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ChicagoJohn13

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 5, 2007
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I''d like to get engaged to my girlfriend of 7 years in the next couple weeks (I''m 24), and I need some advice and/or suggestions on a nice diamond solitaire in the 5-6K range. Because I''m on a budget I''d like to get some good value for my purchase, so hopefully you can steer me in the right direction. Can I get a nice 1 ct diamond of good quality on my budget?

I really don''t know much about certifications either, so if you could tell me what to look for and what to avoid I would appreciate that as well.

Thanks,

John
 
You have a pretty healthy budget (especially since you are choosing a plain solitaire).

The first step is to decide what shape you are looking for: Rounds are the most common, but there are also pears, emerald cuts, cushions, princess cuts, marquises, and lots more.

The second step is to decide on clarity and colour. For rounds, H SI1 is a sweet spot. For other shapes, G VS2 might be safer. This also depends on how eagle eyed you are.

Never compromise on the cut of the stone. The cut determines the sparkle and fire the diamond gives off. I would start with reading the tutorial:
https://www.pricescope.com/diamond-knowledge.aspx
 
Thanks...I''m definitely looking for a round. You said H SI1 is the sweet spot...can you elaborate on that? Does that mean that you don''t want to go lower than that color/clarity?

I basically just want to get the best quality 1ct of larger round stone in the $5,000 to $6,000 range.

Should I avoid the big names like Zales, Kay, Tiffany, etc. to get the most bang for my buck?
 
Unless you are colour sensitive, a G and H (in round shapes) appear very white face up. Some people can't see any tint in I and even J colours but this differs from person to person, hence H is a very safe bet. Most SI1s are also inclusion free to the naked eye from the top view, especially if the stone has a cert from a reputable lab like AGS and GIA. There are some eye clean SI2 but these are hard to find.

Please do not buy from the mall stores. Their certs are not worth the paper they are printed on. If you want to buy from a Brick & Mortar store, I'd recommend a mom & pop type store, not the local chain store type. Tiffany is way overpriced (about 30% or more than regular stores).
 
I''m totally willing to buy online. I''d imagine most online stores you all would recommend are reputable and have proper certifications and some type of money back guarantee in the event you weren''t happy with it.

If I bought a stone off of White Flash would I then be able to buy a setting at Tiffany or some place like that?
 
Date: 6/5/2007 1:55:35 PM
Author: ChicagoJohn13

If I bought a stone off of White Flash would I then be able to buy a setting at Tiffany or some place like that?
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Nope. Tiffanys and most high-end jewelers will not sell settings or set stones brought in by customers. There are rumors that Cartier will, but I''ve been harassing them for the past couple of weeks at both their NYC locations to no avail.
 
Date: 6/5/2007 2:12:24 PM
Author: ChicagoJohn13
http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-168315.htm


How does this one look? There are some nice looking settings there, so I could probably get it all from Whiteflash, right?
Click to expand...

Honestly? That one doesn''t look that great.

THIS one on the other hand looks smashing, and you won''t see any color. promise.

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-283309.htm

And for settings, I would recommend Whiteflash''s Legato Sleek Line. It''s gorgeous, inexpensive, and very very "designer" looking.
 
Thanks...I really don''t know what I''m doing. I saw the legato sleek and it looks nice. I think she might like the platinum heavy Tiffany style as well.
 
Thank you....you guys are really great. I''d be pretty lost without you all!
 

The Tiffany style setting is nice as well. Although, I'd go with the six or four prong "Tiffany Style" setting and not the Heavy "Tiffany" Style. With a 1 carat diamond, a thinner band would definitely make the diamond stand out more.

 
Yeah...good call. Thanks again.

Did I also read somewhere that Whiteflash has a discount for pricescope buyers?
 
Date: 6/5/2007 2:40:25 PM
Author: ChicagoJohn13
Yeah...good call. Thanks again.

Did I also read somewhere that Whiteflash has a discount for pricescope buyers?
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Yes, it''s small but it helps. I believe it''s 5% with the bankwire, but you need to ask for it.
 
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-273584.htm

What about this one? The color is at I, but it''s from their "A Cut Above" line. Is it ok to go down in color for a superior cut or should I stick to H/S1 as my guideline with an ideal cut?
 
Date: 6/5/2007 11:53:56 AM
Author:ChicagoJohn13
I''d like to get engaged to my girlfriend of 7 years in the next couple weeks (I''m 24), and I need some advice and/or suggestions on a nice diamond solitaire in the 5-6K range. Because I''m on a budget I''d like to get some good value for my purchase, so hopefully you can steer me in the right direction. Can I get a nice 1 ct diamond of good quality on my budget?

