Lost in a sea of Diamonds and Sites... HELP!!!

[bgbdbull]

I have done a lot of research over the past couple of months. I live in North Dakota and am less than impressed with the prices of really marginal diamonds locally. I have decided to buy the center diamond online, then buy the setting and have the mounting of the center stone done locally. I think I can get the setting and mounting done for $1100-$1600.

My big question to all of you knowledgable posters here is can I get close to a carat for around 2500? I am looking at SI2 stones with H or I clarity. I really would like the best cut and highest carat I can get without exceding SI2. It seems like getting into J for color is risky, so I would like to stay above that.

As you can see, my total budget is aboud $3500-$4000. I could go as much as $4500, if I have to.

Also, what sites are those where you can get a good deal and are reputable?

I found the Szul web site, after asking them for the EGL certification info for a particular diamond and getting a kind of sketchy reply, that restated what was on the web site, I am not sure if they are trustworthy. I also researched this forum for "Szul" and found some less than favorable posts. Is the accepted opinion of Szul is don''t buy there? The bad thing from my perspective is their prices are way lower than any other sites I have found.

I am looking for my first ever engagement ring purchase, so any help with sites, diamond info, or other information is very much appreciated.

I am ready to buy within a couple of weeks!!

Patrick

 

[stone-cold11]

GOG
WF
Winkjones
JA
NiceIce

These are the stores that provide the most infomations on their stones, and really good reputation here.

Use this tool to search for excellent cut stones. Good Luck.

 

[stone-cold11]

looks like for $2500 you can most likely get a 0.72 H&A, ideal cut stone. WF stone

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/30/2008 2:48:50 PM
Author:bgbdbull
I have done a lot of research over the past couple of months. I live in North Dakota and am less than impressed with the prices of really marginal diamonds locally. I have decided to buy the center diamond online, then buy the setting and have the mounting of the center stone done locally. I think I can get the setting and mounting done for $1100-$1600.

My big question to all of you knowledgable posters here is can I get close to a carat for around 2500? I am looking at SI2 stones with H or I clarity. I really would like the best cut and highest carat I can get without exceding SI2. It seems like getting into J for color is risky, so I would like to stay above that.

As you can see, my total budget is aboud $3500-$4000. I could go as much as $4500, if I have to.

Also, what sites are those where you can get a good deal and are reputable?

I found the Szul web site, after asking them for the EGL certification info for a particular diamond and getting a kind of sketchy reply, that restated what was on the web site, I am not sure if they are trustworthy. I also researched this forum for 'Szul' and found some less than favorable posts. Is the accepted opinion of Szul is don't buy there? The bad thing from my perspective is their prices are way lower than any other sites I have found.

I am looking for my first ever engagement ring purchase, so any help with sites, diamond info, or other information is very much appreciated.

I am ready to buy within a couple of weeks!!

Patrick

Hi Patrick and welcome,

I just wanted to mention as you are on a budget, a J colour if well cut can actually still look white, you might see a tiny hint of warmth from the side in some cases, but this colour grade can be a good way to maximise the budget and get you the most carat size. I would suggest checking out some J colour in person of similar size and shape to the stones you are considering. If you have a Jareds near you, apparently they carry AGS0 cut grade diamonds, or Hearts on Fire brand if you have a dealer near you who sell those - you could have a look at those purely for comparison purposes to see if a J colour might be an option for you.

 

[JulieN]

There''s no way you can get a very nice 1 ct for 2500. Something will have to give.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1114622.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

 

[Regular Guy]

Here''s some perspective on sites.

But...did you try the "Pricescope your Diamond" across the top?

It makes the universe of options very transparent.

 

[bgbdbull]

All or you are AWSOME!!!

I really appreciate all of the responses I have gotten. I have noticed that if I up my budget by $300-$500, I can get in the high .8''s to low .9''s. Is it try that these diamonds "face" much like a full carat?

Stone-cold11 - Thanks for the sites. There are a couple I have not seen yet.

Lorelei - I think you have a great idea... It is difficult to do when buying online. But I think I might be able to deal with some of the smaller jewelers in Bismarck, ND... and get them to match online prices. My attitude for this ring stuff is that it is kind of like dealing on a car. I might be wrong, but that is my approach. Is that approach wrong?

Regular Guy - I did try that tool. I have had better luck going to sites, as only a few sellers are actually searched there.

A couple of more questions...

Does anyone know the Szul site??? I just wonder why they are SO much cheaper?

