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I would like some help please...

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iregret

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
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Hello, I know this is my first post, but I am the type of guy that likes to do things on my own. I have spent allot of time researching which diamond to purchase for my girlfriend. I have used the pricescope search engine,(several times), among others. Basically I cant afford what in my mind would be the ideal diamond. I would like to be able to give my girlfriend a 1ct diamond, but at this point in my life thats just not possible. So, like allot of people, I am trying to get the best I can afford. After searching until I got sick, I came up with this:
http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=10569225
This diamond seems to have a better cut, but a worse clarity, and I like the fact that it has a medium fluorescence. Isnt that better for mounting in a light colored setting?
http://www.uniondiamond.com/diamonds/diamonds.php?search_type_id=2&action_type_id=2&context=&rb_flow_type=&rb_action_type_id=&item_id=AA236135#

I have 1700.00 to spend on the diamond. I am planning on putting the rock in a ring like this:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-this-is-my-ring.3006/

I am also a big fan of the tension rings, espically the titanium rings.
http://www.furthers.com/titaniumweddingrings11.htm

I fear that a diamond that I can afford would be too small for a setting like this. My girlfriend is a pretty petite woman, with long slendar fingers, so I hope that a smaller diamond will still look nice. Besides, shes in love with me, not the rock... lol

After I get a diamond here, I will go have it checked out. I know it depends on the website, but dont they all have a sort of "trial period"?

Basically, I was hoping that you guys, and gals, could "sniff" out some comparable diamonds for me to consider, with my limited budget.

Thanks so much for the help!
 
Welcome to PS
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I know, it can get overwhelming at times, but I had a quick look and found this for you.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=887972

Within budget and might be a good choice, regarding the one you posted there isn't enough info with the crown and pavillion angles to determine cut.

Flourescence is said to be beneficial in a lower colour diamond as it can help the diamond to face up whiter ( providing the flouro is blue), also it has it's fans in the colourless too, but with the setting I don't think it would make any difference. James Allen is run by the same guy who has DCD, both are great companies with a good return policy, so no worries there. Yes many do have an independant appraisal done during the return period. If you like you could have the diamond sent to a local appraiser by the vendor, so it can be appraised and you can see it before setting if you wish. The appraisal is best done unmounted, however as some say with the vendors here, you can be sure of what you are getting pretty much, the appraisal is a good move though for peace of mind if you wish.

The diamond from UD is an EGL cert which some say can be looser on grading at times, also it has a very large table. Pass on that one.

I will have a look again later and see what else I can find, I am sure the others will chime in with suggestions for you.

Hope this helps!
 
Those are Boone Rings http://www.boonerings.com/stone.htm So maybe Furthers and Bruce are working together? He has a good reputation on PS.

I think light weight rocks look great in tension settings.
 
Hi there! I don''t think you''ll have any problem finding a ring like you are describing. In fact, did you see this setting from DCD/James Allen? http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/classic-solitaire-settings.asp?module=setting&cid=57&item=933 It is along the lines of what you are looking for, and it also makes things a little easier if you decide to buy your stone from them. I purchased my stone from them and was very happy with the quality of the stone, the price, and customer service.

As far as size goes, I think this particular setting looks better on a diamond less than 1 carat. It will be lovely on a petite woman! Tension settings seem to draw more attention to the diamond and I think make it look a little bigger. Also, they allow quite a bit of light to enter the diamond, so a well-cut diamond should look fantastic on a setting like the ones you are looking at.

The diamond that Lorelei suggested looks killer! Also, if you decide on purchasing from any of the pricescope vendors (james allen, whiteflash, good old gold, etc.) be sure to ask for the pricescope discount!! It''s not huge, but it will help out a bit.

As far as return policy goes, james allen/DCD and other pricescope vendors have good return policies in case you are not happy (James allen is 30 days, whiteflash 10 days I think??). You might want to check their websites to make sure. Also, many of the pricescope vendors have good trade-up policies, so it you future wife decides in a few years she wants something bigger, no problem.
 
@Lorelei,
I was leaning towards the Dirtcheapdiamonds, betweent those two. You mentioned crown and pavilion angles. I am going to have to look those terms up. Where does it say on any of those websites what the angles are? Also, i''m not sure what the girdle is. M F?

@JulieN,
Thanks for telling me about that site. I had discoverd it also, the furthers one is just the one that I happened to come accross first. But, if i do decide to go the tension route, that it the site that I would most likely buy from. I am a big fan of the helixx lite. But for that price, it looks like I could get the one from japan.. and hey, everyone loves a cool story to tell...

At this point I am really considering trying out the japan route. Reading that one thread, he seemed to have great luck with it, and I could just email them with the picture of the exact ring I want... So, that means, that I would end up sending them the diamond to have it mounted correct? That ring kinda looks like it was designed around the diamond...
 
Wow guys! Thanks for all the quick responses! Looking at that ring, its not actually a tension ring, plus i have a thing for titanium (my girlfriends dad works where they invented the stuff!) I am going to have to spend more time looking at that site!
 
