New to this world, looking to buy the best engagement ring I can.

[motoguy]

I think the title pretty much sums it up. I've learned more about diamonds in the past week than I've ever wanted to know! Quite a lot of information to soak up for a 1-time event!

We're shopping for engagement rings. Our target price is $2500 or less, with sub $2k being wonderful. She likes round stones, white gold, and unusual / "curvy" rings.

We went the mall route, and learned the error of our ways through another (non-related) forum which I frequent. We visited a local "large" jewelry store tonight (Justice Jewelers in Springfield, MO). She found a setting she really liked (picture is attached). Here is the web site of the setting from the jeweler in question:

LINKY HERE

Per my education from my non-related forum, we've been searching BlueNile, and to a lesser extent WhiteFlash for a diamond for this ring. The rep at the jeweler said a .5-.75ct stone would fit this setting nicely.

The jeweler showed us one "really good deal" they had in stock. It is a .72kt stone, round, G / VSI / good (or was it very good?) cut, for $1995.

In searching BlueNile and WhiteFlash, it would appear that this -is- a good price for this stone, -if- the information given in correct. I forgot to ask at the time who rated this stone. I have hearsay information that the owner of the store does the grading, which seems to be a bit of a conflict of interest. I'll see if I can confirm tomorrow if this is an independent rating, or if this information was generated in-house.

She's not particular concerned with the kt weight of the stone. She'd rather have a small, brilliant stone than a large, dead one. $2500 is really our target, though the combination above is pushing $2800, and I could make it work.

I guess I'm just curious what guidance or assistance those more knowledgeable may be able to offer, given the information above. As with everyone I'm sure, we're just looking to make sure we get the most we can for our dollar. The current economy is hitting us hard as well, but I'd hate to let a temporary issue be reflected on her hand for the rest of her life.

 

[JulieN]

Date: 2/14/2010 10:50:14 PM
Author:motoguy

The jeweler showed us one 'really good deal' they had in stock. It is a .72kt stone, round, G / VSI / good (or was it very good?) cut, for $1995.


In searching BlueNile and WhiteFlash, it would appear that this -is- a good price for this stone, -if- the information given in correct. I forgot to ask at the time who rated this stone. I have hearsay information that the owner of the store does the grading, which seems to be a bit of a conflict of interest. I'll see if I can confirm tomorrow if this is an independent rating, or if this information was generated in-house.

Any time the grading is done by the jeweler, I'm going to have to discount it at least one color and clarity grade... also consider asking for a Sarin report and buying an Ideal Scope, as well as taking it to an appraiser for a pre-sale appraisal.

BTW, I kinda like the looks of this one- the inclusion looks like it could be placed next to or under a prong. http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1226472.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

As for curvy settings, Stuller has many.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Nice pick Julie, it is a dream SI2 in that the inclusion is most likely not visible to the naked eye. And it will be brilliant. If you go with JA, then just show them the setting you like and they can probably get one like it from one of their casting suppliers. It is most likely a stock setting anyways.

Has your gf thought about wedding bands? I don''t know what you would pair with a setting like that.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Here is a stuller like the one you like:

http://www.stuller.com/products/products.aspx?gid=58045&cid=6105

 

[motoguy]

Date: 2/15/2010 1:11:05 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsie
If you go with JA, then just show them the setting you like and they can probably get one like it from one of their casting suppliers. It is most likely a stock setting anyways.

Thank you! I will do just that. I agree that it is most likely a stock setting.

Date: 2/15/2010 1:11:05 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsieHas your gf thought about wedding bands? I don''t know what you would pair with a setting like that.

She does plan on wearing a wedding band in addition to this. Just this ring, which is nice, as I dislike the way bands can "off balance" a ring. She things I''m just OCD.

 

[HVVS]

That semimount that you posted will need either that manfacturer's matching wedding band or else a custom made curved one. I think it's too curvy to work well with a conventional band. Just mentioning that in case there's no readymade band for it. A jeweler can change the head for any size of round. Or other shape. Or to a 6-prong for more security.

