Newbie Looking for an E-Ring. Advice Needed...

[BJay]

First thing in the morning I will post a couple more JA options for you. I think that the other might not be a great performer and I don't mean that at all as a criticism to webdiva since she admitted that rounds weren't really her thing. I'm sure JA will allow you to switch it with another in the morning. I'll post again first thing in the morning. I'm sure others will come along tonight as well.

Thank you! One note, I just looked back at the link and the second one I put on hold isn't the one webdiva posted (my mistake) but instead the one you posted which is: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VVS1-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1337522.asp

Hey bjay! I would agree with slg on this stone. I was trying to give you an idea of what you could get in a larger ct weight if you purchased a fancy cut as opposed to a rb and not really making a recommendation. I also wanted to mention that this radiant will face up about the same size as a .65-.7 rb, so if it's size that you really want then rb, pear, oval or marquis will give you the largest face up appearance. I have a 1ct asscher it faces up 5.47x5.67 or something like that which is about the same size as a well cut .7 RB. I want something larger so I'm now upgrading to a round brilliant.

If you really like the looks of the radiant though I can go back and look for a better option for you. Also I haven't forgotten about picking another round for you, I thought I found a nice .75 and then got thrown off the site so I'm just waiting to get back on. Slgs suggestions look great too, and they will look impressive in a halo.

Thanks. I am going to stick to a round. I will contact JA and ask if they can change the second one. SLGs and Webdiva's suggestions look great with regard to a halo. I like the halo setting.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Here are some other options I found within your desired range:

Scott Kay Oval - Great price for a designer setting and GIA certed stone
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Scott-Kay-GIA-Certified-75-Oval-Diamond-Solitaire-3-4-Palladium-Platinum-Ring-/221003816909?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_with_Accents&hash=item3374da9fcd

Princess cut but looks well made. Diamond reports aren't provided but the pics don't look bad.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/REAL-DIAMOND-Square-Frame-engagement-Ring-fashion-ring-2-CT-Beautiful-/120899007347?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_with_Accents&hash=item1c26247373

Jared Diamond
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Diamond-Solitaire-Brilliant-Round-Cut-/221004671808?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item3374e7ab40

More digging required - would get report. Stone looks a bit yellow?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unique-1-32ct-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-/320855338699?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab477eecb

Worth looking up the reports on. I haven't done it yet.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/110865075654?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[Christina...]

First thing in the morning I will post a couple more JA options for you. I think that the other might not be a great performer and I don't mean that at all as a criticism to webdiva since she admitted that rounds weren't really her thing. I'm sure JA will allow you to switch it with another in the morning. I'll post again first thing in the morning. I'm sure others will come along tonight as well.

Thank you! One note, I just looked back at the link and the second one I put on hold isn't the one webdiva posted (my mistake) but instead the one you posted which is: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VVS1-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1337522.asp

Hey bjay! I would agree with slg on this stone. I was trying to give you an idea of what you could get in a larger ct weight if you purchased a fancy cut as opposed to a rb and not really making a recommendation. I also wanted to mention that this radiant will face up about the same size as a .65-.7 rb, so if it's size that you really want then rb, pear, oval or marquis will give you the largest face up appearance. I have a 1ct asscher it faces up 5.47x5.67 or something like that which is about the same size as a well cut .7 RB. I want something larger so I'm now upgrading to a round brilliant.

If you really like the looks of the radiant though I can go back and look for a better option for you. Also I haven't forgotten about picking another round for you, I thought I found a nice .75 and then got thrown off the site so I'm just waiting to get back on. Slgs suggestions look great too, and they will look impressive in a halo.

Thanks. I am going to stick to a round. I will contact JA and ask if they can change the second one. SLGs and Webdiva's suggestions look great with regard to a halo. I like the halo setting.

I think that an RB with a halo is an excellent choice. I absolutely adore a cushion shaped halo with a rb center. There very popular right now too. Also, you are going to visit IDJ and Yuketiel and found PSer amazing stones within their budgets and people have really enjoyed working with him, and his settings a priced very reasonable and people seem happy with the quality. I know it feels overwhelming and there are so many choices to make but your making all the right first steps and you will feel much more confident when you actually see the stones in person and can evaluate them yourself. You may find that lower color doesn't bother you or that clarity does, you may be impressed with the size of a .6 RB. Just a suggestion though, you might ask if JA can bring a sample halo setting to the appointment so that you can see what the stone will look like once it is set, visually you will be able to see how much larger it will look. No issue there with IDJ because they will have tons of setting choices to look at.

 

[BJay]

I think that an RB with a halo is an excellent choice. I absolutely adore a cushion shaped halo with a rb center. There very popular right now too. Also, you are going to visit IDJ and Yuketiel and found PSer amazing stones within their budgets and people have really enjoyed working with him, and his settings a priced very reasonable and people seem happy with the quality. I know it feels overwhelming and there are so many choices to make but your making all the right first steps and you will feel much more confident when you actually see the stones in person and can evaluate them yourself. You may find that lower color doesn't bother you or that clarity does, you may be impressed with the size of a .6 RB. Just a suggestion though, you might ask if JA can bring a sample halo setting to the appointment so that you can see what the stone will look like once it is set, visually you will be able to see how much larger it will look. No issue there with IDJ because they will have tons of setting choices to look at.

