Thoughts on stone

[pritch19]

I've been looking for a diamond for an ER, as close to 7mm x 5.5mm in size. Found this one on jamesallen, and to me it looks really nice, but being new to looking at diamonds was curious what those with more experienced eyes think.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.22-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-253876

I also received a quote on another stone from usacerted that looks really nice on paper, has anyone dealt with them? Can they provide images of any sort, or would I basically be hoping that the diamond turns out to be nice.

Thanks for looking!

 

[tyty333]

The JA stone looks like it could have potential. You would need to request an aset image to check on light return.

You cant buy fancy cut stones without images. Numbers on certs just don't tell us enough...so I wouldn't even go there.

With JA you usually pick your 3 favorite stones and request asets then post all the links and images here and get opinions.

Good luck!

 

[04diamond<3]

I'd recommend this:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.20-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-171377

It doesn't have as much darkness in the center. You can put up to 3 stones on hold and request aset images...I'd request one for this stone.

 

[ecf8503]

I've been looking for a diamond for an ER, as close to 7mm x 5.5mm in size.

Why this specific size? Do you already have a setting you need to fit it in?

 

[pritch19]

I've been looking for a diamond for an ER, as close to 7mm x 5.5mm in size.

Why this specific size? Do you already have a setting you need to fit it in?

Pretty much, my gf fell in love with a setting she found at a local B&M store. It's a rectangular halo, with small trapezoid side stones (also surrounded by a halo), and half eternity shank. I've contacted a few custom places to get quote's for a similar ring with a few changes and the quotes have been nearly double the price. So unless she changes her mind it's simply going to be much cheaper to make her happy getting the ring she loves and finding a stone to fit it!

 

[msop04]

I've been looking for a diamond for an ER, as close to 7mm x 5.5mm in size.

Why this specific size? Do you already have a setting you need to fit it in?

Pretty much, my gf fell in love with a setting she found at a local B&M store. It's a rectangular halo, with small trapezoid side stones (also surrounded by a halo), and half eternity shank. I've contacted a few custom places to get quote's for a similar ring with a few changes and the quotes have been nearly double the price. So unless she changes her mind it's simply going to be much cheaper to make her happy getting the ring she loves and finding a stone to fit it!

How close to 7 x 5.5 does it have to be? Are the prongs able to accomodate more or less on each side? Sounds like a pretty setting! Can you post a photo?

 

[pritch19]

I've been looking for a diamond for an ER, as close to 7mm x 5.5mm in size.

Why this specific size? Do you already have a setting you need to fit it in?

Pretty much, my gf fell in love with a setting she found at a local B&M store. It's a rectangular halo, with small trapezoid side stones (also surrounded by a halo), and half eternity shank. I've contacted a few custom places to get quote's for a similar ring with a few changes and the quotes have been nearly double the price. So unless she changes her mind it's simply going to be much cheaper to make her happy getting the ring she loves and finding a stone to fit it!

How close to 7 x 5.5 does it have to be? Are the prongs able to accomodate more or less on each side? Sounds like a pretty setting! Can you post a photo?

The jeweler measured the prongs at 7 x 5.5.....I'd imagine it could accomodate slightly larger, another tenth or two......as long as the diamond isn't too deep.

I'll look for a picture, I know my gf has a few on her phone I just need to get to.

 

[pritch19]

Still trying to get a picture of the setting my GF loves. I had a distributor send me a picture of a diamond I'm looking at, curious on peoples thoughts. I can't really tell much myself from the picture.

 

[04diamond<3]

It looks ok....there's a lot of darkness in the center. Could he send you pics in better lighting?

 

[pritch19]

It looks ok....there's a lot of darkness in the center. Could he send you pics in better lighting?

The darkness on the left/right is a bit concerning.....I asked for a better picture, or even an aset image. Hopefully I can get both!

 

[msop04]

OP, does the stone have to be a radiant or does it just need to have those dimensions? A cushion may be a better option for you, since radiants will show tint more than other cuts... Also, it's harder to find a nice radiant... just a thought.

 

[pritch19]

OP, does the stone have to be a radiant or does it just need to have those dimensions? A cushion may be a better option for you, since radiants will show tint more than other cuts... Also, it's harder to find a nice radiant... just a thought.

A cushion would definitely work, but from my initial search it seemed like it might be hard to find a cushion that would fit the dimensions.

 

[JulieN]

What is your total budget with setting?

 

[pritch19]

What is your total budget with setting?

Trying to stay under 10k

 

[JulieN]

that's a very nice sized budget. What's wrong with the diamond already in the setting?

 

[pritch19]

that's a very nice sized budget. What's wrong with the diamond already in the setting?

It's just the setting itself, no center stone.

 

[JulieN]

ok. can the jeweler make/order one to fit any size? it is very awkward to work backwards. how much are the quotes you are getting for custom?

 

[pritch19]

ok. can the jeweler make/order one to fit any size? it is very awkward to work backwards. how much are the quotes you are getting for custom?

Working backwards definitely makes things awkward, sadly from what I've been told the setting size is pretty much set. The quotes I've been getting for a custom setting have been 5-6k. The setting my gf found that she loves is only 2500, a pretty decent difference (money I'd rather put into a diamond, or our honeymoon). I contacted ERD recently, waiting to hear back from them to see what they can do.

I'm also a little hesitant to do a custom ring, simple due to how picky my gf has been with the settings she likes. I've shown her a few dozen similar styles and she still loves the one at the local B&M the most. Well maybe a tie if you include the below tacori setting (which is a bit out of my price range).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2vO6b5WpS4

Honestly, the look of the setting seems to be a lot more important to her than the diamond itself. I could have gotten one of the overpriced IGI diamonds at the store with the setting and she'd be thrilled. So in that regard I figure almost any GIA diamond I get should be of higher quality.

 

[JulieN]

Round with pears: http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7843W44JJ
Princess: http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER4131W44JJ

Kind of Tacori-like
(needs milgrain on the bezeled sides) http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER5755W44JJ
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER9065W44JJ

Maybe this will fit, it is a pretty squared off cushion http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/10052/
For me, I think it is much more preferable to get a well cut fancy shape about 1 ct for 5K (or whatever shape she likes best) and spend another 5K on the setting that is custom made to your stone, than 7.5 on a radiant (one of the most difficult shapes) that you are selecting mostly for its ability to fit into a setting.

If it is definitely going to be a radiant you might get a quote for a setting from DBL, they kind of are known for radiants http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/three-stone-ring-101ct-oval-shape-fsi2-half-moon-side-18k-halo-gia-r4315

 

[pritch19]

Thanks for the links julie, I'll have to pass them along to my gf and see what she thinks.

 

[pritch19]

Re: Thoughts on stone (updated with aset images)

Update.

I found three stones on JA that fit what I'm looking for, all 3 are eye clean, the same color grade, and roughly the same price. Hopefully you all can help me better interpret the ASET images.

1

2

3


The gemologist recommended the 3rd diamond as having the best light performance. Overall though, none of the three images really got me excited. There is a ton of green, a little red, and next to no blue (is the lack of blue common in fancy/radiant cut shapes)?

Is this what I should expect from most radiants?

Thanks for taking a look, I look forward to others input.