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Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamond)

panda_eyes66

Rough_Rock
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Hi all,

I am recently engaged and my partner and I are looking to purchase a round solitaire in a six-prong setting (small prongs) with a slim plain band. Essentially, I want the same as the settings shown in the photos but I would like to purchase it online so that it is more affordable. I have heard Brian Gavin, James Allen & Blue Nile are highly recommended and I am happy to purchase from them or any other online stores with a good reputation. Has anyone seen a setting very similar to this online?

For the diamond I am after a near colourless (e.g. G), VS1 (eye clean), ~0.8-0.9 carats.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

ruth_1.jpg

ruth_2.jpg

ruth_block_1.jpg

ruth_block_2.jpg
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

Don't forget Whiteflash. What is your budget?
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Q

Queenie60

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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

I suggest you call Yekutiel at ID Jewelry. He is easy to work with and can find a nice diamond for you. He can do a six prong setting, attached is a photo of earrings he made for me a few months ago with a six prong setting. Very similar to your picture. Good luck and I hope you find a very nice ring. :wavey:

img_1789.jpg
 

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
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40,225
Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

All Vs1's are eyeclean. And in a round that is overkill.

You are fine with an eyeclean Si1 though. You don't need VS1. They will be indistinguishable to the naked eye. Most Vs2's are also eyeclean. Confirm if a stone is eyeclean by asking the vendor. That's all you need to do.

If you were fine with a G, you'll also be fine with an H.

You did not post your budget.

Brian Gavin has the nicest selection of 6 prongs Tiffany style. I would recommend going for one of these, in platinum.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/classic-style-half-round-5478
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/tapered-classic-style-half-round-5540

Diamonds:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.807-f-si1-round-diamond-ags-104082148037#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/2/
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.900-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104086279026
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.853-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104087126008 This is an advanced selection stone. Ask if eyeclean and for picture. It's a FABULOUS value though.
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.817-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-104087126028 Same
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.878-h-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104087126012 Same
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.801-g-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104083068024 This is what you asked for. I wouldn't buy it over the stones above or below.
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.811-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104087126017
 

panda_eyes66

Rough_Rock
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

Thanks for the replies. I am in Australia so am looking to spend under $7000 AUD including duties/import tax, so at the moment that would be a max of USD$4640.

Thanks Gypsy-I am happy with a S1 (eye clean), I got confused when I wrote VS1.

The only problem I had with the Brian Gavin solitaires is that a lot of them look set so low that the diamond almost looks like it touches the finger, where as the rings I like had some metal under the setting.
 

mrs-b

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

Hi Pandaeyes

I normally recommend Blue Nile for people who come to PS wanting the most bang for their buck. I've done a heap of business with them - all successful.

However, in this situation, given that you don't live in the US and can't buy/return easily, I would suggest either Brian Gavin Diamonds or WhiteFlash. My personal preference is BGD, as they carry my favorite solitaire setting (which I have bought for three different diamonds, three different times!) Here's the link:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/tapered-classic-style-half-round-18k-white-gold-5540w18

They are definitely NOT too low and there is certainly metal under the diamond. Their classic tapered ring makes the center stone look as large as possible, and it's a nice, elegant height from the finger. (I believe Gypsy, also, recommended this style. A number of women on PS own them and they are extremely well loved by their owners for their beautiful, classic proportions.)

Of the stones Gypsy recommended, I like the advanced selection stone:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.853-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104087126008 ($3896 wire price)

This is excellent value and should be a gorgeous stone. Combined with the Tapered Classic setting in 18kt white gold ($850), your total would be $4746 US and $6443 AU using today's google conversion rate. The Aussie dollar is strengthening against the US dollar at the moment, probably due to the impending US election, so you'd be wise to take advantage of that. It also leaves you room for shipping etc - to say nothing of the fact that it would be a gorgeous ring. :)

Congratulations on your engagement, and good luck with your purchase!
 

ccuheartnurse

Brilliant_Rock
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1,915
Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

That .85 Gypsy found is a nice stone at a fabulous price. Out of the 2 classic settings, I like the tapered style. :))

Congratulations.
 

grouthex

Rough_Rock
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Messages
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

Nonsense. Why ask people on Y!A to help you find a ring? It is up to you and your bf to go around to various places to decide what you want to wear. I suggest a family owned jewelry business.
 

msop04

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

grouthex|1465226783|4040767 said:
Nonsense. Why ask people on Y!A to help you find a ring? It is up to you and your bf to go around to various places to decide what you want to wear. I suggest a family owned jewelry business.

#trollwarning :roll:
 

msop04

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

ccuheartnurse|1465223303|4040753 said:
That .85 Gypsy found is a nice stone at a fabulous price. Out of the 2 classic settings, I like the tapered style. :))

Congratulations.

