Low budget for diamond... 0.7 ct I, why so cheap?

[DB1011]

Hi all,

So after talking with my partner, we decided to scrap the princess re-setting and just get a round brilliant, as it's her preferred cut. I found B2C online and seem to have found a good diamond, HCA score of 1.0, it's a 0.7 I color VVS2 (I realize that clarity is overkill but the price was great)... only downside is the fluorescence - it's strong blue. I have them checking on whether it's a milky effect from the fluoro.... otherwise I cannot see why it would be such a low price??

My budget is only about 1800 for the diamond, and then about 1600 for the setting (I was planning on getting the falling pave halo from James Allen in rose gold, as this is her preferred setting).

GIA Cert is 2256773173
Table 58
Depth 60.9
crown 33.5
pavilion 40.8

Am I missing something as to why this is priced around $1650?? We put it on hold, so it's showing out of stock on their site now, but if their report comes back as a-ok for the milkiness, I am swiping it up.

Thanks!

 

[DB1011]

ETA - the measurements are 5.73x5.75x3.50.

Open to other suggestions from anywhere, not just B2C. Need to keep the diamond within my budget though.

 

[ringo865]

If you want a James Allen setting, have you looked to their stones?

 

[tyty333]

The only .7 I can find in your budget at JA are SI2s. Hopefully the stone you found will come back with no issues and you'll
be good to go.

 

[DB1011]

I did consider JA, but I was searching online for other possible diamond vendors after JA's inventory turned up nothing in our price range. I am so skeptical of the pricing of this one, but it can't be beat if it's okay.

I know I could probably drop down to a J, but I'm hesitant based on some conflicting things I've read. I don't have the money right now to go custom for melee in the halo, so I in a rose gold is probably the lowest I want to go in a well-cut round.

Of note she also adores old cuts, but I am having even MORE issues finding a good one of those for a reasonable price, so I will likely save that for later lifetime milestones.

 

[ringo865]

P.S. I'm glad you discussed her preferences, as a princess and round brilliant are very different creatures.

Have you discussed whether she'd be open to upgrading to a possibly larger stone (in her preferred round shape) now, but with a slightly less speedy setting? Then later, on some anniversary or bday, reset the new stone into the new (upgrade) setting? It would allow your total now budget to maximize the stone upgrade by just shifting the stone/setting ratio more toward stone. Thinking aloud.

 

[whitewave]

B2C has good prices and it is likely the combo of a warmer I color plus strong fluro.

 

[DB1011]

P.S. I'm glad you discussed her preferences, as a princess and round brilliant are very different creatures.

Have you discussed whether she'd be open to upgrading to a possibly larger stone (in her preferred round shape) now, but with a slightly less speedy setting? Then later, on some anniversary or bday, reset the new stone into the new (upgrade) setting? It would allow your total now budget to maximize the stone upgrade by just shifting the stone/setting ratio more toward stone. Thinking aloud.

Good point. I'm sure she'd like a large stone, but she is also in love with halos. And her entire Pinterest board, which her sister told me to check out, is either halos or huge rocks I could never afford as solitaries.

How much larger could I really get if I shifted things around? Enough to make a visual difference? Thank you!

 

[DB1011]

B2C has good prices and it is likely the combo of a warmer I color plus strong fluro.

It does seem to have good prices, comparatively speaking.

 

[DB1011]

Her family has a nice rose gold solitaire setting, but it held a morganite that was the equivalent size as a 1.2 carat diamond, so, I hope to one to get that setting from her mother and put an older cut, larger stone in there. That's my grand plan for the next big milestone

 

[DB1011]

She wears size 4.25, so maybe 0.7 won't look too small. I am not sure.

 

[rockysalamander]

She wears size 4.25, so maybe 0.7 won't look too small. I am not sure.

Since you said old cut, halo and bigger look....This is one of my favorite stock 3 stone halos. Well made and give a big look.

Setting: http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-09ctw-round-brilliant-cut-diamond-3-stone-ring-by-ritani {new without stone, setting is around $2500; size 4, palladium is a platinum family of metals is solid colored and lovely to wear; $2695}
+
Stone: If your budget allows, Grace may be willing to switch it out the center for this stone and still stay within budget. http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/83ct-oecut-diamond-gia-i-vs2 {$2895}

It may end up over budget, but it is worth seeing how close you can get by working with JBG. You could also keep the SI2 for now, and upgrade it later. Then, you are under budget.

