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Help, please!! Final questions... so I can buy this thing and get on to proposing! =)

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C

Chapter 41

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 29, 2008
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18
Hey everyone,

After 3 weeks of spending seemingly all my spare time on this, I think I'm finally almost there. I really need to get moving on this purchase so I can propose to my beautiful girlfriend on a special day coming up... so any advice you guys and ladies have would be deeply appreciated.
1.gif


My budget for the diamond/ring is roughly $3000, though I could stretch that a bit.

Setting-wise, I was originally going to go with Whiteflash's popular Sleek Line Pave setting, which I still love. However, it looks like my best diamond choice right now is from James Allen, so I decided to a look at their settings today. And I found this (picture below). It's $600 (instead of $1095 for WF's Sleek Line Pave) and it's actually closer to one of the settings my girlfriend originally told me she liked (this Blue Nile setting). Plus, it would save me $400 ($500, if I factor in WF's setting fee) which I could then put toward the diamond or toward a nice wedding band later. (Or towards not going broke :p). I also like that the James Allen setting has a matching band; I wasn't quite sure what I was going to put alongside that Sleek Line Pave.

I would really love to hear some thoughts on this setting choice - whether affirmations or cautions. Also, I have two quick setting questions, if anyone can take a shot at answering them:

1. How does "common prong" compare to other settings like "pave"? I really don't want diamonds falling out.

2. Is the 1.9mm band sufficient to hold the stones in place, or should I consider upgrading to the 2.2mm version of the same thing?

Diamond-wise, I was originally going for .90+ carat stones, but found myself way over budget. I bumped into the awesome and seemingly never-ending Under 1ct diamonds thread, which confirmed my decision to look more in the 3/4 carat range... especially considering that my girlfriend has is a size 4.5 finger. (I thank God for her small fingers, haha!). I'm hoping a 3/4 carat will have the same effect on her finger as a 1 carat does on a size 6.

I've pretty much got it narrowed down to two stones, one from James Allen (I checked it tonight and it says "Diamond no longer available," but I'm hoping that's because I requested an IdealScope image of it this morning), and a larger one from Whiteflash.

James Allen's diamond
Carat: .78 carat
Color: J
Clarity: VS2
Cut: GIA Excellent
Pol/Sym: EX/EX
HCA: 1.8 (e.v.v.v) - tic range
AGA David Atlas grade: 1B (1B on Girdle and Pavilion Depth, 1A on the rest)
Table 56%
Depth: 61.5%
Crown Angle: 34.5
Crown Height: 15.0
Pavilion Angle: 41.0
Pavilion Height: 43.5
Girdle: Thin - S Thick
Fluorescence: Faint (yay! will this really help at all? :p)

Whiteflash's diamond (for $448 more)
Carat: .88 carat
Color: J
Clarity: SI1
Cut: GIA Excellent (Hearts & Arrows but not ACA)
Pol/Sym: EX/EX
HCA: 1.3 (e.e.e.v) - tic range
AGA David Atlas grade: 1A
Table 55%
Depth: 61.8%
Crown Angle: 34.5
Crown Height: 15.5
Pavilion Angle: 40.8
Pavilion Height: 43.0
Girdle: Thin - Medium
Fluorescence: None

Good deals?

I doubt she will ever notice the difference between the .78's cut and the .88's H&A cut, so I'm not very much swayed by that. She would notice the size increase, and possibly color if it was bad.

The last question I have is...

3. How yellow do you think a J stone will look considering it will be flanked by G-H diamonds and white gold? I CAN spend a couple more hundred, if I keep the carat size down around .78... so should I go I, or will it really make a difference with this size of a center stone? I wouldn't say my girlfriend is especially color sensitive, but I don't want a really distinct color contrast.

I am open to any suggestions and feedback right now. Despite my lack of posts, I've spent so much time on this forum in the past few weeks that I really want to hear what you guys and ladies think! Thank you SO MUCH for being the amazing community you are! (I used to run a big forum way back in high school, and this is bringing back memories of how fun online community is!)
1.gif


~ Chapter 41

james allen setting 1.9 all.jpg
 

Date: 8/14/2008 5:41:57 AM
Author:Chapter 41
Hey everyone,

After 3 weeks of spending seemingly all my spare time on this, I think I''m finally almost there. I really need to get moving on this purchase so I can propose to my beautiful girlfriend on a special day coming up... so any advice you guys and ladies have would be deeply appreciated.
1.gif


My budget for the diamond/ring is roughly $3000, though I could stretch that a bit.

