newbie (did research) but still need help.

[Gixxer]

Hello,
This forum is awesome, I signed up about 3 hours ago and have not posted yet because of all the reading I been doing. Here is where I need help. Me and my gf been together for about 9 years, its time to pop the question. Here is my situation though, I am in the military (only 1.5 years left till I get out) So right now I rather not get married until I am out but I want to propose to her not with a wedding ring but an engagement ring (maybe same thing to some). I have seen some people that have 2 separate rings, the engagement which is worn on left until married then switched to the right hand and wedding which stays on left hand forever. Also, some people call that first ring promise ring or whatever but that’s the way I want to go about it.
Because I am low on cash, I want to spend $5k for something she will wear forever and I don’t have that much to spend YET but I know I will in near future. But I do have a budged of about $1500 for an engagement/promise ring. Plus I don’t really mind spoiling her with 2 rings so its ok.

I know some people are saying 9 years? Yes I would have asked earlier but for 4 of those years I have been deployed mostly to mid-east and she waited for me.

So here is the diamond I found, its heart shaped (which is what she wants for now, didn’t ask her but found out by being sneaky).
http://www.bluenile.com/design.asp?filter_id=1&track=design_additem&ring_size=7

Stock number: LD01175810
Price: $1,051
Bank wire price: $1,036
Carat weight: 0.50
Cut: Very Good
Color: F
Clarity: SI1
GIA certificate

Its from bluenile and total comes out to $1351.00

I read about the 4 C’s and did research and learning about diamonds. I am looking for something that would be appealing to the eye and quality over size. 1 carat would be ideal for good quality but for that range of prices I only found around .50 carat.

I never purchased any piece of jewelry before in my life though I did research about diamonds, I still don’t know what would be a good price. For the ring I created on bluenile, is it a good deal? Can I find better at local places? Can I find better online?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and very helpful.
Thanks in advance,

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Gixxer and welcome!

We don't see many hearts here as they are an unusual shape ( lovely though!) What I would be most careful of is of buying one unseen, I would contact a Pricescope vendor who has diamonds in house or can find you a nice heart shape, so that they can evaluate the cut and performance for you. This way you will end up with a gorgeous diamond. Your clarity is fine, perhaps you could lower the colour a touch to include G or H which would still look very white, in this way you can broaden your options. We really have no way of knowing how this diamond would look, that is why working with a great online vendor can really be a smart move, they can be your eyes.

Vendors who have a good rep with fancy shapes are;

Good old Gold
Mark at Engagement Rings Direct
Whiteflash
Wink Jones
James Allen

I would read through their individual sites to see which appeals to you, then contact one you like to let them advise you with this, it will really help you!

 

[Gixxer]

Thanks for the info, I been looking around to few stores online and I see that my options are kind of limited when picking a heart shaped diamond. This is my first time searching for a diamond but I had always assumed that the heart shaped one would be the most common. But I guess I was wrong.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/13/2007 9:35:52 AM
Author: Gixxer
Thanks for the info, I been looking around to few stores online and I see that my options are kind of limited when picking a heart shaped diamond. This is my first time searching for a diamond but I had always assumed that the heart shaped one would be the most common. But I guess I was wrong.

You would think hearts would be a popular shape, but actually it is the round brilliant which is in most demand for engagement rings, especially as a beautifully cut one will sparkle and provide a great performance. It is also not too problematic to find a great cut round diamond with an online vendor, as many provide cut technologies to help the consumer choose such as Idealscope images, also photographs of the diamond - also many have in house diamonds which they can look at for you and advise accordingly. There are also some proven proportions in the round diamond which makes choosing easier. However in a fancy cut this isn't the case, you can't choose by the numbers so much, you really need to be able to see the diamond to judge its beauty, preferably with an expert vendor to help you. This is why working with a vendor you like who either has the diamonds in house, or can call them in is the best way to approach it really.

I feel that would be your best bet and that way you can find a gorgeous heart! Also as you are new to this, take your time in looking and comparing diamonds, finding a superbly cut heart may take more time than other shapes, but it will be worth it in the end.

 

[Ellen]

I echo Miss Lorelei.

 

[Gixxer]

who is Miss Lorelei?

 

[Gixxer]

woops i feel like an idiot nevermind.