Looking for a ring...

[sbrindley]

Hi everyone!

I''m new to Pricescope and this is my first post. I''d like to thank everyone in advance for any advice and links you can provide for me! I''ve visited some local stores but haven''t had too much luck lately in finding something. I''m trying to find something and have it before Christmas so I''m ready to buy now just haven''t been having too much luck in the past few weeks locally.

I''m looking to spend up to $5200 for the ring and diamond together. I would obviously like to get as big of a ring for the buck without losing too much quality in the cut and clarity fields. I''m guessing somewhere in the range of 1.1 to 1.5 carats (I may not even be able to come close to 1.5!). I know she likes Princess / Radiant cut diamonds and also likes a modern yet antique type setting (whew... tough to find so far!). She is not picky at all and would gladly accept anything but I want to get her something really nice and unique if I can! Any thoughts and/or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!!

 

[coatimundi_org]

I'd shop online with a vendor who has a great upgrade policy (just in case). Whiteflash and Good Old Gold are top of the line.

I'd put as much of the budget into the stone, and buy a relatively simple setting. The setting can always be changed--maybe she would want to help select?

Princess cuts and radiants face up smaller than rounds and ovals.

I'd definitely go down in color and clarity for the value. There are definitely eye clean SI2 stones out there. A well cut lower color stone will still face up very white.

And good luck to ya!

 

[stone-cold11]

1.17c I VS2 Princess for USD 3932.

Hope this help. AGS0 is the safest best you can go with on Princess cuts unless you have access to other images. Good Luck.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/15/2008 2:14:16 PM
Author: coatimundi
I''d shop online with a vendor who has a great upgrade policy. Whiteflash and Good Old Gold are top of the line.

I''d put as much of the budget into the stone, and buy a relatively simple setting. The setting can always be changed--maybe she would want to help select?

Princess cuts and radiants face up smaller than rounds.

I''d definitely go down in color and clarity for the value. There are definitely eye clean SI2 stones out there. A well cut lower color stone will still face up very white.

Welcome!

Ditto Coaties, also maybe you could consider a cushion shape? These shapes lend themselves particularly well to antique or modern style settings. If a cushion is an option for you, then you can check out the two vendors Coaties mentioned, and also,

Mark at www.engagementringsdirect.com as Mark has an excellent rep with cushions.

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 12/15/2008 2:17:11 PM
Author: Lorelei

Welcome!


Ditto Coaties, also maybe you could consider a cushion shape? These shapes lend themselves particularly well to antique or modern style settings. If a cushion is an option for you, then you can check out the two vendors Coaties mentioned, and also,


Mark at www.engagementringsdirect.com as Mark has an excellent rep with cushions.

Oh and ditto Lorelei! A cushion is another great choice which looks really lovely in a halo setting--makes the stone look a bit bigger.

That could be a great option for you!

 

[sbrindley]

Date: 12/15/2008 2:14:16 PM
Author: coatimundi
I''d shop online with a vendor who has a great upgrade policy. Whiteflash and Good Old Gold are top of the line.


I''d put as much of the budget into the stone, and buy a relatively simple setting. The setting can always be changed--maybe she would want to help select?


Princess cuts and radiants face up smaller than rounds and ovals.


I''d definitely go down in color and clarity for the value. There are definitely eye clean SI2 stones out there. A well cut lower color stone will still face up very white.


And good luck to ya!

Thanks for the suggestions, I was thinking about going just slightly less in clarity and color as well so those suggestions help for sure! I thought I had heard that the Princess cuts show very white compared to others even if they are just slightly less clarity and color.

 

[sbrindley]

Date: 12/15/2008 2:19:16 PM
Author: coatimundi

Date: 12/15/2008 2:17:11 PM

Author: Lorelei


Welcome!



Ditto Coaties, also maybe you could consider a cushion shape? These shapes lend themselves particularly well to antique or modern style settings. If a cushion is an option for you, then you can check out the two vendors Coaties mentioned, and also,



Mark at www.engagementringsdirect.com as Mark has an excellent rep with cushions.

Oh and ditto Lorelei! A cushion is another great choice which looks really lovely in a halo setting--makes the stone look a bit bigger.

That could be a great option for you!

