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Surprise engagement, so I can't ask my girlfriend: Help me?

T

thepiks07

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 26, 2011
Messages
19
Hey guys and gals,

I have a great girl i want to ask to marry me. I've researched the hell out of these forums the past few weeks and have learned quite a bit about diamonds and settings etc. I need you experts to help me to the next level =) My girl deserves a great rock, especially putting up with me not asking her to marry me for 7 years!

So I want to get her something really special. I've already decided on a 'Mark Morrell Petite Sunburst'

Now on to the rock - I'm looking for anything from 1.3- 1.55 in carats but would really like it colorless so d-f and would like to keep if VS1 and better. I'm really drawn to the ACA collection @ Whiteflash but would not be opposed to the Expert collection there as well if it would be hard to tell a difference with the naked eye. I also like Brian Gavin's hearts and arrows collection.My budget would be 24,000 for the diamond alone. The two rings that have caught my eye are the ones below - which do you guys like better and why. Also if you see one that deserves to be with these fellows or that is just slightly less perfect, fell free to recommend it as well. I greatly appreciate all of your help guys, the info on this site is truly invaluable!

1.34 ACA Whiteflash - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2649051.htm

1.308 Brian Gavin Hearts and Arrows - http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104054185003
 
Re: Surprise engagement, so I can't ask my girlfriend: Help

those both look like great choices. I would request the hearts image from BGD since it is not uploaded to the website.

ETA I think GOG works with Mark Morell so this one might be a good choice also?
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8149/
 
Re: Surprise engagement, so I can't ask my girlfriend: Help

The only thing that worries me about the BGD is that in the comments it says, "additional clouds not shown" is this bad?
 
Re: Surprise engagement, so I can't ask my girlfriend: Help

thepiks07|1319686261|3048475 said:
The only thing that worries me about the BGD is that in the comments it says, "additional clouds not shown" is this bad?
Click to expand...

I don't think you have anything to worry about with VS1...also it does not say 'clarity grade based on clouds not shown' it just says 'additional clouds not shown'. I'm sure if you call BGD they could tell you more about this particular diamond
 
Re: Surprise engagement, so I can't ask my girlfriend: Help

Thanks for the GOG link, that is another gorgeous diamond I'll look had very hard! Thank you!
 
Re: Surprise engagement, so I can't ask my girlfriend: Help

how about this 1.55ct F VS2 - totally mind clean and eye clean :

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104052954002

1.528 F VS2 - also mind clean and eye clean :

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104047809011

1.64ct G VS1 - you pretty much won't be able to tell any color difference from an F stone - $20,710 with PS discount :

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1300386.asp

1.70ct G VS1 - same, pretty much just as white as the F optically - $22,380 with PS discount :

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1241234.asp
 
Re: Surprise engagement, so I can't ask my girlfriend: Help

frankiextah|1319687296|3048488 said:
how about this 1.55ct F VS2 - totally mind clean and eye clean :

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104052954002

1.528 F VS2 - also mind clean and eye clean :

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104047809011

1.64ct G VS1 - you pretty much won't be able to tell any color difference from an F stone - $20,710 with PS discount :

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1300386.asp

1.70ct G VS1 - same, pretty much just as white as the F optically - $22,380 with PS discount :

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1241234.asp
Click to expand...


Wow, you are a much better searcher than myself. Thank you for all the excellent links. Regadring James Allen, is he well respected among these forums? I mean as much as whiteflash and gog and Brian Gavin?

Also, do you think a 1.5+carat will look too flashy or showy on a petite sunburst?
 
Re: Surprise engagement, so I can't ask my girlfriend: Help

hey piks,

glad to help !

my 2.32ct G VS1 stone is from James Allen and i really like the prices they offer compared to other vendors. they have a great reputation with an office in NYC (where i went to view the diamonds myself), and they are also helpful to get you additional actual diamond images in addition to ASET images and IDEALSCOPE images (images you see on WF). they are also one of the sponsors on PS just like GOG, Brian Gavin, and WF. So reputation wise, they are pretty much on par. they also offer PS discounts and additional wire discount, which i also took advantage of for my stone.

the setting you have decided on is a solitaire so size-wise, 1.5ct should look great !

color-wise, i have owned both an F color and a G color stone and quite frankly, i can't tell any difference even when placed side by side. If I were you I would keep an open mind to also look for stones in G color. Clarity wise, again, VS1 and VS2 are both mind-clean and eye-clean, even with a 10x loupe you can hardly tell them apart. i personally have owned VVS2, VS1 and VS2 stones and honestly very hard to tell them apart, even with a 10x loupe.

i personally think 1.5-1.7 look great with a good balance of F-G color, VS1-VS2 clarity. With your $20K+ budget, as a girl I would want this price tag to be well represented also in terms of size! but that's just my opinion ... :rodent:
 
Re: Surprise engagement, so I can't ask my girlfriend: Help

Are you sure she wants a round?
 
Re: Surprise engagement, so I can't ask my girlfriend: Help

Gypsy|1319708035|3048574 said:
Are you sure she wants a round?
Click to expand...

