Hi! Newbie seeking advice from the experts about E-ring for the lady.

[Classe Maggie]

Hi All, looking for a diamond for a while, and have stumbled upon this site and it the information here is amazing.

I am looking for a 1-1.15 carat round, ideal cut or H&A, d-e color, and minimun of vvs2 clarity.

My first question is this, and bear with me here, as I know it''s not friday yet, but...I did check out tiffany''s, and they had a 1.1 d vvs2 with classic setting. After researching BN, I think it''s safe to say that it was a bit more. The thing is, tiffany site says that their diamond don''t have a laundry list of things, outside of the usual 4cs consideration, such as: abrasions, fisheye, naturals, polish lines and marks, black inclusions, significant graining, nicks, scratches, crown misalignment, knots, laser drill holes and the like. BN doesn''t mention any of this stuff, and I''ve checked out WhiteFlash and Good Old gold as well, and didn''t come upon much info regarding same. Good Old Gold actually does briefly mention black inclusions. So, should I be worried about those things, or are they red herrings.

If they are, then can you experts out there give me any advice about which of these stones is more appealing...
The first up is one from Whiteflash,
Item Code: GIA-13924176
Report: GIA
Shape: Round Ideal Cut
Carat: 1.08
Color: D
Clarity: VVS1
Depth: 60.7
Table: 55
Crown Angle: 34.7
Crown %: 15.6
Pavilion Angle: 40.9
Pavilion %: 42.9
Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Faint
Measurements: 6.70-6.71X4.07
HCA is 1.6 I believe. Although it''s not H&A, WF give an idealscope view which looks pretty good. Shows all the arrows.

Second is from Good Old Gold, H&A round

# Carat Weight: 1.03
# Clarity: VVS1
# Color: E
# Shape: Round brilliant
# Cut External
* Polish: GIA ~ Excellent
* Symmetry: GIA ~ Excellent
* Proportions: AGS ~ Ideal
# Cut Internal
* Symmetry ~ Hearts & Arrows
* Light Return ~ Excellent

Sarin is 61.4, 55.76 Crown Angle 34.5 Pavillion Angle 40.7, cutlet .3, HCA is 1.4
No GIA report so I can''t tell if there is flourecence.

Finally, last one from Good Old Gold as well,

# Carat Weight: 1.13ct
# Clarity: VVS2
# Color: D
# Shape: Round brilliant
# Cut External
* Polish: GIA ~ Excellent
* Symmetry: GIA ~ Excellent
* Proportions: AGS ~ Ideal
# Cut Internal
* Symmetry ~ Hearts & Arrows
* Light Return ~ Excellent

Sarin is 60.9, 55.69 Crown Angle 34.5 Pavillion Angle is 40.9, culet is .4
HCA is 1.4.
No flourecence.

I don''t know if I am allowed to post prices so I won''t, however, the prices for the diamonds are close enougn not to be a real factor. But if those other things tiffany''s claims their diamonds don''t have are things I should be concerned about, then that makes it a tougher decision. Then again, even though I"m a guy, those H&A photos are pretty cool.

Finally, what would you suggest about setting, i.e. where to get it done and where to get some good choices. I''ve looked at the vatches and other styles on WF but want to look at other settings as well.

Thank you very much for your time, and patience.

 

[Maxine]

Both vendors have good reputations here on Pricescope.....some people might suggest that you look for something other that a D color, and that you go with a VS2 clarity or even SI as a means of getting a bigger diamond for your money....That of course, is your choice....But cut is definitely most important!!
You could call either of those vendors to talk about those particular stones....they will help you out, and explain what other options you might want to consider with regard to color and clarity.........

 

[codex57]

I still think Tiffany's is way overpriced. I'm particularly outspoken against Tiffanys b/c while they do sell good stuff, they're quality is nowhere near what you pay for and I find their website so misleading and their use of scare tactics bothers me so much, I can never recommend them unless you must buy them for their name only.

Don't buy into any of that crap. Whiteflash and BlueNile are reputable sites that sell diamonds of as good or even better quality than Tiffanys.

And yes, I've bought stuff from there before. That's why I'm not too happy with their quality.

As for D colored stones, after you spend a certain amount, I think girls appreciate having a stone with one aspect that's the best it can get. I bought my fiance a 1.37 D VVS2 ideal cut. While the VVS2 isn't the best, she likes the D part cuz she knows one part of the ring is the best, even if the size isn't as big as one of her friend's. But, that friend got kinda mad at her fiance cuz while her stone was big, it could have been much larger if he hadn't bought it at Tiffany's and without any drop in any of the other specs.