Cushion cut is definitely an options... I''ll check em'' out! Thanks!!

 

[coatimundi_org]

You're welcome!

Well cut stones will face up whiter (more colorless) in general.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/15/2008 2:22:22 PM
Author: coatimundi
You''re welcome!

Well cut stones will face up whiter (more colorless) in general.

Ditto! Most welcome! And ditto Coaties that well cut diamonds will generally face up whiter, but rounds particularly so. Also if you do consider a radiant, these can tend to show more body colour than some other shapes, this is the reason why you see many fancy colour diamonds cut into radiants. So you might want to view some in person if you want to go with H or above colour ( GIA or AGS graded), of similar size to see how the colour grades appear to you.

 

[coatimundi_org]

Just for an example, here''s a cushion in a halo that''s very modern and nostalgic at the same time. The bead setting has a more antique look while the sleek metal work looks modern. Maybe something along these lines would delight your gal!

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 12/15/2008 2:25:40 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 12/15/2008 2:22:22 PM

Author: coatimundi

You're welcome!


Well cut stones will face up whiter (more colorless) in general.

Ditto! Most welcome! And ditto Coaties that well cut diamonds will generally face up whiter, but rounds particularly so. Also if you do consider a radiant, these can tend to show more body colour than some other shapes, this is the reason why you see many fancy colour diamonds cut into radiants. So you might want to view some in person if you want to go with H or above colour ( GIA or AGS graded), of similar size to see how the colour grades appear to you.

KA-ditto that! (about radiant cuts holding color while rounds face up whiter)

 

[mercoledi]

. It's a tight budget, but if you're OK going with lower color or clarity, you can certainly get to 1.1 or 1.2. JA is guaranteteing orders placed TODAY to arrive by Christmas, but the timeline is very tight.

Good luck!

Edited because I posted RBs

 

[sbrindley]

Thanks all I''m going to hit up some local shops tonight and tomorrow again just to check out some of the suggestions here for size reference and color grading, etc.. etc... I''ll keep you posted and reply back soon! THANKS!

 

[sbrindley]

Suggestions?

http://www.bluenile.com/princess-cut-diamond-1-carat-good-cut-i-color-vvs2-clarity_LD01434134?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

1.21-Carat Princess-Cut Diamond

Price per carat: $3,360
Depth %: 77.3%
Table %: 62%
Symmetry: Excellent
Polish: Excellent
Girdle: Slightly thick to thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.72 x 5.72 x 4.42 mm
Length/width ratio: 1.00

 

[stone-cold11]

GIA do not grade cuts so we have no idea how it performs optically hence my preference of staying with AGS graded stones.

 

[sbrindley]

Date: 12/15/2008 2:55:29 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
GIA do not grade cuts so we have no idea how it performs optically hence my preference of staying with AGS graded stones.

Gotcha, thanks

 

[sbrindley]

Thanks for the diamond recommendation Stone-cold11, thoughts or suggestions from anyone else? Is there any particular spec'' I should look for to determine how this will perform "brilliance-wise" in the light, since I''m planning to order online without seeing the diamond first... ?

http://www.bluenile.com/princess-cut-diamond-1-carat-good-cut-i-color-vs2-clarity_LD01335944?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

1.17c I VS2 Princess for
USD $3,932.

Price: $3,932
Bank wire price: $3,874
Carat weight: 1.17
Cut: Good
Color: I
Clarity: VS2

Price per carat: $3,361
Depth %: 76.1%
Table %: 59.2%
Symmetry: Ideal
Polish: Ideal
Girdle: Slightly thick to thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.73 x 5.70 x 4.34 mm
Length/width ratio: 1.01

 

[stone-cold11]

You might want to put it on hold first? I think BN allows you to do that. Otherwise it might be gone by the time you decide to buy it.

Princess and other fancy cuts have many pavilions which is why it is difficult to judge a cut from the dimensions alone unlike round cut. So sight unseen, AGS0 is the safest bet.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/15/2008 4:24:06 PM
Author: sbrindley
Thanks for the diamond recommendation Stone-cold11, thoughts or suggestions from anyone else? Is there any particular spec'' I should look for to determine how this will perform ''brilliance-wise'' in the light, since I''m planning to order online without seeing the diamond first... ?

http://www.bluenile.com/princess-cut-diamond-1-carat-good-cut-i-color-vs2-clarity_LD01335944?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

1.17c I VS2 Princess for
USD $3,932.

