Looking for First Engagement Ring

[Txborn79]

If I were to get a WF "A Cut Above" does that necessarily mean the HCA or the specs are all about perfect?

Yes, WF ACA are AGS idea so all guess work has been done for you and they’re top performers

 

[daisygrl]

For setting I'm looking at a simple platinum 6 pointed setting, I know that is what she likes.

I don't think I can pull the trigger on that WF diamond with what appears to be a large inclusion right on the front, I can see it in all of the pictures. I will keep looking.

I initially thought the HCA was the same as knowing all of the specs/angles/etc were within the right range, but it now appears that is not the case. So I need to HCA to be right, then the GIA reports to show all are within the right range as well.

If I were to get a WF "A Cut Above" does that necessarily mean the HCA or the specs are all about perfect?

I tested one WF ACA stone with HCA and the score was 1.4 BUT only two out of four came out to be "excellent." I understand that HCA does not have to be applied for idea cut stones but still... it would bug me no matter what. I opted for a different vendor.

 

[Matthews1127]

I tested one WF ACA stone with HCA and the score was 1.4 BUT only two out of four came out to be "excellent." I understand that HCA does not have to be applied for idea cut stones but still... it would bug me no matter what. I opted for a different vendor.

You have to go with what feels right to you.
The inclusion in the WF ACA you posted bothered me, too. BUT, this isn’t about me...lol!
We are here to help.
Please let us know if you find something from the new vendor. Don’t hesitate to ask for opinions on a new stone, even if not “ideal”.
Fingers crossed!

 

[ef11]

Thank you all for your help.

I guess I am just struggling a bit when I can go get a 2-3 carat stone that most people would think is amazing for $10,000 from a run of the mill jewelry store. But I like nice things and am somewhat of a perfectionist, so I want to know the stone I am getting is truly great. But I think I may just not be on the level of the rest of you and I may not truly value a WF ACA vs. a more standard diamond that is 1/4 the price.

Seems the Adiamor is the only one I have found outside of WF that looks very good to the eye and has good images, HCA, and specs on GIA. I've looked so much and it seems to be hard to find this and I only have a couple of months probably...Not sure I can make it happen without spending a lot at WF, etc.

 

[Txborn79]

Thank you all for your help.

I guess I am just struggling a bit when I can go get a 2-3 carat stone that most people would think is amazing for $10,000 from a run of the mill jewelry store. But I like nice things and am somewhat of a perfectionist, so I want to know the stone I am getting is truly great. But I think I may just not be on the level of the rest of you and I may not truly value a WF ACA vs. a more standard diamond that is 1/4 the price.

Seems the Adiamor is the only one I have found outside of WF that looks very good to the eye and has good images, HCA, and specs on GIA. I've looked so much and it seems to be hard to find this and I only have a couple of months probably...Not sure I can make it happen without spending a lot at WF, etc.

I’ve never personally worked with IDJewelry but lots of people have and would recommend them. You can call them and tell them you want a PS quality diamond in your specifications and they can find something good for you that cost less. They’ll send images for them

 

[lovedogs]

I’ve never personally worked with IDJewelry but lots of people have and would recommend them. You can call them and tell them you want a PS quality diamond in your specifications and they can find something good for you that cost less. They’ll send images for them

And Martin at usa certed!!

 

[WillyDiamond]

OP
What is your timeframe?
Are you in a rush?
With what is going on now with Coronavirus and the stock market, oil, etc......prices sure to come down. Good luck.

 

[ef11]

I’ve never personally worked with IDJewelry but lots of people have and would recommend them. You can call them and tell them you want a PS quality diamond in your specifications and they can find something good for you that cost less. They’ll send images for them

I like the idea of doing this...they know where they can give up some on quality to keep me within budget and still meet the PS quality.

OP
What is your timeframe?
Are you in a rush?
With what is going on now with Coronavirus and the stock market, oil, etc......prices sure to come down. Good luck.

Timeframe...I would like to have it within the next 3 months, so not a huge rush. Prices coming down sounds good...Can I make offers to WF or is that out of the question? If I reach out to ID to help me I feel that takes my negotiation power away because they will be naming the price for the most part. But I can make WF offers with a 10-30% discount vs. their list prices if things keep going like they are now maybe.

Thank you all

 

[lovedogs]

I like the idea of doing this...they know where they can give up some on quality to keep me within budget and still meet the PS quality.



Timeframe...I would like to have it within the next 3 months, so not a huge rush. Prices coming down sounds good...Can I make offers to WF or is that out of the question? If I reach out to ID to help me I feel that takes my negotiation power away because they will be naming the price for the most part. But I can make WF offers with a 10-30% discount vs. their list prices if things keep going like they are now maybe.

Thank you all

IDJ will have much lower prices than WF, and are all about getting people the best stone for the best price. WF is more about getting the 100% best stone, but it means you pay more. If you don't plan to upgrade and think you won't notice the difference between an excellent stone with proportions in the ideal range vs. an ideally cut top 1% of all diamonds stone then I would go with IDJ.

 

[ef11]

IDJ will have much lower prices than WF, and are all about getting people the best stone for the best price. WF is more about getting the 100% best stone, but it means you pay more. If you don't plan to upgrade and think you won't notice the difference between an excellent stone with proportions in the ideal range vs. an ideally cut top 1% of all diamonds stone then I would go with IDJ.

Yes I think this makes the most sense to me. I'm not going for top 1% but also don't want to walk into Zales and get a J SI2 when I can get an excellent stone withing the ideal range with the help of forum members and research.

