Newbie with a shopping list

[missyminx]

Hello... I''ve been lurking around PS for a while now, hoping to learn a thing or two about diamonds from the vast library here.

I''d wanted to learn more for the purpose of my future e-ring but since I''m not close to saying "YES!" anytime soon, browsing PS has become more of a drooling and jaw-dropping activity. I love the beautiful pieces of bling that you all have so kindly shared.

Recently I decided to make my first jewelry purchase.

Since I am on a budget, I can''t afford GIA graded stones. Thus I''m looking to make a 5-stone RHR, with approx 1.25 cttw.

I''ve made an appointment with a jeweler tomorrow to pick out 5 loose 0.25cttw stones. I''ve specified that I would like them to be F-G, VS1-VS2.

As there will be no accompanying cert, I would really appreciate any tips on how to choose very brilliant or sparkly diamonds. It will be my first time looking at loose diamonds and while I''m quite looking forward to it, I''m also worried I will make poor choices of the 5 stones.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[krisvrn]

Date: 3/17/2008 11:03:59 AM
Author:missyminx
Hello... I''ve been lurking around PS for a while now, hoping to learn a thing or two about diamonds from the vast library here.

I''d wanted to learn more for the purpose of my future e-ring but since I''m not close to saying ''YES!'' anytime soon, browsing PS has become more of a drooling and jaw-dropping activity. I love the beautiful pieces of bling that you all have so kindly shared.

Recently I decided to make my first jewelry purchase.

Since I am on a budget, I can''t afford GIA graded stones. Thus I''m looking to make a 5-stone RHR, with approx 1.25 cttw.

I''ve made an appointment with a jeweler tomorrow to pick out 5 loose 0.25cttw stones. I''ve specified that I would like them to be F-G, VS1-VS2.

As there will be no accompanying cert, I would really appreciate any tips on how to choose very brilliant or sparkly diamonds. It will be my first time looking at loose diamonds and while I''m quite looking forward to it, I''m also worried I will make poor choices of the 5 stones.

Any help is appreciated!

I would just ask jeweler what is the color/clarity, cut, etc. if no cert.. I would say use your "eyes".

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/17/2008 11:03:59 AM
Author:missyminx
Hello... I've been lurking around PS for a while now, hoping to learn a thing or two about diamonds from the vast library here.

I'd wanted to learn more for the purpose of my future e-ring but since I'm not close to saying 'YES!' anytime soon, browsing PS has become more of a drooling and jaw-dropping activity. I love the beautiful pieces of bling that you all have so kindly shared.

Recently I decided to make my first jewelry purchase.

Since I am on a budget, I can't afford GIA graded stones. Thus I'm looking to make a 5-stone RHR, with approx 1.25 cttw.

I've made an appointment with a jeweler tomorrow to pick out 5 loose 0.25cttw stones. I've specified that I would like them to be F-G, VS1-VS2.

As there will be no accompanying cert, I would really appreciate any tips on how to choose very brilliant or sparkly diamonds. It will be my first time looking at loose diamonds and while I'm quite looking forward to it, I'm also worried I will make poor choices of the 5 stones.

Any help is appreciated!

Welcome!

It is CUT that makes a diamond beautiful, so that is an incredibly important factor. If the diamonds haven't been lab graded, you could see if the jeweller has access to a Sarin machine, which will give detailed measurements of the diamonds. If you had more time, I would recommend you bought an Idealscope which would really help, but as the appointment is tomorrow, that can't be a consideration.

Best thing you can do is to check the diamonds out in as many different lights as you can, to see how they will perform in ' real life' lighting conditions, away from the store lights. Also in that size, it is likely even SI clarities could be eyeclean, and even H colour will still face up very white. I just wanted to mention this, as this could broaden your options in case you don't see any diamonds that take your fancy!

 

[babysteps]

^^ Agree - you have to like what you see! and also, I would ask to look at the stones in several different lights - near a window, with diffuse light, etc. - not just under pinpoint jeweler lights, since they make almost everything look twinkly - make sure you like them under different conditions.

 

[missyminx]

Hi krisvrn, lorelei & babysteps!

I was thinking of the different lighting as well! Unfortunately most jewelry shops in Singapore don''t have windows, so I''ve even contemplated bringing my own portable light/torchlight(anything but a sparkle-enhancing halogen)! But that''s not such a good idea is it?

