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Overwhelmed and need help

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Overwhelmed84

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 16, 2017
Messages
14
I am in the process of buying an engagement ring. I have been doing a lot of research and just feel overwhelmed and most of it is too technical. I am having trouble narrowing it down. It seems most of you on this forum know a lot more than me. Here are my parameters and wondering if anyone could help.
I am looking for a round cut diamond, triple excellent GIA, or triple zero AGS,(unless triple excellent is not neccesary but from what I read it sounds like that should be what iam looking for) Atleast 1.18 carats but as big as possible as long as it is eye clean and G in color or better( i chose G because the side diamonds are G and a white gold setting). My budget is about $8200 but I do not need to spend that much if there is a nice eye clean 1.18 diamond in G color for less that would actually be my preference. I only want to go up in price if it is necessary. I also have trouble telling how good an idealscope or aset image is. i have read about them but I guess I just don't have the eyes for it. If someone experienced could suggest 3 or 4 stones I would greatly appreciate it. I also had a quick question about James Allen website. Some of the diamonds in the same cut, color, and clarity just appear a lot darker, is that just how they were photographed or is that due to poor light return?
 
Does your $8200 include the setting? Can you post a picture of the setting you have in mind?

Edited to add: Why 1.18 specifically?
 
rockysalamander said:
Does your $8200 include the setting? Can you post a picture of the setting you have in mind?

Edited to add: Why 1.18 specifically?
Click to expand...

Overwhelmed84 said:
I am in the process of buying an engagement ring. I have been doing a lot of research and just feel overwhelmed and most of it is too technical. I am having trouble narrowing it down. It seems most of you on this forum know a lot more than me. Here are my parameters and wondering if anyone could help.
I am looking for a round cut diamond, triple excellent GIA, or triple zero AGS,(unless triple excellent is not neccesary but from what I read it sounds like that should be what iam looking for) Atleast 1.18 carats but as big as possible as long as it is eye clean and G in color or better. My budget is about $8200 but I do not need to spend that much if there is a nice eye clean 1.18 diamond in G color( i chose G because the side diamonds are G and it is a white gold setting) for less that would actually be my preference. I only want to go up in price if it is necessary. I also have trouble telling how good an idealscope or aset image is. i have read about them but I guess I just don't have the eyes for it. If someone experienced could suggest 3 or 4 stones I would greatly appreciate it. I also had a quick question about James Allen website. Some of the diamonds in the same cut, color, and clarity just appear a lot darker, is that just how they were photographed or is that due to poor light return?
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The $8,200 is just for the center stone. I bought the setting at a local jeweler so I don't have pics. The pics are on her phone since she picked the setting herself. I chose 1.18 because I like the look of 1.25 diamond in the setting she chose and I just thought that was close enough?
 
Overwhelmed84 said:
The $8,200 is just for the center stone. I bought the setting at a local jeweler so I don't have pics. The pics are on her phone since she picked the setting herself. I chose 1.18 because I like the look of 1.25 diamond in the setting she chose and I just thought that was close enough?
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The setting will be designed to hold stones of a specific size (in spread). So, you'll need to be sure that the stone you choose will fit in the setting. You should be able to contact the setting maker/vendor to get the sizes it accommodate. In the meantime, as long as the main stone is within 2 colors as the side stones, it won't be a color-match issue to most. At $8200, there are very very few options for a G color.

Does the setting have 4 or 6 prongs?
 
I would recommend going to H or I color. At that size, it will be white.

ETA: the stone in my avatar is a 3.33 ct I color... and it's white. The larger the stone, the more apparent the color will be... So at the size/weight you're looking to purchase, an I will be fine, especially when considering your budget.
 
I also think you might be underestimating the match if I color to g side stones. It’s a good way to save some money. Here’s a nice looking diamond. There’ll be more from other readers but just to give an example. For any diamond you like, the next step is to request IS and ideal scope images. https://yadav-certs.s3.amazonaws.com/3265127441.jpg
 
So, these vary in size and color (H or I). I put a little information after each to give you some guidance. Have a look and give us your feedback. On any of the SI1, confirm with JA that they are eyeclean.

#1. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3531271 {great size, good color, well cut. IS good; 6.89 mm}

#2. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3466193 {I like the angles and the IS is good. Good size; 6.87 mm}

#3. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3634640 {I like the angles and the IS is good. Good size; 6.88 mm}**

#4. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...at-i-color-vvs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2519501 {good angles, beautiful clarity. Good IS; 6.75 mm}**

#5. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2359313 {good angles, beautiful clarity. Good IS; 6.75 mm}

Given that this super-ideal is in budget and very close in size to the 1.25 you liked, I'd personally choose this one. WF has a more generous upgrade policy than JA.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3925319.htm
 
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Diamonds are moving very fast as we near Christmas, so I'd put your top three JA stones and any WF stones you like on hold (free) asap.
 
