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Please help my buy my first diamond!

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dancergrrrl3

dancergrrrl3

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 13, 2010
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70
Hi all! Everyone was so helpful with my other post, and I will be taking my unknown quality bridal set back to overpriced Kay''s [you can see it in my avatar
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].

Now that that is decided, I need to find a new bridal set! So, I was encouraged to post what I was in the market for and ask for help from you super experts. ;)

This is my first diamond ever so I have been researching a lot. I am wanting to buy a nice stone online and have it set locally in platinum hopefully, but maybe white gold.

I want a princess cut, 1/2-ish carat or larger, hopefully in the $1000 or less range.

Here is a picture of: The Look I Want

Please, help me find a nice stone! Thank you!
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thanks stone cold for the diamond suggestions! I''m getting pretty good at knowing what qualities to look for!

swingirl, my budget for the whole set is probably going to be around $2500 total. I love that ring from WF, but it is $1900 for platinum without the diamond right? I guess maybe I will have to stick with white gold, or get a little less sidestones...that one you linked from the other thread is pretty too, but I just want one main big stone.

dreamer, I like that ring, but I want a thicker look to the band...btw are those your doxies?! they are too cute! I have a "giant" weiner mix, he is like 60lbs LOL!
 
Date: 2/19/2010 2:23:55 PM
Author: dancergrrrl3
swingirl, my budget for the whole set is probably going to be around $2500 total. I love that ring from WF, but it is $1900 for platinum without the diamond right? I guess maybe I will have to stick with white gold, or get a little less sidestones...that one you linked from the other thread is pretty too, but I just want one main big stone.
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You can ask BGD for a quote with that style but without the side stones. It is almost exactly what you are looking for. The main stone (in the one 3-stone ring I linked) has 0.70 ct center stone so you can see the proportions. In white gold it might be within your budget.
 
hmmm, so it''s looking like it will be about $1000 for a .5 carat princess stone?
 
so do you guys think I can make a set LIKE THIS in platinum with a .4c-.6c center stone [total weight for both rings 1.5c-2c] for around $2500? or am I off my rocker? what about if I go with white gold?

basically, I don''t need a "giant" rock, but I want a decent quality one, however I am not a "purist" and don''t necessarily need some super amazing flawless diamond, just a nice quality stone. as far as the side stones, I don''t necessarily need a lot of them or big ones, I just like the look of thick silver bands and thought some sidestones looked nice in it.

thanks again for all your help guys!
 
Personally I couldn''t recommend anyone higher than Yekutiel at ID Jewelry

Example
 
thanks stone cold! You are rockin with the stones!

I was under the impression that I should buy a stone online and find a local jeweler for the setting and rings. I am so new at this. Can I just build my ring online like at blue nile or james allen or brian gavin and they can do it all? Is this OK? I don't really know any "local jewelers?"

what about this one?
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1239799.asp

or this one:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-details/?product_id=24189397

or this:
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?filter_id=0&track=head#diamonds_pid=LD01612987
 
Generally, it is simpler for you to get the stone and setting at the same place. Vendors will set their stone for free and insure it in the rare event that they damage it during setting. If you buy a stone and then set it with another vendor, usually there will be a setting fee and you will have to get insurance yourself or pray that nothing happen during setting.

Generally for princess, we would want to find a stone with a depth larger than table, depth in the low to mid 70s and table smaller, to get a better chance of finding a good performing stone. Then we request for ASET image to determine it's cut performance.

AGS/GIA is considered the standard bearer for color and clarity grading, the rest of the labs might be looser. So IGI stone might be seen as a good deal if that is the correct grade but generally it is priced at the corrected grade. Also the IGI stone look a little dark under the table, might be just the setup, if you are still interested in it, ask for an ASET image. JA allows up to 3 ASET request at the same time.

BGD's stone is a virtual stone, meaning they do not hold it. The vendor holding it is advertising it through BGD. Cut wise, might be good, probably not that good because of the small depth large table. You could ask BGD for an ASET, not sure how much they will charge you for it to call it in, you can ask them. With your budget, best bet would be to get one with images already instead of calling stones in.

With BN's stone, as BN will not give you any images much less and ASET image, buying a princess from them is a risky business.
 
