Hello,
My fiance and I are shopping for engagement rings together. We started off probably on the wrong foot and went to a chain jewelry store first (Kay Jewelers). Although we were adament upon having a GIA certified diamond, apparently Kay does not carry these on hand. The manager spoke to us and somehow convinced us to look at the Tolkowsky Ideal Cut Diamonds. Now, it says on their website that all Tolkowsky diamonds are IGI certified (and from what we have researched, IGI is not very reputable/accurate)... But the diamond we ended up liking says it is GSI certified. Needless to say, there is a LOT of information, and we are just really confused now...We were told that GSI (apparently either affiliated with IGI or Gemex) holds the same standards as GIA. Not so sure about that though... Basically we have gone to TWO jewelers now and here is the info on the first one... We need advice/suggestions please, thanks!
So, we basically chose a Tolkowsky Diamond which has an Ideal Cut (we deff want an Ideal/Excellent cut diamond, very important). It has been graded G for color and SI2 for clarity (but we forgot to ask more about size/location of the inclusions...). It is 0.76 carats, (but has the look of a 1 carat)
Its really pretty and it definitely has a great sparkle to it.
We decided to have this diamond put into a Neil Lane setting...now here is where things get even more complicated...
We have read mixed reviews on these Neil Lane settings with side stones falling out and even the actual diamond itself! Then others say the settings are perect and never had any issues and love it. I happen to LOVE the look and style of the setting I chose.. and with the 0.76 Tolkowsky diamond placed in this setting..WOW, it will be incredible and will really shine! Setting is 14k white Gold.
Main concerns are the mixed reviews on the Neil Lane setting and the fact that the Tolkowsky Diamonds are not GIA certified.
NEXT...
We went to a local jewelry store and found a similar style ring for less money and better quality (we think). It is a Hearts on Fire diamond and settings and BOY does it SPARKLE! It is a 0.5ct diamond but 1ct TW. Graded by AGS with H color and SI1 clarity. The diamond is the "Dream/Square" style and HoF diamonds are all IDEAL cuts from what we were told and shown and read about. It is gorgeous and the settings comes in Platinum! Its very dainty which I like. This probably should be a no brainer, but we are concerned about the fact that this ring is a "branded name" and just have some doubts about if it is truly worth the cost for what we are gettings, or are we paying for that "brand name". I feel like it is a better quality ring than the one at Kays but I really like the profile look on the Neil Lane setting.
I realize it is hard to compare these because the Tolkowsk is 0.76 carats and the HoF is 0.5 carats.. they are very different but very similar (if that makes sense).
Here are two links to show you because in the HoF setting, the diamond is more secure, but you see less of it. The Neil Lane setting will have the Tolkowsky Diamond more "on display" but might not be as secure... yet I like the look better on the Neil Lane setting..SUCH A HARD CHOICE!!
Okay, so look at these pictures and please look at the PROFILE VIEWS so you see what I mean:
http://www.kay.com/product1%7C10101%7C10001%7C-1%7C94020181399?catalogId=10001&searchText=94020181399&globalSearchText=94020181399&langId=-1&storeId=10101&totalRecords=1&ddkey=http:SterlingSearch
http://www.heartsonfire.com/shop-jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/transcenddreamengagementring.aspx
Each place said they offer a service where you can "design" your ring. If it were possible to have the HoF ring designed more in the style of the Neil Lane settings, so the diamond is more on display, than I think this decision would be a lot easier.
We are still shopping around. We deff will buy in-store and no online. Please kindly give your thoughts/suggestions.
We can use all the help we can get right now.
Thank you so much and sorry this was so long!
