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Need help please! Engagement ring around $1000

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lucky177

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jun 20, 2009
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Hello everybody,
For several months I have been looking around here and on diamond websites, but still feel fairly clueless about all the terminology, grades, etc. I am going to propose sometime in the near future, no plans yet, no date, I just know I am going to.
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I am in college, so I do not have the most money, I have been saving for a while and I am planning on spending around $1000. I am fairly certain I want a solitaire ring and I am leaning towards Jamesallen because it seems to have the best deals. However, I am willing to buy from any reliable site I can afford. So, if anybody could give me some basic advice on colors, clarity, cut, etc with the price of the setting included in my price range I would really appreciate it.

Thanks so much!
 
Also, sorry if my question was too vague. Let me know if I need to clarify more.

For the ring, I am thinking white gold. The diamond I would like to be eye clean.
 
Hi lucky,

We will certainly try to help you out. A nice solitaire is doable for $1000. A few questions for you.

What shape center stone?
What metal for the setting? Scratch that. I assume the Anonymous is you and white gold is preferred.
Are you thinking that you might want to upgrade in the future? If so, you will want to take the vendor's policies into account, as well as purchase price.

Do not sacrifice on cut, as it is cut that gives the diamond it's sparkle and brilliance. We can give you suggestions for stones if you like. To maximize budget, I would suggest looking at H or I color, which will still be very white if well cut, and SI clarities confirmed eye-clean by the vendor.
 
Thanks for responding so quick.

As for the stone, I am thinking round or princess. Also, I am not thinking about an upgrade in the future. What should I look for when looking for cut, since it is so important?
 
There is a lot of reading you can do here regarding cut. Look under "knowledge" up top.

This would be within budget with the setting Gypsy posted:

0.45 H SI1 H&A AGS0 for $720 It''s graded "0 ideal" for cut by the AGS, scores 1.7 on the Holloway Cut Adviser (under Tools), and has nice arrows in its IdealScope image.

If you want a princess, maybe something like this: 0.52 I SI1 It''s harder to gauge a princess''s cut by one picture and numbers alone, so hopefully some princess savvy posters will chime in.
 
I would go with an ideal cut, eye clean diamond in a basic solitaire mounting. A round will face up larger than princess cut. Have fun shopping.

ETA: It looks like JA has a few dozen round AGS0 diamonds to pick from in the 1/2 carat range that would fit your budget. I don't think you can go wrong with one of them. Their basic solitaire mounting is a little under $300. Maybe ask them if they have the solitaire mountings in 14KT gold, that might save some money too that you could spend on the diamond.
 
Here are some numbers you can use to find a well cut round diamond

depth - 60 - 62% - although my personal preference is to allow up to 62.4%
table - 54- 57%
crown angle - 34- 35 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6- 41 degrees
girdle - avoid extremes, look for thin to slightly thick, thin to medium etc
polish and symmetry - very good and above

note - with crown and pavilion angles at the shallower ends ( CA 34- PA 40.6) and steeper ( CA 35- PA 41) check to make sure these angles complement in that particular diamond - eyeballs, Idealscope, trusted vendor input - check as appropriate!


From expert John Pollard.
As the above implies, configurations depend on each other. A little give here can still work with a little take there.

With that said, here''s a "Cliff''s Notes" for staying near Tolkowsky/ideal angles with GIA reports (their numbers are rounded): A crown angle of 34.0, 34.5 or 35.0 is usually safe with a 40.8 pavilion angle. If pavilion angle = 40.6 lean toward a 34.5-35.0 crown. If pavilion angle = 41 lean toward a 34.0-34.5 crown.


GIA "EX" in cut is great at its heart, but it ranges a bit wider than some people prefer, particularly in deep combinations (pavilion > 41 with crown > 35).


With Princess really it isn''t quite as straightforward as buying a round by numbers, the best way is to either go for AGS0 cut grade Princess which will narrow the field, and or hand selected for superior optics and beauty GIA graded Princess from the trusted vendors who can also supply images such as ASET and Idealscope and photos of the stone.

 
Date: 6/21/2009 12:06:00 AM
Author: lucky177
Thanks for responding so quick.

As for the stone, I am thinking round or princess. Also, I am not thinking about an upgrade in the future. What should I look for when looking for cut, since it is so important?
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This is something you will probably want to decide based on your gf''s preferences and style. It is pretty rare to find a woman who doesn''t like one shape/style better than another. Someone who likes the look of a princess will usually not like a round near as much, and vice versa. For an e-ring that will be worn every day, you will definitely want to figure out which.
 
Yeah, I will try to figure out, but I''ll have to figure a way that doesn''t give her any sort of hint. But without doing that, I am leaning towards the round cut at this moment.
 
Thanks for all the help, I am at this point deciding on a round cut. But, it will be a while to I actually buy anything, earliest will be by the end of this summer. But, I know for sure I am doing it!
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Next, I just have to decide on the setting, but I will figure that one out myself. Now, it is just waiting and getting more excited and excited and thinking of how. Thanks for all the advice!
 
Just ask if you need any more help
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I stopped in a jewelry store today, and it was so exciting to say out loud "I am looking for an engagement ring." I am going to stop in again on Thursday because he said he is getting more diamonds in, and they may match what I am looking for. I am not going to buy yet, I just want to see in person what I am looking for.

I have decided on a round cut H/I color, SI clarity, around .5 carat, and ideal cut. I am between a gold or rose gold solitaire setting. I still plan on buying online, but any advice on what else I should ask when I am in the store?
 
