It's finally my turn! Engagement ring help.

[BlingDreams]

Here's the thing. Me personally, I'm a nuts and bolts kind of guy. When I get something, I usually understand exactly what it is and name isn't much to me. The problem is, my significant other has this preconceived notion that the local shop is ALL that. Which, of course, is ridiculous. She's simply unknowledgeable. Being that as it may, I still have to deal with that fact and overcome her and her families preconceived, unknowledgeable ideas about diamonds.......which is bummer and will cost me money.

All that said, I probably should get the ACA so that I can quickly quench any doubts about the quality of the diamond that was "purchased online somewhere".

I'm not saying she's dumb. I'll explain to her what she ended up getting and how it's actually WAY better, but in the initial stages, it will just be easier to say it's a ACA diamond or the best of the best.

I totally get this, and is a very smart way to go about it.

In that case, I’d say consider ACA or CBI. Those are generally spoken of here as the best of the best of the best.

Top budget is 13k (wire price) and you want eye-clean G or H, correct?

 

[Exbro]

Have you decided on budget yet?



Here is a size comparison between the smallest (HPD 1.21ct) and the largest (BGD 1.36ct). As you can see, there is very marginal difference.

I like the low side of the budget. But the "mine is larger than yours" mentality keeps pushing back. lol

but when you show me comparisons like this one, you really can't tell the difference. Great thing to consider.

 

[Exbro]

I totally get this, and is a very smart way to go about it.

In that case, I’d say consider ACA or CBI. Those are generally spoken of here as the best of the best of the best.

Top budget is 13k (wire price) and you want eye-clean G or H, correct?

That is EXACTLY correct sir. $11k would be easier but $13 is top of budget.

 

[canuk-gal]

After waiting forever for the right person, I'm finally getting engaged!

Within the next week I'll finally have about $10k to spend and I could possibly squeeze $13k if I had to. The plan is to spend money on the stone and keep the setting to something super cheap and simple. She can upgrade to a custom setting later if she wants.


It is easy to be overwhelmed on PS. Please take your time.

While I am not your Mother or your banker, I will say this: please do not spend more than where you've set an original parameter "about 10K" ....which is very respectable. And what upgrade policies are for.

If your partner is set on a local B & M, then go. Explore. See what they have to offer and keep an open mind. Could you be surprised? If not, then provide other options with your partner because we've ALL been there.

cheers--Sharon

 

[ringo865]

Brian Gavin will give you 100% of the pirchace price of your stone toward another that is $1 more, plus an upgrade of two of the other three Cs: carat, color or clarity.

Whiteflash for their ACA, Premium Selection, and Expert Selection (and I think HPD for CBI) will allow full credit for your old stone toward any new stone that is merely $1 more.

So get her a big honkin H ACAand if the color bothers her, you can either a) return it and go to Kay (***Not really--don't) or b) trade in for a smaller G or much smaller F, or c) trade in for an even bigger I Or a gigantic J

 

[sledge]

2. While super ideals like WF's ACA line or CBI or BGD diamonds are incredible diamonds, you can get something significantly cheaper/bigger if you're willing to forgo the superideal route.

I did a quick search on RareCarat using some criteria and kicked back some GIA XXX's that could be potential unicorns.

1.61ct H SI1, $9,577 wire, 7.50 x 7.55mm
https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/1.61-ct-H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond/D41868768

Confirm eye clean. Like the angles. Put you in the middle of ideal territory, so even with weird GIA rounding & averaging there is still reasonable hope you will stay within ideal and have a nicely cut diamond.



1.58ct G SI1, $11,361 wire, 7.47 x 7.46mm
https://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-1-58-Carat-G-color-GIA-certified/D-RJJNYX

Confirm eye clean. Angles and percentages looks good. Like the above stone, it lands you in the middle of ideal territory so even with weird GIA rounding & averaging you should still be okay.




1.70ct H SI1, $10,925 wire (Yadav) or $11,075 wire (FourMine), 7.58 x 7.63
https://www.yadavjewelry.com/diamonds/3139852
https://www.fourmine.com/shop/diamond/729323290

This is a great example how shopping virtual inventory can pay you dividends. This particular diamond was listed on two sites. Yadav is the cheaper, but if I were going to buy I would play them against each other. They have no unique product so you can leverage them to compete by dropping the price to earn your business.

Scared this one won't be eye clean looking at that big black hickey on the table. Also, angles and percentages look great. Again, lands you in the middle of ideal territory with the thought that wacky GIA rounding & averaging still keeps you there. Red box is precisely where you land according to the cert and the blue box is where I anticipate you could actually land. The blue box is a best guess.