I agree with CCU - that would be a lovely ring!
 

OoohShiny

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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

How much import tax do you have to pay?

That always takes a chunk out of the budget when buying overseas :(


HPD (Wink on here) has a 0.76 G VS2 at the moment but I think it will blow the budget once with setting and taxes.
http://highperformancediamonds.com/shop/g/hpd7530/


Who is it that does the Advance diamonds, where you buy before it's cut for a bit of a discount? That might be one way to get a bit more diamond or save a bit of budget :)
 

panda_eyes66

Rough_Rock
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

Thank you for all your responses. That .85 Brian Gavin diamond is lovely, but I prefer more U in the prong setting and a smaller donut so will steer away from the Brian Gavin settings.

I like the look of the Vatche U113 and Whiteflash Tiffany classic:
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/6-prong-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1778.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/classic-tiffany-style-knife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-734.htm

Whiteflash recommended the following diamonds to me:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare.aspx?idnos=3663981,3664952,3599794,3663983

Do these look good? If I wanted to go slightly larger in carat size what would you recommend changing about the diamond specs? Are there other whiteflash diamonds that are better value?

Thanks!
 

panda_eyes66

Rough_Rock
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Messages
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

OoohShiny|1465254251|4040903 said:
How much import tax do you have to pay?

That always takes a chunk out of the budget when buying overseas :(


HPD (Wink on here) has a 0.76 G VS2 at the moment but I think it will blow the budget once with setting and taxes.
http://highperformancediamonds.com/shop/g/hpd7530/


Who is it that does the Advance diamonds, where you buy before it's cut for a bit of a discount? That might be one way to get a bit more diamond or save a bit of budget :)


We have to pay 10% GST :(
 

OoohShiny

Ideal_Rock
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

For me, the second out of the four would be my choice - partly because it's the largest ;-) but mainly because it's a VS2 with a very clean table. Inclusions that I can usually see in SI stones bug me, especially under the table and not hidden away in the faceting of the crown. :???:

Everyone is different, though, so you should decide for yourself if you can see / are happy with the inclusions in SI stones, and not listen to me! :tongue:


As Gypsy has said, a well cut G or H will be pretty indistinguishable when on the hand, so the H should be fine. It will have a very slight tint from the side, but the stone will be picking up the colours of the surrounding environment anyway, so it's not as obvious as when laid in a white tray face-down for grading :)

The F is, of course, technically colourless, so if you wanted an F, you would have to trade off the better colour against a slightly lower clarity :) (The F SI1 they have suggested does at least have most of the inclusions tucked away in the faceting, which is my personal preference.)


It is fair to say that all of the ACA stones will perform brilliantly, you have no worries on that front, so if you are happy with the selection they have suggested, you just need to decide on colour, clarity and budget! If you go with the larger H VS2 then you can ask them to confirm if it is eyeclean from your preferred distance (1', 10", 6", etc).

And if you want to aim for a larger stone but stick with SI1 clarity, you will have to either drop in colour to an I (which I think most people would agree has visible tint from the side) or move away from the ACA range, to their Expert Selection (which are often still very well cut but not quite as tightly cut as the ACAs).

I'm confident that whatever you get from WF, you'll be happy with the end result :) (And they have a good return / upgrade policy in a worst case scenario!)
 

panda_eyes66

Rough_Rock
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Messages
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

Thank you! Would buying from their expert selection result in much visible difference? If it doesn't, and still looks like a lovely diamond then I would be happy with this option.

Michelle from Whiteflash has been very helpful and compared the two rings I like. I think the Vatche looks nicer but not sure if it is worth the extra $. The WF looks like a sharper knife edge than I have seen in photos on here which put me off a little bit.

Does Whiteflash ever have sales or give discounts if you purchase multiple items? (We will be getting married this year so need engagement ring and two wedding bands).
 

OoohShiny

Ideal_Rock
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

Their Expert Selection stones seemingly just miss out on their ACA status due to being very slightly outside their rigidly specified requirements, I believe, but there are some good ones in there that are AGS000!


Working to the c.USD3800 budget posted above, for example, this 0.803 H VS2 AGS000 looks pretty good but appears to have some slight leakage in the centre:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3684100.htm

(I'm also not sure if the rear of the stone was dirty for the H&A image or whether that's (an) inclusion(s) bouncing around.)


