Looking for advice on a stone.

[formylove]

Hello everyone!

I have been looking at these forums off and on for a long time, but figured it was finally time to post.

I plan on purchasing an engagement ring in the next week or so for the love of my life We have gone together to look at stones and setting so I 'think' I have a good idea of what her likes and dislikes are. I will be most likely setting the ring in a 14k white gold setting with 2 diamonds on each side (probably .5-.8 TW).

After getting a feel for her taste in diamonds, I'm looking for a round diamond, G,H,I color (she seems to be able to notice yellow in J's and a few I's), SI2 clarity (Just needs to be eye clean), and must be sparkly As long as it isn't yellow and it is eye clean, I think she would like the largest stone possible that really is fiery.

My budget is between $5,000 and $6,000 for the stone. I've been looking around locally, but figured maybe I should really consider shopping online.

Any and all advice would be great appreciated!!! I love her so much that I'd love to get here a 3 carat stone right now! But I guess that is what upgrades are for

Please feel free to ask me any other questions. Thank you all so much in advance!

-ForMyLove

Edit: Oh and a note it really must be more than a carat. Ive been looking at 1.00-1.25 or so.

 

[neatfreak]

Just a question, where were you looking at J stones? Were they GIA or AGS certified? That makes a BIG difference in knowing what you can afford...if they were uncertified or EGL "J" stones, you likely could go down to an AGS or GIA "J" without problems.

I''d start your search at Whiteflash and Good Old Gold. For the most sparkle you want an ideal cut stone, so either an AGS rated "0" or a GIA "Ex" stone that you have run the numbers through the HCA. And it should score a 2 or lower.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/22/2008 7:49:18 PM
Author: neatfreak
Just a question, where were you looking at J stones? Were they GIA or AGS certified? That makes a BIG difference in knowing what you can afford...if they were uncertified or EGL ''J'' stones, you likely could go down to an AGS or GIA ''J'' without problems.

I''d start your search at Whiteflash and Good Old Gold. For the most sparkle you want an ideal cut stone, so either an AGS rated ''0'' or a GIA ''Ex'' stone that you have run the numbers through the HCA. And it should score a 2 or lower.

Good advice.

Welcome to Pricescope

 

[formylove]

Thanks for the advice! I recently looked at a J over the weekend that was GIA certified and it was a really nice J. I saw it locally at Mervis Diamond Importers. they are a bit pricey though. I''d love to buy locally just for the support and also for the fact that I think she would somehow appreciate something from a better known local jeweler than online, but then again, I figure whe''d appreciate a nicer diamond and ring more possibly? I looked at a fair number of GIA stones and some that were IGI. I really need to start looking at cut more and will follow your advice on what to look for to get that sparkle. Thanks alot!

-ForMyLove

 

[Regular Guy]

FML,

If you''re local to DC, you might want to look at Charleston Alexander...but I don''t think there''s either any jeweler or appraiser I can really recommend locally...though any might be fine. It IS nice to be able to go back to the place you bought your ring for adjustments, etc.

Otherwise, you have lots of options for your requirements. Here''s one of many...though with any SIs, you''ll want to ask if it''s eye clean the way you''ll like it.

 

[formylove]

Thanks for the tips I actually went to Charleston Alexander this weekend as well, the one in Bethesda. Thanks for the 1 suggestion online. I''m still deciding but leaning slightly towards getting a stone online and having it set locally unless I find something that is spectacular. I think I''m willing to pay 20-25% more on the setting locally for the added benefits, but only 10% or so on the stone. Does this sound reasonable?

Thanks again all!

-ForMyLove

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 11/24/2008 12:10:25 AM
Author: formylove

Thanks for the tips I actually went to Charleston Alexander this weekend as well, the one in Bethesda. Thanks for the 1 suggestion online. I''m still deciding but leaning slightly towards getting a stone online and having it set locally unless I find something that is spectacular. I think I''m willing to pay 20-25% more on the setting locally for the added benefits, but only 10% or so on the stone. Does this sound reasonable?

Thanks again all!

-ForMyLove

Completely...as this also translates into net dollars.

Do you know where you''d want to go to have it set, and how you''d approach them?

 

[formylove]

I have been considering a couple of stones. Any comments?

https://www.wherethediamondsare.com/details.html?item=inventory&diamondReferenceValue=7125
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-947978.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-939086.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1187842.asp

I''m still looking at Mervis for a setting possibly. She loved a setting they had so may stick with it. They really want the business on the diamond so I''m going to see what else they can offer.

For the settings, I am looking at a setting similar to this one, but it is .5 ct tw
http://www.bluenile.com/product_8013?filter_id=1&collection_id=239

I am also looking at a setting similar to this one:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-271_design.asp?module=setting

Thanks again for all of your help! Any opinions on the settings?

-ForMyLove

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/24/2008 11:18:40 AM
Author: formylove

I have been considering a couple of stones. Any comments?

https://www.wherethediamondsare.com/details.html?item=inventory&diamondReferenceValue=7125
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-947978.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-939086.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1187842.asp

I'm still looking at Mervis for a setting possibly. She loved a setting they had so may stick with it. They really want the business on the diamond so I'm going to see what else they can offer.

For the settings, I am looking at a setting similar to this one, but it is .5 ct tw
http://www.bluenile.com/product_8013?filter_id=1&collection_id=239

I am also looking at a setting similar to this one:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-271_design.asp?module=setting

Thanks again for all of your help! Any opinions on the settings?

-ForMyLove

I like the diamonds highlighted above, check with JA if they are eyeclean to your standards, and that the cloud inclusion on the first diamond isn't causing a loss of brilliance ( rare but best to check) and ask if they can provide an Idealscope image for each diamond.

Either setting is very pretty!