Setting-wise, I was originally going to go with Whiteflash''s popular Sleek Line Pave setting, which I still love. However, it looks like my best diamond choice right now is from James Allen, so I decided to a look at their settings today. And I found this (picture below). It''s $600 (instead of $1095 for WF''s Sleek Line Pave) and it''s actually closer to one of the settings my girlfriend originally told me she liked (this Blue Nile setting). Plus, it would save me $400 ($500, if I factor in WF''s setting fee) which I could then put toward the diamond or toward a nice wedding band later. (Or towards not going broke :p). I also like that the James Allen setting has a matching band; I wasn''t quite sure what I was going to put alongside that Sleek Line Pave.

I would really love to hear some thoughts on this setting choice - whether affirmations or cautions. Also, I have two quick setting questions, if anyone can take a shot at answering them:

1. How does ''common prong'' compare to other settings like ''pave''? I really don''t want diamonds falling out.

2. Is the 1.9mm band sufficient to hold the stones in place, or should I consider upgrading to the 2.2mm version of the same thing?

Diamond-wise, I was originally going for .90+ carat stones, but found myself way over budget. I bumped into the awesome and seemingly never-ending Under 1ct diamonds thread, which confirmed my decision to look more in the 3/4 carat range... especially considering that my girlfriend has is a size 4.5 finger. (I thank God for her small fingers, haha!). I''m hoping a 3/4 carat will have the same effect on her finger as a 1 carat does on a size 6.

I''ve pretty much got it narrowed down to two stones, one from James Allen (I checked it tonight and it says ''Diamond no longer available,'' but I''m hoping that''s because I requested an IdealScope image of it this morning), and a larger one from Whiteflash.

James Allen''s diamond
Carat: .78 carat
Color: J
Clarity: VS2
Cut: GIA Excellent
Pol/Sym: EX/EX
HCA: 1.8 (e.v.v.v) - tic range
AGA David Atlas grade: 1B (1B on Girdle and Pavilion Depth, 1A on the rest)
Table 56%
Depth: 61.5%
Crown Angle: 34.5
Crown Height: 15.0
Pavilion Angle: 41.0
Pavilion Height: 43.5
Girdle: Thin - S Thick
Fluorescence: Faint (yay! will this really help at all? :p)

Whiteflash''s diamond (for $448 more)
Carat: .88 carat
Color: J
Clarity: SI1
Cut: GIA Excellent (Hearts & Arrows but not ACA)
Pol/Sym: EX/EX
HCA: 1.3 (e.e.e.v) - tic range
AGA David Atlas grade: 1A
Table 55%
Depth: 61.8%
Crown Angle: 34.5
Crown Height: 15.5
Pavilion Angle: 40.8
Pavilion Height: 43.0
Girdle: Thin - Medium
Fluorescence: None

Good deals?

I doubt she will ever notice the difference between the .78''s cut and the .88''s H&A cut, so I''m not very much swayed by that. She would notice the size increase, and possibly color if it was bad.

The last question I have is...

3. How yellow do you think a J stone will look considering it will be flanked by G-H diamonds and white gold? I CAN spend a couple more hundred, if I keep the carat size down around .78... so should I go I, or will it really make a difference with this size of a center stone? I wouldn''t say my girlfriend is especially color sensitive, but I don''t want a really distinct color contrast.

I am open to any suggestions and feedback right now. Despite my lack of posts, I''ve spent so much time on this forum in the past few weeks that I really want to hear what you guys and ladies think! Thank you SO MUCH for being the amazing community you are! (I used to run a big forum way back in high school, and this is bringing back memories of how fun online community is!)
1.gif


~ Chapter 41
Click to expand...
Hi and welcome!

Thanks for your kind words, we work hard to try to keep a fun and educational atmosphere! I can help you with the diamonds, they both look good, my preference is towards the WF stone. Do you have the Idealscope images for both diamonds please and the diameter measurements for both?
 