Date: 2/19/2010 7:47:42 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
Generally, it is simpler for you to get the stone and setting at the same place. Vendors will set their stone for free and insure it in the rare event that they damage it during setting. If you buy a stone and then set it with another vendor, usually there will be a setting fee and you will have to get insurance yourself or pray that nothing happen during setting.

Generally for princess, we would want to find a stone with a depth larger than table, depth in the low to mid 70s and table smaller, to get a better chance of finding a good performing stone. Then we request for ASET image to determine it''s cut performance.

AGS/GIA is considered the standard bearer for color and clarity grading, the rest of the labs might be looser. So IGI stone might be seen as a good deal if that is the correct grade but generally it is priced at the corrected grade. Also the IGI stone look a little dark under the table, might be just the setup, if you are still interested in it, ask for an ASET image. JA allows up to 3 ASET request at the same time.

BGD''s stone is a virtual stone, meaning they do not hold it. The vendor holding it is advertising it through BGD. Cut wise, might be good, probably not that good because of the small depth large table. You could ask BGD for an ASET, not sure how much they will charge you for it to call it in, you can ask them. With your budget, best bet would be to get one with images already instead of calling stones in.

With BN''s stone, as BN will not give you any images much less and ASET image, buying a princess from them is a risky business.
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Great post!
 
no kidding! that was an awesome and informative post stone cold! I had NO idea about that depth/table ratio, and not much knowledge about the different agencies that certify the diamonds either! thank you sooooo much for looking at my links so closely!

now, armed with that info, I think I am even more overwhelmed LOL! guess I need to keep looking...

how does it work if I order a diamond and design the ring online? I mean, when I go to a "chain" store they have the lifetime warranty/flashing/6 mos. maintenance and all that. if I buy it online, do I just have to pay to have that done somewhere everytime? or is it common practice to be able to set up a lifetime plan at a local jeweler with the ring I bought online?
 
Date: 2/20/2010 12:34:30 PM
Author: dancergrrrl3
no kidding! that was an awesome and informative post stone cold! I had NO idea about that depth/table ratio, and not much knowledge about the different agencies that certify the diamonds either! thank you sooooo much for looking at my links so closely!

now, armed with that info, I think I am even more overwhelmed LOL! guess I need to keep looking...

how does it work if I order a diamond and design the ring online? I mean, when I go to a ''chain'' store they have the lifetime warranty/flashing/6 mos. maintenance and all that. if I buy it online, do I just have to pay to have that done somewhere everytime? or is it common practice to be able to set up a lifetime plan at a local jeweler with the ring I bought online?
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Don''t be overwhelmed, if you work with a trusted vendor that offers well cut Princess with images that help evaluate the cut quality you will end up with a beautiful diamond.
 
dancergrrrl3,

I have little to contribute because I am also building my 1st diamond ring. I found my way here from SD after reading about your experience.

So, here I am trying to build my gf the perfect ring. I would not have started this venture had you not posted your experience on SD.

By sharing your experience, you saved me thousands (because I probably would have been stuck with a crappy chain store ring).

Glad to see you here!

terceslil
(both on PriceScope & Slickdeals)

I am currently trying to build my ring in this thread: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-couple-of-questions-about-getting-a-diamond-and-a-setting.136763/

Good luck building your ring!
 
Thanks.

Ditto Lorelei on the princess search. Just post the ASET image here when you get it and we will help you interpret them if you are unsure.

With regards to the settings, checking/cleaning is usually a free service by the jeweler as it takes a short time, allows the client to browse their goods while waiting. Dipping will cost some, some online jewelers I think offers free dipping too but the cost of sending the settings to and fro by mail and insurance is not worth it. Getting insurance will cover lost, damage to the setting that is still not covered by chain store warranty.
 
so stonecold, do you think I should buy in person at a local jeweler so to have somewhere to clean and check it regularly? or buy online and be sure to get it appraised and add to my insurance policy?

thanks lorelei, I guess I just research too much and keep reading tutorials/threads about princess cuts and the more info I get the more I''m like "AHHHHHHHHH!" how am I going to know all this stuff about a diamond!??! I am new to this and just want a pretty ring, but I feel like I get swamped with data/ratios/ect. and don''t know where to start again.

hi terceslil! WELCOME fellow SD''er! glad I could turn you on to PS...they are AMAZING here! beyond words helpful and informative. good luck building your ring too!
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I am biased towards the jeweler that I bought the stone from, just simpler. Safer as it is their stone if they damaged it while setting it, it will be covered, also because this is a princess, more prone to accident while setting if the jeweler is not familiar with that stone''s characteristics or slightly careless.

