TMI, Need Help

[chil1]

Hello,
Just when I thought I had the 4 C''s down, table and depth, and even Fluorescence, girdle''s, culets, and crowns, I run into this site. Now, there is HCA among other variables to understand. This is absolutely TOO MUCH INFORMATION.

This site is very, very useful but what I am beginning to see is that there are many people who are experts and who are perfectionists when it comes to picking diamonds. For example, I read where someone would have a problem knowing if there was an inclusion in the diamond even though it couldn''t be seen by the naked eye. Alternatively, there are many people who suggest whiteflash and other sites because the price is better. This is even more confusing because these perfectionists are recommending lower prices but in the same breath, they mention lower quality. UGHHHHH.

Anyway, the real reason why I am posting is:

1) I need to get my GF''s ring size, do you recommend that I ask her Mom and tell her what I''m up to? We have a pretty good relationship. The only other way to get her ring size is to take the ring that she wears on the opposite hand on the ring finger.
2) My GF has slim and fairly long fingers. I am thinking a 3.5-4mm ring should look good. I am looking around a 1.5c ring. I think this should look good on her hands. She is fairly active so the settings are confusing to me. I like the cathedral but not sure how high it sits. Suggestions?
3) I am favoring Blue Nile and Mondera but the settings are just not doing it for me. Maybe it''s because I cannot see them. HELP PLEASE????
4) How long should I expect to wait from time of payment to receive the ring?
5) Where do I get the ring independently appraised?
6) Any other suggestions, comments is very much appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[strmrdr]

We are mostly perfectionists on diamond cut.
From there we go separate paths on color and clarity.

Just about everyone here will say get the the best cut diamond you can.
Most here will agree that eyeclean is good enough on clarity.
Color is a matter of budget, eyesight and taste.

We like to recommend vendors who specialise in very well cut diamonds:
www.goodoldgold.com
www.whiteflash.com
www.winkjones.com
www.diamondexpert.com
are a few of them.

If you think her mom can keep the secret then its fine to ask here to find out her size.
There are a lot of different ring designs out there, what does she normally wear?
what does she like?

 

[strmrdr]

For a non-custom ring a couple days after payment is recieved is pretty normal.
For custom anywhere from 2 to 10 weeks.
For some designer settings where the diamond has to be sent to the designer the time frame is usualy 1 to 2 weeks but can be longer sometimes.

 

[chil1]

Thank you Strmrdr.

She wears a ring that has a blue round stone and two side stones of different colors. She often wears a bracelet I got her from Mexico which has different color links (greens, blues) in it. She is very much into history and art. She loves the Egyptian history.

I have no clue what this would called. Contemporary? As you can tell, I am not a history person (or English) expert at all.

I think I am sold on going with an I, SI, Ideal Cut. I''m not sure about the whole H&A thing. Sounds too much like a branding concept which in my mind equals higher prices. I do, however, like what I am seeing on Blue Nile with their Signature Cut. Again, I don''t know how much it differs from the Ideal cut.

 

[Regular Guy]

5) See here for indepenent appraiser resources, also at top right under resources.
6) see below my signature for general shopping ideas.

Good wishes,

 

[KristyDarling]

Congrats on your impending proposal! I can pitch in my 2 cents to some of your questions.

1) Sure, why not involve Mom? Does she know her daughter's ring size? Maybe she can find a way to get that info out of your girlfriend. Or, you could take her right hand ring, but it still may not be an exact fit for her left hand.
2) Depending on the style of setting you want, a 3.5-4mm shank width *might* a bit wide for someone with long, slim fingers. I have slim fingers (size 4) and I wear a 2.5 mm shank, which looks perfect -- not too thin, not too thick! Just for reference -- my husband wears a 4mm wide wedding band and he's an average sized 6-foot guy. A 1.5c ring is a *very* nice sized stone (lucky girl!) Cathedral settings are not necessarily any higher than other types of settings, BUT the "shoulders" that rise up to the stone may make the ring appear taller. If your GF is very active, a cathedral ring may get knocked around a bit more.
3) I recommend you do some shopping at some B&M stores and see what types of settings might appeal to your GF. Keep in mind that her interests in art/Egyptology may not correspond directly to any specific style of setting. If you want to be safe, you could purchase a diamond and have it set in a classic solitaire (usually the least expensive setting)...your GF can then decide if she wants to keep it as a solitaire, or go shopping for a permanent setting.

By the way, you are not alone in your feelings about how complicated and technical things can get around here.There are many diamond cut connoisseurs on PS and I honestly have a hard time understanding 90% of their threads about cut, HCA, facets, etc etc etc!!!! But you know what? You don't need to understand it! At the end of the day, it's all about whether the stone looks good or not. That's all. Period. Use what you've learned here as a guideline only, and trust in your eyes! My two diamonds wouldn't get a second glance from anyone who uses the HCA as a buying tool (one is an AGS0 ideal but scores a sub-optimal 2.8HCA), but heck, they sparkle like mad and I get compliments all the time. Even my independent appraiser said they were outstanding stones.

Good luck!

 

[chil1]

Thank you Kristy and everyone else. I''m sure I will have more questions, just trying to "soak" up the information right now!

 

[chil1]

What do you think? I first did a search using the pricescope tool with HCA built in. I then selected the diamond based on price/quality.

The link in the tool said Dirt Cheap Diamonds, but when I clicked on it, I was taken to James Allen.

What about the price? Do you think there is too much metal around the diamond?

http://www.jamesallen.com/build_your_ring.asp?module=setting&cid=131&item=769&name=1019

http://www.jamesallen.com/classic_solitaire_settings.asp?module=setting&cid=57&item=14&name=1005

Just trying to feel my way around. Still not getting that "WOW" factor with the settings.