Yeah, thats the one thing I know for sure. I've heard her say that many times.
 
Re: Surprise engagement, so I can't ask my girlfriend: Help

frankiextah|1319688141|3048499 said:
hey piks,

glad to help !

my 2.32ct G VS1 stone is from James Allen and i really like the prices they offer compared to other vendors. they have a great reputation with an office in NYC (where i went to view the diamonds myself), and they are also helpful to get you additional actual diamond images in addition to ASET images and IDEALSCOPE images (images you see on WF). they are also one of the sponsors on PS just like GOG, Brian Gavin, and WF. So reputation wise, they are pretty much on par. they also offer PS discounts and additional wire discount, which i also took advantage of for my stone.

the setting you have decided on is a solitaire so size-wise, 1.5ct should look great !

color-wise, i have owned both an F color and a G color stone and quite frankly, i can't tell any difference even when placed side by side. If I were you I would keep an open mind to also look for stones in G color. Clarity wise, again, VS1 and VS2 are both mind-clean and eye-clean, even with a 10x loupe you can hardly tell them apart. i personally have owned VVS2, VS1 and VS2 stones and honestly very hard to tell them apart, even with a 10x loupe.

i personally think 1.5-1.7 look great with a good balance of F-G color, VS1-VS2 clarity. With your $20K+ budget, as a girl I would want this price tag to be well represented also in terms of size! but that's just my opinion ... :rodent:
Click to expand...

I'll take your advice to heart, I'll definitely broaden my criteria for a ring. Thank you again for all the help!
 
Re: Surprise engagement, so I can't ask my girlfriend: Help

I don't know if you'd consider owning and SI2 (I've owned 2 and they both were 100% eye clean) but I wonder if Phoenix will accept 24k for this stone?

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/2-656ct-h-si2-bgd-signature-h-a-diamond-pendant-t166074.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/2-656ct-h-si2-bgd-signature-h-a-diamond-pendant-t166074.html[/URL]

She's a long term member and has sold many things before and that is ONE beautiful and HUGE stone. 2.65 carat RB-ideal cut. She bought it from BGD and I bet you can even have it shipped there to be removed from the necklace and set into the setting you want.


With that budget that's what I would be doign :)


If it were me I would have it shipped to GOG or to Mark Morrell for a custom setting. Or Leon Mege or SK or Victor.


She would be blown away by whatever you get her but if she see's THAT rock her and all of her friends might go blind from the light it reflects!
 
Re: Surprise engagement, so I can't ask my girlfriend: Help

If at all possible, I'd stick with choosing a stone from GOG since they are the exclusive carrier of the Mark Morrell settings now. Just for the sake of convienence to keep it all within one shop.

If it's eyeclean, I'd consider this one. Comes in under budget, still near colorless and is on the max range of your size preference. Up to you whether or not you can get mind clean around an SI1, but there are some really beautiful SI gems on this site. It's a money saver and in my mind, if you can't see it, it isn't there.

Goodluck!

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/8216/
 
Re: Surprise engagement, so I can't ask my girlfriend: Help

Also wanted to add here is another beauty (smaller and slightly lower color-it's an I color)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8078/

My top choice still would be Phoenix's stone for the price and for the most bang for your buck. But they are bigger than you were looking for. You have lots of great options :) She's going to be thrilled!
 
Re: Surprise engagement, so I can't ask my girlfriend: Help

vintagelover229|1319727988|3048728 said:
I don't know if you'd consider owning and SI2 (I've owned 2 and they both were 100% eye clean) but I wonder if Phoenix will accept 24k for this stone?

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/2-656ct-h-si2-bgd-signature-h-a-diamond-pendant-t166074.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/2-656ct-h-si2-bgd-signature-h-a-diamond-pendant-t166074.html[/URL]

She's a long term member and has sold many things before and that is ONE beautiful and HUGE stone. 2.65 carat RB-ideal cut. She bought it from BGD and I bet you can even have it shipped there to be removed from the necklace and set into the setting you want.


With that budget that's what I would be doign :)


If it were me I would have it shipped to GOG or to Mark Morrell for a custom setting. Or Leon Mege or SK or Victor.


She would be blown away by whatever you get her but if she see's THAT rock her and all of her friends might go blind from the light it reflects!
Click to expand...

That is the biggest/prettiest rock I've ever seen. OMG that is HUGE hah. I think I'd like to keep mine under 1.6. My girlfriend is tiny and has small fingers, I'm afraid that rock would swallow her whole! But wow is that an impressive rock
 
Re: Surprise engagement, so I can't ask my girlfriend: Help

thepiks07|1319737171|3048808 said:
Any thoughts on these rocks -

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2517134.htm

VS.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2531899.htm

VS.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2564411.htm

VS.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2676050.htm

VS.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2696786.htm
Click to expand...


#1 and #3 for me. optically all of these stones look great, but #1 and #3 look the cleanest to me in terms of clarity. #1 being the absolute cleanest.
 
Re: Surprise engagement, so I can't ask my girlfriend: Help

Thank you for the help! You guys are great!
 
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