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Should this even be a consideration?

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that does sound like a great plan. can''t wait to see what you decide...
 
Thanks, all...I will let you know what happens.

I do have another question, though...whichever diamond I choose, I am going to have set into a white gold (14kt) solitaire setting. Is having the diamond set in white gold (6 prongs) secure enough, or do you recommend upgrading the prongs to platinum?

Whiteflash has to charge quite a bit more if I decide to go with the white gold setting and platinum prongs, but if white gold prongs are secure enough, then I won''t spend the extra money to upgrade them to platinum.

Thanks for the help! I am almost done!!!
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-David
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David..........Get the platinum prongs. Gold prongs can wear out and many many people have experienced issues with them. Platinum is a much safer way to go.
 
Thanks Rod,
Does $125 extra for platinum prongs seem too expensive? That is what I am being charged if I want to upgrade to the platinum prongs.

Thanks,
David
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David, I have a 4 prong setting in 14k gold on my original 1 carat diamond and it is 29 years old. So I am going to say that 6 prongs in gold is fine if you decide not to spend the extra $125. Or go with all platinum..that would make more sense than paying $125 just for prongs.
 
Thank you, Diamondseeker...

sorry to be so neurotic! If I could get an all platinum band for around the same price as a white gold band with platinum prongs, would that be the best way to go? Realistically, we would probably change settings in 10 years or so, but that is not for sure...

So, my options are:

1) 14kt white gold ring and white gold 6-prong head (no extra cost)
2) 14kt white gold ring and platinum 6-prong head ($125 extra)
3) Platinum ring and platinum 6-prong head (about the same price as the white gold ring and platinum head)

Is there a concensus on which option would be best? Over the course of 10 years or so, would the platinum ring hold up better (shine, color, scratching, etc), or would it hold up just as well as the white gold? I think if it came down to either spending the money on the platinum head or going with the all platinum ring (granted I can get either option at the same price), then I would opt for the all platinum ring...the only think I am not sure about is whether or not a platinum head with 6-prongs would really hold the diamond more securely than the white gold head.

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Well, at least I have the diamonds narrowed down to two...I''m not even looking at diamonds any more!!!!! Now, once I make the decision on the band, all I have to do is compare the 2 rings at the appraser, make my decision, then pop the question! After all this shopping around, I think the proposal will be easier than the ring selection!!
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Thanks again, everyone...you are all a huge help! My girlfriend (if she had any idea I was buying a ring right now) would thank you!!

-David
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David.......for many it's personal preferrence. For me, I prefer the weight and feel of platinum. Platinum is a heavier more luxurious (IMHO) metal than white gold. Plus most white gold alloys are just that. Gold alloys, meaning you have gold (which is gold in color naturally) mixed with another white metal (often nickel) to make the gold white. Then the ring is Rhodium plated to give it that white gold luster. Depending on your FI's chemistry and how well she cares for the ring (i.e.,, does she tend to bang her rings up?), the Rhodium plating could last a long time, or need replating in only a matter of months. It's not expensive to replate, but if you're having the ring made my Whiteflash, it would be annoying to have to send the ring to them to have it done. Of course, you can develop a relationship with a local jeweler and they could charge you a nominal fee to plate it occassionaly.

Platinum scratches more easily than white gold. Over time, it develops what we call a patina, which many like and many do not like. The nice thnkg about platinum is it can be buffed over and over again without removing any metal and a simple buffing will return the platinum to its' original luster.

There is one more option you could consider, which is a newer white gold alloyed with Palladium. Palladium is part of the Platinum family of metals and alloyed with gold supposedly makes the white gold less susceptible to constant replating. I've not seen any white gold pieces made with Palladium, but there are threads on this topic here on PS. Do a search for Palladium.

Again, it's personal preference. I would personally spend the extra $125 and get the platinum prongs. It would not seem likely you could get the whole ring made in platinum for the same price you would pay for 14K gold. Platinum is a more expensive precious metal.

Good luck with your ring David
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Rod - my girlfriend has very sensitive skin...I gave her a white gold necklace and pendant a year ago, and that hasn''t caused any skin reaction...but, with a ring being held tighter against the skin, is there more possibility that white gold would cause a reaction with sensitive skin than platinum would?

