Help with $2500 budget?

[hemicuda1313]

Hey Everyone,

I recently moved out to Denver with my girlfriend of three years, and I finally have gotten some money together to be able to pop the question. I am very excited. : )

I went to a few local stores and researched diamonds online to get a real feel. I never thought about buying an engagement ring online but while researching online I came across this site and I have been searching it for a few days now and I think my comfort level on buying online without actually seeing the diamond is going up. I was wonding if some of you wonderful people could help me find some beautiful engagement rings.

I am trying to keep my budget around $2500 but would be willing to move up $3000 or so for a great stone from a reliable seller. I am looking for a round stone and a solitarie setting (I can pick that part out). I would like the cut to be as good as possible and the carat size to be at least .70. The higher color and clarity rating the better.

I hope that this is somewhat realistic. Some of the sites don''t have pictures of the diamond and I am not yet confident to read all of the measurements and understand them. I''m hoping people on hear can point me towards some good quality stones that I could be proud to give her.

Thanks for any help anyone can give.

 

[Regular Guy]

Well...just pushing the envelope slightly...here''s this one for $2874 wire and Pricescope priced...and throw in the ring for $250

Maybe...

 

[Skippy123]

Welcome to Pricescope; glad to see you!!

Here are a few stones

This .70 I VS2
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1148652.htm

this .72 F SI2 if it is eyeclean
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-912914.htm

and this .70 I VS2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3630/

You can search using this tool just make sure to select Excellent Excellent for cut since cut is the most important

http://www.pricescope.com/sift.aspx

 

[JoeNewbie11]

I would recommend JamesAllen.com for a limited budget. I bought my fiance''s diamond and my diamond there.

Here a nice diamond I found in your budget, 0.81 carat Ideal H-SI1, looks eye-clean as well (need to verify): http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1185403.asp Pricescope price: $2,660 H-SI1 is a nice combo too

Here''s a simple solitaire setting as well, 18k White Gold 2.5 mm knife edge: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/classic-solitaire-settings/ring/item_57-1903_design.asp?module=setting Price: $270

This meets your $3,000 budget and you''re getting a bigger diamond with great color and clarity!

Good Luck!

 

[crcostel]

I''ll throw out another one for you

http://engagementringsdirect.com/loose_detail.php/session/1193279dee45774ed083e7638e6f2d46/id/16056398/sz/150/premium/premium

Just write to Mark (info@engagementringsdirect) and tell him what you want and he''ll take care of you (like he did for me)

 

[dbsdiamonds]

You can get a GIA certed H SI1 with Triple Ex, that is, Excellent cut, excellent polish and excellent symmetry with no flo for about $2700 range if someone will help you with brokering directly from a siteholder overseas.

You have plenty of budget to get what you want!

Marty
CEO/Pres
DBS Diamonds
www.diamondsatcost.com

 

[SYC]

Date: 8/11/2008 11:45:10 PM
Author: JoeNewbie11
I would recommend JamesAllen.com for a limited budget. I bought my fiance''s diamond and my diamond there.

I second this. I''ve bought from a couple online vendors, and you will see from the posts here that people have had great experiences with Whiteflash, Good Old Gold, and Mark at ERD, among others. James Allen is a reputable shop. It seems like they have lower overhead than other vendors, and my own experience is that while they may not have as many bells and whistles as other vendors, there are real bargains to be found in dealing with them. You may have to do more legwork -- they made a mistake with my order a while ago, but they were quick to fix it. And in the meantime, the diamonds I bought from them were a incredible deal. I had them appraised by an experienced appraiser who was very surprised by the price.

So essentially, there are great deals to be found. But be patient and do your research and search for the right diamond -- it will come along!

 

[vintagelover229]

I bought at GOG and here is one that is a slightly lower color grade (but the experts here will tell you if the cut is great, the color will face up WHITE) It all depends on how color sensitive your lady is, I personally, have an I color and it faces up WHITE I haven''t ever seen a hint of color in it. Also, you need to double check w/Jon that the diamond is eye clean, but it''s just slightly over your budget w/ a bank wire price just over 2500.00.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4464/



Another option if this one isn''t eye clean, this is a VS2 and slightly bigger than the first stone at .84 it comes in w/a bank wire pirce of 2800.00. Here is the link to this stone.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4728/

If you don''t like the low color, your going to have to go down in size.


Also, if you don''t get a H&A cut, but something very very good, but slightly off, you can get something with higher color, size, but you have to make sure it''s eye clean and see if you like it. I''d look at it before you buy it to see if you like it or not.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1140549.asp

Those are a few options, I''m sure the experts will either say yea, or nay on them!

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 8/12/2008 12:09:20 AM
Author: dbsdiamonds

You can get a GIA certed H SI1 with Triple Ex, that is, Excellent cut, excellent polish and excellent symmetry with no flo for about $2700 range if someone will help you with brokering directly from a siteholder overseas.

You have plenty of budget to get what you want!

Marty
CEO/Pres
DBS Diamonds
www.diamondsatcost.com

Marty, why would they need to pay someone to help them when they have tons here on PS willing to do it for free?

 

[HariSeldon]

Here''s a 0.7ct for $2328 at Winfields

size - 0.7ct
Lab - GIA
color - H
polish - ex
sym - ex
Flouro - none
depth - 62.3%
table - 56%
crown angle - 34.8 deg
pav angle - 40.6 deg

Scores a 0.8 on the HCA

 

[hemicuda1313]

Thanks for all of the help so far everyone. I have contacted some of the websites you all have suggested and am open to anything else someone might see. I will keep you all posted on the process. This is very exciting and I want to get her a beautiful stone. With all of your help I know I will.

