Newby: Proposing on June 11, need diamond help ASAP

[AOmagman78]

Ok, I got a lot of advice from my brother on diamonds in the past 2 days. But basically, I''m looking to spend $2000 on the engagement ring, probably just a white gold setting for like $300, and the rest for the diamond. My brother has told me to only look at the highest cut diamonds, which I understand is worth the money. Also, that I should be ok with ''I'' colors as they will look fine to the eye. He said that VS2 is fine and possibly SI1 could be. I''ve found that for the H&A vs. Ideal (on JamesAllen) i''m looking at a .62-.70 difference in carrot. But is Hearts and Arrows only for round cuts? For the SI1 vs. VS2, I can''t find a good comparison.

My basic question is, what would you guys suggest for that kind of price range? Should I settle for ideal or SI1? Aside from round, what is a popular engagement cut? Unfortunately the ''right'' time has abruptly come upon me, so I need to order it very soon.

Any help would be very much appreciated. I just want something that I can be confident about when I open that box. Thanks all.


Shawn

 

[Lula]

James Allen has a great selection and great prices. For $1500 - $1700 you should be able to get a nice size diamond with G - I color and VS1 - SI1 clarity. For anything in the SI1 clarity grade, you can ask JA''s gemologist to view the stone for you to make sure the inclusions are threatening the integrity of the stone and that the stone is "eye clean." If you type your color, clarity, size, price specs into the JA search engine and stick with GIA excellent or AGS ideal cuts, you will have a lot to choose from. They have several nice settings for $400 - $500. It''s hard to find a decent setting for much under $400 (that I''ve seen anyway; other posters may have some less expensive options for you).

 

[AOmagman78]

Also, with this size of diamond (.60-.80) what size setting should I be looking at, so as to not over power the diamond? 2mm, 2.5mm, etc?

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 6/1/2009 10:41:11 PM
Author:AOmagman78
Ok, I got a lot of advice from my brother on diamonds in the past 2 days. But basically, I'm looking to spend $2000 on the engagement ring, probably just a white gold setting for like $300, and the rest for the diamond. My brother has told me to only look at the highest cut diamonds, which I understand is worth the money. Also, that I should be ok with 'I' colors as they will look fine to the eye. He said that VS2 is fine and possibly SI1 could be. I've found that for the H&A vs. Ideal (on JamesAllen) i'm looking at a .62-.70 difference in carrot. But is Hearts and Arrows only for round cuts? For the SI1 vs. VS2, I can't find a good comparison.

My basic question is, what would you guys suggest for that kind of price range? Should I settle for ideal or SI1? Aside from round, what is a popular engagement cut? Unfortunately the 'right' time has abruptly come upon me, so I need to order it very soon.

Any help would be very much appreciated. I just want something that I can be confident about when I open that box. Thanks all.


Shawn

Hey there, welcome to Pricescope

Your brother has given you some great advice to start. Don't sacrifice on cut and I color is fine for most people, especially in this size range. SI1 is fine for clarity as long as the vendor can confirm it is eye-clean (and JamesAllen's people can) H&A is only in round cuts and a few proprietary cuts, though you will have to decide if it is worth the extra money. H&A is a measurement of optical symmetry and there are H&A diamonds that don't have great light performance and non-H&A ideal cut stones that have spectacular light performance. Stones in the latter category are usually slightly lower priced, so you can get a larger diamond on the same budget.

For shapes, rounds and princess dominate the market, as far as quantity, though there are many other great shapes and styles out there. Do you know which your gf would prefer? Most girls have a preference for shape and someone that loves rounds rarely likes a princess and vice versa.

If you would like, some of us here could suggest some possibilities for stones based on your budget.

EDT: A high quality basic Tiffany style solitaire setting in gold is usually around $300. If you want something different, sarap is right, it will run more. Setting width is usally a personal preference. Does your gf wear very dainty settings or something a little more substantial?

 

[AOmagman78]

Suggestions would be GREAT. I was really just looking on the J&A site for settings, I guess I didn''t consider outside settings. But if you think it would make for a better ring I am definitely open to that. Like I said, my budget is <2000. My girlfriend wouldn''t know the difference between a princess and a round cut. She could not care less. This is a 5-minutes to get ready type girl. I like either. So if you''d like to suggest some stones that would be awesome. Thank you.

