Know what style she wants, but need help!

[kendall907]

Ok, so I am hoping to pop the question sometime next spring. I bought a house earlier this year and it tapped out my savings as it needed remodeling. I am on a single income here and I don't want to purchase something too small, or get a ring that doesnt sparkle, but costs me a lot because of the quality.

Here is where im at.

She loves this style of setting and ring. But it really only looks decent with a large stone. .73 - 1.00ct.

http://www.costco.com/.product.11764858.html?cm_sp=RichRelevance-_-itempageVerticalRight-_-ClickCP&cm_vc=itempageVerticalRight|ClickCP

Metal: 950 Platinum
Diamond Shape: Princess Cut
Diamond Weight: 1.00 ct
Diamond Clarity: Very Slightly Included (VS2)
Diamond Color: Near Colorless ( I )
Ring Dimensions: Bottom: 1.8 mm, Side: 2.3 mm, Top: 1.5 mm
Ring Size: 7 - Sizeable to any size (Costco does not provide this service)

I love the way that ring sparkles. I have looked at a lot of local jewelers and they are charging twice the cost for 1 carat and it doesnt sparkle anywhere near how that ring does. I have been lurking for some time and realize that the cut is really important.

It seems with round diamonds the cut and table etc are VERY important from what I have read. But I haven't gotten a lot of info on what I should be looking for when it comes to a princess cut diamond.

Unfortunantly, I cant afford anything over 5k and thats on my steep side of the budget. I just purchased a 4 bedrooom 2 bath, double car garage home on my single income and I dont want to be marriage/house poor.

Any insight on some rings that will sparkle and look amazing, but are in the $2500 range? I am willing to come down to .70 or so.

I am willing to come down on the actual quality of the ring as long as its eye clean and sparkles great! She doesn't care about the quality so much. Something that is eye clean is all she really wants. No point in paying for something I need a magnifying glass to tell the difference.

Thanks!

 

[Christina...]

I'd ask White Flash to provide you with magnified images and an ASET of this stone. They usually have them listed with their ACA stones, so I'm not sure why it isn't coming up right now. You won't find a better cut princess diamond than an ACA. You can find a simple solitaire setting for a $200-$400 and have the diamond set.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2844388.htm

 

[Niel]

Whiteflash really would be the best idea. They have a ACA princess version. Can hardly go wrong with those, even if you dont know as much about princesses as you do about rounds. Also, you are lucky she wants a simple band. More money toward the stone!

Its a G too
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2835510.htm


Heres an idea, though they have cheaper ons on the site, a little extra in the setting goes a long way

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/w-prong-for-princess-cut-diamond-by-wf-892.htm

 

[farmer gal]

Here are 3 you could request asset images from JA

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Very-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1519032.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1513220.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Very-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1514350.asp

Setting:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-double-pave-leaf-engagement-ring.html

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-double-bevel-knife-edge-engagement-ring.html

The settings would be 150 extra for princess you would have to talk to JA


From WF

Diamond:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2826006.htm
I would place this diamond on hold if you are interested

Settings:

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/legato-sleek-line-solitaire-engagement-ring-728.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/w-prong-diamond-solitaire-by-wf-377.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/w-prong-for-princess-cut-diamond-by-wf-892.htm

 

[kendall907]

I only ask this because I have been working with union diamond company.

This is the link the sales agent sent me... She has put it on a courtesy hold for me.

http://www.uniondiamond.com/control/showDiamondDetails?productId=AE0324217

Is white flash's much better? Again, I don't mean to ask stupid questions, but its been 8-10 years since I last looked at diamonds and I know GIA is one of the most respected appraiser our there. I trust everyone's opinion here, so thats why im asking questions that I dont know the answer to...

Looking at white flash specs, it looks better on paper, but the union diamond company diamond is GIA certified. I couldn't find the certification specs on the whiteflash diamond below.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2826006.htm

I am leaning towards the james allen diamond below due to the GIA cert and the cut is VERY GOOD. Usually this means it will sparkle more? This was one of the diamonds suggested by a member here.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Very-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1514350.asp

Thanks again!

