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Help needed finding the best ring within our budget!

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legallyspoiled

legallyspoiled

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Mar 25, 2010
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367
My (soon to be) fiance and I have been looking for a ring that meets my ideal specs that also fits within his budget. He is pretty strict about this budget thing but also wants to make sure that I am happy. We both have grown weary from the search. After a few months of diamond hunting, it finally dawned on me to ask for some of your advice and/or assistance.

Today, I stumbled on the www.rokstok.com website. They have the most reasonable prices that I have seen by far. Has anyone purchased from them or heard anything about them and want to share?

Just so you know...my ideal ring is between 1.25-1.5 carats (even though I am open to a 1.0 carat), VS2 or better, J or better, and the best cut possible. Our budget is four thousandish. I''ve said that I would be willing to chip in a little bit if we find something that is slightly more expensive that I love.

HELP ME PLEASE!
 
I looked at the website you mentioned and most of those stones are EGL certified. You should search on
EGL here on pricescope. EGL grades very lenient compared to AGS/GIA. They could be one to two grades
off in the color/clarity department. Sometimes people get *lucky* and find ones that are graded sticker.

For example an EGL J may be an AGS/GIA K or L
EGL VS1 could be an AGS/GIA VS2/SI1

Just be ready to take it to an independent (doesnt sell diamonds) appraiser and make sure you are getting
what you paid for. It looks like Rokstok has a 30 day refund policy if you are not happy.

Have you been able to do any research to know what goes into a well cut stone?

You can use this tool to help eliminate stones. Stones that score under 2.0 are worth further
evaluation. The lower the number doesnt matter (like a 0.9 isnt better than a 1.4)...it just
needs to score under 2.
https://www.pricescope.com/cutadviser.asp

Also lots to learn on this website in the Knowledge menu pulldown.

If you find a stone you are interested in it...you can post it and we can check it out for you
to make sure it is a well cut stone.
 
Wow...thanks for the tips.

Darn it. You can view the certification on the Rokstok website which makes me a little less nervous. I was thinking maybe we could buy what they consider a VS1 or better with an I color or better, call and inquire whether it is eye clean, cross our fingers and pray that it is a good diamond, and if it shows up and doesn''t live up to our wishes...we can just send it back.

For instance, what about this one:
http://rokstok.com/diamonddetails1.php?did=519512
 
nope, even if the color and clarity is passable the dimensions are much too deep for a well cut stone.
 
These puppies are local. Any worth taking a look at?

$3710 --- Carat Weight: 1.34 Color: J Clarity: VS1
http://bd01.store.mijeweler.com/catalog/diamond/111335

$4260 -- Carat Weight: 1.50 Color: H Clarity: SI1
http://bd01.store.mijeweler.com/catalog/diamond/111357
 
Date: 3/26/2010 11:31:05 AM
Author: legallyspoiled
These puppies are local. Any worth taking a look at?

$3710 --- Carat Weight: 1.34 Color: J Clarity: VS1
http://bd01.store.mijeweler.com/catalog/diamond/111335

$4260 -- Carat Weight: 1.50 Color: H Clarity: SI1
http://bd01.store.mijeweler.com/catalog/diamond/111357
Click to expand...
don't shop for price,shop for a well cut stone.
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$4260 will not buy you a nice 1.5ct H SI1 stone
 
Thanks for the tips guys! I think that I am going to check out that local jeweler this weekend. I''ll be sure to keep you posted.
 
There is a reason why everyone on PS recommends a well cut stone. A huge 5 CT poorly cut stone is large but nasty - what's the point of a rock that doesn't sparkle. It's almost like buying a large rock with a huge black inclusion smack in the middle of the table.

If it is size you are after, you should look at the actual measurements of the diamond instead of just the ct weight. Two diamonds with the same ct weight can have very different measurements.

Please remember when you go look at diamonds this weekend that almost all stones look nice in store lighting - it's in normal settings that their true beauty shows.

One more tip - antique stones can offer you some cost savings. They are beautiful in my opinion and come with a lower price tag :)
Contact http://www.jewelsbyericagrace.com - they may be able to help you.
 
