Help with selecting Diamond (BlueNile)

[munliu]

Hi,

I have this ring in mind however I am not really sure which diamond to select:
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/build-y...r=customizer&track=alternate-metalsCustomizer

I am looking at about $5000-$6000 for the diamond.

I would appreciate if the experts here can guide me to which diamond would be good.

When i filtered the rings down - I can see these 2 among others:

https://www.bluenile.com/ca/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD09301105
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD09005513

However, I am not sure if it's the best deal or should i go a little lower on quality and get a bigger stone?
Also, if another site aside from bluenile can offer the same ring - i wouldn't mind purchasing it from it.

Thanks in advance!

 

[HDer]

"Quality" i.e. color and clarity are as much about personal preference than anything else. Normally people say I or J/VS or SI1 is where most people can start telling, but that varies from person to person. Would you be buying in Canada?

 

[munliu]

Yes, Canada - preferably Montreal but can travel to Ottawa/GTA

 

[tyty333]

The first stone is sort of close to the numbers we like (a 40.6 pavilion would be better with a 35.5 crown).
The second stone is a no-go for me.

 

[bmfang]

I would prefer the first over the second.

What about this one?
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD09190257 (LD9190257, $5826 or $5738 wire, 0.92 H VS2, GIA XXX 57T, 62.2D, 35.5 CA, 40.6 PA, HCA 1.4 TIC)

 

[munliu]

I would prefer the first over the second.

What about this one?
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD09190257 (LD9190257, $5826 or $5738 wire, 0.92 H VS2, GIA XXX 57T, 62.2D, 35.5 CA, 40.6 PA, HCA 1.4 TIC)

I am not sure - to me it looks the same. Is it better than the first one?

I kinda need it urgently and have been hitting my head against the wall as it's so confusing

 

[bmfang]

I am not sure - to me it looks the same. Is it better than the first one?

I kinda need it urgently and have been hitting my head against the wall as it's so confusing

As a general proposition, we here on PS tend to favour certain proportions so that a diamond can have an optimum balance of brilliance and scintillation. The general rule is that once you punch in some numbers into the HCA tool, you reject any stones that have a HCA score over 2.0. The first diamond you had in your original post got close as a combination of a 35.5 degree crown angle with a 40.8 degree pavilion angle as sometimes 35.5/40.6 CA/PA combination stones will be under 2 on the HCA. But with that angle combo, you could have situations where that stone will leak light rather than reflect it back up to you as the viewer.

I punched in the numbers on the first one and it scored 2.7 on the HCA. The 0.2 degree difference in the PA on the one I found at Blue Nile along with a slightly less wide table and slightly higher depth brings the stone into AGS Ideal proportions along with it being a GIA Triple Excellent.

If both stones look the same to you, you then have to ask the question to yourself as to whether the one colour and one clarity upgrade from a H VS2 to a G VS1 is worth the extra CAD$681 on the list price. If you would prefer the higher colour clarity combo, there are likely to be better proportioned stones that have angle combinations to maximize brilliance and scintillation within your budget.

 

[munliu]

Thanks bmfang - that's very helpful.
So I should be using the HCA tool and it should be ideally 2 or less in the red area with excellent rating?

Would you have further recommendations around the price budget?

Thanks!

 

[bmfang]

HCA is a rejection tool. So once you have found some stones that have a HCA score under 2.0, then the real fun begins. You should never use the HCA tool as a selection tool. It's only a selection tool in the sense that if you are looking at 100 diamonds, you "select" what is left over after you've rejected say 85 stones.

The real selection process begins after the rejection process.

What is the maximum budget you are willing to spend? I note your original choice was up to CAD$6500 as the list price. Is BN the only option for you or are you willing to look at other vendors?

I've seen similar settings at my local B&M shops here in Australia, so I'm sure that other internet vendors would have something similar. Brian Gavin Diamonds has a three stone setting with pears on either side (http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/grace-3-stone-pears-platinum-5557p), but the side stones are diamonds rather than sapphires. I'm sure that they could do a custom design that replaced the diamonds with sapphires and it would cost less than what the list price is with diamond side stones.

James Allen has a similar design in platinum, but it costs more (~CAD$3.3k): https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...aped-blue-sapphire-engagement-ring-item-16649

So at this stage, BN has the more cost competitive setting for you relative to others that I've quickly searched on.

 

[munliu]

Personally - I liked the other styles more however few weeks ago after bring madeup scenarios (friend of a friend is looking to buy, etc) she "helped" pick up the 3-stone saphire pear ring and said that she can't get it out of her head...

So yeah - definitely will be going with it. I came across another very similar to BN @
https://www.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/er6002pt4sa

However, I am not sure if they also have diamonds or not...

As for the budget - I am flexible but my MAX would be $10,000 CAD including the Ring.

I am not restricting to BN or James Allen - I like the rings at Ritani as well however she is more of a simple girl and ritani rings are really fancy shiny! Perhaps would get her one on the 5th anniversary.

B2C also has same design:
http://www.b2cjewels.com/1/gsus1053...e-tapered-diamond-engagement-ring-in-platinum

good thing Glen and Damien have been keeping me company past 2 AM!

