Ennervated_scientist
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2014
- Messages
- 2
So I’m trying to buy a center diamond for a ring for my girlfriend. We’re already engaged and wanted to get the ring afterward, so we could both be involved. What we’re trying for is a tri-stone center piece with a halo/cloud of 1mm diamonds around it like this http://www.stuller.com/products/122277/?groupId=120793. Ideally we’d like to have a little bit of filigree or diamonds going partway down the band, but that’s a point that we totally don’t mind wiggling on.
Our budget *goal* is 3K, but we understand that compromises both on budget and ideals will have to be made, so it’s not set in “stone” (get it?). We’d like it to be 14K white gold, as well.
We’ve been working with a local jeweler in town, and I really like them. They are very honest in working with us to discuss the pros and cons of different things, and obvious limitations of certain ideas. They suggested to set the two side stones with white sapphire instead of diamond, in order to reduce the cost but still be able to have that central diamond.
We also would like our diamond to be from Russia, rather than just through the Kimberly process. The diamonds they had on hand were certified by EGL, which I’ve read is basically a fraud. They were very honest in the disparity between EGL/GIA/AGS, and these were just the Russian diamonds they had on hand when I was in. The prices were higher than I’d seen elsewhere, and I don’t want to go with these diamonds, so I thought I would look elsewhere to get the diamond myself and have them set it.
The diamonds they showed me today were as follows (all Russian and EGL):
0.51 Carat, H, SI1, $1450
0.47 Carat, F, SI1, $1600
0.4 Carat, H, VS1, $1350
The 0.4 Carat diamond was noticeably yellow, especially next to the other diamonds.
What do you recommend? Where is the best to compromise on diamond characteristics?
Would something like a GIA certified diamond with a VS2/H/0.4-0.5 carat/very good cut rating be a good idea? I’m obviously naïve about this, but I know enough to be anxious and worried.
Thanks!
Our budget *goal* is 3K, but we understand that compromises both on budget and ideals will have to be made, so it’s not set in “stone” (get it?). We’d like it to be 14K white gold, as well.
We’ve been working with a local jeweler in town, and I really like them. They are very honest in working with us to discuss the pros and cons of different things, and obvious limitations of certain ideas. They suggested to set the two side stones with white sapphire instead of diamond, in order to reduce the cost but still be able to have that central diamond.
We also would like our diamond to be from Russia, rather than just through the Kimberly process. The diamonds they had on hand were certified by EGL, which I’ve read is basically a fraud. They were very honest in the disparity between EGL/GIA/AGS, and these were just the Russian diamonds they had on hand when I was in. The prices were higher than I’d seen elsewhere, and I don’t want to go with these diamonds, so I thought I would look elsewhere to get the diamond myself and have them set it.
The diamonds they showed me today were as follows (all Russian and EGL):
0.51 Carat, H, SI1, $1450
0.47 Carat, F, SI1, $1600
0.4 Carat, H, VS1, $1350
The 0.4 Carat diamond was noticeably yellow, especially next to the other diamonds.
What do you recommend? Where is the best to compromise on diamond characteristics?
Would something like a GIA certified diamond with a VS2/H/0.4-0.5 carat/very good cut rating be a good idea? I’m obviously naïve about this, but I know enough to be anxious and worried.
Thanks!