Help me with my limited budget

redhorse · Dec 2, 2017

i am looking for ring to give to my gf for christmas.
i am looking for 1 carat round diamond or anything close to 1 carat.
my budget for the diamond including the setting is $4k.

i went to the mall to look at soem rings but there is nothing there that is remotely cloe to my 4k budget.

thank you

whitewave · Dec 2, 2017

Be back soon with some selections

whitewave · Dec 2, 2017

When looking at stones, be sure to check the actual dimensions.

It's going to be hard to get 1 carat for 4k unless you go down in color. Has your GF given you any specs about color?

This .80 I VS1 is currently on hold, but I'll add it anyway: https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD8323
5.98 x 6.03 x 3.66

Whiteflash:
.832 H VS2
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3876804.htm
6.01 x 6.04 x 3.71

whitewave · Dec 2, 2017

.956 J color VS2
6.31 x 6.35 x 3.89
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3916984.htm

I think you should max on the stone and choose a simple solitare setting for around 500$

I'll check James Allen next.

EDITED: just saw 4k is all in for setting too.

Ok. You aren't getting one carat for that. What do you want to bend on?

whitewave · Dec 2, 2017

Come back and talk to us about what your GF has dropped hints on, so we can help you max your budget and also make her happy.

KKJohnson · Dec 2, 2017

If you get a solitaire setting then you can spend more on the diamond
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...solitaire-engagement-ring-six-prong-item-7995

This was my favorite stone on JA but it is more of an older cut-
1) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-very-good-cut-sku-3597323

2) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3692726

3) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-si1-clarity-very-good-cut-sku-3649154. Very clean for S1

There are those that are much more educated over diamonds than me and you can’t go wrong with HP or Whiteflash!

whitewave · Dec 2, 2017

Lowered specs:

Blue Nile:

$3205.00
.90 I SI1 medium fluro
6.16 x 6.20 x 3.83
1.1 on hca tool
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09353303?refTab=DIAMONDS

$3243.00
1.01 J SI2 strong fluro
6.44 x 6.41 x 3.97
1.5 on HCA tool
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09384858?refTab=DIAMONDS

whitewave · Dec 2, 2017

KKJohnson said:
If you get a solitaire setting then you can spend more on the diamond
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...solitaire-engagement-ring-six-prong-item-7995

This was my favorite stone on JA but it is more of an older cut-
1) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-very-good-cut-sku-3597323

2) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3692726

3) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-si1-clarity-very-good-cut-sku-3649154. Very clean for S1

There are those that are much more educated over diamonds than me and you can’t go wrong with HP or Whiteflash!

That first one scores a 4.1 on HCA so trash it! The second one is 1.9 hca and the third is 2.2 hca-- all are too deep!

Run the others through HCA and toss anything above 2

scarsmum · Dec 2, 2017

Maybe worth an offer https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-natural-diamond-center/reduced-6-dot-8-mm-diamond-halo-ring

whitewave · Dec 2, 2017

scarsmum said:
Maybe worth an offer https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-natural-diamond-center/reduced-6-dot-8-mm-diamond-halo-ring

Oooh, that's nice and it is a David Klass setting. Nice find.

KKJohnson · Dec 2, 2017

Agreed, second hand is a better option since you want it by Christmas

Niel · Dec 2, 2017

This one is nice
You have to go to blue nile and search LD09396952

Niel · Dec 2, 2017

With a cheap setting and using a 100 discount from blue nile you should be able to do that for like 4050

Snowdrop13 · Dec 2, 2017

Great find!

OoohShiny · Dec 2, 2017

Would a man-made / lab-created diamond be an option?

mochiko42 · Dec 2, 2017

whitewave said:
That first one scores a 4.1 on HCA so trash it! The second one is 1.9 hca and the third is 2.2 hca-- all are too deep!

Run the others through HCA and toss anything above 2

I wouldn't dismiss the first stone outright if you're partial to older style cuts because HCA doesn't tell the whole story for antique stones. This one looks like it's bordering on being a transitional cut instead of being a MRB. The cut looks pretty but it is a little deep and the table is bigger than I like in trannies so I would check on light performance.. If OP is open to antique cuts then there are many more options out there, eg Love Affair Diamonds and Jewels by Grace have some very nice stones and finished rings.

lalala · Dec 2, 2017

scarsmum said:
Maybe worth an offer https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-natural-diamond-center/reduced-6-dot-8-mm-diamond-halo-ring

Smkq117 · Dec 2, 2017

That loupetroop listing is gorgeous!!! If I wasn't planning to get an AVR in two months, I'd get that one!! Beautiful setting. You really can't go wrong with that one and the listing even says it faces up like a 1.25!

redhorse · Dec 2, 2017

whitewave said:
Ok. You aren't getting one carat for that. What do you want to bend on?

i understand, that is why i was looking at anything below 1 carat, if there is 1 carat with that pricerange it is a bonus but not expecting it.

whitewave said:
Come back and talk to us about what your GF has dropped hints on, so we can help you max your budget and also make her happy.

she doesnt really know. i dont want her to know. we've been living together for the past 6 years with no promise, guarantee and expectation of marriage. i think it is time. i dont want her to know though.
she is not into jewelries.

whitewave said:
Lowered specs:

Blue Nile:

$3205.00
.90 I SI1 medium fluro
6.16 x 6.20 x 3.83
1.1 on hca tool
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09353303?refTab=DIAMONDS

$3243.00
1.01 J SI2 strong fluro
6.44 x 6.41 x 3.97
1.5 on HCA tool
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09384858?refTab=DIAMONDS

these looks nice. i think this is the best one i can afford to give her. thank you.
should i get this then? which one of the two should i get?

