Need help, first time engagement ring buyer!

[zizzam]

UPDATED:

I found this stone and I think it looks like a nice one for the $ (about 5200). Jennifer at JamesAllen told me its totally eye clean (via email). What steps should I take now? Should I request for an idealscope image? Does this look like a good stone for the price? Its right around what I want to spend for the rock. Thanks!

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=130&item=862720

1.004
Clarity: SI1
Color: D
Depth: 60.2
Crown: 34.3
Pavil: 40.3
Cutlet: 0.6
Table: 58


I know you guys get this a lot, but I really need some assitance. I've been reading the FAQ's and trying to get some education on diamonds etc. but this is the first time I've ever bought a diamond and I dont really know what's a good deal and whats not. I am searching right now for an angagement ring for my long time girlfriend...I want something around 1C with nice color. I found this stone using the prisescope search, it looks like a nice one to me, any opinions? Rip-off? Good deal? Should I get a lesser quality but larger stone? I wanted to spend around 6000 total. I was also thinking of having it set in a ring from James Allen as well. Thanks for any suggestions/advice!



zizzam

 

[diagem]

Date: 6/13/2006 8:22:11 AM
Author:zizzam
I know you guys get this a lot, but I really need some assitance. I''ve been reading the FAQ''s and trying to get some education on diamonds etc. but this is the first time I''ve ever bought a diamond and I dont really know what''s a good deal and whats not. I am searching right now for an angagement ring for my long time girlfriend...I want something around 1C with nice color. I found this stone using the prisescope search, it looks like a nice one to me, any opinions? Rip-off? Good deal? Should I get a lesser quality but larger stone? I wanted to spend around 6000 total. I was also thinking of having it set in a ring from James Allen as well. Thanks for any suggestions/advice!

1.00 G VS2 58.9% 59% GIA thn - med no gd gd mb 6.5*6.57*3.85 $4912 $4912*S - James Allen

zizzam

Who is the report from?

 

[zizzam]

GIA

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Welcome to PS!

On the James Allen site, you need to use the advanced search and check Ideal cut. That way you elminate a lot of poor stones.

I think you''ll need to be looking at H-I color and VS2-SI1 clarity to stay in your budget. I personally don''t look at SI2 because of the issue of maybe being able to see the inclusions.

Here are a few to look at:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=866258

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=866234

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=860763

The ones with both certificates and photos are likely in-house stones, which means he actually has them and can look at it for you and answer questions more easily.

 

[diagem]

sounds good..., (although some PS''ers would have comments on the 58% (if it is depth.)..., but it''s no "rip-off", dont worry about that...

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome

The GIA cert is a good start, but we need more info to assess the cut. At 58.9 this diamond is quite shallow to begin with and may lose some brilliance depending....We need the crown and pavillion angles to help determine cut quality. The table is also on the large side. Read the tutorials to learn what makes a well cut diamond, and make cut your top priority as this is what makes a diamond beautiful - gives it the fire, brilliance and scintillation. Many newbie's don't realise the importance of cut, but they soon learn and are forever thankful that they did every time they look at their sparkling rock!

Regarding colour and clarity, you could drop to an SI1 or even a clean SI2 and with colour an H or even I/ J will face up white in a great cut diamond. The G VS combo is fine, but perhaps if you enlarge your criteria to go lower a bit which will still look as good, you will have more choices available.

I will try to find you an example of a good cut diamond to look at and you will see what the measurements are to give you an idea.

Here we go - this diamond has very nice proportions, take a look at the depth, table, crown and pavillion angles, girdle thickness etc as an example. This is probably not what you are looking for as it has a very high colour, but it is a lovely cut.

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2416683.htm

 

[zizzam]

Yeah when I said 6000 that included the actual ring as well as the stone

I could maybe go 6500...So on JamesAllen, which is better Ideal or Premium cut?

 

[Lorelei]

Don't go by labels such as Premium or Ideal Cut - you need to take each diamond on a case by case basis. I am sure Diamondseeker has found some good ones - and James Allen have a great rep here, but do be cautious about labels such as the above used by some vendors with diamonds, they don't always mean you are getting the best cut.

This might be a great choice for you

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-2408727.htm

Also this one http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-2415704.htm

This too. http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-2415703.htm#

 

[EE2000]

I''m guessing you want a round stone?
What type of ring? (metal type, price range)? This will help figure out what your diamond budget is and what your ring budget is. You can find a nice 1ct stone and ring for the price range you are looking at, but if you want a real fancy ring then it will change what type of diamond you will look at.

I just received my GF''s ring and I would say if you plan on getting a white gold or Platinum setting, G color or better so that the diamond doesn''t look yellow against the ring. For some even G at certain angles can appear very slightly yellow.

