Purchasing First Diamond - Engagement Ring

[ysh4u]

Hello all,

I am just starting out looking for the right diamond and ring to propose with. I've read up on some articles and understand some of the basic things to look for e.g. GIA cert, cut, color, but otherwise am rather overwhelmed by the amount of options out there and some of the specs like table and depth.

If there's any diamonds you could recommend for me or point me in the right direction that would be extremely helpful.

My budget is loosely ~20-25K including setting, with flexibility to go a little more (or less haha...) as necessary. I am looking for a round diamond that really sparkles and looks large. Generally hoping for a great cut, just under 2 carats - more if possible?, G/H color, and no noticeably visible inclusions.

We have roughly decided on a setting which is platinum using the tiffany 6 prong design.

Thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

Hello all,

I am just starting out looking for the right diamond and ring to propose with. I've read up on some articles and understand some of the basic things to look for e.g. GIA cert, cut, color, but otherwise am rather overwhelmed by the amount of options out there and some of the specs like table and depth.

If there's any diamonds you could recommend for me or point me in the right direction that would be extremely helpful.

My budget is loosely ~20-25K including setting, with flexibility to go a little more (or less haha...) as necessary. I am looking for a round diamond that really sparkles and looks large. Generally hoping for a great cut, just under 2 carats - more if possible?, G/H color, and no noticeably visible inclusions.

We have roughly decided on a setting which is platinum using the tiffany 6 prong design.

Thanks!

Hi ysh and welcome!

You have a fantastic budget and we will gladly post some suggestions for you! I think there will be some lovely stones out there for you to consider, we will go to work and post the links as we find them, what a nice project!

This stone is over 2 carats, if it is eyeclean it could be an excellent choice, ask WF whether it is in fact eye clean to your specifications if interested.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3033760.htm?source=pricescope

This one, a little over 20k below

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11882/

Below, price in region of 23k

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12256/

Bigger, a little under 20k, lovely cut, a super size and if eye clean, could be a fantastic stone. It's an I colour I added if you were ok with that to try to get you an option with a bit more size.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11316/

A bit smaller but still a beautiful stone. Check it's eye clean if interested.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3075971.htm

 

[proto]

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3114563.htm

gets my vote

 

[JulieN]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.27-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-310791
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.02-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-230441

 

[Gypsy]

Round diamond?

I'd buy this: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3033760.htm

Here's another option as well: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3075971.htm

 

[ysh4u]

Thanks so much for these options, they look great - yes to the round. I had a 2 questions/comparisons.

#1
What is the difference between A CUT ABOVE and EXPERT SELECTION? Is it noticable/significant. I know that cut influences the sparkle a lot so how much flex room is there? Here are the two diamonds that I was comparing
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3114563.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3033760.htm

#2
Also, how come this 2.27 ideal cut diamond one is so value priced ?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.27-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-310791
If I compare this to say 2.02, I don't notice too much of a difference, but there is a whole .25 carat difference and the 2.27 is cheaper
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.02-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-230441

And finally, would are the tradeoffs between going with either of whiteflash or jamesallen?

Thanks

 

[Lorelei]

T

#2
Also, how come this 2.27 ideal cut diamond one is so value priced ?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.27-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-310791
If I compare this to say 2.02, I don't notice too much of a difference, but there is a whole .25 carat difference and the 2.27 is cheaper
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.02-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-230441

I will answer the other questions shortly but I wanted to add with the first stone, the H SI1, it appears there is a mix up somewhere, either the report is wrong for that stone, or the colour grade has been reported as an H colour when it should be an I, so no way to answer that unfortunately as there is an error. Also on the report, there is a large knot inclusion mapped on the outer area of the diamond, I would be wary of whichever stone it belongs to just in case there was any potential durability issue. My guess is that the stone is in fact an I colour and that it being advertised as an H is the error but I could be wrong.

 

[Lorelei]

Thanks so much for these options, they look great - yes to the round. I had a 2 questions/comparisons.

#1
What is the difference between A CUT ABOVE and EXPERT SELECTION? Is it noticable/significant. I know that cut influences the sparkle a lot so how much flex room is there? Here are the two diamonds that I was comparing
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3114563.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3033760.htm

A Cut Above hearts and arrows diamonds are Whiteflash's top branded stone, each ACA has to pass many stringent tests and meet strict standards in visual balance, overall cut precision, optical performance and optical symmetry. The perfection of the hearts and arrows patterning among various other factors need to meet the exacting criteria deemed by Whiteflash to be worthy of representing this brand. Expert Selection are diamonds that represent exceptional value for money, some are ' near miss' ACA, perhaps the pattern isn't as crisp and precise as it should be to be sold as an ACA but for the buyer, there might not be much, if any visual sacrifice whatsoever depending on the diamonds in question. The ES are exceptionally fine diamonds, they just don't make the ACA grade but they still need to be of a standard high enough to be part of the ES line, but they can be cheaper as you still get a great looking diamond but without having to pay the premium for ACA.

And finally, would are the tradeoffs between going with either of whiteflash or jamesallen?

Both are excellent vendors but the terms and conditions of their after sales packages such as lifetime upgrade and so on vary, so you might want to read up on the T&C of each and factor those into your buying decision.

