little help.....princess or round

[paul_sydney]

hey girls,

can i get some advice please.....

So i've decided to make an honest woman out of my girlfriend and propose to her. i've got a $10,000 budget and like every other guy im looking for the biggest eye clean rock i can get.

so i've decided on my specs

Colour - D to F
Clarity - VS1 to VS2
Cut - very good
Carat - biggest one i can get (minimum 1 carat)

Only problem is whether to get the lucky lady a round or princess cut diamond? i'd like the ring to be in the 3 combo variety ie engagement, eternity and wedding, white gold.

I've asked one of her friends but he was useless, i would have thought a gay guy would have been able to get this info for me,,,,,,i can't ask another one of her friend otherwise she will clue on to me. Any ideas how to find out which one she likes, most of her other jewellery have square or rectangle gems so i was thinking princess but she's also traditional and classic so the round would also go..........im so torn on which to get, I want her to love the ring i get her (i know she will love it either way because i choose it) but she must have a preference right?

any help is very much appreciated.


on a side note, do you prefer guys choosing the ring then proposing or would you have liked to chose your own ring?

 

[JulieN]

Round, unless the lady has said otherwise.

 

[Niel]

I would want to choose my own ring, or at least have a say.
If you dont know what shape she wants, you could ask her, but if you want to surprise her, youre smart to look at her other jewelry. (does she have a pintrest? lots of ladies pin rings they like) If she likes square have you looked at an asscher or an emerald cut? also square, or a GOG princess of hearts? Also square. Set in a solitaire it would be just as classic I think


What if she has her heart set on a marquise cut East/ west Rose gold setting? She might have a really unique ring dream and a round solitaire just wouldnt do it.


ETA example of a GOG POH

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9994/

 

[AP1976]

Also, you can go down in color to G or H, and clarity down to SI1 as long as it's eye clean and most are. Where you don't want to cut back is cut! You want excellent cut all the way. You would be paying a premium for D to F color and you can save a lot by dropping a grade or 2 and it will look the same if the cut is excellent.

 

[jstarfireb]

Good advice so far. I second the idea to let her choose for herself. I chose the stone and setting for my ring, as did many of the other ladies here on PS. It sounds like she has a interest in jewelry, since she has enough for you to notice that she likes square shapes, so I think she would appreciate being in on the decision. The proposal can still be romantic otherwise. If you don't go this way, I'd say to go with a princess because it seems like she prefers square shapes (as do I). Princess cuts are still quite classic and traditional in their symmetry. But please buy a well-cut princess such as an AGS ideal so it will sparkle! Princesses are notorious for being bad performers due to poor cut, but the good ones rival a well-cut round in sparkle.

 

[marshmellowluver]

Hello!

I got proposed with a princess cut one, and finally settled for a round. I can truly say for a diamond, the round has much more brilliance and sparkle, and for the same ct weight, looks bigger than a princess cut. Go round all the way!!

 

[diamondringlover]

I have a princess cut and regret it, I wished I had a round, as the previous poster stated, rounds are usually more brilliant and princess cut stones face up smaller, I would prefer to have a stone look as big as it is...for example mine is a 1 ct princess it faces up like a .83 stone at least that is what my last appraisal stated....

ETA: face up means that is how big the stone looks, most of the weight on alot of princess cuts is on the bottom, where you dont see it.

 

[missy]

First of all congratulations!
I agree with the other posters- round is maximum sparkle for the budget IMO.
But, do let her chose her own. It might save you a lot of $$$ in the long run! You can still surprise her with a proposal if that is what you would like to do and then go ring shopping with her. Good luck!!

 

[Niel]

You know what I would do if where you and still wanted to surprise her. I'd tell her you're thinking of buying a ring in like 6 month to a year ( give her some excuse like finances or something) show her all types of settings and stone shapes and see what she likes best " for the future". Then give it to her soon. That'll be surprise enough and she still get exactly what she wanted.

 

[woofmama]

Honestly, if you were proposing to me the answer would be neither!
My husband didn't get my input 15 yrs ago and had a ring custom made that I didn't really like the style of.
I never said anything to my husband about not liking the ring he originally proposed with because he sat down with a local jeweler and designed it. He was so proud of the final product and I didn't want to hurt his feelings. It wasn't returnable anyway.

As soon as a prong became loose I put it in the jewelry box for over 10 yrs. I finally took it to be slighty restyled a year ago and started wearing it again as a RHR. But we updated my entire set for our 15 yr anniversary and I finally have what I would have wanted all along which is an Emerald Cut diamond and EC band in a very sleek setting.

