Help with Diamond Selection - $15-17k Budget

[New_Guy]

Hi all,

Thank you all for being such a great resource! I have been lurking for a while and doing all the reading as everyone else but could use some help now that I''m ready to take the leap into diamond selection.

My gf has been looking at getting an eternity setting and my job is to get the solitaire. She doesn''t know I''m looking so I used a random username . We''d like to get a round brilliant, G-H color, VS1-VS2, and ideal cut. I''m pretty open with regards to the carat size so long as it''s below the $15-17k budget. The part we''re both more sensitive to is the fact that her fingers are small (size 4), so we don''t want it to be too large (I know I''m lucky). My guess is probably 1.5-1.75 carats?

Thanks in advance for any help you guys could give.

 

[stone-cold11]

This?

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1279563.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

 

[New_Guy]

Wow, thanks for the fast lookup! Have you found a significant improvement from H&A vs. AGS0 or Ideal cut?

 

[yssie]

Date: 2/9/2010 6:26:22 PM
Author: New_Guy
Wow, thanks for the fast lookup! Have you found a significant improvement from H&A vs. AGS0 or Ideal cut?

Branded H&As from PS vendors will also be AGS0/GIA ex (which means ideal cut)

H&A is just defined as perfect optical symmetry - you can have a beautiful stone that's not H&A, but buying a branded H&A is a good way to guarantee a top performer.

 

[stone-cold11]

Some say yes but I haven''t compared enough to say...

You want me to go down on the budget and choose a good stone, non H&A for you?

 

[New_Guy]

That would be great! I think I''d like to know it''s going to sparkle and perform well, but if I can get something that performs well and saves a couple thousand I''m not going to complain .

 

[stone-cold11]

These 2? Request for idealscope image from JA if you are interested.


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1263697.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1260898.asp

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 2/9/2010 6:36:16 PM
Author: New_Guy
That would be great! I think I''d like to know it''s going to sparkle and perform well, but if I can get something that performs well and saves a couple thousand I''m not going to complain .

If you buy from a vendor who can provide ideal scope images you can know that you are getting a good performer. But there are nuances to diamond performance that are not predicted by the ideal scope, but those may not be predictable by any particular online method. So you can also ask the vendors to have their gemologist look at the diamonds you have selected based on IS and images, and perhaps compare them in person to help you make a choice.

 

[weallshineon]

If it were me, I would like something like this...

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/whiteflash-aca-cut-diamond-2245400.htm#

Whiteflash has a beautiful selection, definitely worth checking out.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/9/2010 6:26:22 PM
Author: New_Guy
Wow, thanks for the fast lookup! Have you found a significant improvement from H&A vs. AGS0 or Ideal cut?

It depends on the actual diamonds being compared, but you can definitely get a beautiful stone which is non h&a if you prefer.

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5404/ meets all your criteria and will be a great performer. And GOG has lovely settings (though I am having difficulty getting them to load tonight for some reason).


Does the price include a solitaire setting, and what is your metal preference? A nice platinum solitaire is going to run you around 1-2K.

This one meets all your requirements would leave you plenty of room for a setting : http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040381680018 and will be an excellent performer.

And this is one of my favorite simple solitaires http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5369 (1150 in platinum) , there is also the Classic Tiffany Style: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5336 (1250 in platinum). Elegance is the perfect name, IMO, for this one http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5415 (1475 in platinum) and finally, one of the most popular styles in solitares on here http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5414 (also $1475)



And if you aren't in a rush... my favorite solitaire (especially for a 1.5 carat stone): http://www.mwmjewelry.com/T_M_Torchiere/ (with the diamonds in the head

). You would need to buy your stone from a vendor, then send it in to MWM for this one. But if you have the time, worth it!
All under budget.

Congrats!

 

[New_Guy]

Wow, thanks for all the help guys. The budget will probably be around $17k for both setting and diamond. She likes really small enternity bands in white gold, so I''m guessing that shouldn''t cost more than $1-2k?

Do you think 1.75 carats is going to look really large on a size 4 finger?

I think she''s looking for more of an eternity or close to eternity band, but thanks for all the solitaire setting ideas .

 

[yssie]

Date: 2/10/2010 5:24:56 PM
Author: New_Guy
Wow, thanks for all the help guys. The budget will probably be around $17k for both setting and diamond. She likes really small enternity bands in white gold, so I'm guessing that shouldn't cost more than $1-2k?

Do you think 1.75 carats is going to look really large on a size 4 finger?

I think she's looking for more of an eternity or close to eternity band, but thanks for all the solitaire setting ideas .

when you say eternity band, are you talking about the setting for the 1.75ct or the wedding band?


for an eternity wb - I'd definitely think you could find some you like in that 2k budget. For a pave solitaire setting, though, I'd put aside a good bit more, depending on what designs and designers you're considering.


Size - depends on what she'd like and her lifestyle... honestly though, unless she's already voiced a preference for a smaller centrestone, I don't think most women would be anything but thrilled with a 1.75 (even women with size4 fingers)

 

[Mrs W]

Yes, its def going to be huge on her!

