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freddy2005

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 23, 2006
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56
hi everyone,

someone recommended this site, so im here...1st time on here, 1st time buying diamond.
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im trying to buy my gf an engagement ring w/ a $6k budget. here are my specs:g

gf ring size: 3.75

cut: premium to ideal

color: F

clarity: vs1

carat: 0.91

i plug in the info and here's what i got as 1 of them:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?aff_id=ps621&cid=131&item=793007&scsize=1024

and here's the setting that she like:

http://www.jamesallen.com/build_your_ring.asp?module=setting&cid=58&item=874&name=1219W

loose diamond($4300) + setting($700) = $5k
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i have a few questions:

1. has anyone heard or purchase from this vendor?
2. is this a good deal? bad deal? ok deal? should i bargain?

we're gonna go visit their office in md this monday to see the diamond.


please share ur thoughts and expertise....any insightful thoughts are appreciate..thanks very much.
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A lot of people here on PS would reccomend James Allen. (I personally have not worked with them but I have heard nothing but good things)

A few questions for you...
Why the VS1 clarity? Do you know you can go to an "eye clean" SI stone and save a lot of money?
Same question about color... are you set on an F? It is a very nice safe color but if you are flexible you can save some money there too.
As most of the people here will tell you - do not settle on cut. This is the most important thing in the beauty of a diamond and I would not get anything less than ideal.

Once you figure that stuff out, there are a ton of great people here that will help you find a fantastic stone.

6k is a great budget for a ring - you will not be dissapointed.

good luck
 
James Allen has some great reviews here on PS. You can search and find them
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if you are interested.

Now for the diamond, no I don''t like it. I don''t like the depth at 63, too deep. I also don''t like the thin to very thick girdle. You are just loosing too much weight in a very thick girdle and that depth. Also, personally, I don''t like the good symmetry, I would prefer at least a very good. But that''s me.
 
sorry guys, im very new at this game....

reason why i pick "F" as suppose to "I" color because i did not want to see yellow....same reason with the clarity issue.

i dont know much about girdle and depth measurement....are those really important as the 4 Cs?

it appears that the majority like the "ideal" to signature series cut.

is it really noticeable to the naked eye and to the plain janes of this world if i went with a "premium" cut v. the "signature" cut?

thanks
 
Welcome! You''re on a nerve-racking quest, but you''ve come to the right place. You''ve chosen the blue pill, and are doomed to spend many hours agonizing over your decision. But listen to the experts here, and you can rest easy knowing you''ll end up with a far better ring than you would have gotten at just about any B&M for the same price.
Most folks recommend going with a SI1 and I agree, as long as it is indeed eye-clean. Not all are.
Careful with the double-posting! Good luck.
 
Freddy it looks like you have two threads going, I replied to the other one
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Since you''re going to the office, you''ll get to see the Signature Series in person and decide for yourself. Really, most of the hair-splitting and techno/geek talk on PS is borne out of not getting to see it in person. You''ll be able to decide for yourself if "premium" is good enough, or if "I" is too tinted. Having the luxury of going to a PS vendor who is used to all the hair-splitting AND getting to see it in person is the best combination.
 
my apology for double posting....please advise me how to delete the other thread as i do not see a delete button anywhere.

a few more questions to ponder:

1. how do i know the stone the vendor is showing me is the same one as on the GIA report? is the GIA number etched on the stone itself by looking under the microscope? have to be skeptical w/a big purchase and especially new.

2. no one has mention about the "bow tie" setting.

3. is downgrading the clarity from vs1 to si1 and upgrading the cut to "ideal" or signature worth the price difference and is it justifiable and/or noticeable to a naked eye?

once again, all inputs are greatly appreciated.
 
Any reputable dealer has too much at stake to sell you a stone that doesn't match the report, whether accidental or not. They will be able to weigh the stone (to within .01 carats or better usually) and show you the inclusions at 30x, and you will see they match the cert. It really isn't much of a concern, especially with such a reputable dealer as DCD.
As mentioned, you will best be able to see in person if upgrading the cut is worth it to you. You're lucky you get to see them in person. I had to buy by the numbers only, so I put my faith in the ACA brand.
 