Here are some numbers that you might try to look for when looking for a well cut stone...
(a cheat sheet
41.gif
)

depth 60-62%
table 54-57%
crown angle 34-35 degrees *some time these are given in %
pavilion angle 40.6 - 41 degrees *some time these are given in %

Polish &symmetry - very good or above

Like SC said, use the HCA to eliminate stones...anything under 2 is worth further considerations.
http://www.pricescope.com/cutadviser.asp

Honestly with your budget you should be looking in the 1 carat range. It will probably be hard to find
a well cut 1 carat in the $4ish K range. I would never say never though.
 
Sooooo...

Yesterday at work, I decided that I would consider a different cut. I started to price stones in the cushion cut. I was shocked at how much more carat you got for your dollar. I could barely wait until 5p to run out of the office into my nearest jeweler. I was heartbroken when I realized that a 1 carat cushion appears significantly smaller than a 1 carat round because cushions are more bottom heavy. Not to mention that they are the dullest out of all of the stones.

*SIGH* Will someone please cry me a river!

I got back online when I got home and ran some searches on some of the online vendors frequented by Pricescope users. Here is what I found: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2281788.htm

What do you think?

I''m trying to talk the boyfriend into increasing the budget just a wittle bit more. He seems pretty stern but we are both so tired of looking!!!
 
Hm ... if you''re willing to consider other shapes, would you think about getting an oval, pear, or marquise? As less "popular" cuts, they also receive a bit of a discount per carat, and they face up bigger than rounds. With ovals, in particular, you can get a very similar look to the brilliance of a round diamond ....
 
Ditto everyone on the eyeclean SI 1. I have one and you would never even know . Good luck with your search!
 
Date: 3/27/2010 7:32:55 PM
Author: legallyspoiled
Not to mention that they are the dullest out of all of the stones.
Click to expand...

Dull? You must have been looking at some awful diamonds!
 
I''d get a nice upgradable stone in a simple solitaire and upgrade until you get to the size you want. You are about 7K short of funds for what you want. So... I''d say just do it in increments .
 
Date: 3/27/2010 8:49:51 PM
Author: Gypsy
I''d get a nice upgradable stone in a simple solitaire and upgrade until you get to the size you want. You are about 7K short of funds for what you want. So... I''d say just do it in increments .
Click to expand...
I came in here to make this suggestion so +1.
 
Date: 3/27/2010 8:52:48 PM
Author: LaurenThePartier
Date: 3/27/2010 8:49:51 PM

Author: Gypsy

I''d get a nice upgradable stone in a simple solitaire and upgrade until you get to the size you want. You are about 7K short of funds for what you want. So... I''d say just do it in increments .
Click to expand...

I came in here to make this suggestion so +1.
Click to expand...

I think this is probably the best advice..
 
Date: 3/27/2010 7:32:55 PM
Author: legallyspoiled
Yesterday at work, I decided that I would consider a different cut. I started to price stones in the cushion cut. I was shocked at how much more carat you got for your dollar. I could barely wait until 5p to run out of the office into my nearest jeweler. I was heartbroken when I realized that a 1 carat cushion appears significantly smaller than a 1 carat round because cushions are more bottom heavy. Not to mention that they are the dullest out of all of the stones.
Click to expand...
Cushions are very beautiful - a well cut cushion is not dull at all. I am a cushion girl though.

Kind of the same thing as what we were saying about rounds. A poorly cut round will look pretty dull too.
 
Date: 3/27/2010 7:32:55 PM
Author: legallyspoiled
Sooooo...

Yesterday at work, I decided that I would consider a different cut. I started to price stones in the cushion cut. I was shocked at how much more carat you got for your dollar. I could barely wait until 5p to run out of the office into my nearest jeweler. I was heartbroken when I realized that a 1 carat cushion appears significantly smaller than a 1 carat round because cushions are more bottom heavy. Not to mention that they are the dullest out of all of the stones.

*SIGH* Will someone please cry me a river!

I got back online when I got home and ran some searches on some of the online vendors frequented by Pricescope users. Here is what I found: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2281788.htm

What do you think?

I'm trying to talk the boyfriend into increasing the budget just a wittle bit more. He seems pretty stern but we are both so tired of looking!!!
Click to expand...

Not enough info on this stone to evaluate. You should look for smaller stones more in your price range.
It wouldnt be so frustrating.

