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What I should get for $6k

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dmask01

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 2, 2010
Messages
6
Hello, I''m in the market for an engagement ring with a budget of about $10k. I''m thinking of spending about $6k on the diamond (1ct), and $3-4k on the ring itself.

I''ve been looking all over (well... bluenile, goodoldgold, jamesallen) and it seems a 1ct diamond for $6k, generally has the following specs:

Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 1.00ct
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Culet: None
In House: Yes
Width: 6.52mm
Length: 6.54mm
Depth: 6.53mm
Table Percentage: 63.10%
Depth Percentage: 58.40%
Crown ∠: 33.60°
Crown Depth: 12.20%
Pavilion ∠: 40.40°
Pavilion Depth: 42.50%


The above specs are pretty consistent from what I can seem to find.

I''m just wondering if anyone here would have any suggestions as to if this is a good price, or if there is somewhere else I should look... or if I should want to get better color/clarity (thus sacrificing the size).

Thank you!
 
that''s a sizable table. shallow combo - potential for obstruction issues
 
What type of setting are you getting? That is a sizable amount for many styles.

Also, G VS2 is a great combo, but I would personally be happy with H SI1 and a larger stone.

You need to think a little more about what you want!
 
Date: 5/2/2010 11:13:54 PM
Author:dmask01
Hello, I''m in the market for an engagement ring with a budget of about $10k. I''m thinking of spending about $6k on the diamond (1ct), and $3-4k on the ring itself.

I''ve been looking all over (well... bluenile, goodoldgold, jamesallen) and it seems a 1ct diamond for $6k, generally has the following specs:

Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 1.00ct
Color: G
Clarity: VS1
Culet: None
In House: Yes
Width: 6.52mm
Length: 6.54mm
Depth: 6.53mm
Table Percentage: 63.10%
Depth Percentage: 58.40%
Crown ∠: 33.60°
Crown Depth: 12.20%
Pavilion ∠: 40.40°
Pavilion Depth: 42.50%


The above specs are pretty consistent from what I can seem to find.

I''m just wondering if anyone here would have any suggestions as to if this is a good price, or if there is somewhere else I should look... or if I should want to get better color/clarity (thus sacrificing the size).

Thank you!
Click to expand...
i hope not.
9.gif
 
What table percentage should I be looking for? 50%?

The setting will be a pave setting, similar to this (http://gregghelfer.com/data/_v/products/large/front/DMNT5001/50ctw_Pave_set_Engagement_Setting_for_Round_Diamonds.jpg) - but not this one. Haven''t fully decided yet.
 
ditto what dreamer said...what type of setting are you looking at?
 
Date: 5/2/2010 11:45:03 PM
Author: dmask01
What table percentage should I be looking for? 50%?

The setting will be a pave setting, similar to this (http://gregghelfer.com/data/_v/products/large/front/DMNT5001/50ctw_Pave_set_Engagement_Setting_for_Round_Diamonds.jpg) - but not this one. Haven't fully decided yet.
Click to expand...
That's a lovely setting. In case you haven't seen it, Excel Diamonds (which is very highly regarded here) carries a similar setting. Click. They charge $2400 for the platinum version.

ETA: They can add milgrain to the edges for you to.
 
Whiteflash also offers several diamond pave halo settings

setting 1
setting2
setting 3

all of these are $2000 in platinum, so that would put more money towards the center stone, or just save you some :)
 
Date: 5/2/2010 11:45:03 PM
Author: dmask01
What table percentage should I be looking for? 50%?

The setting will be a pave setting, similar to this (http://gregghelfer.com/data/_v/products/large/front/DMNT5001/50ctw_Pave_set_Engagement_Setting_for_Round_Diamonds.jpg) - but not this one. Haven''t fully decided yet.
Click to expand...

The above diamond probably won''t be suitable and it will be prone to obstruction, this is where a ring stone can darken visibly due to the viewer''s head/ body blocking the light to the stone.