 

[JulieN]

Union Diamond does not readily provide pictures. There are a lot of so-so princesses out there. Vendors who have a large inventory of EXCELLENT princesses with PICTURES are where Pricescopers will turn to in order to in order to help out newbie posters most efficiently.

Most of the ideal princesses around these parts are AGS certified, because AGS has a very good cut grading system that is valuable to both vendors and consumers.

 

[Niel]

You always want to see pictures and ASET/IS images of the stone. White flash is very reputable and there ACA is a branded cut, which I do believe is why it's not GIA. But they are well known here for having great performance.

 

[kendall907]

I don't know if I should be asking this... But I can get a second hand GIA certfied .52 carat ring in a setting for $700. It's a VS2 quality, ideal cut, very good polish and symmetry. White gold setting, plain 4 prong. If this is legit, I was thinking of adding a ring enhancer since the diamond itself isn't huge. This would allow me to get her a nicer band and a decent enhancer for that same $2500 budget is what I was thinking.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

If I understand what you mean by enhancer, I will say those are very out of style. There is such a thing as a halo setting where diamonds surround the center stone and make it look larger. But I am going to have to tell you, princess cuts face up small anyway, and I would absolutely get the closest you can to one carat now and then later she might want to change to a halo setting. And I would definitely go with a WhiteFlash ACA princess cut because a well cut stone is usually going to appear larger than a poorly cut one. I'd go with this one of the ones posted so far:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2835510.htm

Remember, she hopefully will wear this for a lifetime.

 

[Niel]

How does she feel about a preowned one? Some woman dont like the "karma"

correct me if I am wrong DS but dont princesses face up with more color than a round. I know some fancies do but I am not sure if princesses fall in that cat. If so, then I would very recommend that G one I posted.

I know you said she wanted a plain solitaire but a halo i think is a great idea if youre looking to add finger coverage

eta: wrong link haha

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-17303w14.html

 

[kendall907]

If I understand what you mean by enhancer, I will say those are very out of style. There is such a thing as a halo setting where diamonds surround the center stone and make it look larger. But I am going to have to tell you, princess cuts face up small anyway, and I would absolutely get the closest you can to one carat now and then later she might want to change to a halo setting. And I would definitely go with a WhiteFlash ACA princess cut because a well cut stone is usually going to appear larger than a poorly cut one. I'd go with this one of the ones posted so far:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2835510.htm

Remember, she hopefully will wear this for a lifetime.

Thanks,

However, she was the one that chose the enhancer. She has gone back multiple times and she loves the enhancer style with the ring. I have been trying to sway her away and go with a Halo myself! We were only looking at .52-.60 style settings with the enhancer. I figured if I could get her a bigger diamond it would be a bonus, but I have to stick to the $2500 budget at this time in our lives. She can always upgrade later.

 

[Niel]

I'm sorry I thought you said your budget was under 5k. Is it 2500 for the stone or the whole thing? I still recommend that stone but would say buy the simplest setting you can find at a local jewelry store. If she is comfortable with preowned even one of those. You could probably find one for like 150-200. Plus if you get it at a reputable store they probably won't charge you to set the stone sense you're buying the setting from them. And then you don't have to pay to ship the phone somewhere

 

[kendall907]

Ok, here is the GIA on that second hand stone from blue nile. Comes with the Cert. Worth $700? Comes in a simple 4 prong setting.

GIA: 16986760

Square Modified Brilliant
4.58 x 4.47 x 306 mm
0.52 carat
Color: G
Clarity: VS2
Clarity Characteristics: Feather, Crystal
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Good
Fluorescence: None

 

[JulieN]

First you said you wanted it to be at least .7 cts for 2500, now you are looking at a half carat princess for 700. Unless that BN stone is one of their signature diamonds, I would not buy it.

Unless she absolutely LOVEs princesses, I would get a round. Half carat round and simple setting, under 1500. For 2500, you can get about .7 cts.