Cleaning and checking will be free in most jewelers anyway even if the stone and setting is not bought from them. And buy your own insurance.
 
My local jeweler said that they dip white gold rings for about $55 a ring.
 
Date: 2/20/2010 1:12:17 PM
Author: dancergrrrl3
so stonecold, do you think I should buy in person at a local jeweler so to have somewhere to clean and check it regularly? or buy online and be sure to get it appraised and add to my insurance policy?

thanks lorelei, I guess I just research too much and keep reading tutorials/threads about princess cuts and the more info I get the more I''m like ''AHHHHHHHHH!'' how am I going to know all this stuff about a diamond!??! I am new to this and just want a pretty ring, but I feel like I get swamped with data/ratios/ect. and don''t know where to start again.

hi terceslil! WELCOME fellow SD''er! glad I could turn you on to PS...they are AMAZING here! beyond words helpful and informative. good luck building your ring too!
35.gif
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You won''t get swamped - don''t worry! Plus we can always suggest diamonds as Stone did, we have guided many MANY people through the process so you won''t go through it alone! We are here to help.
 
awwwwww! you are so nice! thank you!

I actually went to a local jeweler near my house and took my set from Kay''s for them to look at. WELL, now I know why I got a 5/8 center stone in a 2carat total weight bridal set for only $2650! There is a GIANT inclusion across about half of the diamond, can be seen with the naked eye [kinda] but when you look under the loupe it is like a giant rock crashed through a windshield!

my gawd, I''m so dumb for impulse buying at a chain store! LOL! Now the search is on for my REAL diamond set!
 
Date: 2/21/2010 9:16:16 PM
Author: dancergrrrl3
awwwwww! you are so nice! thank you!


I actually went to a local jeweler near my house and took my set from Kay''s for them to look at. WELL, now I know why I got a 5/8 center stone in a 2carat total weight bridal set for only $2650! There is a GIANT inclusion across about half of the diamond, can be seen with the naked eye [kinda] but when you look under the loupe it is like a giant rock crashed through a windshield!


my gawd, I''m so dumb for impulse buying at a chain store! LOL! Now the search is on for my REAL diamond set!
Click to expand...

You''re not dumb for impulse buying at a chain store. A lot of people do it. If nothing else, you helped people like me avoid making the same decision. Good luck finding your real diamond set.
 
Date: 2/18/2010 5:13:30 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
These 2 GOG, slightly below 1k, looks promising if eye-clean. Ask GOG if they are eye-clean.


http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6950/


http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6951/


Else, this WF ACA princess, about 100 about your budget.


http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/whiteflash-aca-princess-cut-diamond-114357.htm#


Or this? Ask WF if eye-clean.

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/whiteflash-aca-princess-cut-diamond-11971.htm#
Click to expand...


I actually snagged those 2 GOG .49 Princess cuts for a pair of earrings as a wedding gift for my wife. I couldn't help myself but to surprise her by showing her the 2 pages and watching her jaw drop when I told her who just bought them :-) GOG did an awesome job on her e-ring and these 2 diamonds actually come from the same cutter. and before its said, i didn't hijack the poohtie (diamond) lol.. only found this thread after a search of my diamonds url. was curious if anyone had commented on it.)
 
Date: 3/5/2010 5:35:22 PM
Author: mryan

Date: 2/18/2010 5:13:30 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
These 2 GOG, slightly below 1k, looks promising if eye-clean. Ask GOG if they are eye-clean.


http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6950/


http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6951/


Else, this WF ACA princess, about 100 about your budget.


http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/whiteflash-aca-princess-cut-diamond-114357.htm#


Or this? Ask WF if eye-clean.

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/whiteflash-aca-princess-cut-diamond-11971.htm#
Click to expand...


I actually snagged those 2 GOG .49 Princess cuts for a pair of earrings as a wedding gift for my wife. I couldn''t help myself but to surprise her by showing her the 2 pages and watching her jaw drop when I told her who just bought them :-) GOG did an awesome job on her e-ring and these 2 diamonds actually come from the same cutter. and before its said, i didn''t hijack the poohtie (diamond) lol.. only found this thread after a search of my diamonds url. was curious if anyone had commented on it.)
Click to expand...
haha...
 
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