Newbie Needs Assistance

[focalmatic]

I am getting awfully close to proposing to my girlfriend who I''ve been with for 4 years (yes I know that I am a slowpoke). I have been researching diamonds here and there for the last 2 years. While I am far from an expert, I know a bit about them.

I have stared at this particular diamond for over two months and I think that the inclusions scare people away from it. The price is about 1k above my budget for the diamond because I need to figure in the cost of the setting.

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/diamond/1445.html

The setting that I like is the Cartier 4 prong channel setting - obviously that would kill my budget, but I was wondering if anyone knew of any places that sell a similar look for cheaper (or even just a four prong platinum setting)

Its the Solitaire 1895 Look under Classic Engagement Rings when you visit:

http://www.cartier.com/bridal/us/

My thing is that I fall for the branded diamonds the most. The thing that really gets me is the B-Scope Reports. I know that they are controversial, but if something scores a Triple Very High on it - it really peaks my interest. The problem lies in the fact that I don''t feel like I have exhausted my search because I have only searched the superbcerts and solasferas, which are b-scope hounds. The funny thing is my budget is 5k out the door and I am looking at some very expensive branded diamonds.

Thank you in advance!!!

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome

Just a quick search above and using the cut quality tool brought up this diamond http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=GIA-14814812# just as an example if you were prepared to drop the colour. You will pay a premium for an E and unless this is important to you to have the E colour, a diamond like this one would look as good and is well within budget with a simple setting. The H colour should still face up very white. There are many other lovely diamonds out there I am sure. WF don't use BS, but I should imagine it is hard to go wrong with their expert selection diamonds and the evaluating tools they use. Hope this gives you an idea of what else is out there before you pull the trigger.

 

[focalmatic]

Thanks for the help - it looks like using the resources here on the site will be extremely helpful.

I am looking into Whiteflash more intensively as we speak. Can you tell the difference between .95 and lets say .83 with the naked eye?

 

[Lorelei]

I think there would be a difference if you compared them side by side, if you have two in mind check out the measurements of both eg. 6.4 x 6.4 etc to see how large each diamond faces up with the diameter measurements along with carat weight. There is a carat size chart for you to see the size differences on Google.

 

[focalmatic]

I found this monster on whiteflash and the price is very nice. I don''t know if I put too much emphasis on having to see a brilliancescope report, but when I plugged this into the cut advisor here - it came up as a 1.1.

www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-2107680.htm#

Any input?

 

[Lorelei]

Looks as if it could be great and I don't think you can go far wrong with these WF diamonds. Whatever method is used for analysing optical performance the most important tool is YOUR OWN EYES, these methods are very helpful of course to weed out diamonds etc. Looks like now you are really researching and doing your homework and comparing, well done! WF will be very helpful, and will discuss each diamond thoroughly with you, if this one is eyeclean which it looks like it might be it could be a winner.

 

[JDgirl]

I have no idea about this company, but I found this setting while looking for the 1895 solitaire once:

http://www.betterthandiamond.com/diamonds/jewelry/rings/cartier1895.php

 

[BSHAW]

Hey Focalmatic,
I am no expert so I can''t comment on these diamonds but as the other things in your post I just got engaged after 5 years together with my SO. So we may be slowpokes but we aren''t alone lots of people wait this long especially if you are still young. Also I ended up spending $2000 more than I had wanted but I figured she earned it for waiting around on me for 5 years. Good luck with whatever you choose!!