I''m going to have to agree with Lorelei here and say that I also prefer the Whiteflash stone for the better cut.

The cut will actually help to make the WF stone face up whiter, and a well-cut J is beautiful.

If you can post Idealscope images, that would be great. :)

Choose your diamond first, then let''s sort out the setting...

x x x
 
Thanks Lorelei and Cleo for your replies!

I should receive an IdealScope image for the .78 stone today (Thursday), and will post it as soon as I get it. I haven''t yet ordered one for the .88, though I will see if I can do that today.

I might have to pay $50 to have it brought into Whiteflash, though (we''ll see), which is $50 I''d rather keep if I can reasonably make this decision without ordering it in.
2.gif
(Someone is gonna come along and tell me that I should just spend the $50 to make the decision, huh?
3.gif
). I do know that the .88 is Hearts and Arrows, so is it as imperative to see its IdealScope? Someone please educate me. =)

Anyway, in the meantime, I do have dimensions:

.78 stone is 5.94-5.96 x 3.66
.88 stone is 6.15-6.19 x 3.81

~ Chapter 41

(eagerly awaiting the start of chapter 42... so to speak
1.gif
)
 
Date: 8/14/2008 7:19:03 AM
Author: Chapter 41
Thanks Lorelei and Cleo for your replies!

I should receive an IdealScope image for the .78 stone today (Thursday), and will post it as soon as I get it. I haven''t yet ordered one for the .88, though I will see if I can do that today.

I might have to pay $50 to have it brought into Whiteflash, though (we''ll see), which is $50 I''d rather keep if I can reasonably make this decision without ordering it in.
2.gif
(Someone is gonna come along and tell me that I should just spend the $50 to make the decision, huh?
3.gif
). I do know that the .88 is Hearts and Arrows, so is it as imperative to see its IdealScope? Someone please educate me. =)

Anyway, in the meantime, I do have dimensions:

.78 stone is 5.94-5.96 x 3.66
.88 stone is 6.15-6.19 x 3.81

~ Chapter 41

(eagerly awaiting the start of chapter 42... so to speak
1.gif
)
Click to expand...
The WF diamond isn''t an in house stone? I am curious as you have all the info, do you have the link to the diamond?
 
All the info I have is from a GIA report Traci emailed to me. I don''t have a link to the diamond''s page or anything.

I''ve just emailed Traci to confirm whether it is an in-house stone or not. For some reason, I have the vague impression that it''s not, and that she had requested the certificate while looking for diamonds for me.
 
Date: 8/14/2008 7:53:28 AM
Author: Chapter 41
All the info I have is from a GIA report Traci emailed to me. I don''t have a link to the diamond''s page or anything.

I''ve just emailed Traci to confirm whether it is an in-house stone or not. For some reason, I have the vague impression that it''s not, and that she had requested the certificate while looking for diamonds for me.
Click to expand...
I was wondering as you had all the info whether it was actually an in house diamond, let us know what you find out!
 
Date: 8/14/2008 9:37:38 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 8/14/2008 9:29:35 AM
Author: Lorelei


Date: 8/14/2008 9:26:34 AM
Author: Ellen




Date: 8/14/2008 8:05:05 AM
Author: Cleo
Linky to WF diamond...

http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-1090403.htm

x x x
Click to expand...
I''m confused. The stats on this one don''t match the stats he posted originally.
Click to expand...
Yep, rechecking the dimensions, different diamond.
Click to expand...
Fank you very much.
41.gif
Click to expand...
Welcome Elvis!
9.gif
16.gif
 
9.gif
 
I would think that a 1.9mm band would be fine for the size stone you are looking at. I don't have any experience with shared prong settings. Sorry!

Have you seen this .81 J/SI2 from GoodOldGold? The cut looks very nice and they probably have a setting similar to what you are looking at. http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4464/ Plus it's in house.
 
If you are interested in the WF diamond, perhaps consider this setting, the Petite Open Cathedral at $795. The set with the matching band for $1285.

wfpetiteopencathedralsetting.jpg
 
Date: 8/14/2008 11:10:32 AM
Author: shimmer
If you are interested in the WF diamond, perhaps consider this setting, the Petite Open Cathedral at $795. The set with the matching band for $1285.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion, shimmer.

