Help picking a diamond for a total newbie

[ble89]

Just recently found out about this site and it has been extremely helpful.

Today, after weeks of searching, I purchased a Ritani setting which holds a 1.2 - 1.5 ring. I was reluctant to purchase the diamond in the store because all the GIA diamonds they had were over my budget and I didn''t want to purchase an EDL diamond.

Right now I''m looking to buy a 1.2 - 1.3 carat diamond with color G and clarity of VS1 - VVS2. My budget is around $7000 - $8000. Looking at the diamond price search, it looks like there are numerous rings in my range.

Heres a couple I was looking at:
http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-276390.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-458007.htm
http://www.angara.com/shop.do?pID=202987

When I went to the store today, I got the impression that my budget was too low for this size of diamond. Is this true? Is there something wrong with the diamonds I''ve listed above? I''m looking for a ring that she''ll look at and be like "Wow!!!"

I am a total newbie when it comes to rings and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/27/2008 3:06:07 AM
Author:ble89
Just recently found out about this site and it has been extremely helpful.

Today, after weeks of searching, I purchased a Ritani setting which holds a 1.2 - 1.5 ring. I was reluctant to purchase the diamond in the store because all the GIA diamonds they had were over my budget and I didn't want to purchase an EDL diamond.

Right now I'm looking to buy a 1.2 - 1.3 carat diamond with color G and clarity of VS1 - VVS2. My budget is around $7000 - $8000. Looking at the diamond price search, it looks like there are numerous rings in my range.

Heres a couple I was looking at:
http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-276390.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-458007.htm
http://www.angara.com/shop.do?pID=202987

When I went to the store today, I got the impression that my budget was too low for this size of diamond. Is this true? Is there something wrong with the diamonds I've listed above? I'm looking for a ring that she'll look at and be like 'Wow!!!'

I am a total newbie when it comes to rings and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Welcome!

Firstly, the diamonds you picked from WF are not in house diamonds, it can be best to stick to those that the vendor's actually own and can advise you on, non in house diamonds are as such unknown quantities and have to be called in.

Also could you broaden your colour and clarity requirements a bit? It is a personal preference, but for the size diamond you want and the high clarity and G colour, you may have to up the budget, or perhaps consider G - H colour and VS2 to SI1 clarity, if the cut is great and the diamonds eyeclean, then you will have a diamond your GF will swoon over!!! This is just a suggestion and it is up to your comfort level, but it might be a good compromise for you.

Here is a beauty and in budget with the PS price.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-584868.htm

Another - http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-608064.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-55176.htm#

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1122754.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131


I hope the above examples help you. Basically when searching, try to stick to diamonds which are AGS0 or GIA Ex cut grade, as this will make finding a well cut diamond easier, it is cut which makes a diamond beautiful, so that is most important. Also when dealing with SI clarity grades, always ask the vendor if the diamond is eyeclean.

Hope this helps.

 

[Regular Guy]

Losts posts twice.

This one, too, and three others, if you''ll go to H, and keep the rest of your constraints, using the search by cut db.

 

[ble89]

Thanks for the help. Had no idea about non in house diamonds. It''s good to know that I can find something within my budget.