One week to decide - suggestions welcome

[mattk2]

As someone that's learned a ton from these boards, I thought it would only be fair to contribute by signing up and asking one question regarding my final two choices (read: share my story and then ask for advice on splitting hairs).

Before I start, in the last few months of shopping for a ring in order to surprise my soon to be fiance, I've learned a TON from all the posts, experiences, and commentaries here in the forums, so thank you all. Fast forward to today, and I have exactly 24 days until I'm set to ask her. The timing is somewhat flexible, but I've already got her parents permission, have family coming in town, and planned a vacation with her that she thinks is just about New Years (hint: it's not).

Now for the back-story, because it has a lot of influence on the rock:

As a creative professional myself, I started about two months ago trading emails and sketches with an engagement ring designer. To start the engagement ring design process, I sent him a few images describing her taste and style. She's Indian, and I'm an architect, so there was a lot of inspiration on my part going into it. She doesn't wear much jewelry, and what she does is very minimal. She's not picky either, though when we've talked about it, I've gotten the sense that a unique, weaving platinum pave band would be perfect for her. And while her fingers are very long and slender, she's still quite tall, so .75ct to .9ct is about the right size for her / price for me. So the idea was to get a ring designed from her hometown, and a diamond from a place she lived growing up, Canada.

Unfortunately it didn't work out, partly because of my ambitious timeline and partly because I just didn't like the custom ring designs all that much, even after the third iteration. I'm at least thankful that I took a shot at designing the ring months in advance, and not today.

However, that leaves me where I'm now faced with only a few weeks to purchase a diamond and ring, have it shipped, and then make sure it's what I want to ask her with, all by just after Christmas. To make things more complicated, she's moving into my apartment starting next week, so I can't risk her snooping over my shoulder as I peruse every ring design website known to man looking for that perfect ring (as I've done sporadically for the last few months). It also rules out me choosing a setting and loose diamond separately, as originally intended, because I'd somehow have to find time to set it locally without her getting curious what I was doing. My best bet is to pick from between my two favorite rings and have it sent directly to me. And that's why I'd value your input, pricescopers.

So here goes:

My initial estimated budget was ~$3-5,000. She hinted at a platinum band with diamonds on the side (pave, right?) for the setting (~$2,000 right there). Out of what's left of my ~$1-3,000 I want an excellent cut diamond as the top priority. Visually clean to the eye (VS2) with little to no fluorescence. Color is fine in the H - I range (since she's Indian, I don't mind not having a perfectly clear diamond color, as her brown skin tone will likely influence the perceived color anyways). And as I said before, sized .75ct to .9ct. I briefly flirted with .6ct, but I thought that was pushing it.

Here's where the wrench comes into play: while she wants a 'real diamond' and a 'platinum band', she's also grew up some in Canada, and on top of that is a very ethical person (law/journalism career). So ethically sourced diamonds were on my mind from the start. I found Brilliant Earth early on, except they don't offer anything in the way of actual photographs of the diamonds (despite repeated requests). Now, I know there exist dedicated sales team experts, blah blah blah. I just want to see what my $5,000 was getting me, and I don't care if they think it's an IF grade clarity, I want to see it. If you're in the business of diamond rings, you'd think having actual photos would be a requisite...

So I'm left with two choices, both very good. One still from Brilliant Earth, the other from B2C Jewelry, which DOES provide images of the actual diamond. Their diamond is bigger at .9ct, and is for the same price as BE's. Only catch? No Canadamark-ed diamond from B2C. So now I'm left wondering how good the Kimberly Process reallllllly is (conflict free vs. blood diamonds vs. forced labor, etc.), or whether it's worth paying a premium just to end up with a smaller diamond.

Below is Brilliant Earth's Amore Platinum setting with a .75ct diamond, Super Ideal, VS2/SI1, I-color, no photo to verify:



After that is the B2C Infinity Twist in Platinum, with .9ct diamond, Excellent, I Color, VVS2 clarity, with a GIA report and actual photo below:





http://www.b2cjewels.com/Images//Certificate//3747537.pdf

So please, let me know if you have any suggestions or advice, whether it be on the diamonds, the settings, the sellers, or Kim's process. Did I mention I only have a few days to decide?

Thank you all again.

- MK2

 

[justginger]

To throw another possibility out there, you do know that often companies will set other companies' stones, right? So if you find the perfect diamond with Company A, and want it put into a setting from Company B, it can be done by Company B and not locally (they'll charge you a nominal setting fee). Maybe that will open up some more possibilities? I feel like there's an undercurrent of feeling backed into a corner with one of these two rings, and a guy should be thrilled with what his big bucks are going to purchase, you know?

I can't comment on the Kimberley Process or how efficient it is. To, once again, give you another thing to think about -- you could consider getting an antique stone. That doesn't do anything about the 'blood diamond' aspect of the issue (though you haven't explicitly stated that your partner is concerned with unethical mining specifically), but it does get rid of the issue of environmental damage, etc. It's the ultimate in recycling (and the stones are beautiful)!

 

[kat08]

I bought my diamond from BE. I think justginger has a good point: you could buy your diamond from BE and save elsewhere on the setting. As far as I understand, most metals are recycled anyway.

Another think to think about is moving to a J color for extra savings? Many people here set J diamonds in platinum and find that they still look gorgeous and white. Some here on PS even like warmer colored diamonds specifically for the warmth. Both of my diamonds have been I diamonds, and my newest upgrade from BE will be a J (it hasn't arrived yet), but I'm setting mine in yellow gold. With yellow gold, I probably could have even gone with a K, but they don't offer that at BE.

I've had a good experience with BE, and I can see why it would be especially meaningful to your fiancé to have a diamond from where she grew up. Most people on PS trust in the Kimberly process. You have to do your own research and decide how you feel about it. I purchased my diamond from BE, but then I also spend extra money on all organic food; that probably adds 50% to my grocery bill, lol! I have conscientious friends, though, who would never spend that kind of money on organic food. They are very caring people and put their caring to use in other ways. There's no one right way to make a positive difference.

If you get an SI diamond, make sure the store's gemologist thoroughly inspects it. I did have to return one SI diamond from BE because it had a visible inclusion in the table. They then sent me another SI1 that was eye clean (their gemologist took more time examining that one). It's probably safe if you go with a VS2 (that's what my upgrade is).