 

[farrahlyn]

i MUCH prefer the JA setting to the BN and B2C one. Look at how the main basket sits flush with the baskets for the side stones. It just has a more fluid feel. the G&C setting is really nice too and the BG setting, WOWSA! Try doing a live chat to see if they can do sapphires instead and what the pricing would be.

You know what would be really unique is if you purchased a BG Blue diamond. meaning the stone would have Blue Fluorescence under black light. Such as:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...0.995-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104095241007

 

[bmfang]

If you are considering the Gabriel & Co setting, might be worth giving Yekutiel at ID Jewelry in New York City a call. I think IDJ has access to the full range of G&C settings as they are an authorised dealer (based off memory of what other stores have posted on here before).

Otherwise, see if you can do a live chat with Lesley at Brian Gavin Diamonds. I’m sure that they can assist with finding you a ring for your proposed budget (including sourcing a couple of pear shaped sapphires to replace the diamonds in the Grace setting). @farrahlyn’s suggestion about a BG Signature Blue to go with the Grace 3-stone setting sounds super cool to me (though I am partial to stones with blue fluorescence). Stones with blue fluorescence may appear whiter in situations where they are exposed to UV light spectrums (like daylight) and they sell at a discount to stones without fluorescence. Plus when you put them under a black light, they have a really cool party trick of glowing blue

Going by your username you are Asian (maybe Chinese Iike myself), and some of us Asians would prefer to stay away from stones with fluorescence. So something else for you to consider.

 

[munliu]

Thanks bmfag and farrah.

I just got lucked into finding
https://www.majestydiamonds.com/three-stone-engagement-rings

They are out of Montreal - so will contact them and see if they can do Platinum 3-stone sapphire ring. Their prices seem much more reasonable as compared to others...what's up with that???

 

[bmfang]

I would suggest that they are cheaper as they would be using diamonds that do not have good light performance. They look like mall jeweller quality stones based on the pricing and massive discounts.

Plus they don’t appear to do pear shaped sidestones in that listing of rings.

 

[farrahlyn]

what bmfang said^. if you do go with a brick & mortar store, PLEASE let us help selecting a center stone. there are some real duds out there. Take for instance these two to compare:

Very nice, complimentary angles - 1.5ct E SI1 stone
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...e-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3327967

vs this stone with similar same specs, GIA XXX (which is what a lot of jewelers will look at/recommend) 1.5ct E SI1. But the angles are not complimentary and the stone just looks dull:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-e-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-114136

Can you see the difference in the two? Granted these videos are magnified but you want a stone that reflects as much light as possible and there are (seemingly small) variances in angles that come into play and make a big difference.

I like bmfang's suggestion too of calling IDJewelry, they have completed some really beautiful rings at really amazing prices and usually very swiftly as well.

 

[munliu]

Thanks again both of you.

I think I have definitely settled down and decided to go with James Allen ring:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...aped-blue-sapphire-engagement-ring-item-16649

with second choice of BN if the diamond might be better there

@farrahlyn : I actually can't tell the difference...or atleast not sure what I am looking at.

Now, I guess next step would be to select stone from JA. Recommendations are welcome (7000 CAD max + Ring comes to my budget of 10K)

PS: I am planning to give her in 2 weeks - hopefully everything goes smoothly

 

[rockysalamander]

Thanks again both of you.

I think I have definitely settled down and decided to go with James Allen ring:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...aped-blue-sapphire-engagement-ring-item-16649

@farrahlyn : I actually can't tell the difference...or atleast not sure what I am looking at.

Now, I guess next step would be to select stone from JA. Recommendations are welcome (7000 CAD max + Ring comes to my budget of 10K)

On the JA setting, and this would be true of any vendor, they will use pear sapphires they have on hand. So, you can see that the pictures in the set rings are a range of colors/tones. I tend to prefer the lighter ones over the very dark blue unless you can get precsion cut sapphires and that is not a possibility with JA. Just be sure you ask for the color you want. I prefer the color of the 1.0 carat. the .8 and .5 are too dark. The .7 looks too purple. The 360 stones are too light to me.

Stones to Consider
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3383098 {has additional clouds, but if eyeclean, this is a great option at 1.05 c, 6.54 mm; need IS)

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3263588 (ask if eye clean, need IS)

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3123085 {I like this one visually better, need IS}

 

[munliu]

1.06 carat for $7,343.00 - 1.4 on TIC Score:
https://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-details/LD09151070

I will give IDJewelry also a call - but I am not sure how the diamond will be and the process of viewing / vetting it out?

Definitely - will make the purchase in the next 24 hours - will be travelling starting weekend so want to get it sorted out before then

 

[munliu]

On the JA setting, and this would be true of any vendor, they will use pear sapphires they have on hand. So, you can see that the pictures in the set rings are a range of colors/tones. I tend to prefer the lighter ones over the very dark blue unless you can get precsion cut sapphires and that is not a possibility with JA. Just be sure you ask for the color you want. I prefer the color of the 1.0 carat. the .8 and .5 are too dark. The .7 looks too purple. The 360 stones are too light to me.

