Long post but I need HELP!

[tony0618]

Hello all,

So I'm ready to pop the big question but I need a bit of advice. Every time I think I've narrowed down a diamond, I read something on here that makes me doubt myself. So I was hoping you all can help me out before I go crazy I've been doing research for the last couple months and I think I got the basics down. My girlfriend wants a round diamond ring on a rose gold/white gold setting. I found that blue nile was cheapest compared to others but unfortunately no pictures are offered (I bought an Ideal-Scope to test out the diamond just to be safe). I ran the HCA for the two diamonds and both came back under 2. When searching I have been limiting my searches to Excellent cuts (Shine is most important factor for gf), Color D-H, Clarity FL-VS2 a carat weight of 1-1.5 and a diamond budget of under $7,100. I'm not opposed to buying elsewhere online, I just haven't found a better deal.
This is the setting:




These are the links for the two diamonds:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04482887?track=Detlink2
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04670093?track=Detlink1

My questions are:

1) Of the two diamonds which is a better value? Why?

2) Would an H color diamond look any different when it's set on a rose gold setting?

3) Any idea who the original setting design came from? or where I can get the setting made to look like the picture?

4) How important is the fluorescence? What would be a normal level?

5) For the setting above, what spec would you sacrifice first to achieve the most sparkle at the best price?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[Gypsy]

Ok. So a number of things.

1. Both diamonds have very high clarity. But the price for them is good despite that. However, as you noted, there is no idealscope. They are not signature line at Blue Nile, which has more information available generally. Of the two I prefer this one: http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04482887?track=Detlink2 The numbers are really super safe. And it has only medium fluorescence.

2. Many pricescopers, myself included, like fluorescence. And the large percentage of stones with fluorescence show no negative impact from it. But Strong can be visible in sunlight, and since you are buying for someone else, it's safer to be conservative. You should contact blue nile and put that stone on hold and ask them to have it checked out by a gemologist and have them tell you if the medium fluorescence is making the stone hazy or milky (it's unlikely but best to check).

3. I think an H will be fine in rose gold. If you want a G there is this one: http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04391304 It's crown is slightly shallow, but it is signature ideal line so it is guaranteed eyeclean (all signature ideal line are) and the angles are complimentary and it scores well on the HCA.

4. Rosegold settings are well.. originally many of the designs were by Beaudry. He has since gone out of business but his jewelry was very high end and a setting by him would be a budget buster. http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/beaudry-jewelry/rings/ Simon G has several nice Rose Gold settings like that. And they are much more budget friendly. http://www.simongjewelry.com/Collection/Bridal/14843/EN&pg=all and http://www.since1910.com/ carries them.

5. What would I sacrifice in order to get the setting she wants? Honestly? I'd sacrifice the carat mark. A 90 point stone that faces up at 6.2 in a halo will look amazing and big. And will be significantly open up your budget.

 

[Gypsy]

Here's what I'd do.

Beverly K works in Rose Gold. And they customize. And GOG, one of our best vendors, carries the line.
I'd call GOG and ask them to quote you for the below setting:
http://www.elizabetajewelry.com/products/beverley-k-diamond-engagement-ring-semi-mount-center-stone-not-included-number-9029-slash-65 But in two tone, with the halo being rose gold and the shank being white gold.

It will be better quality than the Blue Nile setting. And I'd get this stone for inside it:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12283/ (put on hold now).
or

 

[tony0618]

You're awesome! Thanks for all the information Gypsy! I'm going to email a few of those sites to see if they can make the setting. Just out of curiosity what makes the GOG diamond close in price to the other diamonds but with a smaller weight (.90) and more inclusion(SI2)?

Also, after talking to my soon to be fiance I've come to the conclusion she wants it to sparkle sparkle sparkle, lol. SO should I lower the clarity and go for a Hearts and Arrow at GOG or should I focus more on the dimensions? When you say the angles are complementary what should I be looking at?

Thanks again!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Please don't email random sites to ask if they can make the setting! We can tell you who could best make it if you only want the one in your original picture. Hands down I would choose Caysie van Bebber of CVB Inspired Design. She makes those style rings and it will be within a reasonable price range. I would not put diamonds on the side of the halo. I think that is asking for trouble as the side of the halo will inevitably bump against things and you may lose little stones.

Like Gypsy, I like Beverley K rings very much, and I certainly recommend GOG for their diamonds. An AVR would be incredible in an antique style setting! I don't see that she posted any SI2 diamonds. The .96 stone is very close to 1 ct and is also a specialty cut...an August Vintage Round which modeled after Old European Cut diamonds.

But if you want to go with a H&A stone, they have a nice 1 ct H VS2:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12400/

 

[Gypsy]

Ditto Diamond Seeker.

Just call Good Old Gold. Show them the ring I posted for you. Ask for a quote for the ring customized by Beverly K with a rose gold metal at the halo and white gold everywhere else. That will be the best quality at the best price. OK? Just trust me on this.

As for the H si1 AVR stone I posted for you. It is a proprietary cut with vintage faceting (compare the faceting to the stone Diamondseeker posted for you), it is an AGS0, which means it was received the highest score possible for performance (0) at the best lab for grading diamond perfromance (AGS). AGS0 stones cost a bit more because of that. You can also get the stone Diamond Seeker posted for you. It's a hearts and arrows.

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough. And you must stick to GIA and AGS only. EGL is a bad option: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/[/URL]
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want?
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it. YOU DO NOT USE HCA for AGS0 stones.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance. Under 2 is a pass. Under 2.5-2.1 is a maybe. 2.6 and over is a no. No score 2 and under is better than any other.
Is that enough? Not really.
So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. BGD, James Allen, GOG, HPD, ERD and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.


Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium.