New Guy Needs Help & Opinions

[New Guy]

Hello Everyone

I love this site and all of the support those who visit here provide. I am new to the whole diamond thing and have never purchased one. However, after seven years of dating my girlfriend and almost six years of living together I am finally ready to ask that highly important question of marriage. I have read a lot at this site and others and fianlly made my purchase. While I feel good about my choice I am starting to get really cold feet abount the engagement ring (which I haven''t got yet).

I made the choice to purchase from Union Diamond and just would like to know some opinions or comments on the stone I picked. We purchased our first house last summer so money is a little tight. I only say this because I have seen a lot of posts over some really impressive rings (too far out of my price range). Here is what I picked...

Pear Shaped
0.83
F
VVS2
Premium Cut
Very Good polish
Very Good Sym.
Very Small Cutlet
No Flourescence
1.50 L/W ratio
57.7% Depth
63.0% Table
M-VTK girdle
8.07*5.39*3.11
GIA certification - which lists clarity characteristics as pinpoints, cloud

I picked the ring as a 3/8 carat platinum smooth shank (stock number: JEA1032P if you want to see it on their site). The ring has six stones alternating between round and Baguette. I talked to Leah several times (via email) who was very nice and willing to answer a million questions. I completed the wire transfer Monday afternoon and she said the ring should be ready in 4 to 5 days. I also asked about the clarity characteristics and she said it was 100% eye clean and that the person she asked to look at the stone said he had trouble seeing it at 10x and even hard at 30x.

I guess my question is, "Did I do well in picking a stone within my budget?" or could I have done better. I really would like to thank anyone who has something to offer.

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome!

It is hard to tell with fancy cuts by the numbers, although they do give you a point of reference. I take it high colour and clarity are important to you? To get more size, you could have lowered those, but this is a personal preference. I don't know if UD have any cut info such as an ASET image for their fancy cuts as these are very useful. But the best judge is your own eyes, a photo of this diamond might well be informative too. What is their return policy as you have paid for the diamond and are having it set in case you want to change it?

 

[chrono]

I would never buy a fancy cut (pear shapes included) diamond without seeing it in person. The numbers alone will not tell you anything. The depth looks fine but the table is somewhat large in relation to the depth (but might be okay). Please have UD give you a picture of the actual stone. Do you have an Idealscope? This handy and inexpensive device ($25) will show you the light leakage of the stone, thereby telling you if the stone is a "wow" stone or a poorly cut stone.

 

[New Guy]

WOW! That was fast. Thank you both for posting your thoughts.

The return policy is 30 days from the date I get it. It can be returned for exchange or my money. As for the size I wouldn''t want to go bigger than 1 ct. as she is 4'' 10" and about 86 lbs. wet (very small woman). She tried a friend''s 1 ct. princess on and made a face to me saying it looked too big on her hand.

As for the shape, she is 100% sold on a pear shape. She does not like round at all for the center stone. The only other shape she has talked about in the past was a princess cut but I know there can be issues in the cornors. As for the idealscope I don''t have one. I wasn''t sure if there were really used for just round cuts as I know fancy cuts will have less light return. Can you buy them in stores or just online. I was thinking of getting one but if I had to order it as well that will add more between now and when I can ask that question.

Hope this helps.

 

[Lorelei]

You could ask UD if they have any Idealscope or ASET images available for this diamond, I don't know if the actual tool would be useful in this case, but as you are so far along now with having paid for the diamond and it is being set, see what you and your GF think when it arrives, your own eyes will be the best judge. Pears can be a lovely choice, I have one myself and love it!

 

[Regular Guy]

Hey new guy...regular guy here...

I'm sympathetic to Chrono's comments. Why the commitment to Union Diamond?

There's no problem with that on the face of it. Nor, with a problem with not buying a round. But...I do see a problem with buying a non-round at a place that doesn't, as a matter of course, provide you with the kind of info you want to narrow down that selection efficiently. 30 days won't help you too much. You can get a judgement whether you ultimate pick is OK or not. But...you won't have had the benefit of being able to weed your pick from many options at the front end, by looking at significant quality indicators...that things like reflector images can help you with.

Best,

 

[Lorelei]

This ring might be completed by now, looking at the time frame? As it is, perhaps give it a chance now it is done, if you don''t like it then you can return it, then look again to see what else is out there...

