shape
carat
color
clarity

In search of the perfect stone!

Oh sorry. Just to clarify I only want a 6 prong setting, I just bought the 4 prong too see how the more flush/less bulky style would look. I want more a Tiffany style. The 6 prong I bought is really thick and bulky looking, which I’m not a fan of. I’m not sure how much I should tweak the Whiteflash 6 prong knife edge/tiffany style one. As in make it thinner, smaller donut, claw prongs maybe? Not a 100% sure.

The WF T&Co repro is nice. If you want it to look more like Tiff's, you need to keep the tab prongs. However, if you are partial to claws, then they can do that as well. Both are lovely, it's just a matter of preference and the look you're going for...
 
@msop04 Thanks for the suggestions. Your ring is gorgeous and your camera skills lol.

I see what you mean about the gap showcasing each ring better. The 4 prong maybe was “top flush” and hid the wedding band. I think I’m becoming more partial to a slight gap. After all my husband paid that Cartier premium, I should at least be able to see the dang thing :lol:
 
The WF T&Co repro is nice. If you want it to look more like Tiff's, you need to keep the tab prongs. However, if you are partial to claws, then they can do that as well. Both are lovely, it's just a matter of preference and the look you're going for...

Great points. I should go into Tiffany’s and see how it looks with the wedding band. Maybe I could go with the Vatche U113 that I know is really popular as well. I know that one and the WF one are huge contenders for a Tiffany’s look alike.

Any suggestions on the platinum mixes? I know some people choose special mixes that I’ve read about here. WF even had an article one it. I hope it doesn’t look weird with my wedding band since it was only available in WG and my engagement ring I want to be platinum.
 
Great points. I should go into Tiffany’s and see how it looks with the wedding band. Maybe I could go with the Vatche U113 that I know is really popular as well. I know that one and the WF one are huge contenders for a Tiffany’s look alike.

Any suggestions on the platinum mixes? I know some people choose special mixes that I’ve read about here. WF even had an article one it. I hope it doesn’t look weird with my wedding band since it was only available in WG and my engagement ring I want to be platinum.

The Vatche is very similar to the Tiffany. It doesn't taper in, but the opposite (it gets larger as it approaches the basket). Personally, I wouldn't pay the Vatche premium when WF has such a good repro, but that is just me. The Vatche is beautiful and many here have it and are thrilled with it.

DS (@diamondseeker2006) knows more about the pros and cons of each platinum alloy, so hopefully she'll see this and chime in...
 
DS has a Vatche U-113 as well -- just FYI. :)
 
The Vatche is very similar to the Tiffany. It doesn't taper in, but the opposite (it gets larger as it approaches the basket). Personally, I wouldn't pay the Vatche premium when WF has such a good repro, but that is just me. The Vatche is beautiful and many here have it and are thrilled with it.

DS (@diamondseeker2006) knows more about the pros and cons of each platinum alloy, so hopefully she'll see this and chime in...

Oh interesting. I thought it was the same size all the way around. Didn’t realize that. I think with the Vatche it’s also a take it as it is type of thing. Whereas the WF version you could modify something’s. I know there was a thread about a comparison of the two with a lot of pictures. I’ll have to scrutinize the pics more.
 
Jade have you seen the stone in person yet?
 
Your Cartier band is so pretty! I think the Tiffany repro is a nice choice to go with it if you want 6 prongs. My Vatche setting, I believe, has a thinner shank than the WF one. Mine does not really get wider at the prongs/head of the ring. Maybe just the slightest bit wider where it connects to the head, but it basically looks the same width all the way around. The WF one has a slightly wider shank which actually might be closer to the Tiffany. But I like thinner, so I prefer mine. However, the alterations you can have WF make are to thin the shank a little and soften the knife edge. You can choose tab (like Tiffany) or claw prongs. The doughnuts of the rings are little and you just have a tiny gap. I wouldn't worry about changing that. The great thing is that the doughnut keeps the entire e-ring shank from rubbing the wedding band, so it stays shiny longer.

My understanding is that Vatche isn't being flexible on the platinum alloys now, but it seems like they are maybe using one of the harder alloys now. Regardless of which setting you choose, I'd want either 90%platinum/10%iridium or 95%platinum/5%ruthenium. (Avoid 95%plat/5iridium)

My concern about you choosing a J diamond is that I imagine the stones in your Cartier band are colorless, and I think a J may show color more next to a band with white diamonds. Before I read the post about you choosing a stone to look at, I was going to suggest I VS2 as the lowest that I think will work with that band. I do wear an I color diamond with a Tiffany Legacy band, but it is thinnger than your Cartier band so the color of the tiny stones isn't very apparent. In any event, they look fine together. So it's a very good think you are looking at this stone before setting it.