Price: $3,932
Bank wire price: $3,874
Carat weight: 1.17
Cut: Good
Color: I
Clarity: VS2

Price per carat: $3,361
Depth %: 76.1%
Table %: 59.2%
Symmetry: Ideal
Polish: Ideal
Girdle: Slightly thick to thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.73 x 5.70 x 4.34 mm
Length/width ratio: 1.01

I see BN have rated this AGS0 Princess as a good cut...

But regardless personally I prefer detailed photos and ASET images with AGS0 Princess, however BN do have a good return policy in case the diamond wasn''t for you.

 

[sbrindley]

I see BN have rated this AGS0 Princess as a good cut...


But regardless personally I prefer detailed photos and ASET images with AGS0 Princess, however BN do have a good return policy in case the diamond wasn''t for you.

Ok, I agree that I would definitely like to see more actual images. So it sounds like the GIA rated Princess Cut diamonds don''t have a "Cut" graded and the AGSO Princess Cut diamonds do have the "Cut" graded? (sorry, I''m new to most of this information)

I found one here at Good Old Gold but its GIA rated... Do I need to stay away from this?
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond.php?d=5487&shape=16&ctMin=1.10&ctMax=1.25&clarity=120&color=120&priceMax=5000&resultsColumns=268435471&singleResult=1

1.20ct Priness Cut

Shape: Princess
Carat Weight: 1.20ct
Color: J
Clarity: VS1
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Culet: None
Lab Report: GIA
Lab Report #: 1102235413
In House: Yes
Width: 5.79mm
Length: 5.81mm
Depth: 4.42mm
Table Percentage: 56.94%
Depth Percentage: 76.32%
Crown ∠: 32.11°
Pavilion ∠: 40.27°
Policy: Lifetime Guarantee
Price: $3,798


I''m going to narrow my search and price to about a 1.1 to 1.25ct Princess Cut diamond and try to keep the diamond itself $4200 and under so I can at least have about 1k left over for a decent setting

Any other links for loose diamonds would be GREATLY appreciated as always!! I think I''m starting to confuse myself lol!

 

[stone-cold11]

no, GOG is good.

GOG stones are hand selected by Jon and has alot more information available on the performance of the stone such as ASET image. So if you like that stone, go for it. GOG is a trusted vendor. They and WF are the only vendors who I trust to buy a GIA graded Princess from, if ASET images are present.

Good Luck.

 

[sbrindley]

Date: 12/15/2008 5:45:03 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
no, GOG is good.


GOG stones are hand selected by Jon and has alot more information available on the performance of the stone such as ASET image. So if you like that stone, go for it. GOG is a trusted vendor. They and WF are the only vendors who I trust to buy a GIA graded Princess from, if ASET images are present.


Good Luck.

Awesome, that''s great to know. I''m definitely considering this one

 

[sbrindley]

So I think I''ve found one a little smaller than what I wanted but from after looking in the local stores at "J" colored princess cuts I could really tell a difference it seemed between the yellowness in the "J" vs. the "I"..... I''m considering this one

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5284/

Sorry to bug, but any thoughts!


THANKS!!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/16/2008 2:54:12 PM
Author: sbrindley
So I think I''ve found one a little smaller than what I wanted but from after looking in the local stores at ''J'' colored princess cuts I could really tell a difference it seemed between the yellowness in the ''J'' vs. the ''I''..... I''m considering this one

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5284/

Sorry to bug, but any thoughts!


THANKS!!

You are not bugging and that is a lovely diamond, well done!

 

[sbrindley]

Thanks everyone I bought the diamond and I''ll post pictures as soon as I get it mounted in the setting!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/17/2008 11:00:47 AM
Author: sbrindley
Thanks everyone I bought the diamond and I''ll post pictures as soon as I get it mounted in the setting!

CONGRATS Shane!!!

 

[NOYFB]

Congratulations, Shane! Can''t wait to see it on her hand! When are you planning to propose?