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still trying to find THE diamond!

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mcchi

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 4, 2008
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Hey all,

I need some serious help! I''ve been over-analyzing this engagement ring purchase for a long time now. I still don''t know what to get. I think I know what setting I want, I just can''t seem to decide on the center diamond.

My goal is to maximize sparkle, but I don''t want to spend more than $4K for the diamond. I still haven''t decided if I NEED an "H&A" marketed diamond, or if I can get away with a GIA EX/EX with an HCA score of less than 2 but maybe not advertised as truly "H&A". That said, I''m looking for a G, VS2-SI1 (has to be eyeclean), .85-.95ct diamond.

Would this be a good performer? Could someone help me out with analyzing the idealscope image? Can I do better?

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1139176.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

Thanks!

-Matt
 
The numbers look good, and it's a good size.

Maybe an expert can help you with the idealscope image.

Is it eyeclean? Have you asked Jamesallen?

I found a .81 G VS2. Looks good. Tad smaller though.
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/3892/

eta: Would you consider going to H or I?
 
I haven''t asked JA about it yet, I wanted PS opinions first. I did see that GOG diamond and it looks nice. I wish I could find more .85-.95cts with amazing cut quality... funny how there are lots of .70-.75s, and lots of 1.00-1.05s, but few .85-.95s.
1.gif


Dang marketers!
 
just saw your edit - for some reason I''ve convinced myself that G is lowest color I should go, but if someone could convince me that the benefits of a G do not outweigh the extra costs, then I''d consider an H or I.
 
Do a ps search on I, J, K colored stones
2.gif


eta: G and H are going to face up pretty close. J may be extreme for you if you are "color sensitive." I color may get you a good price on a slightly larger stone.

I'd totally go lower color, but that's just me. I like size and good deals.

Your sensibilities may be totally different.
 
Hello!

The other ladies have given you great advice regarding the stone, and looking at different colours to get a bigger size.

I just wanted to pop up on the side of the non-patterned diamond, as many people here have 'branded' H&A (or other similar)diamonds.

My stone isn't an H&A diamond, but it is a certed AGS0 Ideal stone (Ideal for cut, polish & symmetry) and it is beautiful. :) Even though it isn't an H&A it still does show some arrows in certain light (see my avatar).

If you want to see more photos, do a search in 'Show Me the Ring' for a better idea of what a stone like this can look like.

It sparkles like no other diamond I have ever seen... and certainly MUCH better than all my friends' diamonds from B&M stores.

Some people prefer patterns, others don't. Read this for more info.

Also worth mentioning that it is also possible to find eye clean SI2s, and ladies on here do have them! Great value for mone if you can find one. :)

x x x

*ETA* you might like this stone from Whiteflash. 0.9cts, GIA Ex/Ex, 0.7 on HCA (Ex/Ex/Ex/Vg), G SI1 .. and within budget!
 
Date: 2/24/2008 11:24:52 PM
Author:mcchi
Hey all,

I need some serious help! I've been over-analyzing this engagement ring purchase for a long time now. I still don't know what to get. I think I know what setting I want, I just can't seem to decide on the center diamond.

My goal is to maximize sparkle, but I don't want to spend more than $4K for the diamond. I still haven't decided if I NEED an 'H&A' marketed diamond, or if I can get away with a GIA EX/EX with an HCA score of less than 2 but maybe not advertised as truly 'H&A'. That said, I'm looking for a G, VS2-SI1 (has to be eyeclean), .85-.95ct diamond.

Would this be a good performer? Could someone help me out with analyzing the idealscope image? Can I do better?

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1139176.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

Thanks!

-Matt
That is an excellent diamond Matt, should be a superb performer.
 
Date: 2/25/2008 6:10:31 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 2/24/2008 11:24:52 PM
Author:mcchi
Hey all,

I need some serious help! I''ve been over-analyzing this engagement ring purchase for a long time now. I still don''t know what to get. I think I know what setting I want, I just can''t seem to decide on the center diamond.

My goal is to maximize sparkle, but I don''t want to spend more than $4K for the diamond. I still haven''t decided if I NEED an ''H&A'' marketed diamond, or if I can get away with a GIA EX/EX with an HCA score of less than 2 but maybe not advertised as truly ''H&A''. That said, I''m looking for a G, VS2-SI1 (has to be eyeclean), .85-.95ct diamond.

Would this be a good performer? Could someone help me out with analyzing the idealscope image? Can I do better?

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1139176.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

Thanks!

-Matt
That is an excellent diamond Matt, should be a superb performer.
Ditto. If eyeclean, I''d snatch that up. You''re looking for a very hard to find size in a well cut diamond. And don''t forget to ask about the PS discount.
 
OK, so the idealscope image looks good to you all? I'll probably put in a call to JA tomorrow and ask if it's eyeclean.

BTW, What are the opinions of this ring?

http://www.jamesallen.com/products/item_58-1908_build.asp?module=setting

I love the look of the ring, I just worry that the cut of the small diamonds in the ring might not be good enough. How important is cut for the diamonds in the ring itself?
 
Beautiful setting!

When you call JA tomorrow, you could ask them about the cut of the melee (small diamonds) as well. I'm not very familiar with JA. Maybe someone could chime in about their melee?

Here's a Whiteflash setting that's similar to the JA with A Cut Above melee. You can trust these to be sparkly.

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/The--Legato--with-Shared-Prong_1058.htm

Oh, and I love the head of the Whiteflash Legato ring--really lovely.
 
Date: 2/25/2008 10:26:04 PM
Author: coatimundi
Beautiful setting!

When you call JA tomorrow, you could ask them about the cut of the melee (small diamonds) as well. I''m not very familiar with JA. Maybe someone could chime in about their melee?

Here''s a Whiteflash setting that''s similar to the JA with A Cut Above melee. You can trust these to be sparkly.

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/The--Legato--with-Shared-Prong_1058.htm

Oh, and I love the head of the Whiteflash Legato ring--really lovely.
I have actually spent a lot of time looking at that Whiteflash setting, and I do like that they use ACAs in the melee. I wasn''t crazy about the "connectors" between each prong of the head - I think it may hide a smaller diamond too much. I''ve been speaking with a WF rep who said he could put a standard tiffany style head on that ring, but I just don''t know if that''s a good idea. Seems a little too complex. Also, I haven''t decided if the markup on the ACA brand is worth it.
 
Thanks for all the comments so far!

I have two rings that I am considering right now (I have the diamond on hold with JA):

Which one would you all recommend? I'm having such a hard time deciding, and I keep going back and forth!!!

EDIT - Both vendors say their diamond is eyeclean.

http://www.jamesallen.com/products/item_58-1908_build.asp?module=setting
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1139176.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

OR

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/The--Legato--with-Shared-Prong_1058.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-609773.htm

I get the impression that the WF melee has great quality. I get the impression that the JA melee has pretty good quality. I asked JA about the melee and they said:

"Smaller diamonds (often called melee) are cut in factories all over the world and available in a variety of different qualities. The lowest quality goods are usually labeled as "commercial" and consist of I/J/K color and I1 clarity. "Promotional" goods are higher in both color and clarity, but are still cut for maximum weight - not beauty. The highest quality goods are often referred to as "Collection". Collection diamonds are superior in several ways. Not only are they finer in both color and clarity, they have also been precision cut to maximize fire and brilliance in each diamond, despite their small size. Collection quality goods are only available from specialty dealers and are sold at a premium over other melee. We pride ourselves on using collection diamond melee in all of our engagement designs."
 
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