I Did It!

[ballplaya4257]

I know it''s only a little breakthrough but today was my first official day that I went engagement ring shopping for my fiance-to-be. I know that I have a tougher task in front of me because I want to surprise her so I''m hoping that along with her sister and friends, we can figure out her tastes.

Anyways, I went to a local jeweler who I recently read up on and had a great vibe when talking with them. While I wasn''t too keen on the diamonds they offered, I did pick out a setting that I absolutely loved. After talking with them, I asked if I indeed found another diamond, would they set it. THEY WOULD! I know this may be common, but since this was my first time, I wasn''t sure. I am now all for finding a diamond online but using the setting that I picked out. (The only reason that I''m doing this is because I can''t get over not seeing the actual setting in person. I looked at nearly 50 rings today that at first I thought looked good, but then didn''t like it. Just not comfortable purchasing that online). I have read numerous posts concerning diamonds online but could someone please just assure me on here what places are better then others. Thanks! By the way, this jewelers name was Thomas S. Fox in Grand Rapids, Michigan if anyone have heard of them.

Now back to my story, the next place that I went was Helzberg Diamonds. I have read about mall chains on here so I just wanted to see for myself. At first I was dissappointed in their selection but after looking the sales associate and I chose a setting I really liked. She then took me back into a little examination room and pointed out the imperfections in the diamond. I would like to note that she went through GIA schooling so I assummed she knew a lot, at least I hope. Honestly, this was an outstanding setting and stone but a little out of my price range. They wouldn''t allow me to choose a stone online and have them set it in either so I was stuck with their prices. The sales associate was outstanding though in discussing every option. Although I didn''t write down every aspect of the stone, it was going to be $3800 for a 5/8 ct, F, VI2. Maybe this is an outstanding deal, please let me know. But right now, I am leaning more towards choosing a diamond online and having it set in the setting that I love.

I won''t pretend that I know anything about diamonds. Actually, everything that I know I have found from people on here so thank you. I have read the tutorials and tried to make myself prepared but honestly, when I first walked in I was intimidated. Is their any advice that I should have? Thank you all for your time and thank you for PRICESCOPE!

 

[radiantquest]

good for you. it is an exciting experience.

i am not an expert by any means but i think that $3800 for a 5/8 ct, F, VI2 is a little steep. from my looking for my own use that most of the online vendors would give you a better deal. i like to check in on whiteflash and good old gold alot. i also looked at blue nile, but the dont get as much kudos around here as the others do and trust me the people here know what they are talking about.

if i were you i would look with these online vendors for the diamond so that you get the most bang for your buck and put it in the setting that you LOVE. dont spend that kind of money for something that you just like.

please keep us updated on your progress. we love this stuff and the people on here will let you know if you are choosing a good diamond or a great one.

 

[customandrew]

Date: 10/9/2008 8:40:00 PM
Author:ballplaya425


I won''t pretend that I know anything about diamonds. Actually, everything that I know I have found from people on here so thank you. I have read the tutorials and tried to make myself prepared but honestly, when I first walked in I was intimidated. Is their any advice that I should have? Thank you all for your time and thank you for PRICESCOPE!

Congratulations on the beginning of this process!

It is pretty usual for a jeweler to agree to mount an out of house stone. which is good for you!
The helzburg diamonds stores that Ive visited dont keep up with alot of the diamonds I see here on PS.

Honestly, Its hard to tell you to not be scared of internet purchasing. Its hard to see how you could "connect" with the ring without seeing it before hand. But honestly I think that you could go through the custom process with one of the vendors here on pricescope and in turn leave with a better diamond for less.

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/4633/

that diamond for example is perfect. a tad bit above 5/8''s and 1k cheaper.
just look through the show me the ring thread and youll find hundreds of people that have
gone through the process using an internet vendor and have been thrilled.

I think this is a process that you will enjoy more being very very very very picky.
that way you know there is nothing more you could have done as you have gotten exactly what you set out for: something spectacular.

 

[Kelli]

A friend of mine got her diamond from Helzberg and WAAAAAY overpaid for a diamond of poor quality. When I was first looking, I was shown an absolutely beautiful diamond, but it was also WAAAAAAY over-priced. I was able to get something much bigger with the same color and better clarity for a couple thousand less. I DEFINITELY recommend getting your diamond from a pricescope vendor, and don''t skimp on the cut. Whiteflash is AWESOME!!! I know there are other great ones too, but I''ve had experience with Whiteflash and would recommend them to anyone.

If you are looking for a round brilliant in an ideal cut, you could definitelty go lower in color if you are looknig to maximize size. I know some people are color-sensitive, but I say this because I said I had to have a "colorless" diamond before I saw what ideal cut Hs Is and Js looked like. They are super white in rounds, especially when set in jewelry.

Whatever you decide, good luck in your hunting and kudos for keeping it a surprise and taking the time to really make it perfect!

 

[CdnBlingGal]

Date: 10/9/2008 8:40:00 PM
Author:ballplaya4257
I know it''s only a little breakthrough but today was my first official day that I went engagement ring shopping for my fiance-to-be. I know that I have a tougher task in front of me because I want to surprise her so I''m hoping that along with her sister and friends, we can figure out her tastes.

Anyways, I went to a local jeweler who I recently read up on and had a great vibe when talking with them. While I wasn''t too keen on the diamonds they offered, I did pick out a setting that I absolutely loved. After talking with them, I asked if I indeed found another diamond, would they set it. THEY WOULD! I know this may be common, but since this was my first time, I wasn''t sure. I am now all for finding a diamond online but using the setting that I picked out. (The only reason that I''m doing this is because I can''t get over not seeing the actual setting in person. I looked at nearly 50 rings today that at first I thought looked good, but then didn''t like it. Just not comfortable purchasing that online). I have read numerous posts concerning diamonds online but could someone please just assure me on here what places are better then others. Thanks! By the way, this jewelers name was Thomas S. Fox in Grand Rapids, Michigan if anyone have heard of them.

Now back to my story, the next place that I went was Helzberg Diamonds. I have read about mall chains on here so I just wanted to see for myself. At first I was dissappointed in their selection but after looking the sales associate and I chose a setting I really liked. She then took me back into a little examination room and pointed out the imperfections in the diamond. I would like to note that she went through GIA schooling so I assummed she knew a lot, at least I hope. Honestly, this was an outstanding setting and stone but a little out of my price range. They wouldn''t allow me to choose a stone online and have them set it in either so I was stuck with their prices. The sales associate was outstanding though in discussing every option. Although I didn''t write down every aspect of the stone, it was going to be $3800 for a 5/8 ct, F, VI2. Maybe this is an outstanding deal, please let me know. But right now, I am leaning more towards choosing a diamond online and having it set in the setting that I love.

I won''t pretend that I know anything about diamonds. Actually, everything that I know I have found from people on here so thank you. I have read the tutorials and tried to make myself prepared but honestly, when I first walked in I was intimidated. Is their any advice that I should have? Thank you all for your time and thank you for PRICESCOPE!

Congratulations on taking the first step. It can be a scary task but if you are armed with the knowledge that you have learned from here (PS), you will find a spectacular ring for your gf. Just to mention, there is no such thing as a clarity of VI2. Could this be a VS2 or SI2?

 

[ballplaya4257]

wow, thank you for the help and the encouragement. While this process can seem overwhelming with all this information coming at me, I know that with a site like this I can feel confident in my decision.

By the way, you are correct... I screwed up. I did mean VS instead of VI. Sorry.