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What diamond to buy and where...

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hokie

hokie

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 4, 2006
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30
I want to spend about $5,000-7,500 on an engagement ring. What should I buy and where should I get it? Thanks.
 
I assume you're a man.

1. does she like white metal or yellow metal?
2. has she dropped any hints?
3. what general shape does she like: pear, square, rectangular, round, marquise, heart ?
4. is this a surprise and are you 90% sure she will say yes. a good number of PSers endorse involving your lady in the process, in case you select something too "manly" as has happened in a number of events.
5. read the tutorials here, at good old gold, and at Nice Ice.

edited to add : what city are you in?
 
Though James Allen continues to be a price leader here, and I''d have to consider this one (but ask him to send it back to him for his own inspection after sending it out to be made into a ring), also check this one out from WF, with also a good reputation here. Apart from the diamond selection, most vendors will have a wide selection of rings, and it''s handy to use them for ring creation. You can determine to involve an appraiser in the middle of the process for a closer inspection into the guts of the process, or just go forward, on the basis of the trust you can have by working with many of the suggested vendors here.

There''s actually lots to read and learn from here, and you might benefit from shopping suggestions below my signature. The points ladykemma make are good, too, though I''m a man and would reject #4. Did I say I was a man?

Best wishes. This board can be addicting. Look at how many posts I have. Consider yourself warned. Moreover, however, best of wishes.
 
Welcome hokie
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Your questions are direct and right to the point! Answers to your questions require a little research but you''ll find all the info that you need here on PS. Has she dropped any hints about preferred shape, size, style of setting, etc? Good luck with your search!


www.metrojewelryappraisers.com
 
I''ll recommend Good Old Gold, having bought a few loose stones from Jon. I have never been disappointed with my purchases from GOG, and that''s saying a lot, always buying sight unseen. That''s because I trust Jon to be the ''eyes'' for me.

That said, there are other reputable vendors here who carries a vast inventory of beautiful stones. WhiteFlash comes to mind - I have purchased jewelry from WF and their customer service is impeccable once you manage to get in touch with them.

It''s good that you have a budget in mind, but you''ll need to find out your gf''s tastes and determine what shape stone to buy!
 
Hey Hokie,

Here's an insomniac's revision and modest update to the above...the WF pick above might move into a first choice place (note that although its pricing, as many prices here, can be discounted a bit if you tell them you heard about them here on Pricescope, you might prefer to not get the max discount, requiring wire payment, or going for the wire might suit you fine). The pick from James Allen, I see after the fact, like others now appearing from them on the "search by cut" database, are like only some of those from GOG...not in house, but with helpful data nontheless, allowing it to appear legitamately on that database. The problem is just the slippery slope, and in this case, the SI character of the stone. Since it's not been seen yet by Jim, you would want to request him to bring it in, see if it is eye clean, and then go from there. Ordinarily, the slope is slippery this way, because you could then say...if it's not in house...why not go with a VS2 new AGS0 from anybody with the same characteristics and price point. One reason you might not is that...I see none of those...either on BN or the big search here. That being the case, I'd certanily consider leaving Jim's option as still one to consider, all things being equal.

However, two more to then throw in could be another from WF, and one from GOG. Jon at GOG offers a boutique shop where I could be persuaded to not only buy a non-new AGS option (the one listed), but even one from GIA. More...if you're near NY, you can just walk into his shop, which is especially nice. He offers a plethora of toys to help you analyze your options with care.

Regards,
 
Last post for the night...and then again...who knew that not all ACAs from WF had AGS' impramatur for their new light performance standards. That scratches both picks from my first post as easy first choices.

Fresh start...at the low end, from GOG, consider this one. Costing a bit more, back to WF for the pick in the post immediately above (for this one).

Sorry, lots of choices, and things to consider. Heck, it's not my money. Best of wishes with yours!
 
To answer some of the questions asked.

Yes she will say yes....LOL! I have asked her to particpate in the selection process, but she said no because she wants it to be something that I select because it will be more special to her.

Yellow gold is the preferred gold type.

Shape will probally be round.

I was going to buy a Leo, but after reading a few other posts, that may not be the best idea.

Thanks for the replies so far you guys are awesome.
 
oooh, these guys will help you pick a round stone

for the setting an 18k yellow gold setting with platinum prongs will be perfect. make sure you get PLATINUM prongs, they will last.
 
You can read more on prongs, and settings (is this newish here?) in the tutorial.

Also, I think in the last 2 weeks, MSN did a piece on yellow gold making a come back.

And was it around the same time Leonid, webmaster for this board, gave the drop downs above a gold background...or was I imagining that?
 
Do you/she like ornate/plain/antique/modern/classic?

Yellow gold is beautiful, just definitely get platinum prongs for safety.

For stones I would go to Whiteflash or Good Old Gold. They can also supply the setting for you. What part of the country do you live in? There are good Pricescope vendors all around. It''s better to be able to go to the vendor and see what you''re buying. I ended up buying sight-unseen from Whiteflash, which worked out great, but if I had lived near them I definitely would have liked it better to go see what I was buying.

Just make sure you get the pricescope discount, and that there is a good return policy in case anything is not to your liking.

Good luck. If you want some suggestions for stones, just let us know. For settings we''d need a little more info on your preferences.

Best,
LizzyD
 
I live on the virginia/west virginia border. The biggest cities near me are Roanoke, VA and Charleston, WV, and Charlotte, NC is about 3 hours away.

Oh yes, and to answer one of the other questions that I missed Yes I am a Man........LOL!

P.S. Regular Guy, like you said it''s not your money, but feel free to contribute any of yours at anytime.......LOL!
 
