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Please help - Need to buy an engagement ring - the bigger the better

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needabigrock

Rough_Rock
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Mar 30, 2004
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I need some advice. I would like to buy an engagement ring (1.5 carats to 2.0 carats). At this point all I care most about size. What is the biggest ring I can get for the LEAST amount of money. I like the following cuts of diamonds: round, princess, and radiant. How low can I go on color and inclusions where the ring still looks good in natural light? I looked at dirtcheapdiamonds and they have some radiants J color for less than 4,000 for 1.5 carats and less than 6,000 for 2.0 carats. Do you guys have any suggestions - and will J appear too yellow? The setting will be in platinum or white gold. Also are there any cases where a smaller carat size diamond will look bigger on a ring - what I mean is how can you get a larger diameter so the ring looks bigger but it may actually weigh less?
 
How much quality are you willing to give up for size? There are a lot of cheap and big stones out there, but they are not very beautiful. Is there are reason why you are focusing so much on the size of the stone (ex: GF insists on a certain size, to the detriment of quality).
 
I forgot to mention earlier - but thanks so much for anyone that replies to my post - I appreciate all the help I can get. I am the "girlfriend." The idea of spending thousands of dollars on a diamond ring is completely ridiculous to me but my boyfriend would like me to have one. I figure I might as well try to go as big as possible. Of course quality is important, but to the naked eye - how much "quality" is needed for a diamond to look nice?
 
Ok, To help you better, I need to ask what exactly your budget is. Please do not go into debt for this ring....that's the worst way to start ANY commitment! Is there any way that she could be appeased with a smaller ring sooner, and an upgrade later, or maybe the bigger ring, but wait a little longer to save?

That said, I would suggest that although you want size, DO NOT get a shaped stone in a lower color. It WILL be yellow. You can absolutely get away with some well cut H, I, J rounds at that size, but you are still looking at about $7,000 for a 1.5 I, SI2, depth 60.5, table 55%. Getting a stone with a 60/60 table/depth can make it look bigger, but the brilliance is lost. Here's a signature Ideal cut from Dirt Cheap Diamonds:

http://www.dirtcheapdiamonds.com/diamond_detail.cfm?did=6950874

It comes in as a Excellent light return, Excellent spread, with Very good Fire and Scintillation, and a solid 1.5 EXCELLENT.
 
Have you gone out & looked at stones?
Do you have a preference at all btwn round/princess/radiant?
That's the first step...

Color choice is up to you- best bet is to try on some icy whites (D-F) & some in the near colorless range (G-J) & see which you like best with your skin tone.

I, personally, like the warmer colors on myself (I-J) & like princess cuts so I got a J princess & it's mounted in platinum. Many do not like the warmer colors tho- it's a v personal decision with no right or wrong answer.

I like this stone (price $5801.97) but it may not be right for you - only you can decide...

I like it because it's got a great cut (1A/1B depending on crown height) which can help mask color, if you're color-sensitive.
SI1's are a good bargain and are usually eye-clean.
I also like the M-STK girdle.
Also, it's a perfect square.

Specs: GIA 1.70 J SI1 Princess
Table: 71
Depth: 71
P/Sym: VG
Girdle: M-STK
Fl: N
M: 6.59 x 6.59 x 4.68.

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/cgi-bin/ErdRetrieve.cgi?rm=certificate_details&diamond_id=426860

Good luck with your search!
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I am super cheap!!!! Really for me getting the most I can get for a ring would be the best solution. I could spend 2,000 - 6,000. For a while I was just considering wearing a band. But if I am going to get a ring it would be nice to be able to get a larger one. We are going to go to Costco tonight so I will try some on. I also may contribute to the cause and help my boyfriend pay for the ring.We will see - I just wonder how big I can get without the ring looking sketchy.
 
Alexah has a great point. you THINK size matters, but when it comes down to it, your eye's tolerance for color and shape is HUGE. Shaped stones will be slightly less, but you will also have much more trouble finding well cut stones within a decent color range in that size, I know I did the search for me too!

