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What would you do?

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DIShayley

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 19, 2008
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Would you go for a bigger diamond with a plain band?

or a smaller diamond with a blingier setting?

I have been looking on Blue Nile (UK) and am narrowing the rings down slowly. I'd originally wanted a Princess Cut diamond with smaller Princess cut diamonds in a channel set band.

1 - Diamond = .71ct Princess Cut, 'good' cut, SI2, J colour, very good polish & symmetry & faint fluorescence. Band = 18k white gold four claw setting, 2mm. Price = £791

2 - Diamond = .62ct Radiant Cut, 'very good' cut, SI1, H colour, very good polish, excellent symmetry, no fluorescence. Band = 18k White Gold Setting with Channel-Set Princess-Cut Diamonds (.28ct, I colour, SI2) 3mm. Total weight = .90ct Price = £806 [Shown Below]

3 - Diamond = .61ct Princess Cut, 'good' cut, VS2, I colour, good polish & symmetry, no fluorescence. Band = Band = 18k White Gold Setting with Channel-Set Princess-Cut Diamonds (.28ct, I colour, SI2) 3mm. Total weight = .89ct Price = £835

My ideal would be the .71ct with the channel band, but with the huge VAT on top (17.5%) it takes us way, way over budget.

Which would you go for, and would I really notice the .09ct difference if I took No.2 rather than No.1?


Sorry for another long post, but I would appreciate your thoughts! TIA!!

62radiantchannel.jpg
 
This is No.1 - .71ct with plain band

71princessplain.jpg
 
No.3 - .61 princess cut with channel band

61withchannel.jpg
 
Personally, I would definitely take No 2 over No 1 even if cost wasn''t a factor. You can''t see a ten point difference really, and the color and clarity on No. 2 are better, and the setting is more "wow".
 
Or even the Radiant diamond in a plain band, which works out to be £686 (taking us to our exact £800 budget with VAT)

62radiantplain.jpg
 
Isabelle - thanks :) I am leaning more towards No.2 at the moment too.

It''s funny how things work out - I thought I was set on a Princess!
 
I can see why you like that channel set princess band. I have one just like it yellow gold holding my tsavorite and I LOVE it! I think go down to the smaller stone and get the blingier setting. You probably won't notice much of a difference in .09 mm.

Edit- personally, I like radiants!
 
While the .09 carat may not be that noticeable when the stones are unset I think it''ll be noticeable when they are set. A thinner setting will make the centre stone pop more, and the lower, slightly rounded setting with the high set centre will probably look larger than the lower set, more square setting on the blingy setting.

I prefer the more blingy setting though.
 
I like option #2 best as well. Just remember that radiants show more color, so be sure you''re okay with an H. I may be very color sensitive, but the H I saw was quite warm in color. What are the rest of the numbers for the stone, do you know? (Like depth, table etc.)

Good luck!
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Hi! Thank you again for the advice! These are the numbers for the stone, mind you, I have no idea what half of these mean!!

Depth %: 65.3%
Table %:72%
Symmetry: Very good
Polish: Excellent
Girdle: Slightly thick to very thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 4.95 x 4.75 x 3.10 mm
Length/width ratio: 1.04
 
I vote for getting the larger stone and getting a simple band. You can always reset the stone later if you find you want to, however I am sentimental and wouldn''t want to swap the original stone. I also think a thin simple band highlights the centre stone and makes it pop!

You can''t judge fancy cuts by the numbers as you can RBs. You need an IS or ASET image to make a final selection. I would recommend you contacting Goodold Gold or ERD and have one of their consultants find you a stone in budget. Or, if you are looking at a princess cut, look at GOG or WF and look for an AGS000 Princess cut. Top of the line cuts, you can''t go wrong!

If you convert your budget into US dollars (I have no idea what the exchange rate, cause I am an Aussie!) we can show you some really well cut princess stones which will look stunning. This will give you an idea of what a really well cut princess stone will cost.

Good luck!
 
I do agree with Honey, BN is great value in the UK but you''re probably looking at stock photos. Even though VAT and import tax would take up 20% of your budget, you''d get photos of the actual stone and learn a lot from the vendors. You probably wouldn''t be able to go any larger once you take the taxes into consideration but I imagine you''d be able to get about the same size and better quality.
 
I''ll have another look on those websites
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Me and DBF are going to the States in August (DisneyWorld Fl.), maybe it would be an option for us to buy the ring and get it sent directly to the resort?

