What should I look for in my price range?

[edjohnson123]

Hey everyone,

I recently started looking at rings and I''m a little overwhelmed by everything that goes in to this. I have a lot of questions and was wondering if I could start with a few of my biggest concerns. If you can answer any or all of them, I''d really appreciate the help.

1) Assuming I can afford a ring in the $5000-$7500 range, what levels should I look for in the 4 C''s? I''ve decided that the two things most important to me are cut and carat, preferably a cut of sig ideal or ideal and a carat of 1-1.25. Are these realistic given my price range, or would it drop the color and clarity too much? What would you recommend given this price range?

2) I know the audience may be skewed on this given it''s an Internet forum, but do you see a disadvantage to buying through online stores? It seems like stores like bluenile are reputable, but I also feel weird buying something as personal as an e-ring off the Internet. What are the advantages vs. disadvantages of buying online as opposed to in a store? Similarly, does anyone see merit to buying from a place like Tiffany''s or Cartier just for the brand name? I know the diamond won''t be any different, but it seems like it would be nice for my SO to show off a brand name ring rather than a nameless one. I''m probably leaning away from high end jewelers like this, but I''d like your input.

3) Assuming I were to buy in a store, is it really normal to haggle? I''ve read that places like Tiffany''s won''t do this, but if I go to the local jeweler what are the odds that they will haggle over it? Should I believe them if they say they don''t, or is this a common bluff?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Regular Guy]

Something like this...

 

[edjohnson123]

Thanks so much, Guy. That one actually matches what I''ve been looking for. I was thinking I would go in the G-H and VS2-SI1 ranges. I feel like I just need to learn a little more about the importance of the different cut dimensions so I''m not relying solely on the general grade. Does anyone have input on any of my other questions?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Welcome, Ed!

I also favor G-H VS2 for an e-ring, but you can find some nice SI1''s. I hate to keep repeating this story, but to give you the short version, I did try to buy a diamond locally at first. But what I found was that the selection of ideal cut stones was MUCH greater from the online vendors (although some like Good Old Gold are also real jewelry stores).

Here''s the best search tool:

https://www.pricescope.com/sift.aspx

Just put in excellent-excellent for cut and check GIA and AGS for labs, enter your color, clarity, and size, and you''re all set!

Here''s another example:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-2192335.htm

 

[tarator]

I just bought an L SI1 Ideal cut H&A's 1.198 for 3600. The ring will cost 1500. You really have to go to a jewelry store to see what is the lowest color you like. I thought I would stop at I but when I actually saw diamonds in person I fell in love with the warmer tones. There are some beautiful SI1, SI2 diamonds out there. I don't think I will actually be able to say any of my inclusions in my SI1, but I think a small inclusion can be nice, and make the diamond unique.

 

[tyty333]

Date: 10/13/2009 5:01:14 PM
Author:edjohnson123
Hey everyone,

I recently started looking at rings and I''m a little overwhelmed by everything that goes in to this. I have a lot of questions and was wondering if I could start with a few of my biggest concerns. If you can answer any or all of them, I''d really appreciate the help.

1) Assuming I can afford a ring in the $5000-$7500 range, what levels should I look for in the 4 C''s? I''ve decided that the two things most important to me are cut and carat, preferably a cut of sig ideal or ideal and a carat of 1-1.25. Are these realistic given my price range, or would it drop the color and clarity too much? What would you recommend given this price range?

2) I know the audience may be skewed on this given it''s an Internet forum, but do you see a disadvantage to buying through online stores? It seems like stores like bluenile are reputable, but I also feel weird buying something as personal as an e-ring off the Internet. What are the advantages vs. disadvantages of buying online as opposed to in a store? Similarly, does anyone see merit to buying from a place like Tiffany''s or Cartier just for the brand name? I know the diamond won''t be any different, but it seems like it would be nice for my SO to show off a brand name ring rather than a nameless one. I''m probably leaning away from high end jewelers like this, but I''d like your input.

3) Assuming I were to buy in a store, is it really normal to haggle? I''ve read that places like Tiffany''s won''t do this, but if I go to the local jeweler what are the odds that they will haggle over it? Should I believe them if they say they don''t, or is this a common bluff?

Thanks for your help!

1. A good value/nice combination is G/H eye-clean SI1. I would go as big as you could get with those specs and your
budget. The one Regguy picked out is beautiful!
2.I''m all about the money and getting a good deal so buying on-line would be the way to go for me...the advantages
to me are more selection, possibly more different images (ASET & IS), no pressure, and better deal. Disadvantages
may be the warm&fuzzy you get from shopping in person, seeing the stone in person before you commit, having a
shop to go to if you have issues with your ring (vs sending it in). I''m sure there are plenty more for each side but
these are a few off the top of my head. Before you buy on-line you need to hit a jewelry store with AGS/GIA cert
well cut stones and view some for yourself to see whats the lowest color you can deal with. I *think* lorelei
recommends people go to Jareds and view their Peerless diamonds to check colors because they are well cut
stones.

As far as Tiffs or some other highend store you need to know what is important to your girlfriend. If commenting
that it is from Tiffs vs having a larger stone from a no-name place is more her style then Tiffs may be the way to
go. You might want to check what you can get from Tiffs in your price range. For me, I go with size any day
(quality being the same).
3.I know my jeweler will give me a better deal than what the tag says. All you can do is ask or make a lower offer
and see what they say.

The above is just my opinion...hope it helps!