Where do I begin??? Please help a newbie!!!

[Luvz2Run]

Hi everyone!

My boyfriend and I have just gotten engaged and are trying to pick out my engagement ring! Unfortunately, we know very, very little (okay, practically nothing

) about diamonds. We have read the basics on pricescope, but still have a few questions that we are hoping you guys can answer:

1. How much time should we spend comparing rings/prices? It may go without saying, but I am very eager to purchase the ring asap. Of course, I am willing to invest the time into finding the perfect one for me, but I''m wondering how long the average (first time) buyer spends or should spend (a rough estimate) finding her ring. Days? Weeks? Months?

2. I am in my twenties and absolutely LOVE the look of heart shaped engagement rings. However, I am concerned that thirty years from now, I may be kicking myself wishing that I had chosen something a tad more conventional. Thoughts?

3. Since this is our first time spending a significant amount of money on a diamond, I would feel more comfortable buying one in a store as opposed to online. Any tips/suggestions on types of stores to look into (i.e. chains like Tiffany''s?) or stay away from (such as mall stores)? How should we go about even finding a store? If anyone is from Northern California, specific store suggestions would be much appreciated as well!

4. We do not have a set budget just yet, but would like to spend less than $10,000 for the entire ring (including setting, etc.). Is this possible if one hopes to find a ring with the following specs: 1.0-2.0 carats, VVS1-VS2, G-H in heart or pear shape?

5. Finally, are there particular settings that complement particular diamond shapes? If so, what are they and/or can you recommend any guides for choosing settings in general.

Thank you so much in advance!!!

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome!

I would recommend you contact a vendor such as Jon at www.goodoldgold.com or www.whiteflash.com to use their expertise to find you a heart or pear, but I can understand if you don't feel comfortable buying online, however these guys are experts and would take excellent care of you! They also have a great return policy if you aren't happy.

Regarding the pear or heart shape, only you can answer whether you will love either of these shapes for years or not! Most people choose rounds it seems, but there are folk whose hearts lie with fancy shapes, but I say get what you love now.
If you buy online, you could get perhaps an upgrade policy, which would allow for mind changing!
One thing I would mention before I forget, you mention you want VVS clarity? Unless you want this grade for purity reasons, you could drop to VS or even some SI diamonds are eyeclean, this would broaden your options, as finding a beautifully cut heart or pear may take a little time, this would help make the search a bit easier. Tiffany sell beautiful rings and diamonds, but I don't know what your budget would get in there, some of the others may be able to recommend some B&M places where you could look. For 10k I would think you could get a over a carat, not up to 2, but maybe up to 1.5, especially if you drop the clarity some if you were shopping online, with a store I am not sure as the prices are often higher.

The time taken to choose a diamond varies, with online round brilliant buyers, the process can be fairly fast, as the diamonds are available for the most part and all the cut info is often there with in house diamonds, to make the decision easy. With fancy shapes, often it can take a while to find a well cut pear or heart, cut is critical to make a diamond sparkle, so you need to use your eyes, see as many as you can to compare. So looking around jewellery stores of a weekend can be useful so you can get a feel for what a well cut diamond in the shape you like looks like! I would think to allow a few weeks at least for the search.

With settings, it is very much a personal preference, with pears it is a popular look now to have them haloed, but whatever you do with these shapes, make sure the setting protects the pointed tips of the diamond. Have a look at the online vendor's settings pages to get some ideas.

 

[Skippy123]

Well, my thought are you might want to buy somewhere where they have a lifetime upgrade policy so if you do get a heart (based on long term concerns) then you could upgrade for another stone down the road. This info will be helpful for you regarding fancy shapes. http://www.pricescope.com/fancy.asp
I bought online and many others have too; you might consider it to save a little bit of money, just a thought. Welcome to Pricescope!

ETA: I agree w/Lorelei that you should be fine w/a VS2

 

[Luvz2Run]

Lorelei and Skippy, thanks so much for your replies (and warm welcomes)! I really appreciate it!

Lorelei, what are "B&M" places?