If choosing the WF setting would allow you to get this diamond, I definitely would do that:

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4018640.htm
 
Jade have you seen the stone in person yet?

I haven’t seen it yet! I actually set everything up late Friday and asked a question about payment, but the consultant left for the day already so I wasn’t able to pay yet. After I pay, I suspect it will be here sometime this week. @diamondseeker2006 is scaring about the color :eek2:
 
I don't mean to scare you, but this can be an issue when the wedding band has colorless diamonds, and they are probably pretty visible as the band appears to be maybe 3mm? I just felt you should be prepared so you can decide if the color difference is acceptable to you.
 
Your Cartier band is so pretty! I think the Tiffany repro is a nice choice to go with it if you want 6 prongs. My Vatche setting, I believe, has a thinner shank than the WF one. Mine does not really get wider at the prongs/head of the ring. Maybe just the slightest bit wider where it connects to the head, but it basically looks the same width all the way around. The WF one has a slightly wider shank which actually might be closer to the Tiffany. But I like thinner, so I prefer mine. However, the alterations you can have WF make are to thin the shank a little and soften the knife edge. You can choose tab (like Tiffany) or claw prongs. The doughnuts of the rings are little and you just have a tiny gap. I wouldn't worry about changing that. The great thing is that the doughnut keeps the entire e-ring shank from rubbing the wedding band, so it stays shiny longer.

My understanding is that Vatche isn't being flexible on the platinum alloys now, but it seems like they are maybe using one of the harder alloys now. Regardless of which setting you choose, I'd want either 90%platinum/10%iridium or 95%platinum/5%ruthenium. (Avoid 95%plat/5iridium)

My concern about you choosing a J diamond is that I imagine the stones in your Cartier band are colorless, and I think a J may show color more next to a band with white diamonds. Before I read the post about you choosing a stone to look at, I was going to suggest I VS2 as the lowest that I think will work with that band. I do wear an I color diamond with a Tiffany Legacy band, but it is thinnger than your Cartier band so the color of the tiny stones isn't very apparent. In any event, they look fine together. So it's a very good think you are looking at this stone before setting it.

If choosing the WF setting would allow you to get this diamond, I definitely would do that:

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4018640.htm

Sorry, I was working on a reply and then I got distracted lol.

If you were to redo everything, would you get the Vatche again or the WF? Which metal did you choose? Between the two mentioned, any notable pros/cons?

I understand your concerns about the diamond. I just didn’t feel comfortable setting a diamond I didn’t see in person, especially in a setting that I won’t be able to return if I go the custom WF route. The consultant did send me a video. It looks very nice to me, but I don’t really have the “eye” you all possess lol. Im sure I’ll be more critical in person, but I’ll include the video here as well.

Oh boo, it says the video is too large. I have a pic though. Both are J’s, but the one I chose is the one on the bottom. It looked whiter to me. Would love to hear your thoughts!

A0862E3E-C537-4082-8102-1DAF8C3B9B1B.jpeg BA545DC7-EA79-493A-A704-F31E31225E2F.jpeg
 
From the pictures, the bottom diamond does seem a bit whiter. What did Becca think?
 
From the pictures, the bottom diamond does seem a bit whiter. What did Becca think?

Lol wow you can tell who it is from her hands! You’re amazing! She also thought the one I picked was whiter, with the other one being “ever so slightly warmer.” I hope it’s ok to quote her...

This is what she said about the diamond as a whole:
2.115ct J SI1- Very nice diamond with nice white color and great performance. The twinning wisps across the table are a combination of white and dark while under the crown facets they’ re white. These are absolutely nothing I can see at 10 inches and was super hard pressed to see anything at 6 inches. There was a tiny area on the table where I could slightly pick up a part of the wisp when I knew just where to look and rocked it super slowly back and forth. If it gives you peace of mind, I lost it again just as quickly. So nothing I’d say is going to be noticeable under casual inspection at all.

**This diamond is on reserve for someone else right now.
I did also inquire about the 1.878ct I VS2 that a lot of you recommended as well. She said this:
“Very nice diamond with nice white color and great performance. The inclusions in the table are all white and very faint. Can’t see anything from 10 inches or 6 inches.”