To get more precise on cut, you will need to request ASET, IS and H&A images. Most likely you will be lucky to get an IS image. But ask for all them if you are interested in any of these stones. Also, confirm all are eye clean. Once you get images, post back so we can help you review.

Last, but not least, these from IDJ might be worth a look. Two of three I don't like for the fact they are NOT certified by GIA or AGS. However, as others have attested IDJ has a knack for picking quality cut stones and treating people right. It works great for budgets, but the way I'm built internally this wouldn't work for me personally as I want the assurance/confirmation.

FYI, since IDJ has access to virtual inventory, they may be able to price any of the above stones as well. Especially the 1.70 carat, as you know two people are already doing it.

1.52ct, E, SI1, $9,152 wire, 7.35 x 7.25mm (no cert, unable to analyze angles)
https://idjewelry.com/round-rdp174539.html

1.70ct, G, VS2, $11,613 wire, 7.67 x 7.71mm (no cert, unable to analyze angles)
https://idjewelry.com/round-rdp159603.html

1.51ct, G, VS2, $12,668 wire, 7.32 x 7.34mm (AGS cert, but got error so unable to analyze)
https://idjewelry.com/round-jb17192.html

 

[HappyNewLife]

Well, I'm not a fan of WF's backlit vids and photos. Although beautiful, they simply don't capture what the stone really looks like, IMO, so any comments made by me based on those pics may not be accurate.

I think the best way to compare G and H is to look at several JA stones (G & H with NO fluoro) from the side view.

agree with this. My "I" ACA looked super yellow in my video, but it's not IRL

 

[sledge]

Brian Gavin will give you 100% of the pirchace price of your stone toward another that is $1 more, plus an upgrade of two of the other three Cs: carat, color or clarity.

Whiteflash for their ACA, Premium Selection, and Expert Selection (and I think HPD for CBI) will allow full credit for your old stone toward any new stone that is merely $1 more.

This is correct @ringo865.

WF and HPD have slightly better upgrade policies in the fact you spend $1 more and you get full credit for the original stone. This includes ACA, Premium Select & Expert Select for WF. And the CBI line for HPD.

BGD is slightly more restrictive in they require $1 more plus 2 of 3 criteria being upgraded (color, clarity or carat). I wish Lesley and Brian would change this to better compete. Plus I'd like to be able to upgrade my girl more freely, although she says she will "never" want a bigger stone.

When we talk upgrades, it's hard to fathom there wouldn't be a carat upgrade. But I did see a post last week about someone upgrading to a SMALLER size. I'm just thinking in the case of the H VS1 I recommended that the clarity is pretty awesome so you'd need to increase carat and color IMO for it to make sense.

FYI, here is the answer key to the games I posted earlier in case anyone wanted them....

Game 1:



Game 2:
Group 1


Group 2


Group 3

 

[BlingDreams]

I did a quick search on RareCarat using some criteria and kicked back some GIA XXX's that could be potential unicorns.

1.61ct H SI1, $9,577 wire, 7.50 x 7.55mm
https://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/1.61-ct-H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond/D41868768

Confirm eye clean. Like the angles. Put you in the middle of ideal territory, so even with weird GIA rounding & averaging there is still reasonable hope you will stay within ideal and have a nicely cut diamond.



1.58ct G SI1, $11,361 wire, 7.47 x 7.46mm
https://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-1-58-Carat-G-color-GIA-certified/D-RJJNYX

Confirm eye clean. Angles and percentages looks good. Like the above stone, it lands you in the middle of ideal territory so even with weird GIA rounding & averaging you should still be okay.




1.70ct H SI1, $10,925 wire (Yadav) or $11,075 wire (FourMine), 7.58 x 7.63
https://www.yadavjewelry.com/diamonds/3139852
https://www.fourmine.com/shop/diamond/729323290

This is a great example how shopping virtual inventory can pay you dividends. This particular diamond was listed on two sites. Yadav is the cheaper, but if I were going to buy I would play them against each other. They have no unique product so you can leverage them to compete by dropping the price to earn your business.

Scared this one won't be eye clean looking at that big black hickey on the table. Also, angles and percentages look great. Again, lands you in the middle of ideal territory with the thought that wacky GIA rounding & averaging still keeps you there. Red box is precisely where you land according to the cert and the blue box is where I anticipate you could actually land. The blue box is a best guess.



To get more precise on cut, you will need to request ASET, IS and H&A images. Most likely you will be lucky to get an IS image. But ask for all them if you are interested in any of these stones. Also, confirm all are eye clean. Once you get images, post back so we can help you review.

