Picking a diamond for E-ring...

[curad]

Whoever recently stated that 1.5 carats is the new 1.0 carat standard for engagement rings is correct! My budget keeps sliding up as well as my likely debt! My ideal specs are 1.3 carat, G VS2, ideal cut.

Which of these diamonds would give the most value for the money for an E-ring:

1.218 ct G VS2 A Cut Above H&A, $9,325.00
https://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-260695.htm
HCA = 1.5

1.264ct G VS2 Round H&A, $9,439.20 ($9,120)
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/976/
HCA = 1.8

1.25ct F VS2 Round H&A, $9,729 ($9,400)
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/2649/
HCA = 1.6

1.32ct H VS2 Round H&A, $8,690.67 (8,396.7
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/3043/
HCA = 1.5

The last is H color--I''d prefer G, but worth the size increase and lower price? The setting will be platinum Ritani with micropave diamonds color G-H. Here''s the setting: http://shop.baileybanksandbiddle.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2091833&cp=2536722.2222921&pg=1&numResultsPerPage=12&cp=2536722&fbn=Designer%7CRitani&f=PAD%2FDesigner%2FRitani&fbc=1&categoryId=2222921&parentPage=search&searchId=20733091141

Also, if upgrading later on, you can''t use the same setting for a significantly larger carat diamond, right? What do most people do?

Thanks for your help!

 

[curad]

I likely won''t be able to take advantage of any bankwire discounts as I don''t currently have that much cash.


Also, found another diamond from JamesAllen, but with no IS images. Can they show an IS upon request?
1.23 Carat G-VS2 Ideal- Cut Round Diamond
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=130&item=1047588
HCA = 1.8

 

[curad]

bump!

sorry, I just wanted to get some input before buying.
thanks.

 

[JulieN]

Yes, you can get ask for an IS. I would go with the James Allen stone. It's the cheapest.

 

[neatfreak]

You are probably not getting too many replies because I don''t think anyone wants to advocate that you buy a 1.5 carat diamond if you can''t afford it.

 

[MWG]

Personally, I would love to see this diamond in person:

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/1854/

Now, dont buy more than you can afford right now, buy shy, and buy from a company that upgrades and you could where you want to get over a period of time.

I also prefer Super Ideal Cuts over the other cuts.

Good Luck
MWG

 

[cinnamon013]

Check this one out. https://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-210365.htm#

It is SI1, but if they say it is eyeclean, this could save you a good bit of money, which seems to be a concern for you. It also has slightly larger dimensions!

I just received a G/SI1 stone - a .831 from Whiteflash on Thursday. I was told it was eyeclean. Believe me, it is the most beautiful thing and I can''t see any inclusions. So...what I''m saying is - if you can''t see it, why pay for it?

Stone you are looking at from Whiteflash is $9325 and the link above is $7680. It gets an HCA of 1.4, so you are in the same stone quality area, ideal polish, cut, and symmetry as well.

I can say that the ACA stone I received looks bigger than all the other stones of similar size I saw at B&Ms in the area. I think it is because it reflects light edge to edge very well.

I would say to stay with G, but I''ve been told by WF that you can go to H without noticing anything if you are considering an ACA stone because the cut is so nicely done. Do a search on G and H''s in your price range in SI1 and see if there are more stones you might want to add to your list of stones to consider. I''d go with G/SI1 before I''d go with H/VS2, though.

Last, WF was wonderful to work with. I went with one of their settings that had pave similar to the setting you are considering.

Make sure you go with a company that offers lifetime upgrade in case you want to move up in size.

 

[BigDiamonds]

Date: 4/27/2007 10:31:30 AM
Author:curad

The last is H color--I''d prefer G, but worth the size increase and lower price? The setting will be platinum Ritani with micropave diamonds color G-H. Here''s the setting: http://shop.baileybanksandbiddle.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2091833&cp=2536722.2222921&pg=1&numResultsPerPage=12&cp=2536722&fbn=Designer%7CRitani&f=PAD%2FDesigner%2FRitani&fbc=1&categoryId=2222921&parentPage=search&searchId=20733091141

Also, if upgrading later on, you can''t use the same setting for a significantly larger carat diamond, right? What do most people do?

Thanks for your help!

I actually have something to contribute on this! I just purchased a very similar setting from Ritani today- mine is the micropave shank with the Ritani setting head (six prongs with diamonds between.) It was a trunk show and a rep from Ritani was there to answer questions. When I asked about upgrades, he told me that they VERY rarely agree to put a siginificantly larger stone into a ring that has already been made because all rings are custom made to the individual stone. He said that when the size difference is more than about 1/4 carat, the heads have to be shaped too differently. For mine, if I wanted to upgrade from a 1ct to a 1.5ct, they would have to make an entirely new ring! There are some other options based on the way the head meets the shank (i.e. they could potentially remove the head and make a new one) and generally how the ring is structured.