Lorelei thanks for giving me the idea of the Idealscope. It would aid me much more than relying solely on my naked eyes. (Given I have -9.50/-9.00 vision with slight astigmatism it makes my case even weaker) I think I might hold off the appointment and get the idealscope first so I can take it with me to the store. Since"one is never enough..." it will be a good investment... for the future

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/17/2008 1:14:20 PM
Author: missyminx
Hi krisvrn, lorelei & babysteps!

I was thinking of the different lighting as well! Unfortunately most jewelry shops in Singapore don't have windows, so I've even contemplated bringing my own portable light/torchlight(anything but a sparkle-enhancing halogen)! But that's not such a good idea is it?

Lorelei thanks for giving me the idea of the Idealscope. It would aid me much more than relying solely on my naked eyes. (Given I have -9.50/-9.00 vision with slight astigmatism it makes my case even weaker) I think I might hold off the appointment and get the idealscope first so I can take it with me to the store. Since'one is never enough...' it will be a good investment... for the future

Glad to have helped, here is a link where you can purchase an Idealscope!
http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_order.asp

And they are a very good investment for future purchases...

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/17/2008 2:21:33 PM
Author: Lorelei

Glad to have helped, here is a link where you can purchase an Idealscope!
http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_order.asp

And they are a very good investment for future purchases...

enabler

missy, the only other thing you can do, is look at the stone under the sparkley light, then shield it with your hand, or hold under the counter. A good diamond should still look good, just less "alive". But not flat and dull.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/17/2008 2:33:29 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 3/17/2008 2:21:33 PM
Author: Lorelei

Glad to have helped, here is a link where you can purchase an Idealscope!
http://www.ideal-scope.com/cart_order.asp

And they are a very good investment for future purchases...

enabler

missy, the only other thing you can do, is look at the stone under the sparkley light, then shield it with your hand, or hold under the counter. A good diamond should still look good, just less ''alive''. But not flat and dull.

 

[Ellen]

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/17/2008 2:52:19 PM
Author: Ellen

 

[Ellen]

Stop!

missy, I'm sorry. As you can see, Miss Lorelei is a terrible influence, in so many ways.

 

[kcoursolle]

Have you tried getting quotes for 5-stone bands from facets and from whiteflash? They have very reasonable prices and can sell you very well-cut high quality melee that insn''t certified. I would consider dropping down in color/clarity to the H/SI1 range and going with well-cut melee from WF. I have a 5-stone band from them that is absolutely stunning!

 

[missyminx]

Hi kcoursolle, would you know how much such a ring from Whiteflash would cost?

My jeweler here quoted me S$3,400 (US$2,300). I don''t know if this is more than what I should pay, but it was a much better quote compared to a ready-to-wear piece I found at another jeweler, that was going for S$6,760 (US$4,900). I don''t have much basis for comparison because most of the shops sell these rings made up of 10-20 pointers.

Please let me know if I am paying too much.

Idealscope just shipped my order today. I''m looking forward to getting it!

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 3/17/2008 5:09:53 PM
Author: kcoursolle
Have you tried getting quotes for 5-stone bands from facets and from whiteflash? They have very reasonable prices and can sell you very well-cut high quality melee that insn''t certified. I would consider dropping down in color/clarity to the H/SI1 range and going with well-cut melee from WF. I have a 5-stone band from them that is absolutely stunning!

HI:

I concur. In addition, if the stones you purchase from WF are ACA''s they will be part of the trade-in policy and that must be deemed an advantage over uncerted stones. Many of the vendors listed here have trade-in policies.

cheers--Sharon

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 3/19/2008 9:51:29 AM
Author: missyminx
Hi kcoursolle, would you know how much such a ring from Whiteflash would cost?

My jeweler here quoted me S$3,400 (US$2,300). I don''t know if this is more than what I should pay, but it was a much better quote compared to a ready-to-wear piece I found at another jeweler, that was going for S$6,760 (US$4,900). I don''t have much basis for comparison because most of the shops sell these rings made up of 10-20 pointers.

Please let me know if I am paying too much.

Idealscope just shipped my order today. I''m looking forward to getting it!

Unfortunately, you''d have to call them up and ask for a quote. Metal prices have changed so much from when I bought the ring and in addition my stones are certed so probably more expensive than what you want.