Last, but not least, these from IDJ might be worth a look. Two of three I don't like for the fact they are NOT certified by GIA or AGS. However, as others have attested IDJ has a knack for picking quality cut stones and treating people right. It works great for budgets, but the way I'm built internally this wouldn't work for me personally as I want the assurance/confirmation.

FYI, since IDJ has access to virtual inventory, they may be able to price any of the above stones as well. Especially the 1.70 carat, as you know two people are already doing it.

1.52ct, E, SI1, $9,152 wire, 7.35 x 7.25mm (no cert, unable to analyze angles)
https://idjewelry.com/round-rdp174539.html

1.70ct, G, VS2, $11,613 wire, 7.67 x 7.71mm (no cert, unable to analyze angles)
https://idjewelry.com/round-rdp159603.html

1.51ct, G, VS2, $12,668 wire, 7.32 x 7.34mm (AGS cert, but got error so unable to analyze)
https://idjewelry.com/round-jb17192.html

These are all great finds Sledge. Unfortunately though I think OP only wants a branded stone so that his girl and her family/friends will know it’s a stellar diamond and not just “some internet diamond”. He said it’d be easier for them to know then what a great diamond it was since they won’t care about angles/HCA scores/etc.

 

[BlingDreams]

That is EXACTLY correct sir. $11k would be easier but $13 is top of budget.

Okay, looking now. I'm going to try to stay near 11K since you still have a setting to buy, shipping to pay, etc. Hang tight.

 

[Exbro]

These are all great finds Sledge. Unfortunately though I think OP only wants a branded stone so that his girl and her family/friends will know it’s a stellar diamond and not just “some internet diamond”. He said it’d be easier for them to know then what a great diamond it was since they won’t care about angles/HCA scores/etc.

That's true. If it were just me, I actually enjoy the shopping so that I can bask knowing I got a steal on a true gem..(pun intended), but for those not so caring, thrifty or knowledgeable? Well...for those folks sake, I guess I must play the game to some degree and just get a ACA stone.

 

[BlingDreams]

Okay @Exbro, here are my top contenders around the 11k mark (wire price). I threw in a couple around 12K too so you'd know the comparable option with most everything else being equal but color.

ACA's:

1.285 G/VS2, 6.95x6.97 ($11,057) - https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4011140.htm

1.425 H/SI1, 7.19x7.22, ($10,977) - https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3955174.htm

1.446 G/SI1, 7.22x7.25, ($12,136) - https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3983288.htm

CBI's:

1.25 G/VS2, 6.95x7.01, ($11,660) - https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD9787

1.34 H/VS2 7.09x7.11 ($12,074) - https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD9546

I don't think you'd go wrong with any of these. It'll just come down to what you prioritize most - size, color, or clarity. Once you have your priorities ranked the decision should be fairly easy to make

 

[Exbro]

Okay @Exbro, here are my top contenders around the 11k mark (wire price). I threw in a couple around 12K too so you'd know the comparable option with most everything else being equal but color.

ACA's:

1.285 G/VS2, 6.95x6.97 ($11,057) - https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-4011140.htm

1.425 H/SI1, 7.19x7.22, ($10,977) - https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3955174.htm

1.446 G/SI1, 7.22x7.25, ($12,136) - https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3983288.htm

CBI's:

1.25 G/VS2, 6.95x7.01, ($11,660) - https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD9787

1.34 H/VS2 7.09x7.11 ($12,074) - https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD9546

I don't think you'd go wrong with any of these. It'll just come down to what you prioritize most - size, color, or clarity. Once you have your priorities ranked the decision should be fairly easy to make

That 1.446 has still got my attention. How do I know if it's eye clean being a SI1?

Also, can someone explain the advantages/disadvantages of the different payments? Obviously a discount for wire but......

 

[coda72]

You can see in the images that WF shows that it’s eye clean, plus they will always be honest with you. Personally I like the 1.425 H, SI1. It’s almost the same size, you save a bit of money from the G, and H is usually plenty white.

 

[sledge]

These are all great finds Sledge. Unfortunately though I think OP only wants a branded stone so that his girl and her family/friends will know it’s a stellar diamond and not just “some internet diamond”. He said it’d be easier for them to know then what a great diamond it was since they won’t care about angles/HCA scores/etc.

That's true. If it were just me, I actually enjoy the shopping so that I can bask knowing I got a steal on a true gem..(pun intended), but for those not so caring, thrifty or knowledgeable? Well...for those folks sake, I guess I must play the game to some degree and just get a ACA stone.

