I''m engaged!!! Best square cut for budget of $A3000

[rubybrierley]

My boyfriend proposed on Sunday, after 12 and a half years, at last! I''ve been hunting on Pricescope for ages as I''m fairly fussy (to say the least). After the fantastic square cut thread a couple of weeks ago, I was wondering what the best square cut for around $A3000 would be? Only talking cut - I''m not so keen on princess, just because I like a more defined look and find princess a bit haphazard for me. I''d like a bigger diamond, if possible for that budget, with a fantastic cut. Any ideas? We plan on taking a trip to Melbourne Diamond Exchange and Precious Metals after Christmas.
I''m also keen on a plain platinum split shank too if that makes any difference - a bit like Mary Alaina''s ring but with a square instead of a pear.

 

[swingdoctor]

Hi rubybrierley
firstly, are you from melb?
I''m from melb and recently bought my GF a brilliant cut engagement ring. Melbourne Diamond Exchange is good but their prices do not include GST, are fixed and if the diamond you are interested in is overseas they put a condition that you have to buy the stone if they bring it in as long as it matches the certificate.
Precious metals is excellent they provied a very good service and you can be sure of what you''re paying for but you do pay a little more for it. Another good jeweller is Antons and they are at Chaddy, Collins St and the Glen.
Another good online jeweller to look at is Original diamonds, they are in Brisbane but sell online, their prices are to some extent negotiable.
The other concern is the ring, a basic platinum setting is A$1600. Some places will charge a little more others a little less, shop around. White gold is much cheaper.
A good way to save some $ is, if you''re going overseas, purchase the ring 1 month before you travel, then you may claim back your GST, also some Asian countries charge much less for setting a ring.
Hope this has been helpful, good luck.

 

[rubybrierley]

Thanks for the reply - I''m a couple of hours drive from Melbourne. I''ve had a look in Anton''s - tried a few rings on but I thought I may get a better deal if I hunt for a beautiful loose stone. The $3000 is for the stone - I''m hoping to get either split shank without pave or something similar to Vatche X prong in platinum.
Can I ask where you purchased your GF ring? I''ve decided I don''t want a princess but every B&M jeweller I go into seems to have no idea about anything square, other than princess. Also had a wander down Collins St but again, think prices are at a premium because of the location.
Unfortunately my travel days are on hold at the moment - getting engaged, building a house and getting married in less than 12 months will definitely put a stop to that!

 

[swingdoctor]

I purchased my stone from Original Diamonds in Brisbane and had the stone set in Singapore, (talk to Jason if considering them). All up taking into account my GST refund I paid about A$10700. At Anton''s it probably would have cost about A$15000.
I found Melbourne Diamond Exchange a few hundred dollars more expensive but against that you have to balance the convenience of the store being in Melbourne.
I found that the American sites were only a little cheaper once GST was taken into account, and from my point of view not worth the hassel.
From my experience its actually slightly cheaper to buy a stone that has already been set.

 

[swingdoctor]

I''ve had a look at the Original Diamond website and they do advertise fancy cuts other then princess. Another hint. Its good to buy when the AUD is strong against the USD, which it is currently(relatively). International diamond trading is done in USD.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 12/20/2005 8:10:16 PM
Author:rubybrierley

I'm not so keen on princess, just because I like a more defined look and find princess a bit haphazard for me. I'd like a bigger diamond, if possible for that budget, with a fantastic cut. Any ideas?

Squares that are not branded and not princess cut could be radiants, cushions or step cuts (=square emerald or asscher). The third type I'd rather consider to have a 'defined' look because of the orderly, broader facets. Radinats are prized for exactly the opposite - having a 'crushed' look, so... 'guess not. Square cushions may have a radiant-like look but not all of them - in small sizes the square ones tend to look roundish - if you find one that you like, why not - there is no one single 'look' for this category.

Returning to square emerald cuts, it so happens that these fancy cuts are (usually) less expensive per carat than rounds and probably less than princess cuts just because there are fewer of them and this makes them a less trendy choice. All square shapes can be smaller than rounds for any given weight because are deeper cut, but this doesn't have to be for every stone. The other types would not be smaller than princess cuts anyway.

