Ready To Propose

[SpoonieLuv]

Hello All-

I've been actively reading the topics on PriceScope on purchasing an engagement ring and I must say that you all have taught me sooooo much more than I thought that I knew. I can't say how much this sight has helped me in my quest for the perfect ring while staying in my budget. I just need some help on 2 different diamonds. They are both from JA and are well within my $4000 budget. One is IGI and the other is GIA certified. The IGI is 1.03ct and the GIA is .95. Is there really a BIG difference in the two...as far as size goes based on the specs? See the below links...Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance

GIA .95ct Princess
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...vvs2-clarity-sku-378724?a_aid=dmnd1357&chan=x

IGI 1.03ct Princess
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...vvs1-clarity-sku-365557?a_aid=dmnd1357&chan=x

 

[canvasback]

I'm not an expert on Princess cuts by any means, but know what people are going to tell you.

First, AGS and GIA are the only reputable labs. Don't trust anything else. (Which means stone 2 shouldn't even be an option, unless you really really know what you're doing and can choose and buy accordingly.)

Second, you can get free images from James Allen for 3 stones. I'd pick two other stones and request ASETs from JA.

OR, you can look at branded stones from WF where all the information is already there to make an excellent decision.

Here's a view of what I'm referring to....

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2988891.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2988894.htm

 

[Niel]

I'd sacrifice clarity for a better cut. Vvs2 is overkill. You're paying for something you really can't see or notice. A vs1 will just as clean to the naked eye. Plus, as a pp said, stick with gia and AGS. Other fading labs are a bit "soft" meaning they are less strict. So, for example, that igi stone, of graded my another lab, may have come back with different specs. What specs? Who knows! If you don't know, how do you know you're paying a fair price


http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-382035

 

[SpoonieLuv]

Canvasback and Niel-

Thanks for your feedback on the whether or not to go with the IGI. I was a little skeptical but since it came from JA I figured it wouldnt be as bad.

Neil-

I love the JA that you showed me! Once your at the .90ct range, can you even tell the difference between those and a 1 ct diamond? Is it worth the extra $$?

Canvasback-

Those diamonds from WH were a little over my budget. I wanted to keep it under $4k if possible...but thanks for providing me with other options. I will definitely pick 3 stones and requests the ASETs though.

 

[Niel]

Canvasback and Niel-

Thanks for your feedback on the whether or not to go with the IGI. I was a little skeptical but since it came from JA I figured it wouldnt be as bad.

Neil-

I love the JA that you showed me! Once your at the .90ct range, can you even tell the difference between those and a 1 ct diamond? Is it worth the extra $$?

Canvasback-

Those diamonds from WH were a little over my budget. I wanted to keep it under $4k if possible...but thanks for providing me with other options. I will definitely pick 3 stones and requests the ASETs though.

Good question.

Here are a few for you. Does she care about size? What is her finger size?

Honestly 10 points would be noticeable when compared, but not so much on the hand. Thing is though, some women care about hitting that 1ct mark. For an extra 1-200, it might be worth it if she cares. Also finger size; if she has a larger finger size,a stone will have less presence than one on a smaller hand (something I deal with myself,so it's not a negative just a fact) so if her ring size is larger, I'd get larger as every little bit counts.

What kind of setting does she want? Is 4k for the whole thing or stone?

 

[SpoonieLuv]

Canvasback and Niel-

Thanks for your feedback on the whether or not to go with the IGI. I was a little skeptical but since it came from JA I figured it wouldnt be as bad.

Neil-

I love the JA that you showed me! Once your at the .90ct range, can you even tell the difference between those and a 1 ct diamond? Is it worth the extra $$?

Canvasback-

Those diamonds from WH were a little over my budget. I wanted to keep it under $4k if possible...but thanks for providing me with other options. I will definitely pick 3 stones and requests the ASETs though.

Good question.

Here are a few for you. Does she care about size? What is her finger size?

Honestly 10 points would be noticeable when compared, but not so much on the hand. Thing is though, some women care about hitting that 1ct mark. For an extra 1-200, it might be worth it if she cares. Also finger size; if she has a larger finger size,a stone will have less presence than one on a smaller hand (something I deal with myself,so it's not a negative just a fact) so if her ring size is larger, I'd get larger as every little bit counts.

What kind of setting does she want? Is 4k for the whole thing or stone?

Niel-

I know that she wants a traditional setting. She's not into the Halo's or diamonds on the sides...just a regular solitaire. I know that she wears yellow gold. Her ring size is 7. $4K would be the cost of everything...$4500 tops.

 

[Niel]

I'd sacrifice clarity for a better cut. Vvs2 is overkill. You're paying for something you really can't see or notice. A vs1 will just as clean to the naked eye. Plus, as a pp said, stick with gia and AGS. Other fading labs are a bit "soft" meaning they are less strict. So, for example, that igi stone, of graded my another lab, may have come back with different specs. What specs? Who knows! If you don't know, how do you know you're paying a fair price


http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-382035

ok, so, I love a yellow gold solitaire, that will be lovely! If you can swing it, I really think you should get 18k. 14k white vs 18k white, hard to tell, and I mean, you rhodium plate it typically, anyways, but yellow gold is different. There is a distinct visual difference between 14k and 18k .

Also, I think youll want to get one with white prongs. The white metal touching the diamond will keep the metal from effecting the color of the stone....

with that said, hows about this.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-yellow-gold-double-claw-prong-engagement-ring-item-5817

 

[SpoonieLuv]

Niel-

Thanks. I do kind of like this one.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...re-basket-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-2149

Would a princess diamond look good in this basket crown?

 

[Niel]

Oh I love that one, I wasn't sure if you would so I stayed the safe route, but yes I think that would look great.

 

[liaerfbv]

Niel-

Thanks. I do kind of like this one.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...re-basket-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-2149

Would a princess diamond look good in this basket crown?

I love this setting and I think a princess would look great. My only concern is it looks like the donut will not allow a flush fit wedding band if that's what she wants.

 

[SpoonieLuv]

Niel-

Thanks. I do kind of like this one.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...re-basket-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-2149

Would a princess diamond look good in this basket crown?

I love this setting and I think a princess would look great. My only concern is it looks like the donut will not allow a flush fit wedding band if that's what she wants.

Liaerfbv-

You know that I totally overlooked that. Good catch. I haven't even talked to her about the bands. Not sure how to get that info from her now. I did a little detective work and found out abt the her love for princess cut e-rings, the yellow gold color and ring size...not sure how to ask her about the bands though. She doesn't even know that I'm currently looking to get the e-ring at the moment. We talked about me proposing within the next 2 yrs...but that was just me throwing her off.

 

[Gypsy]

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