Old Bride Needs Help

[OldBride]

Hi Everyone,
I''ve been lurking, learning and absorbing here for quite a while, and my view of diamonds has changed dramatically.
First of all, my fiance and I are a couple weeks away from making the purchase and we have about a 15k budget for the stone and setting (well, maybe a bit more). As my login might indicate, I''m a 53 year old widow (for 11 years) and will be embarking on my second marriage at the end of August. For my first engagement ring, we used my grandmother''s old mine cut D I2 diamond (1.14ct) that has the world''s largest carbon spot. Although the diamond is family heirloom, I really want to do it right for time two, and I have my heart set on a diamond of around 2cts. I have learned from this site that cut is of primary importance, and that J SI1''s or 2''s can be absolutely beautiful. To get the size I want, I figure we''re looking at a J SI 1 or, more likely, an SI 2.
So, I have a couple of questions. Are you J owners all happy with your stones? Is there any advantage to purchasing a branded stone, such as "A Cut Above" (via Whiteflash) over an ideal cut unbranded stone? Is a GIA certificate good enough to judge the cut or should I look for an AGS and work the numbers on the cut calculator on this site? Has anyone out there purchased one of Whiteflashes proprietary settings? I''m looking at their Champaigne pave design, and think it is just beautiful. Can anyone out there tell me about their experiences with Whiteflash?
Thanks so much,
I am indeed
An Old Bride (Deborah)

 

[dazedland]

Maybe I missed it, but what kind of cut are you looking for? I bought my stone and setting from Renee at Whiteflash and she has been a pleasure to deal with. I should have the completed ring by July 12th. If you are going SI1 or SI2 you should be able to find a 2 carat stone above a J color with the budget that you are looking at, it''s hard to say without knowing what cut you are looking for.

 

[OldBride]

Oh, sorry. I''m looking for an RB and want an ideal cut.
Thanks

 

[moremoremore]

Hi Old Bride LOL....

I think that the best way to answer your question is to tell you to go look at a H&A and an otherwise ideal but unbranded stone side by side. Can you see the difference? That will make your decision easy!

I sure can't as long as the stone is an ideal cut! As for the J- again, you'll need to see it (and take it out of the jeweler's lights) and judge the color! Best of luck!

 

[icekid]

how about.. http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=AGS-5678704

PS price is $12324! 2 ct, J, SI1

Or GOG has this J, SI2 2.028 J SI2 1-EX
ex-ex-ex-vg 0 H&A 61.2% 56% 34.6° 40.7° 1.6-2.1 pt id id no 8.13-8.16*4.99 AGS $12413BS GoodOldGold

I am getting an ACA J, SI1 stone myself. But I don''t have my ring yet! I think I will be ok with the color though! We''ve been assured that it faces up nicely. Have you actually seen some ideal J stones in person? That will help you to figure out if you''re comfortable with the color.

I don''t think it''s important to have a branded H&A stone, as long as the cut is ideal though! But, ACA doesn''t appear to be that much more expensive to me. This WF ACA has a PS cost of $13105, which is only a bit more than the non-branded (though it is SI2) but it''s also a bit bigger.

A GIA cert is fine, but you will need to get more information on the pavilion and crown angles. You can ask for a "Sarin" which will include these numbers.

Last question- you will find that most people here are pretty happy with WF. I am! But have not actually seen my ring yet

They are custom making my setting, so I don''t know about their in-house type settings, but the quality seems very good from what I have seen around here. I am sure more people can chime in about that.

Good luck!

 

[g-man]

Try the modern cushion cuts. In the $14k-$16k you can get a nice one in the 2 carat range in th FGH color range and vs1-vs2. Try dirtcheapdiamonds.com - we just bought a real beauty there this past week. The cushions look so beautiful in the pave settings. With this stone you can enjoy modern brilliance with a slightly more unusual or charming look.
Good luck!
G

 

[longtimelurker]

How about a 2.02 G I1 for $9,292???? I''ve been dying to point this out to someone - http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=8604663 . You''d need more info (ie pictures, talking to vendor to check on if it''s eye-clean), but could it be a contender?

I know Patty has a great I1 stone https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/weve-bought-the-superbcert-1-35-g-i1-diamond.11393/=

and a search will bring up many threads about eye-clean, eye-cleanish, and also NOT eye-clean I1s. Here''s a couple:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/to-i1.13008/=
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/would-anyone-buy-i1-over-si2.11732/=

Something to think about...and then a fabulous setting with the money left over.

 

[moremoremore]

Great suggestion G. I love the mod cushion. Although I'm not too sure you can get a 2 ct modern cushion in that price range...Maybe H color but def not F... you have to look at the facet pattern to see if it's a true modern which will have at least vg symmetry and polish...lots of cushions, not just the moderns, are called "cushion brilliants" on the cert... A true modern F Vs2 will be about 21 grand...

 

[OldBride]

Thanks for all the advise. There''s so much to think about.
OB

 

[belle]

have you narrowed down any stones yet, ob?

 

[OldBride]

Hi.
I''m looking at these stones:

https://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1195870.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1264267.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1264268.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1137375.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-1422001.htm

and this setting:

https://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/U-Prong-Champaigne-Pave-by-WF_740.htm

What do you think?

Deborah aka Old Bride

 

[Lynn B]

Wow, Deborah! Great diamonds, all of them! You could close your eyes and just pick one and I think it would be a winner!

I do like the flourescence of the last one, though. I have heard that it''s pretty cool, especially in J colored diamonds.

I would narrow it down to 2 or 3, and then ask Brian to pull them and look at them for you.

BEAUTIFUL setting, BTW!

And remember, this is supposed to be FUN!

Lynn

 

[sxn675]

I love that setting. It became available soon after I was married and I WISH that it was there beforehand! I think it would look lovely with any of those diamonds. I have an ACA from Whiteflash with which I am very pleased, and I think that you will be too . I am pretty color-sensitive and I have an H colored stone. I do see some warmth in it sometimes, but it doesn't bother me. One day if (when?) I upgrade, I might go with a G because it will be larger. But, this is a personal thing, so you might want to try on some ideal-cut stones in different color grades and see what you think. Good luck and enjoy looking

ETA: My H ACA is almost a carat (just to give you an idea).