Also, rounds are pricer, so you'll notice that, but their better cuts makes them MUCH more fogiving with color. A J color in a well cut stone can look white white white (like PQCollectibles' ring), BUT a J stone in a shape will be "warm" and you may or may not like that in white gold or platinum. It IS a personal choice.

Here's a 1.53 I, SI1 Expert selection ideal cut stone from Whiteflash, but it's $7,985.

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-629966.htm

I assure you that even though it's not 2ct, it will outsparkle some "larger" stones that are improperly cut and made to look larger. Call WhiteFlash, call Good Old Gold, call Dirt Cheap, and various other vendors and see what they recommend. Work with the vendors and ask for as much info and pictures as you need...but FIRST, go try some on, in GIA certified colors, so you can see your tolerance, and how LOW oyu can go....I also suggest SI1s and maybe some eye clean SI2s!
 
If it's size you're looking for, I'd stick to rounds. A 1 ct. princess/radiant is smaller diameter-wise than a round stone.




I'd suggest either H (or an I with fluorescence), and clarity can go as low as SI2 if you can find a decent SI2. I personally am not fond of J stones as a rule, but I listed a few anyway in case you are.




Here are a few stones I found:




1.14, H, SI1 Round Ideal for $5290 http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-586220.htm




1.23 I, VS2 Round Ideal for $5750 http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-630769.htm




1.32, J, VS2 for $5255 http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-586220.htm (Not my first pick, but you might like it)




1.52 J, SI2 for $5999


http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-630768.htm#
 
$6000 is a good buget, but I can see a better stone within the 1.5 range. Don't kid yourself to think Costco will have some quality items for less...be careful, but always look, it's FREEE! I still suggest Round stones in well cut, maybe even with florescence...

here's a 1.73, I SI2, radiant with a good cut. It is quite rectangular, at 1.21 ratio....
http://www.whiteflash.com/radiant/Radiant-cut-diamond-635296.htm
 
I know what you mean needabigrock- I'm v practical & was nervous about spending so much on a *little* diamond... I was even considering a Sim (he wouldn't hear of it). So then it's making the most of your budget to get something that really suits you & brings you joy.

He wasn't into letting me help pay for the e-ring but I told him I am paying for the wedding bands- it only seemed fair...

Have fun looking at diamonds tonite & let us know what you decide to go for
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Thanks guys for all your help!!! I just don't know if I will allow him to spend 6,000 on a ring - we will see - it is amazing what DeBeer's marketing has done to us females!!!! I do have a tendancy to lose things so I wouldn't be suprised if i end with a CZ. I will keep you guys posted.
 
When I moved to Texas seven years ago, I could not believe or understand why all these ladies wanted BIG BIG diamonds. They did not seem to care how beautiful it was. BIG was beautiful! You should see all of the BIG ugly diamonds down here in BIG Texas.

Would you rather hear:
A - Wow, look at that BIG diamond, is that real? or
B - Wow, your diamond is the most beautiful I have ever seen.

You can have a J color beautiful diamond. You cannot have an I1 or lower clarity and be beautiful. Beauty is what is visible. Eye visible inclusions and a bad cut is not beautiful. A very well cut eye clean diamond of any color can be beautiful.
 
Stick with round, it will look bigger than a fancy shape of the same size unless you go with something that "plays" with how big it looks to the eyes, such as marquis or pear.




Those J options Alj posted are good..I like the J SI2..if its eye clean, and well-cut..it will sparkle like mad and 1.5 is pretty big for $6k!




Be careful what sort of 'bargains' are out there. The Jewelry Exchange in Burlinggame (SKETCHY) advertises on TV for 1c 3 stone rings for $499...I would QUAKE to see what kind of stones they are offering for that. Those must be industrial grade for that price. So a 'deal' isn't always a deal!! Be careful.
 
In my non professioanl opinion, I suggest you get a round as they look the biggest visually (in terms of spread for the weight), and if you go low in color, find one with a faint or med. blue flouresence to brighten it up, and also knock down the price. Be sure to ask about it though, and be sure it doesnt make it look cloudy or oily.

