Time to buy a ring, help needed inside.

[TonyStarks22]

First off, let me say that this website/community HAS BEEN AN INVALUABLE source of information. I have been lurking the past 6 months and i think I have enough info to make a purchase.

Here is what I am thinking;

Budget of ~7/8k (stone and ring)
gf wants a round brilliant platinum 6 prong tiffany setting

From my research I know I can get

~1+ Ct
H&A AGS 0
VS2/SI1
G/H
with the proper depth/table characteristics listed in the Diamond Finder on the front page of this site.

My concerns are were do I purchase? From what I have read and seen, the online vendors here have the best prices. However I am very hesitant about make a sizable purchase like this online (even with the 30 day guarantee). I have been told by various people not to buy a stone set on a ring, and to buy the stone separately. But If I purchase from one of the vendors here, wont it come set on the ring already?

Also, how will i know its eye clean if I go with an SI1? For example look at this stone from one of the vendors

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5353/

I see a sizable inclusion in the diamond pic. Can that be seen without a loop/magnification? If I go to a B&M store, what does an inclusion look like? What am I looking for?? (silly question i know!)

It seems as though B&M stores don''t have the quality I am looking for. Tiffany does, and I know they now are now selling 1 Ct SI1''s for ~8500 but with tax that about 9K. Little bit more than I want to spend.

I guess what I am asking for is how do I make this purchase now? I have the cizash, I have the knowledge, its just time to pull the trigger. Little guidance from the forum members here will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance all!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/30/2009 12:23:00 PM
Author:TonyStarks22
First off, let me say that this website/community HAS BEEN AN INVALUABLE source of information. I have been lurking the past 6 months and i think I have enough info to make a purchase.

Here is what I am thinking;

Budget of ~7/8k (stone and ring)
gf wants a round brilliant platinum 6 prong tiffany setting

From my research I know I can get

~1+ Ct
H&A AGS 0
VS2/SI1
G/H
with the proper depth/table characteristics listed in the Diamond Finder on the front page of this site.

My concerns are were do I purchase? From what I have read and seen, the online vendors here have the best prices. However I am very hesitant about make a sizable purchase like this online (even with the 30 day guarantee). I have been told by various people not to buy a stone set on a ring, and to buy the stone separately. But If I purchase from one of the vendors here, wont it come set on the ring already?

Also, how will i know its eye clean if I go with an SI1? For example look at this stone from one of the vendors

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5353/

I see a sizable inclusion in the diamond pic. Can that be seen without a loop/magnification? If I go to a B&M store, what does an inclusion look like? What am I looking for?? (silly question i know!)

It seems as though B&M stores don't have the quality I am looking for. Tiffany does, and I know they now are now selling 1 Ct SI1's for ~8500 but with tax that about 9K. Little bit more than I want to spend.

I guess what I am asking for is how do I make this purchase now? I have the cizash, I have the knowledge, its just time to pull the trigger. Little guidance from the forum members here will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance all!

Hi Tony and welcome!

It looks as if you are on the right track and that is a lovely diamond you posted from goodoldgold, it also has thinner lower girdle facets which gives a more ' splintery' arrowed look which I personally love. As to whether a SI1 clarity is eyeclean, the only way to know is to ask the vendor and let them know what your definition of an eyeclean diamond is so you are both on the same page.

Inclusions themselves can vary in type and appearance. Some common inclusions are feathers, crystals, needles, clouds etc. This page on inclusions will give you some more detail. Also whether an inclusion can be seen with the naked eye is really the concern so again asking the vendor is the only way to go if shopping online. Also it is usual to purchase the diamond then select a setting from the same vendor and have them set it for you. GOG does have access to many more settings than is on their website, so if you can't see what you are looking for, just ask Jon the vendor.

Check this page out for photos and advice on inclusions.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/4Cs/Clarity/InclusionGallery/

Another link on clarity - http://diamonds.pricescope.com/clarity.asp

If shopping in person, see if you can check the diamond out away from the store lights, inclusions can pop out in some lights and not others.

Popular vendors besides goodoldgold if you want to take a look before pulling the trigger on this one are -

www.briangavindiamonds.com

www.highperformancediamonds.com

www.whiteflash.com

All of the above sell top cut diamonds and have them in house with all the info you could wish for in order to make an informed choice.

 

[stone-cold11]

You can buy the stone and then have them shipped to you or an independent appraiser to have a look. You will have to pay for the shipping back to have it set and pay the appraiser.