You should send the setting to whomever you buy the diamond from to set the diamond. While setting, there is some risk to a diamond. You want the diamond vendor to be responsible for replacing it if a problem occurs.
 
before deciding going to H or I. here is the setting and matching band. The jeweler told me not to go that high in color because it would appear yellow but he was also trying to sell me E color diamonds so I dunno.setting.jpg
 
rockysalamander said:
The setting will be designed to hold stones of a specific size (in spread). So, you'll need to be sure that the stone you choose will fit in the setting. You should be able to contact the setting maker/vendor to get the sizes it accommodate. In the meantime, as long as the main stone is within 2 colors as the side stones, it won't be a color-match issue to most. At $8200, there are very very few options for a G color.

Does the setting have 4 or 6 prongs?
Click to expand...
It is 4 prongs and I believe it was for a carat to 1.25 carats
 
rockysalamander said:
So, these vary in size and color (H or I). I put a little information after each to give you some guidance. Have a look and give us your feedback. On any of the SI1, confirm with JA that they are eyeclean.

#1. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3531271 {great size, good color, well cut. IS good; 6.89 mm}

#2. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3466193 {I like the angles and the IS is good. Good size; 6.87 mm}

#3. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-3634640 {I like the angles and the IS is good. Good size; 6.88 mm}**

#4. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...at-i-color-vvs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2519501 {good angles, beautiful clarity. Good IS; 6.75 mm}**

#5. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2359313 {good angles, beautiful clarity. Good IS; 6.75 mm}

Given that this super-ideal is in budget and very close in size to the 1.25 you liked, I'd personally choose this one. WF has a more generous upgrade policy than JA.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3925319.htm
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#1 not sure about the I color and the one flaw seems very noticable but because it is on the end would they cover that with a prong?
#2 I like this one but once again not sure about the I color
#3 is nice but more expensive than #2 so I prefer #2 since the clarity is good enough
#4 This one is super nice. I like this and #2 a lot but still worried about the I color
#5 might be my favorite its still a good size, very nice clarity, the cheapest, just not 100% about the I color. The idealscope also looks like there is maybe too much white light red? I thought that was light leakeage but not sure.

Super ideal
I do not know enough about these for it to warrant the price increase. It is a SI1 and I color but the idealscope does look very nice. Will a super ideal sparkle even more?

i guess my biggest concern is these are all I color. #5 would probably be my choice if the idealscope is okay and the I color will be fine.

Thanks for the help too. There all really clean nice looking diamonds. I did a search on James Allen for G color, 1.18-1.25, triple excellent SI1 or better and there were quite a few but I am assuming there's something wrong with them as they did not look as nice as the ones you found?
 
rockysalamander said:
You should send the setting to whomever you buy the diamond from to set the diamond. While setting, there is some risk to a diamond. You want the diamond vendor to be responsible for replacing it if a problem occurs.
Click to expand...
So if I buy from James Allen I send them the setting and they would be liable if for some reason the diamond got damaged?
 
msop04 said:
I would recommend going to H or I color. At that size, it will be white.

ETA: the stone in my avatar is a 3.33 ct I color... and it's white. The larger the stone, the more apparent the color will be... So at the size/weight you're looking to purchase, an I will be fine, especially when considering your budget.
Click to expand...

Your stone looks beautiful and white but it is a solitaire. I am just concerned because the jeweler said it would appear yellow in I or J. They even recommended not purchasing H.
 
I think as long as you go H/I, you'll be fine. Certainly if you go with WF, the ability to percieve any color will be less than a non-super ideal.

But, here are some H and G's in budget (you will just trade down size to get there).

#7. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3426163 {there is a cloud in the center of the table. You will need to request the JA gemologist to review the diamond for cloudiness or that the cloud impact light return. Request and Idealscope image. 6.69 mm}

#8. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3484889 {really nice option. request an IS. Also ask the JA gemologist to review the clouds but at VS1 they should be non-issue}

#9. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...e-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3733574 {pavilion angle would be best at 40.6, but this is worth an idealscope image and its an E color!}

#10. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3687391 {great angles. F VVS. Request and IS}**

I think #9 and 10 most meet your brief without raising color worries.
 
Overwhelmed84 said:
So if I buy from James Allen I send them the setting and they would be liable if for some reason the diamond got damaged?
Click to expand...
Exactly. You send the setting to the vendor who sells the diamond. If they damage the diamond, they take on the liability.
 
Did you have a chance to view the image of the setting and band? If everyone thinks the I color is ok I may go with #5 you picked from james allen. Is the idealscope for that one good also?
rockysalamander said:
Exactly. You send the setting to the vendor who sells the diamond. If they damage the diamond, they take on the liability.
Click to expand...
 
Overwhelmed84 said:
Did you have a chance to view the image of the setting and band? If everyone thinks the I color is ok I may go with #5 you picked from james allen. Is the idealscope for that one good also?
Click to expand...
The photo of the setting is not really clear for color. I will say that very very few settings are set with G color melee. They are mostly G/H, if you are lucky.

