Variety of Questions (Newbie)

[Zeya]

Hi, I'm new here. I have a variety of questions to ask. I've only just started to learn about diamonds and jewelry in general. I'm starting to look for an engagement ring. I visited a local jewelery store with my girlfriend, which was pretty eye-opening. We were starting to hone in on an acceptable range of color and clarity and what kind of setting would be nice. And in the meantime I'm going to educate myself on diamond grading and think about what my budget should be.

What I think I'm leaning toward is something like this: 0.9ct-1.3ct (budget will decide) round brilliant ideal cut, VS2-SI1, G-H. I'm not sure about polish or symmetry right now. I have a tentative idea for the ring/setting but need to think about that some more.

I'm almost certainly going to do some or all of this online to dodge sales tax and sub-par, overpriced rocks at a brick and mortar. Some of my questions are about shopping online etc...

Anyway on to my questions. I'll number them for reference. These are some questions that I've been jotting down to ask, in no particular order. Thanks in advance for helping.

1) When you want to buy a rock from an online vendor... walk me through the procedure. If the rock costs 10k, obviously you talk with them about it but just for my information, do you then pay the full 10k, and they send you the rock? And then there's a return period in which you can look it over and decide to send it back? I've never dropped this much cash on a mail order, so I'm wondering how it works.

2) I need to receive the rock securely in the mail. How do people do this? Open a PO box? Registered mail? I can't have it just dropped off at my mailbox at home for a couple of reasons. Is there a way to ship to, say, a FedEx location and pick it up?

3) How does shipping insurance work with things like this (buying a diamond)?

4) Would it be smart to have an independent appraiser look at the diamond once received? And how much would that typically cost?

5) I'm intrigued by fancy colored diamonds. I'm wondering what yellow side diamonds would look like next to a near-colorless main. I haven't seen any browsing around, maybe suggesting this is an unconventional idea. I was thinking maybe some synthetic side diamonds for some savings and a unique look. I'm having trouble picturing it in my head though.

6) For the wedding band, do people ever forgo a wedding band entirely? Can it be simple, or is it usually expected to be blingy and have some rocks on it?

7) Would you recommend buying the wedding band at the same time as the engagement ring?

Ring insurance. Do you usually go get this after the ring is finished and in your hands? How much does it typically cost?

9) If I find a diamond online, but there is no report listed, how do you go about getting one. Can you ask nicely and get the vendor to foot the bill for a report? Do you have to buy it and then send it in yourself?

10) I saw the HCA. I'm wondering if there is a similar tool for plugging in the dimensions/stats of a diamond and spits out what the price range should be, as a way of weeding out diamonds that are priced too high.

Okay that's about enough for now. Yikes.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Okay, I'll give this a shot and hope someone else isn't in the process of answering all of these!


1) When you want to buy a rock from an online vendor... walk me through the procedure. If the rock costs 10k, obviously you talk with them about it but just for my information, do you then pay the full 10k, and they send you the rock? And then there's a return period in which you can look it over and decide to send it back? I've never dropped this much cash on a mail order, so I'm wondering how it works.

Generally, once you reserve the stone either online or buy phone, they will send you an invoice for the remainder by email. The least expensive and quickest way to buy is by wire transfer. There is usually a discount for paying this way, and some vendors have an extra discount for PS members. Once they receive the money, they will ship you the stone. However, it is best to choose a setting and have them set the stone before sending it to you as then they would be responsible if there was any damage to the stone during setting (which is rare, but can happen).

2) I need to receive the rock securely in the mail. How do people do this? Open a PO box? Registered mail? I can't have it just dropped off at my mailbox at home for a couple of reasons. Is there a way to ship to, say, a FedEx location and pick it up?

Some will send it directly to your home IF you are certain you can be there to receive the package. Some vendors only send to a Fed Ex staffed location and you have to go there to pick it up. I am sure it is possible to send it to someone's work if there is someone who can call you to come sign for your package easily.

3) How does shipping insurance work with things like this (buying a diamond)?

The vendor covers it when sending it to you. You should have insurance lined up for when the ring arrives.

4) Would it be smart to have an independent appraiser look at the diamond once received? And how much would that typically cost?

This is not necessary with GIA and AGS graded stones bought from a respected vendor. It is always wise when buying second hand.

5) I'm intrigued by fancy colored diamonds. I'm wondering what yellow side diamonds would look like next to a near-colorless main. I haven't seen any browsing around, maybe suggesting this is an unconventional idea. I was thinking maybe some synthetic side diamonds for some savings and a unique look. I'm having trouble picturing it in my head though.

Please don't do it for an engagement ring. And definitely no synthetic stones in an engagement ring. Save the beautiful yellow diamonds for a right hand ring for a future anniversary!

6) For the wedding band, do people ever forgo a wedding band entirely? Can it be simple, or is it usually expected to be blingy and have some rocks on it?

