Please help with choosing first engagement ring.

[rb321]

Hello everyone,

I am preparing to buy my first engagement ring for my girlfriend and would like some suggestions. I’m becoming a bit overwhelmed trying to find a diamond that will give me the best value for my money and would like to ask for recommendations. So far, I’ve come up with the following lose parameters, but I am flexible and open to suggestions:

-budget: would like to keep it under $6,000 but I am willing to go above if necessary

-Would like at least a 1c excellent cut round diamond

-Clarity: VS2 (again open to suggestions here)

-Color: I (or maybe better, not sure on this one)

As far as the setting goes, my girlfriend said she likes a split band or a vine band with or without small diamonds on it. She wears a size 9 ring.

I’ve mostly been looking at Good Old Gold because that’s where my friend purchased his engagement ring for his now wife, and he highly recommends it.

I would like a place that has a good hassle-free upgrade policy since I plan to upgrade soon after purchasing a home.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[ecf8503]

Good Old Gold is fantastic - and they have a great upgrade policy! Let me go see what they have that looks good -

eta: Does your budget include the setting?

 

[rb321]

Good Old Gold is fantastic - and they have a great upgrade policy! Let me go see what they have that looks good -

eta: Does your budget include the setting?

The budget does not include the band. I'm flexible with the price an I'm willing to go a bit higher as well. Thanks for the reply!

 

[ecf8503]

0.9ct I VS1 https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond...arrows-EX-GIA-I-VS1-diamond-stock-16012-cert-

1.04ct I SI1 https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond...S-I-SI1-diamond-stock-13352-cert-104077051026

Whiteflash is also excellent - and they also have a good trade-up policy. Here's a 0.95ct I SI1 A Cut Above top-of-the-line ideal cut, and it's just under the 1ct mark, so you're getting the look of a 1ct but not paying for the markup https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3839977.htm

 

[ac117]

GOG is great but I don't see anything that would get you 1 ct without having to up the budget. This is a very nice stone, though, especially if you are already considering upgrading: https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond...GIA-G-SI1-diamond-stock-15207-cert-6232577938 or https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond...arrows-EX-GIA-I-VS1-diamond-stock-16012-cert-
1 ct but puts you over budget: https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond..._round-EX-GIA-H-SI1-diamond-stock-15945-cert-

Whiteflash is a great vendor with an excellent upgrade policy. I don't see any settings that I would really recommend from there, but you could potentially put all of your budget into the main stone, put it into a simple solitaire and upgrade the setting later?
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3839977.htm - really close to 1 ct
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3800303.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3823428.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3646323.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3520058.htm

You could also consider James Allen but you'd have to spend double once you go to upgrade:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3307379 - this is a FANTASTIC price
Setting ideas: https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...d-pave-shank-contemporary-solitaire-item-6858
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...iamond-split-shank-engagement-ring-item-50321
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/platinum-solo-infinity-engagement-ring-item-53657

 

[rb321]

Thank you both very much for the suggestions.

I'm looking further into the White Flash recommendation that's a little under 1c, specially since you both recommended it.

I also liked the James Allen one since it looks like a great deal. My friend pointed out though that it has high florescence and that he wouldn't get it for that reason. Does florescence matter?

Also, I really likes James Allen's website since I can pick a band right from their interface. Do you have any more recommendations from them?

 

[ac117]

Fluorescence is personal preference - I happen to love it and many people here do, too, but there are others who don't like the slightly bluish hue the stone could have when UV lighting activates it. As long as there is no hazy or milky effect from the fluorescence (which is rare anyway), I am fine with it. I would ask JA to confirm that the stone is free of that.

