Lynnchee
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- May 24, 2008
- Messages
- 141
Anyway, I am a pricescope and diamond newbie. I''ll start by saying that pricescope is awesome. So many of you are super informative, friendly, and so helpful. Thank you all for the wealth of information. So, i am a hoping that I may find some reassurance here. I am excited, anxious and nervous about receiving my first custom Ritani engagement ring (also my very first diamond ring, ever)
It''s a Ritani Classic platinum engagement ring: .69 ctw single shared prong beaded diamond shank with prong set round center stone.
I am anxious and nervous, because, I worry if I have made the right decision about the center diamond.
I learned from Pricescope, Bluenile, and several other sources that I want to maximize cut. I want the best cut possible because that''s what gives the most brilliance, right?
So, I called Whiteflash and they found a .60 carat, "A Cut Above", G, VS1 for $2300 and the Ritani for $3700.
I wanted to spend $4000, so Whiteflash blows my budget out the water, but at least I reserved the loose diamond while I continued to shop around. However, I have never physically compared diamonds ever before. That''s where Shane Co. comes into play.
I went to a Shane Co. in Atlanta and they showed me over a dozen loose diamonds of varying color and clarity. They showed me on a white paper tray thing colors F - I, and the different levels of inclusions from VS1 - I1 through a loupe. It was very interesting and fun.
I finally decided that G really was my color because, although I could tell the difference on it''s side, I could hardly tell the difference face up. I was on the fence about clarity though. With the loupe, VS1 - S1, I could see some inclusions in the S1 and it gradually became more difficult to spot (with my untrained eye) as i got to VS1. However, between those three clarity grades, normal distance, face-up, I couldn''t tell the difference in brilliance.
When they showed me two of the same diamond (.60 G S1) in two different cuts, the "shane classic" and their standard brilliant, I was Wowed. The way Shane classic sparkled in the sunlight.. (sigh).
So, anyway, I fell for it and bought it for $2800.
BUT, with the EXACT platinum Ritani band for $2200
After I bought it, I realized that, perhaps I rushed into it a bit. Because, I never got to compare the whiteflash ACA diamond, which this forum holds in high regard.
I feel extremely comforted by Shane Co''s lifetime warranty. The same Ritani band would cost $1500 more at Whiteflash, and they could only provide a warranty on the band as good as what Ritani could offer - and their site was a bit vague on the warranty details.
If I bought the loose diamond from whiteflash, and set it with the band at Shane Co, I would''ve had to buy extra insurance. Since Shane Co won''t warranty loss or damage to a loose diamond other than their own. So, maybe I saved more money in the end?
I find it odd that the same carat weight diamond with a S1 clarity rating, would be $400 more than the one with the better clarity rating. I did Love the way the diamond sparkled, but these nagging thoughts keep bugging me that what if the ACA diamond was better! I guess mentally, I know my diamond isn''t clean, but physically the difference may be neglible. Maybe I need a "mental clean" diamond.
I''m not sure if it''s too late for me to change my mind on the diamond. I should have enough to buy the whiteflash diamond to make a side-by-side comparison. Then, go through the hassle of returning one of the diamonds and possibly going through re-setting and insurance and all that jazz. Is it worth the hassle?
Did I make a mistake? Does anyone have any experience between a Shane Classic and ACA?
Thank you soooo so much for your constructive comments and criticisms.
-Tida
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