upgrading to a 2.5-2.9 carat round stone. need pricescope expert opinions!

alabamalady · Sep 4, 2018

Y’all can pick the stone! I’m tempted to go with the 3.05 J Si-1 but will it look very warm? I was thinking it may be better to stay with an H color?

Another factor is that I like the settings better at James Allen. There isn’t a great setting for me at BN and I’d likely have a local jeweler make a hand forged platinum setting so from BN need to keep price down closer to 26-26,500.

I’ve been looking at a lot of this on my phone. Need to crack my laptop open later and take a better look at all of your suggestions. I really do appreciate it so much.

Maybe I’m looking for someone to talk me into the 3.05 J....

lovedogs · Sep 4, 2018

Have you seen well cut J colored stones in person? That's the best idea bc color tolerence is a personal preference. I don't mind J at all, but others find it too warm. Are there any Jewelers nearby that carry GIA/AGS certed stones you can see in person?

SimoneDi · Sep 4, 2018

OP, JA have excellent return policy, you can always see the stone in person first before deciding if it is your stone. I love the cut proportion lbs of that diamond!

CareBear · Sep 5, 2018

Js are totally fine in general, but going from a 1.5ct F to 3ct J , I would say that yes it is going to look quite a bit warmer to you. Keep in mind that a 3ct J will look warmer than a 1.5ct J. I've upgraded from a G to an I previously and notice the color difference for sure, but it wasn't enough to bother me.

alabamalady · Sep 5, 2018

I will try to see some large J colored stones in person today. The place in town with the biggest selection has no windows. Should I ask to take the stone outside to look at it? Feel bad using the time and inventory of a shop I don't plan to purchase from but maybe if I go when they're not too busy it will be ok.

CareBear · Sep 5, 2018

@alabamalady I don't think it is necessary to view diamonds under sunlight to judge color. But you should ask to see it under regular fluorescent lighting, away from all the spotlights in jewelry stores that make every stone look great. See if they will let you compare a few stones ranging from F to J and make sure to view them both from the top and the bottom. There's no need to feel bad! Most jewelry stores are simply not that busy. I've met one more a few very friendly jewelers who are more than happy to let me try on rings and bring out stones for me to see.

alabamalady · Sep 5, 2018

Ok good news! I went to a local place with better lighting and looked at larger J stones and compared them to I and H and F. With H and I I really couldn't see a difference face up and very little difference from side compared to F. I did notice a little tinge in the J stones (a round and an oval, both between 2.5-3 carats). However, it really didn't bother me! I may even like it

. This jewelry store also has someone in house who does custom work and I saw a few examples and they look great. ANd they are willing to work with stones I already have. Or, I presume, am about to have.

So my plan as it stands now is as follows. I'm going to purchase the James Allen 3.05 that SimoneD found and recommended.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5496413
which will be set in a basic white gold solitaire around $300 that I will wear for a few months or maybe a little longer.

also going to purchase these two cushions:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.51-carat-i-color-if-clarity-sku-2077985
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.51-carat-i-color-if-clarity-sku-2078291

and then later this year or maybe next year I'll have local jeweler make a gorgeous three stone ring. Inspired by the two rings posted below. The proportions will be different from the first example but the same idea. the proportions will be more like the

second example (which is Meghan Markle's ring) but a reverse of the stones. I think that one is cushion in middle and round on sides.

Please let me know what y'all think. I'm pretty excited. It's will go a bit over budget in the end but for now it's on target.

SimoneDi · Sep 5, 2018

@alabamalady please make sure to place the 3.05 on hold!

I am glad that you were able to see J color in person an compare next to other stones and even more excited for you that you like the color!

The three stone idea is very interesting. Are you sure that you do not wish to go with round side stones? The performance between cushions and rounds is a bit different, but I am not sure if that would bother you at all. My last ring was/is a three stone, here is a pic for you:

alabamalady · Sep 5, 2018

SimoneDi said:
@alabamalady please make sure to place the 3.05 on hold!

I am glad that you were able to see J color in person an compare next to other stones and even more excited for you that you like the color!

The three stone idea is very interesting. Are you sure that you do not wish to go with round side stones? The performance between cushions and rounds is a bit different, but I am not sure if that would bother you at all. My last ring was/is a three stone, here is a pic for you:

SimoneDi that's gorgeous and I love the proportions. May I ask what size the stones are?

yes, I actually like that it will be a little "off" visually. And I really do love what MM did with the cushion in the middle and rounds on the side. I may even mix it up a little more with a platinum shank and yellow gold prongs. Or just all platinum everywhere. Three stone rounds are nice but not for me.

edit to say that I mixed that up and mean platinum prongs and gold ring. Maybe. would the first actually work? I've never seen that

SimoneDi · Sep 5, 2018

alabamalady said:
SimoneDi that's gorgeous and I love the proportions. May I ask what size the stones are?

yes, I actually like that it will be a little "off" visually. And I really do love what MM did with the cushion in the middle and rounds on the side. I may even mix it up a little more with a platinum shank and yellow gold prongs. Or just all platinum everywhere. Three stone rounds are nice but not for me.

edit to say that I mixed that up and mean platinum prongs and gold ring. Maybe. would the first actually work? I've never seen that

I understand if you don’t like all rounds. I think that a round with cushions will be lovely. Sometimes rounds in 4 prongs also can look a bit cushion-y. Yellow shank and plat basket will be lovely. I actually have a pic for you:

This ring is from BGD, their Meaghan setting

My ring had a 2.1ct center and 0.23ct side stones. I think the proportions that you are looking at will be very similar.

lovedogs · Sep 5, 2018

I'm so excited that you decided on a stone, and that you have a plan for setting it! hooray!

Great choice on the center stone, and good idea to wear it in a temp setting for a bit before making the 3-stone, just in case wearing it changes your mind. I think 3-stones are great, and this one will be lovely!

alabamalady · Sep 5, 2018

wow thank you for that pic! I love the gold with platinum prongs. I'm sold.

I put the stones on hold. I think I will buy them on Friday. Waiting for Blue Nile's credit card processor to release the hold on my Amex account for a stone that I ordered last week and cancelled because I came to my senses and remembered you pricescope diamond nerds were here to help!

SimoneDi · Sep 5, 2018

alabamalady said:
wow thank you for that pic! I love the gold with platinum prongs. I'm sold.

I put the stones on hold. I think I will buy them on Friday. Waiting for Blue Nile's credit card processor to release the hold on my Amex account for a stone that I ordered last week and cancelled because I came to my senses and remembered you pricescope diamond nerds were here to help!

Awesome! In the meantime, ask for ASET images on the cushions and an IS on the round please

alabamalady · Sep 6, 2018

SimoneDi said:
Awesome! In the meantime, ask for ASET images on the cushions and an IS on the round please

Will they have that available? What will it show me?

SimoneDi · Sep 6, 2018

alabamalady said:
Will they have that available? What will it show me?

They will post them here when you get them. The images show light return.

alabamalady · Sep 19, 2018

SimoneDi said:
They will post them here when you get them. The images show light return.

Whoops I never did that. Didn’t understand and too busy to figure it out....hope I didn’t make a terrible mistake. Seems like it’s going to be a winner based on the pic/video/specs.

A solitaire in a temporary setting and two loose cushions are arriving tomorrow morning

SimoneDi · Sep 19, 2018

alabamalady said:
Whoops I never did that. Didn’t understand and too busy to figure it out....hope I didn’t make a terrible mistake. Seems like it’s going to be a winner based on the pic/video/specs.

A solitaire in a temporary setting and two loose cushions are arriving tomorrow morning

Super excited for you! Please post pics when you get them!