Rookie advice

[apr_08_proposal]

Good Morning everyone!

First post ever in PS, but I have already learned so much from reading (lurking

) here in the past few weeks that I want to say thanks. You have all already saved me from making many mistakes.

I am searching for a 3-stone trellis ring for a surprise proposal at the end of April. I went to a recommended B&M yesterday and here is the best they had in the areas I am looking for (0.7-0., D,E,F color, clarity eye-clean SI2+, best cut possible. It looked pretty in the store, but as I have read here, they all look pretty in the store.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Report Type: GIA Diamond Dossier®
Date of Issue: July 31, 2007
Laser Inscription Registry: GIA 16058127
Round Brilliant
Measurements: 5.70 - 5.81 x 3.55 mm
Carat Weight: 0.71
Color Grade: F
Clarity Grade: SI1
Cut Grade: Excellent
Proportions:
Depth: 61.7 %
Table: 56 %
Crown Angle: 35°
Crown Height: 15.5 %
Pavilion Angle: 41.2°
Pavilion Depth: 43.5 %
Star length: 50 %
Lower Half: 80 %
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick, Faceted
Culet: None
Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Clarity Characteristics: Feather, Crystal
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any advice? The price was very good based on what I have seen at WF and GOG, but there is probably a reason.

Thanks!
-Dave

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome!

I would suggest perhaps looking some more, unless you love this particular diamond. It falls into what we call steep/ deep with the crown and pavillion angles, it very well could leak light and not be a great performer away from the store lights. Also it is getting towards slightly out of round with the diameter measurements, usually PSers prefer these to be within .1mm. Have you considered buying online? If so, we could suggest some great diamonds for you if you give us an idea of budget, or if not, you can post the proportions of any others you find that we could help you with.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/9/2008 9:04:01 AM
Author: Lorelei
Welcome!

I would suggest perhaps looking some more, unless you love this particular diamond. It falls into what we call steep/ deep with the crown and pavillion angles, it very well could leak light and not be a great performer away from the store lights. Have you considered buying online? If so, we could suggest some great diamonds for you if you give us an idea of budget, or if not, you can post the proportions of any others you find that we could help you with.

Ditto. Also, try running potential diamonds through the HCA if you want to shop locally. Ideally you want the x to fall in the overlap area of GIA and AGS, or close to. (run this diamond through and see where it lands)

Also, I had a thought when reading about the ring you''re wanting to do. Has your girlfriend mentioned that she likes this style, or did you get that idea from someone she knows? I only ask, because usually women have a real preference about what they do and don''t like. This style is a bit different for an engagement ring. That''s not to say they aren''t lovely, they are, but I think I''d try to find out first if you''re not sure. Or just go the solitaire route with a bigger diamond.

Of course, if you are sure, please disregard my ramblings.

 

[apr_08_proposal]

Thanks Ellen and Lorelei!

I used HCA and it came out to a 3.5 (but right on the edge it appears)
Light Return Very Good
Fire Good
Scintillation Good
Spread Very Good
Total Visual Performance 3.5 - Very Good

Seems like I could do better.

I have talked to several of her friends and they initially suggested the 3-stone trellis as something she would like. I am looking for something a little different and this style is perfect for her. I am very open to buying online so any help is very much appreciated. Whiteflash has a three-stene trellis setting that I like, as well.

The one in the store had .25 carats as the side diamonds, and 0.71 center and the setting was platinum. The side stones seemed a little small but the total price was $4200 with tax which seemed pretty fair. Looked at 0.85+ carats as well, but that looked too big for her. She has tiny tiny hands and does not care about size really, just something pretty. In that sense I am very lucky

.

THe $4200 hundred was well within the budget I had in mind, but you think I can get a better deal online?

 

[Ellen]

Welcome!

Pricewise, for sure you can get a better deal online. If you shopped locally for AGS0 stones, they would be decent cuts, but you'd most likely get taken to the cleaners on the price. So, if you're open to online shopping, I would suggest it. WF is a great company to buy from, and great to work with. If you decided to go with that setting, I would give them a call, tell them the budget for the stones, and what specs/size you'd like, and let them hep you pick the stones out. They will do that, and it makes things much easier!

And it seems you know that the trellis is the way to go, having done your detective work, so good on that!!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/9/2008 11:25:56 AM
Author: Ellen
Welcome!

Pricewise, for sure you can get a better deal online. If you shopped locally for AGS0 stones, they would be decent cuts, but you''d most likely get taken to the cleaners on the price. So, if you''re open to online shopping, I would suggest it. WF is a great company to buy from, and great to work with. If you decided to go with that setting, I would give them a call, tell them the budget for the stones, and what specs/size you''d like, and let them hep you pick the stones out. They will do that, and it makes things much easier!

And it seems you know that the trellis is the way to go, having done your detective work, so good on that!!

Dittoe all the above!

 

[apr_08_proposal]

Awesome, thanks again. I will contact WF this week and let you know how it goes!

 

[Ellen]

Sounds good.

