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Too Much Research? Nicest Diamond for 4k

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noahbuchanan

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 6, 2010
Messages
7
I think I've completely come full circle in my research for a diamond. I had a pretty clear cut goal but now I'm afriad I'm just getting lost.

I am looking for:

The largest, nicest solitaire I can find for $4000.00

I have a jeweler that said he could order my band from Stullers and set the diamond for next to nothing but wouldn't be opposed to any other options.

I would like something eye clean, so I have been looking for SI1+
Color isn't a huge issue for me, I've been told to stay around an H but like I said, color isn't the major issue.
What do you guys think I should be looking for, in regards to by budget?
I personally think size and cut/brillance is the most important thing to me, but I am set on eye clean.

I have looked at so many diamonds for the last 3-4 weeks that I'm just getting more confused.
 
noahbuchanan said:
I think I've completely come full circle in my research for a diamond. I had a pretty clear cut goal but now I'm afriad I'm just getting lost.

I am looking for:

The largest, nicest solitaire I can find for $4000.00

I have a jeweler that said he could order my band from Stullers and set the diamond for next to nothing but wouldn't be opposed to any other options.

I would like something eye clean, so I have been looking for SI1+
Color isn't a huge issue for me, I've been told to stay around an H but like I said, color isn't the major issue.
What do you guys think I should be looking for, in regards to by budget?
I personally think size and cut/brillance is the most important thing to me, but I am set on eye clean.

I have looked at so many diamonds for the last 3-4 weeks that I'm just getting more confused.
Click to expand...


This is exactly what I wanted in my diamond - nicest and largest rock I could get for my budget. Are you looking for a colourless round? If so, my advice: forget branded stones and H&A as these carry a premium; a well-proportioned stone will look look no less spectacular but cost a whole lot less. AGS0s can also carry slight premiums, so a GIA ex/vg may be the most cost-effective choice.

I would start by going to your local jewellery store and looking at some diamonds in the 1ct range - see how low you can go in colour, if you're generally able to spot inclusions easily (you may find, for example, that you can see the inclusions in all the VS2s they show you without a loupe, in which case you know how your clarity minimum).

What metal will you set the stone in? If you're going with a white metal, I've personally found that the bright, bright white of rhodium-plated white gold is less forgiving of diamond tint (esp. when viewed from the side) than the darker and greyer but still icy platinum.

I personally dropped colour and clarity down to J/SI2 and I'm very happy with my decision, but you must find out what you're comfortable with..

If you're looking to upgrade down the line your chosen vendor's upgrade/trade-in policies are also considerations.
 
you've come to the right place. Within 24 hours, the good folk here who like nothing better than a diamond hunt will find you like just the greatest options out there.

Some quick questions:
1. what shape? Round, Oval, Cushion, Marquise, etc.?
2. what color range? D-F colorless, in the middle, or lower down the scale like the beautiful creme colors of L-O, even a naturally colored dimaond?
3. what kind of setting are you thinking about? very simple solitaire a la Tiffany's, a cathedral?

One of my favorite stores for great prices on stones and settings (and even gives a Pricescope discount) is James Allen. There, 4K is soooo doable. Perhaps when one of the great searchers happens by the post, they'll go look there and find you some stone options. In the meantime, you could go and peruse their settings and maybe post a couple that you like so we can get an idea.

Much luck!
 
Hi Noah! :wavey:

A few questions:

1. Do you think you'd ever possibly want to upgrade in the future? If so, go with a vendor that has an easy upgrade policy like Whiteflash or Good Old Gold.

2. Have you seen different color GIA-or AGS-certified stones in person? You say you don't care that much about color, but does that mean you'd be just as happy with an M as with an E? It might help to pinpoint your preferences in person. Does "warmth" bother you, or do you like it?

What do you think of this: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2400038.htm ?
 
kkim8 said:
What about this? http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7560/ - 0.97ct K VS2 Round Hearts and Arrows (AGS 000) for $3,477?
Click to expand...

Oh thats' BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

By the way, this vendor Good Old Gold, will bend over backwards to help you. If you like this stone, get it put on hold.
 