She concluded with this:
“In the end these are all very beautiful diamonds that have fantastic edge to edge light return and all look extremely similar in terms of color, in my personal opinion.”

Should I be concerned? I’m not diamond gurus like you guys, so all thoughts and comments are appreciated

Here are some more pictures of the side by side next to others. I can see more color here. The 2.115 almost looks more gray than yellow to me though?

4EF7A69A-DDF2-47ED-A979-B18C073F1DE8.jpeg 8AA34905-40A8-49D3-BFD0-C0EC956E304F.jpeg
 
Color is so subjective. Only YOU can determine this.

My favorite is the 1.826ct. Looks most white to me from the face up view, and also the side view. I don't like the 1.9ct much at all in either view. The 1.878ct is nice, but honestly I'd take the larger 2.115ct over it as the face up looks prettier to me and there isn't much difference in the side views.

About the band, here you can see how the vatch tapers from wide (near the diamond) downwards to a skinnier point at the bottom of the ring. You can also see where the donut protrudes out on the side and will rub against your wedding band. IMO, you need to avoid this rubbing. Over time it will wear down one or both bands.

Vatche-U113-6-Prong-Solitaire-Engagement-Ring-in-Platinum_gi_1991_4-38532.jpg



A positive note, they have a bridge. The problem is the donut is sitting on the bridge. Had they made the donut start on the main shank then the bridge would be smooth and you could have your wedding band sit flush against the setting.

This could be modified to work.

As far as Vatche premiums, etc. I've seen one in-person, as one of my really good friends bought his girl a 2 carat princess with Vatche X-prong setting. It was so simple, yet gorgeous. In their case, they were the only in our circles that used palladium at the time and none of the local jewelers messed with it. There was some issues with the metal type, and they eventually replaced to platinum and had no more issues.

Metal issues aside, I always though the Vatche was awesome in a less is more way. I don't always see that in e-rings.

Vatche-U113-6-Prong-Solitaire-Engagement-Ring-in-Platinum_gi_1991_2-38530.jpg
 
Wow. That 1.82 must be a high I, because it is WHITE.

I spotted the 2 J's right away, especially the one on the end.

I like a nice, white stone and VS is my sweet spot for clarity. it would be the 1.82ct I VS2 stone for me without hesitation.
 
Always such a juggling act to choose between size, price, color and clarity. The 1.82 does look like a nice stone but there is an inclusion at the table that could be a little concerning - if you are super picky about clarity.

An I is an I and a J is a J - for a reason. It is possible for them to be high or low and to face up completely white. However, you will see the color from the side - again, if that is a major concern for you.

Are you able to discern which of the attributes of a stone are most important to you? We are all different in our expectations and absolute must haves!
 
Color is very subjective. I honestly can barely tell the difference between those 4 choices in terms of color, so my choice would be the largest one :) but if you are going for the whitest one, to my eyes the 1.82 is whitest. I see the "most" color in the 1.9, so in my view from most to least "white" it's : 1.82, 1.87, 2.1, 1.9.
 
Color is so subjective. Only YOU can determine this.

My favorite is the 1.826ct. Looks most white to me from the face up view, and also the side view. I don't like the 1.9ct much at all in either view. The 1.878ct is nice, but honestly I'd take the larger 2.115ct over it as the face up looks prettier to me and there isn't much difference in the side views.

About the band, here you can see how the vatch tapers from wide (near the diamond) downwards to a skinnier point at the bottom of the ring. You can also see where the donut protrudes out on the side and will rub against your wedding band. IMO, you need to avoid this rubbing. Over time it will wear down one or both bands.

Vatche-U113-6-Prong-Solitaire-Engagement-Ring-in-Platinum_gi_1991_4-38532.jpg



A positive note, they have a bridge. The problem is the donut is sitting on the bridge. Had they made the donut start on the main shank then the bridge would be smooth and you could have your wedding band sit flush against the setting.

This could be modified to work.

As far as Vatche premiums, etc. I've seen one in-person, as one of my really good friends bought his girl a 2 carat princess with Vatche X-prong setting. It was so simple, yet gorgeous. In their case, they were the only in our circles that used palladium at the time and none of the local jewelers messed with it. There was some issues with the metal type, and they eventually replaced to platinum and had no more issues.

Metal issues aside, I always though the Vatche was awesome in a less is more way. I don't always see that in e-rings.

