Pricness Cut Stones and Setting - Is it Worth it ? - new pictures attached

[sbrickman]

So I think I made my final decision and now would like just a little feedback on if the price I am being quoted is within the range of what it should be.

So the ring is going to be custom made to look exactly like the following setting:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-877.asp

The setting will be completed in 18k white gold.

Here is the info on the stones:

All are GIA certified

Center Stone:
Laser Inscription Registry: 2105454427
Square Modified Brilliant
Measurements: 5.58 x 5.54 x 4.04 mm
Carat Weight: 1.01 carat
Color Grade: G
Clarity Grade: VS1
Proportions:
Depth: 72.9%
Table: 63%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None

Side Stone 1:
Laser Inscription Registry: GIA 16018320
Square Modified Brilliant
Measurements: 3.89 x 3.83 x 2.71 mm
Carat Weight: 0.33
Color Grade: G
Clarity Grade: VVS2
Proportions:
Depth: 70.8 %
Table: 67 %
Girdle: Medium to Thick
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Good
Symmetry: Good
Fluorescence: None
Clarity Characteristics: Feather

Side stone 2:
Laser Inscription Registry: GIA 15984397
Square Modified Brilliant
Measurements: 3.98 x 3.88 x 2.71 mm
Carat Weight: 0.34
Color Grade: G
Clarity Grade: VVS2
Proportions:
Depth: 69.8 %
Table: 66 %
Girdle: Medium to Very Thick
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None
Clarity Characteristics: Pinpoint

There were also be 10 small princess stones at aprox .03ct each set in the band (not gia graded)but will match the other stones.

Got a gemex light report on the center stone:

To view the report go here:
http://www.gemex.com/htmdocs/consumer/livereport/livereport_web.html
and enter this report # DB101VS1G2500

The price they are quoting me for everything is $6221.00 , so would just like to have some feedback if that price is within the range of what it should be for the quality, carat weight, etc.

Thank you all so very much! You are really my only source of independent expertise. Thanks!

(included are the pictures I have of the 3 main stones)

 

[stone-cold11]

Looks like a good deal, if the gemex report is accurate. There is an opinion here that Gemex results are not reproduceable for a stone, so you can run the test until the desired result is obtained.

But a ACA of similar spec is priced at around $6k, so if the stone is on par with an ACA on visual, it looks like a very good deal. Just my 2 cts.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/27/2009 9:40:11 AM
Author: Stone-cold11
Looks like a good deal, if the gemex report is accurate. There is an opinion here that Gemex results are not reproduceable for a stone, so you can run the test until the desired result is obtained.

But a ACA of similar spec is priced at around $6k, so if the stone is on par with an ACA on visual, it looks like a very good deal. Just my 2 cts.

No way to tell that, and it is always best to evaluate each diamond on its own desirable physical and visual properties - if it looks good then that is the main thing. sbrick, the diamonds in question look very nice and the pricing looks reasonable to me.

 

[sbrickman]

Thank you for the replies, would love to hear any other feedback if possible. Also what the general opinion on going down to 14k white gold from 18k, since it would provide a little harder metal, is that something that I should worry about, or is it negligible.

 

[stone-cold11]

Harder also means more brittle so a prong is more likely to break off at a knock.

But don''t worry about that, if it happens it happens, it can happen to any alloy, maybe not likely to Pt/Pd, but that is what your jewelry insurance is for.

 

[chrono]

I'm not an expert on princess cut stones, so I have a question for everyone:
The center princess looks to have a dark center. Is this normal? Is it acceptable? The two smaller sidestones do not exhibit this quality.

Many have used 14K settings with 14K prongs for a long time without problems.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/27/2009 10:55:35 AM
Author: Chrono
I''m not an expert on princess cut stones, so I have a question for everyone:
The center princess looks to have a dark center. Is this normal? Is it acceptable? The two smaller sidestones do not exhibit this quality.

Many have used 14K settings with 14K prongs for a long time without problems.