If the prices here are any indication for what you may find locally, you may end up with a E-H/VS square emerald, slightly larger than 5mm and about 0.8-0.9cts (keeping both color and clarity and cut a safe bet).

Like this one maybe or this (both 5.2-5.3 mm, about .8 cts, E-VS / 'very good' symmetry). Sure enough I haven't seen anything else about them than you do, and would want to see more before any further comment. At least I don't expect disaster from the given numbers alone.

Since you are going to see diamonds in person, chances are an SI1 piece may turn out just as clean looking. It takes a bit more luck for that (certain type and placement of inclusions etc) for step cuts than other shapes, but they are out there and worth looking for.

Just a thought.

And speaking of Melbourne, you may want to take a look on this site for a setting. It is a custom jeweler's 'place' and you will find some feedback about his work here.


Best of luck!

 

[rubybrierley]

Thanks a lot for your replies - I think I''m finding the search a bit daunting at the moment. I think asschers are a classy cut and everyone I know has either a round, emerald or princess cut, so it would definitely fit my criteria of being a bit different. Will have good search of Brisbane''s website.
I guess I thought I''d just absolutely fall in love with a ring straight away. Do you think a jubilee set in either the Vatche x prong or a split shank, similar to Daniel K Union Square, would look square? Would it depend on the size of the stone?

 

[valeria101]

Date: 12/21/2005 5:03:17 AM
Author: rubybrierley

I guess I thought I'd just absolutely fall in love with a ring straight away.

The scenario may not fit having a piece custom made - since it would have to be 'imagined' somehow. I would think the jeweler would sit with you to draw a model first. Not everyone would agree to knock-off some designer irng, and even if they do... the model better be in the technical 'confort zone' of the shop. Daniel K's micropave may not be everyone's bread and butter.


Do you think a jubilee set in either the Vatche x prong or a split shank, similar to Daniel K Union Square, would look square? Would it depend on the size of the stone?

..see below

Jubilees are pretty square, IMO. But I suspect they are quite a bit more expensive as it is a branded cut. You may want to try... And not all are spreadier than youe usual square (I think the add points this out) - just look at the size (diameter, not weight) and cost. And grades, of course. I was surprised to find I-VS2 and E-VS1 at the same price and same .8cts when looking for the asschers in the previous post.

I am not sure about the double shank - if it fits a 5mm stone or needs larger. It may depend on how thin the two 'rails' are. Assuming they must be over 1mm to hold together (say 1.5 or a hair less) - it would take a very dainty construction still.

There are a few examples of the Vatche X-prong with Jubilees on Godoldgold.com (Link to gallery)


And thinking Daniel K and asscher again, how about this one (also picture attached) ? Someone had a similar ring made by White Flash recently (link to thread and picture below). Without the double shank, it may be more flattering and make the stone stand out better. Between these versions, no question to which my vote goes

 

[rubybrierley]

Hmm, maybe you''re right - I had my heart set on union square but I think the vatche x-prong may be a better option. I''ve been looking at the stones on GOG - I think it''s now down to a Jubilee, Square H&A and maybe a Regent. Asschers are lovely but I think I want the sparkles offered by the others....see how indecisive I am!!!!! I definitely need to see some stones in person.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 12/21/2005 5:39:52 AM
Author: rubybrierley

I think it''s now down to a Jubilee, Square H&A and maybe a Regent. [...]....see how indecisive I am!!!!!

No... I don''t think you are indecisive because those three shapes are darn close. Perhaps the Regents stand alone as a bit roundish, but you would not the only one who considered the other two as a single type and went for whichever shape happened to be available in the size and grades they wanted.

The X-prong is a very classic, never-go-wrong ring too. The ones that turned up here with square H&As look pretty darn convincing

Best of luck!

 

[rubybrierley]

Thanks for that - I''m liking the square H&A more and more...may be better to go for this rather than the Jubilee. Seems like the choices for stones within Australia is more limited than elsewhere - may just not be looking in the right places! GOG website has been a godsend - just fantastic. I want a stylish setting that most people haven''t seen - maybe to fulfill my need for the split shank I can have 2 wedding bands - 1 either side of the e-ring. Just want to be different!