Would like some advice on which rings to considering purchasing

[blingcrazy]

Hi everyone!
I am very new to this forum and can''t believe the wealth of information. I also can''t believe that I am considering buying a ring online! Wow! My DH has given me the green light on upgrading my current e-ring. I am a bit overwhelmed from viewing all of the different vendors and trying to decide what the best diamond would be. Can someone please help??
Here are the specifics I am looking for:
GIA certified(made that mistake before-no cert. on current diamond)
Color: H (maybe I too)
Clarity:SI1
Size: 1.70 karats
I''ve looked at BGD, WF, and James Allen. How do I know which diamond is the right price for the right amount of money. Is it possible to find this diamond for a good price (actually fair price). Thanks to all, I appreciate and respect your input.

 

[stone-cold11]

several mistakes.

GIA do not certify a stone, they only grade it, same as any other labs.
Carats not karats.

To your question.
What shape are you looking for? Also, do consider AGS lab as they are considered on par in color and clarity grading as GIA, they are the only lab that does performance based grading for cut, also the only lab that does cut grading for princess, oval and emeralds though I have yet to seen any AGS0 cut graded ovals and emeralds on offer, if that is what you are looking for.

 

[Gypsy]

First thing I would advise is to consider AGS stones too. GIA and AGS are the two premiere labs for grading diamonds. Second what shape are you looking for?
Third, what is your budget?
Do you need a new setting, if so is that included in your budget.

 

[blingcrazy]

Sorry, my mistake (I did know it was carats with a C not a K, but sometimes my fingers get carried away when typing.
Yes, I do think an AGS graded diamond would be fine also.
As for shape, I am looking for a round diamond. The budget? Well, I would like to find something nice from the 9-11K price range. Of course, there is always a setting that I need also. Saturday, I went to a small jewelry store and he said he can get an I SI1 for $13,600. Of course I did not see the GIA report because he doesn''t have the diamond in his possesion yet. Seemed a few thousand too high, based on what I have seen on different online vendors sites. Just want a diamond I can say, "This is a beautiful diamond for a fair price".

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/29/2010 6:25:48 AM
Author: blingcrazy
Sorry, my mistake (I did know it was carats with a C not a K, but sometimes my fingers get carried away when typing.
Yes, I do think an AGS graded diamond would be fine also.
As for shape, I am looking for a round diamond. The budget? Well, I would like to find something nice from the 9-11K price range. Of course, there is always a setting that I need also. Saturday, I went to a small jewelry store and he said he can get an I SI1 for $13,600. Of course I did not see the GIA report because he doesn't have the diamond in his possesion yet. Seemed a few thousand too high, based on what I have seen on different online vendors sites. Just want a diamond I can say, 'This is a beautiful diamond for a fair price'.

Hi Blingcrazy and welcome!

No need to apologize, this is a common typo. When you say you want 1.70 cts, what is the lowest weight which is okay to you?

Here is a very nice diamond from Whiteflash which is well within your budget, it is a J colour which you might want to consider if I is acceptable to you.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-513830.htm#

Another below, check the very thin girdle is not a potential durability issue ( I doubt it but no harm in checking) and make sure it is eyeclean to your standards also.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2141789.htm

Another, check it is eyeclean,

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6040/

 

[blingcrazy]

Lorelei,
Thanks for your input. Since I was previously considering a 2.0 ct. ring, I decided to go down to a 1.7 for obvious price reasons. I''m sure a 1.6ct does not look much different than a 1.7ct, it''s just a mental thing on my part. As for the J color, would I be really compromising with the look I am seeking? My husband seems against a J, but I realize there are some nicely colored J''s out there. Plus that one is a VS2. Which of the three, would you think would be the best to look into? As for the Hearts and Arrows diamond, do you think they are worth the premium?