She is a physical therapist, so if she wears the ring at work, the rhodium may wear more quickly...which leans me towards the platinum...but the scratching may be the same issue if she wears it at work...if the platinum can be rebuffed (how much does that usually cost as compared to rhodium plating, and what is the difference in time between the two processes?)...

I guess the final decision will come back to the issue of her skin and the possibility of a reaction.

Thanks,
David
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Date: 8/3/2006 1:10:22 PM
Author: davidgelb
Rod - my girlfriend has very sensitive skin...I gave her a white gold necklace and pendant a year ago, and that hasn't caused any skin reaction...but, with a ring being held tighter against the skin, is there more possibility that white gold would cause a reaction with sensitive skin than platinum would? David......people with sensitive skin have often experienced difficulty wearing white gold. You're concern that a ring, which would be worn more close to the skin could be an issue. If that is the case, I would strongly encourage you to consider platinum, which, while more expensive, could help the two of you avoid issues, such as having to return and remake a ring later.

She is a physical therapist, so if she wears the ring at work, the rhodium may wear more quickly...which leans me towards the platinum...but the scratching may be the same issue if she wears it at work...if the platinum can be rebuffed (how much does that usually cost as compared to rhodium plating, and what is the difference in time between the two processes?)... I bought my platinum ring one place and have a jeweler in another place who offers to buff my ring at no charge anytime. How did I manage to pull off this magic you might ask? I have purchased other items, like my Jaeger LeCoutre and Baume and Marcier watch from them. Most jewelers are happy to clean a ring not purchased from them in the hopes you will become a customer. If you know such a jeweler, you can probably do the same. Still, buffing a ring would be very nominal in cost. Plus, your FI might actually like the patina that Platinum develops over time. It's a duller gray look, but that, IMO, is preferrable to the yellowish look of a white gold ring needing replating.

I guess the final decision will come back to the issue of her skin and the possibility of a reaction.

Thanks,
David
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Rod, that is a huge help! Thank you so much for taking the time to explain that! I am talking with the jeweler to see which route I can best afford to go. With all that in mind, though, I am leaning towards the platinum ring.

I will let you know what I end up going with.

Thanks again!

-David
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Date: 8/3/2006 1:24:36 PM
Author: davidgelb
Rod, that is a huge help! Thank you so much for taking the time to explain that! I am talking with the jeweler to see which route I can best afford to go. With all that in mind, though, I am leaning towards the platinum ring.

I will let you know what I end up going with.

Thanks again!

-David
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You''re most welcome David!! BTW......it''s a PS requirement that you not only come back and tell us how the story goes, but YOU MUST POST PICTURES!! We are a group of diamond obsessed nuts on this forum and we need regular picture feedings!!!
 
David,

I''ve found the details of your diamond search very exciting and can''t wait to see what stone and setting you choose.

Please don''t forget to post pictures for us.
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Hi Rod and Stone Hunter....
Thank you - I will definately post what I end up deciding and pictures as soon as I have the finalized e-ring. Thank you for the advice! In the mean time, I have posted the idealscope and 40x mag of the diamond I am getting from whiteflash...anything I''m not seeing that I should be?

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Scored a 1.1 on the HCA...

Thank you again and I will let you know as soon as I make the final decision!

-David
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OK, so I gave the green light! I have my diamond on order in a tiffany style 6 prong platinum setting. I am excited to see it!!!

So, here is the final info on the diamond...if anyone has any last minute thoughts or concerns, please let me know!

(the 40x magnification of the diamond and idealscope are directly above this post)
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I will be comparing it to the other ring I purchased and make a decision at that point.

Let me know if there is anything I missed! Thank you so much! I will let you know what I end up deciding!

-David
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David... so was it the H or the E?
 
David, I somehow missed your latest posts, too! I see you got the beautiful H diamond! It will be beautiful in the Tiffany setting! Please post pictures when the ring comes!
 
Hey David,

Glad you made your choice
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just make sure to post photos!!

Congrats and good luck with your proposal.

DL
 
Hey all,
OK, so I finally got to see the diamond from WF at the appraiser's office today. It is an absolutely beautiful diamond! I really love the platinum setting as well. This diamond faces just about as white as the other one I got, and the sparkle and scintillation is wonderful! To be fair, the brilliance on the other diamond is wonderful as well, but everything combined, including the setting on the WF diamond makes it look slightly bigger, white and beautiful!!