Iregret, the girdle is the outer faceted rim of the diamond, the widest part. In an ideal world you want slightly thin to slightly thick, very or ex thin might be a durability issue, thick or v thick wastes weight!
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So try to shoot for the above, thin or medium or a variance of those. The girdle on the DCD where it says M F means - medium, faceted, which is fine.

The crown and pavillion angles are crucial to determine how a diamond handles light, so important. Most vendors will supply this info, you could ask Jim how the DCD one looks to him and if it is in - house rather than a virtual stone put on the databases by the cutting houses. Depending on when this diamond was graded, if it is recently then the crown and pav angles will be on the cert.

Also I had a nose and found this one.

http://www.niceice.com/certcopies/gia14736876/index.htm

Read the tutorials to learn about crown and pavillion angles, one thing is with EGL certs they use % which aren't as accurate.
 
I just wanted to point out that tension settings look actually the best with <1ct diamonds. Another thing to stress on is that not every SI1 or SI2 stone may be adequate for that kind of settings... as a matter of facts, most manufacturers of tension rings actually inspect rings before starting the setting process. Generally, feathers on the edges are to be avoided, especially if they break the surface.
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I would just like to ask if she has expressed a love for tension settings in the styles you are looking at or is this your preference? Because it is really, really important to know what she loves since she is the one who''ll be wearing it.
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And no, you most certainly do not need florescence on an F color diamond to make it look whiter in a light setting. F is white on it''s own! It is usually I-J or lower that florescence is desirable to help out the color.
 
Date: 8/25/2006 8:33:07 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I would just like to ask if she has expressed a love for tension settings in the styles you are looking at or is this your preference? Because it is really, really important to know what she loves since she is the one who''ll be wearing it.
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oh I agree. Tensions are unique but not for everyone. If she''s said she wants that style, great but that''s not a classic that all women love or necessarily a safe bet if you''re making it a total surprise
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Look, I didnt mean for this to turn into a tension setting debate. It always seems that you guy/gals, have a love/hate relationship with that style of setting. I was just hoping for some insite as to which diamond to choose.

@Lorelei
I looked at that diamond, on that site. I didnt see a price on it anywhere. I suppose that you have to email them for a quote. Thanks for the help!

@Giangi
I am willing to go down in diamond size for a better looking diamond. Just not sure where to make the sacrifices. I origionally wanted to get about an F color, vvs2, light to medium florescence.

I appreciate the warnings about the tension setting, but I really like the look of Snufkin''s ring. I think that is the setting that I will be going with. I like the tension settings, but like Snufkin''s better. I think that she would be happy either way!

Thanks
 
I highly recommend Bruce Boone for titanium tension settings, he did the work on my husband''s titantium and gold tension set wedding ring and it was fabulous and he worked within a ridiculously short turnaround time!!
 
Date: 8/25/2006 5:49:57 PM
Author: iregret
Look, I didnt mean for this to turn into a tension setting debate. It always seems that you guy/gals, have a love/hate relationship with that style of setting. I was just hoping for some insite as to which diamond to choose.

@Lorelei
I looked at that diamond, on that site. I didnt see a price on it anywhere. I suppose that you have to email them for a quote. Thanks for the help!

@Giangi
I am willing to go down in diamond size for a better looking diamond. Just not sure where to make the sacrifices. I origionally wanted to get about an F color, vvs2, light to medium florescence.

I appreciate the warnings about the tension setting, but I really like the look of Snufkin''s ring. I think that is the setting that I will be going with. I like the tension settings, but like Snufkin''s better. I think that she would be happy either way!

Thanks
Click to expand...
Well, it really isn''t a debate about tension settings. It''s just to point out that we hope you''ve gotten input from your GF as to HER taste in jewelry. Guys often do not have the same taste in jewelry, and we have seen disappointment on here many times. Perhaps you have had her input and this is what she loves, and if so, then it''s perfect!
 
Date: 8/25/2006 5:54:53 PM
Author: Mara
I highly recommend Bruce Boone for titanium tension settings, he did the work on my husband''s titantium and gold tension set wedding ring and it was fabulous and he worked within a ridiculously short turnaround time!!
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Hey Mara, can you do me a favor and take a picture of Greg''s ring please? It would be interesting to see how the finish holding up.
Thanks
 
Date: 8/25/2006 6:42:46 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Date: 8/25/2006 5:49:57 PM

Author: iregret

Look, I didnt mean for this to turn into a tension setting debate. It always seems that you guy/gals, have a love/hate relationship with that style of setting. I was just hoping for some insite as to which diamond to choose.



I appreciate the warnings about the tension setting, but I really like the look of Snufkin's ring. I think that is the setting that I will be going with. I like the tension settings, but like Snufkin's better. I think that she would be happy either way!


Thanks
Click to expand...