 

[kendall907]

First you said you wanted it to be at least .7 cts for 2500, now you are looking at a half carat princess for 700. Unless that BN stone is one of their signature diamonds, I would not buy it.

Unless she absolutely LOVEs princesses, I would get a round. Half carat round and simple setting, under 1500. For 2500, you can get about .7 cts.

I was saying for $2500 I would want it to be at least $.7

She wont go round. I have tried... She really wants princess.

Here is the report.

https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPortal/getReportData.do?&reportno=16986760&weight=0.52

I think I can add get a different setting and make this .52 diamond look great.

 

[JulieN]

Do you have a picture of the preowned one?

 

[Niel]

Princesses face up small. That being under 5mm would not face up very large. I mean if you have the budget I'd use it. If you don't have the budget then don't spend more than you can afford. Just consider its not like a pair of shoes she can replace every few years. You want to put whatever money you can into it now. I'm wondering if you should post something over in our preloved forum. Post a "wtb .7-1 ct ACA or well cut princess" see what comes up

 

[kendall907]

 

[audball]

The stone doesn't look very lively to me. It could be that it's dirty, it could be poor photography, or it could be a bad stone. Only way to know is to take it to an INDEPENDENT and qualified appraiser to find out.

Try to clean it, soak in warm water with some dish soap and scrub gently with a baby toothbrush. Make sure you brush all sides of the stone including the underside and around the prongs. Take it to a good appaiser before buy it. Don't just go to any jeweler, choose an indepedent appraiser or highly qualified jeweler.

There are a list of PS approved appraisers here: http://www.pricescope.com/appraisers

It seems quite clear that you want to make her happy but first and foremost you need to decide on the budget that you are comfortable with. Whether that's 5k or $700, there's no problem with what you are able to spend, but you have to choose because that will dictate what people will recommend you do.

 

[jstarfireb]

A couple of your points resonate with me...

1) Don't buy a round if what she really wants is a princess. They are two completely different looks. I specifically chose a princess as well and would have been disappointed with a round. They're both beautiful, but the princess is what I wanted to wear for the rest of my life. I'm so glad you've discussed this with her - so many men try to force their own preferences on their girlfriends, and we end up with a pained "I don't love my ring!" thread several months later, usually when it's too late to return.

2) Like you, I also started out by looking at a ring from Costco. We ultimately decided to return it, in part because we couldn't verify the cut quality of the stone (i.e. it wasn't an AGS certified stone and we didn't have an ASET scope, so we instead bought an AGS ideal ACA princess from Whiteflash). The other issue was that it was IGI certified, so we couldn't trust color and clarity. Trust only AGS and GIA for color and clarity, as other labs could be as much as 2 grades off, and forget about uncertified stones.

3) Consider up to (accurately graded) I color and SI1 clarity, which it seems that you are doing. I wouldn't go lower than I color in a princess if you want it to face up white, but it really is a tremendous bargain. My 1ct I/VVS2 princess would have been over $1000 more if I had just bumped the color grade up to H.

4) As others have said, I wouldn't buy a princess from any vendor that doesn't supply ASET images. James Allen is usually the least expensive of the vendors that do, but you have to wade through a lot of crud before you find something special, and honestly I'm not a big fan of the ones I see in your price range so far. The Whiteflash ones are sure bets for sparkly stones, although the 0.7 doesn't have photos up yet.

5) I also wouldn't choose a pre-owned engagement ring unless you were absolutely certain she was OK with it. Even then, you don't know much about the cut quality because GIA does not give a cut grade for princesses. It's hard to tell from the photo whether that will be a good performer or not. Personally, I'd get a diamond with a good ASET from a reputable online vendor even if it's a little more expensive (but still within budget). That's exactly what we did regarding Whiteflash vs. Costco.

 

[jstarfireb]

Actually spoke too soon about the JA stock. This one, which I don't think has been posted yet, looks really nice. Ask for an ASET.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Very-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1514363.asp

 

[kendall907]

Thanks, its from an independent person. Not a reseller. Basically they bought from Blue Nile and upgraded and no longer want the original ring. Blue nile does not offer an upgrade program.