The platinum setting is a little bit heavier (feels more substantial) and has a little more metal on it, so it looks like a "real" engagement ring!

From the side, there is a slight difference in color - the WF diamond is a little less white, but it is very close, and I don't think the difference is 2 grades (the EGL stone was appraised as a VS2 F while the WF AGL stone is a SI1 H), like the certs say. It faces very white, though!

Also, after looking at the EGL stone under the scope, it is amazing that the cert has NONE of the inclusions plotted. By looking at the cert, it should be a VVS2, but under the scope, there are some definite inclusions! Hmmmm....!

So now, I have to wait until I can wire the $$ to WF to get them to release the ring to me. At that time, I will post pics here.

Thanks everyone!

-David
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Congratulations!!!

You are doing a wonderful job.
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Hope you had fun at the appraisers. Did you use a PS appraiser?
 
Hi all,
OK, so the deed is done! I made my decision and purchased the engagement ring! I ended up with a ring from WF. I just had it appraised locally (from a PS listed appraiser) and got the pics for it.

The diamond I ended up with is:

Report: AGS
Shape: Round Ideal Cut
Carat: 1.120
Color: H
Clarity: SI1
Depth: 61.6
Table: 57
Crown Angle: 34.8
Crown %: 15.1
Pavilion Angle: 40.8
Pavilion %: 43
Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: Negligible
Measurements: 6.64-6.68X4.11

And, without further ado, here are the photos that the appraiser took:

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So, I have the ring...thank you all for all your help and advice. I will be sure to post pics of them on her hand as soon as I give it to her.

Thanks again!!!!!!

-David
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David.......Congratulations!!!!!!!! It''s a stunner to be sure and I''m betting your lucky gal will be absolutely speechless!! Good Job!
 
wow david, it''s gorgeous...
 
well done david!
we will be looking forward to more pics!
 
Hey all,
Well, we''re engaged!!!! The evening was perfect. I picked her up and we went to Redondo beach to watch the sunset. After that, we had dinner at a wonderful restaurant right there. We got into the car after dinner and drove north towards Malibu where we stopped for dessert...the restaurant we had dessert at was the same restaurant we had our first date in - it was a different location, but the same restaurant. We had the same dessert we had on our first date and watched the waves from our table. After dessert, she asked if that was it, or if I had other surprises planned...I said I did. We got back into the car and continued north, further into Malibu. She had no idea where we were going, and it was starting to get late. We got to this private beach (she knows about it since she''s been there a couple times), and she saw tiki torches on the beach. She thought someone left them there...but as we walked toward them, she saw that there was a little bonfire, wine, chairs, blanket and music all set up. She had no idea how it all got there and she didn''t know what it was for. She thought maybe I was just being overly cheesy for our anniversary. We sat there a while and then after midnight (which was now officially our 2nd anniversary) I asked her to marry me. Her first response was "GET OUT!" but after I finished, she said yes! We had a great time! My plans all worked perfectly and everything went off without a hitch! After it was all done, my brother came out of hiding to take some pictures.

So, now we are in wedding planning mode...I can already tell there will be some stress, but we will enjoy it!

I have posted a few pics below....enjoy!

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Thanks again, everyone, for all your help!!! It was a truely memorable night that we will never forget!!

Thanks,
David
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Congratulations!! I have been checking every day for an update. I am so glad everything went just as planned. Beautiful girl and beautiful ring. Doesn''t get any better than that!
 
Aww, David, that brought tears to my eyes! What a wonderful proposal story! And you two make a great looking couple! You did a great job choosing an excellent engagement ring! You might want to tell your fiance that there is a great deal of support on the brides forum here as she begins the wedding planning! Congratulations!!!
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The ring turned out perfect! Just gorgeous, like the two of you. Best wishes!
 
Congratulations!! The ring looks GREAT on her hand.
 
Your proposal was sweet, and I love her initial reaction.
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Beautiful ring, and congrats!
 
I''m so happy for you that everything worked out with the ring and proposal. You two make such a gorgeous couple!!!!!
 
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