Date: 2/24/2006 4:02:50 AM
Author: freddy2005
my apology for double posting....please advise me how to delete the other thread as i do not see a delete button anywhere.

a few more questions to ponder:

1. how do i know the stone the vendor is showing me is the same one as on the GIA report? is the GIA number etched on the stone itself by looking under the microscope? have to be skeptical w/a big purchase and especially new.
GIA numbers are not inscribed; PSers are inclined to trust JA; independent appraisers will tell you if you have what you should have.

2. no one has mention about the 'bow tie' setting.
Looks nice. Need custom wedding band if she doesn't like a gap (?)

3. is downgrading the clarity from vs1 to si1 and upgrading the cut to 'ideal' or signature worth the price difference and is it justifiable and/or noticeable to a naked eye?
you're going to see it in person, and you'll be in the best position to judge for yourself if it is noticeble and worth it.

once again, all inputs are greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
I would say you would notice the difference by upping cut quality and dropping the clarity, this would be a good decision. If two stones are eyeclean, why pay for a VS grade? Cut quality should always be the top priority. When you find a diamond of JA''s on the PS''s vendor listing, it will be marked at a lower price than on the regular James Allen website, that is the PS discount, the lower price you will see.
 
they told me that the discount applies only if i wire transfer the funds.
 
Date: 2/24/2006 8:21:28 AM
Author: freddy2005
they told me that the discount applies only if i wire transfer the funds.
Click to expand...
That''s the usual way. Nothing to be worried about. Before finding this site, I would have been nervous about it myself. DCD is a great outfit. They are one of the good guys.

A lot of people here have done business with a lot of the vendors here. If there was someone who was untrustworthy, we would have found it and ripped them. Take deep breaths. I personally don''t like 63 for depth. I also do not like the variation in the girdle. Very thick hides some weight.

Remember, carat is a weight. Millimeter is the size you see face up. As far as ideal versus color and clarity, I''m a cut girl. I would absolutely go lower to get the better cut. How low, is a personal decision. BTW, in an ideal diamond, an I won''t be yellow. It may look a bit warmer to you if you are color sensitive but that''s it. I would have James Allen line up a few for you with cut, color, and clarity (in that order) being the variables within your price range and see which one speaks to you. HTH



shay


 
someone recommended this stone: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=53&item=513505

lower depth, excellent pol/sym, thin girdle, upgrade in color, downgrade in clarity from my original stone.

does the $900 price increase justifiable?

would a novice see a difference to justify the price?
 
The better cut alone more than justifies it. Honestly, I wouldn''t even consider the first stone you posted because of its cut, whereas the second one is a real contender to be a gorgeous stone. The upgrade in color is just icing on the cake, since you''re unlikely to see a difference between an E and an F.

The downgrade in clarity: this is the real question. Si1 stones can be amazing deals, but I wouldn''t just buy it sight unseen without talking to the seller. James Allen has a great reputation on this board, so I''m sure if you call and ask them to look at it and tell you if it''s absolutely eye-clean, they would do that for you. If it passes their test, you can buy it with confidence that noone would ever know it''s an SI1. My SI1 had a tiny feather that was covered with a prong, and now it looks to all the world like a VS or VVS (not that people can even tell between those two). If James Allen honestly tells you that they can see the inclusion with their bare eyes, I would keep looking - I would not buy the first stone.
 
And here''s an actual pic of the stone from DirtCheapDiamonds (same store as James Allen, just different websites):

http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=9511974

It looks like the main inclusion is a crystal, and I bet it could be covered with a prong, but I would still talk to them about it.

All in all, you would be getting an amazing price on a stone that will look like a full carat, with bright white color, and better cut then 99.9% of the diamonds your girlfriend would see. Is it worth extra $900? It would be to me, but only you know how flexible your budget is.
 
Ok I am pissed. I was the first to reply "missing The olympics mind you to help you out and my response is gone!!!"
Ahem -James Allen is fine.
That rock you chose is not a good cut for many reasons!!!
Go search for a better one using the cut parameters and you don't need a VSI nor an F and Flouro is ok sometimes.
Ahhh The end.

Did you look at my two rocks from gog and WF?
 
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