Gemex report looks ok Chrono - see if this link works...

http://www.gemex.com/htmdocs/consumer/livereport/livereport_web.html

 

[chrono]

Date: 1/27/2009 10:59:14 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 1/27/2009 10:55:35 AM
Author: Chrono
I''m not an expert on princess cut stones, so I have a question for everyone:
The center princess looks to have a dark center. Is this normal? Is it acceptable? The two smaller sidestones do not exhibit this quality.

Many have used 14K settings with 14K prongs for a long time without problems.

Gemex report looks ok Chrono - see if this link works...

http://www.gemex.com/htmdocs/consumer/livereport/livereport_web.html

What am I doing wrong? It won''t take my report number?
Another question - there has been a lot of debate about gemex, especially for non-rounds. Due to that, I no longer use gemex as the lone deciding tool to buy fancies.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/27/2009 11:03:48 AM
Author: Chrono

Date: 1/27/2009 10:59:14 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 1/27/2009 10:55:35 AM
Author: Chrono
I'm not an expert on princess cut stones, so I have a question for everyone:
The center princess looks to have a dark center. Is this normal? Is it acceptable? The two smaller sidestones do not exhibit this quality.

Many have used 14K settings with 14K prongs for a long time without problems.

Gemex report looks ok Chrono - see if this link works...

http://www.gemex.com/htmdocs/consumer/livereport/livereport_web.html

What am I doing wrong? It won't take my report number?
Another question - there has been a lot of debate about gemex, especially for non-rounds. Due to that, I no longer use gemex as the lone deciding tool to buy fancies.

Hmmm...I don't know why it won't work....

I know there has been Gemex debates recently but thats all we have in this case, no ASET.

 

[chrono]

Lorelei,
I heard that JA is starting to use ASET but can't take pictures of it or something like that a few months ago? I haven't been active on RT for a while so I don't know any "new" developments at JA.

 

[sbrickman]

So should I really be worried about the center stone and what Chrono said about the darker center in the picture. I am about to give them my credit card and officially place the order, so your making me nervous..lol

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/27/2009 11:29:50 AM
Author: Chrono
Lorelei,
I heard that JA is starting to use ASET but can''t take pictures of it or something like that a few months ago? I haven''t been active on RT for a while so I don''t know any ''new'' developments at JA.

I must admit I hadn''t heard that but if they are then great!!! I hope they do so!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/27/2009 11:50:23 AM
Author: sbrickman
So should I really be worried about the center stone and what Chrono said about the darker center in the picture. I am about to give them my credit card and officially place the order, so your making me nervous..lol

Is it James Allen or another vendor or jeweller who has the diamonds? I think you are ok and the centre is a well cut diamond but to make absolutely sure, contact the vendor and ask them for a couple more photos close up.

 

[chrono]

Date: 1/27/2009 11:50:23 AM
Author: sbrickman
So should I really be worried about the center stone and what Chrono said about the darker center in the picture. I am about to give them my credit card and officially place the order, so your making me nervous..lol

I''m so sorry to scare you because it isn''t my intention. I''ll repeat that I''m no expert so I''m learning by asking questions. How about asking James Allen if they have an ASET? I have no idea if they do but it would be tremendously helpful.

 

[stone-cold11]

I don''t think that is from JA. I never heard JA submitting their stones for Gemex testing before. OP only give the JA example for the setting I believe.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/27/2009 11:57:30 AM
Author: Chrono

Date: 1/27/2009 11:50:23 AM
Author: sbrickman
So should I really be worried about the center stone and what Chrono said about the darker center in the picture. I am about to give them my credit card and officially place the order, so your making me nervous..lol

I''m so sorry to scare you because it isn''t my intention. I''ll repeat that I''m no expert so I''m learning by asking questions. How about asking James Allen if they have an ASET? I have no idea if they do but it would be tremendously helpful.

I looked back Chronie and I don''t think the diamonds are from JA, but I really wish they would do ASET anyway!!!

 

[chrono]

Stone and L,
You both are absolutely correct. The setting is from JA or at least in that design similar to the one on JA's website but there is no mention of the diamond vendor. I did not read the first post carefully. And now that I think about it, JA's pictures are different.

