Opinions appreciated

[cjflinders]

Hi,


I am hoping to do things the right way the second time around. My GF is very special to me as she has put up and stood by me through a very difficult divorce (met after seperation lol), accepting my daughter, and everything else that comes with dating a divorced man. I have been looking and consider myself semi-informed about diamonds, but I need some opinions on if I am on the right track.

I am looking at:
.73 round Ideal cut
F
VVs2
ideal symmetry and polish
$4800

The mounting I am looking at is a tension mount from Gelin Abaci. The mounting in WG is $980. I am looking to stay under $7000 total. The dealer I am working with offers an extended warranty for $900 for this stone and setting. Rhodium plating, resizing for life, and full diamond coverage is included with this agreement.


My questions:
1. Would anyone visually be able to tell the difference between an F-vvs2 and a D-IF?
2. The quality of the diamond is more important to me than the diamond size. Is F-vvs2 a good compromise for someone wanting a high quality diamond or should I just go smaller D-IF?
3. I know that if the ring would need resized it would have to be basically redone. So, would the warranty be worth it for the resizing aspect or am I just getting rooked. I know Plating runs about $40 through them.


I know this is long, but I want to make this ring the perfect ring for her.

 

[JulieN]

1. No oone can tell the difference.
2. Drop it to VS1 or VS2.

 

[peridot83]

First, the most important quality is the cut of the diamond. Because that determines how much its actually going to sparkle & flash. Also, the better cut the diamond, the better it will look for its weight and the whiter it will look face up.

If this diamond is an AGS0, then you don''t really have anything to worry about. "Ideal" is often thrown around, but there are no standards and anyone can use the term. If it''s NOT an AGS0, I would compare a lot a lot of diamonds against each other if shopping in person. (Also go into Tiffanys if there''s one by you and look at their diamonds, they have pretty good, but overpriced quality for a Brick and Mortor).

If shopping online, make sure to get an ASET or Idealscope image of the diamond so you can evaluate the light return.

Look at the Good Old Gold tutorial on clarity & color to see what your tolerance is (i.e. for me I would never need to go above F VS1, but everyone is different)

http://www.goodoldgold.com/4Cs

Their color one compares diamonds from D-L to each other face down, against a D. Their clarity one looks at each clarity level and gives plenty of examples.

 

[ladykemma]

I am looking at:
.73 round Ideal cut
F
VVs2
ideal symmetry and polish
$4800

The mounting I am looking at is a tension mount from Gelin Abaci. The mounting in WG is $980. I am looking to stay under $7000 total. The dealer I am working with offers an extended warranty for $900 for this stone and setting. Rhodium plating, resizing for life, and full diamond coverage is included with this agreement.


My questions:
1. Would anyone visually be able to tell the difference between an F-vvs2 and a D-IF?
2. The quality of the diamond is more important to me than the diamond size. Is F-vvs2 a good compromise for someone wanting a high quality diamond or should I just go smaller D-IF?
3. I know that if the ring would need resized it would have to be basically redone. So, would the warranty be worth it for the resizing aspect or am I just getting rooked. I know Plating runs about $40 through them.

ok, take off man brain and put on woman brain.

Item 1. gelin abaci. men love them but women have been known to be on this site sobbing because they hate their ring their man bought. men like them, women don't-- be careful. has your lady specifically stated that she wants a gelin abaci tension ring? I love them personally, and would want a small perfect stone.

Item 2. I would go for perfection if i were buying a gelin abaci. a small perfect stone in a very plain setting. would get D E F / VS2. VVS2 is overkill.

Item 3. the quality of the diamond is more important "TO YOU", but most women want size. even dropping to a JKL SI2 to get size. Have you consulted your fiancee? what does she want? for a 6-7K budget i would suggest a 1 - 1.25 carat in a plain tiffany setting. I would be upset if you spent 7K for a 0.7 carat D IF.

Item 4. platinum would be the better choice. some people say re-rhodium-ing becomes a PIA after a while.

Now all that said, I would absolutely want the ring you suggest. It's definitely what I would order for myself.

edited to add: don't forget to include in the budget a matching wedding band.

 

[JulieN]

Date: 5/16/2007 7:15:06 PM
Author: ladykemma

ok, take off man brain and put on woman brain.

word, LK

 

[cjflinders]

We were browsing one day and she fell in love with the Gelin and even picked out exactly what setting and size she would need if the day ever came. I priced this setting in platinum at $3300 (ouch). She needs a flush mounted diamond because of her job. I really like the Gelin also. The stone, however, is up to me.


More questions:
1. Is $4800 a good price for this diamond based on my limited information.
2. Would the warranty be worth it for the resizing and plating included?