I do like this one, though, also a 0.803 H VS2 AGS000 at about the same price - the much more solid red IdealScope image is excellent, and with a small table and high crown it should therefore have lots of fire combined with bright light return, if I've understood things correctly :)) (Hopefully one of the proper experts on here can chime in to confirm!!)
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3638364.htm#

It looks cleaner to me than the previous one above, and the certificate appears to show the table is clean, which ticks my personal preference box:
http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104085071022-PLDQRH.PDF

You'd just need to ask if it was eye-clean and didn't suffer any haze issues, because the Cert states "additional clouds not shown" so they'd need to be verified by eye. It should be just fine, though.

It's not as big as the 0.853 H SI1 that Gypsy posted (5.92mm x 5.97mm Vs 6.08mm x 6.10mm) but that's the trade off at work again! 0.16mm x 0.13mm extra will be slightly noticeable, granted, but personally speaking, I am not keen on the inclusions marked in the table on the 0.853's report:
http://www.agslab.com/pdf_sync_reports/104087126008-PGR.PDF
It does look pretty clean on the video of it but I think I can see some inclusions at certain angles - and even though it is tiny and the images blow issues up to be much bigger than they are, I'm not sure if it would bug me! lol

Again, though, that is my personal preference and many people are happy with such inclusions - that is the decision you have to make! :))


With regards to the ring itself, it looks like the WF platinum rings run to around USD1200, which might mean you'd bump up to USD5k pre-tax / USD5.5k post tax, around USD900 over your current AUD7000 budget converted into USD. You could offset that by going for White Gold, at around USD850, so that might be your best bet (when combined with crossing your fingers for a benevolent exchange rate on the day of purchase :D lol).

If you have liked 'real life' pictures of the Knife Edge ring on here then I would go with those pics over the glamour pics / 3D computer renders on the WF site - 'proper' photos are always show things better IMHO.

The vendors on here don't have sales on very often, though, and discounts are difficult/impossible to get on stones - you might do better on negotiating the rings, but I wouldn't hold your breath! lol


So... I'm not sure if that helps or confuses things! :???: :lol:


If you like any of the ones posted in the thread, consider calling up to put them on hold and get them inspected for eye-clean-ness ASAP - there are always lurkers on the forum, waiting to snatch up good stones when they are posted :???:
 

panda_eyes66

Rough_Rock
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OoohShiny

Ideal_Rock
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

Of those in that comparison, definitely not number 3 - too much leakage in the table, and not stated as being eye-clean.

Number 5 looks to have a smidge of leakage under the table?


You do seem to be attracted to the biggest size, though ;)) :tongue: lol

If you are happy with the SI1 (it looks like you are), and the clarity plot and details on the AGS report (which I can't get to load here :roll: ) look fine to you, I think the first/biggest one, the H SI1 0.853 Expert Selection, would be a choice you would be very happy with and would look lovely :)) The small table should mean lots of coloured fire, which is a good thing!

You have a 30-day return period in a worst case scenario, but I think you'd be very happy with it! It'll knock the socks off anything you'll see in the local jewellers shops, that's a definite :sun:


I'm hoping one/some of the experts with more knowledge of crown/pavilion angles will chime in to confirm that all would be good, but it has good ASET and IdealScope images to my eye, so I think all looks good to go!
 

OoohShiny

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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

Thanks for confirming I was not completely wrong, gypsy! :oops: :)
 

panda_eyes66

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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

Hi all,

I am still looking at the 0.853 but a little torn as not sure if I will see colour with the H. I am also looking at this F:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3379168.htm

Does it look ok?

Which do you think is nicer of the two?

I am currently trying to finalise which setting (probably WF exquisite half round of WF contemporary tiffany) and then will be ready to purchase :)
 

ac117

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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

Hi Panda Eyes! I wouldn't recommend going for the F because the AGS certificate states that the clarity grade of the diamond is partly
based on clouds that are not shown, which could make for a hazy appearance. I would proceed with caution and ask WF if that stone has any transparency issues (probably likely with the SI1 grade).

How about this one? It's a G, SI1 ACA http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3599788.htm

ETA: Or this G VSI Expert Selection http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3095470.htm
 

panda_eyes66

Rough_Rock
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

ac117|1466688789|4047075 said:
Hi Panda

Eyes! I wouldn't recommend going for the F because the AGS certificate states that the clarity grade of the diamond is partly
based on clouds that are not shown, which could make for a hazy appearance. I would proceed with caution and ask WF if that stone has any transparency issues (probably likely with the SI1 grade).

How about this one? It's a G, SI1 ACA http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3599788.htm

ETA: Or this G VSI Expert Selection http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3095470.htm

Thank you! I wasn't aware of this as the stone is listed as eye clean :(

I thought there wasn't much difference in a G-H colour (which is why I went G), but an obvious difference between both with F? Can you comment in this?

