New to diamond ring selection - please advise

[lpp2007]

I am new to all this diamond stuff and have very little time to purchase a ring for her. We looked at a few samples at mall shops and determined that a 0.75ct round cut diamond looks best on her.

The problem I am running into is that I can not "see" the actual rings I find online and have to decide based on what the specs say, something that makes me feel very uncomfortable coming up with the "right" pick for the $$$ - ideally I want to purchase the ring that is of high quality, looks the best, and is the overall "best buy".

Suggestions anyone?

Would the rights picks for me be along the following selections?
#1 - http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-232063.htm
#2 - http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-283270.htm

Also, does anyone know which ring is of a "lower"/"thinner" profile: the 4-Prong "Tiffany" or the ''Legato'' Sleek Line??

Thanks in advance for your kind replies!

 

[JulieN]

they''re great choices.

 

[cinnamon013]

If the first one is eyeclean, I''d go for it because it is less money. Looks nice too. Ask WF if it is eyeclean first and then you are home free.

The Tiffany will sit high, the legato low. Opposites... That stone would look terrific in the legato sleek.

Oh, and because you are looking at ACA H&A from WF, please know that they will likely look larger on her hand than those stones you are looking at in the mall or at B&M stores. A well cut stone like those H&As from WF will likely measure larger. And, because they handle the light from edge to edge, it will look larger.

I know you are nervous about buyinig online. Relax! WF''s stuff is great. You''ll be so glad you went with them instead of a mall store. There is also a return policy, so if it is not everything you''d hoped for, you can return it. BUT, it is gonna be over the top yummy!!

And, welcome! You are a good guy... Those choices are great.

Also, let WF know you want the PS discount. You''ll get a small % off that diamond and setting, and a little more % if you wire the money.

AND...come back and show us pictures!!!!

 

[MWG]

I agree.......go with the first stone.....for the price. You can get a total of a 5% discount if you tell them that you are a member of Pricescope and you bank wire the money to them. Just ask your sales person at Whiteflash and they will give you the details.

You cant go wrong with an ACA diamond!!!

Congratulations
MWG

 

[lpp2007]

All, thank you for making me feel comfortable that an online purchase of a diamond is indeed possible.

I do appreciate your feedback!

A friend of mine (unfortunately) is trying to persuade me to order a 1ct size diamond. I have to admit I am thinking about it since we had the discussion... Anyone care to share an opinion on this? Is the 1ct the typically and widely accepted engagement ring size and should I refocus my search??

Now, assuming the unanticipated change in size, I am particularly interested to determine whether the size to select from should be slightly under or over the 1ct and what the best value for the price would be. Certainly, I am open to change parameters to minimize the extra cost, but I am not sure what these parameters should be at a minimum. I did all my homework so far on .75ct diamonds! How about these two choices?

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-312257.htm#
http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD01019383&filter_id=1&track=summary_image_link

The clock is running

and I thought I was about done!

 

[neatfreak]

Best value is just under 1 carat, if you can find it. There is a significant price jump there. BUT if she likes a .75 and expects something along those lines, you can safely stay in that range.

I LOVE the legato setting. SOOOO much nicer IMO than the tiffany replica one.

ETA: I would stick with WF instead of BN if it were me. Better customer service and lifetime upgrades on their ACA diamonds. I still like the first one best.

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 6/6/2007 8:27:17 PM
Author: lpp2007
All, thank you for making me feel comfortable that an online purchase of a diamond is indeed possible.

I do appreciate your feedback!

A friend of mine (unfortunately) is trying to persuade me to order a 1ct size diamond. I have to admit I am thinking about it since we had the discussion... Anyone care to share an opinion on this? Is the 1ct the typically and widely accepted engagement ring size and should I refocus my search??

Now, assuming the unanticipated change in size, I am particularly interested to determine whether the size to select from should be slightly under or over the 1ct and what the best value for the price would be. Certainly, I am open to change parameters to minimize the extra cost, but I am not sure what these parameters should be at a minimum. I did all my homework so far on .75ct diamonds! How about these two choices?

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-312257.htm#
http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD01019383&filter_id=1&track=summary_image_link

The clock is running

and I thought I was about done!

In the real world (aka not on pricescope) one carat is probably a large stone and average is probably less than one carat. I would keep in mind #1 her preferences, #2 your budget, #3 what her friends and other people in your social group wear.