That way, I could use the 20% I was going to spend on import tax, on more diamond!!
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Date: 6/21/2008 7:32:41 PM
Author: DIShayley
I''ll have another look on those websites
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Me and DBF are going to the States in August (DisneyWorld Fl.), maybe it would be an option for us to buy the ring and get it sent directly to the resort?

That way, I could use the 20% I was going to spend on import tax, on more diamond!!
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Click to expand...
Fantastic idea! A word of caution though. I heard a story (not sure how reliable) where someone did the same thing, coming through customs they searched the bags, found the receipt for the ring and stung them with import taxes. So, just to be sure, wear the ring home (no worry about it getting stolen from the bags) and send the receipt to your home address, ie. don''t carry it on you, or in your bags. That way, they have no way of knowing that you bought it on your trip or had it when you left the country. A big sneaky, but that''s a lot of money that can go towards the ring.

I would have a check to WF or GOG and see what their policy is regarding shipping to the resort. I have dealt with Lesley at WF and I am sure she will be able to make things happen for you - their customer service is second to none!!!!

Just thinking! That extra 20% may be able to go towards the blingy band, without sacrificing size of the stone - this could be such a fabulous way around the problem!!
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If we can, we will try our best to do this :)

I think the best deals I have found are on James Allen, so far.

I found a .68ct Princess I'd be able to team with a 2.2mm pave set .15ct diamond band (but not princess cut) for $1600 - not sure the princess would go with the rounds??

or either a .72/.73ct Princess with a plain 18k white gold 2 mm band for $1600

All 3 with v.good characteristics and I like the fact you can actually see the diamond itself. There is a 1.03ct out there within my budget but the inclusions you can see a mile off.


Am I right in thinking that with JA you don't have to pay tax unless you're in NY??
 
I''d vote for # 2 as well. They are all lovely but I like the channel set diamonds with it.
 
personally i'd get bigger diamond plain band
 
Not a judgement either way, but if you buy the ring in the US and wear it across to England you are supposed to pay the import taxes on it still. If you chose not to please be careful, maybe send the receipt and boxes ahead of you on the day you get the ring and then carry the ring over.

What are your plans for a wedding band? I do like the diamond setting better but I still think that since it''s wider the diamond will look smaller in it than in the plain setting. So I was thinking, if you plan to do a diamond wedding band or anniversary ring in the future than maybe a plain band would be nice right now.

I really can''t wait to see what you come up with your budget! We had a similar budget 4 years ago so I''m always interested.
 
No, thank you, I appreciate the advice
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- everyone!

I do love the channel set band from Blue Nile, but I am hoping to stretch our budget diamond-wise so perhaps a plain band could be the best choice unless we find a great deal somewhere.

I have been looking at wedding bands, and I think it will likely be a channel-set princess cut wedding band - so that will go nicely with a princess cut diamond e-ring, and I think you are right Addy, maybe a plain band would be best with a diamond wedding band.

I am taking Pricescope''s advice and settling on a thinner band (2mm) which will make the centre stone pop more.

As of now, I am between 2 stones on James Allen''s website. A .72ct and a .73ct - who knew my budget could stretch that far?! I''m glad I came here, otherwise I think it would have been a .5ct for me.
 
Date: 6/21/2008 7:32:41 PM
Author: DIShayley
I''ll have another look on those websites
1.gif


Me and DBF are going to the States in August (DisneyWorld Fl.), maybe it would be an option for us to buy the ring and get it sent directly to the resort?

That way, I could use the 20% I was going to spend on import tax, on more diamond!!
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Click to expand...
What a good idea...
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OK ladies... I''m narrowing it down even further. I''m going to keep on looking around, but I think I''m going to give DBF the details of these diamonds otherwise - I might let him choose, I don''t think I can!!

No.1
0.72ct Princess Cut
J colour
VS1
''Ideal'' Cut
GIA Certificate

Depth: 72.3%
Table: 71.0%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Good
Girdle: Thin to thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Faint
Measurements: 4.87*4.84*3.50
Ratio: 1.01

[No photo of the actual diamond, just the image on the certificate, below]

No.2
0.73ct Princess Cut
J colour
VS1
''Premium'' Cut
GIA Certificate

Depth: 71.6%
Table: 74.0%
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Good
Girdle: Very thin to thin
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.21*5.04*3.61
Ratio: 1.03

[Photo Below - No.2]

Picture 4.png
 
Wow, that''s tiny! Sorry about that!!