I urge you to get your GF's input somehow. Most women have very definite ideas what diamond shape and setting style they prefer.
Also settings can be very tricky,there were so many I thought I loved in pictures but when I tried them on I didn't care for them at all. It took many jewelry store visits to figure out which setting appealed the most to me. So unless you propose with a basic inexpensive solitare which she can scrap and then purchase her dream setting after you propose so she can pick it out.

Cut isn't where you should compromise, lower your specs on color and clarity. Trust everyone here, cut is king!

 

[Rosebloom]

I would definitely vote to let her pick it out. Maybe propose with a goofy "place holder" ring (ring pop? Something from a toy vending machine?) and then take her to several jewelry stores so she can try things on. Be honest about your budget with her so she can help make decisions. (For instance I would pick an H/I color, eye clean SI1 with ideal cut in a much larger size). Personally this would be the most romantic thing ever! And you can re-propose with the ring when it arrives.

Congratulations!

 

[hathalove]

I totally agree with Rosebloom. Surprise proposal with toy ring or ring pop and then work together to find the perfect ring that she will love. It can be a really beautiful experience and surprise without a real ring and in the end she gets something she is really happy with. Btw I chose a princess cut and it's not that lively. If I had this ps info 12 years ago I definitely would have a different stone/ring and it would start with excellent cut!

 

[starrylight]

I agree with nielseel, although princesses are I think the second most common diamond, a lot of people really dislike them. Then when you look at them together, you can look into less traditional shapes like asschers and cushion cuts and gauge what she likes.

 

[INEEDHELP2]

Congrats on this new chapter in your life. Go with what the others are saying. My gf was sure she wanted a princess cut and after I did a ton of research and was about to pick a stone, I asked her to once again look at some pics. Well guess what, she choose a round instead. When I pointed out that she had said princess from the begining and showed her pics of rings with both stones, she wanted round each time. Granted she did not want to give to much input into the whole thing, but round is what she wanted.

I have a custom ring, just have not proposed yet, but its a round. Do your best to get some input from your GF if you can.

 

[ringstake2]

I would go with a classic round diamond. I like them the best and hunk they give off the most sparkle. Rounds often run bigger than a princess when they are the same carat size.

 

[two_little_birds]

Hello!

I got proposed with a princess cut one, and finally settled for a round. I can truly say for a diamond, the round has much more brilliance and sparkle, and for the same ct weight, looks bigger than a princess cut. Go round all the way!!

I was opposite, my original ring was a round and I made him return it. I've always loved princess cuts. For such an investment, I would rather get her opinion or some idea first. If all else fails, propose with a "mock" ring and then select the ring together.

 

[paul_sydney]

Thanks everyone for the input......very much appricated, didn't realise buy a ring would be so daunting.

will definately make adjustments to my specs get the an excellent cut with lower colour and calarity grades.

for some reason i always had it in my head that girls didn't like it if the guy didn't pick the ring on his own, like asking the girl to pick her own ring was taking the easy way out? by the sounds of it im completely wrong

 

[JulieN]

I don't know what your hobby is, but would you really want your girlfriend picking out something related to your hobby for you with out any guidance or input? Like, maybe a car? or a suit? or a knife? (And it will be the only car/suit/knife you can have for many many years.)

 

[jstarfireb]

Lots of women really appreciate being involved in the ring selection process, especially those who love jewelry! In fact, I would have serious doubts about how well my husband knew me had he decided to pick out a ring on his own. He knew that I was VERY into jewelry and that I wanted to have a definite say in the ring I'd be wearing every day for the rest of my life.

ETA: For what it's worth, I disagree that a well-cut princess will sparkle less than a well-cut round. And I don't think a princess looks THAT much smaller at the same carat weight. I believe the eye takes in surface area, not just dimensions, and the surface area of a 1ct princess and a 1ct round aren't that far off. The surface area of a 6.5mm round is about 33mm2, and that of a 5.5mm princess is about 30mm2.

 

[Gypsy]

I would ask her.

She might want a pear or an oval or a cushion.

This is a LARGE amount of money. You need to do some sleuthing. Have her gay friend ASK HER what she wants.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You can still do a surprise engagement ring with a round diamond in a simple setting but tell her that the diamond can be changed for another shape if she'd like or a different setting. I really think proposing with a ring is a better idea. All you have to do is buy from a vendor with a 30 day return policy!

