New to this and buying an E-Ring

[PeteyPauls]

Just came across the site and everyone hear seems to know a lot, so here I am. This is the first engagement ring that I am buying and have done research. My soon to be fiance has given me ideas of what she wants. Very classic. Round, in a Tiffany setting (rather 4 than 6 prong). I am looking at over 2 and less than 2.5 ct. Would like a bigger table. I am hoping to be under $20,000.

My father is friends with a jeweler so I do trust him to an extent ( I guess I never quite trust anyone 100%). From speaking to him and doing my research recommendations have been:

Cut - Good
Color - G (he said that H and I are acceptable as well)
Clarity - VS2 to IS1
GIA certified.

He said he should be able to do a good cut, H or I, IS1 for around $15,000 (which sounded good to me). I just want to make sure I am getting a good diamond for that price.

Now I know there are a lot of factors. Other than getting the GIA and looking at the stone, what should I ask or be weary of? Do any of you think that an H or I at IS1 or even IS2 is acceptable? Is Rapaport important and/or carat variations and depth% important? Guess I''ve read too much info and just looking for some advice.

 

[pricescope]

PeteyPauls, welcome to the forum.

Check out this article regarding Rapaport and these pages on carat and depth stuff. Also this page might be helpful on what to buy.

SI1 and SI2 clarity can be fine as long as you do not see inclusions.

Choosing between G, H or I color is a personal thing, which depends on how you like the look of a diamond. You''ve got to see and compare them to tell which color you (your fiance) prefer.

The price can vary roughly from $12,000 (2.0 I SI1)to $30,000+ (2.4 G VS2) with GIA or AGS reports.

There are many variables in this equation.

Try to look at different diamonds and educate yourself...

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 5/24/2005 11:43:07 AM
Author:PeteyPauls

Other than getting the GIA and looking at the stone, what should I ask or be weary of?

Other than adding that, as diamonds go up in quality, you''ll have more AGS options to consider, that AGS is frequently regarded as a certifying agency more rigorous than GIA, and so -- although you may pay a slight premium even to get that certificate, by not including it, let alone requiring it, in your search concern (for example, this option from GOG is one you''re likely to want to consider), you''ll be missing options you might rather not miss.

Best,

 

[MissAva]

If you really want to buy from your friends father get an IdealScopeTool Information IdealScope store in order to ensure that you are getting a decent cut. Good Luck!

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 5/24/2005 12:35:19 PM
Author: Pricescope
PeteyPauls, welcome to the forum.

Check out this article regarding Rapaport and these pages on carat and depth stuff. Also this page might be helpful on what to buy.

Note to Leonid...and anyone else motivated to reply...I do see, what has I think been long standing text, in your link on what to buy...that if you are interested in "quality only," you could consider:

It must be beautiful with a Cut Adviser rating of around 1.0 to 2.0. It probably should have a branded cut name.

This actually is pretty consistent with recent comments from Rhino. Can you help me understand the thinking here?

Thanks!

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 5/24/2005 1:27:12 PM
Author: Regular Guy

Note to Leonid...and anyone else motivated to reply...I do see, what has I think been long standing text, in your link on what to buy...that if you are interested in ''quality only,'' you could consider:

It must be beautiful with a Cut Adviser rating of around 1.0 to 2.0. It probably should have a branded cut name.

This actually is pretty consistent with recent comments from Rhino. Can you help me understand the thinking here?

Thanks!

DISCLAIMER: Not an expert on this by any means, so take this interpretation with a grain of salt.

I think the point folks are getting at in saying "stay between 1.0 and 2.0" is to get a diamond with a good balance of light and dark.

When I bought my stone, a few vendors mentioned to me that diamonds scoring exceptionally low on the HCA (what I heard most often was 0.6 or less) can run into the problem of not having enough contrast....so they have a more monotone, or flat, look. Having more contraast of light AND dark makes each stand out more.

This probably isn''t the greatest analogy, but imagine if you lived in a place where it was about 70 degrees all the time, year round. The weather would feel unremarkable because there is no variation. Now go to a place where it can be 50 one day and 70 the next.....now the 70 degrees has a counterpoint. The presence of the colder days (50s) makes the 70 days feel warmer than they would in places where it''s 70 degrees every day.

Same idea. The presence of lights and darks give counterpoint to one another, and not enough contrast will make a diamond look "flat".