I would find out what she wants in a setting or how much its going to cost before you look for the diamond. Finding the diamond is usually easy but the setting... well, there are so many options.

 

[Mrs W]

Some settings:

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/-Diamonds-for-an-Eternity--Engagement-Ring_998.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/-Harmony--Diamond-Engagement-Ring_1136.htm

 

[New_Guy]

Thanks guys - sorry I meant she wanted an eternity engagement ring. I assume she would also want an eternity wedding band, but I think that can come later.

 

[Roxie Bling]

Here is a link which talks about carat size/ring finger size in terms of coverage.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/need-help-finding-the-chart-with-ring-sizes-and-percentage-of-finger-coverage.64644/

As an aside, I have a nearly size 4 finger. I thought I wanted 1 ct. since I felt anything bigger would look too large. Then I tried on some 1.5+ diamonds, and thought, hmmm, I can pull these off after all.

 

[New_Guy]

I started digging more, and unfortunately some of those nice picks are gone!

What do you guys think of:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_details.aspx?idNo=2275592#

It''s pushing the $/carat at $9,500 though. From the other ones you guys have found and from what I see for H/VS2 it could come down to the $8k/carat range.

Any thoughts or other suggestions?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/12/2010 2:31:49 PM
Author: New_Guy
I started digging more, and unfortunately some of those nice picks are gone!

What do you guys think of:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_details.aspx?idNo=2275592#
It's pushing the $/carat at $9,500 though. From the other ones you guys have found and from what I see for H/VS2 it could come down to the $8k/carat range.

Any thoughts or other suggestions?

That is a great ACA, reserve it if you are seriously interested!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think I would not want to pay for VS1. I think H color is a good spot to stick, but I would search for VS2 or SI1 diamonds that are eye clean.

Some suggestions:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040397620032 Call and ask if eye clean
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040397620031
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/whiteflash-aca-cut-diamond-2275593.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/whiteflash-aca-cut-diamond-2231258.htm Call and ask if eye clean

 

[mryan]

my wife is size 4.25 and I went with a 1.5 princess and it looks huge on her. I could only imagine what a round 1.5-1.75 looks like on a size 4 since rounds face up bigger. I''d also suggest seeing what GOG has. I''ve bought the e-ring, wedding band, and earrings from them and have been very pleased so much I doubt I go elsewhere.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 3/12/2010 2:51:11 PM
Author: mryan
my wife is size 4.25 and I went with a 1.5 princess and it looks huge on her. I could only imagine what a round 1.5-1.75 looks like on a size 4 since rounds face up bigger. I''d also suggest seeing what GOG has. I''ve bought the e-ring, wedding band, and earrings from them and have been very pleased so much I doubt I go elsewhere.

Ditto GOG. Their website won''t load for me which is why I did not offer any suggestions. Also consider JA, but I don''t like slogging through their huge inventory. But you can and should!

 

[Rhino]

Thanks. Yes our website is temporarily down as there was a bit of trouble with the hard drive on our server. it''s being taken care of now but if you call us (516-798-5151 ext 2) we can take any questions and email data until the site is back up. My apologies for any inconvenience.

Kind regards,

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/12/2010 3:34:49 PM
Author: Rhino
Thanks. Yes our website is temporarily down as there was a bit of trouble with the hard drive on our server. it''s being taken care of now but if you call us (516-798-5151 ext 2) we can take any questions and email data until the site is back up. My apologies for any inconvenience.

Kind regards,

Thanks for the heads up Jon.

 

[New_Guy]

Still looking!!! Any thoughts on:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2275590.htm#

I''m a bit worried about the crystals in the center...

 

[yssie]

looks fantastic,call and ask about the crystals but I''d bet money that they aren''t going to be problematic or visible

 

[New_Guy]

Thanks! Any thoughts on "expert selection" vs. their H&A / ACA?

 

[Shadowplay]

I don''t think you have anything to worry about. My girlfriend has a 4.25 ring size and I''m looking for 1.8-2.1ct diamonds. I didn''t think they were too large for her. We''ll also be looking for an eternity setting - much like the Michael B princess setting.

Best of luck finding a diamond. I''m going to take the AGS0 route that scores well in HCA and I''m going to request BGD or JA or someone bring it in and look at it in person before purchasing - even if it costs me extra.

 

[hmr_mama]

Something to keep in mind as far as their ES vs. ACA: the ACA''s have 100% upgrade....the ES have 70%. Just in case your FFI decides the rock doesn''t look too big....in 5 years!

 

[yssie]

Date: 3/30/2010 6:12:11 PM
Author: hmr_mama
Something to keep in mind as far as their ES vs. ACA: the ACA''s have 100% upgrade....the ES have 70%. Just in case your FFI decides the rock doesn''t look too big....in 5 years!

??

Both ES and ACA are eligible for 100% upgrade. Both ES and ACA are eligible for 70% 1-year buyback.