Really need some advice on which one to pick...

[washingtondc]

So I''ve been reading practically every post and thread in here for the past month or two, and feel a lot more comfortable with the e-ring purchase at this point. I would still like some advice from the experts out there, if you dont mind.
I am currently more than likely choosing between a diamond and setting from Washington Diamond (anyone have any pros or cons on them?) or one from Whiteflash.
Here are the options: a 1.01 ct G SI1 round ideal cut
Gia report
61.4% depth
58% table
Girdle M-TK
Polish: excellent
Symmetry: very good
Culet: none
Fluorescence: none
Price: $4580
Or
A 1.05 ct round brilliant
H SI1
Gia cert
61.4
58
MD-ST
No fluorescence
Polish good
Symmetry excellent
No culet
For $4,900
Or a 1 ct Round brilliant G SI1
AGS cert
59.8
61
Stbl
Polish very good
Symmetry very good
6.45-6.55x3.89
For $4,533

Now for the tough part (in my mind), what setting would you recommend out of these two.

From Washington Diamond
http://www.washingtondiamond.com/store/?36.htm
Platinum 0.49ct Channel Set Diamond
5mm Platinum Channel Set Engagement Mounting With 8 Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds Totaling 0.49ct F-G Color And VS Clarity. 5mm band
Price: $1,999.00
Or
CHANNEL-SET DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING
$1,530.00
platinum cathedral engagement ring. ten ''A Cut Above'' (ACA) diamond melee in a channel setting (approx. 0.50tcw; Color: F/G, Clarity: VS). Width: 3.5mm tapering to 3mm. Platinum content: 95% Pl 5% Ir.
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Diamond-Channel-Set--0-50ctw-_620.htm#

The pics on the first setting are terrible, but it looks really good in person, and they’ve offered to remake the top into a six prong (inside a basket). I like the thickness of the first setting, but the prongs of the second. Also, the diamonds are larger in the first. What do you guys think? Are the melee diamonds in the second a good size, and which one would you recommend? And is the first settings band too think? (its 5mm)

I could really use some advice here, both personal preference or professional opinion. Many thanks to all the gurus out there!

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome!

Concerning the diamonds, we need the crown and pavillion angles to be able to help further with your contenders, also the diameter measurements for the top 2. The first has a girdle of med to thick, so this would be useful to see how that diamond faces up, in case of possible hidden weight. The last diamond has a larger table than we normally see here, some like this look but generally in the PS world a smaller table 54 - 58 thereabouts is preferred. These probably aren't top cuts, but possible nice make of cut. Also it is best to check carefully that an SI1 grade is eyeclean, and fits your expectation of eyeclean. Personally I can recommend WF as I have been on these boards a while, and have seen many many happy customers who have used them. It is best to try to stick to in house diamonds if possible, as that way the vendor can pull and look them over carefully for you.

Also if you have any Idealscope images that would be a plus.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

To be honest, there are things about all of those stones that I don't like. The first one has a girdle that is medium to thick, and thick is not good. The second one only has good for polish, and I'd want at least very good. The third one has a table that is too large...54-57.5 is normally considered ideal. Is one of them from WF? If so, is it in their in-house inventory? I would only look at their in-house stones because most of them are of superior quality.

I have never heard of Washington Diamond, but I have bought two diamonds from WF and am totally satisfied. And if at any time I decide to upgrade my stones, they give me 100% trade-in value toward my new stones.

As far as settings go, I think I prefer the WF bead set solitaire over the channel set:

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Bead-Set-Solitaire_953.htm#

But I greatly prefer the heads on the WF rings as opposed to the more V shaped heads on the WD rings.

Better stone choices from WF (a couple hundred less if paid by wire):

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-358382.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-358376.htm

 

[washingtondc]

Thanks. what''s the appeal/advantages of the bead set setting from WF? I like the channel look, but would love to know if there''s an advantage to bead set.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 11/9/2007 2:23:44 PM
Author: washingtondc
Thanks. what''s the appeal/advantages of the bead set setting from WF? I like the channel look, but would love to know if there''s an advantage to bead set.

The main advantage to me is that with channel set rounds, there are little gaps between the stones, whereas there are not with bead set. It would be good if you could see both types to compare. I think the WF channel setting is nice if you want channel set, though.