IS for #5 is fine. Some variation in the pavilion angles but it is very common right now. #9 and #10 are bigger (size in mm) and whiter. My advice would be to put a hold on these three. Ask JA for the IS image for #9 and #10 and then make your choice after posting the IS images here. JA can't get IS on every diamond, but they can get them on most.
 
I would rather not pay the extra $1,000 for the higher color grade if it is not necessary.
 
Overwhelmed84 said:
This one is nice but what is surface graining and never heard of yadavjewelry do they have a good reputation. This diamonds seems cheaper the color, clarity, and size compared to james allen?

i check Yadav and they seem to have good reviews on-line? This diamond seems like a good deal anyone else have any thoughts?
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Personally I find JA and BN overpriced. I have seen BN stones elsewhere for more than 20% less. Some do consider the customer service representation in their purchase and both companies have good reputations in this way. I personally can’t get past the price however.

When a report says that something is “not shown” it means it cannot be plotted on the report. You would want to ask for a gemologist to check those things, look carefully at the video, and ensure that any diamond has a free return policy so if it turns out to be not eye-clean you can refund.
 
Overwhelmed84 said:
I would rather not pay the extra $1,000 for the higher color grade if it is not necessary.
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I hear you. Who is the maker of the setting? What brand is the setting? If you look inside the ring, it should be marked. We can use that to look at the type and color of melee.
 
Overwhelmed84 said:
It's a designer band I believe verraggio. It is still at the jeweler being sized. Its 14k. i looked on their website and this might be the one https://www.verragio.com/Verragio-Engagement-Rings/Venetian-Engagement-Rings/VENETIAN-5001R/798
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Ok. I stand corrected. Verragio are usually G/H in GIA terms of color and better cut than most. My rule of thumb is to stay within 2 color grades of the melee.

I think #5 would be a great choice. Once JA gets the setting, you can ask their gemologist to review the diamond and get their opinion about the color comparison to the setting you have. If they are feeling generous, they may let you pay for #5 and keep #10 on hold. Ship your setting using a fast service of their selection and get their gemologist to review the two stones. We can also find you more options if they feel the I is too much of a contrast and won't hold #10. :mrgreen2:
 
That's good the verragio setting is good quality as it was more expensive.

Now I'm nervous about the I. Will the gemologist be honest knowing they can sell a more expensive diamond though?
 
Overwhelmed84 said:
That's good the verragio setting is good quality as it was more expensive.

Now I'm nervous about the I. Will the gemologist be honest knowing they can sell a more expensive diamond though?
Click to expand...

The best thing would be to take your girl to a high end (not Tiffany or Harry Winston; but not a mall-jewelry store either) diamond seller and let her look at GIA diamonds and give you feedback on her preference for color. If not, think about your girl. Does she uses words like ecru, dove, linen, cream and ivory or just call them all white? Does she have to have just the right colored shoe/bag for each outfit, or does she not fuss over such things? Is she a fashionista and grabs for every trend? Is she an artist/graphic designer/quilter or in some other field that suggests she really has a keen color sense.

I would trust JA to tell you the truth about which diamond looks most similar in color to the melee.
 
Overwhelmed84 said:
Your stone looks beautiful and white but it is a solitaire. I am just concerned because the jeweler said it would appear yellow in I or J. They even recommended not purchasing H.
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Your jeweler is trying to sell you more expensive, higher color diamonds (D-F)... you will not see a difference with that tiny melee. ALL tiny stones will appear whiter than the larger solitaire, regardless of what color it is. Even colorless (D-F) stones will appear darker -- it's due to the faceting being smaller... it makes them "twinkle" more. I would not hesitate at all to have an I color diamond in that setting.

ETA: my stone looks white because it IS white... regardless of setting. GIA I will be white, especially in the size stone you're looking to buy. :) The fact that your jeweler advised you not to even consider an H color tells me that he is clearly biased, as a higher color stone will fetch him a lot more money.
 
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At I color, in stones the size you're considering, you can begin to see tint. You might not notice it, your girlfriend might not notice it - or it might be screamingly obvious to her and annoy the heck out of her until she switches it out. I is a borderline color. I had a 3.61ct I colored stone, and I could see tint. I ultimately upgraded it to an H and am now FAR happier.

For my money, if you want a forever stone, I'd pay the extra money and get the H color and 1.25 size. You can always cut corners - but they will always be cut corners. And this might not be where you want to do that.

Your idea of '1.18 - because it's probably as low as I can drop from 1.25ct without it being noticeable' made me laugh; that was not an approach I'd heard before! And it might even work! Right up until the time she actually ASKS you the size of the ring - which will most likely be somewhere in the first 24 hours after you give it to her. And it's completely reasonable to want to know a little about something you'll wear on your hand, hopefully for the rest of your life!

I'd be looking for an H SI1 1.25ct eye clean stone with great specs. Corners be damned.

Wishing you much luck in finding your ideal ring!
 
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