 

[jstarfireb]

He can still propose with a ring if she picks out that ring ahead of time. It doesn't have to be a ring pop or fake CZ; it can still be the real thing that she has already picked out! Sending diamonds back is a serious pain and not a small expense.

 

[Dougsgirl]

I must say... as far as problems go... this is a really FUN problem to have!!
Congratulations on your upcoming engagement... how exciting!!

I think there are a couple of things to consider...

First... the personality and interests of your GF. Those of us who are here on PS are VERY into our diamonds, but that is not the case for every woman. Most of my friends would never consider actually "researching" a diamond, and they would likely be very happy with whatever their betrothed picked for them. I even have one friend (married for 22 years now) who recently lost the stone out of her wedding ring and she continued to wear it anyways... with an empty basket!!

Does your GF have very definite tastes? Does she like to decorate her own home, choose paint colors, match fabrics and pillows and decor? Or is she happy to use whatever is functional and affordable and doesn't spend a lot of time on "creating" the outcome?

For me, my tastes changed over time, and especially the more I learned what was out there. I, personally, wouldn't choose a round brilliant OR a princess. I chose an Old Mine style cushion. And if I were to ever get a round, I would want an Old European Cut or an Old Mine Cut. I much prefer the large facets of the antique-style cuts over the hearts-and-arrows, skinny facet look. But I didn't KNOW that until I began doing my research. I knew I liked a cushion cut, but I had no idea I cared about the shape of the facets!

I am very glad you are thinking of going down in color and clarity and up in CUT and SIZE!! I think a G-H-I color with an VS2-SI1 clarity in an ideal cut is the way to go! (Mine is a J SI1, and I can see the "warmth" of the J at times, which I love in an antique cut, but not everyone likes that.) I think a G-H would be very safe if you don't know her preferences.

Here is what I would recommend...
Get the best stone you can find (probably a round for a proposal... or maybe a cushion ) and put it in a classic solitaire setting. (one that would be nice enough for her to keep forever if she chooses to). Buy it from a vendor with an excellent return/upgrade policy. Then once you propose, let your fiance know that the ring is meant to be one that SHE will love forever, and if she would like to change the shape of the stone or the setting or both, then you are in full support and you two can begin the fun process together. But if she is NOT the type to want to choose it herself, then make sure the one you propose with will be good enough quality to last for the long haul. That way it's a win-win situation. She doesn't HAVE to choose one if she doesn't want to (like she would if you proposed with a ring-pop or toy ring), but she CAN if she wants to and wont feel guilty about it because she will have your full blessing. Maybe you can even talk to the vendor ahead of time and find out if the setting can also be returned or upgraded, so whatever money you put toward the proposal ring will be sure to go toward the ring of her choice.

Anyway... Like I said... it's a fun problem to have!!
Good luck to you and please keep us posted!!

 

[hoynnij]

I would say that you should ask her what she wants. I would hate to be in a situation where my bf chose a ring that I didnt like, which is why I have been doing all the work choosing one for myself

Alternatively, if you want to still have it as a surprise proposal, then I would suggest that you purchase a cheapish but still nice ring, propose with that, and then go shopping for an engagement ring after. If you dont want the process to be too delayed after that, then do all the research beforehand and choose some good princess and rbc stones.

Having said all this, I know that there are girls out there who would prefer to not have any input into it. So I guess it depends on her! Can you get her friend to subtly ask her if she would want to have input?

If you're in Australia (like me - guessing from your name) then it is going to be a real pain to have to exchange a diamond, so I would try to avoid going down that route. Let me know if you want any advice on B&M jewellers in Sydney. I've basically been obsessing over finding the right ring for the last 2 months!

 

[paul_sydney]

I would say that you should ask her what she wants. I would hate to be in a situation where my bf chose a ring that I didnt like, which is why I have been doing all the work choosing one for myself

Alternatively, if you want to still have it as a surprise proposal, then I would suggest that you purchase a cheapish but still nice ring, propose with that, and then go shopping for an engagement ring after. If you dont want the process to be too delayed after that, then do all the research beforehand and choose some good princess and rbc stones.

Having said all this, I know that there are girls out there who would prefer to not have any input into it. So I guess it depends on her! Can you get her friend to subtly ask her if she would want to have input?

If you're in Australia (like me - guessing from your name) then it is going to be a real pain to have to exchange a diamond, so I would try to avoid going down that route. Let me know if you want any advice on B&M jewellers in Sydney. I've basically been obsessing over finding the right ring for the last 2 months!

