Newbie Help

[HokieMike]

Greetings all. Like many, I have been lurking for a bit, and have learned a fair amount just from reading posts. But now it''s time to get serious! I am searching for an enagement ring, and in need of PS wisdom to help me understand my options.

The girlfriend has some distinctive likes that are driving the choices, but I am still a bit dumbfounded when shopping for stones. Naturally, she shopped the local jewelry stores, and fell in love with some of the the typical branded stuff. She loves the HOF Dream cut stones, and she likes some Whitehouse Brothers and Tacori settings. Not that I am against giving her what she wants, but I am by nature a value shopper! Not cheap, just a "selective consumer".

I am hoping that with a few guidelines, the wonderful people on this forum might point me in a few directions to see what options are out there. The rules, such as they are today are as follows:

Budget: All-in $7K -10K tops. I am guessing $5K-7K might get me a decent stone if I shop well.
Stone: She loves the HOF Dream, and I must say, they are impressive, but pricey. Comparable stones at WF or GOG or other? I think I can get something in the 1ct range for HOF''s price on a .75ct stone This is the key choice for me. This is where I need your help!
Setting: A little more latitude here. She likes white gold with a little flash, so I think I can find options just about anywhere.

I know that is pretty vague, but any suggestions and advice would be very welcome! Thanks! Mike

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/21/2008 10:05:29 AM
Author:HokieMike
Greetings all. Like many, I have been lurking for a bit, and have learned a fair amount just from reading posts. But now it's time to get serious! I am searching for an enagement ring, and in need of PS wisdom to help me understand my options.

The girlfriend has some distinctive likes that are driving the choices, but I am still a bit dumbfounded when shopping for stones. Naturally, she shopped the local jewelry stores, and fell in love with some of the the typical branded stuff. She loves the HOF Dream cut stones, and she likes some Whitehouse Brothers and Tacori settings. Not that I am against giving her what she wants, but I am by nature a value shopper! Not cheap, just a 'selective consumer'.

I am hoping that with a few guidelines, the wonderful people on this forum might point me in a few directions to see what options are out there. The rules, such as they are today are as follows:

Budget: All-in $7K -10K tops. I am guessing $5K-7K might get me a decent stone if I shop well.
Stone: She loves the HOF Dream, and I must say, they are impressive, but pricey. Comparable stones at WF or GOG or other? I think I can get something in the 1ct range for HOF's price on a .75ct stone This is the key choice for me. This is where I need your help!
Setting: A little more latitude here. She likes white gold with a little flash, so I think I can find options just about anywhere.

I know that is pretty vague, but any suggestions and advice would be very welcome! Thanks! Mike

Hi Mike and welcome!

There are some nice diamonds out there in your price range such as this one as an example.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-906696.htm#

Do you have a preference for carat, colour and clarity, for example, would you rather have smaller and higher colour and clarity, or as large as possible and lower colour but still white, and SI clarity which has been verified eyeclean?

Settings shouldn't be a problem, so as you say you should be able to find some options from whichever vendor you use. Also some of the vendors stock Tacori or can obtain these settings, so you could inquire if you want to stick to that brand.

 

[HokieMike]

Lorelei,
Thanks for getting me started. The questions you ask are good ones. I am not sure how I feel about the relative importance of those measurements. I guess I am in the "if you can''t see it, don''t pay for it" camp. Having said that, maximum size is not the issue. I think anything near a carat is respectable (though I am certain some ladies on this board would feel otherwise!). I gather that a great cut is critical, but I am not sure how to gauge our needs in color or clarity. Thanks. Mike

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/21/2008 10:21:45 AM
Author: HokieMike
Lorelei,
Thanks for getting me started. The questions you ask are good ones. I am not sure how I feel about the relative importance of those measurements. I guess I am in the ''if you can''t see it, don''t pay for it'' camp. Having said that, maximum size is not the issue. I think anything near a carat is respectable (though I am certain some ladies on this board would feel otherwise!). I gather that a great cut is critical, but I am not sure how to gauge our needs in color or clarity. Thanks. Mike

You are most welcome Mike! Well you know how crucial cut quality is for the beauty of the diamond, so I would think G to I colour and a verified eyeclean SI clarity of a carat or a tad over might fit the bill nicely.

 

[HokieMike]

OK. Been shopping online and locally a bit more. There are a few reasons I think I might want to deal locally for at least the setting. Havinag said that, what do you all feel is a fair premium to pay a local brick & mortar merchant over an internet price? Can I get a comparable stone/ring for $500-1000 more locally? Is that reasonable? Can you do better? Anybody have examples? Thanks. Mike

 

[JulieN]

Isn''t the HOF Dream an H&A cushion? Check out the ones at GOG.