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New to the Forum, just started ring shopping. Need some help

G

gpendak1

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 17, 2017
Messages
9
Hey Guys,

Relatively new to this forum and need some help. Went ring shopping with my girlfriend this weekend and looking to make a purchase soon. My total budget is anywhere from $4000-$6500 and I have a pretty good idea of what she wants. Ideal Cut, Round Shape, Clarity in the VS2-SI1 range. Can anyone send over some suggestions to me or give me an idea of how big of a carat I would be able to go with a budget like this? Or are my requested characteristics way out of line with the budget I presented. Thanks for your help!
 
Re: New to the Forum, just started ring shopping. Need some

Forgot about the Color, really unsure of what range I should be in, I was thinking maybe G?
 
Re: New to the Forum, just started ring shopping. Need some

What is he carat that she wants? Color and clarity are subjective. Usually.. most people will aim for "the biggest they can get".. are you one of them?

For starters, you can reference this thread:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/guidance-needed-on-engagement-ring.228730/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/guidance-needed-on-engagement-ring.228730/[/URL]

I outlined some information and suggestions for the other buyer. He had a similar budget to yours ($6,500)

Once you have a better idea where you want to be carat-wise, we can send you more suggestions. G is probably higher than where you might want to be. H and I colors provide for great savings while allowing you to optimize your budget. They still face up very white!
 
Re: New to the Forum, just started ring shopping. Need some

Thanks for the quick response! The carat we looked at at Michael's was a .90, but I was hoping to go a little bigger, 1.00 minimum, maybe a 1.1-1.2? Is that even feasible with my budget or would I have to pay more for something in that range.
 
Re: New to the Forum, just started ring shopping. Need some

It is feasible when it is the right combination of color/clarity (assuming ideal cut). Please review the other thread and after that come back with more Qs.
 
 
Re: New to the Forum, just started ring shopping. Need some

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I really appreciate it. I don't really know at this point if I should just go as big as possible with less quality or go smaller with a real quality diamond. This whole thing is quite stressful. Also, (and I'm assuming the info has already been posted on this forum so a link would be helpful) would you suggest staying away from the online marketplace and just going to a regular jeweler? Most have told me to go in person so I can see the diamond before purchasing it, but I also want to maximize my savings and get the best bang for my buck.
 
Re: New to the Forum, just started ring shopping. Need some

I am FAR from an expert, but I think the vast majority here would say do not sacrifice quality for size! The trick is, what does quality mean to you/your intended? The one thing you don't want to sacrifice at all on is cut. However, certain things are totally a matter of opinion. For example, I am not color-sensitive, so I could go pretty low in color and be happy (and, likely get something at a larger size because of it), while someone who IS color sensitive might feel that going low on color is sacrificing on quality. Similarly, some people just need a stone to be eye-clean to be happy and thus can go down to a SI in clarity while others really need a stone to be mind clean and going down to a SI clarity would be sacrificing quality for them. Yes, obviously there are the ideal specs that make up the ideal diamond, but I think you could potentially sacrifice in color and/or clarity and still get a beautiful, high-quality stone. But, of course, it all depends on what is important to your intended. If they are color and/or clarity sensitive you'll want to respect that.

Like I said though, cut is super important, and you definitely don't want to sacrifice there. A well-cut but smaller diamond will sparkle much more than a poorly cut bigger one (and often, a well-cut smaller diamond will actually appear bigger than one that somewhat bigger but poorly cut).

ETA that the PS community is amazing, and they can definitely help you find the best stone for your budget!
 
Re: New to the Forum, just started ring shopping. Need some

Thank You! I've also been doing my own research and have been wondering what the ideal specifications for a diamond are in terms of Table, Crown, Pavillion, Depth, and Girdle. From what I have read so far this is what I've come up with:

Table- 54-57
Crown- 34-35
Pavillion- 40.6-41
Depth 61-62.5
Girdle: Thin- Medium

Can anyone verify that these are solid numbers and send over some additional advice regarding them if they are incorrect?
 
Re: New to the Forum, just started ring shopping. Need some

gpendak1|1487366237|4130239 said:
Thanks for the suggestions guys, I really appreciate it. I don't really know at this point if I should just go as big as possible with less quality or go smaller with a real quality diamond. This whole thing is quite stressful. Also, (and I'm assuming the info has already been posted on this forum so a link would be helpful) would you suggest staying away from the online marketplace and just going to a regular jeweler? Most have told me to go in person so I can see the diamond before purchasing it, but I also want to maximize my savings and get the best bang for my buck.
Click to expand...

If you are talking about visiting a Kay's or Zales (or something similar), I think we'd all say "stay away". Their inventory is usually of lower quality cut wise and everything sparkles due to lighting in the stores.

Buy online unless your local jeweller is one who is willing to find you a stone that meets the required proportions that you ask them to search for.

But with the online vendors, you will get far more assistance first up with shortlisting stones given the plethora of tools and images they provide. To use an example: Brian Gavin Diamonds has recently upgraded their online photography for their stones and you will be hard pressed to find a local bricks and mortar vendor that will enable you to look at the stone in such a detailed manner (and if you post links to stones here on PS, we'll be able to assist you in your search). The same also applies with vendors like Whiteflash, James Allen, High Performance Diamonds and (some) Blue Nile.

I would increase the pavilion angle to be from 40.2 to 41.0.
 
Re: New to the Forum, just started ring shopping. Need some

gpendak1|1487366237|4130239 said:
Thanks for the suggestions guys, I really appreciate it. I don't really know at this point if I should just go as big as possible with less quality or go smaller with a real quality diamond. This whole thing is quite stressful. Also, (and I'm assuming the info has already been posted on this forum so a link would be helpful) would you suggest staying away from the online marketplace and just going to a regular jeweler? Most have told me to go in person so I can see the diamond before purchasing it, but I also want to maximize my savings and get the best bang for my buck.
Click to expand...
Never to sacrifice cut quality for size! . SIZE means nothing if it doesn't perform :!: .. :naughty: :wink2:
 
Re: New to the Forum, just started ring shopping. Need some

Hi gpendak1,

While I cannot recommend a diamond or a vendor (it is against the forum rules), I can tell you there are plenty of advantages to buying online - Price can be a factor since many of the online vendors have overlap from common suppliers so it is possible that the diamond you find is carried by more than one vendor - at which point price-matching is in play.

That said, your individual priorities will guide you in what you are willing to pay for companies that offer warranties, upgrades, great customer service, etc....
 
Re: New to the Forum, just started ring shopping. Need some

Hello gpendak1,
As you seek information about this very special purchase you will begin to understand the significant benefits of the online channel. Availing yourself to this forum was a great first step, so congratulations on that!

By understanding the aspects of the purchase that are most important to you, and with the generous help of knowledgeable people here who have been through this process, you will be able to identify diamonds and vendors that will be a great match for you.

Good luck in your quest. May it be stress-free and enjoyable!
 
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