It depends on the engagement ring. And ultimately it depends on what she wants! Once she has the engagement ring, she can easily try on different styles of wedding bands to see what she likes best. Some people do prefer a matching wedding band to the e-ring and others do not. I have a plain e-ring but a diamond wedding band.

7) Would you recommend buying the wedding band at the same time as the engagement ring?

No. See answer to #6, but by all means show her the picture if the e-ring you buy does have a matching band. It can be ordered 2-3 months before the wedding.

8. Ring insurance. Do you usually go get this after the ring is finished and in your hands? How much does it typically cost?

Take a look at the Jeweler's Mutual site. I am pretty sure I have looked there before and they will give you a rate estimate. Rates differ depending on where you live. I would have the insurance arranged the day you expect to receive the ring. The vendor can send you a valuation by email in many cases.

9) If I find a diamond online, but there is no report listed, how do you go about getting one. Can you ask nicely and get the vendor to foot the bill for a report? Do you have to buy it and then send it in yourself?

Any stones you'll be looking at through PriceScope vendors will have the lab report available. I wouldn't waste a minute with a vendor who doesn't provide that right on the site.

10) I saw the HCA. I'm wondering if there is a similar tool for plugging in the dimensions/stats of a diamond and spits out what the price range should be, as a way of weeding out diamonds that are priced too high.

There is a price search here on this site under Resources, Diamond Search. Obviously, this is a good way to search for stones as well. I always try the in-house option first, because that means the vendor actually has the stone on hand and can answer questions about it. Others come from a virtual list where the diamonds are not owned by the vendor but are owned by a diamond supplier and the vendor may not have ever seen the stone.

Extra advice: stick with GIA Excellent and AGS 0 (ideal cut) and that will help you be off to a good start!

 

[evergreen]

5) I'm intrigued by fancy colored diamonds. I'm wondering what yellow side diamonds would look like next to a near-colorless main. I haven't seen any browsing around, maybe suggesting this is an unconventional idea. I was thinking maybe some synthetic side diamonds for some savings and a unique look. I'm having trouble picturing it in my head though.

...

7) Would you recommend buying the wedding band at the same time as the engagement ring?

Hi, Zeya! I'm a newbie too, but you invited opinions...

Whenever you're thinking about doing something out-of-the-box (be it fancy color sides or lab-created), make sure you KNOW your girlfriend thinks it's a good idea. There's a whole forum dedicated to lab-created diamonds which are pretty interesting to read about - especially to someone with a technical background - at [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/forums/laboratory-grown-diamonds-man-made-diamonds-mmd.60/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/forums/laboratory-grown-diamonds-man-made-diamonds-mmd.60/[/URL] . Engineering marvels! Personally, I'd consider a colored one for a tiny (e.g. surprise) accent stone. But some ladies definitely would STRONGLY object to them, e-ring or no.

Same goes for fancy color sides. If you are pretty-sure-but-not-completely and don't want to ask her about them, consider a 3-stone ring with natural colored sapphire sides in some really common diameter (e.g. 4mm). That way, you could upgrade to fancy color diamonds if she's excited about the idea, or to colorless diamonds if she's not (save some budget for that either way!). And if she's not sure, sapphires are quite hard and durable and will definitely survive til she makes up her mind.

And then, for wedding bands, 98% of the time you can wait til you find one that you love with the ring. (Or ask her to help pick it out.) In some situations - like if you're getting unplated white gold or some peculiar platinum alloy - you may need to get the w-band at the same time as the e-ring. The overwhelming majority of platinum settings and all rhodium-plated white gold settings will go with each other, as long as you stick within the same metal.

ETA: Also, consider the ring setting: if it's an unusual setting or the part that touches the top of her finger is wider than the rest of the band, you may need a funny-shaped w-band to bow out around the top of the ring so the e-ring and w-band touch each other all the way around her finger. Some ladies REALLY think that flush fit is important. Others not so much. But unusual-shaped settings sometimes have matching curved w-bands that get around that issue, and it might be better to purchase that at the time you get the e-ring so you're confident they'll work together. Once you've narrowed down a setting, ask us again.

 

[Zeya]

Thanks for the advice and answers.

I like the idea of picking up from a FedEx location. I can't have it sent to the house (blow my cover) or go through the work mail (they leave small packages laying in the mail room without notice).

For the band, I'm thinking more and more about waiting until closer to the wedding date and shopping with her. For a couple reasons: more money available by then, and also she would have input on the band and has full input on what the band will be. Oh and one less thing to worry about while ring shopping by myself.

So it sounds like people tend to find a diamond that looks good on paper and then have a jeweler put it in a ring and then pay all at once? I was thinking about buying the main stone, looking at it in person, and then sending it somewhere to be set in the ring. Does that sound okay? Do people just do it all at once for convenience?