OoohShiny said:
Would a man-made / lab-created diamond be an option?

she doesnt care. she doesnt care about jewelry much. she never bought a jewelry since i've known her. not into clothes,shoes.

Niel · Dec 2, 2017

I would not get a si2 stone with strong fluorescence for as a gift diamond. You can’t guarantee she will like those to characteristics.

whitewave · Dec 3, 2017

redhorse said:
i understand, that is why i was looking at anything below 1 carat, if there is 1 carat with that pricerange it is a bonus but not expecting it.

she doesnt really know. i dont want her to know. we've been living together for the past 6 years with no promise, guarantee and expectation of marriage. i think it is time. i dont want her to know though.
she is not into jewelries.

these looks nice. i think this is the best one i can afford to give her. thank you.
should i get this then? which one of the two should i get?

she doesnt care. she doesnt care about jewelry much. she never bought a jewelry since i've known her. not into clothes,shoes.

I like the .90 I or the 1.06 J

Blue Nile has a 30 day refund policy so you can get it and if you or she doesn't like it, you can return it

whitewave · Dec 3, 2017

You could also try to get in contact with Martin at USA Certified Diamonds and see what he can find.
http://www.usacerteddiamonds.com/introindex.html

rockysalamander · Dec 3, 2017

OP. I like the first BN stone posted, but the problem with BN for rounds is that they will not provide Idealscope images or ASET - which are important to evaluate performance. So, I would recommend you contact ID Jewelery in New York as they can get many of the same diamonds and have a good eye and work on a budget. If you don't know your girl's preferences, like PP said, I'd stick for a I color or above, SI stones if viewed by a gemologist to be eye-clean at 8" of viewing.

IF preowned and or vintage diamonds are possible for you, here are a few:
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/81ct-old-european-cut-diamond-in-brian-gavin-setting
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-00ct-emerald-cut-diamond-solitaire-platinum

Ovals would can give you more spread in mm (finger coverage) than a round. The first BN stone is 6.12 mm, these are all ~7.0 mm*5.59mm
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.91-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-3670362
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.91-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-735318
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.90-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3440674

Smkq117 · Dec 3, 2017

That one in the Brian Gavin setting is also gorgeous!! You have two recommendations with gorgeous settings already included, within your budget. if my BF was proposing to me with either of those I'd be so happy!!

Smkq117 · Dec 3, 2017

Also OP what is her finger size? Because a .8 carat looks plenty big on me and I'm a 4.25, I think that Brian Gavin setting one would be gorgeous, but I'm partial to old cuts.

Niel · Dec 3, 2017

A high quality used option
E color, excellent cut,.7 hca in platinum .89ct
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/253281757945

whitewave · Dec 3, 2017

I have been thinking about this. Since you say she isn't into jewelry and have never expressed desire for any, I would go smaller but amazing brand name diamond. This will blow her socks off:

https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD9167
.73 H VS2 Crafted by Infinity Diamond
$3482.00
It is a precision cut so you already know it is a perfect diamond.

Email for a email and video.

jadesilver · Dec 3, 2017

scarsmum said:
Maybe worth an offer https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-natural-diamond-center/reduced-6-dot-8-mm-diamond-halo-ring

OP, if your gf is open to vintage items (haha aka secondhand), it might be useful to note that you can replate and polish any ring so that it looks brand new, no scratches nothing. I’ve purchased vintage rings that were polished to look new (declared as vintage) and they were in brand-new condition, not a single hairline tiny scratch. Seller said a jeweller had polished it.

That ring is fantastic value if you offer $4000 for it and it can be resized to any size.

Niel · Dec 3, 2017

jadesilver said:
OP, if your gf is open to vintage items (haha aka secondhand), it might be useful to note that you can replate and polish any ring so that it looks brand new, no scratches nothing. I’ve purchased vintage rings that were polished to look new (declared as vintage) and they were in brand-new condition, not a single hairline tiny scratch. Seller said a jeweller had polished it.

That ring is fantastic value if you offer $4000 for it and it can be resized to any size.

I know that this seller won’t go down to 4k

Lachinoiserie · Dec 3, 2017

>.80ct ACA + brand new platinum Ritani solitaire ring for less than 4000$ at Whiteflash:

I’m no expert, but we have the same story behind, and that’s what I would do

Ben

Help me with my limited budget

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