Help! I need somebody..suggestions + critiques

[minerva]

Hi everyone,

I''ve been browsing these forums trying to grasp as much information as I can. I found a few stones/settings, but I''d like to know what the pro''s here think! Also, if anyone can suggest/recommend anything it would be much appreciated!

Budget (stone+setting) = $3k

Diamond: Asscher, Emerald
Setting: Pave

If you would like me to post the info directly instead of links, let me know

1. 0.67-Carat Blue Nile Signature Asscher Cut Diamond, $1532

http://www.bluenile.com/asscher-cut-diamond-1-carat-or-less-signature-ideal-cut-i-color-vs1-clarity_LD01516996

2. 0.70-Carat Asscher Cut Diamond, $1995

http://www.bluenile.com/asscher-cut-diamond-1-carat-or-less-very-good-cut-g-color-vs2-clarity_LD01568653

3. 0.65-Carat Emerald Cut Diamond, $1621

http://www.bluenile.com/emerald-cut-diamond-1-carat-or-less-very-good-cut-f-color-vs1-clarity_LD01527208

4. 0.69 Carat G-VS1 Premium Cut Asscher Diamond, $1540
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/?module=diamond&item=1263432



These are the settings I found:

1. Graduated Pavé-Set Diamond Ring in 18k White Gold, $650
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-setting-white-gold_8560

2. Platinum 2.2mm Pave Set Diamond Engagement Ring
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-1921.asp

I''d appreciate any input!

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Minerva

Unfortunately it isn't really possible to buy an Asscher or Emerald cut without images, BN don't supply them so it is a gamble as to how well cut these shapes are. The James Allen Asscher does not look well cut to me plus it is IGI graded so I would pass on that one, I would stick to GIA graded diamonds initially. I will have a look to see what I can find for you presently.

Here are some selections for you

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-IF-Premium-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1111727.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1203622.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-IF-Ideal-Cut-Asscher-Diamond-1132167.asp

See what Karl K says about the above diamonds if you are interested in any of them, Karl is our step cut specialist and if he thinks the above are worth further consideration then we can go from there.

 

[tyty333]

I cant comment much on the stones...we''ll leave that up to karl but, I can comment on the settings.

I prefer the second setting. I think is quite lovely!

 

[minerva]

Thanks for the helpful replies, Lorelei and Tyty!

Just curious, it seems the emerald/asscher cuts are the most expensive..does this mean I could get a larger or better round diamond for the same price?

 

[MissGotRocks]

Date: 11/29/2009 6:49:15 PM
Author: minerva
Thanks for the helpful replies, Lorelei and Tyty!

Just curious, it seems the emerald/asscher cuts are the most expensive..does this mean I could get a larger or better round diamond for the same price?

No, not at all. This round stone is equivalent in color and clarity to one that Lorelei posted but it is a H&A round brillant cut stone - look at the price difference!

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-IF-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1241628.asp

as opposed to this http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-IF-Premium-Cut-Emerald-Diamond-1111727.asp

 

[minerva]

Wow! Thanks for the clarification. I''m a bit overwhelmed - reading good reviews of BN I thought this would be easy

perhaps I should take a trip to costco or jareds

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 11/29/2009 8:40:46 PM
Author: minerva
Wow! Thanks for the clarification. I''m a bit overwhelmed - reading good reviews of BN I thought this would be easy

perhaps I should take a trip to costco or jareds

Please don''t, you can get something better for less money if you let us help you.

Blue nile is a great place to buy rounds because you can generally speaking pick a winner based only on the numbers. But with step cuts and other fancy shapes it is a little more complex.

Your best bet is to contact a great vendor and let them help you by being your eyes. When it comes to step cuts the vendor that comes to my mind is Good Old Gold www.goodoldgold.com Excellent customer service, excellent reputation on PS, and also good stock in house. Meaning a person you can speak to will have the actual diamond in there hand and can help you to determine if it is a good option for you.

This one is in your budget at GOG and leaves you 700 for a setting" http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6188/ It looks pretty to me but I don;t know much about step cuts.

Anyways, I''d check out the diamonds that Lorelei posted and maybe call James Allen to see what they say, and then think about calling GOG.

 

[minerva]

Ok i''ve switched to lookin for round cuts, from what I understand, taking a better cut means you can cut back on the inclusions?

Also, for a round diamond, what should I be looking at for the Girdle, Depth and Table?

I found these:

0.64-Carat Round Diamond
This Ideal-cut, F-color, and SI1-clarity diamond comes accompanied by a diamond grading report from the GIA

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?pid=LD01598712&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP


0.59-Carat Round Diamond


This Ideal-cut, H-color, and VS2-clarity diamond comes accompanied by a diamond grading report from the /img.bluenile.com/is-viewers/dhtml/bnzoomtemplate.jsp?image="certs/?src={/1999/GIA6101395177_zoom.jpeg}&serverUrl=http://img.bluenile.com/is/image/certs/?src={/1999/GIA6101395177_zoom.jpeg}'',715,700,false,true,false);" href="http://img.bluenile.com/is/image/certs/?src={/1999/GIA6101395177_zoom.jpeg}&fmt=jpg" target="blank">GIA

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?pid=LD01587348&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP

Let me know what you guys think!