Walking a thin line

[Kilops]

Hey guys, I'm looking for an engagement ring and so far very few jewelers are able to fulfill my specifications.

Heres what I want:

1) Cushion cut diamond with setting replica of Tiffany Sola (Soleste)
2) 2+ ct center stone, VS2+ clarity, I+ color, VG/Excellent Cut
3) GIA or AGS Certified
4) Eye-Clean
5) Relatively proportional in size (no greater than 1.10ish)
6) All this under $13,000 including the setting

I've searched price scope and saw that I can find diamonds that meet my needs at Solomon Brothers and/or IceStore. I am hesitant to purchase from these guys as the diamonds do have have a picture, but they do have GIA certification. Could someone suggest a jeweler that I can trust that can fulfill my requirements?

Thank you!

 

[minmin001]

Where do you live? some online store had store in like NY or TX where you can find the diamond online and see it in person. like jamesallen.com whiteflash.com, goodoldgold.com etc

 

[Kilops]

I live in PA but I intend on travelling to NY diamond district in a couple of weeks to shop around... can you provide a link to a diamond you think would fit my specifications? Thanks

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think you are a little unrealistic in your pricing. You'll have to go low in color and clarity to get a 2 ct. cushion and an elaborate setting like that for $13,000. Isn't that the double halo? Someone here just had that made with a stone less than a carat. It would be huge with a 2 ct. center stone. let me see if I can find her link.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Good Old Gold is absolutely where I'd shop for a cushion. They have modern cushions, antique cushions, as well as newly cut antique styles with excellent optics. I'd call them ahead and make an appointment so they could have some stones in for you to look at.

Here is the setting made by Diamonds By Lauren:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-rhr-double-halo-yellow-diamond-ring.157408/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-rhr-double-halo-yellow-diamond-ring.157408/[/URL]

I don't know the price of that particular setting, but I imagine one to fit a 2 ct. center would be somewhere in the range of $5000. That leaves you maybe $8k for the stone.

Perfection in a 2 ct. cushion...$21,000+

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8214/

Not my favorite, but to give you an idea of pricing...1.5 G VS2 @ $8500

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7576/

A beauty in a lower color...1.54 K VS2 $7900

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7804/

 

[minmin001]

I did a search on the diamonds and diamondseeker is right about the price is a little unrealistic at the current diamond market.

 

[Kilops]

I am able to find the diamond with my specifications from Solomon Brothers and IceStore, that means the diamond is out there with my price... its just a rare find, hence the thin line... also, I found a cushion stone ring from costco, I know that place isnt the usual jeweler people look for rings but the diamond fits my specifications and is GIA certified.

Heres the link from costco:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11624908&whse=BC&Ne=5000000

Now I know this setting is a very simple setting and what I am asking for is a much more complex setting. I am willing to put in a little extra to get the Tiffany replica but the diamond is out there it seems... And the setting doesnt cost $5000, I checked with vendors who quoted me $1500-$3000 for the setting itself.

 

[slg47]

I think you can find what you want for that price but the quality might not be as high. A high quality well made double pave halo setting like that will definitely be way over $1500!

Also a double halo adds a lot of size, so you can probably go smaller on the center stone. Unless your GF has large fingers a 2 carat with double halo could be overwhelming

 

[Kilops]

I believe she is a size 6... I'm definetly going for the overwhelming idea, she wants a big diamond so bad I'm hoping the size will be "Too Big"!

 

[slg47]

on the Tiffany website, they only list the solesta with 0.5, 1, and 1.5 carats. I really don't think the design would work well with a stone that is really large. Since a halo adds so much size, I would focus on getting a beautifully cut center diamond that really sparkles.

 

[Kilops]

Maybe you are right... I can probably drop it down to a 1.5 ct center stone and achieve better quality... What would you say is the ideal stone for this price range then? F/G colored VS1/VVS2? Honestly when I went to my local jeweler, I could not identify the difference between ideal/excellent and very good stones.

 

[nurse]

my two cents, someone please correct me if I'm wrong. From my own research and long time lurkage on here, I've learnt that when it comes to cushions, the shapes and cuts have a lot of variation (as opposed to a typical round brilliant which is for the most part equal in length and width), so perhaps the dimensions of the stone is something to consider. Do you want a more square cushion? or more rectangular? I think this is also shown by DiamondSeekers examples where the last two cushions look very different

A size 6 finger is not large I don't think, according to this link, it is the average size: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/carat-weight-vs-finger-size-finger-coverage-percentage.131327/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/carat-weight-vs-finger-size-finger-coverage-percentage.131327/[/URL]

With a size 6 finger and using the stone from your costco link which is 7.27x7.02.4.56mm 43/44% finger coverage with the center stone alone. Adding the additional halo coverage (no idea how big those stones are, but say even if they are 1mm each so an extra 2 mm on each side) you are looking at a whopping 70% coverage (hope I did my math right). I think with this much coverage the stones on the shank may get sort of lost. Anyways, I hope this sort of helped put things in a bit of perspective.

I personally think that a stone that large in the setting you want would look a bit overwhelming to honest, however that is my own personal taste and I guess the lady wants what she wants right? I do hope you find something that you love and falls within your budget!

 

[iota15]

The stone could exist somewhere in the range you're looking for... but you'd really have to ask yourself - Why?? Why is this stone selling for so much less than it's counterparts? There's a reason - there's always a reason in the diamond business (you're getting it second hand, there's some type of risk inherent in the stone, the inclusion is in a bad place - something the vendor/cutter may see, that you don't).

That being said, try working with niceice and soloman and see where you get. It's difficult to find a beautiful cushion without pictures and Asets (although I believe niceice does provide some images, I think). In the end, you don't want to end up with a bad looking cushion, although one that is, albeit, above 2 carats.

Just be careful in your search, and I hope you have a LOT of patience.

 

[slg47]

Maybe you are right... I can probably drop it down to a 1.5 ct center stone and achieve better quality... What would you say is the ideal stone for this price range then? F/G colored VS1/VVS2? Honestly when I went to my local jeweler, I could not identify the difference between ideal/excellent and very good stones.

what type of ideal/excellent vs very good stones were you looking at? and in what lighting?

this video might help...if you are looking for a cushion you can narrow down what 'type' (modern? antique? square? rectangular?) which can help narrow down your search.

http://vimeo.com/7579666

with your budget I think you are looking at VS/SI G/H/I. You will see no difference between VVS2 and VS2 so I see no reason to pay for VVS2 unless it is important to you.

ask for a picture? (although this one is antique style so if you are looking for modern might not be appropriate)
http://www.micropave.com/index.php/diamonds/1-42-i-vs1-cushion-diamond.html

not my favorite but you could inquire about something similar
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/8130/

another option
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1033082.asp

or what about doing the design with a round center stone?

last option...smaller BUT since halo adds SO much size and you are doing a double halo I think you can get away with a smaller size (and not only get away with, but I would recommend!)
I have a diamond almost identical to this and LOVE it, it is super sparkly and gorgeous. so I am a little biased
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/6372/