Need Opinions please

[xlemosx]

Hi Everyone,

So I proposed to my fiance on valentines day with a ring pop (you know those candies) because I knew she wanted to be involved in the process of buying the ring. Long story short we ended up finding out there is a lot more to Diamonds than just walking into a store and buying a ring lol.

I've been doing lots of research and I pretty much know what we are looking for in terms of specs but if you put 2 diamonds in front of me I would not be able to tell you which one is better.

My fiance's requirements are - 1ct, Princess, SI1 or better, F or better, Very Good or better polish and symmetry, and as close to a square as possible. On top of all that she wants one that looks bigger so not just a 1ct where the dimensions are 5.2x5.2 she wants it to be closer to the 5.7x5.7 area.

So basically we have a local shop that is working on finding us a diamond for a ring and this is what they found:
GIA: 1125444637
Measurements: 5.66 x 5.69 x 4.38 mm
Carat Weight: 1.15 carat
Color Grade: F
Clarity Grade: SI2
Depth: 77.0%
Table: 73%
Girdle: Thick to Very Thick
Culet: None
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None

And I'm also looking at a couple options from Eternity Diamonds but I think my favourite option is this one just because it fits into our budget a little better:

GIA: 2141259108
Measurements: 5.74 x 5.70 x 4.14 mm
Carat Weight: 1.05 carat
Color Grade: E
Clarity Grade: SI1
Depth: 72.7%
Table: 69%
Girdle: Thin to Slightly Thick
Culet: None
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None

My concern between the two is obviously I'm hesitant to spend $8000+ online so I do feel safer going local but the local dealer said that they can give us that diamond set in the ring my fiance wants for $9000. Eternity Diamonds has a similar setting and that diamond in the setting + Canadian Taxes will cost about $8100.

Prices out of the way if anyone could confirm this for me, I think the ED Diamond is a little better. SI1 vs SI2, E vs F, girdle is smaller, polish and symmetry is better. Also looking into the GIA report the local dealers diamond seems to have a lot of clouds on it whereas the ED one only has a few pinpoints and decent size needle.

If I could get the local dealer down to $8500 all in which option would you guys choose?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[jaebond]

I wouldn't like the 73% table on the local one.

 

[slg47]

a 1 carat princess should be around 5.5 mm.

without images it is nearly impossible to evaluate princess cuts, so I would recommend buying one with images or that has an AGS0 cut grade. We simply do not know enough about the Eternity Diamonds option.

are you open to other online vendors? if so I would recommend these

if you are OK with G color
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2568620.htm

E color
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2522973.htm

here is another one (F/VS2)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.020-f-vs2-princess-diamond-ags-104047236029#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/4/

Good Old Gold also has several nice princess cuts in your specs/budget

 

[Amys Bling]

My concern- if you are getting a one carat princess that faces up much larger you are severely sacrificing on cut quality and therefore on sparkle and brilliance.

 

[xlemosx]

Thank you for your opinions.

slg47 - those all unfortunately are out of our price range. We are looking to spend around $8500 for the rock and the setting, we would like platinum so that puts the ring at about $2100 and we live in Canada so the 13% tax hurts us. It basically leaves us with a budget of about $5000-$5700.

So gauging your responses so far are we sacrificing too much trying to go for a diamond that is 1ct - 5.7x5.7?

 

[slg47]

oh, sorry, I thought your budget was 8500 for the diamond.

what type of setting do you want?

also, yes, a 1 ct princess should be around 5.5 mm...I would not look for a 1 ct that is 5.7 mm. if you want a 5.7 mm stone, it should be about 1.1 ct.

 

[xlemosx]

this is the setting she is looking at:

http://www.eternitydiamonds.com/engagement-rings/diamond-engagement-ring/Samantha-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-with-Diamond-Studded-Band-(.70-ctw..)-193.htm

I just got off the phone with whiteflash and it kind of seemed like they were saying that their AGS A cut above the rest diamonds are the only way to go. I would be okay with that if there was more selection and the selection they had wasn't so expensive :S. I'm actually really lost now lol. She did say that we could go with a GIA diamond but it is a gamble and they can inspect the GIA diamonds but if we don't go with that diamond we have to pay for shipping back to their distributor.

I'm kind of tempted at this point to just go to like a spence people's or mappins and buy one there :S lol

 

[Amys Bling]

this is the setting she is looking at:

http://www.eternitydiamonds.com/engagement-rings/diamond-engagement-ring/Samantha-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-with-Diamond-Studded-Band-(.70-ctw...)-193.htm

I just got off the phone with whiteflash and it kind of seemed like they were saying that their AGS A cut above the rest diamonds are the only way to go. I would be okay with that if there was more selection and the selection they had wasn't so expensive :S. I'm actually really lost now lol. She did say that we could go with a GIA diamond but it is a gamble and they can inspect the GIA diamonds but if we don't go with that diamond we have to pay for shipping back to their distributor.