 

[firebirdgold]

Um, beautiful stones, but not actually within budget if he wants a nice ring to hold the diamond.

Here''s one I found:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2125/ It''s ideal, sparkly, eye-clean, but perhaps the color is a bit warmer than you''d like. It wouldn''t bother me, but it would some people. You don''t have a huge ring budget left over if you want to stay within $6000, but it''s certainly workable.

And there''s an eye-clean ideal G-Si2 on special from wink that''s just under a carat http://www.winkjones.com/specials/sa_diamonds.php

I''m not seeing anything I''m loving for the price from whiteflash, and I haven''t checked James allen or dscassi.com yet.

If you put the gog.com diamond in a dVatche royal crown plat setting I think that''d be just over $6000. I''m not sure about current price of the setting.

I''m a fan of that and the x-prong, but you could be thinking of something much different.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/13/2006 9:47:38 AM
Author: EE2000
I''m guessing you want a round stone?
What type of ring? (metal type, price range)? This will help figure out what your diamond budget is and what your ring budget is. You can find a nice 1ct stone and ring for the price range you are looking at, but if you want a real fancy ring then it will change what type of diamond you will look at.

I just received my GF''s ring and I would say if you plan on getting a white gold or Platinum setting, G color or better so that the diamond doesn''t look yellow against the ring. For some even G at certain angles can appear very slightly yellow.

Welcome to PS EE2000

It would be very unusual for a G colour ( properly graded and in a round) to show any colour at any angle, unless the viewer was extremely colour sensitive. If you have a look at the J stones in Platinum thread, you will see how even these colour grades face up amazingly white. I think to the average purchaser, there would be no worries at all with a G.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/13/2006 9:54:10 AM
Author: IndieJones
Um, beautiful stones, but not actually within budget if he wants a nice ring to hold the diamond.

Depends what he wants, if he just would like a simple solitaire he should have enough with the above choices and some of these ARE in budget - for example $5,180. This should leave plenty for the setting unless he wants something extravagant. He can actually go to $6500 if he wants.

 

[zizzam]

Wow thanks for all the reply's! Lots of info to digest. To follow up yes I'm looking for a round stone, white gold, simple setting with some diamonds on the sides. Not the three stone type, just some side stones down the band. So I just need to get the best bang for my buck and stay within 6500 or so. I like this ring on whiteflash:

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Bead-Set-Engagment-Ring_966.htm#

To match with this stone:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-2415703.htm

Its an SI2 but I dont see any inclusions in any of the magnifications...Would I need to have it looked at by someone local when I got it?

Is it a big deal to just have them set it and send it out to me?

Thanks again for all the help

zizzam

 

[JulieN]

you can ask WF how clean it is.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

For an SI2, you absolutely must make a phone call to the vendor and get them to look at the stone for you and tell you if there are any visible inclusions from the top OR the side, since you'd be able to see the side of the diamond, too, in that setting. I am very puzzled as to why that stone does not have the cert provided...they usually do on the WF site. The idealscope looks nice, though.

(ETA: I was writing while Julie posted! You can see the inclusion on the idealscope picture near the edge. It might be a really good one if the inclusion wouldn't be a chipping danger.)

 

[zizzam]

Left side, 9:00 right? I see it now...

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 6/13/2006 8:49:25 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006

I personally don''t look at SI2 because of the issue of maybe being able to see the inclusions.

I''ll chime in with a different perspective, Zizzam. I think SI2 stones represent a great buy if you can confirm with the vendor that the stone is eyeclean.

As long as you stick with stones that are inhouse, this shouldn''t be a problem. Vendors here will eyeball an SI2 and tell you straight up if it''s eyeclean or not. As such, I''d be reluctant to arbitrarily avoid SI2 stones.

I own three completely eyeclean SI2 stones, and Mara had one as well a year ago. It''s not as hard to find one as you''d think.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 6/13/2006 1:32:48 PM
Author: aljdewey

Date: 6/13/2006 8:49:25 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006

I personally don''t look at SI2 because of the issue of maybe being able to see the inclusions.

I''ll chime in with a different perspective, Zizzam. I think SI2 stones represent a great buy if you can confirm with the vendor that the stone is eyeclean.

As long as you stick with stones that are inhouse, this shouldn''t be a problem. Vendors here will eyeball an SI2 and tell you straight up if it''s eyeclean or not. As such, I''d be reluctant to arbitrarily avoid SI2 stones.

I own three completely eyeclean SI2 stones, and Mara had one as well a year ago. It''s not as hard to find one as you''d think.

Read on down, alj.