As to table sizes you can use the proportions listed below as a guide, but bear in mind if you find a stone you love that falls outside these ranges thats what matters.

depth - 60 - 62% - although my personal preference is to allow up to 62.4%
table - 54- 57% - if you like the larger tabled look you can go up to 60%, suggest no higher than 61%
crown angle - 34- 35 degrees
pavilion angle - 40.6- 41 degrees
girdle - avoid extremes, look for thin to slightly thick, thin to medium etc
polish and symmetry - very good and above

note - with crown and pavilion angles at the shallower ends ( CA 34- PA 40.6) and steeper ( CA 35- PA 41) check to make sure these angles complement in that particular diamond - eyeballs, Idealscope, trusted vendor input - check as appropriate!


Also here are some good angle combos which might help from one of the experts, John Pollard.


Here''s a "Cliff''s Notes" for staying near Tolkowsky/ideal angles with GIA reports (their numbers are rounded): A crown angle of 34.0, 34.5 or 35.0 is usually safe with a 40.8 pavilion angle. If pavilion angle = 40.6 lean toward a 34.5-35.0 crown. If pavilion angle = 41 lean toward a 34.0-34.5 crown.


GIA "EX" in cut is great at its heart, but it ranges a bit wider than some people prefer, particularly in deep combinations (pavilion > 41 with crown > 35).


 
I would drop to G SI1 ideal cut and look at the settings on ID jewelry, they have some settings that are very similar to the one you like and I think are under $1000 in platinum. Then you could probably get a G-H SI1 and get up around the 1.2 carat mark if size is important to you.
 
Thanks, I''ve seen this one (originally we saw the tiffany), but wasn''t sure about the quality of excel diamonds... I''ll have to do a little more research, thanks!
 
Date: 5/3/2010 8:09:20 AM
Author: dmask01
Thanks, I''ve seen this one (originally we saw the tiffany), but wasn''t sure about the quality of excel diamonds... I''ll have to do a little more research, thanks!
Click to expand...

This was for KittyGolightly.

Stone-cold11 - Thanks! Do you think Ideal Cut good enough? or do I want H&A specifically?

Lorelei - Thank you, will use this info!
 
Date: 5/3/2010 8:12:40 AM
Author: dmask01

Date: 5/3/2010 8:09:20 AM
Author: dmask01
Thanks, I''ve seen this one (originally we saw the tiffany), but wasn''t sure about the quality of excel diamonds... I''ll have to do a little more research, thanks!
Click to expand...

This was for KittyGolightly.

Stone-cold11 - Thanks! Do you think Ideal Cut good enough? or do I want H&A specifically?

Lorelei - Thank you, will use this info!
Click to expand...
It is up to you. H&A references optical symmetry not cut light performance, and some want H&A and others would pefer not to pay for it.
 
Ditto.
 
Date: 5/3/2010 1:57:07 PM
Author: dreamer_d

Date: 5/3/2010 8:12:40 AM
Author: dmask01


Date: 5/3/2010 8:09:20 AM
Author: dmask01
Thanks, I''ve seen this one (originally we saw the tiffany), but wasn''t sure about the quality of excel diamonds... I''ll have to do a little more research, thanks!
Click to expand...

This was for KittyGolightly.

Stone-cold11 - Thanks! Do you think Ideal Cut good enough? or do I want H&A specifically?

Lorelei - Thank you, will use this info!
Click to expand...
It is up to you. H&A references optical symmetry not cut light performance, and some want H&A and others would pefer not to pay for it.
Click to expand...
Yes, the main thing is to have a well proportioned stone that returns light well if you don''t want a branded h&a, look at AGS0 and GIA Excellent with images.
 
Hello, I have an update... I received an idealscope for:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1283167.asp


Ideal Scope & GIA report
**Link removed by moderator. Please upload images directly to forum**

What do you think? They said it's eye-clean. Price is a little over $6k from what I remember.

Thank you!
 
Looks good.
 
Looks good. Seems to have the slightest amount of leakage under the table, but I don''t think it is an issue, you will not detect it with your eyes in normal viewing. The diamond has long lgfs at 80%, which results in thinner arrows and a slightly more pinpoint flash relative to diamonds with shorter lgf. I like the look of long lgfs myself.
 
Width: 6.52mm
Length: 6.54mm
Depth: 6.53mm

this can't be right either.

new stone looks much better
1.gif
 
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