JA has so many different options. I chose those bc you said split or vine band. This is also pretty and could be interpreted as vine: https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...red-floral-bouquet-engagement-ring-item-58613
There are others but *to me* they either have a lot of metal, or are as feminine, or just a head sticking out:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...pave-twist-diamond-engagement-ring-item-52627
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ve-infinity-diamond-engagement-ring-item-9325
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...old-pave-crossover-engagement-ring-item-22573

 

[rockysalamander]

I'm a fan of JA also, but read their trade-up policy carefully. They require that the upgrade is 2xthe price of the current. So, if you spend $6k on a diamond now, do you see yourself spending $12k later? If no, you might focus on WF, GOG, or HighPerformanceDiamonds, and BrianGiven -- all excellent trade-ups. BG requires you up 2 of color, clarity or size.

These are Ritani and SimonG options, which are pretty avaiable to most vendors.

https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...itani-modern-diamond-engagement-ring-2249.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...r1394-fabled-diamond-engagement-ring-3434.htm

 

[rb321]

So I showed my gf some of these options and she seems to be set on the diamond being at least 1c. We're also on the fence about florescence.

I looked through some more option on James Allen that meet that criteria. May I get your thoughts on the following:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-909608

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3020465

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1870366

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3303122

Thanks again.

 

[rockysalamander]

Good potential. Ask for an IS. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3020465

Filmed poorly, but ask for an IS. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-909608

NO - https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1870366

NO - https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3303122

 

[rb321]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is an IS?

 

[rockysalamander]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is an IS?

Sorry Ideal Scope images. Its a special image that allow the viewer to look at the cut of a diamond. We prefer ASET (Angular Spectrum Evaluation Tool) images, but I'm pretty sure JA does not give them (but do ask).

IdealScope
https://www.whiteflash.com/about-diamonds/diamond-education/idealscope-overview-and-examples.htm

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/education/how-to-read-an-idealscope-image

ASET
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/education/how-to-read-an-aset-image

 

[rb321]

Thank you for that information. It looks like they where unable to provide additional images because they claim the diamonds are overseas. I will remove those from consideration.

Are there any diamonds that you would recommend from JA?

 

[whitewave]

Have you checked usacertifieddiamonds.com? Martin is also a ps sponsor. The only issue is that you can't see the stone online. He has to send you the pics and videos. Worth a look though....

 

[whitewave]

Also, click the search engine at the top of the page to see what comes up from PS sponsors.

 

[whitewave]

This one: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/9651550...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

1.0 H color VS2 medium fluro and HCA 1.4 for $4,967
I'm not sure about upgrade policy.

 

[rockysalamander]

This one: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/9651550...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

1.0 H color VS2 medium fluro and HCA 1.4 for $4,967
I'm not sure about upgrade policy.

Nice find!

Reasonable tradeup: http://www.b2cjewels.com/lifetime-upgrade-policy

 

[ac117]

Excellent find whitewave! A great balance of specs and price!

 

[BlingDreams]

This one: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/9651550...m_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

1.0 H color VS2 medium fluro and HCA 1.4 for $4,967
I'm not sure about upgrade policy.

Let me ask this (of anyone)... could OP ask Whiteflash to bring this diamond in for him and purchase it from them, thereby getting this great find and also Whiteflash's upgrade policy?

 

[rb321]

Thanks everyone for the replies. After taking all the suggestions into consideration I have a much better idea of what I want. I am having a hard time finding a band that I like that is within budget on the other websites other than James Allen. I no longer have the requirement to upgrade any time soon so I would prefer to stick with them due to their vast band selection. I also narrowed down my desired specs to the following:

Price: 4,000 USD max for the diamond only (lower is preferred even if it lowers carat size by a bit). I had to lower my budget from my original post due to unforeseen circumstances.
Cut: Excellent
Clarity: SI1
Color: I
Carat: 0.9 or above

I would like to request recommendations with the above specs preferably from James Allen or any website that has a large selection of bands to chose from. (My budget for the band is <$1k )
Thanks again!