 

[swingirl]

I purchased my stone, had it sent to me for my inspection and approval, then I sent it to different vendor to be set. There are many ways to do it. Everyone has their own comfort level with trust.

 

[TonyStarks22]

Thanks for the help everyone. So Is the consensus to just by the stone, have it appraised, then send it back to the vendor to have it set?

How do I know the Appraiser doesn''t pull a switcharoo? Should i keep the diamond in front of me at all times? Stupid questions I know, I just dont want to get hustled.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/31/2009 9:05:14 AM
Author: TonyStarks22
Thanks for the help everyone. So Is the consensus to just by the stone, have it appraised, then send it back to the vendor to have it set?

How do I know the Appraiser doesn't pull a switcharoo? Should i keep the diamond in front of me at all times? Stupid questions I know, I just dont want to get hustled.

You don't have to do this especially with such a trusted vendor as GOG. Personally I would be quite happy to select the diamond and setting from GOG, let them set it and finish the ring then send the whole thing, but thats me. I have known Jon and GOG a long time, but go with what you are comfortable with. You could also have the completed ring appraised and inspected if you wished, an appraisal is still possible as mounting permits. But its up to you and how you prefer to approach this.

Also I wouldn't worry about an appraiser switching the diamond, especially a trusted independant appraiser such as you can find using this tool.

https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

 

[phoenixgirl]

You don''t have to worry about being stuck with a non-eye clean stone from a vendor like Good Old Gold. As you can tell from the amount of information they put on their site, they really want you to be informed. Ask for a personal opinion on its eye-cleanliness when you call to inquire about the stone. And if for some reason it''s not to your liking once you get it, you can always return or exchange it.

 

[TonyStarks22]

Thanks for replies everyone. Guess it''s just time to pick the stone. I''ll be back looking for some recommendations. Is any vendor better than another when it comes to settings? Preferably a Tiffany setting?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/1/2009 9:56:31 AM
Author: TonyStarks22
Thanks for replies everyone. Guess it''s just time to pick the stone. I''ll be back looking for some recommendations. Is any vendor better than another when it comes to settings? Preferably a Tiffany setting?

We can certainly offer some suggestions of diamonds which might suit you. As to the setting, most of the vendors have a version of the Tiffany style solitaire.

 

[Dreamer_D]

If you have concerns about a vendor, just do a search here on PS for any of the ones Lorelei mentioned and you will see hundreds of pages of consumer testimonials etc. The vendors that Lorelei linked rarely have complaints and when they do they are rectified very quickly. None has ever been known to pull a switcheroo!

Date: 6/1/2009 9:56:31 AM
Author: TonyStarks22
Thanks for replies everyone. Guess it''s just time to pick the stone. I''ll be back looking for some recommendations. Is any vendor better than another when it comes to settings? Preferably a Tiffany setting?

Do a search on Tiffany and you will find pages of people who bought replicas. Whiteflash makes a very nice one apparently (which means BrianGavinDiamonds will too, since the founders of Whiteflash are now doing business under that name), and their customer service is excellent in my experience. Other vendors also sell such replicas, again, just do a search.

 

[cara]

If you just want a loose Tiffany-style design, any vendor will have one. WF has a cheap Tiffany-style with a stock head but also a nicer, more expensive Tiffany-replica that is a truer replica of the original. My favorite replica that I have seen posted on ps is the one by Excel diamonds. I believe that they custom make the head for the individual diamond, which makes for a much better fit than is usually achieved with a stock head.

 

[TonyStarks22]

Well I am getting close. Looking to purchase soon, had my eye on one stone and now its gone

thoughts on this one?

* G, SI1
. Shape: Round Brilliant
. Carat: 1.048
. Depth %: 60.6
. Table %: 57.2
. Crown Angle: 34.6
. Crown %: 14.8
. Star : 53
. Pavilion Angle: 40.8
. Pavilion %: 42.9
. Lower Girdle %: 76
. Girdle: Thin to Medium Faceted
. Measurements: 6.55-6.60X3.99
. Light Performance: 0
. Polish: Ideal
. Symmetry: Ideal
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible

Scores a 1.3 in HCA

Light Return Excellent
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Excellent
Spread or diameter for weight Very Good
Total Visual Performance 1.3 - Excellent within TIC range

 

[stone-cold11]

Numbers looks good.

 

[TonyStarks22]

Can you PM/IM on these boards?

 

[stone-cold11]

Nope.

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Tony

The diamond looks very promising, make sure it is eyeclean to your standards.

We haven''t had PM here for some years now, so not possible I am afraid.