The Process of Buying the Ring Online

[phrasius]

So, I''m terribly nervous about making a mistake with such a large investment like this. I''ve got a budget of around $5000, I''m looking at round diamonds, ideal cut, G or H color with VS1 or VS2 clarity.

So, the question is: Should I buy the diamond and get it sent to me first, then ship it back and get it placed in a setting? Should I just buy the setting and get that taken care of right away? How important is getting an appraisal, and is it possible to do if the stone has been set?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[neatfreak]

Hi Steve,

If you are buying from a well trusted vendor most of us feel that it''s fine to get the stone set first and then appraised once you get the entire ring. They can''t appraise the stone completely (i.e., can''t completely verify carat weight) when it''s in a setting but they can ID the stone, make sure it''s the same one as the cert says, etc.

So that personally is what I would do. But you certainly can get the stone sent to you for inspection first if you''d like. Or even to a third party appraiser.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/18/2009 1:00:51 AM
Author: neatfreak
Hi Steve,

If you are buying from a well trusted vendor most of us feel that it's fine to get the stone set first and then appraised once you get the entire ring. They can't appraise the stone completely (i.e., can't completely verify carat weight) when it's in a setting but they can ID the stone, make sure it's the same one as the cert says, etc.

So that personally is what I would do. But you certainly can get the stone sent to you for inspection first if you'd like. Or even to a third party appraiser.

Ditto, either way is fine, it depends on how you prefer to proceed.

Appraiser listing for you - https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

 

[Lula]

Welcome to Pricescope, Steve!

I have purchased diamonds from online vendors both ways -- as a loose stone and in a setting.

It's much easier to have the stone set by the vendor, even if it's in an inexpensive temporary setting. This would be a great solution if you want to propose with a ring, but want your future fiancee to be able to choose her own setting.

Loose diamonds are fascinating because you can see the diamond from all sides before you purchase it, but, imho, they are kind of a pain in the bu** because your homeowner's insurance will not likely insure them (you can get insurance through an independent insurance agency such as Jeweler's Mutual or, if you buy a Crafted by Infinity diamond, the stone is insured for a year after purchase -- that's what I did).

The diamond pictured in my avatar is my current diamond, which I purchased loose from Wink, and it is shown in its ring holder, which is a little finger loop with a clip on the end of it to hold the diamond. I ordered my diamond loose because I am notoriously indecisive about setting styles!

In addition, a loose diamond is easier to misplace and lose, and while you'd think it would be easy to just walk into a local jewelry store with your loose diamond and find a setting, that's not always the case. The store that sets your stone will probably not insure your diamond during the setting process.

You will also find, as I did, that is much less expensive to find a well-crafted setting through the online vendors than it is to find a comparable setting for the same price in a local jewelry store.

Most of the online vendors know each other and are willing to work with one another if you find a stone from one online vendor and a setting at another, but you may need to pay a setting fee and also insure the stone.

Sorry if this is more information than you wanted!

 

[tap02150]

I felt more comfortable with purchasing the diamond and the setting from the same vendor and having them take care of it.

As SaraPJ stated: its your preference.

If you want, link some diamonds that you were interested in and i''m sure the PC community will help inform and guide you.

Or ask for someone to find something you''re interested in

Did you state what size you wanted? THE BEST CUT? or close to?

 

[phrasius]

Thanks for all of the help everyone. I feel a little more at ease already.

Yes, I''ve learned at least that much, I''m looking for the best cut I can afford. I''m going to go with a round, probably something like H color and VS2 clarity. I''ll let the size be determined by my budget, which I was thinking would be about $4000 for the stone and $1000 for the setting. I have some wiggle room in the budget, but that''s what I''m shooting for. I''d love recommendations.

Steve

 

[phrasius]

Here''s one I''m looking at:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Diamond_Details.aspx?idno=2145461#

 

[stone-cold11]

The stone looks good to me.

 

[Lula]

Fixing your link for you
link

Looks good to me, too!