HELP, HELP, please , need feedback....

[moonbear19]

ok, I need to take a deep breath because I am getting a headache from reading so much about diamonds over the last few weeks.

My goal here is to propose to my beautiful girlfriend with an equally beautiful ring.(in about a months time) I have been researching and have gotten some quotes that I would love to get some opinions on:

Setting:
the band has a 1ct princess cut center diamond with two princess cut sidestones and 10 channel-set princess cut diamonds.

Pretty much this ring: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/three-stone-settings/ring/item_60-2401.asp -but not from this seller.

Specs on the diamonds:

------Center Diamond:
GIA Certified
Square Modified Brilliant
Measurements: 5.62 x 5.60 x 4.07 mm
Carat Weight: 1.07 carat
Color Grade: H
Clarity Grade: VS1
Proportions:
Depth: 72.7%
Table: 72%
Girdle: Slightly Thick to Very Thick
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None
Comments: Surface graining is not shown.



------1st Sidestone
GIA Certified
Square Modified Brilliant
Measurements: 4.04 x 3.88 x 2.57 mm
Carat Weight: 0.32
Color Grade: G
Clarity Grade: VVS2
Proportions:
Depth: 66.2 %
Table: 72 %
Girdle: Very Thin to Medium
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None
Clarity Characteristics: Pinpoint, Surface Graining


------2nd Sidestone
GIA Certified
Square Modified Brilliant
Measurements: 4.02 x 3.93 x 2.59 mm
Carat Weight: 0.33
Color Grade: H
Clarity Grade: VVS2
Proportions:
Depth: 65.9 %
Table: 68 %
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Good
Fluorescence: None
Clarity Characteristics: Feather, Pinpoint

----Channel Set Stones
10 GIA Certified
.03 each, total .30
Do not have the specifics on those, but told they will match in color and clarity.

Have the option of 14K white gold at right around 5,000 and platinum for about 500 more.


Ok, so there are all the stats, so my questions is, is that good? Seriously looking for some feedback on this as far as the color, clarity, cut, if the numbers are all good or not. Is there anything here I should be concerned about?

Thank you all in advance for any feedback or opinions you might provide. This is truly a big moment in my life and I want to make sure that I do it right.

Thank You!

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Moonbear and welcome!

We really need photos at least to get some idea - however the centre diamond has some flags...The girdle variance is more than I prefer to see, also with the side stones the depths are less than the table, as a rule of thumb it is best to look for the table being smaller than the depth. Are the diamonds from James Allen also?

 

[Sizzle]

Date: 1/12/2009 12:58:37 PM
Author:moonbear19
ok, I need to take a deep breath because I am getting a headache from reading so much about diamonds over the last few weeks.

My goal here is to propose to my beautiful girlfriend with an equally beautiful ring.(in about a months time) I have been researching and have gotten some quotes that I would love to get some opinions on:

Setting:
the band has a 1ct princess cut center diamond with two princess cut sidestones and 10 channel-set princess cut diamonds.

Pretty much this ring: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/three-stone-settings/ring/item_60-2401.asp -but not from this seller.

Specs on the diamonds:

------Center Diamond:
GIA Certified
Square Modified Brilliant
Measurements: 5.62 x 5.60 x 4.07 mm
Carat Weight: 1.07 carat
Color Grade: H
Clarity Grade: VS1
Proportions:
Depth: 72.7%
Table: 72%
Girdle: Slightly Thick to Very Thick
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None
Comments: Surface graining is not shown.



------1st Sidestone
GIA Certified
Square Modified Brilliant
Measurements: 4.04 x 3.88 x 2.57 mm
Carat Weight: 0.32
Color Grade: G
Clarity Grade: VVS2
Proportions:
Depth: 66.2 %
Table: 72 %
Girdle: Very Thin to Medium
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None
Clarity Characteristics: Pinpoint, Surface Graining


------2nd Sidestone
GIA Certified
Square Modified Brilliant
Measurements: 4.02 x 3.93 x 2.59 mm
Carat Weight: 0.33
Color Grade: H
Clarity Grade: VVS2
Proportions:
Depth: 65.9 %
Table: 68 %
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Good
Fluorescence: None
Clarity Characteristics: Feather, Pinpoint

----Channel Set Stones
10 GIA Certified
.03 each, total .30
Do not have the specifics on those, but told they will match in color and clarity.

