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Trying to decide which is better?

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adamchance32

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 21, 2012
Messages
5
Hello all,

I located 2 rings from Helzberg masterpiece collection. They are AGS certified...and on the same setting. Which one would you consider better? Here are the specs:

1) 0.526 wt VS1 H
2) 0.574 wt VS2 I
-both have the highest rating in cut, which I was told is why they are part of this masterpiece collection.

Does anyone have any input? I am not very knowledgeable =(

Thanks!
 
Any reason you want to go with Helzberg? They're usually overpriced vs PS vendors. AGS000 is usually a very good indicator of fantastic cut. May I ask the price and budget? Plus - what type of setting?
 
http://www.helzberg.com/product/1+1-5ct+tw+diamond+engagement+ring+1802087.do?sortby=ourPicks

That is the ideal ring style right there. Split shank, round cut. After being to countless jewelers and looking at them. The masterpiece collection looked nicer than anything else I had seen. The shine on them was not comparable to any other I had seen. It is my understanding that these diamonds have to meet a certain criteria of cut that not many diamonds do? They are cut by a very specific person and have a serial number engraved on the diamond which is specific to the report sheet. That being said there is still some range in the diamond that can go in the setting. I believe that the one I am looking at is at the higher end of normal in both color and clarity (VS1 and H) which she told me is rare to see. Usually you are higher in one, lower in the other.

My price range is around 5,000-6,000ish. She told me that she could do the ring for 4,999 out the door.

So I guess my reasoning is simple...it fell within the price range, looked real good both in the light and out of the light which is impt bc you don't always have a jewelry store light shining on your hand =)
 
An AGS report is a good starting point, but what is said on that report regarding the cut grading is even more important. What is the cut grade on the report? Your setting choice is beautiful, but not so unique that we can't find you several others online. I bet we can find you an ideal cut stone and that setting for even less than you were quoted and I believe the setting will be a better quality. People very often lose stones in pave settings, like the one you linked and the only way to minimalize the risk is to be sure that it's a very good quality design. The diamond is also sitting very high in the setting which means it will be prone to taking lots of knocks and bangs by the wearer and putting the fragile girdle of the diamond at risk of cracking or chipping. I really think that we could find you a very similar setting that would look just as beautiful but would better protect the center stone.

edit: I just wanted to add that what the sales person told you about it being unusual to see an H VS2 is ridiculous. There are a ton of H VS2's available. A quick online search can show you that. She wants to sell you this diamond and is going to tell you that it will sing Happy Birthday on your special day, if she thinks that is what it will take to get you to pull out your credit card. Don't fall for it! =)
 
adamchance32|1340294773|3221069 said:
Hello all,

I located 2 rings from Helzberg masterpiece collection. They are AGS certified...and on the same setting. Which one would you consider better? Here are the specs:

1) 0.526 wt VS1 H
2) 0.574 wt VS2 I
-both have the highest rating in cut, which I was told is why they are part of this masterpiece collection.

Does anyone have any input? I am not very knowledgeable =(

Thanks!
Click to expand...
don't know about the setting,but a top ideal cut H&A like the one above will cost about $1900 online.
 
With that budget I think you can definitely go bigger, better quality, or both rather than what Helzberg showed you. From my experience their prices were on the high side compared to the other options you have out there.

Getting a certified diamond is important and diamonds graded by GIA and AGS are the most reliable. Safer to just stay away from the others. Like Christina said, the saleswoman was just trying to sell you the diamond. H color and VS1 clarity is not rare at all.
 
I also found http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER5422W44JJ $1425
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER5417W44JJ - $1565
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8055W44JJ - $1665

IDJewelry and Good Old Gold carry these lines - and provide a discount off the MSRP.

That leaves you $3500-ish for a stone to reach $5000 (btw - no tax if you're not in NY).

.7 D SI2 $3500 - http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8999/
.63 G VS2 AGS000 5.5 mm $2700 - http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8416/
.62 E SI1 AGS000 5.5 mm - $2650 - http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9324/
.61 I VS1 - $2400 - http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7459/
.77 I VS1 AGS000 5.9 mm - $3600 - http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9151/

You've got options and better values for the same price :)
 
Those look real good..couple questions about online diamonds...so you obviously buy the diamond and setting seperate...what is the cost to get the stone set properly? And what type of replacement and lifetime warranty can you get with that compared to a retail jeweler I just feel a bit uneasy about spending that money on a ring if I don't have a company that I can get in the car and drive to that would replace a stone that falls out with equal value....any thoughts?
 
adamchance32|1340385467|3221894 said:
Those look real good..couple questions about online diamonds...so you obviously buy the diamond and setting seperate...what is the cost to get the stone set properly? And what type of replacement and lifetime warranty can you get with that compared to a retail jeweler I just feel a bit uneasy about spending that money on a ring if I don't have a company that I can get in the car and drive to that would replace a stone that falls out with equal value....any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Those are fair and common questions. :)

1. You get insurance in case the diamond falls out - www.jewelersmutual.com
I'd rather pay that cost myself than pay Helzberg extra... There's also a loop hole:
A lifetime guarantee with free replacement for your diamond, natural sapphire, ruby or emerald if it is lost from its original mounting during normal wear.
2. GOG has a brick and mortar store in NY - but also does online sales. The other online only vendors will also work on your jewelry, you just send it back via fedex, etc.
3. If you buy the setting and stone from GOG, setting is free. If you have the diamond seller set it (recommended), then it's anywhere from $100-300 for setting, depending on the vendor).
 
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