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 6/1/2009 11:08:52 PM
Author: AOmagman78
Suggestions would be GREAT. I was really just looking on the J&A site for settings, I guess I didn't consider outside settings. But if you think it would make for a better ring I am definitely open to that. Like I said, my budget is . She could not care less. This is a 5-minutes to get ready type girl. I like either. So if you'd like to suggest some stones that would be awesome. Thank you.

If she is that basic and really doesn't care (are you SURE?), you could stick with a round in a simple solitaire setting, as it is probably the most basic and common e-ring style. Any vendor will have a basic Tiffany style so it will just come down to finding the diamond. I'll take a quick look and there will be others around later tonight and in the morning that will have some good ideas.

EDT: Here are a couple to look at.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1237587.asp

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/5708/

 

[Lula]

You may want to call/e-mail James Allen (or any of the other vendors) to get an idea of how long it will take them to set a stone and get it sent to you. Are you near any of the vendors, i.e. New York, New Jersey (JA, Good Old Gold) or Texas (Whiteflash) so that you could go there in person? There are other smaller vendors that have access to great stones in other parts of the country as well. See the resources tab under diamond vendors on the pricescope home page. I''m a little concerned about your short timeline, so before you go much further, you might want to

 

[swingirl]

0.607ct H VS2

Solitare setting for $250

Another combination.

0.61ct H VS2

Setting with stones

With a tight time frame it will be best to order the stone and setting from the same vendor. VS's are usually pretty safe but of course I'd ask the vendor to visually inspect it and get their opinion about what they see. Both vendors are honest with their descriptions.

 

[girlie-girl]

Here's another suggestion for you, it's just a tad smaller than what you listed:

.51 H VS2 in the Cross Prong Solitaire setting.

 

[AOmagman78]

Ok, thank you all. Girlie-girl, loved this setting, Cross Prong Solitaire

These are the 2 diamonds I have found and plan to contact J. Allen about:

0.61 Carat H-VS2 Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cut Round Diamond



0.62 Carat I-VS1 Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cut Round Diamond

Thanks for your help. I decided I think she''d prefer the round to the princess, she''d be more impressed with the shine and light reflection. And that setting is very pretty, yet still simple. J. Allen claims they can get it to me in 5 business days, so I''m confident it will be here in time. Thanks again all!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/2/2009 8:42:10 AM
Author: AOmagman78
Ok, thank you all. Girlie-girl, loved this setting, Cross Prong Solitaire

These are the 2 diamonds I have found and plan to contact J. Allen about:

0.61 Carat H-VS2 Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cut Round Diamond



0.62 Carat I-VS1 Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cut Round Diamond

Thanks for your help. I decided I think she''d prefer the round to the princess, she''d be more impressed with the shine and light reflection. And that setting is very pretty, yet still simple. J. Allen claims they can get it to me in 5 business days, so I''m confident it will be here in time. Thanks again all!

I prefer the first diamond, it would be great to have hearts images in order to judge overall cut precision, but I don''t think JA provide these.

 

[stone-cold11]

Both look good to me.

 

[jet2ks]

That setting and either of those stones will make a beautiful ring. Good luck with the proposal.

 

[girlie-girl]

Date: 6/2/2009 8:42:10 AM
Author: AOmagman78
Ok, thank you all. Girlie-girl, loved this setting, Cross Prong Solitaire

These are the 2 diamonds I have found and plan to contact J. Allen about:

0.61 Carat H-VS2 Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cut Round Diamond



0.62 Carat I-VS1 Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cut Round Diamond

Thanks for your help. I decided I think she''d prefer the round to the princess, she''d be more impressed with the shine and light reflection. And that setting is very pretty, yet still simple. J. Allen claims they can get it to me in 5 business days, so I''m confident it will be here in time. Thanks again all!

I''m happy you liked that setting, I think it''ll be really pretty. I also think it''s smart to get a round rather than a princess when you don''t know her preference.

We''d love to see the finished ring! Good luck!

 

[Lula]

I think round is a better choice, too, and I love the cross-prong setting. I prefer the .61 stone from JA, the IS and proportions look great, and if they can get it to you in 5 business days, you should have smooth sailing. I think your gf will be very pleased.

 

[Stone Hunter]

Rounds almost always face up as a larger stone than a princess of the same weight. So yeah unless she asks for a princess a round is the way to go.

Hope things go smoothly for you!

 

[AOmagman78]

Well, here it is people. Thanks for all the advice. I''m super excited about it all. Not on the ring yet, no until tuesday. I''ll post pics again then.

 

[AOmagman78]

And the arrows shot. Quite the handy microscope they give ya.

 

[Lula]

Looks great! I can''t wait to see it in the ring.