Hi another newbie/lurker needing help...

[johnnyutah5]

I''m stressin hard this engagement ring shopping is no picnic. I''ve read a lot and learned a little in the past five days since I found the site. I need advice on a diamond.

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-283306.htm

This is the stone I''ve found that fits my budget best and just wanted opinions. I really want an ACA but it seems my budget can''t handle it. The ring that my girl wants is this.

http://www.dimendscaasi.com/build/step1.asp?prodID=ten04C

Best price I can get on it is $1780.00 in 14k white gold. I know it''s over priced but it''s because of the name and the tension style setting. The total ring carats equal .18. My question is I really don''t want to go over 5k but I''m thinking for my taste and what I want I need to push my budget to 6k now. So that leaves me roughly 4200 for a stone. I''m trying to get the biggest I can because the ring setting at the top is 7mm and I don''t want a stone that looks tiny when the width is so wide. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks...

 

[fabcrab]

You can always go for a smaller ct weight and get ACA.

 

[peridot83]

IMHO, that diamond looks awesome, so I wouldn''t really worry about it not being ACA

 

[johnnyutah5]

With the ACA''s I''m having a hard time finding a smaller size. I''d be willing to go down to .9 but I see none on the site that are ACA. What other sites would have an equivalent to an ACA that might have a larger inventory that stretched to the .9 size?

 

[Regular Guy]

Nice IS on that diamond.

But...I''m confused. Who will set the ring? You''re getting the setting from Dimend Scaasi? They''ll take responsibility for setting it? Tension settings may be more tender than most.

 

[kcoursolle]

A couple of things...

Since you are going to get a tension setting, you need to consider a couple of factors. One is that while I would normally suggest an SI stone because of the value, with tension mountings you usually want to get a VS2 for peace of mind with security and durability reasons. Second, again I would normally suggest an I colored stone...but with a tension mounting where you can fully see the side of the diamond I would stick to an H stone to avoid being able to see the warmth.

I wouldn''t worry too much about getting expert selection versus ACA if the specs and images in the expert selection stones look good (as this one does).

Does dimendscaasi sell just the setting alone without one of their own diamonds? This might not be the case and you should check to make sure they will sell just their setting.

Finally, while WF has some beautiful stones...you might also want to check out jamesallen.com. They are ever so slightly less expensive and have a large selection of tension mountings that they can set their diamond in.

Just my .02 cents...

 

[johnnyutah5]

I price scoped this stone and it''s one that I was looking at earlier. It''s also 300 less with the pricescope discount

Is this one crazy better than the first I posted on? Is it worth the extra cash?

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-161903.htm#

 

[fabcrab]

I didn''t mean to imply that the diamond doesn''t look good. I just got the impression that you really wanted ACA.

Is it eyeclean?

 

[johnnyutah5]

I was using the site to show the pic of the ring only. That company actually won''t set my diamond only their own. I have found two other stores that will allow me to send them my diamond and have it set by Gelin Abaci at their factory/store. I''ve heard about the clarity issue with tension settings I''ve also heard a wide array of tension from 600 pounds down to 65-95 pounds that are actually used so who knows the truth??

 

[peridot83]

Honestly, I think the first diamond is awesome, and no need to pay more for an ACA. I know nothing about tension settings so make sure to ask Whiteflash as well as the person doing your setting about the concerns that kcoursolle raised.

 

[kcoursolle]

Ug...I just checked the inventory at Jamesallen...and there''s not a ton along the lines of what you are looking for, but I did find this stone:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=1003078

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 5/7/2007 6:46:41 PM
Author: peridot83

I know nothing about tension settings so make sure to ask Whiteflash as well as the person doing your setting about the concerns that kcoursolle raised.

When considering tension settings girdle thickness is very important. In premium makes medium and slightly thick girdles are most suitable. With inclusions, both the nature and relief (position) must be assessed: The feather can be trouble, depending on its position. A girdle-reaching feather or one that is sizable is a concern where a small feather or one that's enclosed may not be. A diamond of VS clarity with a surface-reaching girdle feather may not be as suitable for tension set as an SI diamond with fully enclosed or no feathers. It’s always a case by case basis.