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Need help for picking out engagement ring

anthony56

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 1, 2016
Messages
5
Dear forum:

I would like to buy an engagement ring for my future wife, and would gladly appreciate your advice.

I have visited a number of mall stores and a local Robbins Brothers. I found the staff at Robbins Brothers to be extremely helpful and the customer experience excellent. So excellent, in fact, that I was almost ready to go ahead and buy a diamond ring from them next week.

My future wife told me that she likes round diamonds, and we decided on a solitaire ring, silver or white gold. I looked through Robbin's brothers, and picked this ring, and a 1 carat diamond, which I found to be beautiful: http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/RobbinsBros/0001030_T?$large$ -

Luckily, someone suggested that I read through this site before I made my decision, and I'm very glad that I did.

I would really like to get the best diamond that I can, and based on my research online, it turns out that Robbin's Brothers may not be the best option. I also took a look through bluenile this morning, but I am worried that their pictures are not very clear. Could you guys kindly make a recommendation for me to get the type of ring that I linked above? Of course, I am looking for the best cut (and color as well, granted the ring will be white gold or silver). My budget is about $5,000, but I could go a few hundred over, if need be. I would like to get a 1CRT. Thank you very much for your help! (FYI - I actually have an appointment at Robbins Brothers tomorrow morning!)
 

Mayk

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Feb 12, 2011
Messages
4,772
Don't go to Robbins Bros wait for one of the experts to chime in here and pick out a diamond that will be stunning!
 

ac117

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 28, 2014
Messages
4,057
Is your budget for the diamond only or for the diamond + setting?

There are a few nice stones at James Allen that are 1ct and ~$5k:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1796424 - ask for idealscope and if any negative effects from the fluorescence

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-817288 - ask if eye clean and from what distance

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-817286 - ask if eye clean and from what distance

ETA: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/1.02-platinum_select_round-EX-GIA-I-SI1-diamond-stock-14212-cert-2217213944
 

flyingpig

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Nov 7, 2015
Messages
2,975
Go to Robbins.
It does not hurt to see stones of different carat weights and colors. 0.9 vs 1.0 and J/I/H/G/F and get some idea.

Then, Just walk away.
 

anthony56

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 1, 2016
Messages
5
Thank you for the help guys -- Those stones indeed look beautiful - I will go ahead and inquire further, and also ask them the questions above.

My budget for everything would be about 5,500 (setting included).

Could you please recommend a setting similar to this: http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/RobbinsBros/0001030_T?$large$

Thank you,

Anthony
 

ac117

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 28, 2014
Messages
4,057
E B|1467398776|4050543 said:
anthony56|1467398614|4050541 said:
Could you please recommend a setting similar to this: http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/RobbinsBros/0001030_T?$large$

That looks like a pretty standard 6-prong solitaire (can't be sure since there's no side view), so any jeweler will be able to get it for you.

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...solitaire-engagement-ring-six-prong-item-7995

James Allen currently has a 15% promotion off settings, which is a good deal. And you can sign up and get an additional $100 referral discount.
 

anthony56

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 1, 2016
Messages
5
ac117|1467397588|4050533 said:
Is your budget for the diamond only or for the diamond + setting?

There are a few nice stones at James Allen that are 1ct and ~$5k:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1796424 - ask for idealscope and if any negative effects from the fluorescence

Customer service representative said:

VS2 and above will be eye clean by definition. Even many SI1 will be eye clean.

Fluorescence is almost never a negative. It's only visible in UV light. In daylight it usually just makes the diamond look whiter, and under a black light it will glow.



https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-817288 - ask if eye clean and from what distance

Customer service representative said:

Yes, this diamond should be eye clean from the definition of eye clean - which is 8-10 inches away

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-817286 - ask if eye clean and from what distance


Customer service representative said:

You may see the inclusion in the center if you are looking for it.

ETA: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/1.02-platinum_select_round-EX-GIA-I-SI1-diamond-stock-14212-cert-2217213944



Granted that #3 may have some defects, I really like #1 and #2. I requested an idealscope, and I should receive it by e-mail later next week - can I post the results here? Are there other websites that I should be looking at? Thank you very much for your advice.
 

ac117

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 28, 2014
Messages
4,057
anthony56|1467400147|4050552 said:
ac117|1467397588|4050533 said:
Is your budget for the diamond only or for the diamond + setting?

There are a few nice stones at James Allen that are 1ct and ~$5k:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1796424 - ask for idealscope and if any negative effects from the fluorescence

Customer service representative said:

VS2 and above will be eye clean by definition. Even many SI1 will be eye clean.

Fluorescence is almost never a negative. It's only visible in UV light. In daylight it usually just makes the diamond look whiter, and under a black light it will glow.



https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-817288 - ask if eye clean and from what distance

Customer service representative said:

Yes, this diamond should be eye clean from the definition of eye clean - which is 8-10 inches away

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-817286 - ask if eye clean and from what distance


Customer service representative said:

You may see the inclusion in the center if you are looking for it.

ETA: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/1.02-platinum_select_round-EX-GIA-I-SI1-diamond-stock-14212-cert-2217213944



Granted that #3 may have some defects, I really like #1 and #2. I requested an idealscope, and I should receive it by e-mail later next week - can I post the results here? Are there other websites that I should be looking at? Thank you very much for your advice.

Great! Yes, you can post them here for input!
 

anthony56

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 1, 2016
Messages
5
One more question - based on reading reviews of online retailers online, it seems that some people received rings with improper settings, and the diamond ended up falling out - do you guys recommend I just order the diamond itself online, and then take it to Robbins Brothers or some other jeweler to have it set on a solitaire ring that I like?

Thank you for your comments.
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
27,198
anthony56|1467401363|4050557 said:
One more question - based on reading reviews of online retailers online, it seems that some people received rings with improper settings, and the diamond ended up falling out - do you guys recommend I just order the diamond itself online, and then take it to Robbins Brothers or some other jeweler to have it set on a solitaire ring that I like?

Thank you for your comments.

No, get it set where you buy it. If I remember correctly I think Robbins Brothers charged someone something like $300 to set
and outside stone (they have to insure it) but it's mostly to dissuade you from buying a stone elsewhere.
There is the rare occiasion where a diamond is not set well however, I can tell you with all the PSers that have bought on-line
that it is very rare. I had my pear set in a James Allen setting. They did a beautiful job.

When you go to robbins Bro, make sure you are looking at GIA/AGS graded stones only. Plus remember that color is graded
face down, pavilion up. A stone that is well cut (like ac117 is recommending...once we get idealscopes) will face up white
and bright due to the cut. A not so well cut stone (not sure what Robbins and bro is going to show you) will not face up as
bright and you may see more color in it. Just to give you a heads up.

We generally consider G color to be middle road/good value but for people who want more bang for their buck we drop down
to I/J colors which in a well cut stone face up pretty bright but tend to show color from the side.

Do not let Robbins Bro pressure you. We have seen people come here that have gotten stones that cost them a lot but were not
well cut stones. Dont let them pressure you into something. Even if you find a stone you like, get the GIA cert number and so
we can look it up and see how well it's cut.

Good luck...Let us know how it goes!
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Messages
58,547
Anthony, I am not greatly opposed to this diamond as I have bought one before that had one little white spot of leakage that was undetectable to the eye. But there are so many 1 ct diamonds to choose from, that I think I'd keep looking for one with a great idealscope image (cut).
 
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