Princess diamond help

[clgwli]

When my husband and I got engaged I had picked a colored stone for my engagement ring. We were very young and very poor so we went with what we could afford. Now almost 15 years later we decided to go for a diamond ring for me. I have been looking around and decided that I am not a fan of very white stones. I don''t think I ever have been.

I have tried to look around online to get price ideas and I am at a loss of where to look and research. I want a warm colored diamond probably at least in the L or below range. I do not want it to be larger than 1 carat since I have very small fingers (wear a size 4 and do not have a lot of space between knuckles). I am having trouble finding anywhere that sells a decent selection of diamonds that are well cut and not colorless.

I do not want a canary yellow as that is too bright for me, but I do kind of like the light yellows.

Is there anywhere to look and research diamonds of my choice or am I kind of stuck? I have only found some on Mondera.com but none of the other places I have seen here on this site. Most places start at a 1 carat and honestly that is too much for my petite fingers. It begins to look overwhelming and even fake rather quickly for some reason. Kind of like placing a wonderful ring on a child''s hand, it just looks odd to me at least. So I am hoping to find something on the larger end of a half carat to maybe 3/4 at most.

Thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/24/2009 10:54:15 AM
Author:clgwli
When my husband and I got engaged I had picked a colored stone for my engagement ring. We were very young and very poor so we went with what we could afford. Now almost 15 years later we decided to go for a diamond ring for me. I have been looking around and decided that I am not a fan of very white stones. I don't think I ever have been.

I have tried to look around online to get price ideas and I am at a loss of where to look and research. I want a warm colored diamond probably at least in the L or below range. I do not want it to be larger than 1 carat since I have very small fingers (wear a size 4 and do not have a lot of space between knuckles). I am having trouble finding anywhere that sells a decent selection of diamonds that are well cut and not colorless.

I do not want a canary yellow as that is too bright for me, but I do kind of like the light yellows.

Is there anywhere to look and research diamonds of my choice or am I kind of stuck? I have only found some on Mondera.com but none of the other places I have seen here on this site. Most places start at a 1 carat and honestly that is too much for my petite fingers. It begins to look overwhelming and even fake rather quickly for some reason. Kind of like placing a wonderful ring on a child's hand, it just looks odd to me at least. So I am hoping to find something on the larger end of a half carat to maybe 3/4 at most.

Thanks!

Hi Jean and welcome!

DEFINITELY try www.highperformancediamonds.com they sell Infinity Princess, this company cuts lower colour stones to the highest standards.

Here is Infinity's website - www.craftedbyinfinity.com

Also if Wink at HPD doesn't have anything suitable at the moment he might know of one in the pipeline - plus he is a super guy so give him a call! It might also be possible to discuss your requirements with Wink and or Infinity concerning having a stone cut for you should a suitable piece of rough come along, not saying this would be possible but it never hurts to ask.

 

[clgwli]

I did check that site and sadly there is nothing below a K right now.

I am very much in a research phase right now. I have a couple of family owned jewelers that I have gone to throughout the years to make rings, earrings and repairs. Before I go to any of them first to see what they can offer me, I would love to have an idea of real prices out there. I can''t seem to find a lot that can tell me what a diamond of the quality I would like would be worth.

I do find some places on ebay but I don''t always trust that the cut and over all quality of the stone are what they claim to be.

So far this is the only list of diamonds in my range of size/color that I can look off of. I have bought quite a lot of small white diamonds to make into earrings, but when it comes to "low color" larger diamonds I feel like I know nothing.

Does anyone know if these prices are actually reasonable or if they are possibly giving me low quality for the price.

http://www.mondera.com/diamond/search_results.aspx?Shapeid=&Presist=NEW&searchtype=D&shape=9&LoPrice=&HiPrice=&Find=Find&submit.x=7&submit.y=10

I know that lower color diamonds are usually cheaper, but they seem to be significantly cheaper even with an "ideal" cut. That kind of scares me

 

[jstarfireb]

Would you consider a different shape? Good Old Gold has a line of antique-styled cushion cuts (so they are somewhat squarish, but with rounded corners and a chunky facet pattern) that they are cutting in various colors. I see 2 Ls and an M here. They are cut to extremely high standards and sparkle beautifully!

ETA: Forgot about the 1ct issue - well, there's a 1.23 and a 1.27, which wouldn't be too substantially larger than 1, but they are larger. Hope that helps.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/24/2009 12:25:44 PM
Author: clgwli
I did check that site and sadly there is nothing below a K right now.

I am very much in a research phase right now. I have a couple of family owned jewelers that I have gone to throughout the years to make rings, earrings and repairs. Before I go to any of them first to see what they can offer me, I would love to have an idea of real prices out there. I can't seem to find a lot that can tell me what a diamond of the quality I would like would be worth.

I do find some places on ebay but I don't always trust that the cut and over all quality of the stone are what they claim to be.

So far this is the only list of diamonds in my range of size/color that I can look off of. I have bought quite a lot of small white diamonds to make into earrings, but when it comes to 'low color' larger diamonds I feel like I know nothing.

Does anyone know if these prices are actually reasonable or if they are possibly giving me low quality for the price.

http://www.mondera.com/diamond/search_results.aspx?Shapeid=&Presist=NEW&searchtype=D&shape=9&LoPrice=&HiPrice=&Find=Find&submit.x=7&submit.y=10

I know that lower color diamonds are usually cheaper, but they seem to be significantly cheaper even with an 'ideal' cut. That kind of scares me

It really might be an idea to contact Infinity, ask to speak with Paul Slegers or John Pollard - or you could go through Wink at HPD and ask if there might be a suitable diamond in the offing or if they know of one, you never know they might be able to find you something or maybe even have one cut for you.

With Princess the cut quality, as with all diamonds is so important so I would look at GIA or AGS graded diamonds ( AGS0 Princess can narrow the field for better cut stones) and also work with a vendor who can provide images such as photos and ASET. You can't judge a Princess by numbers so much so images are essential. I don't know if Mondera offer images but you could contact them and ask.

As to price, it is usual that the lower colour grades are considerably cheaper. You could also try www.goodoldgold.com as Jon sometimes has diamonds in stock of lower colour.

 

[clgwli]

Thank you both for the information! I admit I am dead set on a princess for some reason. I think I have just always wanted one. I do have an OMC that my grandmother gave me and I love, but I want something different than what I already own.

I will pass some of this on to my husband. He is the one officially buying everything. I don''t know when I am getting the ring but I have a feeling it might be next year for our anniversary. We''re not in a rush, but he knows me well enough to know that I need to research it all to death before buying anything. I took a year to decide on my car if that tells you how bad I get.

I admit I was shocked to see that I could get a diamond of seemingly great cut for the same price as a sapphire that I bought!

I was not aware of ASET before so again that will be passed on to him as well. I am not sure what Mondera can provide (other than what is listed on the GIA) but I will most certainly ask.

You have been very helpful for sure! I am sure I will be back when I need help deciding what kind of settings my DH should look at