Hey Guys, thanks so much for the replies.

missydebby said:
1. what shape? Round, Oval, Cushion, Marquise, etc.?
2. what color range? D-F colorless, in the middle, or lower down the scale like the beautiful creme colors of L-O, even a naturally colored dimaond?
3. what kind of setting are you thinking about? very simple solitaire a la Tiffany's, a cathedral?
Much luck!
Click to expand...

1. Shape: I would like a round diamond
2. I'm really not sure on the color yet. I was thinking about staying close to H/I/J? I'm really looking for the best value in color. Something that still looks colorless. I've heard you can get away with I/J especially in a round diamond compared to some other cuts. I'm going to look soon to see how low I can get, but I feel like ' H/I ' would be a good starting point.
3. Setting: I am looking for something very simple, 2mm band with 4 prongs, probably tiffany's style. *WHITE GOLD* I feel like this setting will make the diamond appear larger than with most settings and I love simple.
 
starryeyed said:
Hi Noah! :wavey:

A few questions:

1. Do you think you'd ever possibly want to upgrade in the future? If so, go with a vendor that has an easy upgrade policy like Whiteflash or Good Old Gold.

2. Have you seen different color GIA-or AGS-certified stones in person? You say you don't care that much about color, but does that mean you'd be just as happy with an M as with an E? It might help to pinpoint your preferences in person. Does "warmth" bother you, or do you like it?

What do you think of this: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2400038.htm ?
Click to expand...

I do think I would like to upgrade sometime in the future. These vendors will let you upgrade for the difference in the price of the diamond?
 
noahbuchanan said:
I do think I would like to upgrade sometime in the future. These vendors will let you upgrade for the difference in the price of the diamond?
Click to expand...

Different vendors have different upgrade policy, some stricter than others.
 
A bit smaller than the k posted but a bit higher in colour and a very repectable clarity. price leaves plenty for a tiffany style solitaire setting.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104046146011

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2428261.htm

Both of these are 'upgradeable' stones, and i believe you can put the full purchase price of the stone (less shipping) towards the next one as long as there is no damage.

Also, i can't remember, is the 4k for stone alone or including the setting? I have been looking at stones that would allow you to include the setting as well.
 
By the way, both diamonds posted look amazing. In particular the hearts and arrows, I havent seen one like that until now, really beautiful.
 
These looks promising.

Ask for idealscope and hearts image for this if interested.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1331619.asp

Ask if eye-clean, if the fluorescence is an overblue and request for idealscope image if interested.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1317010.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1294243.asp

This could work too, ask if eye-clean and request for idealscope image.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1307725.asp

Note that JA has a stricter upgrade policy, twice the initial stone's price for an upgrade.
 
hawaiianorangetree said:
Also, i can't remember, is the 4k for stone alone or including the setting? I have been looking at stones that would allow you to include the setting as well.
Click to expand...

I could do $4500.00 including the setting. I've got $4000.00 saved but could definately put more into it if it was a great deal
 
I really like the WF stone that starryeyed posted, it's the biggest for your budget and clarity/colour specifications, i couldn't find anything that came close. :))
 
I reserved the WF diamond!! I'm so excited. Thanks everyone for your help.
I'm really stoked about the lifetime tradeup program.

Btw: I spoke with Traci on the live website chat and she was EXTREMELY helpful and kind. Kudos to a company with that kind of customer service.
 
I'm going to go with the 4 prong tiffany's in 14k white gold (she can be a bit rough on bands im afraid) -- Does any have experience on that particular band from WhiteFlash? I'm going to order it as the package deal.
 
noahbuchanan said:
I reserved the WF diamond!! I'm so excited. Thanks everyone for your help.
I'm really stoked about the lifetime tradeup program.

Btw: I spoke with Traci on the live website chat and she was EXTREMELY helpful and kind. Kudos to a company with that kind of customer service.
Click to expand...
I'm so glad Noah! The WF trade-up policy is sooo easy. Traci helped me too - she's great!

The Legato is really nice too, but a little more money: http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/legato-sleek-line-diamond-solitaire-728.htm

You could look at the Fine Line too: http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/fine-line-diamond-solitaire-480.htm
 
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