I'm kind of tempted at this point to just go to like a spence people's or mappins and buy one there :S lol

Not familar with those stores- but if they are chain type stores you may be overpaying for the quality that you are actually getting.

Could you call IDJewelry? They helped another PSer get exactly what he wanted (princess stone in a split shank halo) at/underbudget. Tell them you are a PSer and don't want to skimp too much on quality and are hoping to get a 1.0-1.1 ct excellent cut princess. Worth a try

 

[slg47]

this is the setting she is looking at:

http://www.eternitydiamonds.com/engagement-rings/diamond-engagement-ring/Samantha-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-with-Diamond-Studded-Band-(.70-ctw...)-193.htm

I just got off the phone with whiteflash and it kind of seemed like they were saying that their AGS A cut above the rest diamonds are the only way to go. I would be okay with that if there was more selection and the selection they had wasn't so expensive :S. I'm actually really lost now lol. She did say that we could go with a GIA diamond but it is a gamble and they can inspect the GIA diamonds but if we don't go with that diamond we have to pay for shipping back to their distributor.

I'm kind of tempted at this point to just go to like a spence people's or mappins and buy one there :S lol

are you open to G color? have you seen colors in person and compared?

 

[Lotus99]

this is the setting she is looking at:

http://www.eternitydiamonds.com/engagement-rings/diamond-engagement-ring/Samantha-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-with-Diamond-Studded-Band-(.70-ctw...)-193.htm

I just got off the phone with whiteflash and it kind of seemed like they were saying that their AGS A cut above the rest diamonds are the only way to go. I would be okay with that if there was more selection and the selection they had wasn't so expensive :S. I'm actually really lost now lol. She did say that we could go with a GIA diamond but it is a gamble and they can inspect the GIA diamonds but if we don't go with that diamond we have to pay for shipping back to their distributor.

I'm kind of tempted at this point to just go to like a spence people's or mappins and buy one there :S lol

I know it can seem overwhelming, but try not to get frustrated. Take a deep breath. Finding the right diamond and the right setting within budget can take more time than you think. But, taking that extra time now will mean you'll both be happy with the ring.

 

[xlemosx]

I know it can seem overwhelming, but try not to get frustrated. Take a deep breath. Finding the right diamond and the right setting within budget can take more time than you think. But, taking that extra time now will mean you'll both be happy with the ring.

Yes, very overwhelming. My fiance is kind of getting anxious because we are already looking at booking a hall and all that stuff and she still doesn't have her ring :S lol

are you open to G color? have you seen colors in person and compared?

I'm open to G color. I've seen E and F but when I did the F stone was priced at $8,000 while the F stone was priced at $5,000 so that probably wasn't the best comparison. From my understanding though there isn't much of a difference between F and G as long as it's well cut right?

Not familar with those stores- but if they are chain type stores you may be overpaying for the quality that you are actually getting.

Could you call IDJewelry? They helped another PSer get exactly what he wanted (princess stone in a split shank halo) at/underbudget. Tell them you are a PSer and don't want to skimp too much on quality and are hoping to get a 1.0-1.1 ct excellent cut princess. Worth a try

Yea those are all chain stores that i'd definitely be overpaying for.

Never heard of IDJewelry i'll have to look them up, thanks.

 

[slg47]

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2568620.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/petite-diamond-engagement-ring-947.htm

this combination is $8246...is that in budget?

 

[Ravinmad]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...1.007-f-vs2-princess-diamond-ags-104046966017


They have a pricescope discount, and unfortunately the F color isnt part of todays 10% off deal but with your PS discount and other stuff, you might be able to pull one nice ring out of them for your budget of $8500.00

Good luck

 

[xlemosx]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.007-f-vs2-princess-diamond-ags-104046966017


They have a pricescope discount, and unfortunately the F color isnt part of todays 10% off deal but with your PS discount and other stuff, you might be able to pull one nice ring out of them for your budget of $8500.00

Good luck

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2568620.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/petite-diamond-engagement-ring-947.htm

this combination is $8246...is that in budget?

Both of your suggestions would be within budget if we didn't live in Canada unfortunately. I believe if I heard right from the Whiteflash representative that it's an automatic $1100 Duty with no taxes just to get it to Ontario. This is ultimately what is making this decision so hard... The budget for the diamond would be okay if it weren't for that fee.

I just want to say thank you everyone for your help so far, I really appreciate it.

Just a quick question, the diamond I mentioned in my first post from the local dealer if she says it looks good and is eye clean would you go for that diamond? or is the table and depth too large that it will hurt the quality a lot?