As I recall, the setting that you like has a different head, so you might have more options. It would definitely be worth a call to Ritani to find out. For what it''s worth, we decided to go with our setting anyway, figuring that by the time we can afford an upgrade (we don''t even have a house yet!) it would probably be time for a new setting. In the meantime, I plan on stocking up on a lot of other great pieces of jewelry!

 

[angeline]

Date: 4/28/2007 6:43:04 PM
Author: neatfreak
You are probably not getting too many replies because I don''t think anyone wants to advocate that you buy a 1.5 carat diamond if you can''t afford it.

I didn''t see the OP looking at any 1.5ct stones?

I would also like to suggest that SI1 might give you more bang for less buck, and you *likely* (check with the vendor to be sure) won''t be able to see any inclusions with the naked eye. Good luck!

a

 

[curad]

Thanks for all your input and thoughtful comments. As it turns out, I will be able to bankwire the amount and get the PS discount. After careful consideration, my max budget is $8000.

Although my original ideal specifications were 1.25 carat G VS2, I spoke at length with a representative from Whiteflash, who assured me that I would be satified with an eye-clean SI1. My fiance-to-be is an ophthalmologist, and initially I thought her hawk-like eyes would pick out the inclusions in an "eye-clean" SI1 diamond. But if the inclusions are truly not visible to the naked eye as Whiteflash states, then I am comfortable with it.

Furthermore, she(Whiteflash) advocated going up on color. I know color is often a very personal choice, but I think my signif other would appreciate a whiter appearing diamond. So now I am trying to decide between the following 2 from Whiteflash: BOTH are reported to be eye-clean. (and both are within my budget!)

#1) 1.24 ct G SI1 A Cut Above H&A ($7296 with PS discount) -- Thanks cinnamon013!
https://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-210365.htm

#2) 1.182 ct E SI1 A Cut Above H&A ($7990 with PS discount)
https://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-55894.htm

The Whiteflash rep admitted that she is a "color snob" in her preference for #2, but also pointed out that it is New Line ACA (which apparently is getting higher appraisal value). #1 is Classic Line ACA. I thought the IS image for #2 was better. The dimensions don''t seem greatly different between the two.

Thanks everyone! Pricescope rocks.

 

[angeline]

I love #2 as well. The inclusion doesn''t appear as visible, although if both are eye-clean I guess that doesn''t matter. I do like the IS better but then I''m a New Line fan.

I don''t think the color difference will be obvious between the two, or the size diff. I personally would prefer the higher color but that''s becuase I''m a bit color sensitive. If money were truly no problem and the extra $$ didn''t matter I''d go #2.. But I think you''ll be absolutely so happy with either.

Sorry! I''m not much help. I think you''ve done very well , and it''s a great idea going for the SI1. I''ve got an SI2 from WF and I can''t see a thing!

Good luck! a

 

[cinnamon013]

Date: 5/1/2007 10:58:20 PM
Author: curad
Thanks for all your input and thoughtful comments. As it turns out, I will be able to bankwire the amount and get the PS discount. After careful consideration, my max budget is $8000.

Although my original ideal specifications were 1.25 carat G VS2, I spoke at length with a representative from Whiteflash, who assured me that I would be satified with an eye-clean SI1. My fiance-to-be is an ophthalmologist, and initially I thought her hawk-like eyes would pick out the inclusions in an ''eye-clean'' SI1 diamond. But if the inclusions are truly not visible to the naked eye as Whiteflash states, then I am comfortable with it.

Furthermore, she(Whiteflash) advocated going up on color. I know color is often a very personal choice, but I think my signif other would appreciate a whiter appearing diamond. So now I am trying to decide between the following 2 from Whiteflash: BOTH are reported to be eye-clean. (and both are within my budget!)

#1) 1.24 ct G SI1 A Cut Above H&A ($7296 with PS discount) -- Thanks cinnamon013!
https://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-210365.htm

#2) 1.182 ct E SI1 A Cut Above H&A ($7990 with PS discount)
https://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-55894.htm

The Whiteflash rep admitted that she is a ''color snob'' in her preference for #2, but also pointed out that it is New Line ACA (which apparently is getting higher appraisal value). #1 is Classic Line ACA. I thought the IS image for #2 was better. The dimensions don''t seem greatly different between the two.

Thanks everyone! Pricescope rocks.

Wow! Both are nice. You are right about that IS image on #2 being attractive. E would be sweet! But $700 more? You''ve got tough decisions to make! I''ll be interested to learn what others on here that have more experience will recommend to you....

 

[pyramid]

Date: 5/1/2007 10:58:20 PM
Author: curad

The Whiteflash rep admitted that she is a ''color snob'' in her preference for #2, but also pointed out that it is New Line ACA (which apparently is getting higher appraisal value).

I wonder if the higher appraisal value has happened often.

 

[curad]

cinnamon013 and angeline: thanks for your input. I think I''m leaning towards #2.
Pyramid: Do you think it''s true that New Line ACA has higher appraisal value?

I''m hoping that others will weigh in before I purchase tomorrow.

 

[pyramid]

curad

I don't know. I was wanting to know the same thing as I have never heard that before.