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Help! Need 1.0 ct round brilliant + setting ($7,500)

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Wallycat2

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Dec 24, 2008
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Hello,
This is a great site and everyone is so helpful!!
I am planning to propose to my girlfriend 1/10/09, our 2nd anniversary! Background info: Ive done alot of research and want a 1.0 carat round brilliant. I think I like channel settings (not a solitaire but would like something not too thick and with some side stones on the setting). My girlfriend in 5''7" and 115 lbs so I think 1 carat is perfect. I have about $7,500 to spend total. These are the specs im leaning towards:
1.0 carat
round brilliant
hearts & arrows cut if price allows
F or G color
VS2 or SI1
ideal crown & pavillion angles and depth/table sizes (I know these)
Excellent/VG polish/symmetry
6.5 mm diameter

I started out looking for rings at Blue Nile and Adiamor but after reading posts ive discovered others such as whiteflash, niceice, winkjones, james allen, etc. I will look into these once I hear some responses.

I have learned that I should run the HCA and get a result < 1.0 which I will do, and I will try to get Idealscope pics as well.

My questions:

1) Is 6.5 mm the first dimension number listed in all certs?
2) If i do buy online which Im leaning towards, should I get the stone and setting together?
3) For my price range, is there a preferred color/clarity combo (in other words would I be better off looking for F and SI1 or G and VS2?) Obviously price matters here!
4) Can I find a hearts & arrows cut at this price?
5) Am I right in looking at just 1.0 or slightly above or should i consider slightly under 1.0 carats to save some money?
6) Should I go with 4 prong or 6 prong for this size diamond?
7) Do the sites I named all provide Idealscope pics or do I need to arrange for these? How does Idealscope work?

I appreciate any help and will definitely post any potential diamonds for a group review.

Thanks,
Wallycat
 
Can't answer all your questions. The HCA should be at 2 or less. The weeds out the dogs. If you can drop to an SI2 consider this. It is below your budget. 1.02 F SI2

1.053ct G SI1

I think you will find a variety to pick from but only you can decide where to drop in color and clarity. Definitely stick with excellent/ideal for cut.

And welcome aboard!
 
Date: 12/24/2008 11:07:33 PM
Author:Wallycat2
Hello,
This is a great site and everyone is so helpful!!
I am planning to propose to my girlfriend 1/10/09, our 2nd anniversary! Background info: Ive done alot of research and want a 1.0 carat round brilliant. I think I like channel settings (not a solitaire but would like something not too thick and with some side stones on the setting). My girlfriend in 5'7' and 115 lbs so I think 1 carat is perfect. I have about $7,500 to spend total. These are the specs im leaning towards:
1.0 carat
round brilliant
hearts & arrows cut if price allows
F or G color
VS2 or SI1
ideal crown & pavillion angles and depth/table sizes (I know these)
Excellent/VG polish/symmetry
6.5 mm diameter

I started out looking for rings at Blue Nile and Adiamor but after reading posts ive discovered others such as whiteflash, niceice, winkjones, james allen, etc. I will look into these once I hear some responses.

I have learned that I should run the HCA and get a result < 1.0 which I will do, and I will try to get Idealscope pics as well.

My questions:

1) Is 6.5 mm the first dimension number listed in all certs?

Since rounds are not usually exactly round, they're listed as diameter in one direction x diameter in another x total depth. So yes, a 1 ct round brilliant would be listed as "6.49 mm x 6.51 x (Whatever depth)mm" (for example.)
2) If i do buy online which Im leaning towards, should I get the stone and setting together?

Generally it's easier, but if it doesn't work that way you can also do it other ways, like buy the diamond and get the setting locally, or get the diamond at one online store and get it set at another; really, though it's ideal to do it that way, it's not a huge deal if you have to go somewhere else to get the setting.

3) For my price range, is there a preferred color/clarity combo (in other words would I be better off looking for F and SI1 or G and VS2?) Obviously price matters here!

Totally personal choice. Usually eyeclean is enough for most people- you can find eyeclean SI2s, so I'd probably drop clarity as far as possible and still get an eyeclean stone, and then go for larger or higher color, whichever you prefer. Dunno what you can get for your budget, though.