I have an appointment with Yekutiel tomorrow morning. I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[Christina...]

Here are some other options I found within your desired range:

Scott Kay Oval - Great price for a designer setting and GIA certed stone
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Scott-Kay-GIA-Certified-75-Oval-Diamond-Solitaire-3-4-Palladium-Platinum-Ring-/221003816909?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_with_Accents&hash=item3374da9fcd

Princess cut but looks well made. Diamond reports aren't provided but the pics don't look bad.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/REAL-DIAMOND-Square-Frame-engagement-Ring-fashion-ring-2-CT-Beautiful-/120899007347?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_with_Accents&hash=item1c26247373

Jared Diamond
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Diamond-Solitaire-Brilliant-Round-Cut-/221004671808?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item3374e7ab40

More digging required - would get report. Stone looks a bit yellow?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unique-1-32ct-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-/320855338699?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab477eecb

Worth looking up the reports on. I haven't done it yet.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/110865075654?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I looked up the report and it looks like a beautiful stone! 1.4 HCA and an icy white F to boot!! It's an SI1 but at this size I don't think that will be much of an issue, they don't show a clarity plot on a report check and often even on reports for stones under 1ct.

And just another thought, most of the diamonds that are sold today belonged to someone else at some point, so don't let the idea that this ring belonged to someone else bother you too much. The ring takes up most of your budget but at some point in the future, maybe on your 1st or 5th anniversary, you could have it reset in a beautiful halo setting for her. Another thought, keep in mind that it you think that you would like to upgrade the stone in the future, buying pre loved limits your choices, however a stone of this quality should be easy to sell on the secondary market and often times vendors will purchase them if you are purchasing a new stone from them.


edit: can't wait to hear how it goes tomorrow!

 

[kristalulu]

Just to make things a little more confusing for you , here is a beautiful August Vintage round from Good Old Gold, J I1, with medium fluor (will whiten the stone up), and it is clarity enhanced. It has a lifetime guarantee on the stone! I don't know how you feel about vintage stones though...

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9277/#script

James Allen would still be able to set your stone in one of their settings, but they do charge a fee.

 

[BJay]

OK ladies and gents. What do you think of these specs per my budget ($2500 including 14K setting) :

GIA Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.23 - 6.26 x 3.84 mm

Carat Weight: .90 carat
Color Grade: M
Clarity Grade: SI2
Cut Grade: Excellent

Clarity Characteristics: Cloud, Feather Finish
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Faint

 

[Christina...]

OK ladies and gents. What do you think of these specs per my budget ($2500 including 14K setting) :

GIA Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.23 - 6.26 x 3.84 mm

Carat Weight: .90 carat
Color Grade: M
Clarity Grade: SI2
Cut Grade: Excellent

Clarity Characteristics: Cloud, Feather Finish
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Faint

Have you seen this stone bjay? Do you know how your gf feels about warmer colored diamonds? I'm assuming that this is a stone that IDJ found and recommended for you?

edit: just another thought...are you still considering setting it in a halo?

 

[BJay]

OK ladies and gents. What do you think of these specs per my budget ($2500 including 14K setting) :

GIA Round Brilliant
Measurements: 6.23 - 6.26 x 3.84 mm

Carat Weight: .90 carat
Color Grade: M
Clarity Grade: SI2
Cut Grade: Excellent

Clarity Characteristics: Cloud, Feather Finish
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Faint

Have you seen this stone bjay? Do you know how your gf feels about warmer colored diamonds? I'm assuming that this is a stone that IDJ found and recommended for you?

edit: just another thought...are you still considering setting it in a halo?

Yes, IDJ recommended it and the diamond looks beautiful to me. It's the best I've seen in person when compared to the ones I've seen in Zales, Macys, etc. It's very sparkly and the .90 looks bigger than what I thought it would look. I wasn't too crazy about the halo setting and the settings I did see that looked nice are $1k+ (outside my range). Question, do you think an enhancer would work? Do you know of people who have bought one for a solitaire? I really like the diamond and I'm fine with the thin band setting but not sure if she will like the setting . I think she wants it to look a bit "beefier" and stand out more.

Btw, Yekutiel was great. He was patient and took a lot of time showing me different diamonds, data scales, comparisons with regard to cut, color, etc. When we discussed the things that were the most important to me, the color grade is what I decided to compromise on. I didn't want a smaller carat size. I don't think my gf feels any particular way about "warmer" diamonds. She thought some of the ones in Zales and JC Penny looked great and I can see that the one from IDJ is better quality so don't think that will be an issue.

What do you think? Let me know...

 

[Christina...]

I think that it sounds like you spent a good amount of time with Yuketiel looking at and comparing diamonds. You've been leaning toward a stone in the 1 ct range with a solitaire setting since the start of this thread, and now you've had the chance to look and see for yourself, so I think that you are in a good position to judge.