TIA

 

[JulieN]

you could probably get something for 3500-4000. Price is ok for H&A, though.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/16/2007 6:31:50 PM
Author:cjflinders
Hi,


I am hoping to do things the right way the second time around. My GF is very special to me as she has put up and stood by me through a very difficult divorce (met after seperation lol), accepting my daughter, and everything else that comes with dating a divorced man. I have been looking and consider myself semi-informed about diamonds, but I need some opinions on if I am on the right track.

I am looking at:
.73 round Ideal cut
F
VVs2
ideal symmetry and polish
$4800

The mounting I am looking at is a tension mount from Gelin Abaci. The mounting in WG is $980. I am looking to stay under $7000 total. The dealer I am working with offers an extended warranty for $900 for this stone and setting. Rhodium plating, resizing for life, and full diamond coverage is included with this agreement.


My questions:
1. Would anyone visually be able to tell the difference between an F-vvs2 and a D-IF?
2. The quality of the diamond is more important to me than the diamond size. Is F-vvs2 a good compromise for someone wanting a high quality diamond or should I just go smaller D-IF?
3. I know that if the ring would need resized it would have to be basically redone. So, would the warranty be worth it for the resizing aspect or am I just getting rooked. I know Plating runs about $40 through them.


I know this is long, but I want to make this ring the perfect ring for her.

Welcome to PS

To try to answer your questions - #1 - some might be able to tell the difference with the colour between a D and an F. Clarity - no in those high grades.

2) you could drop both colour and clarity and still have a white and clean diamond if cut well ( AGS0, GIA EX and work from there. Cut is the most important thing for a beautiful diamond. You could consider even G or H colour and as low as an SI1 clarity. But this is a personal choice. Also bear in mind that it is rare, but diamonds can chip or break, therefore there is no guarantee than an IF or VVS clarity will remain so. If a mishap occurs, the clarity may well drop, however in a lower clarity, sometimes a repair might improve the clarity grade, but this depends.

3) Depends on what your actual warranty offers, a good all risk insurance policy might be better. Check out Jewelers Mutual and Chubb to see what they offer.

 

[blingergrrrl]

Date: 5/16/2007 7:51:33 PM
Author: cjflinders
We were browsing one day and she fell in love with the Gelin and even picked out exactly what setting and size she would need if the day ever came. I priced this setting in platinum at $3300 (ouch). She needs a flush mounted diamond because of her job. I really like the Gelin also. The stone, however, is up to me.


More questions:
1. Is $4800 a good price for this diamond based on my limited information.
2. Would the warranty be worth it for the resizing and plating included?

TIA

Just a heads up on the setting, if you are ok with buying online, apparently Mickey Roof sells Gelin and Abaci (G&A) for a good price (I believe I read somewhere the cheapest online??) http://www.mickyroof.com/tension-settings.shtml

You can do a search on this forum to read others reviews, I personally have not purchased from Mickey Roof. Slmulkey's G&A Tension Setting TR044 https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/picture-of-my-ring.3963/ from Mickey Roof, and I am sure there are more.

The girdle of the diamond is somewhat important in tension settings, please ask the person who you will be buying the setting from what thickness you need for the girdle, and I believe that the diamond needs a minimum clarity of VS2, with no inclusions next to the girdle (as the tension setting puts a stress across the diamond). Also, I believe that you are only allowed a certain amount of "overhang" of the diamond compared to the setting. What I mean is, if your ring has a width of 4mm, your diamond diameter can only be up to a max of 6mm or under (again, talk to the person you are purchasing the setting from, don't quote me on the exact measurements!).

And which setting is she interested in? I have tried on the G&A TR006 and loved it, but have decided to go with a different setting to keep the budget down.

I also wanted a flush mounting because of my job (nurse), but I have just decided that I will only wear a plain wedding band at work...

Good luck on your search and keep us updated!

 

[vespergirl]

Hi CJ,

Very cool mounting - I like the tension set. Regarding yoru other questions though:

If colorless is important, go for F, not D - I promise you won''t be able to see any color difference.

As far as clarity, with a VS2, no inclusiond eill ber visible at all, and you may not even be able to see them with a loupe.

And, I have news for you, women do care about the size - if she said that she only wants .75, it''s cause she''s humble, but I promise you, "shrinkage" will set in within a week, and she''s going to wish she had a carat. No girl is going to tell her fiance that she secretly wants something bigger, but she''ll be ecstatic if you get her something a little more than she expected

I would go for a well cut, 1 carat, F VS2. You can''t go wrong, and you will definitely be able to find on in your budget.

Congrats on your upcoming engagement - you sound like a great couple!

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 5/16/2007 6:40:27 PM
Author: JulieN
1. No oone can tell the difference.
2. Drop it to VS1 or VS2.

ditto, and cut is the most important thing that makes a diamond sparkle. Color and clarity are secondary. We need crown and pavillion angles to really evaluate a stone.