 

[lovedogs]

Yes I think this makes the most sense to me. I'm not going for top 1% but also don't want to walk into Zales and get a J SI2 when I can get an excellent stone withing the ideal range with the help of forum members and research.

exactly. you don't want to get screwed, which is what happens at crappy mall stores, but you aren't the person who MUST have the top 1% diamond or else he (or she) won't be able to stop thinking about it. I think in that case, IDJ or Martin at USA Certed is the best choice. It will be top 5% of diamonds for sure, but not top 1%, which means you won't pay the premium of WF, HPD, etc.

 

[diamondsR4eVR]

I think 20k is a great budget for a beautiful stone on a classic 6 prong setting. Especially for a first ER! There are also beautiful stones on WF that are not ACA but still beautiful and part of their premium selection. Don’t get discouraged. Plenty of good people here that can help.

 

[diamondsR4eVR]

Also, I wanted to add have you seen a E color in person? Did you detect a difference like you did with F? If not, I recommend an E but first look at one in person. Still beautiful and icy white. I feel they get overlooked like the middle child. Lol

 

[ef11]

exactly. you don't want to get screwed, which is what happens at crappy mall stores, but you aren't the person who MUST have the top 1% diamond or else he (or she) won't be able to stop thinking about it. I think in that case, IDJ or Martin at USA Certed is the best choice. It will be top 5% of diamonds for sure, but not top 1%, which means you won't pay the premium of WF, HPD, etc.

This is exactly right. I'm just glad I'm not getting bashed for not wanting top 1%, thank you all for understanding I plan to email IDJ today to see what we can do.

I think 20k is a great budget for a beautiful stone on a classic 6 prong setting. Especially for a first ER! There are also beautiful stones on WF that are not ACA but still beautiful and part of their premium selection. Don’t get discouraged. Plenty of good people here that can help.

Thank you. Yes everyone here has been a lot of help. Honestly I have not looked at much in person, just two times and wasn't very educated. I'm in a pretty small town so no real high-end stores like a big city.

 

[diamondsR4eVR]

I have not purchased from IDJ yet but I’ve been in contact with them regarding a couple of pieces I’m interested in. They are very responsive. GL!

 

[lovedogs]

This is exactly right. I'm just glad I'm not getting bashed for not wanting top 1%, thank you all for understanding I plan to email IDJ today to see what we can do.



Thank you. Yes everyone here has been a lot of help. Honestly I have not looked at much in person, just two times and wasn't very educated. I'm in a pretty small town so no real high-end stores like a big city.

I would suggest calling (if possible) and making sure you talk to Yeukiteil and ask him for "PS quality". Unfortunately not everyone there is as amazing as he is, so make sure you deal with him directly.

 

[diamondsR4eVR]

I would suggest calling (if possible) and making sure you talk to Yeukiteil and ask him for "PS quality". Unfortunately not everyone there is as amazing as he is, so make sure you deal with him directly.

Thanks for clarifying!

 

[AV_]

Noticing that you have picked diamonds with any level of fluorescence from GIA 'Strong' to 'Faint'. I am a fan, for sure! Also, these days I expect 'Strong' to be sligtly discounted in colourless diamonds, if not by all sellers.

I prefer shorter lower girdle facets - most are between 75% and 85%, and the difference is noticeable, you may see 70% -s; so the 1.9 you have picked would be my favorite. The first stone mentioned on tis thread also had such a face pattern.

Then, of course not all perfect diamodns are round - www & not all first engagement rings solitaires.

I would agree that 'perfect' is D/E VS (open to SI) with some blue fluorescence, 'medium' goes without saying, 'strong' or 'very strong' is more visible - a faint blue wash in direct sunlight, and a matter of taste (mine!).

2c

 

[diamondsR4eVR]

This is exactly right. I'm just glad I'm not getting bashed for not wanting top 1%, thank you all for understanding I plan to email IDJ today to see what we can do.

Thank you. Yes everyone here has been a lot of help. Honestly I have not looked at much in person, just two times and wasn't very educated. I'm in a pretty small town so no real high-end stores like a big city.

Okay, now only those that are color sensitive (I’m not) can weigh in on this. Something you said made me curious due to your location and limited access. I wonder if the F you saw was a certified stone from GIA for e.g.? If it wasn’t that stone could have well been a lower color and perhaps why you noticed a bigger difference in color? I could be wrong but I always thought DEF was the way to go for a colorless stone especially for those that are color sensitive.
Also, DEF range would yield more possibilities for you in your price range. Again, I’m not color sensitive so I wouldn’t see much of a difference in that range but if there’s a difference PS’ers could surely weigh in on that.

 

[AV_]

@diamondsR4eVR is not wrong...

I have repeatedly failed to guess grades forever. Looking at rings on strangers hands is no way to grade diamonds - I might trust myself to tell I from D or L over three carats, just about any time, but, fortunately, I do not have to bet on it. Clarity characteristics are obvious once they get large enough to interfere with brilliance - SI2 and beyond.

Choices are mostly about how you feel about grades; that is how grades work; D/IF means something; it could be perfectly paired with E/SI1 & such pairings are done.

 

[WillyDiamond]

OP
You might find WF's Expert Selection a good alternative rather than their ACA's.
Some people have gone that route and been quite happy.
And saved a chunk of change.
I believe that BGD has similar diamonds, I don't remember what name they give, but you might want to call Lesley at BGD to have her look at their inventory for you.