Really, you should be looking for a diamond with the cut that PS rates as excellent. There's a Cut Quality Search on here. Settle for Very Good cut if that's a look you can accept at your price point. I gave up looking at diamonds at local jewelers. I own this one from GOG link and it totally blows away any competition. If you go G color or higher and excellent cut, the diamond will face up big and also have a very lively presence and a good balance of fire and brilliance *in all kinds of lighting* not just how the local jewelry stores rig it. Color is a preference. But my eye sees G and up as larger than a J or lower of same diameter. H and I usually look very white at that size, too. I is where most people start to notice a little tint.

Go to gemex.com and enter BR135FSI210114008 in the Live Report as report number, click Sparkle in that picture, and you can watch the live b scope for my diamond. Even with a dark crystal inclusion in the table zone, it is a fantastic stone. That inclusion is, however, visible at a certain tilt and also in office lighting. Looks like a tiny speck of nail polish at times, but you never see it most of the time. That might turn off some people but it's what you trade to get size and color and performance at half the cost of a VS clarity diamond, and that's a lot of money in that ct range, lol.

SI1 is generally a lot safer thank SI2 if you want essentially totally eye clean at all times and you don't want to wait around forever for a super clean SI2 to turn up in your price range.

People here prefer AGS and GIA graded stones. Cut and color are very likely correctly graded. EGL can be two grades off in color and cutters send lesser cuts of diamonds there, too. I looked at an EGL in a local upscale B&M store that looked real nice *until* I held up my GOG ring beside it, and then there was NO, ABSOLUTELY NO, comparison.

My personal preference is to nearly max the budget to get the largest diamond possible then buy a modest setting, figuring that the setting can be upgraded next year or in a few months down the road, giving me time to shop for a bargain on that. Or to be certain that it's "the one" before I spend big bucks on it. Other people feel differently about that. I buy rings for myself, so I only have to please me.

If you buy from a PS vendor they mostly have upgrade trade-in policies that you don't get from local B&M guys. But be careful because the policies vary. Not all Whiteflash stones come with the upgrade policy. GOG will also buy back diamonds that they have sold. But not all stones qualify for lifetime policy there, so be sure you know what the terms are.

 

[HVVS]

Oh, yes, and if you see a diamond that looks good to you, reserve it THEN post it here for review so that someone doesn't swipe it.

Here's the PS cheat sheet for excellent cut RBs

depth - 60 - 62%
table - 54- 57%
crown angle - 34- 35 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6- 41 degrees
girdle - avoid extremes, look for thin to slightly thick, thin to medium etc
polish and symmetry - very good and above

note - with crown and pavilion angles at the shallower ends ( CA 34- PA 40.6) and steeper ( CA 35- PA 41) check to make sure these angles complement in that particular diamond - eyeballs, Idealscope, trusted vendor input - check as appropriate!

As the above implies, configurations depend on each other. A little give here can still work with a little take there.

From expert John Pollard.

With that said, here's a "Cliff's Notes" for staying near Tolkowsky/ideal angles with GIA reports (their numbers are rounded): A crown angle of 34.0, 34.5 or 35.0 is usually safe with a 40.8 pavilion angle. If pavilion angle = 40.6 lean toward a 34.5-35.0 crown. If pavilion angle = 41 lean toward a 34.0-34.5 crown.

GIA "EX" in cut is great at its heart, but it ranges a bit wider than some people prefer, particularly in deep combinations (pavilion > 41 with crown > 35).

============================================= I posted this, below, so that you know what reduces fire. I prefer 55% - 56% tables, not those huge 62% & ups that cutters mostly send to EGL and those "maul" labs like IGI, GAL, etc. --- HVVS
A good recipe for a diamond that has more brightness and less fire would be to have a larger table, flatter crown and deeper pavilion. Something along the lines of:

Crown angle: 33.0
Pavilion angle: 41.0
Table: 59-60%
Depth: 58-61%