Here is a beautiful Brian Gavin stone that will be upgradable...1 carat, J, SI2...check for eye-clean for
(drum roll please)...$3912. It is a very well cut stone I'm just not sure how eye-clean it is. There are other
Brian Gavin stones in the $4kish price range to consider. You can call and ask about the stone. Put it
on hold if you are interested.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040381680039

Here are 2 that will be eye-clean in the $4700ish range.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040397620005
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040397620006

EDIT
Another nice upgradable stone
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-1848209.htm

Edit Again...you might ask about this one...its a 1.2 for just under $5k and scores a 1.5 on the HCA
numbers look decent but will need to find out how eye-clean it is. This one is not upgradable...but
you could maybe ask BGD if its a possibility.
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-details/?product_id=16977525
 
News Flash! I can be a tad bit hard headed sometimes. I am known to exhaust all possibilities before facing the fact that I can''t get exactly what I want. I think that I have finally reached that point with finding the perfect stone.

Although I still think that a 1.25-1.5 carat will look better on my long slender 6.5 finger, I really want to be dazzled when I look down at my finger. And yes, I know that a well cut diamond will appear larger. I don''t doubt that but I won''t be fully convinced until I see it. (I''m one of those "I''ll believe it when I see it" people.)

That being said, the soon to be fiance and I have an appointment at Whiteflash on Friday since we are both off. I am trying to get an appointment at Brian Gavin also on Friday. Hopefully, I will fall in love with something!

Thanks again for all of your advice and tips along the way!
 
Good luck on Friday. :)
 
Date: 3/30/2010 12:03:36 PM
Author: legallyspoiled
News Flash! I can be a tad bit hard headed sometimes. I am known to exhaust all possibilities before facing the fact that I can''t get exactly what I want. I think that I have finally reached that point with finding the perfect stone.


Although I still think that a 1.25-1.5 carat will look better on my long slender 6.5 finger, I really want to be dazzled when I look down at my finger. And yes, I know that a well cut diamond will appear larger. I don''t doubt that but I won''t be fully convinced until I see it. (I''m one of those ''I''ll believe it when I see it'' people.)


That being said, the soon to be fiance and I have an appointment at Whiteflash on Friday since we are both off. I am trying to get an appointment at Brian Gavin also on Friday. Hopefully, I will fall in love with something!


Thanks again for all of your advice and tips along the way!
Click to expand...

Echoing that you''re probably better off getting a well-cut stone within your budget and upgrading later on if you feel the need. Speaking as a boyfriend who is ring shopping, I would have been a bit insulted if my girlfriend told me "I want a ring of x size/color/quality and if you can''t afford that, I''ll pay the difference." I take pride in the fact that I''ve managed to save up enough money such that I can pay cash for her ring without going into debt, and to be told "Sorry, not good enough" would be a big let down for me.

Yes, you''re the one that has to wear the ring, but it''s not like he''s getting you the wrong cut stone/style/or color gold/platinum - carat size is pretty directly correlated with budget, especially when you''ve established other minimum parameters for color, clarity, and cut. Saying you can''t get the ring you want because his budget isn''t large enough is a bit of a slap in the face.
 
FYI it is Passover and a few jewelers are working reduced schedules this week and next, and I believe that BGD is one of them.

Have fun when you go there.
 
NJDEAC >>> The exchange with my boyfriend and I didn''t go down anything like that. He actually approached me because he was having a hard time finding what I wanted within his budget and was afraid that I wouldn''t be happy. He knows that I am extremely particular...something that I can''t help. I tried telling him that I would be happy with whatever he got but insisted on me helping. When we realized that what I wanted would probably exceed his budget, I offered to pay the difference. Trust me, he was anything but insulted. We don''t get our undies all in a bunch over stuff like that.
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Date: 3/30/2010 12:27:29 PM
Author: Gypsy
FYI it is Passover and a few jewelers are working reduced schedules this week and next, and I believe that BGD is one of them.

Have fun when you go there.
Click to expand...
I''ll confirm that. You can still call BGD and talk to them, I spoke wth Jamie today. However Lesley and Brian are out until Thursday-ish (I believe that was what I was told).
 
Yeah, the few appointments that BGD did have are already booked. They are willing to make a special arrangement on Sunday but that is Easter. I''ll have to see how the BF feels about it.
 
By the way, how lucky am I that both Whiteflash and Brian Gavin are local!
 
Date: 3/30/2010 1:18:58 PM
Author: legallyspoiled
By the way, how lucky am I that both Whiteflash and Brian Gavin are local!
Click to expand...

You are indeed lucky!

Good luck. I really hope you find the stone of your dreams (within budget!!
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