I'm definitely planning to go with the best cut rating. For color, I think I have to go H (not I which looked yellow to both of us, and we couldn't tell the difference from G so that isn't worth the extra cost). Clarity I'm not too sure on yet; I have to see some more in person to make that call, but probably VS2 (we had trouble spotting VS1 inclusions with a loupe). And I need to educate myself more on polish and symmetry ratings and how important those are to light return. Carat weight will unfortunately be my last concern and will likely come down to funding, but I'm thinking at least .9c, probably not larger than 1.3c. More trips to the jewelry store are needed.

On the subject of colored side stones, I think I'll probably abandon that idea and go with (near-) colorless diamonds for any side stones. It was just a thought anyway. At first I was excited about the prospect of synthetic colorless diamonds, especially for side stones as a way to save money, but I've since learned that synthetic clear ones cost just as much as mined diamonds. And then I got thinking about fancy colors. But I'll let that be for now; maybe a future "project" will have some fancy colors.

Here's a screen capture of the setting I was looking at. I really like the ornate nature of the metal and the antique look. I like the grooves along the side of the shank. I was thinking that if you're wearing the ring, much of the time you have your arms in front of you (driving a car, typing on a keyboard), and so you see the ring from the side, and it's nice to have some detailing from that angle.

Description:
Unmounted 1/2 ct. t.w. Pear Shape and Round Diamond Engagement Ring
Cost: $1395
Setting Price$1,395
Design ShapeVintage
Design TypeTwo
Stone Metal FinishPolished
Metal Type14K White Gold
Setting TypeMultiple Types Shank
TypeFlat
Stone ShapePear Shape
Stone TypeDiamond
Total Carat Weight.45 carats

This is a local jeweler (saw it in person and so did she). I'm thinking about having a custom made, maybe at a lower cost (and no interstate sales tax). I'm also thinking about abandoning two or all four of the side stones; I'm not sure yet. Probably get rid of the small pave stones along the sides (neither of us liked pave). It seems like people tend to do rings with side stones as anniversary rings, right? Four side stones for a 5th anniversary. Hmm. I may go with something in a similar style to this (antique looking), but just a solitaire to focus on the effort put into the main.

Thanks again.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I doubt you will do better in price having a setting custom made. Plus, the skill of the one making it is so crucial to getting it right. I would stick with settings already made as there are tons of antique style settings out there.

The problem with getting the stone and the setting different places is that if you do it that way, the setter of the stone into the ring probably is not going to take responsibility if the diamond should be damaged during setting. It is sometimes possible to get the insurance beforehand, but Jeweler's Mutual is the only company I know of that will do it.

Gabriel and Co. is a setting company that makes a lot of antique settings at reasonable prices and I think ID Jewelery may sell them at a discount. So look through them and see if there are any you like and then get a price quote. If you find one you like, then you could have them call in diamonds for you to choose from.

http://bridal.gabrielny.com/styles/engaged?collection=Vintage (vintage settings)

 

[Zeya]

Gabriel and Co. is a setting company that makes a lot of antique settings at reasonable prices and I think ID Jewelery may sell them at a discount. So look through them and see if there are any you like and then get a price quote. If you find one you like, then you could have them call in diamonds for you to choose from.

http://bridal.gabrielny.com/styles/engaged?collection=Vintage (vintage settings)

Thank you. This one in particular caught my eye.
http://bridal.gabrielny.com/style/ER7290W44JJ

 

[SweetAsscher]

If you do end up purchasing that Shane setting I'm pretty sure it'd be more cost-effective to have the stone set by the vendor that sells it to you vs having Shane set it. Shane is pretty expensive $3 per point is what they've told me. I guess because they insure it while it's being set and because they will replace your stone if it falls out, contingent upon you getting it cleaned and serviced every six month by them (free).
I've seen that setting in person in both variations (diamond sidestone and sapphire) but honestly I think I'm loving the Gabriel setting more!
Good luck!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Gabriel and Co. is a setting company that makes a lot of antique settings at reasonable prices and I think ID Jewelery may sell them at a discount. So look through them and see if there are any you like and then get a price quote. If you find one you like, then you could have them call in diamonds for you to choose from.

http://bridal.gabrielny.com/styles/engaged?collection=Vintage (vintage settings)

Thank you. This one in particular caught my eye.
http://bridal.gabrielny.com/style/ER7290W44JJ

I think that is a gorgeous setting!!! Honestly, Gabriel and Co. has some beautiful designs that I haven't seen elsewhere. And it is so much safer than custom because you know what the finished product will look like! I also love that it has a straight matching wedding band. Just beautiful!

And truthfully, if you check ID Jewelry's price on the setting, you could also ask them to source you an ideal cut diamond. From what has been posted here, they have prices that you cannot beat locally. If you do call, tell them you are a PriceScope member because they know we are particular about diamond quality!