Help making dreams come true (Diamond help)

[gigem2011]

I live in texas and decided to go to a few local stores and noticed the prices were much higher than blue nile and james allen for the same thing. I was going to go with WF but I believe there's a local state tax here as well that would increase the price. Every sales associate told me something different about what diamond is the best and were really pushy on trying to lock one down the same day. I've never bought any jewelry online but after looking through the posts I think i'll follow footsteps with the many others who are buying their whole setting online.

I'm looking for a 3 stone ring with a princess cut diamond which is what she wants. As a guy I have almost no idea which direction to go other than that. My budget was under 8,000 for evverything and I would prefer a carat weight to be at least 1.


These are the two i was thinking about but then again i'm not sure on what is the better of the two.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.22-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-347869

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.21-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-77625

and for the ring i was looking at something like this

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/18k-white-gold-three-stone-princess-and-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-22632

I'm just looking for some advice and help on what direction to go for the diamond or ring setting or just any advice in general.



Thanks so much!

 

[Gypsy]

Ok. So the first princess is IGI so eliminate it. I think the second one is also not going to be great. Neither have great performance. But that's okay, we can pick you a princess with great performance. Let's talk settings first.

It's good that she wants a three stone. But does she want the channel set diamonds on the shank with it? It's a bulky look and it's not something very popular right now, so I just want to know if you've checked the setting with her, or against inspiration pictures she's shared with you.

 

[gigem2011]

I dont think she has her heart set on a channel setting. I know for sure she does what a 3 stone but if a channel setting is too bulky then maybe a simple 3 setting would work better?

 

[Gypsy]

I think this is a better combo:
https://bridal.gabrielny.com/product/ER5914W44JJ Good Old Gold is a Gabriel Company retailer so they can order this one for you. Their price should be lower than what is listed there. So let's assume 1500 for the setting.

And you can go for this one: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12037/ or if you want something larger ask GOG to source a nice AGS0 princess at H Si1 (this is what I'd do). They can do that easily and then post the ASETs for you.

Okay?

 

[Gypsy]

Or this:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.20-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-233370 Gorgeous

And JA can get a Stuller setting for you, hold on I'll post it.

 

[Niel]

Im not a fan of either of those stones.

I would stick with GIA or AGS cut stones as they are most accurate, so you know what your actually paying for.

AGS grades quality of cut. Consider these

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-290847

and then ask them to use these sides
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.34-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-319285
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.33-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-319294

And replace the side stones in one of these settings, unless she really needs pave, i would not put them on the engagement ring along with side stones, id save the pave for the wedding band

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/14k-white-gold-princess-and-pave-accents-engagement-ring-item-16628

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/18k-white-gold-three-stone-step-cut-emerald-engagement-ring-item-22625

 

[Gypsy]

Okay so the stone above with this setting: http://www.stuller.com/products/122105/9141321/?groupId=119121 and JA can quote you for that with F/G sidestones.

That's what I'd do. You get a really lovely diamond, and a lovely setting that's modern and nicer than the channel set one.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.20-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-233370
Also have them quote you for the Stuller setting with the white gold 14kt Stuller X-1 metal alloy so it never needs plating!

Okay? Put that stone on hold. Ask for an ASET. In the meantime as them to quote you for that Stuller setting with 2 F/G sidestones for it.

 

[gigem2011]

So roughly for the diamond.
Color G or higher?
Clarity:SI1
Cut: True Hearts or very good?


and GIA or AGS certifications?

Also would it be smarter and more economical to get a .9ish rock instead?

Will GOG just send me a list of diamonds in that price range?

 

[Gypsy]

Just put the below stone on hold. Tell them you want the Stuller setting below. And that you want them to quote you for it inclusive of F/G sidestones. Okay? That's all you have to do. Ignore what I said about GOG. This is a much better value for your budget.

Okay so the stone above with this setting: http://www.stuller.com/products/122105/9141321/?groupId=119121 and JA can quote you for that with F/G sidestones.

That's what I'd do. You get a really lovely diamond, and a lovely setting that's modern and nicer than the channel set one.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.20-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-233370
Also have them quote you for the Stuller setting with the white gold 14kt Stuller X-1 metal alloy so it never needs plating!

Okay? Put that stone on hold. Ask for an ASET. In the meantime as them to quote you for that Stuller setting with 2 F/G sidestones for it.

And yes at JA, you want True Hearts if you can get it. Get an ASET. If True Hearts doesn't work out then Ideal. NO with diamonds "very good" cut is never good enough.