This is the image of Diamond No.2

ring73princess.png
 
I would be concerned with the last diamond if it is with BN and not with an in house vendor - it has a very thin area of the girdle and I would definitely want an expert opinion on whether it is an issue or not, and could possibly chip. So I would pass on that one in my opinion.
 
Thanks for the advice!

Sorry, I should have mentioned - both diamonds are with James Allen.

I don''t want the diamond to chip! I have no idea what all these terms mean so I''m glad I''m learning something as I go!

Their prices on radiants are very good and I could get a .78 or .79 in my budget. I do love the princess cuts though.
 
Date: 6/22/2008 9:57:49 AM
Author: DIShayley
Thanks for the advice!

Sorry, I should have mentioned - both diamonds are with James Allen.

I don't want the diamond to chip! I have no idea what all these terms mean so I'm glad I'm learning something as I go!

Their prices on radiants are very good and I could get a .78 or .79 in my budget. I do love the princess cuts though.
Click to expand...
Ok, if they are from JA then ask if they are in house stones and they will be able to advise. A very thin part of a girdle isn't always a problem according to the experts, as it might be in an area of the girdle where it is unlikely to cause problems - particularly in a round diamond, but in a Princess you have to be more careful. But JA will be able to tell you for sure, they are an excellent and well respected company. Also you could tell them your budget and requirements and they may be able to suggest some diamonds you might like. Some SI clarity diamonds can be eyeclean, so if you have no objection to lowering the clarity a bit, then that might broaden the options.
 
I'll be honest, I'm not loving either of these stones.

The first one only had "good" symmetry, I'd at least want Very Good. The girgle rang is also a little bigger than I'd like, though it's not really hurting anything. It just may be hiding some weight in there.

The second again has only good symmetry, and as Lorelei pinted out, the girdle is iffy. Also, ideally, you want the table % smaller than the depth.


The thing about all diamonds is, you want the best cut you can afford. Cut is what makes the diamond razzle and dazzle you. These are not the best, I think you could do better.
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I'm not sure what your budget is, but this one is a nice candidate.
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(PS discount not reflected in price)

http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-457842.htm#
 
I appreciate the honesty
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I'm a total beginner when it comes to diamonds!

My total budget for the ring is $1600 and it doesn't matter if the band is just a thin, plain white gold band - I can always save up and get it reset in the Blue Nile setting that I like. I suppose it leaves me with something like $1350 for the diamond, depending on what the band costs.

I am also looking at Union Diamond (not sure if they're good?)

I don't mind how low the clarity is, as long as it's eye clean
 
OK, I have more!
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These are from Union Diamond.

No.1
Diamond Information:
Certificate: EGL
Shape: Princess
Cut: Select Ideal™
Carat: 0.74
Color: J
Clarity: VVS2
Regular Price: $1258
Wire Transfer Price: $1221

Diamond Proportions:
Measurements: 4.88-4.88-3.61
Length to Width: 1.00
Depth Percentage: 74 %
Table Percentage: 70 %
Girdle: TN
Culet: None (Pointed)
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None (Inert)


No.2
Diamond Information:
Certificate: EGL
Shape: Princess
Cut: Select Ideal™
Carat: 0.77
Color: J
Clarity: VS2
Regular Price: $1271
Wire Transfer Price: $1234

Diamond Proportions:
Measurements: 5.01-4.94-3.66
Length to Width: 1.01
Depth Percentage: 74.1 %
Table Percentage: 70 %
Girdle: M
Culet: None (Pointed)
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None (Inert)
 
Date: 6/22/2008 10:31:22 AM
Author: DIShayley
I appreciate the honesty
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I'm a total beginner when it comes to diamonds!

My total budget for the ring is $1600 and it doesn't matter if the band is just a thin, plain white gold band - I can always save up and get it reset in the Blue Nile setting that I like. I suppose it leaves me with something like $1350 for the diamond, depending on what the band costs.

I am also looking at Union Diamond (not sure if they're good?)

I don't mind how low the clarity is, as long as it's eye clean
Click to expand...
BN won't sell just a setting to you.
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Could you find something similar somewhere else?

Here's a nice one within budget. You will get a slight PS discount, around 2 % I think.

http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-456358.htm#

I don't recall anyone getting a Princess from UD, so I can't really comment. But it's best to stick with sites that have Idealsope and ASET pics when looking at fancies.
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ETA, unless it's an EGL USA grading report, best to not consider those. They are soft on grading.
 
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