NorthernTouch
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- May 7, 2016
- Messages
- 5
When I started researching engagement rings a few months ago, I had no idea what to look for. Through the help of two websites in particular - Pricescope and Beyond4Cs - I spent dozens of hours learning about every technical aspect I could. The INTJ in me couldn't get enough, and in the end I actually enjoyed learning the science behind selecting a diamond.
I settled on the following specs for my search:
Cut: ACA from Whiteflash
Carat: 1.90 - 1.99
Color: E - F
Clarity: VS1 - VS2
My reasoning was that a 1.95 ct F VS2 stone would look identical to 99% of casual observers as a 2.05 ct D VVS1 stone, for thousands of dollars less. Staying just below the 2.00 ct mark means you get the size without paying the price premium. I wanted to find something that looks beautiful in everyday wear without paying a premium for something I couldn't appreciate. I decided on Whiteflash ACA because of the nearly universal positive reviews online, and because of the detailed technical imaging they provide.
WF was very responsive in helping me search for a stone that matched my preferred specifications. Brittany from WF emailed me when one arrived that was being cut into my ideal range. Final stone is here: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3652055.htm
Images:
**edited by moderator, please repost without logos per our policies**
I was a bit concerned with the one or two marks I saw on the normal enhanced image, but I emailed Paul from Beyond4Cs and he reassured me the stone would be eye-clean. Paul was super friendly, I would recommend his site to anyone. I also asked Brittany to double-check it, and she wrote back with:
"I reviewed your diamond in person, and it is completely eye clean from the top and side views. Even with 10x magnification, the diamond is very clean. It took me a while to find the inclusions with the loupe, and even then I could only see two light colored crystals off to the side of the table... near the crown facets."
This diamond won me over because of the Aset and Idealscope images; I thought they looked remarkable. I also liked that the diamond looks more like an E than an F when compared with other F diamonds (at least to me!).
The technical stats are:
Depth %: 62.0
Table %: 55.5
Crown Angle: 34.6
Star: 48.0
Pavilion Angle: 40.8
Crown %: 15.4
Lower Girdle %: 77.0
Measurements: 7.95x7.99x4.94
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: Negligible
Girdle: Thin to Slightly Thick Faceted
Next, I wanted a setting that was feminine and delicate. My girlfriend has small hands (4.5 ring) and I know she doesn't like flashy halo settings or intricate designs. I searched through WF until I found the Legato Sleek Line Pave (http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/legato-sleek-line-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-422.htm). I made a mental note a couple years ago that my girlfriend always admired pave settings when she saw them.
Finally, I remembered that long ago my girlfriend mentioned she liked the idea of a bit of pink in her ring. I asked WF for a quote on alternating pink sapphires with the ACA melee pave stones, and then decided to ask about pink diamonds. I ended up deciding on pink diamonds because I was concerned pink sapphires might make the ring look unbalanced due to their different optical properties. The pink diamonds were not cheap...but they made the final product perfect to me.
I just wanted to make a post expressing my thanks to the Pricescope community for all their useful posts that help so many of us. Hopefully my post can help someone just starting their search too.
Below is the final ring. The ring is being delivered tomorrow and I will add more pictures when I have it in my hands. I won't be proposing until the fall, but I'll also add more pictures then.
**edited by moderator, please repost without logos per our policies**
I settled on the following specs for my search:
Cut: ACA from Whiteflash
Carat: 1.90 - 1.99
Color: E - F
Clarity: VS1 - VS2
My reasoning was that a 1.95 ct F VS2 stone would look identical to 99% of casual observers as a 2.05 ct D VVS1 stone, for thousands of dollars less. Staying just below the 2.00 ct mark means you get the size without paying the price premium. I wanted to find something that looks beautiful in everyday wear without paying a premium for something I couldn't appreciate. I decided on Whiteflash ACA because of the nearly universal positive reviews online, and because of the detailed technical imaging they provide.
WF was very responsive in helping me search for a stone that matched my preferred specifications. Brittany from WF emailed me when one arrived that was being cut into my ideal range. Final stone is here: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3652055.htm
Images:
**edited by moderator, please repost without logos per our policies**
I was a bit concerned with the one or two marks I saw on the normal enhanced image, but I emailed Paul from Beyond4Cs and he reassured me the stone would be eye-clean. Paul was super friendly, I would recommend his site to anyone. I also asked Brittany to double-check it, and she wrote back with:
"I reviewed your diamond in person, and it is completely eye clean from the top and side views. Even with 10x magnification, the diamond is very clean. It took me a while to find the inclusions with the loupe, and even then I could only see two light colored crystals off to the side of the table... near the crown facets."
This diamond won me over because of the Aset and Idealscope images; I thought they looked remarkable. I also liked that the diamond looks more like an E than an F when compared with other F diamonds (at least to me!).
The technical stats are:
Depth %: 62.0
Table %: 55.5
Crown Angle: 34.6
Star: 48.0
Pavilion Angle: 40.8
Crown %: 15.4
Lower Girdle %: 77.0
Measurements: 7.95x7.99x4.94
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: Negligible
Girdle: Thin to Slightly Thick Faceted
Next, I wanted a setting that was feminine and delicate. My girlfriend has small hands (4.5 ring) and I know she doesn't like flashy halo settings or intricate designs. I searched through WF until I found the Legato Sleek Line Pave (http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/legato-sleek-line-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-422.htm). I made a mental note a couple years ago that my girlfriend always admired pave settings when she saw them.
Finally, I remembered that long ago my girlfriend mentioned she liked the idea of a bit of pink in her ring. I asked WF for a quote on alternating pink sapphires with the ACA melee pave stones, and then decided to ask about pink diamonds. I ended up deciding on pink diamonds because I was concerned pink sapphires might make the ring look unbalanced due to their different optical properties. The pink diamonds were not cheap...but they made the final product perfect to me.
I just wanted to make a post expressing my thanks to the Pricescope community for all their useful posts that help so many of us. Hopefully my post can help someone just starting their search too.
Below is the final ring. The ring is being delivered tomorrow and I will add more pictures when I have it in my hands. I won't be proposing until the fall, but I'll also add more pictures then.
**edited by moderator, please repost without logos per our policies**
)! It turned out beautifully and I'm sure your future fiance will be thrilled w/ the end result! 
The stone and the ring are both AMAZING! She is going to LOVE it!
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