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Popping the question but need some help!

D

dcsocal

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 10, 2012
Messages
6
Hello everyone, my girlfriend and I have been together for over 5 years and it is now time to pop the question. I can't express how excited I am. However, I have become overwhelmed by the e-ring process! lol The very top of my budget is 4k and her ring size is 5.5. My girlfriend and I care much more about the quality of the stone, but as a graduate student I am really looking for the best bang for my buck.

Sorry if I am beginning to rant but I am looking for some direction in the stone selection process.

We found the following ring at costco which after tax would come to about ~$3000.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11671759&whse=bc&Ne=5000000+4000000&eCat=bc|108|28447|56574&N=4017520%205000109&Mo=13&No=6&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&hierPath=108*28447*56574*&topnav=

However, I couldn't help but browse through JA and WF to see what I could come up with. As of now I have found this stone.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1489180.asp
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 0.75
Cut: Hearts & Arrows Ideal
Color: I
Clarity: VS2
Certificate: AGS
Depth: 60.1%
Table: 59.2%
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle:
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: Negligible
Measurements: 5.89*5.91*3.55
Crown Angle: 33.7
Crown %:
Pavilion Angle: 40.7

1.2HCA

with this setting

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/-18k-White-Gold-Pave-Set-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-17155w14.html

This combo comes out to a little under $4000. But if the quality and cut of the stone really makes a difference between the two then I am all in!

If you think I am on the right track or have any alternate stones I should look at please let me know! This is such a wonderful community! :wavey:
 
You are very much on the right track with the James Allen combination! The problem with that Costco ring is that it does not say that the diamond is GIA graded. If it is IGI graded, then it wouldn't even compare with the James Allen diamond. I absolutely would buy the one from James Allen because that is a top quality stone!
 
diamondseeker2006|1347419109|3266555 said:
You are very much on the right track with the James Allen combination! The problem with that Costco ring is that it does not say that the diamond is GIA graded. If it is IGI graded, then it wouldn't even compare with the James Allen diamond. I absolutely would buy the one from James Allen because that is a top quality stone!
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I figured. For a ~$900 difference I really think the stone will make a difference. The only downside with James Allen combo is the setting is white gold and not platinum, well at least in my price range lol

JulieN|1347419385|3266559 said:
It looks great.

Are you looking for something less expensive? We can easily find you something that will get it to 3000.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1495525.asp
Click to expand...

Yeah I was curious as to what I get could for a bit cheaper and Whoa you guys are good!

What sort of differences would I be looking at between these two stones?

I can't tell you how much I appreciate the help!
 
Well the one I posted is a little smaller, but that won't matter in a halo.

It is not hearts and arrows, but you probably won't notice a difference. It is also has more inclusions, but they might not be visible to the naked eye. You will need to check with the staff there if it is eye-clean and for an Ideal scope image if you are interested in it. You get only 3 images.
 
I see. I have a tough decision ahead of me. The price difference is huge. I guess I can always return the SI if it doesn't look great.
 
You are trigger happy. Slow down. :wacko:

What compelled you to pick that particular diamond? The blues in the photo usually suggest the diamond is on the shallow side. You want an Ideal Scope image before you commit to a diamond, or at least the opinion of the staff there. Get them to compare a few diamonds for you.
 
JulieN|1347430034|3266618 said:
You are trigger happy. Slow down. :wacko:

What compelled you to pick that particular diamond? You want an Ideal Scope image before you commit to a diamond, or at least the opinion of the staff there. Get them to compare a few diamonds for you.
Click to expand...

Ha. I had a feeling I would get that response, :oops: but I was able to speak with a representative and compare the three mentioned. Also, I am a bit of stickler for color.....and well actually I think I just pulled the trigger soon. However, I do think I made an informed choice as I have researched and lurked these forums for a looonnnggg while. Still no excuse. I am excited and if it turns out that I made the wrong choice then I can always opt for something else.

Impulsivity aside did I do good? bad? :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: doesn't explain it. lol

EDIT: just read your ninja edit lol....hmm let me rethink this then..oy vey what have i done :wacko:
 
If you're looking for an H VS1 on a budget then I would look into this one: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Very-Good-Cut-Round-Diamond-1500102.asp

I picked I SI1 for my first suggestion because it matched the original 3K ring at Costco and I think that's going to give you the most bang for your buck, but H is a fine color. I wouldn't go out of my way for a VS1 unless it just happened to be a good deal, like the one above.

Here's what I mean about shallow stones showing up blue: http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VVS1-Very-Good-Cut-Round-Diamond-1469332.asp Pavilion angle 40.4, this one is much more problematic than your pick.

If you are reconsidering, you can just tell them to put your order on hold for awhile, no big deal.
 
So although the spread may be larger, this may be at the expense of a shallower cut? Aren't shallower cuts more prone to chipping?
I still have the other two on hold so i can always change.
 
Shallow: for a given weight, if one diamond is shallow (less depth, low angles) then it must be that it has more width than a deeper diamond of the same weight. Chipping is rare, it is not much of a worry until you get to very low angles.
 
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