 

[apr_08_proposal]

I spoke with Lesley yesterday at WF and it was arealy good experience. In the size/color range I am looking at we came up with the following stones:
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=636715,231183,283272,283251

They all score much better on the HCA than the B&M stone, not really a surprise since they are ACA, but I was surprised by the number of inclusions on most of them. Seems to be more than I see on most other stones.

Is this something I should be concerned about or if its eye-clean then there is reall no issue?

Thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/11/2008 8:36:13 AM
Author: apr_08_proposal

I spoke with Lesley yesterday at WF and it was arealy good experience. In the size/color range I am looking at we came up with the following stones:
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Compare_Diamonds.aspx?idnos=636715,231183,283272,283251

They all score much better on the HCA than the B&M stone, not really a surprise since they are ACA, but I was surprised by the number of inclusions on most of them. Seems to be more than I see on most other stones.

Is this something I should be concerned about or if its eye-clean then there is reall no issue?

Thanks!

Absolutely. ACA diamonds are carefully selected by experts, also WF are very used to helping clients decide if an SI clarity diamond is eyeclean and matches the client''s comfort level.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 3/11/2008 8:36:13 AM
Author: apr_08_proposal

Is this something I should be concerned about or if its eye-clean then there is reall no issue?

Thanks!

Bingo.

Did she say already if they are eyeclean? And are you both on the same page as to what that means to you?

You can''t go wrong with any of them!

 

[apr_08_proposal]

One more question please? Any advice on this diamond?

Date of Issue: February 28, 2008
Laser Inscription Registry: GIA 16697614

Round Brilliant
Measurements: 5.82 - 5.83 x 3.56 mm
Carat Weight: 0.72
Color Grade: F
Clarity Grade: VS2
Cut Grade: Excellent
Proportions:
Depth: 61.1 %
Table: 56 %
Crown Angle: 34.5°
Crown Height: 15.5 %
Pavilion Angle: 40.8°
Pavilion Depth: 43 %
Star length: 55 %
Lower Half: 80 %
Girdle: Thin to Medium, Faceted
Culet: Very Small
Finish:
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Clarity Characteristics: Crystal, Cloud

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Ellen]

So far I don''t see anything to disqualify the last one. If WF says it''s fine, it''s fine.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/12/2008 10:06:47 AM
Author: Ellen
So far I don''t see anything to disqualify the last one. If WF says it''s fine, it''s fine.

Ditto!

 

[apr_08_proposal]

Actually this one is from BlueNile. One of their ideal cut not signature-ideal.

All the inclusions on the stones in my range from WF are bothering me. Also, the setting from BlueNile is thinner and more in line with the picture in my head. The WF is 4mm wide and the BN is only 2.5mm.

I get the feeling there is a lot of reluctance about BN. Has anyone had bad experiences with them?

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 3/12/2008 3:38:54 PM
Author: apr_08_proposal

Actually this one is from BlueNile. One of their ideal cut not signature-ideal.

All the inclusions on the stones in my range from WF are bothering me. Also, the setting from BlueNile is thinner and more in line with the picture in my head. The WF is 4mm wide and the BN is only 2.5mm.

I get the feeling there is a lot of reluctance about BN. Has anyone had bad experiences with them?

Keep in mind that WF''s pictures are magnified 40x...the diamonds will be very very clean in person. I have several stones from WF and some of them are SI1. I can''t see a thing in any of them, so I definitely wouldn''t rule out those stones if WF says they are eye clean. BN is another great place to buy diamonds, but they don''t have pictures, ideal scope images, or an upgrade policy.

By the way, here is a 3-stone trellis design I love if you need setting suggestions: http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=202&rn=740&action=show_detail

 

[apr_08_proposal]

I love that setting as well. The one I am looking at is very close to that!

 

[apr_08_proposal]

The deed is done

Thanks for the advice and help. I ended up going with with WF and their three stone trellis setting. The center will be 0.72, ACA, F, SI1, and the sides are both ACA about 0.33 each. LesleyH was a great help and I cant wait to see it!

 

[apr_08_proposal]

So here it is

Thanks to LesleyH and all here who helped me through the process.

I cant wait to give it to her its going to be a long month!

 

[midwestgirl]

I think it looks beautiful - she will love it! Great job!!

 

[frnko]

Anyone have any thoughts on this diamond? Rated a 1.5 on the HCA

Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 1.28ct
Color: F
Clarity: SI1
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
AGS Light Performance: Ideal
Optical Symmetry: Superior
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: 1.90%
Culet: None
Lab Report: GIA
Lab Report #: 16565696
In House: Yes
Width: 6.93mm
Length: 7.00mm
Depth: 4.31mm
Table Percentage: 56.93%
Depth Percentage: 61.91%
Crown Ú: 34.73‹
Crown Depth: 15.02%
Pavilion Ú: 40.83‹
Pavilion Depth: 43.15%
Upper Girdle Ú: 43.34‹
Lower Girdle Ú: 41.94‹
Policy: Lifetime Guarantee

Price: $8,751.96
(Bank wire price: $8,456)

Thanks!

 

[apr_08_proposal]

Thanks MWG!

I hope so . Ill let everyone know how it goes!

 

[strmrdr]

frnko, start your own thread so we may better help you please.

 

[strmrdr]

congrates! apr