 

[gracioso]

http://www.wonderjewelers.com/engagement-rings-vintage-pave-settings-c-22_25.html

 

[hemicuda1313]

Date: 8/11/2008 11:45:10 PM
Author: JoeNewbie11
I would recommend JamesAllen.com for a limited budget. I bought my fiance''s diamond and my diamond there.

Here a nice diamond I found in your budget, 0.81 carat Ideal H-SI1, looks eye-clean as well (need to verify): http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1185403.asp Pricescope price: $2,660 H-SI1 is a nice combo too

Here''s a simple solitaire setting as well, 18k White Gold 2.5 mm knife edge: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/classic-solitaire-settings/ring/item_57-1903_design.asp?module=setting Price: $270

This meets your $3,000 budget and you''re getting a bigger diamond with great color and clarity!

Good Luck!

I am interested in this diamond as well a couple of the others listed. Is there anyone who can compare the diamonds in this thread. I would be fine in going down in size to get a pretty, eye clean, white diamond that has a beautiful cut. I guess I want to know what you guys and gals would be picking if you were me?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/15/2008 10:04:41 AM
Author: hemicuda1313

Date: 8/11/2008 11:45:10 PM
Author: JoeNewbie11
I would recommend JamesAllen.com for a limited budget. I bought my fiance''s diamond and my diamond there.

Here a nice diamond I found in your budget, 0.81 carat Ideal H-SI1, looks eye-clean as well (need to verify): http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1185403.asp Pricescope price: $2,660 H-SI1 is a nice combo too

Here''s a simple solitaire setting as well, 18k White Gold 2.5 mm knife edge: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/classic-solitaire-settings/ring/item_57-1903_design.asp?module=setting Price: $270

This meets your $3,000 budget and you''re getting a bigger diamond with great color and clarity!

Good Luck!

I am interested in this diamond as well a couple of the others listed. Is there anyone who can compare the diamonds in this thread. I would be fine in going down in size to get a pretty, eye clean, white diamond that has a beautiful cut. I guess I want to know what you guys and gals would be picking if you were me?

The diamond above looks to be well worth considering.

 

[mercoledi]

Date: 8/15/2008 10:08:19 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 8/15/2008 10:04:41 AM

Author: hemicuda1313

Date: 8/11/2008 11:45:10 PM

Author: JoeNewbie11

I would recommend JamesAllen.com for a limited budget. I bought my fiance''s diamond and my diamond there.


Here a nice diamond I found in your budget, 0.81 carat Ideal H-SI1, looks eye-clean as well (need to verify): http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1185403.asp Pricescope price: $2,660 H-SI1 is a nice combo too



Here''s a simple solitaire setting as well, 18k White Gold 2.5 mm knife edge: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/classic-solitaire-settings/ring/item_57-1903_design.asp?module=setting Price: $270


This meets your $3,000 budget and you''re getting a bigger diamond with great color and clarity!


Good Luck!

I am interested in this diamond as well a couple of the others listed. Is there anyone who can compare the diamonds in this thread. I would be fine in going down in size to get a pretty, eye clean, white diamond that has a beautiful cut. I guess I want to know what you guys and gals would be picking if you were me?

The diamond above looks to be well worth considering.

Yup, that one is nice! And freshly graded too! It''s pushing your budget a bit, but it looks like a nice stone, in a very nice size.

 

[hemicuda1313]

I was wondering if someone could talk to me about the differences between these diamonds.

The first is the one someone above recommended and is the one I am leaning towards.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1185403.asp


Both of these are ones I am also considering. They are smaller but I assume of higher quality (hopefully someone can speak to this). How much of a difference will the quality make in real life viewing? Prices aren''t that different and my girlfriend would not be overly concerned with size. If the larger diamond is going to look better in person I would like to know. Any help or comparisons with the stones mentioned above is appreciated.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1182846.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1178742.asp

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/18/2008 10:20:25 AM
Author: hemicuda1313

I was wondering if someone could talk to me about the differences between these diamonds.

The first is the one someone above recommended and is the one I am leaning towards.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1185403.asp


Both of these are ones I am also considering. They are smaller but I assume of higher quality (hopefully someone can speak to this). How much of a difference will the quality make in real life viewing? Prices aren''t that different and my girlfriend would not be overly concerned with size. If the larger diamond is going to look better in person I would like to know. Any help or comparisons with the stones mentioned above is appreciated.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1182846.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1178742.asp

I would consider the first and the third diamond, the second is in steep deep territory so I would concentrate on the others for now. With the first, check it is eyeclean to your standards, and that the clouds are not having an adverse effect on the diamond ( rare but best to ask). Then you can decide from there if the first diamond is verified eyeclean.

 

[Kelli]

Hi hemicuda! The first one would be my favorite, IF it was confirmed that it was eye clean. Personally, I would not pay for higher than an H because to me, H is bright white. Some people would disagree, so you have to figure out how color sensitive you are. The FIRST of the G vs2 diamonds has a crown/pavilion angle that might not be good. It doesn''t score overly well on the HCA, I would pass on that one. (The diamond I picked out for myself has a similar combo and is now being recut, due to bad light performance, PASS!) The second G vs2 seems to be fine. If the H is eyeclean, clarity shouldn''t be a deciding factor, so it would come down to size or color. Personally I''d pick size, but there are those who disagree.

 

[hemicuda1313]

I sent JamesAllen an email asking for info about the .81 stone to see if it is eye clean. I think I will go with that one if everything is good. Anyone think this is a bad idea? I have no problem going smaller for a better quality diamond but that one seems to be good.