Please help silly lil newbie me. =)

[wishinpink]

My boyfriend and I are looking to buy the diamond of my dreams within this next year.

I've been reading and reading in the forums and many of you are so helpful and knowledgeable, and so I have many questions I would love to get answered!


Here they go:

1. What shape cut should I get? ^_^;;

I've looked around at the different shapes, and I seem to like cushions that are perfectly square with the modern brilliant cushion cut. I like a lot of different cuts though, and I looked through lots of fancy cuts too that I liked too. How do I know what shape is "the one"? I noticed that many of the fancier cuts weren't available on most websites, and were a lot more expensive. We are both students and so we're looking at a budget of around $4000 for diamond + ring setting. Which cuts should I look for, which cuts to avoid?

I'm okay with the round brilliant too, as long as the setting make it look more unique. Leaning toward cushions though, because of it's uniqueness


2. What are all these specs? For example, a diamond I'm looking at on bluenile right now:

I understand the 4 C's but I'm not so sure about the depth %, table %, fluorescence, girdle, and measurements.


Table %: 58%


Stock number: LD01383525

Price: $2,626

Bank wire price: $2,587

Carat weight: 0.59

Cut: Very Good

Color: E

Clarity: VS1

Price per carat: $4,451

Depth %: 65.7%

Table %: 58%

Symmetry: Very good

Polish: Excellent

Girdle: Thin to slightly thick

Culet: None

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 5.08 x 5.07 x 3.33 mm

Length/width ratio: 1.00


3. I like many of the platinum ring settings on antiqueengagementrings.com, and noticed many of your recommending mark at engagementringsdirect.com for cushions. Should I buy my diamond in one place, and buy the setting at another? Is it better for price if I buy both at one place?

4. How do you diamond bargain shop? For example, if i were to try to find the above ring that I found at blue nile, how would I go about finding diamonds at better prices because we're price sensitive.

5. My boyfriend lives in New york city and I live in Seattle. Is the New york diamond district a good place to buy cushions?

6. Are there times of the year where diamonds are cheaper? haha is this a dumb question?

7. Can you haggle with the people at antiqueengagementrings or engagementringsdirect?

8. Where do I go to get my diamond ring appraised after I buy it?

9. I'm looking for a ring setting that is dainty and elegant, with diamond accents, and probably made of platinum. I am a pianist, and I must have a ring that is extremely durable, and won't scratch things! Where do you think I can find lots of ring settings like this?

There are just a few of my initial questions! I'm sorry if some of these are dumb questions... I know nothing except all that I've read so far!!

Any help on any question would be greatly appreciated!

 

[wishinpink]

More Questions!!


1. Does anyone have the whiteflash x-factor diamond? How does it compare to the cushion?

2. How do I specify I want a perfectly square cushion on websites? Most don''t have that option...

 

[swingirl]

Only Whiteflash carries the x-factor stone because it is their own branded cut.

Cushions are sometimes listed with a ratio of width to length. A 1.0 would be perfectly square. But you can check the dimensions and see it the width and length are close.

If you aren't sure what shape you like you should look at Show Me the Ring threads and see what shapes look like in various settings. And trying things on at jewelry stores, too. $4000 is a nice budget to spend. You also need to think about whether you want most of the budget to go towards larger stone in a simple setting or smaller stone is a more expensive setting. Will you ever want to upgrade either the stone or setting?

You have found a good resource at PS. Lots on information, lots of photos. Have fun.
This will explain what the numbers mean (the HCA only works for rounds)
Holloway Cut Advisor

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 8/6/2008 2:50:25 AM
Author: wishinpink
More Questions!!


1. Does anyone have the whiteflash x-factor diamond? How does it compare to the cushion?

2. How do I specify I want a perfectly square cushion on websites? Most don''t have that option...

I would check out Good Old Gold and email/tell them you want a square cushion and talk to Engagement rings Direct.

 

[arjunajane]

Phew, what an awful lot of questions! Ok, I'll dive in..

Date: 8/6/2008 2:24:20 AM
Author:wishinpink

1. What shape cut should I get? ^_^;;

Whatever appeals to you most - as suggested, the SMTR thread is a great place to look. You can also search on "cushion" or other to find specific looks.
Also,visiting stores and trying stuff on is essential. Many of us find what we love online doesn't always suit out hands/lifestyle etc.