 

[Maxine]

Most of the "problems" you mention will be nonexistent with well cut diamonds from the listed vendors....but call them and ask , if you are interested in a stone...the other thing that pricescopers suggest is that if you find a stone you like, you have it sent to an independent appraisor to make sure ist is everything the vendor claims it is!!!!!i

 

[ame]

I am so anti-tiffanys its not even funny.

If you want to buy quality, buy from Whiteflash or GOG or DCD or NiceIce or anyone of the fantastic vendors on here. My wedding band is being made by Whiteflash as we speak (or maybe on its way here, oh please oh please oh please) and if we didn''t find this particular diamond cut for my solitaire stone, Id have bought through them or GOG because Jonathon rocks.

I think your best bet is one of the vendors here. Quality product at the right price.

 

[Todd07]

General comment - if you haven''t done so, read through the Advanced Tutorial under the KNOWLEDGE link at the top of each page.

Tiffany''s is using scare tactics to help convince you to buy from them. If you work with a Price Scope vendor, you will not receive any suprises that are not clearly disclosed in the certification, which you will have seen a copy of. Blue Nile, Goog Old Gold and White Flash are not trying to scare you

All three stones you offer look very good. You really won''t notice a difference between the HCA scores you mention. Whether they are a true H&A or just a well cut stone will not be evident in a setting on the finger. You will notice lots of sparkle though in any of the stones.

You can mention prices in your posts bit since they are close...

You may want to pick the one with the largest diameter since you probably won''t notice the difference between D & E color or VVS1 and VVS2

For settings, I''d try get it from the same place you buy your stone. It simplifies the process.

 

[pqcollectibles]

Whatever your reason for wanting D/E and VVS, I hope you''ve made an informed choice.

But I have to ask,............. Have you gotten out and looked at KNOWN well cut diamonds to look at color and clarity grades?? The color and clarity levels you have selected are pretty pricey and carry a heavy premium.

The human eye is an interesting thing. Most people are not able to see VS level inclusions. The average Maul store offers L/M/N color diamonds and average people think they are white. Many people here have happily purchased well cut G and H color diamonds and been very pleased with their choice. G/H color and VS clarity will really help you maximize your budget. You could go bigger on the diamond, fancier on the setting, or save some $$$ for the Honeymoon.

Just some thoughts for you to ponder.

All three diamonds look to be excellent performers. Both Vendors have stellar reputations. You can''t go wrong working with either one. You might call both and chat with them about the diamonds. They can both pull out the diamonds and discuss them with you on the phone. Let them be your eyes for the moment as you make your decision.

 

[Classe Maggie]

Wow, you guys are fast!!!

Just finished reading through the advanced tutorial. And in light of what I''ve read on this forum, I think I will be getting a stone from one of those two vendors, WF or GOG. The funny thing is I didn''t think I''d find this level of "debate" revolving around whether to get Tiffany''s or Not. I thought us audio "nuts"

were "nuts" about whether audio cables were just audio cables. As some may know, some audio "cables" go for upwards of thousands of dollars for a meter or two. You would think they were made of gold or something. They''re not. Sorry for digressing.

I think the only thing tiffany''s has over other vendors is the setting, and name recognition of course, but, I think overall, the diamond is most important. And to answer some of the queries regarding the preference for D and vvs, as the tutorial referenced, in some religions, purity = good things

so my parents say. Hey, it can''t hurt right? feng shui (?) is all the rage. But on a serious note, like codex57 said, I think she''d appreciate having one of the C''s the best it could be.

And since I can post prices, the WF one goes for 13780, the first GOG goes for 13024, and the last one goes for 13154. Are those good prices?

Finally, is shrinkage that much a problem for the ladies? When we went to Tiffany''s we looked at the 1.1 and she said it was a good size, and that she wouldn''t want one too big or flashy. She''s a petite girl, so....I think two people mentioned getting a bigger diamond.

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Classe Maggie

once mounted, a G VS1 top ideal cut stone will look like a D FL to me. i don''t think an avg person can tell difference between the 2 stone, especially with a dirty pavilion......so you own a Classe amp ?

 

[pqcollectibles]

Date: 2/15/2005 11:29:19 PM
Author: Classe Maggie
Wow, you guys are fast!!!

Just finished reading through the advanced tutorial. And in light of what I've read on this forum, I think I will be getting a stone from one of those two vendors, WF or GOG. The funny thing is I didn't think I'd find this level of 'debate' revolving around whether to get Tiffany's or Not. I thought us audio 'nuts'

were 'nuts' about whether audio cables were just audio cables. As some may know, some audio 'cables' go for upwards of thousands of dollars for a meter or two. You would think they were made of gold or something. They're not. Sorry for digressing.