I really don''t know much about certifications either, so if you could tell me what to look for and what to avoid I would appreciate that as well.

Thanks,

John
Click to expand...
Well, here is what I would do since you are on a budget. I would consider buying shy and look at the .84 ct to .99 carat stones in the H color and above in the ACAs from Whiteflash. Look at the savings in money you can have and plus you can lifetime upgrade the diamond with WF, if you want a larger diamond. And who doesnt want a larger diamond!!! LOL

We have a .84 ct ACA from WF in a 3 stone ring and it is so well cut and reflects light so well, people mistake it for a 1 ct diamond. Cut is King and a well cut diamond looks so much larger because it reflects light so much better.

Here is our ring:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cartier-rolling-ring-with-maytal-latest-masterpiece.63224/

Here is an Example of an ACA you might consider:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-283240.htm

Good Luck
MWG
 
Not to go off-topic, but I can''t understand how WF can give both of these diamonds (below) the same 4* rating. There is just no comparison. Did the lesser one slip through the cracks somehow?
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http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-168315.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-283309.htm
 
Just wanted to chime in and say, maybe consider going to a b&m and looking at colors before you decide what your personal "sweet spot" is. I have an I and probably would be cool with a J. Maybe you would too? Or not. But possibly you can save some $$ that way! :)

Good luck.

ETA:

This SI I is a few hundred cheaper and ever so slightly bigger http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-283263.htm
 
Date: 6/6/2007 11:42:10 AM
Author: Kit
Just wanted to chime in and say, maybe consider going to a b&m and looking at colors before you decide what your personal ''sweet spot'' is. I have an I and probably would be cool with a J. Maybe you would too? Or not. But possibly you can save some $$ that way! :)

Good luck.

ETA:

This SI I is a few hundred cheaper and ever so slightly bigger http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-283263.htm
Click to expand...
Good Idea, but in addition:
Try to avoid B&M stores that use EGL certification, and stick with GIA and AGS stones. EGL certified diamonds are often unreliable in terms of color, and if you''re eventually going to use Whiteflash, you''ll want to look for a more strict interpretation of color, like AGS or GIA.
 
Date: 6/6/2007 11:54:08 AM
Author: curiopotter


Date: 6/6/2007 11:42:10 AM
Author: Kit
Just wanted to chime in and say, maybe consider going to a b&m and looking at colors before you decide what your personal 'sweet spot' is. I have an I and probably would be cool with a J. Maybe you would too? Or not. But possibly you can save some $$ that way! :)

Good luck.

ETA:

This SI I is a few hundred cheaper and ever so slightly bigger http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-283263.htm
Click to expand...
Good Idea, but in addition:
Try to avoid B&M stores that use EGL certification, and stick with GIA and AGS stones. EGL certified diamonds are often unreliable in terms of color, and if you're eventually going to use Whiteflash, you'll want to look for a more strict interpretation of color, like AGS or GIA.
Click to expand...
Great addition, but I would take it one step further. An a poorly cut GIA I will look yellower than an ideal cut GIA I. I would go and look at Hearts on Fire stones if you really want to see what an ACA would look like in terms of color.
 
Selecting color depends on personal taste so I agree with the suggestions to go look at ideal cut diamonds to determine what color you want. Also keep in mind an ideal cut diamond will face up whiter than a poor cut diamond of the same color.
 
I really like the first setting that you linked to! And I think it would look great (as would the others that you linked) with that size stone.
 
Thanks....I''m totally lost on this....im getting 3 different opinions from 3 different friends of ours (don''t worry, they can keep secrets).

I want the design that displays the stone the best, but also one that looks elegant and classy. I''m not a big fan of the ones that ride up on the side of the stone, if that makes any sense....
 
http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-283321.htm#

I would get this diamond and with the PS discount of 3% on their Expert selection diamonds, you will still have about $700 for the setting.

I personally think getting a larger Expert Selection diamond rather than a smaller ACA is the way to go . . . because you can still trade up with the ES, the light return, cut quality and sparkle are still REALLY top notch, you can enjoy the larger size without losing sparkle and still trade-up later, if you so choose. Just my 2 cents.
 
Date: 6/6/2007 4:38:32 PM
Author: ChicagoJohn13
Thanks....I''m totally lost on this....im getting 3 different opinions from 3 different friends of ours (don''t worry, they can keep secrets).


I want the design that displays the stone the best, but also one that looks elegant and classy. I''m not a big fan of the ones that ride up on the side of the stone, if that makes any sense....
Click to expand...

I think you mean cathedral setting (riding up the side).
Then, I would stick with the tiffany-style solitaire.

However, that Legato Sleek Line looks really really elegant.
 
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