Well, it really isn't a debate about tension settings. It's just to point out that we hope you've gotten input from your GF as to HER taste in jewelry. Guys often do not have the same taste in jewelry, and we have seen disappointment on here many times. Perhaps you have had her input and this is what she loves, and if so, then it's perfect!
Click to expand...

I agree. Also, this thread/forum is used to not only help you but others who are lurking and reading. You may have your bases covered and know your gal will love it, but other guys might not have thought about it and it might help them too
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Okay, so I am going to be ordering the diamond within the next four days! So could you guys do some digging and give me a few options please? I have decided against the tension setting and am going to contact the japanese ring guy. I hope that my ring turns out as beuitful as Snufkin''s ring did.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-this-is-my-ring.3006/

So, should I try to search for a diamond with exactly the same characteristics as Snufikn''s diamond? Or do you think that something with a little less clarity, and more color, but a larger stone would be better?

Remember, I only have 1700 to spend! Well, maybe I could go as high as 1900, but would rather not. That just means that it would take longer to get the setting!

Thanks for all the help guys and gals!!!
 
This one seems nice!
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=9880951

How about this one?
http://search.virtcert.com/cgi/u/1012/v.cgi?stock=6644981&_s=1012&_p=sdf348gd743&_c=&_fs=1&prestock=&_ln=ps
 
one thing that you must keep in mind with the tension set rings...is that most of them are NOT resizable. Gelen Abaci has a few really really cool ones.
 
You need to pick at least a minimum carat weight, color, or clarity. And stick with GIA or AGS stones.
 
Date: 8/27/2006 12:19:34 PM
Author: iregret


This one seems nice!

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=9880951
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That stone isn''t in-house meaning WF doesn''t own it. stick to their expert selection or ACA''s and like Julie said, AGS or GIA certs...
 
irina, how funny i didn''t even see you ask this and it turns out i took some photos of greg''s ring yesterday while taking some new images of my ring.

so here''s one i posted in my own thread (as well as some images of our rings together!)...

the finish is holding up quite well actually, though when you macro it that you can see the scratches in the gold and titanium. i think that we are supposed to be able to buff them out of the titanium with a brillo pad but we have not tried it just yet. greg likes it the way it is. but not bad for daily wear...he takes it off when he works out or on the car or anything like that, but other than that he always wears it.

gregs ring 0806.jpg
 
here is one that shows better what it looks like without the super duper macro.

our rings together 0806.jpg
 
I was reading about that last diamond i posted, and noticed the egl certification, I will pass on that one i guess! Basically i want the biggest nicest looking diamond I can afford! Should I be worried if i dip into the si range?

Again thanks for the help!
 
Yep, the last one EGL is said to be softer on their grading at times, you can certainly consider dropping to an SI range. Just always ask the vendor if it is eyeclean, SI diamonds are not created equal, but there are some smashing ones out there which are clean and gorgeous!
 
Iregret,


Date: 8/28/2006 4:09:01 AM
Author: iregret
I was reading about that last diamond i posted, and noticed the egl certification, I will pass on that one i guess! Basically i want the biggest nicest looking diamond I can afford! Should I be worried if i dip into the si range?

Again thanks for the help!
Click to expand...
Also, re the question about how important it is to get an in-house option....it is helpful, certainly. Right now, looking at the search by cut db here, (and you should certainly try it yourself!), I too would recommend Nice Ice, for having two options at both over .60 that are not virtual. They are SI, meaning the vendor has already made a judgment about keeping it, despite its possible problems with not being eye clear, but ask Todd anyway. While you''re asking him, you can tell him Ira said now twice in the last two months he should change his web site. You do not find pricing there, but instead see it when you enter some other way...either from somewhere in his site, or from the Pricescope db. The previous one from Lorelei is listed here at $1575, and this F SI1 is $1640, and the one I''d favor just based on named characteristics. You might give them a call.

Best wishes,
 
Thanks for the pricing on the diamond I found Ira. I found it on the search by cut feature, but when I added the link - no price and I couldn''t remember how much it was, only that it was in Iregret''s budget.
 
Okay, so heres what I ended up getting.



Diamond

Heres the story. When I first started asking you guys about which diamond to choose I initally bid on this, thinking that it was a good deal. Well, after reading up a little I realized that I could do a little bit better, plus I was sure that they wouldnt accecpt the best offer. But... they did. So now I am stuck with this diamond. Well, I plan on taking it to get apraised, and if you guys rip it apart, I will attempt to send it back.

I guess you could call it buyers remorse, or just the fact that I didnt have all of my research done. Oh well, I am sure that once I actually recieve it, I will be happy! But I guess that I will have to wait and see!

Please tell me what you guys think.. Did I get totally ripped off? Everything is with-in the standards. But the cut is not in the ideal range. Also, sinse EGL did the report, what is a good percentage for the crown to be at?

Geeze, I feel like I may have made a mistake!

EGL Report
 
):
 
umm... so your saying bad move? The color, and clarity seems to be there, and when I pricescoped it, I didnt come up with anything less than 2000.00. So I dont think its that bad.. is it?
 
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