Strange this is, she has seen this setting and didn't particularly care for it. But she said she did like the Blue Nile setting which is very similar.

One thing she liked about the BN setting was that it was delicate and seemed to get thinner nearer to the diamond (more pop I guess). And I'm guessing what she disliked about the Petite Open Cathedral was the somewhat jagged, more angular look as opposed to something more delicate and round, and also the way the diamonds stuck out. However, she does not like channel-set sidestones either.

Knowing that... any thoughts on whether I'm treading dangerous waters with the JA setting?

The interesting thing is... if I go with the .78 JA stone, I can afford the WF Sleek Line Pave if I want. But if I go with WF's .88 stone, I can only afford JA's Common Prong setting (unless I stretch my budget).

Still waiting on those IdealScopes...

Thanks for all your posts! Cleo, thanks for trying to help me out in finding the diamond.
1.gif
And Ellen, thanks for catching the mistake.
3.gif


~ Chapter 41
 
Date: 8/14/2008 12:44:41 PM
Author: Chapter 41

Date: 8/14/2008 11:10:32 AM
Author: shimmer
If you are interested in the WF diamond, perhaps consider this setting, the Petite Open Cathedral at $795. The set with the matching band for $1285.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion, shimmer.

Strange this is, she has seen this setting and didn''t particularly care for it. But she said she did like the Blue Nile setting which is very similar.

One thing she liked about the BN setting was that it was delicate and seemed to get thinner nearer to the diamond (more pop I guess). And I''m guessing what she disliked about the Petite Open Cathedral was the somewhat jagged, more angular look as opposed to something more delicate and round, and also the way the diamonds stuck out. However, she does not like channel-set sidestones either.

Knowing that... any thoughts on whether I''m treading dangerous waters with the JA setting?

The interesting thing is... if I go with the .78 JA stone, I can afford the WF Sleek Line Pave if I want. But if I go with WF''s .88 stone, I can only afford JA''s Common Prong setting (unless I stretch my budget).

Still waiting on those IdealScopes...

Thanks for all your posts! Cleo, thanks for trying to help me out in finding the diamond.
1.gif
And Ellen, thanks for catching the mistake.
3.gif


~ Chapter 41
Click to expand...
Possibly dangerous.....

How about a compromise? What about going sllightly smaller with this diamond (PS discount not reflected in price), and then you''d be able to get the WF setting, which I personally prefer.
5.gif
Just a thought!
 
Really gorgeous setting! On the topic of color... I think that a well cut J color stone still might show a little warmth next to g-h color stones, but that''s not necessarily a bad thing. It depends on if your girl is very sensitive to color, and if it bothers you! Happy hunting!
 
Traci, amazing person that she is, is out to find me a setting as close to the Blue Nile one as possible, for as good a price as possible. So I may have a third setting option soon.

Still waiting on the IdealScope image from James Allen, but it should be in today.

Lorelei... it turns out the WhiteFlash diamond is not in-house. So I would have to pay the $50 shipping charge to get its Idealscope image. Of course, the fee would be waived if I bought the stone in the end...
 
Final diamond!? Should I go for it if it checks out eyeclean?

Carat: .72 carat
Color: H
Clarity: SI2
Cut: GIA Excellent
Pol/Sym: EX/EX
Fluorescence: None

Dimensions: 5.73-5.77 x 3.57
Table: 55%
Depth: 62.1%
Crown Angle: 35.0
Crown Height: 15.5
Pavilion Angle: 40.6
Pavilion Height: 43.0
Girdle: Medium - Slight Thick (faceted)

HCA score: 0.9 (ex.ex.ex.vg) TIC range
AGA David Atlas grade: 1A
 
Before you even ask...
18.gif


IdealScope41.jpg
 
I''d say it''s a keeper!
emthup.gif
(if eyeclean)
 
Date: 8/16/2008 11:10:52 AM
Author: Ellen
I''d say it''s a keeper!
emthup.gif
(if eyeclean)
Click to expand...
And ditto!
 
