need help with diamond rings

[Timothyt.dang]

I need help deciding between 2 rings w/ different vendor. One is from Fred Meyer store. It cost 650 bucks with the insurance plan n tax. The clarity is I2 and J is the color and it''s 1/2 ct. The other will be on the next post. Please help me! Thank you

 

[Timothyt.dang]

This other one is from an internet site called myjewelrybox. This ring is certified by IGI

,but atleast it''s certified right? The price on this one is 796 bucks for a 3/4 ct w/ I1 clarity and I color. The only thing that I''m concern with is how trustworthy are these internet vendor? The price is actually pretty good. Please give me your feedbacks. Thank you!!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/13/2009 5:02:35 AM
Author: Timothyt.dang
This other one is from an internet site called myjewelrybox. This ring is certified by IGI

,but atleast it's certified right? The price on this one is 796 bucks for a 3/4 ct w/ I1 clarity and I color. The only thing that I'm concern with is how trustworthy are these internet vendor? The price is actually pretty good. Please give me your feedbacks. Thank you!!

Hi Timothy.

With the first diamond the diamonds are very unlikely to be eyeclean at I2 clarity and as the stones are ungraded they could be lower than stated for colour and clarity, the second ring might not be eyeclean either and also we have no info on the cut of the diamonds - cut is key for beautiful stones which sparkle. Regrettably you do get what you pay for....Is this ring intended for an engagement ring?

 

[jstarfireb]

With diamonds there are very few "deals" - as Lorelei said, you get what you pay for. I would not recommend buying either of those as the clarity is very poor (unlikely to be eye-clean), the first stone is uncertified, and the second is certified by a lab well known to be a soft grader of color and clarity. There's no info about the cut, but they're likely to be poorly cut stones that don't sparkle outside of jewelry store lighting (EVERYthing sparkles there). If you have a limited budget, your best bet is to put as much of your money as possible into a small but well-cut stone with a GIA or AGS cert and get a simple solitaire setting, with the thought of resetting or trading in the diamond later when you have more money to work with. Alternatively, if she's not set on a diamond, consider proposing with a colored gemstone ring (my friend has a natural blue zircon engagement ring).

Round diamond fanciers, please check me on this suggestion as I'm not well versed in the best angle combinations, but here's one I like, almost 1/2 carat:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1240287.asp

Not sure if you can push the budget that far to afford both that and a simple setting, but worth a try.

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 7/13/2009 9:00:59 AM
Author: jstarfireb
Round diamond fanciers, please check me on this suggestion as I''m not well versed in the best angle combinations, but here''s one I like, almost 1/2 carat:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1240287.asp

Not sure if you can push the budget that far to afford both that and a simple setting, but worth a try.

Numbers looks good. Image is a little tilted but looks good, Idealscope image can confirm.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 7/13/2009 9:00:59 AM
Author: jstarfireb
With diamonds there are very few ''deals'' - as Lorelei said, you get what you pay for. I would not recommend buying either of those as the clarity is very poor (unlikely to be eye-clean), the first stone is uncertified, and the second is certified by a lab well known to be a soft grader of color and clarity. There''s no info about the cut, but they''re likely to be poorly cut stones that don''t sparkle outside of jewelry store lighting (EVERYthing sparkles there). If you have a limited budget, your best bet is to put as much of your money as possible into a small but well-cut stone with a GIA or AGS cert and get a simple solitaire setting, with the thought of resetting or trading in the diamond later when you have more money to work with. Alternatively, if she''s not set on a diamond, consider proposing with a colored gemstone ring (my friend has a natural blue zircon engagement ring).

Round diamond fanciers, please check me on this suggestion as I''m not well versed in the best angle combinations, but here''s one I like, almost 1/2 carat:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1240287.asp

Not sure if you can push the budget that far to afford both that and a simple setting, but worth a try.

Doc, you did GOOD!!!

 

[AprilBaby]

Don''t buy either of the ones you posted. Listen to the experts!

 

[jstarfireb]

Thanks guys!

FYI, Timothy, there are MANY nice looking diamonds available in the 0.4-0.5 ct range; I just picked one that had an AGS0 grade as a safe bet and a nice looking image. You can go down a bit in color and get a bigger stone. If you like the one I suggested, get an Idealscope and ask JA if it''s eye-clean to your standards.

 

[Timothyt.dang]

Well this is meant for like a anniversary present/ promise ring. I don''t want to go over the top just yet, then I''ll have to beat it next time I get another one

. Also, as for the 3 stone ring, they list the cut as brilliant cut. I don''t know if that makes any difference now. For now, I just want a ring that is eye clean diamond ring, but I don''t think she likes the solitary looks either. So basically an eye clean diamond ring is one that has a good cut/ I-J color and SI3-SI1 in clarity? Thank you for all your feedback.

 

[tyty333]

Date: 7/13/2009 8:56:04 PM
Author: Timothyt.dang
Well this is meant for like a anniversary present/ promise ring. I don''t want to go over the top just yet, then I''ll have to beat it next time I get another one

. Also, as for the 3 stone ring, they list the cut as brilliant cut. I don''t know if that makes any difference now. For now, I just want a ring that is eye clean diamond ring, but I don''t think she likes the solitary looks either. So basically an eye clean diamond ring is one that has a good cut/ I-J color and SI3-SI1 in clarity? Thank you for all your feedback.

No, an eye clean diamond is one where you cant see any inclusions from the top from however many inches
away you specify (like 6 inches, 12 inches etc.) Eye clean has nothing to do with cut or color.
(you can also specify that it be eye clean from the sides if desired).
The cut being "brilliant" is just defining the shape and facet pattern of the stone (its a round brilliant cut
stone). Doesnt have anything to do with the quality of the cut.

 

[jstarfireb]

Date: 7/13/2009 8:56:04 PM
Author: Timothyt.dang
Well this is meant for like a anniversary present/ promise ring. I don't want to go over the top just yet, then I'll have to beat it next time I get another one

. Also, as for the 3 stone ring, they list the cut as brilliant cut. I don't know if that makes any difference now. For now, I just want a ring that is eye clean diamond ring, but I don't think she likes the solitary looks either. So basically an eye clean diamond ring is one that has a good cut/ I-J color and SI3-SI1 in clarity? Thank you for all your feedback.

OK, how about a multiple stone ring where you know the stones are well cut and will sparkle like mad? Our point is that cut is the single most important determinant of diamond beauty. Not just the shape of the cut (round brilliant - that's all that means), but the quality of cut, meaning the proportions that maximize light return. Regarding color and clarity, those are fine goals to shoot for; you just need to find stones from a reputable vendor that can guarantee that a J is indeed a J.

Take a look at the right hand rings at Whiteflash and see if any of them look like good promise rings within your budget. I personally like this one and this one. There's a PS discount, and you could also ask if the color could be downgraded to I-J and clarity to SI1 to save money. Now, these are uncertified stones, but coming from Whiteflash, you don't have to worry...a J is a J from them. I'd also consider these rings, all under $1000 in yellow or white gold:

Scattered diamond band - based on a Tiffany style; one of my all-time favorites
Five-stone band
Danielle band - based on the Tiffany Jazz but with a sizing bar...this also makes a really nice wedding band, so later on when you marry her, she can wear this band as her wedding band if she chooses. I like the sentiment of that.
7-stone shared prong - also makes a nice wedding band

Hope that helps!

ETA: Misread your post a little regarding the eye-clean part. Tyty is right - eye-clean is a clarity designation that has nothing to do with cut or color. It's good to shoot for diamonds that are eye-clean AND have great cut as well as color that pleases you, but these things are not one and the same.