Need help with diamond selection

[jellybellies]

I have been reading up alot on pricescope (Huge Help!) for the diamond I will be getting for my girlfriend.

I have tons of questions but don't know where to begin.

My girlfriend is real big on quality and I know she wants a decent size but I dont want to give to much away to her by asking what she likes or having her friends ask either as the proposal is a pretty big surprise.

I am looking to spend 10k+ perhaps up to 20 or more but no more than 25K.

Probably looking at round brilliant but dont know how big is too big and where to find the middle ground between size and quality. She has pretty skinny fingers so dont know if really big is the answer. Again, she is big on quality but there are so many parameters in quality that I don't know which ones I should put more emphasis on.

Also, How much do you really save by purchasing online. I just really like the idea of going to local jewlers and seeing the diamond first hand. I am in a big city on the west coast so I have alot to choose from in terms of jewlers and selection of diamonds.

Any other advice you can give me as a first time buyer would be great!

Thanks.

 

[Regular Guy]

One easy idea...more general suggestions below my signature.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/18/2007 9:47:12 AM
Author:jellybellies
I have been reading up alot on pricescope (Huge Help!) for the diamond I will be getting for my girlfriend.

I have tons of questions but don't know where to begin.

My girlfriend is real big on quality and I know she wants a decent size but I dont want to give to much away to her by asking what she likes or having her friends ask either as the proposal is a pretty big surprise.

See if you can find out what her definition of ' quality' actually is; cut quality is paramount for a beautiful diamond, regardless of colour and clarity ( with exceptions). Do you know if her dream diamond has to be a D colour IF clarity, slightly lower such as perhaps an F VVS or VS for example? If you could get some info on that, it would give us a base line to help you. Very high colour and clarity aren't the most important part of a diamond's beauty, but having the highest of these does matter to some consumers.

I am looking to spend 10k+ perhaps up to 20 or more but no more than 25K.

Probably looking at round brilliant but dont know how big is too big and where to find the middle ground between size and quality. She has pretty skinny fingers so dont know if really big is the answer. Again, she is big on quality but there are so many parameters in quality that I don't know which ones I should put more emphasis on.

A nice middleground could be a well cut F or G and VS1 clarity perhaps if you are unsure of what her idea of quality is. As to size, this is subject to opinion but perhaps over a carat to around 1.5 carats would be a good size.

Also, How much do you really save by purchasing online. I just really like the idea of going to local jewlers and seeing the diamond first hand. I am in a big city on the west coast so I have alot to choose from in terms of jewlers and selection of diamonds.

You can save a lot buying online, many vendors are experts in their fields and are very experienced at helping their clients find the right diamond. Also they have various cut technologies which aid the buyer in his or her choice, such as Idealscope images, ASET, Sarins are useful to name some.

Any other advice you can give me as a first time buyer would be great!

Read the tutorials to learn about all aspects of diamonds, then take your time to read and compare to find the diamond which is the right mix of carat, colour, clarity, cut and cost for you!! Also once we have some more of an idea what you are looking for, we can post some examples - in fact some may already do this to give you an idea of what to pick.
And welcome to Pricescope!

Thanks.

ETA - that is a beautiful choice Ira!!

 

[wen104]

Well to start off you have a very large budget and could probably purchase what ever your heart desires! Most could not or would not spend that much money. So going forward the quality of some of the online vendors is worth every penny you will spend. Second alot of jewelery store employees have little experience in what matters about a diamond purchase and just simply want to make a profit. So that being said be very aware of who and what you are purchasing and stay away from chain store at malls.

I have never really care for anything over 1ct just my own choice. If I were shopping right now with that budget I would got for a 1 ct set in a Pave set ring which always looks dainty for a small finger even with a large diamond. Check out the Legato with micor pave on WF or the diamonds for eternity.

I think she will be very happy with what you get expecially since you have become a critic and also knowledgeable about what you are looking for!

Good Luck!