Rookie - buying an engagement ring

[leashox]

Hello,

I'm about to take the plunge and I have been doing research on buying an engagement ring. After doing some shopping around ( with the wife to be) we have narrowed it down to the two choices listed below:

Choice 1
0.96 carat center stone
Color - F
Clarity - VS2
Cut - Very Good
GIA Certified
Platinum band - with 0.55 carats of diamonds in the band
Price - $7,500

Choice 2
1.27 Carat Center Stone
Color - H
Clarity - SI1
Cut - Very Good
GIA Certified
18k white gold band with 0.37 diamonds in the band
Price - $7,000

In each case the diamonds are being purchased loose and set into a ring, are from a local jewelery exchange and I have looked through both diamonds with a loop and looked at the GIA certificates. Below are some questions that I have before making the purchase:
1. How is the pricing on the rings? Do you think there is room for more negotiation?
2. Which is the best setting to secure a diamond 4 prong or 6 prong?
3. Finally...would you say to go for quality over quantity?

Any insigt to the above would be much appreciated.

Thanks!!!

Mike

 

[sera]

Have you looked into buying a diamond and setting online from one of the trusted PS vendors?

Could you post pics of the settings you're interested in?

1. Are the bands worth 2k? I would pay $5000 - 5500 for an excellent cut diamond just under 1ct. No idea on the price because I don't know how good those diamonds are (or aren't).
2. With a good quality setting you don't really have to worry about whether it's 4 or 6-prong. Just take care of the ring (i.e. your FW shouldn't be gardening in the thing, have the prongs checked regularly, etc.)
3. QUALITY!!! Don't sacrifice on cut! A smaller excellent cut diamond is going to look a hecka lot better than a large piece of frozen spit.

 

[lisa1.01fvs1]

I think I need more specs on each stone to try and give an informed decision.

I like the big diamond on impulse but not at the sacrifice of other, better qualities.

I think a 6 prong setting is more secure.

There is room for negotiating but you have to have the facts.

quality/quantity is a grey area. Perhaps the quantity is not far from the quality and acceptable in you & her eyes (the disparity is not so great between like stones).

Depending on the stats you might have a darn good looking piece of "frozen spit."

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome Mike!

I need more info on these diamonds to be able to judge the cut somewhat. If you look on the grading reports, I need;

depth %
table %
crown angle
pavillion angle
girdle thickness
polish and symmetry
fluorescence if applicable

It is cut which is key for a beautiful diamond, so post the proportions if you can and I can help you from there. Is the SI1 eyeclean?

Also are the prices to include the settings or just the centre diamonds?

4 or 6 prongs is a matter of preference. Some feel 6 prongs is more secure and make the diamond look rounder. Some prefer 4 and this can make the diamond look slightly less round perhaps, but it is a matter of taste. Make sure you get your prongs checked regularly whatever you decide.

My advice to you is to go for the best cut diamond you can, and perhaps an eyeclean SI1 or even SI2 clarity and G to H colour if you want the best bang for the buck. G or H colour will still look very white with a great cut and SI clarities can be an excellent choice if eyeclean.

 

[leashox]

Thanks for the advice regarding the cut. I will make sure that I bring a pad to jot down the details next time I go diamond shopping. As regarding the ring I will be buying elsewhere. My girlfriend told me today that the setting on her gemstone ring broke off and the stone was lost during the morning NYC rat race. I brought it to my jeweler to get it fixed and he kept on pressuring me to buy the engagement ring instead of fixing the current ring she has. That totally turned me off from buying there.

Does any know of any stores in New York that sell solid settings without overpaying?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You want to find GIA certs that say Excellent cut. All excellents are not equal, but that is the best place to begin. You''ll get a better quality stone for a better price online. However, if you are in the NY area, Good Old Gold is on Long Island and they carry an outstanding selection of high quality diamonds and are a B&M store with internet pricing.