 

[sbrickman]

It is not through James Allen, it is through a smaller jeweler. But i just found out that the can not make it exactly like the picture, they said they could do either one of these (included pictures below),(which i am not thrilled about), I would of liked to go through James Allen so its the exact setting, but they do not have the same stones that I liked. James Allen''s side stones are smaller .25 and are not GIA graded.

So what do you all think of the two different settings that this current jeweler is now offering?


(first one will have rounded prongs instead of v prongs)

 

[sbrickman]

here is the second one that they are now offering...

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/27/2009 12:44:29 PM
Author: sbrickman
It is not through James Allen, it is through a smaller jeweler. But i just found out that the can not make it exactly like the picture, they said they could do either one of these (included pictures below),(which i am not thrilled about), I would of liked to go through James Allen so its the exact setting, but they do not have the same stones that I liked. James Allen''s side stones are smaller .25 and are not GIA graded.

So what do you all think of the two different settings that this current jeweler is now offering?


(first one will have rounded prongs instead of v prongs)

If the proposed setting isn''t what you want then I would go elsewhere - as to the JA side diamonds in that setting not being GIA graded, is that a real deal breaker for you? If not then they could be able to source you a centre Princess and you will end up with the design you want.

 

[chrono]

Are the JA diamonds AGS? AGS-0 diamonds are well regarded as one of the very best cuts and will outsparkle anything you've seen.

Duh, I just realised that maybe the JA sidestones are uncerted? I'm being too quick with the fingers.

 

[sbrickman]

What do you mean by "source" a center diamond? I was under the impression that it was important to have all the significant carat size stones to be GIA graded. Should I not be concerned about that? Is it not a necessary thing to be worried about. Also the JA''s side stones would be aprox. .25ct each opposed to the orders would be around .31ct each.

Thanks!

 

[chrono]

A 0.25 ct diamond isn't going to look a lot smaller than a 0.31 ct diamond. Probably 0.05 mm difference or so which I can't even draw on a piece of paper.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/27/2009 1:01:34 PM
Author: sbrickman
What do you mean by 'source' a center diamond? I was under the impression that it was important to have all the significant carat size stones to be GIA graded. Should I not be concerned about that? Is it not a necessary thing to be worried about. Also the JA's side stones would be aprox. .25ct each opposed to the orders would be around .31ct each.

Thanks!

I meant JA could find you a diamond if he didn't have what you were looking for in stock, he might be able to find you a suitable Princess. As Chrono says you wouldn't notice much if any visual difference between the sizes above, as to the GIA grading for the side diamonds, personally I wouldn't worry if it was me and you were working with a trusted vendor such as JA, the centre diamond is the important one to have a GIA report, but it is up to your comfort level and time constraints.

 

[sbrickman]

Thanks for the info on this. If I change and go try and work with JA on this, I might have to come back here and get all your opinions all over again on the center stone...lol

 

[chrono]

Date: 1/27/2009 2:12:42 PM
Author: sbrickman
Thanks for the info on this. If I change and go try and work with JA on this, I might have to come back here and get all your opinions all over again on the center stone...lol

Don''t worry about it. Everyone here just want to make sure you get the best for your budget and that you''re happy with what you get.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/27/2009 2:12:42 PM
Author: sbrickman
Thanks for the info on this. If I change and go try and work with JA on this, I might have to come back here and get all your opinions all over again on the center stone...lol

Of course you can, we are glad to help!

 

[sbrickman]

well I just confirmed with James Allen, that the side stones are not .25 they are .15 which is definetly smaller then I wanted to go. They really are unable to assist with adding different side stones cause they said it was a package deal.

I have been speaking with the people at Brilliance.com and they said they could perfectly duplicate the James Allen side stone, just need to figure out a center stone and I am totally confused again. If there is anyone out there who is willing to help me select from what they have available, I would be so greatly appreciative. Please let me know and I am at the point that I need help so bad, I am willing to compensate you in any way that I can. Thank you!

 

[stone-cold11]

ok, so what kind of specs are you looking at for the princess cut and what is your budget?

 

[sbrickman]

aprox 1.0 carat princess cut vs1 color g with a budget for just the center stone up 4200-4500 (lesser the better...lol)