Thank you all for your help! :) :)
 

unsettled

Shiny_Rock
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

I am by no means a diamond expert, but I have an H color diamond and it is PLENTY white to my eyes. Have you looked at stones in similar sizes in that color range to see if you are color sensitive?
 

ac117

Ideal_Rock
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

panda_eyes66|1466713543|4047248 said:
ac117|1466688789|4047075 said:
Hi Panda

Eyes! I wouldn't recommend going for the F because the AGS certificate states that the clarity grade of the diamond is partly
based on clouds that are not shown, which could make for a hazy appearance. I would proceed with caution and ask WF if that stone has any transparency issues (probably likely with the SI1 grade).

How about this one? It's a G, SI1 ACA http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3599788.htm

ETA: Or this G VSI Expert Selection http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3095470.htm

Thank you! I wasn't aware of this as the stone is listed as eye clean :(

I thought there wasn't much difference in a G-H colour (which is why I went G), but an obvious difference between both with F? Can you comment in this?

Thank you all for your help! :) :)

The difference between them would be so slight that it would be very difficult to the untrained eye to tell them apart. Maybe the F from a H but usually only side by side, and even harder once set. Unless you're color sensitive, G/H is still super white and a great value. Most people start seeing tint at I color (and even then, many people here have I colored stones and find them super white!)

Eta: You could also ask WF if the H is a high, mid or low H. They are very honest and will tell you!
 

OoohShiny

Ideal_Rock
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

ac117|1466688789|4047075 said:
Hi Panda Eyes! I wouldn't recommend going for the F because the AGS certificate states that the clarity grade of the diamond is partly
based on clouds that are not shown, which could make for a hazy appearance. I would proceed with caution and ask WF if that stone has any transparency issues (probably likely with the SI1 grade).

How about this one? It's a G, SI1 ACA http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3599788.htm

ETA: Or this G VSI Expert Selection http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3095470.htm

That second one looks to be a touch leaky underneath the table, I think?? :???:


re: colour - as gypsy will probably remind us, diamonds are graded face down, and the facets returning light when face up (as worn) make the diamond look nice and white :)

You may see some tint from the side but it will be minimal in G/H!

If you can get to a local B&M store that stocks GIA stones, you could do some side by side comparisons to see how sensitive you are to colour - but don't forget, you only wear one stone on your finger in a solitaire so don't get sidetracked by how colourless D-F is when the G-H on their own on your finger will likely still be perfectly acceptable to you when worn in isolation :)
 

ac117

Ideal_Rock
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

OoohShiny|1466813856|4047864 said:
ac117|1466688789|4047075 said:
Hi Panda Eyes! I wouldn't recommend going for the F because the AGS certificate states that the clarity grade of the diamond is partly
based on clouds that are not shown, which could make for a hazy appearance. I would proceed with caution and ask WF if that stone has any transparency issues (probably likely with the SI1 grade).

How about this one? It's a G, SI1 ACA http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3599788.htm

ETA: Or this G VSI Expert Selection http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3095470.htm

That second one looks to be a touch leaky underneath the table, I think?? :???:

After reading the information in the following thread, I thought what seems like leakage could be the type of photography used: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/is-this-idealscope-image-really-super-ideal-level.223194/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/is-this-idealscope-image-really-super-ideal-level.223194/[/URL]
 

OoohShiny

Ideal_Rock
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Re: Help needed to find a lovely solitaire setting (& diamon

ac117|1466819044|4047924 said:
OoohShiny|1466813856|4047864 said:
ac117|1466688789|4047075 said:
Hi Panda Eyes! I wouldn't recommend going for the F because the AGS certificate states that the clarity grade of the diamond is partly
based on clouds that are not shown, which could make for a hazy appearance. I would proceed with caution and ask WF if that stone has any transparency issues (probably likely with the SI1 grade).

How about this one? It's a G, SI1 ACA http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3599788.htm

ETA: Or this G VSI Expert Selection http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3095470.htm

That second one looks to be a touch leaky underneath the table, I think?? :???:

After reading the information in the following thread, I thought what seems like leakage could be the type of photography used: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/is-this-idealscope-image-really-super-ideal-level.223194/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/is-this-idealscope-image-really-super-ideal-level.223194/[/URL]

That's interesting, thank you for the link :)

I am still somewhat confused, though, as I'm not sure I understand how lighting alone could make it look like a super-ideal has leakage :confused: - on this other thread the stone clearly has leakage but still has arrows, albeit not looking like they should, and the angles seem to be generally fine??:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/newb-here-looking-for-help-regarding-some-images-ive-gotten.223827/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/newb-here-looking-for-help-regarding-some-images-ive-gotten.223827/[/URL]


This stuff makes my head hurt :( LoL
 
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