Hi again,

I would buy the stone from Whiteflash (only ''cause that''s where I buy mine and can''t go wrong with either their "A Cut Above" hearts & arrows stones, or their expert selection stones). But I know what my color and clarity tolerances are, and I know they can tell me enough about the stone that I am comfortable buying from the sight-unseen. If you do not know the range of characteristics within which you would like to stick (especially if you have not seen an Ideal cut Round Brilliant with your own eyes), the I would check out Quest Jewlers http://www.questjewelers.com/ .

They are in Virginia and probably well worth the drive (people on this board rave about them). You can do a search of stones on their web site, and if they have enough info (crown angle, pavilion angle), you can enter the info here on the Holloway Cut Advisor (under the Tools drop down menu). If they score less than a 2.0, then you have something to go look at.

I would call them and make an appointment to look at a range of stone characteristics in your price range. See if any "speak" to you.

Good luck,

LizzyD
 
Date: 7/5/2006 1:51:50 PM
Author: hokie
I live on the virginia/west virginia border. The biggest cities near me are Roanoke, VA and Charleston, WV, and Charlotte, NC is about 3 hours away.

Oh yes, and to answer one of the other questions that I missed Yes I am a Man........LOL!

P.S. Regular Guy, like you said it''s not your money, but feel free to contribute any of yours at anytime.......LOL!
Click to expand...
Sorry, all I can spare is my 2 cents.

Speaking of which...if Richmond is not too far from you, you may want to check these guys out. Over the last couple of years, I''ve seen more questions than comments about them, so have little feedback. Basically, they make lemons of lemonade...making hay of the fact that they have no stock, and therefore are unbiased in bringing in diamonds for you to look at. Really, vendors who take the time to bring in stock will, I think, be where the best value added comes from. Alternately, it''s at least possible that virtual stones like the one James Allen advertises in my first post above will be available to you at this vendor, along with many others you may be interested in.
 
What is the average price for mounting and the ring?

About the yellow gold, she doesn't like white gold, so are there any other options for ring type?

Also I need to read up on the clarity and color rating, because I still don't know what is the best in those areas.

Her first ring from someone else was only a $300 ring, so since she rocks my world on a daily basis, I want to rock hers with an awesome ring, and you guys are really helping me do that......THANKS!!!
 
Date: 7/5/2006 12:43:47 AM
Author: Regular Guy

...who knew that not all ACAs from WF had AGS'' impramatur for their new light performance standards.
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Who knew indeed?
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It''s b/c the light performance report was introduced a year ago and a handful of ACAs remain that were graded before that new report even existed. If someone is interested in one of these and the first-gen report is a sticky wicket we can discuss resubmitting it for an update.
 
Date: 7/5/2006 9:24:13 PM
Author: hokie
Tell me what you think about this setting and this diamond. Don''t hold back and give me your honest opinion.
Click to expand...

the setting is nice, yg with the added sparkle of diamonds is always a good thing
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I personally am not loving the stone. First, I wouldn''t pay for a D color. second, the stones a little on the deep side for ME, and the slightly thick to thick girdle will carry extra weight making the diamond appear smaller than what it is. I also prefer ideal polish and symmetry
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For settings I would look at Vatche (GOG carries them, don''t know about the other vendors)... they have reasonable prices, good quality... and many rings in the style you want in 18K YG (pictures are usually in WG)
239-a.jpg
328-a.jpg





231-a.jpg
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mrs. darin joy just posted a stone from goodoldgold that looks like a real winner.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2161/..you could get that stone with a vatche setting like gypsy posted and you''d have one gorgeous ring..
 
Oh that GOG diamond Mssalvo (by way of ms darlin joy) is perfect. And with one of the Vatche settings above... it will be lovely.


This one is okay too... maybe. Round experts will have to take a look.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/1423/
 
Hi Hokie ~
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Welcome to Pricescope!
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I really liked what you said about your lovely lady ... "She rocks your world everyday" ... "so you want to rock hers!"
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I have seen alot of settings like the one you linked to, may I suggest Ingwer. Or even Vatche for something contemporary. You can browse settings here if you wish http://www.goodoldgold.com/settingSearch.php

Also, I have been eyeing this diamond http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2161/ at Good Old Gold. It has a very lovely Bscope image too!
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Edited to say" WOW ... you gals are too fast for me~!
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SI1 I 110 BSCOPE.JPG
 
Wow, Miss Darlin Joy! I like that last GOG stone you found!!!!
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Basically what Mrssalvo said. D color is overkill, unless it''s a mind thing, which I doubt, since you''re willing to go to si1 clarity. If you are very color sensitive, I believe F should do the trick. If not, I personally would go to G as a sweet spot, and possibly a good H. I like the si1 clarity as long as it''s virtually eye clean.

BUT, I can already tell by the 62% table on this particular stone, that the stone is way out of my personal "ideal" range, which is apparently shaping up to be 55%-56%. Hope this helps.
 
Thanks guys for the input. This is the exact reason why I came here, to get unbiased comments and opinions. I am an absolute rookie when it comes to looking for a diamond. The Si1 clarity was greek to me. ( I read up a little bit on it.....LOL) What level of clarity should I look for? Those settings are awesome too that gypsy posted. Is 18k better than 14k?

Keep the input coming guys, all this help is A+!!!!!!!

And what's your opinions on this diamond with better clarity?
 
if she likes yellow gold, she probably appreciates the metal. 18 all the way.
 
I called GOG and spoke to Tim and he said that the 2161 is eye clean and also said that it was an excellent stone. He was very helpful.
 
Ms Darlin Joy, the GemEx Live Report that you posted, is that for 2161?
 
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