I viewed a Leo diamond at Kay Jewelers and it looked great. Any info about buying a Leo diamond online? And, what is the attitude toward the GemEx reports? Do any online sellers use it and make it available to buyers?

This Forum ROCKS (no pun intended) ... Thanks for all of your help so far.

 

[stone-cold11]

Think Leo is a proprietary cut so only Kay sells them.

We trust only AGS and GIA on color and clarity grading. Cut grading, only AGS for round and princess. Search for GemEx, EGL and IGI on this site and you will find lost of people being unsatisfied with what they thought they bought.

 

[stone-cold11]

Just check out Szul. Avoiding EGL reports, the price of GIA stones looks comparable to other drop shippers. But since they don''t release the report online, there is no way to check if the stones will perform well using the HCA as we will not have access to the crown and pavilion numbers. General lack of useful data like a picture or IS, so buying from them is really a hit and miss deal.

 

[LGK]

You might go for a less ornate setting to maximize diamond size. A nice plain solitaire setting can be had in the $200-$500 range. That''d get you closer to a carat.

I''d also recommend considering J colors, too. Search Arjunajane''s posts for a look at a fantastic ideal cut K color diamond- it looks amazing and blinding white. Slightly lower colors are a fabulous way to maximize a budget, and in an ideal cut, properly graded stone, they should in no way look yellow face up. From the side, you may or may not notice a bit of off-whiteness... depends on how color sensitive you are. Of course, color is a very personal thing... some people hate even the slightest hint of it, but others actually like a bit of color, just depends. Lorelei''s advice is great, to go check out some ideal cut Js.

 

[bgbdbull]

Here is one I just found on whiteflash.com for 2320.

Report: GIA
. Shape: Round
. Carat: 0.92
. Depth %: 63
. Table %: 57
. Girdle: TN-M
. Measurements: 6.19-6.23X3.91
. Polish: Excellent
. Symmetry: Excellent
. Culet:
. Fluorescence: None

What types of scope images are the one''s needed to evaluate? Thanks again.

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 10/30/2008 5:09:40 PM
Author: bgbdbull
Here is one I just found on whiteflash.com for 2320.

Report: GIA

. Shape: Round

. Carat: 0.92

. Depth %: 63

. Table %: 57

. Girdle: TN-M

. Measurements: 6.19-6.23X3.91

. Polish: Excellent

. Symmetry: Excellent

. Culet:

. Fluorescence: None

What types of scope images are the one's needed to evaluate? Thanks again.

Idealscope. I can't find this, but given the price, is the a virtual stone? Not a 4* stone right? This is usually not in house and they will not have Ideal scope image for that.

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 10/30/2008 4:32:14 PM
Author: bgbdbull

Regular Guy - I did try that tool. I have had better luck going to sites, as only a few sellers are actually searched there.

What were you missing?

Actually, the best search tool does only constrain further...the search by cut tool...a subset of Pricescope your Diamonds. It does work for you, based on info presented.

On the other hand...the diamond you present above,no, won''t be included in that tool...primarily because it doesn''t include the kind of info that would encourage us to recommend it or not.

Consider reviewing the tutorial, notes below my signature, and such...

 

[bgbdbull]

It has a 4 star rating... I think that is what you are talking about???

 

[stone-cold11]

Hmm... What is the link? I can''t seem to find it. What is the color/clarity grading?

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 10/30/2008 5:37:18 PM
Author: bgbdbull
It has a 4 star rating... I think that is what you are talking about???

Patrick, you talking to me?

If so,...we''re talking past each other.

The one you''re presenting above probably does not present with 4 stars. That''s WF system, and typically their 4 stars also come with crown & pavilion angles, and you at least haven''t posted them.

As a subset of the Pricescope your diamond...I was talking about this.

 

[bgbdbull]

Sorry for the confusion. I am brand new to this forum. I''m not sure how you insert the light blue from a previous post.

I was reponding to Stone-Cold11 about the number of stars on whiteflash. Here is the link to the diamond I was asking about. I have had a certain type of setting in mind, but maybe I can do more with the wedding band. WF doesn''t have any images available for this diamond.

 

[stone-cold11]

That stone is weird, I have no idea why it is listed as a 4 star and no data available. Also not a virtual stone. If you are interested in that stone, give WF a call. They will give you good advice and not try and push the stone to you.

EDT:
Maybe it was a virtual stone that was bought up by another drop shipper.