4) Can I find a hearts & arrows cut at this price?

I'd try to, if I were you- probably, I'd sacrifice color to get it, if necessary- you may not have to, though; you can do a PS diamond search to get an idea of what you can afford, or bluenile is OK to do a quick budget check (though BN is tough to buy from, they don't provide that much info). Better cut all the way!

5) Am I right in looking at just 1.0 or slightly above or should i consider slightly under 1.0 carats to save some money?

You absolutely could, but it can be a rare size; cutters will try to hit that magic mark, and they're also snatched up fast too. If you can find one though, fabulous- great way to save some $ with the look of a carat.

6) Should I go with 4 prong or 6 prong for this size diamond?

Totally personal preference, either looks just fine with a 1 ct. If she's a bit hard on stuff, 6 prong would be a good call, but either way- get insurance, and just get what you/she likes.

7) Do the sites I named all provide Idealscope pics or do I need to arrange for these? How does Idealscope work?

I know WF does, and GOG... can't recall about the others off the top of my head.

I appreciate any help and will definitely post any potential diamonds for a group review.

Thanks,
Wallycat
Click to expand...
Hope that helps a bit
1.gif
Good luck! (And yeah- you're aiming for less than 2 on the HCA, with anything under 2 being worth considering further.)
 
Here's my fiance's:

setting: Mark Morrell Petite Torchiere (Platinum 900)
diamond: 1.06ct AGS0 J SI1, from Good Old Gold

I don't have the figures in front of me, but I think I paid something like $4995 (bank wire price) for the stone + $2200 for the setting (which has 6 add'l surprise diamonds in it).

collage_mwm_pt.jpg
 
Thanks for all the feedback, I am still searching but think im headed in the right direction. I will try to find an eye clean SI2 but it seems like it is difficult to tell just using online photos and the ring specs. I might be safer looking at SI1''s. If you call the site will they pull the diamond and talk you through how eye clean it is? I guess finding the right setting is proving to be a second battle.
 
Hi, Wally,

Not sure why the WF option above didn''t appear on the search by cut database...but here''s two more to consider from JA...and an example of a ring that might work from WF...
 
Regular guy, thanks!

The second diamond you sent over from James Allen might be the best ive seen so far for my price range, very nice! James Allen seems like a great site because of the pricescope discount, upgrading options, and the resizing option.

The setting you chose is one of two I found on white flash that I really like. Here is the second let me know your thoughts:

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/X-Prong-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-with-Channel-Setting_987.htm

If I were to get a diamond from say James Allen and a setting from Whiteflash would I just get it mounted locally? What kind of cost would that run?

Thanks again!
 
I much prefer the X-Prong setting - the profile is more interesting. If you get the diamond from JA and the setting from WF you can send the diamond to WF to set.
 
Oh - as far as the channel set is concerned, do you know if she likes channel set stones, or sidestones at all? Some women do, and some of us don''t, LOL. Also, you mentioned not wanting anything too thick - the WF X-Prong Channel setting is 4mm thick, which isn''t hugely wide, but isn''t petite either. Just something to think about!

Here''s one from James Allen, with a more slender width:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-2798_design.asp?module=setting


These are from WF:

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/-Petite-Open-Cathedral--Engagement-Ring_1211.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/-Flush-Fit--Diamond-Engagement-Ring_1063.htm#
 
Wallycat, Diamonds can occassionally be chipped while being set. If possible you should buy the diamond and setting from the same vendor. The diamond vendors are covered by their own insurance when they set the diamond. In your case, I would have the setting sent to diamond vendor. Then your diamond is covered by insurance. Setting a diamond is fairly cheap. But most local jewelry stores will not cover your diamond while being set. Best to ask the diamond vendor about this. Reg guy has picked out two nice diamonds!!
 
Bagel, I''d certainly like to get both diamond and setting at the same place! Since im "only" looking at 1 carat I guess this would affect the thickness of the setting I choose?

Gecko you make some great points. She is a slender gal so perhaps 4mm may be too thick on her hand? The 2.6mm setting from James Allen sure is beautiful.