Thanks

 

[JulieN]

T
Also, how come this 2.27 ideal cut diamond one is so value priced ?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.27-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-310791
If I compare this to say 2.02, I don't notice too much of a difference, but there is a whole .25 carat difference and the 2.27 is cheaper
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.02-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-230441

And finally, would are the tradeoffs between going with either of whiteflash or jamesallen?

Thanks

That diamond, the 2.27 H SI1 is supposed to be AGS graded. See, the numbers look like this:

Table %:56.70

AGS reports the table to the tenth decimal, GIA does whole numbers. So there is some kind of mixup with the stone and the report. Chat with JA customer service and they will look into it for you....

The other possibility... the numbers are very close, so the stone might have two reports, a GIA I and AGS H.

 

[KennyPowers]

T

#2
Also, how come this 2.27 ideal cut diamond one is so value priced ?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.27-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-310791
If I compare this to say 2.02, I don't notice too much of a difference, but there is a whole .25 carat difference and the 2.27 is cheaper
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.02-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-230441

I will answer the other questions shortly but I wanted to add with the first stone, the H SI1, it appears there is a mix up somewhere, either the report is wrong for that stone, or the colour grade has been reported as an H colour when it should be an I, so no way to answer that unfortunately as there is an error. Also on the report, there is a large knot inclusion mapped on the outer area of the diamond, I would be wary of whichever stone it belongs to just in case there was any potential durability issue. My guess is that the stone is in fact an I colour and that it being advertised as an H is the error but I could be wrong.

Hm, why do you say the report is in error and that stone is not an h color?

Thanks!

And good luck to the op of this thread. I have the same budget and have a lot of the same questions!

 

[Lorelei]

T

#2
Also, how come this 2.27 ideal cut diamond one is so value priced ?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.27-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-310791
If I compare this to say 2.02, I don't notice too much of a difference, but there is a whole .25 carat difference and the 2.27 is cheaper
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.02-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-230441

I will answer the other questions shortly but I wanted to add with the first stone, the H SI1, it appears there is a mix up somewhere, either the report is wrong for that stone, or the colour grade has been reported as an H colour when it should be an I, so no way to answer that unfortunately as there is an error. Also on the report, there is a large knot inclusion mapped on the outer area of the diamond, I would be wary of whichever stone it belongs to just in case there was any potential durability issue. My guess is that the stone is in fact an I colour and that it being advertised as an H is the error but I could be wrong.

Hm, why do you say the report is in error and that stone is not an h color?

Thanks!

And good luck to the op of this thread. I have the same budget and have a lot of the same questions!

Hi Kenny,

If you take a look at the diamond link, notice the stone is described as an H colour, but if you click on the report, the diamond is graded as an I colour, therefore there are a couple of scenarios pointing to an error. These are either there was a typo with the description of the diamond on the initial page, also the wrong report was loaded for this stone, but I tend to favour the scenario as Jules notes, that the diamond's table is noted as 56.7, points to it being AGS graded as GIA round the numbers. Although it's unusual, as Jules mentions, it is possible the diamond has 2 reports, one from GIA and one from AGS but that I find isn't typically the case. My guess is looking at the images, that the stone is an I colour rather than an H so I think what's happened is the H is a typo, the stone is actually AGS graded and a GIA report was mistakenly uploaded but James Allen will be able to shed light on the facts as I am only speculating possible scenarios. But for the purposes of comparing each diamond, we need the correct report and all the pertinent info in able to do so.

 

[KennyPowers]

T

#2
Also, how come this 2.27 ideal cut diamond one is so value priced ?
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.27-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-310791
If I compare this to say 2.02, I don't notice too much of a difference, but there is a whole .25 carat difference and the 2.27 is cheaper
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.02-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-230441

I will answer the other questions shortly but I wanted to add with the first stone, the H SI1, it appears there is a mix up somewhere, either the report is wrong for that stone, or the colour grade has been reported as an H colour when it should be an I, so no way to answer that unfortunately as there is an error. Also on the report, there is a large knot inclusion mapped on the outer area of the diamond, I would be wary of whichever stone it belongs to just in case there was any potential durability issue. My guess is that the stone is in fact an I colour and that it being advertised as an H is the error but I could be wrong.

Hm, why do you say the report is in error and that stone is not an h color?

Thanks!

And good luck to the op of this thread. I have the same budget and have a lot of the same questions!

Hi Kenny,

If you take a look at the diamond link, notice the stone is described as an H colour, but if you click on the report, the diamond is graded as an I colour, therefore there are a couple of scenarios pointing to an error. These are either there was a typo with the description of the diamond on the initial page, or the wrong report was loaded for this stone, but I tend to favour the first scenario as Jules notes, that the diamond's table is noted as 56.7, points to it being AGS graded as GIA round the numbers. Although it's unusual, as Jules mentions, it is possible the diamond has 2 reports, one from GIA and one from AGS but that I find isn't typically the case. My guess is looking at the images, that the stone is an I colour rather than an H so I think what's happened is the H is a typo, the stone is an AGS graded I but James Allen will be able to shed light on the facts as I am only speculating.

I see exaxtly what you mean, thanks!

On a side note I wish gog would post their prices instead of "please call". Ifs hard to compare them to other vendors this way IMO

 

[Lorelei]

You are welcome Kenny and I have a sneak trick for you with GOG's diamonds, add them to your basket and the price will be revealed!