Need Help With Engagement Ring

[mmeds1228]

Hey everyone,

I am so glad I found this site, I've been going crazy with getting an engagement ring. Anyway, I just got back from the jeweler and he showed me two diamonds that I'm unsure about. I don't have all the details on each because I'm a rookie and didn't know what to look at. This jeweler is someone who my girlfriend (the one getting the ring eventually) and family have always gone to and always gotten really nice stuff. My girlfriend knows a bit about diamonds and the jeweler knows this so I'm hoping that keeps him honest. But who knows. Anyhow, the diamond is gonna be set in a 18K White gold setting with .79 Carats of princess/round diamonds down the side.

Carat: 2.11
Clarity: SI1 (I noticed a small black spec on the surface looking under 10x, nothing with naked eye)
Color: G
Cut: He called it "perfect" and it looks stunning but my eye isn't necessarily trained.
Lab: EGL-USA
Price: $19,500

Carat: 2.01
Clarity: Si1
Color: H
Cut: Again, looked great but not sure of the specs yet.
Lab: GIA
Price: $17,800

Keep in mind, this price is for the the whole ring (diamond, setting, a few customizations to the setting). I plan on getting more specs about the cut but if anyone could give me a feeling on this it would help. Thanks!

 

[angeline]

Really can't tell without more info on the cut. Crown angle, pavilion angle, diameter, girdle thickness...etc If they're certified by GIA, you should be able to easily get at least some of this info. Ask to see the cert, or get a copy of it, or at least get the cert number and you can look up it's details online.

Good luck!

a

p.s. If they're a good cut, the prices don't seem outrageous.

 

[MWG]

I agree, you need to check the certificates for dimensions. Cut is KING!!!!

MWG

 

[mmeds1228]

Yea I figured that. Thanks for the replies so far. I am going to check the specs this week and repost them. In the meantime, I see a lot of talk about EGL-USA vs GIA. It seems most people think more highly of GIA. Should I be more hesitant to purchase the more expensive diamond even though it is certified by EGL-USA? They are not as strict I hear.

 

[Haven]

I am by no means an expert, just a PS-informed consumer, but I would ask for details regarding the price of the stones alone and the price of the setting, perhaps this will help people give you better feedback. And if you know what you are paying for the stone and setting individually you can compare to similar stones and settings online.

I know that my BF and I are looking for a 2 ct cushion cut diamond in a platinum setting, and our jewelry will be able to do it for 14K. The stone is G, SI1, excellent cut for 12K, and the setting is a solitaire platinum shared prong with 4 pointers all around the band for 2K.

I know you have a different stone shape, I'm assuming you're looking at RBs, but maybe this can give you a point of reference.

Good luck, and can't wait to see pictures!

 

[mmeds1228]

Date: 7/29/2007 12:56:49 PM
Author: Haven
I am by no means an expert, just a PS-informed consumer, but I would ask for details regarding the price of the stones alone and the price of the setting, perhaps this will help people give you better feedback. And if you know what you are paying for the stone and setting individually you can compare to similar stones and settings online.


I know that my BF and I are looking for a 2 ct cushion cut diamond in a platinum setting, and our jewelry will be able to do it for 14K. The stone is G, SI1, excellent cut for 12K, and the setting is a solitaire platinum shared prong with 4 pointers all around the band for 2K.


I know you have a different stone shape, I''m assuming you''re looking at RBs, but maybe this can give you a point of reference.


Good luck, and can''t wait to see pictures!

Yes I''m looking at RBs. The setting was listed at $2650. He told me if I bought it alone he would give it to me for $2000 (insinuating that if I buy the diamond as well he is giving me a generous discount on the setting). So I''m thinking buying them together he may be giving me the setting for $1500 or so. Which would leave it at $18K for the 2.11 and $16.3K for the 2.01. When I check the other specs for the cut I''m gonna ask him about this though, see if he will give me real figures. Thanks for the reply. I will surely post pics once it''s all done!

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome to PS!

To be able to really help you, we need the proportions of the diamond which will be on the grading report. If you could post those noted below, then we can help you judge the all important cut. Also I take it this jeweller doesn't provide things such as an Idealscope image?

depth
table
crown % ( angles are better but EGL uses %'s)
pavillion %
girdle thickness
diameter measurement

 

[Regular Guy]

I just looked at #1. Good to go for perfect. Also, though you might expect to not get as low priced at a B&M store as you do on-line...you could hope to do as well. With EGL, you do expect the pricing to be at some discount to GIA. This one costs about the same, and comes with sort of confirmed stats. Alternately, other EGLs range closer (but widely) from $17K, plus or minus $6K...so yours is less than the most costly.

 

[mmeds1228]

Ok so I ended up buying the 2.01 carat one listed. I paid a fair amount less than he asked for so that was good. I don't have the specs in front of me for the cut. I attached a picture of it though. She loves it! Thanks for all your help!