Noob needing some help. Thoughts on these???

[arkansas]

The tiny bit that I have learned about diamonds comes from scouring this website, and I'm getting ready to pull the trigger soon. I'm pretty set on buying a pear shape, but that has scared me away from purchasing online. I've looked at Bluenile, Union Diamond, James Allen, etc. and have found what spec-wise look to be great deals, but I just don't know about them since I'm looking at pears. So, I asked a local jeweler for eye-clean, ideal proportion 1-1.5ct pears with an emphasis on cut. I didn't give a price range. Here are some stones that I will see in a few days:

1.01ct G-color, VS2-clarity - $5365
1.01ct D, SI1 - $5885
1.01ct E, VVS2 - $8130
1.01ct F, SI2 - $4410
1.18ct F, VS1 - $7380
1.27ct D, VS2 - $9390
1.40ct F, SI1 - $7700
1.52ct G, SI2 - $9600

Knowing that I'll be viewing them in person, which ones if any catch your eye? What should I look for? Are they out of line price-wise? I know the lack of "bowtie effect", symmetry, and proportions are key.

My special woman doesn't know any more about diamonds than I do, but is sold on "big & gaudy" - her quotes, not mine! She doesn't like rounds because they are so common, but has mentioned princess, emeralds, and especially pears. $15k is my ideal max budget all in, but I would like to keep it as far under that as possible. Not helping matters is the fact that I have personally fallen in love with a setting from JB Star that the jeweler quoted at $5800. http://www.jbstar.com/product/0134-014/

That seems pretty steep, but nothing else has caught my eye like that one did in person. That is definitely taking a large chunk out of the size equation though. That $5800 quote is based off of me purchasing the stone from the same place as well, otherwise its $7000. Does that sound normal?

Thanks for the help!

-j

 

[Gypsy]

You need pictures. We can't pick from the numbers for pears.

Regarding the setting. I love JB star, but don't care for that setting. MOST women I know would prefer a larger center stone and a less expensive setting. You can get a beautiful hand forged halo for your Pear for 3,600-4,000 custom made from a great vendor. Check out Timelessluxury.net . That setting is extremely overpriced and not very original at all. Plus the metal work is really overpowering.

Here's a thread on another poster's pear buying experience: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/issues-finding-stone.172231/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/issues-finding-stone.172231/[/URL]


WATCH THIS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0uIKhU5yvc&feature=youtu.be It will show you why pears need to be seen to be purchased. The numbers of both of these fall within desired stat ranges.

 

[Gypsy]

Beaudry was 50% off at Pearlmans Jewelers a while back. I'd call and see if they can sell you this ring for 15k: http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/beaudry-jewelry/rings/76B1/ Great quality construction, large center and... it's her style.

 

[Lotus99]

Make sure you look out for visible inclusions when you're looking at the diamonds. You hadn't mentioned it, so I thought I would. Hopefully, your jeweler will also look for them and point them out to you. The lowest price stone may have an ugly inclusion -- because it's priced so much less than the others, it likely has some problem or other.

The videos linked above will definitely help you figure out what to look for.

 

[Ravinmad]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/Diamonds/diamond-details/1.570-G-SI2-Pear-Diamond-GIA-28832705

twinning whisps and 7500 before any discount. I dare say you might be able to work a deal for a custom ring setup with that stone or another one thats near that mark for 10-11k total. I suggest you contact Brian Gavin Diamonds, tell them you are a PS member( and you will get a discount) and might be possibly interested in this 1.57ct G SI2 that has twinning whisps, or another like stone, and then send them the link to that ring you like and tell them you would like something fashioned in that "style" but a custom ring and get an approximate price quote. I think you can might be able to pull of a entire package deal for 10-11k, but then again I might be wrong

another nice 1.26ct G VS2 with medium blue flour is 6100 before discounts, Given this price you'd have 4-5K for your ring work. consider it and look thru their gallery they have some amazing rings.

I dont know what specifically but the folks at Goodoldgold can probably set you up with an amazing deal as well.

I dont know what a custom Leon would run, best ask the others on that one.....

Good luck and keep us posted.


edit: http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/estate-jewelry/rings/128PO1/32/ Gypsy lead me to look thru pearlmans and I spotted this, so credit goes to Gypsy on this one as well.

 

[Gypsy]

Also, I think that if you are spending 7k for a setting you should get sidestones. I think this is a better design (BGD could do this easily) for the look you want. LOTS of bling. (I prefer the one on top). Steven at Timeless Luxury could do this as well.

 

[arkansas]

I checked the stones out in person today. I went into it wanting the 1.40 to be my favorite, but was pretty disappointed with that one. The 1.01 VS2 was stunning, but pretty small when compared to the larger ones. Definitely the best value of the 1.01s. The 1.52 grabbed all my attention. The 1.40 had a very noticeable feather on the side though that went about a 1/4 of the way across. It was really the only noticeable flaw even under the scope, but it was a significant one that I just couldn't get past even with the naked eye. I just kept catching it from every angle. The 1.52 is a lower grade in both color and clarity, but looked much better in person. It did have some minor carbon inclusions under the scope, but nothing that bothered me. They dropped the price to $9200, and I'm really considering it. The proportions were excellent, great fire and just as good to my eyes as any of the 1.01s.

Thanks for the help so far!

-j