Many Questions

[over_my_head]

I''ve been reading this forum for some time now and appreciate all the help everyone provides each other. I''m currently just starting my diamond shopping process and have several questions I hope some of you can answer. I will see how many I can get in tonight.

From reading this forum I have narrowed the diamond type down to a round, 1.27, class 1, G/H color, VS2. However, it seems that even with these variables known I can begin my search, but have a large difference in price and diamond quality. What should my next step be? Pick out a couple of diamonds that fit my guideline and then work with a dealer to find out the Sarin report, "HCA" reading, and brilliance, or are there a few other things I should be addressing first.

Second, I see a lot of activity on this forum about the Hearts and Arrows cut diamond. I''m currently weighing against this because of a premium on price, and also because I read somewhere that it only returns about 4% more light than a well cut class 1 diamond.

Please correct me if I''m wrong, but isn''t a class one, a diamond with a H&A, Ideal/Excellent, or Very Good rating


**** Rings *****

I''ve also been looking at ring settings and have found some very nice ones on BlueNile, Dirtcheapdiamonds, and even CubicZarconia. However, all this places seem to need a "diamond" purchase to be able to purchase the ring. This may work out and I could by the both at the same place but unlikely. Is there any good place to buy just the ring if I find a good diamond price? With the approach some vendors are using it seems that a consumer could get a great deal on a diamond, but then loose a few hundred on finding the setting with the same company.

Well this is a start for me and I hope someone has a bit of information for me.
I will try to submit some URL listings of ring designs for comments next time

Thanks

 

[hoorray]

As you start the stone searching, don't forget that there are some differences in policies between the various vendors. Getting the setting and the stone set from the same vendor may be one consideration. (I can't give you any real advice on that -- I didn't go that way.) But think about whether things like an upgrade policy in the future matter to you, because selling stone for a good price tends to be tough to do as a consumer. Also, whether the vendor will ship the stone to an independent appraiser for you to review and evaluate before you have to pay for it was a benefit that was important to me. 30 vs 7 day return policies may or may not be meaningful to you.

Also, just who you feel comfortable dealing with. I'd pick a few stones that look like they meet your criteria, and start communicating with the different vendors about the whole picture.