Have the option of 14K white gold at right around 5,000 and platinum for about 500 more.


Ok, so there are all the stats, so my questions is, is that good? Seriously looking for some feedback on this as far as the color, clarity, cut, if the numbers are all good or not. Is there anything here I should be concerned about?

Thank you all in advance for any feedback or opinions you might provide. This is truly a big moment in my life and I want to make sure that I do it right.

Thank You!

I think you really need to figure out what your priority is for a diamond at this point . Size, Clarity, Color? If it''s size, then VVS stones are overkill. As long as it''s eyeclean you can have a beautiful SI clarity stone. There is also a big price jump between G''s and I''s. So if you''re not color sensitive you will find a well cut H/I color stone will give you more "bling for your buck"

 

[moonbear19]

Thanks for the feedback so far, unfortunately I do not have any actual pictures, as the ring has not been designed and completed yet, it would be custom done with the above mentioned stones and in the same setting as I referenced above.

Neither the stone or the setting would be coming from JamesAllen.com , that is just the design I would be using as an example. Right now I am talking with an independent jeweler who gave me the above specs and the price points.

Are you able to clarify what you mean by the girdle variance being out of wack, exactly means. I am a little confused.

As far as what I am looking for, I am looking for a balance between size and quality. I do not want to go any smaller than 1.5 carats total weight, but definetly do not want to sacrafice quality either. I really would like to have a ring for her that has great fire and brilliance if possible.

I am not sure if this is allowed or not, but does anyone know of any other jewelers who can create a ring like that, that would be able to give me some quotes.(sorry again if that is not allowed here)

Thank you!

 

[moonbear19]

anyone?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/12/2009 1:13:26 PM
Author: moonbear19
Thanks for the feedback so far, unfortunately I do not have any actual pictures, as the ring has not been designed and completed yet, it would be custom done with the above mentioned stones and in the same setting as I referenced above.

Neither the stone or the setting would be coming from JamesAllen.com , that is just the design I would be using as an example. Right now I am talking with an independent jeweler who gave me the above specs and the price points.

Are you able to clarify what you mean by the girdle variance being out of wack, exactly means. I am a little confused.

The girdle has more variance than I like to see at slightly thick to very thick, the very thick part can waste weight - slightly thick to thick would be preferable or medium to slightly thick etc. But we really can't tell much about the cut quality ( other than it isn't cut to top standards) without images as I mentioned before. The sidestones could be better as I said earlier by choosing ones which have less contrast between tables and depth, but finding a well cut Princess is more complex than this and depends on various factors. If you want great sparkle and fire in your ring stones then finding the best cut Princess you can get will give you this.

As far as what I am looking for, I am looking for a balance between size and quality. I do not want to go any smaller than 1.5 carats total weight, but definetly do not want to sacrafice quality either. I really would like to have a ring for her that has great fire and brilliance if possible.

I am not sure if this is allowed or not, but does anyone know of any other jewelers who can create a ring like that, that would be able to give me some quotes.(sorry again if that is not allowed here)

Thank you!

Also check out some of the PS vendors such as James Allen - also

www.winkjones.com

www.whiteflash.com

www.goodoldgold.com

www.exceldiamonds.com

They might be able to accomodate you with your ring style and find you some well cut Princess to go in it.

 

[lyra]

Also, if you don''t choose platinum, you might want to consider using 18K white gold, not 14K. Most designer rings in white gold are 18K, and I personally find it looks whiter. White gold may have to be replated periodically (yearly, it depends on wearer), platinum gets a grey patina but can be polished without loss of material. Just a few things to keep in mind. Platinum is heavier, but most don''t mind or notice that part.

 

[moonbear19]

Hi, I took your suggestion and asked if there was another stone with a less thick girdle, they gave me the below option for the center stone. The side stones would stay the same. Please let me know if you think this one is ok, better, worse, etc.


GIA Certified
Square Modified Brilliant
Measurements: 5.74 x 5.55 x 4.01 mm
Carat Weight: 1.03 carat
Color Grade: H
Clarity Grade: VS2
Proportions:
Depth: 72.3%
Table: 72%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None

Also, I really need some opinions on if its worth it to go up to a higher color rating. Is there going to be a difference between G and H colors. I am told I can get a G color rating from this jeweler but it would cost over a 1000.00 more for all 3 stones to be the higher color. (or should i just ask for the center stone to be the higher color, or would they not match if it is done that way.)