 

[chrono]

Well, it''s kind of too late but maybe not too late after all. I would still get an Idealscope: it is even more critical to use an Idealscope with a pear cut as you can''t buy it based on the numbers. It can be purchased online here:
https://products.gemappraisers.com/c-1-essential-jewelry-tools.aspx

It can also be used on stones that are already set. I highly advise using it as most people aren''t used to seeing many diamonds so even a poorly cut stone can wow you until one day, you finally see a well cut stone, that you realize what a big difference cut makes. Since you have a generous return period, I''d rather take this route, especially since it is for a very important occasion - a ring that she will wear and look at forever.

 

[New Guy]

I am really taken back by all the help this soon into my posting. Thanks to everyone thus far...

I would like to add why I made this purchase online... I know and have no issue stating the following.... "I AM CLUELESS... when it comes to this stuff". lol

However, I did look at several retail stores in my area and was shocked at the prices and quality of the stones. Not really knowing everything to look at I still didn't find any stone that looked bad. But the best I could find was a clarity of VS1 and colors of H or J... and the price was more than a few thousand dollars more. The stone cost me $2,845 and I saw a 0.75ct/J/VS2 that looked very shallow for $6799.00 at a national chain in the mall. I also called a very well known local store (not a national chain and not in the mall) that tons of people deal with. I told him what I posted about my diamond but did not say anything about price. He came back with a 0.84ct/G/VVS2 and a L/W ration of 1.54 for 3800.00 (after I told him I knew a friend of his). Then when you add in 7% tax I would have been looking at $1221.00 more for just the stone. Now, this will make all those that know what they are talking about feel sick (lol)... but I thought, "How could I go wrong with this choice". I know a lot of you really know a ton about diamonds and even deal in the industry however, we don't. I just want a really good looking diamond that is eye clean. I can't afford more than what I paid to Union Diamond. I will buy an ideal-scope to check it out as I also don't want to flush my money down the toilet either...

 

[neatfreak]

Could be fine, could not be.

When you get it, be sure to examine in closely in all light conditions. Look for dull spots, bowties (big black sections that aren't reflecting light), and if you want, take some pictures and post them here. Pears are especially notorious for bowties

Without pictures or idealscopes unfortunately there is no way for us to tell you whether it's a good stone or not. Sorry!!!


ETA: There is NO problem buying online. But, when someone wants to buy a fancy, we really suggest they buy from a vendor like Good Old Gold or Whiteflash who will provide pictures AND idealscopes BEFORE purchase. That way you can really be sure that you're getting an amazing stone with excellent light return.

ETA2: Just so you know, there is NO visual difference between a VVS2 and a VS2 or even an eyeclean SI1. Unless you want a "pure" stone for religious or cultural reasons, dropping down could save you a BOATLOAD of cash.

 

[Ellen]

Granted, these are pictures, but it may help give you an idea of what a pretty pear looks like.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-pears.27270/

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/21/2007 10:06:28 AM
Author: neatfreak
Could be fine, could not be.

When you get it, be sure to examine in closely in all light conditions. Look for dull spots, bowties (big black sections that aren't reflecting light), and if you want, take some pictures and post them here. Pears are especially notorious for bowties

Without pictures or idealscopes unfortunately there is no way for us to tell you whether it's a good stone or not. Sorry!!!


ETA: There is NO problem buying online. But, when someone wants to buy a fancy, we really suggest they buy from a vendor like Good Old Gold or Whiteflash who will provide pictures AND idealscopes BEFORE purchase. That way you can really be sure that you're getting an amazing stone with excellent light return.

ETA2: Just so you know, there is NO visual difference between a VVS2 and a VS2 or even an eyeclean SI1. Unless you want a 'pure' stone for religious or cultural reasons, dropping down could save you a BOATLOAD of cash.

Ditto, and it takes time to learn who the vendors are who have this info etc, so try not to worry. Once the diamond is here, see if it sings to you or not, that is the most important thing is if it makes you both happy when you look at it. If it does then great, if not, return it and use your new found knowledge to begin again and shop with a different approach using your eyes, vendor expertise and technology which is available to you.

Also using the thread Ellen posted you can get a feel for how some pears look, also check it out at different angles for a bow tie effect which is commonplace in many fancy cuts.

This page too has some nice images of bow ties and some useful advice.