Hi hoynij.....yeah im from sydney, sorry what are b&m jewellers? any advice would be good......i'be gotten some rough quotes from some jewellers in sydney...i've got 2or3 jewllers i like, dont know if its against forum policy to mention them on here

 

[hoynnij]

b&m = bricks and mortar

I visited Percy Marks, who are willing to negotiate on prices, and thus offered suprisingly competitive pricing.

Bunda is the best I have been to so far - the owner/head designer Ben Bunda is extremely knowledgeable about diamonds and even uses asets for his diamonds (quite a rarity in Sydney). Pricing is on the expensive side, but need to also factor in the convenience of being able to have it cleaned and inspected every year. Quality of their settings seemed excellent. This is my strongest contender so far.

My thoughts so far have been:
-if you are after a simple solitaire setting, then buy it from the US.
-if you want something like a halo with lots of small diamonds on the shank etc, then get it locally as they are more likely to fall out. It is not really feasible to send a ring back to the US for repair work (too expensive to ship)

Cerrone I wasnt very impressed with - the sales associates are not very knowledgeable on diamonds at all, and really are just sales people, nothing more.

Gregorys settings were suprisingly good quality, but I didnt really get a quote from them as I didnt like any of their styles, and would rather avoid having a style made that they are not familiar with.

Victoria Buckley designs beautiful edwardian style pieces. The quality of her work is average tho - not perfectly finished, and she does cast some pieces so it is not strictly 100% handmade. Also her knowledge of diamonds was very limited, and she seemed insistent that her diamonds were the best (because they were cut in Russia. According to her, Russian diamonds are cut the best in the world, whereas Indian diamonds are cut by "Indians sitting on dirt floors in dark huts" and are thus not as good). Many things I did not agree with.

Mondial by Neuman are a good company, but really only deal with D-F colour IF-VS2 diamonds, which didnt work for me. Quality of settings was excellent. Price was ok, not super competitive tho. Specialise in pink diamonds.

I went to a small jeweller in the Dymocks building - Jason Ree. Was quite unimpressed with the quality of the settings.

Thats all I can think of so far. Hope that helps!

If you know any good jewellers, please do share with me

 

[paul_sydney]

I've looked into forvever diamonds, diamonds emporium, delphi jewellery and diamond specialist as well as online on exchange diamonds.

forever and delphi were very knowledgable and helpful without being pushy. Diamond specialist were willing to beat any price wihtin australia but i think they are busy as its hard to get a hold of them, they've emailed me but haven't returned my calls so haven't been been to they're shop yet but my boss recomends them.

as far as the settings go they all seem to be nice but im no expert i wouldn't know the difference between average to excellent.

 

[hoynnij]

yeah I went to diamond emporium. The only problem I find with these places, apart from the fact that theyre still around 10% more expensive than purchasing from the US (taking GST into consideration), is that you have to buy the diamond sight unseen, and they dont provide you with ASET/idealscope images.

 

[LaraOnline]

You have had excellent advice so far.

If you are willing to go online, I can recommend Jogia.
They have an upgrade policy, and all of their diamonds are a beautiful quality.

You could feel confident going with their recommendation, in my view.

Also, their manufacturing/ setting work is of a high quality and good value. They will make anything you request, and have a range of setting suggestions onsite.

Customer service wise, they are very pleasant people, although very reserved in comparison with other 'sales' type people.
I think some people can find this a bit unusual. They do not like to be 'hassled' and may shut you down if they find you difficult or very rude lol.

 

[MAC-W]

You have had excellent advice so far.

If you are willing to go online, I can recommend Jogia.
They have an upgrade policy, and all of their diamonds are a beautiful quality.

You could feel confident going with their recommendation, in my view.

Also, their manufacturing/ setting work is of a high quality and good value. They will make anything you request, and have a range of setting suggestions onsite.

Customer service wise, they are very pleasant people, although very reserved in comparison with other 'sales' type people.
I think some people can find this a bit unusual. They do not like to be 'hassled' and may shut you down if they find you difficult or very rude lol.

I'm glad to hear you had a pleasant experience with Jogia.

My experience with the Perth store was anything but pleasant They were rude, arrogant and obnoxious.

Personally I would never deal with them again but maybe their other stores are different.

Their crossfire diamonds are nice enough but I thought they were expensive compared to what you can get from other (online) vendors.