Make sure that any stones you look at are GIA Excellent or AGS0 to get a proper idea of color. A stone that is graded by a "lesser" lab or just the store could be off by two or more grades. Ask to see copies of the certificates of any diamonds that catch your eye and compare them to the numbers in Lorelei's post. Also try to look at the diamonds in as many different lighting situations as possible. Get them out from under the spots that make any diamond look good (even those that are not well cut) and take them over near a window. Indira Marchant, one of the PS vendors from the UK, mentioned in a recent post that she encourages her customer to look at the diamonds under a table--the lower light conditions there will really show how the better cut diamond is more brilliant. Of course, have the store's permission before moving the diamonds off the counter.

Above all, HAVE FUN!!! Don't be too stressed out and just enjoy the whole experience.
 
Thanks for the advice Jet. And I am not stressing out about the situation, I just walk in grinning like an idiot because I am so excited to be looking!

Where would anybody suggest looking for rose gold settings? They do not seem to be on JameAllen, so where would one suggest that is affordable but high quality like JamesAllen?
 
Date: 6/23/2009 11:20:31 PM
Author: jet2ks
Make sure that any stones you look at are GIA Excellent or AGS0 to get a proper idea of color. A stone that is graded by a ''lesser'' lab or just the store could be off by two or more grades. Ask to see copies of the certificates of any diamonds that catch your eye and compare them to the numbers in Lorelei''s post. Also try to look at the diamonds in as many different lighting situations as possible. Get them out from under the spots that make any diamond look good (even those that are not well cut) and take them over near a window. Indira Marchant, one of the PS vendors from the UK, mentioned in a recent post that she encourages her customer to look at the diamonds under a table--the lower light conditions there will really show how the better cut diamond is more brilliant. Of course, have the store''s permission before moving the diamonds off the counter.

Above all, HAVE FUN!!! Don''t be too stressed out and just enjoy the whole experience.
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2nd to checking the lab before concluding that the local store has comparables. Before I bought my pendant, I did shop around locally and compared their stones to the ones I was looking at online. I found that *generally* the local B&M show okay stones in their showcases, but when I asked about AGS000 stones, they were able to locate those for a decent price (but they were not part of their general inventory). Still, I did find the best prices online!
 
What I was trying to say, but it didn''t come out as well... is this a very good deal that I will not likely find again, or will I find a similar diamond again with ease?
 
I think you mislinked it.
 
IGI is considered second tier lab, their grading in color and clarity might be looser thus generally the priced is discounted. Also, I don''t see how this stone falls into the numbers provided by Lorelei since the crown and pavilion are not given anyway.

But if you like it, request an Idealscope image, that will take care of the light performance issue. Getting it independently appraise afterwards depends on how anal you are as it will be a relatively large chunk of your budget.
 
Date: 6/25/2009 3:36:07 AM
Author: Stone-cold11
IGI is considered second tier lab, their grading in color and clarity might be looser thus generally the priced is discounted. Also, I don''t see how this stone falls into the numbers provided by Lorelei since the crown and pavilion are not given anyway.

But if you like it, request an Idealscope image, that will take care of the light performance issue. Getting it independently appraise afterwards depends on how anal you are as it will be a relatively large chunk of your budget.
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Ditto, an Idealscope would be needed or a Sarin to get the angles.
 
Date: 6/24/2009 11:18:40 PM
Author: lucky177
What I was trying to say, but it didn't come out as well... is this a very good deal that I will not likely find again, or will I find a similar diamond again with ease?
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Well cut stones around .5ct and this color and clarity range are usually not that difficult to find, so I wouldn't worry too much if you are not ready to purchase yet. If you are ready, I'm with Stone cold and Lorelei on a Sarin and IS.
 
Date: 6/23/2009 11:33:26 PM
Author: lucky177
Thanks for the advice Jet. And I am not stressing out about the situation, I just walk in grinning like an idiot because I am so excited to be looking!

Where would anybody suggest looking for rose gold settings? They do not seem to be on JameAllen, so where would one suggest that is affordable but high quality like JamesAllen?
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I had the same problem! I loved the James Allen settings but they did not list rose gold, so I just told them which one I had my eye on and they confirmed they could do rose gold for the same price
 
I think I found the setting that I want.... (setting is the right term right? haha) And I am thinking rose gold for both of them...

This is definitely in first place right now by far, I am going to see if there is any pictures of this on the site
Timeless diamond solitare setting

Followed by this one
Flat tab solitaire setting

Right now, I am definitely leaning towards the timeless setting, I think it looks amazing
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I like them both-in fact when I was wanting a 6 prong setting, those are the exact 2 settings I picked out at first!
 
If money is tight right now, maybe you could consider buying from an auction or estate sale. Pre-owned rings are less expensive, and it sounds like you are on a really tight budget right now. Would your girl rather have a tiny solitaire Ideal or a medium sized, uniquely set Very Good stone. Sometimes when money is short, you have to meet somewhere in the middle. You will have many years to upgrade to an Ideal if that''s what you both decide.
 
I think the timeless setting is FABULOUS!!! I would be proud to wear it!
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I like them both; only the 2nd one shows rose gold as an option on their website, but perhaps you''ve looked into this already.
 
Date: 6/27/2009 4:35:37 PM
Author: hearts-arrows_girl
If money is tight right now, maybe you could consider buying from an auction or estate sale. Pre-owned rings are less expensive, and it sounds like you are on a really tight budget right now. Would your girl rather have a tiny solitaire Ideal or a medium sized, uniquely set Very Good stone. Sometimes when money is short, you have to meet somewhere in the middle. You will have many years to upgrade to an Ideal if that''s what you both decide.
Click to expand...

Well, money was tight, but my plan for this year fell through. So, I am going to wait until next summer when we go on vacation, but even if that falls through again, it will happen next summer. So, I will have a lot more time to save money. And after seeing the timeless ring, I do not thing I can buy anything else. I knew it was perfect right when I saw it.
 
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