new at this.. please help!

[thisisnicole]

Hello, I am beginning my search for a diamond. I have a setting that is white gold, and I would like a princess shape diamond. I don''t want the best of the best, but i want to make sure that I''m not getting overcharged. I really just want my diamond to sparkle and shine and not look yellow or cloudy or have any inclusions to the naked eye. I guess my question would be.. what range is reasonable to look at with the color, clarity, cut, and carat? My setting won''t hold anything smaller than a .50 carat, and I really didn''t want to spend anything more than $2500 on the diamond. Is it possible to go up to the .75 carat range and still have a nice diamond? Also, do you recommend going to small jewelry stores, or the larger retail chains, or I''ve even seen some online at Blue Nile and a few other places, although buying a diamond online does scare me a bit. I want to be more informed when I go on my diamond search, so any advice anyone can offer I would greatly appreciate.

 

[geoffreysnow]

I''d recommend purchasing online from a trusted vendor but only after you''ve done your research like you''re doing now.

Take the time and read here for basics:
http://goodoldgold.com/4Cs/

Good old gold is a good site for diamond education and Jon posts videos here too:
http://vimeo.com/diamondinfo/videos

Oh and just hanging out around this forum you''ll gather more info that even your average BM (brick and mortar) store SA (sales associate) has.

It''s good to gather a bunch of knowledge then start contacting vendors or even BMs and seeing which one you like dealing with the most

 

[JoeNewbie11]

Here''s a couple from WF to consider that are near your price range and desired carat weight:

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/Whiteflash-ACA-Princess-cut-diamond-312238.htm#
0.726 ct F SI1 Whiteflash ACA Princess
$2,653.00


http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-1204601.htm#
0.722 ct G VS1 Princess
$2,644.00

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/2/2009 10:07:30 PM
Author:thisisnicole
Hello, I am beginning my search for a diamond. I have a setting that is white gold, and I would like a princess shape diamond. I don't want the best of the best, but i want to make sure that I'm not getting overcharged. I really just want my diamond to sparkle and shine and not look yellow or cloudy or have any inclusions to the naked eye. I guess my question would be.. what range is reasonable to look at with the

color, - I would suggest G, H or better initially, GIA or AGS graded with the best cut you can find.

clarity, I would look at SI clarity grades which have been verified eyeclean by a trusted vendor who has inspected the diamond.

cut, AGS0 Princess or hand selected GIA Princess which are owned by the expert vendors.

and carat? - whatever the budget allows for after the above considerations.



My setting won't hold anything smaller than a .50 carat, and I really didn't want to spend anything more than $2500 on the diamond. Is it possible to go up to the .75 carat range and still have a nice diamond? Also, do you recommend going to small jewelry stores, or the larger retail chains, or I've even seen some online at Blue Nile and a few other places, although buying a diamond online does scare me a bit. I want to be more informed when I go on my diamond search, so any advice anyone can offer I would greatly appreciate.

If you prefer to buy from a jewellery store, if you could invest some money in an ASET scope and learn how to use it, that would be very helpful.

http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_zoom_item.asp?Id=23&ShowAdd=Y


http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=education-performance

How ASET works above .

 

[thisisnicole]

Thank you for all of your help so far! I have looked at the videos and they were very helpful. I went to the jewelry store where I plan on purchasing the setting to look at diamonds, and I really felt like I was kind of being taken advantage of. They didn''t have that big of a selection, and the ones they did have were J, SI1 or 2. They were showing me those in a .51 for $1,600, and .75 for $3,000. Sorry I don''t have any of the other information, they really weren''t giving me much info. That''s why I''ve pretty much decided to start looking online instead. I just don''t feel comfortable with going to a jewelry store.

I don''t have a ton of money to work with, and I want to make sure that I get the best quality for what I can afford. Basically what I am looking for is a Pave setting. I like those best on my finger when I try them on. I''m pretty petite at 5''2 around 100lbs., and my finger is a size 5, so I don''t want anything thats going to look too big. I hate to say this, but I also don''t have a very high tolerance for wearing a ring.. I''m sure it will come with time, but I''m looking for something that will be comfortable for me to wear. I know I want a Princess diamond, and after looking at the videos and seeing your recommendations, I would like to stick with G/H and at least SI range. As for the other specs, I am still researching those, I don''t know much about them yet to know what is acceptable, so any advice there would be greatly appreciated. I have about $3,500 to work with total for the diamond and setting. After reading various posts and searching this site, I am comfortable with the idea of working with an online vendor, so If anyone would like to help me in my search for the diamond and setting, or post any recommendations, I would be forever greatful. Thank you so much!

 

[jet2ks]

Here is a beauty from Whiteflash in your price range

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/Whiteflash-ACA-Princess-cut-diamond-2119052.htm


With one of these settings, maybe?

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/-Petite-Open-Cathedral--Engagement-Ring_1211.htm#

or this one, which is a PS favorite

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/The--Legato--Diamond-Engagement-Ring-with-Micro-Pave_1071.htm#


Whiteflash offers a discount for PS''ers, as well.

 

[thisisnicole]

Thank you all again for your help..

Jet2ks - I do love the diamond and also the settings you picked out.. I really would like to see in person and try it on though. I''m going back to the jewelry stores tomorrow and I am going to take a picture of those settings and see if I can find anything similar to try on for comparison, but I have decided to definitely purchase my diamond online..

I do have another question.. there is a setting that I like at a local family owned jewelry store.. I don''t have a picture of it, but it looks almost exactly like this:

http://www.helzberg.com/product/engagement+%26+wedding/engagement+rings/1ct+tw+diamond+engagement+ring+1692839.do?sortby=ourPicks

The only problem is that it will only fit at least a .75 carat, which the diamond that you have picked out for me is, but they also said my measurements have to be 5.5mm x 5.5mm, or very close to that. Would that diamond fit if I went with that setting?

Also, any other suggestions from anyone would be much appreciated on settings or diamonds especially.. thanks!

 

[stone-cold11]

That diamond should fit, it only has a dimension of about 5.0mm, usually one can go slightly smaller than the designed max but not the other way round.