Vatche-U113-6-Prong-Solitaire-Engagement-Ring-in-Platinum_gi_1991_2-38530.jpg

Thanks for your input. I guess the Vatche might be problematic then. I definitely don’t want to wear down this band as it was a pretty penny.
 
Wow. That 1.82 must be a high I, because it is WHITE.

I spotted the 2 J's right away, especially the one on the end.

I like a nice, white stone and VS is my sweet spot for clarity. it would be the 1.82ct I VS2 stone for me without hesitation.

Always such a juggling act to choose between size, price, color and clarity. The 1.82 does look like a nice stone but there is an inclusion at the table that could be a little concerning - if you are super picky about clarity.

An I is an I and a J is a J - for a reason. It is possible for them to be high or low and to face up completely white. However, you will see the color from the side - again, if that is a major concern for you.

Are you able to discern which of the attributes of a stone are most important to you? We are all different in our expectations and absolute must haves!
Color is very subjective. I honestly can barely tell the difference between those 4 choices in terms of color, so my choice would be the largest one :) but if you are going for the whitest one, to my eyes the 1.82 is whitest. I see the "most" color in the 1.9, so in my view from most to least "white" it's : 1.82, 1.87, 2.1, 1.9.

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

The 1.82 ct is definitely whiter, but significantly smaller with dimensions of 7.81x7.83x4.84 mm.

Of course there is a give and a take. The 2.115 is larger at 8.24x8.27x5.07 mm, but not as white.

Definitely torn now...
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone!

The 1.82 ct is definitely whiter, but significantly smaller with dimensions of 7.81x7.83x4.84 mm.

Of course there is a give and a take. The 2.115 is larger at 8.24x8.27x5.07 mm, but not as white.

Definitely torn now...

Do you feel like size is your first priority? Do you think you would ever be in the market to upgrade again? I think the answers to these two questions will give you some insight into the direction you need to go.

You could also just decide to wait and see what else comes along. Did you ask Becca if she was expecting anything in that you might possibly be interested in?
 
Do you feel like size is your first priority? Do you think you would ever be in the market to upgrade again? I think the answers to these two questions will give you some insight into the direction you need to go.

You could also just decide to wait and see what else comes along. Did you ask Becca if she was expecting anything in that you might possibly be interested in?

That’s a tough question that I honestly wasn’t sure how to answer so I went to Tiffany’s and tried on a bunch of sizes to see how I felt. I should of taken pictures for references.

They didn’t get into dimensions, but from I could tell the 1.8ct I tried on was nice. Something I’d be appreciative of.

I tried on a 2ct D IF with a ridiculous price tag lol. Definitely a big wow factor. The SA of course thought it was just absolutely perfect on me, but my husband thought it was too big.

He’s fine with me buying what I like (within financial reason of course), but I’m even second thinking this 2.115 J. I want it to be big, but I don’t want it to look big and “yellow.” I also don’t want to sacrifice THAT much on size, though I know I can come down a little since a typical 2 ct is about 8mm and the J is larger.

So...I saw these two options both I’s, which are very close to the 8mm mark and are in between the dimensions of the 1.826 and 2.115.

Possible contenders:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4008483.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4018645.htm

I’m honestly not sure if the J will bother me, it could go either way.

I also feel kind of bad that I’m second thinking this J before even seeing it in person. I did ask for it to be shipped loose so I can make a final decision before committing to it, but I don’t want WF to feel like I’m wasting their time.
 
Well, if the J is being shipped to you, I would just wait until it arrives and see what you think. I don't think WF will think you are wasting their time - this is the business that they are in and they are happy to help. When do you expect the stone to arrive?
 
@MissGotRocks
Thanks for easing my mind about it being the business they are in. It didn’t ship yet, so I figured I would ask for opinions while there was still time. I’m still working on finalizing the setting so I can get quoted and pay for everything altogether.
 
A1EEBA2B-E54C-410C-9D82-1AB89F9442CE.jpeg C068D70A-841E-4991-839C-39A519F0C86C.jpeg 7CA235F4-F017-4702-977D-12AFB677DBEC.jpeg I have the Vatche U113 and a WF ACA J and am thrilled with it! It is SO white! I did ask Liza to check out all the J's I was interested in and find the "least J" so maybe that helps, but I would not be too worried. I love the Vatche setting as well, it is so elegant and the diamond height is just right.
 