 

[DB1011]

wow that is very beautiful! I am sure she would love it. Why is THAT one so cheap? I am a skeptic, can you tell? Do you know anything else about the center stone in that one as-is? What are the upgrade policies there? I will inquire about switching out to the old cut - great suggestion, thank you.

 

[flyingpig]

B2C is not offer 100% credit when you trade up. There is a 20% restocking fee. They do not have 360 degree videos.

Their operation should be simple and more streamlined than its competitiors. You order, they bring in the stone, examine and provide you with images, and they ship the stone/ring to you.

Different service, different upgrade policy, different business midels, different cost

 

[DB1011]

Looking at JA, I asked them about the setting I mentioned (falling edge pave), and they said to look at the "most recent made" images instead of the stock. I don't like the most recent made ones - the lighting in the stock is much more favorable for the setting. It seems more metal actually shows in the real rendering. So, scratch that setting.

Looking at just a pave cathedral setting now, since most halos elsewhere blow the budget and/or are bulky. Would want a rose gold setting. James Allen customer service said they will not make modifications (like claw prongs for example) unless I buy the diamond there. Any idea where I can go that will entertain minor modifications? OR... any place to buy good used settings that might work?

Thanks for everyones help, I really appreciate it.

 

[rockysalamander]

wow that is very beautiful! I am sure she would love it. Why is THAT one so cheap? I am a skeptic, can you tell? Do you know anything else about the center stone in that one as-is? What are the upgrade policies there? I will inquire about switching out to the old cut - great suggestion, thank you.

I good amount of skepticism is a good thing. I assume the setting is pre-owed and JBG either took it on consignment or found it at a good price. Her prices are quite fair in my opinion. Its probably still there, in spite of a good price, because size 4.25 is rather small IMHO. Let us know what JBG says....

 

[rockysalamander]

Looking at JA, I asked them about the setting I mentioned (falling edge pave), and they said to look at the "most recent made" images instead of the stock. I don't like the most recent made ones - the lighting in the stock is much more favorable for the setting. It seems more metal actually shows in the real rendering. So, scratch that setting.

Looking at just a pave cathedral setting now, since most halos elsewhere blow the budget and/or are bulky. Would want a rose gold setting. James Allen customer service said they will not make modifications (like claw prongs for example) unless I buy the diamond there. Any idea where I can go that will entertain minor modifications? OR... any place to buy good used settings that might work?

Thanks for everyones help, I really appreciate it.

If you get the B2C stone, this is reasonably similar to the JA one. It will fit under 1.0 carat and woudl leave you $1950 for a diamond (if you wanted to max your budget). Make sure to ask if the small size 4 will be a special order and, if so, that affects the return if you don't like. If she will add a wedding band, I'd err on ordering a 4.5 (not 4).

http://www.b2cjewels.com/round/1/as...ral-diamond-engagement-ring-in-14k-white-gold

 

[DB1011]

Hopefully she gets back to me. I will let you know as soon as I hear. Seems like a steal for that setting if the diamond is good. My whole thought process is either get a close to ideal performing modern round, or get a great old diamond without the dark circle/huge culet/nailhead visible.

 

[DB1011]

If you get the B2C stone, this is reasonably similar to the JA one. It will fit under 1.0 carat and woudl leave you $1950 for a diamond (if you wanted to max your budget). Make sure to ask if the small size 4 will be a special order and, if so, that affects the return if you don't like. If she will add a wedding band, I'd err on ordering a 4.5 (not 4).

http://www.b2cjewels.com/round/1/as...ral-diamond-engagement-ring-in-14k-white-gold

Thanks for this suggestion - do you think a double halo would swallow the 0.7 diamond though? I don't want it to appear as one of the rings from Kays/Jared with the clusters, if that makes sense.

 

[BlingDreams]

Thanks for this suggestion - do you think a double halo would swallow the 0.7 diamond though? I don't want it to appear as one of the rings from Kays/Jared with the clusters, if that makes sense.

Yes, it does, and yes, it would.

Hopefully JBG can make the swap. That might be the best solution to it all.

 

[tyty333]

Thanks for this suggestion - do you think a double halo would swallow the 0.7 diamond though? I don't want it to appear as one of the rings from Kays/Jared with the clusters, if that makes sense.

