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New to buying diamonds - would love some expert advice

L

liquidice

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 9, 2010
Messages
5
I started looking for an engagement ring this weekend and I''m really not well educated on buying diamonds (I''m thinking not many guys are at first!) :) I did a lot of research on the 4C''s, Depth, Table, Symmetry, Polish and Florescence, but there seems to be so much more! I want to try to get a good deal and not buy something that is either unnecessarily expensive or cheap but not as good as I could get.

I''ve been looking at a Round ~1ct, VVS1 - VS2, H or above Color with good numbers for Depth, Table, etc. My price range is roughly $6000-7000 with a setting (I''ve been pricing a Platinum setting with 10 to 12 ~1/4ct total weight channel set diamonds).

I thought I found a nearly perfect 1.08 ct round diamond on Uniondiamond.com but came to find out the EGL Certification was from Israel and I''ve read on here that the particular lab in question is not a very good one.

In any case, I''m wondering -- if I want a great diamond, but not necessarily a perfect diamond since my budget doesn''t seem to allow it, where should I sacrifice some quality that she wouldn''t be able to tell?

If more details are needed, please let me know :)

Thanks in advance!
 
Drop clarity to an eye-clean SI1, you will not be able to tell the difference between that with an IF stone without training and equipment.
 
Thanks so much for looking for me! I really appreciate it. I have been looking at JA myself. Was actually looking at their diamonds too, found a few H&A's that looked very nice and within my price range.

For example:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/?module=diamond&item=1262674

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1213155.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1218726.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

Is there an easy way to look at the Idealscope picture and tell if it is eye clean? The 2nd SI1 I linked obviously is not as clean as the VS2, but the first SI1 doesn't seem too bad?

JA's settings also seem to be more expensive than other places. Anyone with experience know if this is because the settings are of higher quality? I found a really nice setting from bluenile that is $1000, something that looks similar is $1800 or so from JA.

Example:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-setting-platinum_337

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-3696.asp

I'm trying to stay with Platinum because the girlfriend has lots of allergies and she's also not always the easiest on jewelry so I figure Platinum will hold up better and not cause any allergic reactions.

Thanks again for your help!
 
There is no way to tell if a stone is eye-clean from images. Ask the vendor''s opinion.
 
palladium is a hypoallergenic too, if you want to save a bit on the setting?
 
Date: 5/10/2010 7:40:55 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
There is no way to tell if a stone is eye-clean from images. Ask the vendor''s opinion.
Click to expand...
Absolutely.
 
Thanks all for the help! Going to keep looking and seeing if I can find exactly what I want with the right setting. At worst, if I buy the setting separate from the diamond -- should I take both to a local jeweler to mount them or should I send the setting or the diamond to an online place to have the work done? Thanks again!
 
Here are some round BGD Signature cuts ~1 carat. Look at their settings and see if you like anything.

If you ask them about if these are eyeclean they will tell you the truth. I just bought a SI2 from them and they didn''t lie to me.

First SI2

Second SI1

They both should leave you with plenty of money for a setting.
 
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