Hi all,
As I''m sure you can see, I''m new to this forum (and site). I did some searches and learned a lot about diamonds - so, let me start by saying thanks to all for their posts here so far.
I''m based in the UK and am coming up to my 10th wedding anniversary and am thinking of buying my wife a diamond solitaire ring. I''m not getting a eternity ring because she tends to like simple/minimalist designs.
I''ve been using Blue Nile to narrow down my choices. This is mainly because I live far away from London, making it hard to visit any large jewelers. I do know about Hatton Garden, but I think I''ll get lost if I try and decide on a ring in one visit - but haven''t ruled visiting out. Using the information I''ve learned on this site (+ others), I''ve decided on something along the lines of:
Link to details on Blue Nile
Size: 0.82
Cut: Signature Ideal
Colour: G
Clarity: VVS2
Depth%: 61.4
Table%: 55
Crown Angel: 34.5 (15.5%)
Pavilion Angle: 40.8 (43%)
Symmetry: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Girdle: Thin to medium, faceted
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
I have a number of questions (sorry!), which I''m really hoping you all can help me with. Right, onto the questions:
The ring itself
o Does anyone thing a solitaire ring is a bad idea? She, I think, will wear it on her right hand and she''s right-handed. We have 3 young boys, so she has a fairly active life. I will be going with platinum.
About Blue Nile
o What''s the general opinion of BN these days? I did a search but couldn''t find recent posts about them. I''m using BN because I don''t know of any other decent online retailer in the UK. I don''t particularly want to start importing.
o BN offer a GCAL report which shows pictures of the diamond - is this a reputable report? Should I insist on a Sarin report? For example, I was surprised that the pavilion photograph wasn''t obviously showing Hearts & Arrows (available via link above).
o Is there anyone here who has bought from BN in the UK who could share their experience?
The diamond
o What do you think of the diamond, based on specs?
o The "Cut Advisor" gave it "Excellent" across the board, apart from "Spread" , which was "Very Good". What exactly is "Spread"?
o Is there anything I should be more concerned about? Colour=G for example?
o What does "faceted" on the girdle mean? Is it a bad thing?
The setting
o I am struggling to decide between a 6-prong (Tiffany-like) or 4-prong setting. I am slightly concerned that 6-prongs might be too much metal. But that the same time, I want it to be a secure setting.
o Does anyone here have photographs that show of the BN settings (4-prong or 6-prong). The online depictions are horrible!
o Do you of any other UK-based places I can get a nice setting and have a loose diamond set?
o BTW, I really like what I''ve see of Brian Gavin''s work. I haven''t contacted him/them yet because I''m sure they are based in the US. It seems a shame because I am just nervous about importing something like this.
Tiffany
o The usual question I guess. The only ''reputable'' show I know of in London is Tiffany. Whilst I realise I pay a premium, given the choice of BN or Tiffany, is it worth going to Tiffany for the reassurance of a quality diamond?
Again, apologies for the many questions, but I really want to get this right. We got engaged whilst I was a student and the ring is, well, not that impressive. This is sort of my way of making up for that.
I''m sure I''ll have more based on your replies, but that should do for now. Obviously, I''m open to any other helpful suggestions you may have.
Thanks in advance.
As I''m sure you can see, I''m new to this forum (and site). I did some searches and learned a lot about diamonds - so, let me start by saying thanks to all for their posts here so far.
I''m based in the UK and am coming up to my 10th wedding anniversary and am thinking of buying my wife a diamond solitaire ring. I''m not getting a eternity ring because she tends to like simple/minimalist designs.
I''ve been using Blue Nile to narrow down my choices. This is mainly because I live far away from London, making it hard to visit any large jewelers. I do know about Hatton Garden, but I think I''ll get lost if I try and decide on a ring in one visit - but haven''t ruled visiting out. Using the information I''ve learned on this site (+ others), I''ve decided on something along the lines of:
Link to details on Blue Nile
Size: 0.82
Cut: Signature Ideal
Colour: G
Clarity: VVS2
Depth%: 61.4
Table%: 55
Crown Angel: 34.5 (15.5%)
Pavilion Angle: 40.8 (43%)
Symmetry: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Girdle: Thin to medium, faceted
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
I have a number of questions (sorry!), which I''m really hoping you all can help me with. Right, onto the questions:
The ring itself
o Does anyone thing a solitaire ring is a bad idea? She, I think, will wear it on her right hand and she''s right-handed. We have 3 young boys, so she has a fairly active life. I will be going with platinum.
About Blue Nile
o What''s the general opinion of BN these days? I did a search but couldn''t find recent posts about them. I''m using BN because I don''t know of any other decent online retailer in the UK. I don''t particularly want to start importing.
o BN offer a GCAL report which shows pictures of the diamond - is this a reputable report? Should I insist on a Sarin report? For example, I was surprised that the pavilion photograph wasn''t obviously showing Hearts & Arrows (available via link above).
o Is there anyone here who has bought from BN in the UK who could share their experience?
The diamond
o What do you think of the diamond, based on specs?
o The "Cut Advisor" gave it "Excellent" across the board, apart from "Spread" , which was "Very Good". What exactly is "Spread"?
o Is there anything I should be more concerned about? Colour=G for example?
o What does "faceted" on the girdle mean? Is it a bad thing?
The setting
o I am struggling to decide between a 6-prong (Tiffany-like) or 4-prong setting. I am slightly concerned that 6-prongs might be too much metal. But that the same time, I want it to be a secure setting.
o Does anyone here have photographs that show of the BN settings (4-prong or 6-prong). The online depictions are horrible!
o Do you of any other UK-based places I can get a nice setting and have a loose diamond set?
o BTW, I really like what I''ve see of Brian Gavin''s work. I haven''t contacted him/them yet because I''m sure they are based in the US. It seems a shame because I am just nervous about importing something like this.
Tiffany
o The usual question I guess. The only ''reputable'' show I know of in London is Tiffany. Whilst I realise I pay a premium, given the choice of BN or Tiffany, is it worth going to Tiffany for the reassurance of a quality diamond?
Again, apologies for the many questions, but I really want to get this right. We got engaged whilst I was a student and the ring is, well, not that impressive. This is sort of my way of making up for that.
I''m sure I''ll have more based on your replies, but that should do for now. Obviously, I''m open to any other helpful suggestions you may have.
Thanks in advance.