2. What are all these specs? For example, a diamond I'm looking at on bluenile right now:

I understand the 4 C's but I'm not so sure about the depth %, table %, fluorescence, girdle, and measurements.


here is the PS tutorials on cut, a great place to learn http://diamonds.pricescope.com/cut.asp
And great info at WF http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds_about/
The importance of the numbers and measurements will change depending on what shape you choose. RB's can often be chosen by looking at numbers at light-reflecting images, whereas cushions etc need to be evaluated as you go.
Fluorescence is just another property of diamonds - the most common colour is blue, which usually has no negative effects on a stone and can be fun. Please ask if you'd like to know more.

3. I like many of the platinum ring settings on antiqueengagementrings.com, and noticed many of your recommending mark at engagementringsdirect.com for cushions. Should I buy my diamond in one place, and buy the setting at another? Is it better for price if I buy both at one place?

It is usually more sensible to buy at the same place. That said, I bought my diamond from GOG and set from WF - it just depends on if the vendor can meet all your needs.

4. How do you diamond bargain shop? For example, if i were to try to find the above ring that I found at blue nile, how would I go about finding diamonds at better prices because we're price sensitive.

Use this http://www.pricescope.com/diamond-prices.aspx
Put in your specs/price range and it will show all the virtual inventory.

5. My boyfriend lives in New york city and I live in Seattle. Is the New york diamond district a good place to buy cushions?

I understand ERD is in the diamond district. Aside from that, I'm not sure. I have heard stories of people getting taken.

6. Are there times of the year where diamonds are cheaper? haha is this a dumb question?

I don't believe so, although someone may be able to correct me. Many of the PS recommended vendors offer PS-related discounts, just ask.

7. Can you haggle with the people at antiqueengagementrings or engagementringsdirect?

not sure. Imho there is no harm in asking for a discount, (I think haggle is a strong word

but online vendors prices are already competitive so there may not be much room.

8. Where do I go to get my diamond ring appraised after I buy it?

List of recommended independent appraisers. Just make sure whoever you use is truely Independent. http://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

9. I'm looking for a ring setting that is dainty and elegant, with diamond accents, and probably made of platinum. I am a pianist, and I must have a ring that is extremely durable, and won't scratch things! Where do you think I can find lots of ring settings like this?

Start with looking through SMTR to see what style you like, and most people mention their vendor in their post.
Pearlmans has a huge range to peruse and are great to talk to http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/pearlmans-collection/

There are just a few of my initial questions! I'm sorry if some of these are dumb questions... I know nothing except all that I've read so far!!

Any help on any question would be greatly appreciated!

hope that helps

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 8/6/2008 2:50:25 AM
Author: wishinpink
More Questions!!


1. Does anyone have the whiteflash x-factor diamond? How does it compare to the cushion?

2. How do I specify I want a perfectly square cushion on websites? Most don''t have that option...

ditto the other gals on these ones.
To be honest, looking and choosing the setting and shape and everything else is great fun.
But imho, if you''re after a specific cushion you will be best served contacting a vendor(s) and having them source some top stones in your budget.
There is an enormous amount of stuff to learn about picking an awesome diamond - I personally am happy to find a vendor that I trust and gel with, and let them put their expertise and resources to work.

ERD and GOG are well known for sourcing top-notch cushions, perhaps shoot them an email with your budget etc?

 

[Lorelei]

Great post AJ!!

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 8/6/2008 8:16:56 AM
Author: Lorelei
Great post AJ!!

thankyou ma''am

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/6/2008 10:36:28 AM
Author: arjunajane

Date: 8/6/2008 8:16:56 AM
Author: Lorelei
Great post AJ!!

thankyou ma''am

LOL!!

 

[wishinpink]

Wow,.... THANK YOU!!!!

That answers so many of my questions!! You sound like you could write a book!!!

Thank you so much! I feel so much smarter now, and I will definitely keep all these things in mind in my diamond ring search!

Thank you, thank you everyone!!!

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 8/6/2008 1:29:12 PM
Author: wishinpink

Wow,.... THANK YOU!!!!

That answers so many of my questions!! You sound like you could write a book!!!

Thank you so much! I feel so much smarter now, and I will definitely keep all these things in mind in my diamond ring search!

Thank you, thank you everyone!!!

Your welcome wishinpink - and you'd be surprised how knowledgeable the people here are.
I am very much just still a novice!..(plus I learnt from lovely people like Lorelei - they are the truely edumucated ones, lol!)

I wish you luck in your search, pls update us on how you go!