Stones to Consider
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3383098 {has additional clouds, but if eyeclean, this is a great option at 1.05 c, 6.54 mm; need IS)

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3263588 (ask if eye clean, need IS)

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3123085 {I like this one visually better, need IS}

I asked BN and they can't customize the ring...as for JA might be able to do it however would need to give them a call...

When you say it needs IS - what does that mean?

 

[munliu]

Talked over @ Ritani - and the sales person - she was very helpful
https://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-1-07-Carat-H-color-GIA-certified/D-2H6S1Q

Rated at 1.3 TIC score eee,vg

Reserved this diamond for now while she confirms if a custom ring would be possible:
Looking at the settings of:

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...aped-blue-sapphire-engagement-ring-item-16649
and
https://www.gabrielny.com/schedule-a-private-show/results?productId=ER6002PT4SA&division=GBBR

As for the diamond - she has requested further images - once I get them I will share to get the experts opinions here

I just feel good about this now - have had sleepless nights

 

[bmfang]

IS means Idealscope. Likely the types of images that the Ritani sales associate is requesting for you.

 

[farrahlyn]

@farrahlyn : I actually can't tell the difference...or atleast not sure what I am looking at.

Look at the "dud" and watch the flashes of light. see how the center of the stone is not very lively? not a lot of flashes of light overall. Now hop on over and look at the other one i posted. See how there are large flashes of light throughout the stone? This is closeup. so in real life, looking at a stone, that decreased play of light on that poorer stone will be noticeable.

I will give IDJewelry also a call - but I am not sure how the diamond will be and the process of viewing / vetting it out?

Definitely - will make the purchase in the next 24 hours - will be travelling starting weekend so want to get it sorted out before then

i think for semi custom, making sure that the sapphires are the color you want, IDJewelry is a really fantastic option. I don't see that particular setting on the website but Yekutiel should be able to get it for you. And in the tight timeframe you're looking at, i wouldn't think it would be a problem. Do a search here on PS and you'll see a number of finished rings from IDJ. eta: Let him know you are a Pricescoper! He can provide images, IS, etc to help you choose a ring.

There is also this Gabriel setting:
https://idjewelry.com/3-stone-diamo...-set-in-14k-white-gold-er10905w4jsa-igcd.html

 

[munliu]

yeah - it is actually very noticeable now that you mentioned it and even though the dull one is more expensive it looks like crap comparatively.

The other Gabriel setting you mentioned unfortunately doesn't come in platinum...I was reading the white-gold fades away and yellow tint starts to show up after few years unless it can last a decade or so before colour starts to change

 

[farrahlyn]

yeah - it is actually very noticeable now that you mentioned it and even though the dull one is more expensive it looks like crap comparatively.

The other Gabriel setting you mentioned unfortunately doesn't come in platinum...I was reading the white-gold fades away and yellow tint starts to show up after few years unless it can last a decade or so before colour starts to change

Yes, white gold will have to be replated every so often. Also depends on the person, mine start showing color after a year, i waited two years and REALLY need to get them replated soon.

did you see this setting?

https://idjewelry.com/gabriel-co-pl...ones-engagement-ring-setting-er8773pt3sa.html

 

[munliu]

Yes, white gold will have to be replated every so often. Also depends on the person, mine start showing color after a year, i waited two years and REALLY need to get them replated soon.

did you see this setting?

https://idjewelry.com/gabriel-co-pl...ones-engagement-ring-setting-er8773pt3sa.html

1 year!, wow i thought it might last atleast a decade or so - that really sucks...

No, didn't see it before. It looks good too

 

[farrahlyn]

1 year!, wow i thought it might last atleast a decade or so - that really sucks...

No, didn't see it before. It looks good too

has to be something to do with body chemistry, my bff has never replated hers!

 

[doberman]

Try not to think in terms of quality. Buying a diamond is all about which of the 4Cs matter most to you personally. Cut always matters most, so start there.

Regarding metals, I have a ring that is palladium alloy white gold that has never needed a redip and it's 5 years since I got it. I do find that platinum bends more easily.

 

[bmfang]

I do find that platinum bends more easily

Yup. My in-laws got my wife and I pure platinum wedding bands as a gift when we got married. By the time we got back from our trip back to China to celebrate our nuptials with the extended family, my band was looking decidedly not like a circle but approaching an oval. Needless to say, it isn’t worn much these days.

 

[PumpkinOrange]

I wouldn't go to Bluenile coz their stones are not really inspected by qualified gemologists prior to purchase.

I suggest a cheaper and better alternative which is www.LEIBISH.com because before you can purchase you ask questions about the stone and see pics and video from different lighting conditions.

 

[munliu]

Yup. My in-laws got my wife and I pure platinum wedding bands as a gift when we got married. By the time we got back from our trip back to China to celebrate our nuptials with the extended family, my band was looking decidedly not like a circle but approaching an oval. Needless to say, it isn’t worn much these days.

What!??? Damn it - so would it be better to get gold ring then? which one would fade less? 14K or higher?