Help!

[Selly]

Help!

Number 1:

I can''t decide whether to pay the extra money for going from G to F, and from VS1 to VVS2. Opinions please! Here''s what I''m considering:

(All are round H&A Ideal AGS0 with no/neg. flr)

(Color/clarity/carat/hca/price)

1. F VVS2 1.32 1.1xxxvg - $14,200
2. G VS1 1.28 0.6xxxvg - $10,750
3. G VVS2 1.32 0.6xxxvg - $11,800
4. G VS1 1.20 1.3xxxx - $10,000
5. G VS1 1.21 0.9xxxvg - $9,800


I showed No. 1 to her and she really liked it, but it''s beyond my budget. It seems to me that no one will be able to tell the difference once the stone is set. Also, I think she wants a colorless stone (i.e. the F.)

Number 2:

I''m thinking of a simple 4 prong Tiffanys platinum setting ring. As for the band, thinking of a channel set 11 stone H&A VS platinum band. Can only afford this band if don''t get No. 1 above. She''s active and the type that will often take off the engangement ring so I want to make sure the band is nice.

Number 3:

Where can I get the best price for a men''s christian bauer band?

Thanks in advance.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

A G is a terrific choice, and so is VS1! I wouldn''t go higher than that because almost no one can look at a H&A F next to a G and be able to tell the difference. Of course, I''d go for the largest G VS1 I could, so I''d probably go for #2 based on the very limited info you gave. Obviously the higher color is a much larger jump in price than the clarity, so I''d also consider #3 if I had moreinfo on the stones.

 

[Selly]

Thanks DS2006. What about questions 2 and 3?

 

[JulieN]

I don''t see why you can''t get her what she wants (an F) and go for VS1/VS2 clarity instead of VVS.

 

[Selly]

Julie,

I think you''re right. I should go with what she wants and that probably means an F/VS1 rather than F/VVS2 or G/VS1. She still gets what she wants and I can put more money into a beautiful band. Again, thanks.

Selly.

 

[angeline]

Hi Selly,

Has your fiance looked at the G colors as well? Maybe she''s not that color sensitive and may prefer more size then the jump from a G to an F. Just food for thought. I couldn''t tell a G from an I. Now if it''s a mind thing then by all means get an F otherwise she might never be happy and you''ll find yourself looking for an F later down the track. As I said I''m not color sensitive but in the end I decided I wanted to know it was a colorless diamond. (I know others might find that silly)

#2: I like the idea of a fancy wedding band. Something to look at when the e-ring''s off. I too take my e-ring off a lot to do things.

#3: pearlmansjewelers.com have lots of Christian Bauer. Love those rings! Pearlmans is highly respected on these boards and has the best prices I found for some settings I was looking for.

Best of luck!

a

 

[Selly]

A,

Thanks. I think she''s into the F for both reasons - somewhat sensitive to color and because she wants to say it''s colorless (must admit that the second reason is somewhat true for me as well). Here''s what I''m considering:

Stone:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_details.aspx?idno=64598

or

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=130&item=895812


Setting:


http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/4-Prong--Tiffany--Style-in-Platinum_608.htm


Band:

http://www.whiteflash.com/Wedding_Bands/13-stone-Bead-Set-Band_974.htm#

or

http://www.whiteflash.com/Wedding_Bands/-Tiffany--style-Bead-Set_1018.htm



Thoughts?

 

[FireGoddess]

The VVS2, even the VS1 is overkill. You could get a bigger F color stone if you drop down to even a VS2, which can still be overkill clarity-wise in a round stone...or just save the extra money for the setting. There should be no visible inclusions with a VS2 in a round. Why pay extra for the VS1 or VVS clarity?

 

[Selly]

Firegoddess,

Thanks. Here''s my predicament: she is sensitive to both color (should be "colorless") and clarity - apart from having good vision, she''s very analytical. I agree with you that VVS2 is overkill, but I''m having difficulty finding stones in the: F VS1 1.2-1.45 range. (We both want AGS0 Ideal/H&A.)

Also, she doesn''t really want to go much bigger than 1.3 because she has small hands and prefers a more subtle look. Bottom line is the minimum clarity she wants is VS1, and the minimum color she wants is F (actually, that''s probably true for me as well), so my choices are limited to:

F VS1 or F VVS2.

Any ideas?

 

[JulieN]

Either the James Allen one or this one http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2149/

 

[Selly]

Ladies,

Thanks very much for your opinions and advise. You''ve convinced me to increase size for slightly lower clarity. (My ff can tell you that I don''t change my mind very quickly or easily.) Again, thanks for the benefit of your wisdom.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 9/23/2006 10:09:32 AM
Author: Selly
Ladies,

Thanks very much for your opinions and advise. You've convinced me to increase size for slightly lower clarity. (My ff can tell you that I don't change my mind very quickly or easily.) Again, thanks for the benefit of your wisdom.

So what is the lowest clarity you would go now? Also, are you still wanting an F?

And the trouble is, stones in the 1.25ish-1.45 are hard to find period, no matter what the color or clarity.

 

[dani13]

G/VS1-2 is my sweet spot. I would stay at that and get a bigger stone. That's all I have to say about that.

Christian Bauer bands are really nice- my FI has been looking at them...I know Pearlman's carries them. But if you go to the CB website, you can probably find a list of local dealers and then do price comparsisons at that point. Good luck!