Last edited:
A1EEBA2B-E54C-410C-9D82-1AB89F9442CE.jpeg C068D70A-841E-4991-839C-39A519F0C86C.jpeg 7CA235F4-F017-4702-977D-12AFB677DBEC.jpeg I have the Vatche U113 and a WF ACA J and am thrilled with it! It is SO white! I did ask Liza to check out all the J's I was interested in and find the "least J" so maybe that helps, but I would not be too worried. I love the Vatche setting as well, it is so elegant and the diamond height is just right.

Beautiful ring!!!
 
Color is such a subjective matter. What is white or yellow to one may or may not be the same to another person.

The matter is further complicated by the fact there is more disparity in the lower colors like I & J. So you start to see high I's that may be closer to an H, or a low I that may be almost a J. Also, as you dip further down the color levels, the subjectivity expands meaning maybe it's no longer hi, medium and low but it may have 5 variables of color.

At the end of the day, you have to trust your eyes with what looks good to you and your SO. Most people would be very happy with an H. All covert conversations with my girl indicated an H would be likely be okay (even though I can see some tint). Imagine my surprise sitting at dinner one night and she asks why her diamond is yellow. :sick:

Conversations followed. She is very color sensitive but refuses to let me trade out the stone. At this point, I think it bothers me more than her. I mention this because while we can be color sensitive, there is also a thing called color tolerance meaning you see the tint but you accept it for what it is.

FYI, not to rush you -- but both the 1.826ct and 1.926ct stones are being considered by another PS member, in a different thread.
 
Hi Jade,
If your stone hasn't shipped yet, consider waiting a few days. The 2.11 is a nice looking stone no doubt.
As an owner of several J's, there are some that are more tinted than others that's for sure. I know there will be an absolutely eye clean, 2.23 SI-1 , J, Medium Fluoro, Expert Selection 8.37 x 8.41mm in their inventory very soon. :whistle: And should be around your price range unless they hike up the price quite a bit. Check with your SA to ask Brittany about it. Suffice it to say, it was an emotional decision to trade this one in because by far, it was THE whitest J I have ever owned over a period of 15yrs. It's just a little too small. :(2 Had it been the size I wanted, I would have kept it for life. I don't want to post too much about it on here because I honestly don't know how long it takes WF to post a stone once it's been cleared (it was checked, not a thing wrong with it). But I did want to give you a heads up. My new stone will be a bit more tinted but it's bigger so I hope the size whore in me appreciates it! :rolleyes2:

Good luck!
 
Hi Jade,
If your stone hasn't shipped yet, consider waiting a few days. The 2.11 is a nice looking stone no doubt.
As an owner of several J's, there are some that are more tinted than others that's for sure. I know there will be an absolutely eye clean, 2.23 SI-1 , J, Medium Fluoro, Expert Selection 8.37 x 8.41mm in their inventory very soon. :whistle: And should be around your price range unless they hike up the price quite a bit. Check with your SA to ask Brittany about it. Suffice it to say, it was an emotional decision to trade this one in because by far, it was THE whitest J I have ever owned over a period of 15yrs. It's just a little too small. :(2 Had it been the size I wanted, I would have kept it for life. I don't want to post too much about it on here because I honestly don't know how long it takes WF to post a stone once it's been cleared (it was checked, not a thing wrong with it). But I did want to give you a heads up. My new stone will be a bit more tinted but it's bigger so I hope the size whore in me appreciates it! :roll2:

Good luck!

Thanks so much for the heads up! I’ll be sure to ask about it!
 
Color is such a subjective matter. What is white or yellow to one may or may not be the same to another person.

The matter is further complicated by the fact there is more disparity in the lower colors like I & J. So you start to see high I's that may be closer to an H, or a low I that may be almost a J. Also, as you dip further down the color levels, the subjectivity expands meaning maybe it's no longer hi, medium and low but it may have 5 variables of color.

At the end of the day, you have to trust your eyes with what looks good to you and your SO. Most people would be very happy with an H. All covert conversations with my girl indicated an H would be likely be okay (even though I can see some tint). Imagine my surprise sitting at dinner one night and she asks why her diamond is yellow. :sick:

Conversations followed. She is very color sensitive but refuses to let me trade out the stone. At this point, I think it bothers me more than her. I mention this because while we can be color sensitive, there is also a thing called color tolerance meaning you see the tint but you accept it for what it is.

FYI, not to rush you -- but both the 1.826ct and 1.926ct stones are being considered by another PS member, in a different thread.

Thank you. I know color is the hardest thing to decide, especially when it’s not in front of your own eyes. I appreciate all of your input. Really.
 
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