Sorry. I was typing my last novel and a whole bunch of those posts came after I hit the send button and then I didn't have time to respond or modify until now.

Totally understand though, and think a super ideal is a solid choice. That's what many of us bought, including myself so it doesn't take much convincing.

That 1.446 has still got my attention. How do I know if it's eye clean being a SI1?

Also, can someone explain the advantages/disadvantages of the different payments? Obviously a discount for wire but......

In the case of WF, they will say "yes" if it's eye clean or "inquire". Typically inquire means there is an issue of some sort. That being said, WF has the stones in-house and a staff of qualified and honest gemologists. When/if you get to the point of placing a stone on hold, then have the gemologist pull one (or several) and evaluate to confirm it's eye clean, white enough, sparkles great, etc. I did this when shopping. I found a premium select I was about to purchase because the gemologist kept indicating how it outperformed ACA's and she didn't understand why it was not an ACA.

Generally speaking, you always want to confirm an SI1 or even VS2 is eye clean. Most the time it's safe to assume so with a VS2 but not always. With SI1's and lower the odds increase of it not being eye clean.

FYI, this is what it looks like on WF's website...



Also, in regards to size -- don't get too wound up on it. Remember the last picture I showed with the HPD 1.21ct and the BGD 1.36ct stone, and how it's barely detectable? There is only 0.17mm difference between those stones. Also, remember how I said it was around the 0.20mm mark that it becomes visible and it's only 1/128th of an inch? This is where you need to look at dimensions and not go by carat weight. Then keep in mind that a 6.95mm stone will LOOK almost identical to a 7.10mm stone at the end of the day.

Now if you were going to consider the 1.70ct to the 1.21ct you'd see a much larger difference. But that's also about $2k more. Only you can decide what you want there. But I'd pick the best vendor, color and clarity if you are staying closer to $10k. I'd say cut, but they are super ideals so they will all be kick ass!

 

[BlingDreams]

That 1.446 has still got my attention. How do I know if it's eye clean being a SI1?

Also, can someone explain the advantages/disadvantages of the different payments? Obviously a discount for wire but......

They've already checked it for eye-clean (it's marked as "yes") but you can always ask them to re-examine it.

As for payment, one option gives you credit card protection in case things go wrong (which they won't with these vendors) and the other gives you a discount for the vendor not having to pay CC fees. It's pretty much that basic.

 

[BlingDreams]

Sorry. I was typing my last novel and a whole bunch of those posts came after I hit the send button and then I didn't have time to respond or modify until now.

I thought your novel was great and was sad to have to tell you "whomp whomp..."

 

[BlingDreams]

@Exbro - In addition to choosing your favorite ACA, I'd really consider this one - https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD9787. There's something about it that just seems to leap off the screen to me, and I bet it's mesmerizing in person. Talk to Wink/Melissa (@Wink or @Winks_Elf) at HPD and see about getting a video of the diamond. They also have access to many simple but beautiful settings. Do the same thing with Whiteflash (get an updated, personalized video) and see what settings might be available.

Can't wait to see what you decide on!!

 

[sledge]

They've already checked it for eye-clean (it's marked as "yes") but you can always ask them to re-examine it.

As for payment, one option gives you credit card protection in case things go wrong (which they won't with these vendors) and the other gives you a discount for the vendor not having to pay CC fees. It's pretty much that basic.

Haha I totally scanned over the payment part. Yes, essentially wire price is a "cash discount" as you wire money from your bank directly to the vendor and they avoid the CC fees.

Depending on your bank there may be a fee associated with this, and it normally doesn't happen immediate. If you are current or ex military and have a USAA account this is a breeze and free.

With WF, HPD or BGD I would feel safe doing so. Still many prefer the ease and extra security a CC offers.

In either scenario I like the human contact before a large purchase and frequently negotiate better pricing for myself than shown. Of course I've successfully negotiated discounts at Walmart as well, lol. It's the thrill more than the savings. The savings is just icing on the cake.

I thought your novel was great and was sad to have to tell you "whomp whomp..."

Yeah yeah.

 

[BlingDreams]

Hey @Exbro - Funny timing... take a look at this thread that @Dancing Fire just posted. It's an HPD diamond with pretty much the same specs as you're interested in!