I guess there is good and bad to my E ring search. The good is that my girlfriend is going to be very surprised because she''s not helping in the search and has no clue of my timeline here. I tried to get ideas but she wasn''t much help. The only info Ive got from her is she doesn''t like princess or marquise diamonds. Beyond that she said she would like anything. She said she was light headed when I actually tried taking her to a jewelry store, so we left. Ive come up with what I think she will like. I love the round style.

One more thing, I found some .93-.99 carats that would save money. Will this be splitting hairs? Im a bit worried about breaking the budget, but will do so if necessary.
 
Wally,

I don''t know too much about rings, but think you''ve heard some good advice here. Regarding shaving size...yes, there''s this one, and maybe others. Me: twenty years ago, I did look for 1 carat when asking for my girl''s hand. Later, in seeking a replacement diamond, I went for something a bit smaller...and did in fact get if from JA.

Which time was I smarter?

Happy New Year!
 
That is the one I found earlier. What do you think of the marks in the middle of the diamond?
 
You can always ask the vendor if the diamond is "eye clean." Each vendor has their own definition of eye clean, but if you agree with their definition then you should be a-ok with asking one of the recommended vendors if the diamond is eye clean.
 
Date: 12/26/2008 12:52:35 PM
Author: Wallycat2
Bagel, I''d certainly like to get both diamond and setting at the same place! Since im ''only'' looking at 1 carat I guess this would affect the thickness of the setting I choose?

Gecko you make some great points. She is a slender gal so perhaps 4mm may be too thick on her hand? The 2.6mm setting from James Allen sure is beautiful.

I guess there is good and bad to my E ring search. The good is that my girlfriend is going to be very surprised because she''s not helping in the search and has no clue of my timeline here. I tried to get ideas but she wasn''t much help. The only info Ive got from her is she doesn''t like princess or marquise diamonds. Beyond that she said she would like anything. She said she was light headed when I actually tried taking her to a jewelry store, so we left. Ive come up with what I think she will like. I love the round style.

One more thing, I found some .93-.99 carats that would save money. Will this be splitting hairs? Im a bit worried about breaking the budget, but will do so if necessary.
Click to expand...
If getting one in the .93-.99 range will save some cash, I say go for it, since it''s that "magic" 1 carat point that adds $$$. The visible size difference between a .93 and a 1.0 is negligable, in my opinion. Do you think she''ll care that it''s a tad under 1 carat? If not, then I say go for it.
1.gif


As for the shape - you really can''t go wrong with a round brilliant!
9.gif


I only brought up the band width because I have a problem with wider bands - I have little hands.
5.gif
I have a 2.5mm ering paired with a 2.3mm band and anything thicker would be uncomfortable for me.
 
Disclaimer: I suck at pavillion angles and proportions. Math and I are not friends. These are all ACAs, so I assume they''re good to go. But let the experts chime in first.


What about this lady: http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1844711.htm

In this setting: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-2798_design.asp?module=setting

Puts you $100 over.

Or this lovely:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1844710.htm

with the same setting would put you at almost 1K under budget.
 
I''m not a big channel set person either (which doesnt really mean a thing) but if I were going to pick one out of the ones suggested here I definitly like the first
2 that gecko mentioned. They seem much more delicate.
 
I know she will never realize any dissapointment if I go with .94, .94 etc. instead of the magic 1.0. I just want to get her the best. Guess one reservation is the keeping up with the Joneses'' mentality that ring shopping causes. I am trying my best to avoid this as I have alot of friends that just recently got engaged or married.

You guys have given me tons of options which is great. The good part is Im not feeling overwhelmed because my research is very solid. I am just waiting to talk to a family member who wants me to check one other route before doing anything (he has a local connection). My trips to local places so far have been very unsatisfactory. I''ll keep you guys posted but i''d like to say I agree with tyty in that I really like the thinner settings that gecko first posted. They are beautiful and make it much easier to stay in budget.
 
If you get a beautifully cut AGS ideal or GIA excellent from one of the favored vendors on PS who can supply you with ASETS and a visual inspection, your FI's ring will whoa most of your friends no matter what size. So few stones are the quality that we aim for here. The average stone bought that satisfies most people does not come close to the stones you've gotten links to.

And rarely does the family/friend connection end up producing something comparable.
 
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