worked internationally-perhaps they can chime in?

As far as engraving, I prefer engraving on the wedding band only.

ETA if you are buying without images I recommend using the HCA tool
pricescope.com/tools/hca
to help with the cut.

 

[Amys Bling]

Hello and welcome!

You are absolutely correct that there is a large price jump in price/carat once you get to the 1 carat mark. And I think a round in a six-prong solitaire is a great choice!

As far as H&A, whether there is a visual difference or not is debated. If you are buying a diamond sold as H&A I would want to see hearts images.

I had a ring shipped across the country (not internationally!) and it was fine...but I know several PSers have worked internationally-perhaps they can chime in?

As far as engraving, I prefer engraving on the wedding band only.

ETA if you are buying without images I recommend using the HCA tool
pricescope.com/tools/hca
to help with the cut.

SLg has given you a great rundown.

Feel free to post stats and images PA stones you are considering and have I hold for us to help you with.

 

[tyty333]

Is there a reason you are going so high with color/clarity. You can definitly knock the clarity down to VS1/2 and still
get an eye-clean stone. Just need to ask the vendor and make sure that it is eye-clean. Ask about all angles (sides) if thats
important to you.

 

[Amys Bling]

Is there a reason you are going so high with color/clarity. You can definitly knock the clarity down to VS1/2 and still
get an eye-clean stone. Just need to ask the vendor and make sure that it is eye-clean. Ask about all angles (sides) if thats
important to you.

yup.

 

[elliemay]

Hi guys,
They said they are willing to work with me to lower the value of the package for duty purposes.

Be careful about this. The postal insurance will reflect whatever price they put on the customs form. If they write $5000 and it's really a $10000 ring and it goes lost in the mail, they would only be able to submit a postal claim for the $5000 value. Are they going to be willing to refund you the other $5000 out of pocket? Just something to ask about if you go this route.

I'm 90% sure you can import jewellery from within the EU and avoid paying any duties -- maybe that's an option?

You don't happen to already have plans to travel to the US any time in the near future, do you?

 

[beijing_little]

Thank you guys sooo much for your quick replies.

RE: tyty333, do you recommend that i get a lower color and clarity stone? If so, what is acceptable? In the beginning I set my limit to F and VS1. Should I go lower? I see that the price drops significantly. As a girl, what would you want as your engagement ring? Do you care about size or any of the 4 Cs?

RE: elliemay. thanks for the advise, I will definitely check with the company to see if they would cover the full insurance even if with a lower package value.

I would like to know if any of you guys shopped on James Allen or Eternity Diamond before? How's the service? Are they trustworthy? Please kindly let me know. Thank you soooo much.