I just gave him advice that he may have found a good SI2 BUT he needs to call WF and specifically ask about the inclusions. For some odd reason, the cert is missing on that stone on the webpage.

 

[JulieN]

Probably a new stone. Not something to worry about.

 

[blueroses]

Date: 6/13/2006 9:47:38 AM
Author: EE2000
......

I just received my GF''s ring and I would say if you plan on getting a white gold or Platinum setting, G color or better so that the diamond doesn''t look yellow against the ring. For some even G at certain angles can appear very slightly yellow.

Wow, I COMPLETELY disagree with this. I have a G SI1 stone--a nice cut but not the blindingly-amazing cut you often see on PS--and my stone is TOTALLY white. And it''s in WG. In fact, I think it looks whiter now than when it was in YG. At any rate, color is graded from the top down, and most settings aren''t going to have you looking at the stone in any great detail through the pavilion!

G is "near colorless" so while you might see warmth from a G stone that was not cut well, in general you can have a lovely stone that faces up white (in a white metal setting) far lower than a G. Just check out the various H,I,J, even K in platinum threads on SMTR!!!!

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 6/13/2006 1:37:16 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Date: 6/13/2006 1:32:48 PM
Author: aljdewey

Date: 6/13/2006 8:49:25 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006

I personally don''t look at SI2 because of the issue of maybe being able to see the inclusions.

I''ll chime in with a different perspective, Zizzam. I think SI2 stones represent a great buy if you can confirm with the vendor that the stone is eyeclean.

As long as you stick with stones that are inhouse, this shouldn''t be a problem. Vendors here will eyeball an SI2 and tell you straight up if it''s eyeclean or not. As such, I''d be reluctant to arbitrarily avoid SI2 stones.

I own three completely eyeclean SI2 stones, and Mara had one as well a year ago. It''s not as hard to find one as you''d think.

Read on down, alj.

I just gave him advice that he may have found a good SI2 BUT he needs to call WF and specifically ask about the inclusions. For some odd reason, the cert is missing on that stone on the webpage.

DS....if you look at the time stamps, you''ll see that it''s likely I was creating my response at the same time you posted yours. Because I''m often working when I check in, I don''t always post very quickly.

I was responding to your comment about SI2s, and I have a different perspective to offer. It''s not a slam on you, nor should it be taken that way. I was just offering MY perspective.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 6/13/2006 2:32:35 PM
Author: blueroses

Date: 6/13/2006 9:47:38 AM
Author: EE2000
......

I just received my GF''s ring and I would say if you plan on getting a white gold or Platinum setting, G color or better so that the diamond doesn''t look yellow against the ring. For some even G at certain angles can appear very slightly yellow.

Wow, I COMPLETELY disagree with this. I have a G SI1 stone--a nice cut but not the blindingly-amazing cut you often see on PS--and my stone is TOTALLY white. And it''s in WG. In fact, I think it looks whiter now than when it was in YG. At any rate, color is graded from the top down, and most settings aren''t going to have you looking at the stone in any great detail through the pavilion!

G is ''near colorless'' so while you might see warmth from a G stone that was not cut well, in general you can have a lovely stone that faces up white (in a white metal setting) far lower than a G. Just check out the various H,I,J, even K in platinum threads on SMTR!!!!

Yep - BR is absolutely right. EE may not have viewed many well-cut stones, and maybe that''s behind the commentary.

I can assure you that G stones do not look "yellow" or even remotely like yellow when set in white gold.

 

[zizzam]

If I go into a local jewler to look at some stones do they usually have idealscopes to use or is that just an online kind of thing?

 

[belle]

most local jewelers will not have idealscopes and they don''t want to! unless you find a store specializing in ags0 ideal cuts, many of the diamonds you will find are going to be very mediocre in cut and wouldn''t look good under the idealscope. you could always buy one www.ideal-scope.com and take it with you though!

 

[zizzam]

I went to the local shops and they were really bad, the prices were insane. I''m definitely buying online...

I found this stone and I think it looks like a nice one for the $ (about 5200). Jennifer at JamesAllen told me its totally eye clean (via email). What steps should I take now? Should I request for an idealscope image? Does this look like a good stone for the price? Its right around what I want to spend for the rock. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=130&item=862720

1.004
Clarity: SI1
Color: D
Depth: 60.2
Crown: 34.3
Pavil: 40.3
Cutlet: 0.6
Table: 58

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I''m afraid you''re not going to get a lot of support here with a premium cut stone. If you''ll start over with your search on James Allen and click ideal cut only, you''ll get more positive feedback.

 

[zizzam]

Okay then, does anyone want to offer any suggestions on stones? I want the best stone I can get for around 5000-5500 range.