 

[Corseted]

My 2 cts.

Try not to go for a round number like 1 carat exactly because there''ll be a jump in price, and quality may have been compromised to maximize the size. So 0.73 or 0.98 or 1.02 carats instead.

If you''re looking to compromise on any C, go for clarity because as long as a diamond is eye clean, most people can''t pick out the flaws. Clarity affects the price though.

To be honest, below a carat, I would stake the most money on Carat, then Cut, then colour and lastly, clarity

Blue Nile has more stones than White Flash, WF gives more info. If you can find what you need at WF, go for that. If not, BN should have the stone you want.

Good luck with your proposal!

 

[Gypsy]

I would go for the largest best cut stone I could comfortably afford. What ever size that is... that''s what you should get. Clarity is where I''d compromise and with an ideal round, as I know my color tolerance, I would compromise on too.

I would take a look at my finances set a budget, then see what the nicest diamond I could afford (taking into account the setting cost)for that price. We will be happy to help.

I would also not buy from WF, GOG, or JA before BN as they have trade in policies, nicer settings in house and available and provide you with Idealscope images and other useful information.

 

[Kim N]

Date: 6/7/2007 12:11:04 AM
Author: kcoursolle

Date: 6/6/2007 8:27:17 PM
Author: lpp2007
All, thank you for making me feel comfortable that an online purchase of a diamond is indeed possible.

I do appreciate your feedback!

A friend of mine (unfortunately) is trying to persuade me to order a 1ct size diamond. I have to admit I am thinking about it since we had the discussion... Anyone care to share an opinion on this? Is the 1ct the typically and widely accepted engagement ring size and should I refocus my search??

Now, assuming the unanticipated change in size, I am particularly interested to determine whether the size to select from should be slightly under or over the 1ct and what the best value for the price would be. Certainly, I am open to change parameters to minimize the extra cost, but I am not sure what these parameters should be at a minimum. I did all my homework so far on .75ct diamonds! How about these two choices?

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-312257.htm#
http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?pid=LD01019383&filter_id=1&track=summary_image_link

The clock is running

and I thought I was about done!

In the real world (aka not on pricescope) one carat is probably a large stone and average is probably less than one carat. I would keep in mind #1 her preferences, #2 your budget, #3 what her friends and other people in your social group wear.

Ditto. I also agree with neatfreak that the best value is just under a carat. There is a premium at the 1ct mark.

 

[aljdewey]

LPP.....I''d stick with the better cut stone.

Your friend means well, but s/he is missing something. Carat is a *weight*, not really a *size*. Further, most people who buy 1-ct stones in the chain stores are actually getting stones that face up much smaller because they are so deeply cut. Consequently, they don''t have the diameter that a well-cut stone would, and it''s diameter that makes a stone look larger.

The other thing that makes a stone look larger is great light return, and that comes from a well-cut stone.

By way of example, my local mall has a chain store, and the average 1.5 ct. stone in those stores measures 7mm because they are deeply cut. My well-cut 1.25 ct. stone also measures 7mm....but it returns ALL the light, so it sparkles more. Neither is ''bigger''; one is heavier.

Stick with the slightly-less than a carat stone that performs well.

 

[cinnamon013]

Date: 6/7/2007 6:07:08 PM
Author: aljdewey
LPP.....I''d stick with the better cut stone.

Your friend means well, but s/he is missing something. Carat is a *weight*, not really a *size*. Further, most people who buy 1-ct stones in the chain stores are actually getting stones that face up much smaller because they are so deeply cut. Consequently, they don''t have the diameter that a well-cut stone would, and it''s diameter that makes a stone look larger.

The other thing that makes a stone look larger is great light return, and that comes from a well-cut stone.

By way of example, my local mall has a chain store, and the average 1.5 ct. stone in those stores measures 7mm because they are deeply cut. My well-cut 1.25 ct. stone also measures 7mm....but it returns ALL the light, so it sparkles more. Neither is ''bigger''; one is heavier.

Stick with the slightly-less than a carat stone that performs well.

Ditto, ditto, ditto, ditto, ditto.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I''m not sure what your limit is on the diamond price, but there is a pretty rare size, .90 G VS2 ACA at WF right now. I''ll bet it won''t be there long!

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-292602.htm