 

[Akalahab]

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3308577

https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond..._arrows-EX-GIA--VS2-diamond-stock-15974-cert-

You can also can also call IDJ - Yekutiel can find you pricescope quality stones within budget, take IS images of them for you, and has lots of settings

 

[totallyfree]

I've not purchased Brilliant Earth myself, but have had others recommend them to me. Have you seen this ring?
https://www.brilliantearth.com/Preset-Chamise-Diamond-Ring-White-Gold-1-Carat-BE1AS8PD08/
$6,420 for a 1ct, vine/twist/split shank band with shoulder stones.

Is this close to what you were looking at?

 

[Akalahab]

This would be my favorite "vinelike" setting if going the JA route. https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/e...ola-engagement-ring-by-jeff-cooper-item-54229

 

[rb321]

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3308577

https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond..._arrows-EX-GIA--VS2-diamond-stock-15974-cert-

You can also can also call IDJ - Yekutiel can find you pricescope quality stones within budget, take IS images of them for you, and has lots of settings

For the first link you posted from James Allen, does the diamond appear to have a little black mark right at the center in the 360 video? Does that matter?

 

[Akalahab]

For the first link you posted from James Allen, does the diamond appear to have a little black mark right at the center in the 360 video? Does that matter?

You can ask an SA at James Allen if it is eye clean along with an IS (the video is at least 15x magnified). You can also try zooming out on your computer screen for a better idea.

 

[rockysalamander]

Here's an option if you drop color but raise clarity

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3230862

 

[rockysalamander]

Check out bluenile also. Here are some numbers to help you weed through potentials.

This is the most important element of making a diamond sparkle. See below and only accept
"Excellent" on the certification. The cut grade provides a single rating that weighs the combined impact of facet shapes and angles, girdle width, culet size, polish, and symmetry. But, it is subjective to a point. Stay with Ideal and Excellent.

These are measurements to help you stay in ideal cut territory with a GIA excellent cut round stone, but
graded by any lab.
table: 54-58
depth: 59-62.3
crown angle: 33.5-35.0
pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41.0)
And the crown and pavilion angles must be complementary which is what the HCA checks for you.
If a stone fits those numbers, then run it through the HCA tool. This is an exclusion tool, but it will eliminate any round that will be an automatic no. http://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca; You want to see Excellent on light return, fire, and scintillation, and very good on spread. An overall score of 2.0 or lower means a diamond is worth exploring further (but a 1.0 isn’t necessarily better than 1.9).

 

[rb321]

Check out bluenile also. Here are some numbers to help you weed through potentials.

This is the most important element of making a diamond sparkle. See below and only accept
"Excellent" on the certification. The cut grade provides a single rating that weighs the combined impact of facet shapes and angles, girdle width, culet size, polish, and symmetry. But, it is subjective to a point. Stay with Ideal and Excellent.

These are measurements to help you stay in ideal cut territory with a GIA excellent cut round stone, but
graded by any lab.
table: 54-58
depth: 59-62.3
crown angle: 33.5-35.0
pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41.0)
And the crown and pavilion angles must be complementary which is what the HCA checks for you.
If a stone fits those numbers, then run it through the HCA tool. This is an exclusion tool, but it will eliminate any round that will be an automatic no. http://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca; You want to see Excellent on light return, fire, and scintillation, and very good on spread. An overall score of 2.0 or lower means a diamond is worth exploring further (but a 1.0 isn’t necessarily better than 1.9).

Thanks a lot for this information. This will definitely help me in my search.

 

[rockysalamander]

We frequently use JamesAllen, BlueNile, Whiteflash, HighPerformanceDiamonds, GoodOldGold, BrianGavin.

With your budget and wants, I'd show her some old cut diamonds and pre-loved. {look at videos}
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/93ct-oec-diamond-gia-j-vs2
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-09ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-m-vs2-1881
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-38ctw-fancy-golden-brown-old-european-cut-diamond-cluster-ring

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3308577 from @Akalahab still available
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3326056 {need IS)
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2200941 {need IS}
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/search.aspx {not perfect on clarity, but the greater performance should really make this a great diamond}

 

[rockysalamander]

Have you discussed any shape other than a round diamond...oval and marquise?