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Need some diamond advice!!

bobafett012

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 3, 2010
Messages
12
Ok, today i purchased a diamond engagement ring for my gf. I bought it at a local mall shop called leroy''s which i believe is also in the same family as jb robinson, kay, etc etc. Anyways, I am trying to figure out if what i have is or isn''t a good buy, as i have 60 days to return it no questions asked with a full refund, but i saw it after looking at many rings and its "stats" and look were nice.

I got a leo diamond, in a multi-diamond setup. the main leo diamond is .53 ct, and the total weight is 1.33 ct, on a white gold ring, which they said had a platinum setting. it has a gemex report and it was certified by GSI. The Leo diamond is VS1 clarity, the color rating is G, its a leo princess cut diamond and on the gemex report everything was in the higest rating on all 3. The side diamonds were SI1 clarity, and H color rating. It was listed for $4899.99, and i got them down to $4312.00. I have the certification so i can give any other info about the ring if that would help.

If this means anything they didn''t seem to push the leo on me, they even suggested swapping it out for another non-leo diamond if i just liked the setting, and they showed me the diamond under the scope and then a few others that were comparable and some with less clarity and it was by far the most shiney and i couldn''t see any flaws in the leo where as some of the lower clarity gems i could see feathers and such.

Anyways, any info, thoughts, suggestions, or anything would be helpful from anyone that knows diamonds, as opinions from other amatures like myself doesn''t really help me out that much.


Thanks!!
 
Leo Diamonds are nicely cut diamonds - there is a premium because they are branded. Without a GIA or AGS grading report, I don't feel comfortable trusting the actual color and clarity grade. Search Leo Diamond for more info.

I am confident you can find something better for cheaper.
 
what kind of setting do you like? maybe we can help you find similar options online so you see what the choices are
 
She seems to like the multi-stone settings, with a main diamond, and either 1-2 side diamonds on either side of the main diamond. As far as the leo goes, IF i could get them to get it certified by GIA or AGS, would that be any better, would that be a descent price for a 1.33 tcw engagment ring with those specs or is that still over priced and I would be better off maybe buying a stone and setting seperately???

On a side note, I have done alot of looking on many jewelry sites like worldjewels.com, and others but my issue with buying from any of them is that I hate buying something like this without being able to see the diamond in person. I know they all have 30 or 60 day return policies as well but that seems like a hassle to possibly go through a few times over trying to find the perfect ring.

Also, another question real fast, what is the ideal depth and table percentages I should look for and what about the girdle is important if i swap this leo out or if i have it certified by somewhere more reputable??
 
when you say multi-stone do you mean 3 stone? pave band?

more simple/classic or more ornate?

for rounds try plugging into the Holloway Cut Adviser, also see the tutorial under knowledge
 
Date: 5/4/2010 1:55:38 AM
Author: bobafett012
She seems to like the multi-stone settings, with a main diamond, and either 1-2 side diamonds on either side of the main diamond. As far as the leo goes, IF i could get them to get it certified by GIA or AGS, would that be any better, would that be a descent price for a 1.33 tcw engagment ring with those specs or is that still over priced and I would be better off maybe buying a stone and setting seperately???

On a side note, I have done alot of looking on many jewelry sites like worldjewels.com, and others but my issue with buying from any of them is that I hate buying something like this without being able to see the diamond in person. I know they all have 30 or 60 day return policies as well but that seems like a hassle to possibly go through a few times over trying to find the perfect ring.

Also, another question real fast, what is the ideal depth and table percentages I should look for and what about the girdle is important if i swap this leo out or if i have it certified by somewhere more reputable??

Leo are a branded cut so I wouldn''t worry about a cut grade if you get another grading report done. If you decide to go for a traditional round brilliant instead, the proportions suggested below could be helpful, bear in mind if you find a diamond you love which has proportions which fall outside of the suggested ranges thats the important thing.

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!


Also here are some good angle combos which might help from one of the experts, John Pollard.


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).


 
This is the ring I actually bought although the one I bought is 1.33 ct and has better specs(according to the certification) but anyways this is the type settings she likes: http://www.kay.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product1%7C10101%7C10001%7C-1%7C990336606%7CpriDiamond%7C15081.15295.


can you suggest some good sites for me to browse on for loose stones and/or complete rings? also do you think it would be wise for me to buy a loose stone and a setting or what do you think my best option is to get the best bang for my buck? Lastly, since i spent about $5000, what do you think I could get for around that amount with a setting similar to what I linked??

Thanks
 
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