Ask B2C for a "real" picture of that setting with the closest to a .7 in it as they have. If you think a double halo is too much for a .7 then go with a single
halo.

 

[ringo865]

I like the Ritani from grace. Either as is or with an oec. With old cuts, most have a visible culet, so if that turns you off, you probably want to stay with modern rounds or transitional cuts. And it's not rose gold. But that stone in there now looks like it is cut nicely.

 

[DB1011]

I like the Ritani from grace. Either as is or with an oec. With old cuts, most have a visible culet, so if that turns you off, you probably want to stay with modern rounds or transitional cuts. And it's not rose gold. But that stone in there now looks like it is cut nicely.

It really does look like it's cut nicely! Perhaps its S12 clarity is driving it down in price - but I can't see too many inclusions, it doesn't look perfect in some of the upclose videos, but no one is going to inspect it at that level when she is wearing it. When we discussed shapes, she also said clarity is the least important to her unless it really affects the cut's performance.

 

[DB1011]

I'm back!

Checked with Jewels by Grace - beautiful ring, essentially a free diamond when cost of ritani 3 stone setting is considered, but she cannot swap it for the OEC, AND it's just a "very good" cut.

Back to B2C... Got the ideal scopes today - what do you all think?? It's not a perfect hearts and arrows... but will it still be beautiful?

Thanks again, going to purchase today if advised

 

[DB1011]

 

[DB1011]

 

[DB1011]

sorry, they are massive.

 

[DB1011]

Would I be better off looking at whiteflash and getting a smaller diamond (0.6-0.69) and a simple setting, and then upgrading the size later? I don't know enough about cut to know how bad or good this one is.

 

[flyingpig]

Yes, it will be beautiful.

Should you go with WF instead?
It depends on what your future upgrade plan is and what you value the most.

If you go with WF ACA 0.6 I VS2 for $2000 now, and upgrade later to WF ACA 1.0c I VS2 for $6700, your total cost is $6700. ACAs are better cut, and you get better customer service from WF. But start with only 0.6c

If you go with this 0.7c I VVS2 for for $1650 now, and upgrade later with B2C 1.0c I VS2 for$5000 your total cost $5000k + $1650*0.2= $5400. If you do another upgrade, then lose another $5000*0.2=$1000

If you go with JA 0.7 I VS2 for $2000, and upgrade to 1.0c I VS2 for $5300, your total cost is $5300. But the restriction for upgrade is you need to spend 2x each time.

For the best cut and frequent upgrades, WF
One time purchase, B2C
One or two upgrades, JA.

Of course, there are other factors such as settings, customer service, return shipping, cut quality.... it is complicated and that's why there are so many vendors.

 

[DB1011]

Yes, it will be beautiful.

Should you go with WF instead?
It depends on what your future upgrade plan is and what you value the most.

If you go with WF ACA 0.6 I VS2 for $2000 now, and upgrade later to WF ACA 1.0c I VS2 for $6700, your total cost is $6700. ACAs are better cut, and you get better customer service from WF. But start with only 0.6c

If you go with this 0.7c I VVS2 for for $1650 now, and upgrade later with B2C 1.0c I VS2 for$5000 your total cost $5000k + $1650*0.2= $5400. If you do another upgrade, then lose another $5000*0.2=$1000

If you go with JA 0.7 I VS2 for $2000, and upgrade to 1.0c I VS2 for $5300, your total cost is $5300. But the restriction for upgrade is you need to spend 2x each time.

For the best cut and frequent upgrades, WF
One time purchase, B2C
One or two upgrades, JA.

Of course, there are other factors such as settings, customer service, return shipping, cut quality.... it is complicated and that's why there are so many vendors.

Thank you for laying that all out. This is something to consider. I do think she would be happy with this one. I am planning on proposing with a basic setting until I find the right halo, which may have to be custom, and then getting it set in there. If I want to upgrade one day, for this low of a cost with the initial diamond I might just get her a new one altogether. We are in budget mode right now due to a new home and two kids in daycare/preschool, so that's where all of the funds go - later in life, it would be nice to get her a new one, so we can perhaps pass this original one down to one of the kids (much later in life). BUT, no immediate upgrade plans for now.

Thank you all again, you're of great help.