I talked to Jim Schultz today, and he said the gemologist told him it was one of the best SI2 stones he had ever seen.
18.gif
It's perfectly eye-clean, with its SI2 rating resulting merely from a cluster of tiny feathers too small to see.

It's a hearts and arrows stone, which I wasn't shopping for at all (in fact, I tended to avoid H&A due to the price premium, but according to Jim, JA doesn't charge extra for its H&A stones). But at $1920 with the PS discount, I am actually coming in a few hundred under my maximum budget, albeit .03 carats under my target weight -- but the stone 'spoke to me' (as well as a stone can across the internet), so I'm very happy with it, and I know my girlfriend will love it!

I'm having it set in the setting from the first post, and it'll be here by Monday! I'll definitely try to get some pics up in Show Me the Ring.
1.gif


Lorelei, Ellen, and all of you... thank you so much for all your feedback! Every one of have been so kind and helpful.
36.gif


Oh, before I move on to Show Me the Ring... I have to pay tribute to the salesperson who spent far more time with me than the JA crew and all the other vendors combined. JA and WF are both wonderful groups of people, but Traci deserves a special mention for putting up with me. =)


Ode to Traci from Whiteflash

I emailed Whiteflash with a question 'bout a setting.
(You see, I'll be proposing soon.. and after that a wedding!)
My answer came so crazy fast you wouldn't quite believe:
A friendly voice from Whiteflash called and said, "This is Traci!"
She offered me a diamond in addition to the ring;
I said okay, and thus began her help with this whole thing.

For weeks and weeks she listened to my ever-changing mind,
Always staying patient with me, all the while kind.
My budget fell a thousand bucks, but still she could adjust.
My setting choices changed each week, and yet she didn't fuss.
My color fell from I to J, then jumped back up to H,
And carat size, at 90 points, soon slid to 78.

But in the end, I hate to say, she didn't get the sale;
She went to every length for me, but all to no avail.
Sometimes a vendor's choices and selection just don't fit,
And so it was with Whiteflash, but trust me: they're legit!
Of all the other vendors on my diamond buying quest,
Traci was, far and away, the very, very best.​
 
Nice one!!! What a fabulous stone!!!
36.gif


(Apologies for link to wrong stone.. should have checked the angles & not just the basic specs - doh!).

I love your ode to Traci - she''s going to be so flattered.. I bet that goes up on the office wall! :)

Looking forward to seeing your photos... your GF is going to lurrrrve it!

x x x
 
I think you picked out a fabulous stone and setting. I don''t think you should feel bad about not going with WF, they understand that these things often come down to inventory. I hope you come back with some pictures of the ring on Friday!!!
 
Date: 8/19/2008 6:20:11 PM
Author: Chapter 41

Lorelei, Ellen, and all of you... thank you so much for all your feedback! Every one of have been so kind and helpful.
36.gif


Oh, before I move on to Show Me the Ring... I have to pay tribute to the salesperson who spent far more time with me than the JA crew and all the other vendors combined. JA and WF are both wonderful groups of people, but Traci deserves a special mention for putting up with me. =)



Ode to Traci from Whiteflash

I emailed Whiteflash with a question ''bout a setting.
(You see, I''ll be proposing soon.. and after that a wedding!)
My answer came so crazy fast you wouldn''t quite believe:
A friendly voice from Whiteflash called and said, ''This is Traci!''
She offered me a diamond in addition to the ring;
I said okay, and thus began her help with this whole thing.

For weeks and weeks she listened to my ever-changing mind,
Always staying patient with me, all the while kind.
My budget fell a thousand bucks, but still she could adjust.
My setting choices changed each week, and yet she didn''t fuss.
My color fell from I to J, then jumped back up to H,
And carat size, at 90 points, soon slid to 78.

But in the end, I hate to say, she didn''t get the sale;
She went to every length for me, but all to no avail.
Sometimes a vendor''s choices and selection just don''t fit,
And so it was with Whiteflash, but trust me: they''re legit!
Of all the other vendors on my diamond buying quest,
Traci was, far and away, the very, very best.​
Click to expand...
Aww, I love it!
36.gif
I''m sure Traci will too. Good job.
2.gif


You did great with the ring as well, I can''t wait to see it!!

And you''re very welcome.
 
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