Like you said, it comes down to what she wants.

I know she wants a princess. She has stated she would be happy with a .50, if bigger happens its better! She has chosen the same enhancer multiple times no matter what I suggest to her. I agree, its her ring and no matter what I like, its her ring. I will keep looking.

 

[jstarfireb]

If an enhancer is her style, go for it! Who cares if other people see it as dated. You have a great handle on what she wants, and you can definitely make that work with any of the stones we've recommended.

 

[Mrsacornblue]

I just wanted to add to be careful with princesses. My SIL has a 1/2 carat princess and it's not a pretty stone. It sparkles even less than a similarly poorly cut round and faces up even smaller. I would caution you to do your research, set your budget and really listen to the amazing people on this board in finding you a great stone in your budget, no matter what it is.

 

[jstarfireb]

If you decide your budget is over $2500, this one has potential too:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Very-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1529553.asp

It doesn't look quite as well-cut as the 0.72 I posted - I have slight concerns about leakage at the corners of the table. But it's certainly worth an ASET. Nice size for the price if eye-clean.

And here's a 3rd to consider, which would get you over the 1ct mark, although the dimensions are smallish. I know she didn't specifically ask for that, but it's usually a plus:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VVS2-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1527737.asp

 

[Niel]

Actually spoke too soon about the JA stock. This one, which I don't think has been posted yet, looks really nice. Ask for an ASET.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Very-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1514363.asp

I do like that as one of the better ones weve seen

though i still think a halo is best to make it look better, or even a bezel, these are nice settings.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/white-gold-cross-prong-diamond-solitaire-ring-125.html
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-double-claw-prong-surprise-diamond-engagement-ring-17129w.html
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-princess-center.html

these are examples of them with diamonds about your size
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/sold/solitaire-rings/8815/Diamond-Rings.html
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/sold/solitaire-rings/7679/Solitaire-Ring-Setting.html


ETA: I didnt mean to say it would look BEST in a halo or bezel, I meant bigger

 

[jstarfireb]

Actually spoke too soon about the JA stock. This one, which I don't think has been posted yet, looks really nice. Ask for an ASET.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS1-Very-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1514363.asp

I do like that as one of the better ones weve seen

though i still think a halo is best to make it look better, or even a bezel, these are nice settings.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/white-gold-cross-prong-diamond-solitaire-ring-125.html
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-double-claw-prong-surprise-diamond-engagement-ring-17129w.html
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-princess-center.html

these are examples of them with diamonds about your size
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/sold/solitaire-rings/8815/Diamond-Rings.html
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/sold/solitaire-rings/7679/Solitaire-Ring-Setting.html

Thanks for seconding my stone rec!

These are lovely settings, but it seems quite clear that she wants an enhancer, so that's what I think the OP should get. Getting the setting wrong with respect to her particular tastes may be just as bad as getting the stone wrong (i.e. buying a round instead of a princess knowing that she wants a princess). Enhancers may not be popular around here, but it seems that this is a lady who knows what she wants!

 

[Niel]

oh youre right if she wants an enhancer then do get one. Id be mad when im dead set on a pear my SO got me a round or something, so i agree, but i guess im wondering whar type of enhancer? Sense wouldnt you need that first then the setting?

 

[jstarfireb]

oh youre right if she wants an enhancer then do get one. Id be mad when im dead set on a pear my SO got me a round or something, so i agree, but i guess im wondering whar type of enhancer? Sense wouldnt you need that first then the setting?

I only have this to go on, but it sounds to me like they've found a particular enhancer setting already:
"However, she was the one that chose the enhancer. She has gone back multiple times and she loves the enhancer style with the ring. I have been trying to sway her away and go with a Halo myself! We were only looking at .52-.60 style settings with the enhancer."

 

[Niel]

oh that make sense I was just referencing this assuming they didnt have one yet, you probably right though,

" I was thinking of adding a ring enhancer since the diamond itself isn't huge. This would allow me to get her a nicer band and a decent enhancer for that same $2500 budget is what I was thinking. "