My fiance and I are shopping for engagement rings together. We started off probably on the wrong foot and went to a chain jewelry store first (Kay Jewelers). Although we were adament upon having a GIA certified diamond, apparently Kay does not carry these on hand. The manager spoke to us and somehow convinced us to look at the Tolkowsky Ideal Cut Diamonds. Now, it says on their website that all Tolkowsky diamonds are IGI certified (and from what we have researched, IGI is not very reputable/accurate)... But the diamond we ended up liking says it is GSI certified. Needless to say, there is a LOT of information, and we are just really confused now...We were told that GSI (apparently either affiliated with IGI or Gemex) holds the same standards as GIA. Not so sure about that though... Basically we have gone to TWO jewelers now and here is the info on the first one... We need advice/suggestions please, thanks!
So, we basically chose a Tolkowsky Diamond which has an Ideal Cut (we deff want an Ideal/Excellent cut diamond, very important). It has been graded G for color and SI2 for clarity (but we forgot to ask more about size/location of the inclusions...). It is 0.76 carats, (but has the look of a 1 carat)
Its really pretty and it definitely has a great sparkle to it.
We decided to have this diamond put into a Neil Lane setting...now here is where things get even more complicated...
We have read mixed reviews on these Neil Lane settings with side stones falling out and even the actual diamond itself! Then others say the settings are perect and never had any issues and love it. I happen to LOVE the look and style of the setting I chose.. and with the 0.76 Tolkowsky diamond placed in this setting..WOW, it will be incredible and will really shine! Setting is 14k white Gold.
Main concerns are the mixed reviews on the Neil Lane setting and the fact that the Tolkowsky Diamonds are not GIA certified.
NEXT...
We went to a local jewelry store and found a similar style ring for less money and better quality (we think). It is a Hearts on Fire diamond and settings and BOY does it SPARKLE! It is a 0.5ct diamond but 1ct TW. Graded by AGS with H color and SI1 clarity. The diamond is the "Dream/Square" style and HoF diamonds are all IDEAL cuts from what we were told and shown and read about. It is gorgeous and the settings comes in Platinum! Its very dainty which I like. This probably should be a no brainer, but we are concerned about the fact that this ring is a "branded name" and just have some doubts about if it is truly worth the cost for what we are gettings, or are we paying for that "brand name". I feel like it is a better quality ring than the one at Kays but I really like the profile look on the Neil Lane setting.
I realize it is hard to compare these because the Tolkowsk is 0.76 carats and the HoF is 0.5 carats.. they are very different but very similar (if that makes sense).
Here are two links to show you because in the HoF setting, the diamond is more secure, but you see less of it. The Neil Lane setting will have the Tolkowsky Diamond more "on display" but might not be as secure... yet I like the look better on the Neil Lane setting..SUCH A HARD CHOICE!!
Okay, so look at these pictures and please look at the PROFILE VIEWS so you see what I mean:
http://www.kay.com/product1%7C10101%7C10001%7C-1%7C94020181399?catalogId=10001&searchText=94020181399&globalSearchText=94020181399&langId=-1&storeId=10101&totalRecords=1&ddkey=http:SterlingSearch
http://www.heartsonfire.com/shop-jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/transcenddreamengagementring.aspx
Each place said they offer a service where you can "design" your ring. If it were possible to have the HoF ring designed more in the style of the Neil Lane settings, so the diamond is more on display, than I think this decision would be a lot easier.
We are still shopping around. We deff will buy in-store and no online. Please kindly give your thoughts/suggestions.
We can use all the help we can get right now.
Thank you so much and sorry this was so long!
especially the settings. we still look around in local shops so we can decide on how color sensitive we are and what size looks best, maybe theres a great deal we can nab. But every time it's frustrating because the sales people have no clue what I'm talking about when I ask certain questions...things I've learned from the wonderful people here.. Things that are important when making such a big financial/emotional purchase. They can't provide ideal scopes, aset images, magnified pictures, heck We have a hard enough time getting the certificate!!! I think I've learned enought to know that a .7 anything cant look like a 1 carat, or if it does something is really wrong with its cut!! 
I like that most online vendors will send it to a gemologist to get his/her opinion first, I don't trust my self with the magnifying loupe they give you! 
all you have to do is give everyone your budget and they can link you to some amazing stones, ones that fit some mathematical guidelines of the diamond lovers world. 
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