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...-h-vs1-cbi-ring-will-be-here-tomorrow.242502/

This will help you get a view of what a super ideal H can look like

ETA: And speaking of recent threads, take a look at this one about a custom-cut CBI. The person who commissioned this incredible diamond actually came to PriceScope first for information, and from there he decided on CBI. https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/blog/blog-article/17/chasing-perfection-3-58-carat-d-flawless.htm

Here was his original thread asking for information - https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/2-diamonds-beyond-d-fl-xxx.236044/

(Also, I'm truly not trying to tell you CBI is better than ACA... I think they're both spectacular and hope to own some of each one day; it just happens that there are a few pretty awesome CBI threads the past few days so they're top of mind and I thought you might enjoy reading them)

 

[HDer]

If you really want to convince your SO of the superiority of "internet diamonds" go with CBI. Everyone who's compared ACA vs. CBI says that CBI comes out on top, and so far everyone has been very happy with their CBI purchases. CBI is a bit more expensive than ACA, so they're recommended a little less often, but check out the plethora of threads of people who have been very very happy with their CBI diamonds and their HPD buying experience.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Can your girl distinguish (not side by side) between ivy gold or ash gold or willow gold? Or are they all just "gold"? Haha my husband sells Chevelle parts and tells me how "sixty eights rule the streets" (though we have a 71) so sorry for all the the car metaphors

Ringo & Exbro
Tell us more about your classic muscle cars on HO. Pretty please!

 

[sledge]

Ringo & Exbro
Tell us more about your classic muscle cars on HO. Pretty please!

Agreed!

Also being a big Mopar guy I'm a little jealous I cant use terms like plum crazy purple (PCP), sublime green and Hemi orange. Although I guess if you could relate your diamonds fo thoae colors you might have bigger issues.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Agreed!

Also being a big Mopar guy I'm a little jealous I cant use terms like plum crazy purple (PCP), sublime green and Hemi orange. Although I guess if you could relate your diamonds fo thoae colors you might have bigger issues.

You forgot panther PINK! as in pink diamonds.

 

[sledge]

You forgot panther PINK! as in pink diamonds.

Doh...how could I forget. A few years back when I decided to buy one of the new Challengers the only 6-speed they had on the lot was a Furious Fuchsia so me and my girl (at the time) loaded up and I dropped the hammer. Poor sales guy needed a cigarette when we got back.

Good memories.

I think Panther Pink is actually a little more high impact. So many opportunities for custom license plates, lol. Anyhow. Neither of these are mine but shows old & new together.

Here is what I actually ended up buying...black is always in style, Hemi RT, 6-speed of course....

 

[Kaycee2018]

Doh...how could I forget. A few years back when I decided to buy one of the new Challengers the only 6-speed they had on the lot was a Furious Fuchsia so me and my girl (at the time) loaded up and I dropped the hammer. Poor sales guy needed a cigarette when we got back.

Good memories.

I think Panther Pink is actually a little more high impact. So many opportunities for custom license plates, lol. Anyhow. Neither of these are mine but shows old & new together.

Here is what I actually ended up buying...black is always in style, Hemi RT, 6-speed of course....

My DH's Hemi Orange Shaker, which I drive occasionally (when I am not driving my super practical, much less conspicuous Infiniti )

 

[sledge]

My DH's Hemi Orange Shaker, which I drive occasionally (when I am not driving my super practical, much less conspicuous Infiniti )

Love it!

Had a few buddies get Hemi Orange when they first released. Then a few years after they went to some burnt orange color. I was happy to see HO resurface. Nice ride!

Sold my RT a few years back. I was to a point of doing a supercharger or twin turbo and wanted to see about the Hellcat instead. Now there is a Demon too, lol.

Not sure I will save money but I just like the older stuff better so I'm hunting for next project. Would love a 69 Charger, black, blower.

 

[Exbro]

From rags to riches. I found this original 68 SS 396 in someone's driveway and they wanted to play hardball. They stuck to their guns at $1500. I took it home and decoded everything and restored it to it's original condition. Ash Gold bench seat 4 speed

 

[Exbro]

If you really want to convince your SO of the superiority of "internet diamonds" go with CBI. Everyone who's compared ACA vs. CBI says that CBI comes out on top, and so far everyone has been very happy with their CBI purchases. CBI is a bit more expensive than ACA, so they're recommended a little less often, but check out the plethora of threads of people who have been very very happy with their CBI diamonds and their HPD buying experience.

Maybe someone will suggest some CBI diamonds.

 

[HDer]

Maybe someone will suggest some CBI diamonds.

Challenge accepted. The biggest CBI stone that fits your criteria would be this one: https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD9546

But I would personally go with this one (it's an I instead of an H color) and save 2.5K: https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10365

If you're willing to go down to an I and spend the top end of your budget, you could even get a 1.5 carat:
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10261
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD10056