I think the only thing tiffany's has over other vendors is the setting, and name recognition of course, but, I think overall, the diamond is most important. And to answer some of the queries regarding the preference for D and vvs, as the tutorial referenced, in some religions, purity = good things

so my parents say. Hey, it can't hurt right? feng shui (?) is all the rage. But on a serious note, like codex57 said, I think she'd appreciate having one of the C's the best it could be.

And since I can post prices, the WF one goes for 13780, the first GOG goes for 13024, and the last one goes for 13154. Are those good prices?

Finally, is shrinkage that much a problem for the ladies? When we went to Tiffany's we looked at the 1.1 and she said it was a good size, and that she wouldn't want one too big or flashy. She's a petite girl, so....I think two people mentioned getting a bigger diamond.

Thanks again for all your help.

Kewl, CM. I understand where you are coming from now.

Some people come to PScope "thinking" they have to have certain color and clarity until they learn that cut can mask both to a great extent. Suddenly they go from a small diamond to a much bigger diamond because the budget will allow for more.

Diamond size is geographically relative. What are her girlfriends getting?? That's kinda the key to follow. If they all wear 0.5's and she gets a 1.1-1.25, your gal's diamond will be huge in comparison. Lots of women here (where I live, not PScope) wear smaller diamonds so my 1.25 is huge. In CA or NY, my diamond would be average or on the small side. It won't be too long before she get's used to whatever you get her. She may be content with her e-ring for a long while. She may want bigger down the road. You just never know. Both WF and GOG offer life-time upgrade for future reference.

 

[Christy42]

Just a thought, I am a newly "kind of informed" happy ring owner now thanks to the forum. All of these opinions really do get you thinking about things that you didn''t even know were that important.

Just another thought for you to ponder on the carat weight, there is a thread out here somwhere, I can''t recall who sent it, about a diamond size shrinking over time. That''s true. Once she gets used to it, upgrade hints will probably be mentioned. I''ve been married for 17 years, trust me. This is our second upgrade. I agree with the suggestion to see what her friends have and have another girl try it on for you. The size always looks different when it''s on someone else hand. Hope this helps.

 

[codex57]

Diamond shrinkage is a problem. But, as long as you get her a size that''s comparable to her friends, you should be good for a while. If you need to sacrifice, I still pick clarity. Like others said, you can''t see it with the naked eye. Some friends are gonna ask for the specs. As long as you stay in the VS range, it sounds a lot like VVS depending on how fast you say it so it''ll still be decently impressive. Another trick is to use a solitaire setting that''s not mounted low. It sticks teh diamond out there and it looks bigger. Also, make sure it''s a thinner band to also make the diamond look bigger.

 

[Patty]

Of the three you posted, I''d go for #3. It''s got the perfect color of D (for the psychological impact!) and it''s the largest of the three.

 

[Classe Maggie]

Hi all,

Yes, I have Classe mono blocks, Cam 200. With respect to what her friends have, that''s no help, cause none of them are engaged.

They''re still finishing up their doctorates and none of their boyfriends have proposed yet, so I think I will be the first. I suppose I will set the standard by which her friends'' boyfriends will follow. I''m in CT, in between Bean town and the big apple, so I don''t know what that means geographically about the average size of diamonds.

I think I''m leaning towards the third stone as well.

With respect to settings, are those Tiffany look a likes anywhere near the quality of the real thing, and if not, what are the alternatives?

Thanks a bunch.

 

[codex57]

I''ve seen some Tiffany look alikes. They range from not nearly the same quality to just as good. If it''s a simple solitaire, it''s not that hard to find a good quality replica. There''s really not much to the ring. I think whoever polishes it can greatly affect how good the replica looks.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 2/16/2005 3:50:22 PM
Author: Classe Maggie
Hi all,

Yes, I have Classe mono blocks, Cam 200. With respect to what her friends have, that''s no help, cause none of them are engaged.

They''re still finishing up their doctorates and none of their boyfriends have proposed yet, so I think I will be the first. I suppose I will set the standard by which her friends'' boyfriends will follow. I''m in CT, in between Bean town and the big apple, so I don''t know what that means geographically about the average size of diamonds.

I think I''m leaning towards the third stone as well.

With respect to settings, are those Tiffany look a likes anywhere near the quality of the real thing, and if not, what are the alternatives?

Thanks a bunch.

then go with #3 ,Jonathan has amazing stones give him a call .

 

[valeria101]

Date: 2/15/2005 11:29:19 PM
Author: Classe Maggie

But on a serious note, like codex57 said, I think she''d appreciate having one of the C''s the best it could be.

Yes. "Cut" and... carat allright. Basically anything that shows somewhere else other than the price tag that get trashed away.

If the stone needs to be between 1 and 1.5 carats, no sweat - "VVS" still doesn''t show. The best way to see just how dramatically uninformative those higer grades are is to take a look. Really.

Well, just IMO.