I also agree that this stone probably out performs any stone from Zales or any of the other chain mall stores, it will also be accurate graded. Many of the chain stores come with EGL or some made up lab with softly graded stones, so it's my opinion that these diamonds that they call and I are probably a K or lower. Same for the clarity and are poorly cut to boot. I also believe that this is why you felt that IDJs diamond out performed the one you saw in the Mall.

I think that you are making a good decision to leave the diamond in a solitaire setting. Your gf may prefer to wear a solitaire with a diamond wedding band (my favorite look) or as you mentioned find an enhancer that she loves. Her wedding set can be much more versatile as a solitaire than it could be as a halo.

It sounds to me like you found what you were looking for and I would be comfortable putting my faith in Yuketeil. He has found some great diamonds for other PSers that were looking for the most bang for their buck! Congratulations bjay, I"m happy that you found what you were looking for.

You know the rule about starting a thread in the show me the bling forum right?? We will need to see lots of pics!

 

[Gypsy]

I agree with Christina's post. It sounds like you have your ring! Congratulations. I would only add that I would tell her that if she does want to change the setting down the road when you guys can afford something different, then I think you should be okay with that. You are picking a very simple elegant look, but her tastes may be different or she her tastes may change. I would just tell her that it's up to her. So that if she does want something a little different, she knows that she can have it in time.

 

[BJay]

Thanks guys/gals! You all have been so helpful. Question, if you want to "jazz" up the solitaire more, do you think it's best to pay the extra money for a different setting vs purchasing an enhancer/wrap? After a quick search on these boards, I've read where some have said they think an enhancer is outdated.

 

[Gypsy]

Thanks guys/gals! You all have been so helpful. Question, if you want to "jazz" up the solitaire more, do you think it's best to pay the extra money for a different setting vs purchasing an enhancer/wrap? After a quick search on these boards, I've read where some have said they think an enhancer is outdated.

It's not a question that we can answer for you in a meaningful way. Why? Because all we can give you is our opinions and they are frankly irrelevant. Completely and totally.

The ONLY thing that matters is what your lady will think is the way to jazz it up. And she may not WANT to jazz it up at all. That's why I said to give her all the options: reset, enhancer, cool wedding band, stacker bands and let HER chose. Because she will wear it and her opinion is therefore the ONLY one that matters. Also it will be a matter of what works on her hands. My hands are so short I can't wear enhancers, there's not enough room for them on my finger. So if I wanted to jazz something up I am pretty much stuck with reset or a different wedding band (and not a thick one either). So you see... it's all personal to HER and what looks good both TO her and ON her. And only she can decide that.

 

[glammy]

Hi BJay, I believe I saw you today at IDJ. I just wanted to wish you and yours the best!

 

[BJay]

Hi BJay, I believe I saw you today at IDJ. I just wanted to wish you and yours the best!

Hi Glammy. I was there yesterday with my fiance (it's official! ) but can't recall anyone else who was there. How did you know it was me?
Thanks for best wishes. I appreciate it.

Well, I did pop the question and all went well. She was very surprised and happy with the ring. I had to get the ring resized as the original setting was a bit snug. I felt deep inside that she wanted a different setting and I guess I did too so I stretched my budget a bit, let her pick out another setting, and she is very happy with the end result.

A big thanks to all of you again who helped me during my decision making process. I was so overwhelmed and anxious but you guys and Yekutiel really gave me confidence that I would be able to get a nice, quality e-ring (for my budget) that both my fiance and I would love and be proud of... and that is exactly how we feel about the ring she is wearing.

I will post pictures in the appropriate thread shortly.

 

[glammy]

Congrats! Congrats! Congrats!

My boyfriend and I were standing right beside you guys. You looked a bit rushed and was discussing the sizing with Yekutiel, so I didn't want to interrupt. I also heard you say something about the thread, so I knew you had to be a PSer, lol.

Isn't Yekutiel wonderful? He always seems to find the right stone for one's budget.

 

[webdiva]

Yay, congrats!!! We'd love to see pics! What did you end up getting?

 

[Natylad]

Huge congrats on your engagement I can't wait to see the ring

 

[BJay]

Congrats! Congrats! Congrats!

My boyfriend and I were standing right beside you guys. You looked a bit rushed and was discussing the sizing with Yekutiel, so I didn't want to interrupt. I also heard you say something about the thread, so I knew you had to be a PSer, lol.

Isn't Yekutiel wonderful? He always seems to find the right stone for one's budget.

Yes, Yekutiel was great to work with. I will be purchasing from him again in the future.

 

[Christina...]

I'm really excited for you both bjay! Congratulations!!

 

[BJay]

I'm really excited for you both bjay! Congratulations!!

Thank you!! You have been so helpful.

I posted a few pics. Hope I did it right as far as the forum rules and guidelines go.

 

[Lotus99]

Congratulations! It looks lovely.

Here's a link to the SMTB thread: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-fiances-e-ring-from-idj.174797/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-fiances-e-ring-from-idj.174797/[/URL]