If you live in the DC area, I can direct you to a store that is wonderful, and competitve to the online dealer prices.
 
You've gotten some good advice . . . only you can decide what looks big or small to you, or what looks white or tinted to you.

In general, "I" is considered to be very white for the price. J/K etc. is considered by some to be totally fine, but others claim to notice a slight hue. However, on your finger, a stone's slight hue will probably not be noticeable. Flourescence may mask a stone's color as well.

As for clarity, some SI2s and even a few I1s look fine to the naked eye. It's just a matter of seeing the stone yourself. Also, you want to make sure that the inclusions don't threaten your stone's stability.

1.52 G I1 for $5300
(Look at the clarity close-ups -- if GOG says it's a "good looking I1," then the inclusions are not too noticeable or bothersome)

1.50 I SI2 H&A for $7300

1.55 K SI1 for $5432 This is the price they give when you mention finding it via PriceScope

1.83 J I1 for $6K

1.25 I SI2 H&A for $5239 (with discount)

I think that I or J and SI2 or I1 clarity (as long as you have seen it and are ok with the inclusions!) is the best way to get a lot of bang for your buck. Get a stone with a good cut, and people will be too blinded by its brilliance to compare it next to a crisp white business card or squint at it looking for inclusions.
 
Hi needabigrock (love the name!)

I have learned in my few weeks here that buying a diamond is about compromise. The advice on this board from these poeple is amazing but don't forget that you are asking diamond freaks always looking for their next fix! (sorry, no offense intended!)

I totally admire your approach, it reminds me very much of my wife... but I also notice you mentioned that your boyfriend "would like (you) to have one." I think that is a very interesting dynamic that you can see on this board with the likes of me and the other men coming here to get educated and get our girlfriends/fiancee-to-be/wife's the best ring possible. To cut to the chase make sure you and your boyfriend agree on what particular compromises to make, whether that means going as extreme as getting a simulated stone!

I think the advice can be summed as looking out for a very good eye-clean, SI2, I color that is very well cut for as big as you can afford. Now I am more educated I can pick out a better "looking" stone but I can not pick out the difference between a D/E and H once set. Some can, I can't but I can certainly see a brilliant sparkle.

Andrew
 


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On 3/30/2004 11:19:50 PM andr3wpd wrote:





you are asking diamond freaks always looking for their next fix! (sorry, no offense intended!)

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HEY! I resemble that remark!!!
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I am going to comment on what Andrew posted, because he's got a major point there.




Here is a big news flash.


Some guys really want to give their girlfriend a ring and they get off on making their girlfriend happy.


Sooooo, if the girlfriend wants to help pay for it, or suggests a sim, it deflates what the guy wants to do.




Not that I have had this exact same experience or anything, but ....




My only advice is that if your guy falls into this category, then you might need to play nice with him.




That might mean a smaller diamond than you were initially craving, but..... it might work out better all the way around if you can let him make you happy.




I know I know I know .........it's not easy, and maybe I am wrong, but


just a thought.
 


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On 3/30/2004 5:46:24 PM Mara wrote:







Be careful what sort of 'bargains' are out there. The Jewelry Exchange in Burlinggame (SKETCHY) advertises on TV for 1c 3 stone rings for $499...



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there's a jewelry exchange where i live offering 1c solitaires for that much...
 
1.5 cts carbon crystal for $499.... anyone in need of some drill bits?

How about a nicely cut white sapphire ? I don't know anout you, but either CZ or industrial diamonds do not sound all that appealing to this girl here ! On the other hand, sapphire look great to me: blacks and whites and everything inbetween - so I am not exactly impartial. The colorless ones do not need to get included, cloudy, yellowish or badly cut to be real bargains and real gems. You can probably get one nicely cut to sparkle honorably and hold it's own in a ring. Large pieces may not look anything like diamonds, but a small stone (and in the given 1.5 - 2 cts the 'object' is not huge compared to the finger), especially not round, and carefully cut and mounted can be quite impressive.

How does this sound?
 
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