6k budget for round solitaire engagement ring

[Riesz]

Hi all!

My fiance proposed to me on Christmas Eve with a lovely ring he picked out himself. I like the overall style of it but he purchased it from a big box jewellery store in our local mall (Canadian Kay) and I'm concerned he was ripped off. The base price of the ring was $5k for an 18k white gold i1 ( ) 1 ct. solitaire. After 14% tax and the extended warranty he was coerced into, the final price was around 6k.

The i1 diamond in my ring has very visible and bothersome inclusions, which stick out like a sore thumb to me. The worst is a black line straight through the bottom centre of the stone. I took the ring back to the mall store with concerns about the integrity of the diamond and was shrugged off and simply told, "It has freckles like every diamond." Needless to say, I am not pleased.

I've spent a few hours over the past week looking at loose diamonds online and think I would be able to put together a better quality ring with my budget of 6-6.5k. I am nervous to buy online so I'm hoping to get some opinions on stones I've been eyeing. I'd also welcome any advice on achieving my goal of a 1 ct. nice-looking diamond for 6k!

Here's the first stone I am curious about, which is listed at $6432: https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPortal/getReportData.do?&reportno=2136175287&weight=1.00

The Holloway Cut Adviser rating of that stone is 3.7 - Very Good - Worth buying if the price is right


Here is another diamond listed at $6166: https://myapps.gia.edu/ReportCheckPortal/getReportData.do?&reportno=1136798492&weight=1.00

The HCA rating is 4.9 - Good - Only if price is your main criterion


Are either of these stones a good value? If not, where would be recommended to find a nice stone around the $6-6.5k range?

Thank you very much for any help or advice!

 

[Niel]

No reason to get a stone that scores that poorly on the hca. You can get a well performing eye clean 1cct solitaire for 6k. No reason to compromise. So you've alreadyreturned the original?

 

[Riesz]

I haven't returned it yet only because the stone was loose and the store wanted to keep it for examination and fixing. They assured me I would still be able to return both ring and extended warranty for a full refund within 100 days (of about Dec 20).

I'm already eager to return the ring, but my fiance wants to have something concrete picked out first. He did buy the ring outright though, so we have wiggle room to put something new on credit for a short time while the return is sorted.

I'm also considering pitching in about 1k if necessary to find my ideal ring. I'll cross that bridge if I get there, though. I'd prefer to stay around 6-6.5k budget.

 

[Niel]

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-I-color-SI1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-185526

 

[Riesz]

That one is lovely! Thank you for the link!

I have a question about fluorescence -- I've heard it can make coloured stones appear more white or give the diamond a purple-blue colouring in sunlight. Would you recommend a faint fluorescence? It's something I think I would like in a stone as long as the diamond isn't hazy/milky.

 

[04diamond<3]

Here's another option. Scored 1.6 on the HCA and after the PS discount JA gives it'd come to about $6200ish:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.96-carat-G-color-VS2-clarity-sku-180204

 

[04diamond<3]

That one is lovely! Thank you for the link!

I have a question about fluorescence -- I've heard it can make coloured stones appear more white or give the diamond a purple-blue colouring in sunlight. Would you recommend a faint fluorescence? It's something I think I would like in a stone as long as the diamond isn't hazy/milky.

I wouldn't advise against fluorescence. If you have a lower color stone, like a I,J,K etc it can help the stone look a shade whiter. Some EGL stones with fluorescence tend to have a milky effect but not typical with GIA/AGS graded stones.

 

[Niel]

That one is lovely! Thank you for the link!

I have a question about fluorescence -- I've heard it can make coloured stones appear more white or give the diamond a purple-blue colouring in sunlight. Would you recommend a faint fluorescence? It's something I think I would like in a stone as long as the diamond isn't hazy/milky.

I wouldn't advise against fluorescence. If you have a lower color stone, like a I,J,K etc it can help the stone look a shade whiter. Some EGL stones with fluorescence tend to have a milky effect but not typical with GIA/AGS graded stones.

I LOVE flour! Such a neat phenomenon! Any reputable vendor will tell you if it has any negative effects because of it, but thats rare. About 1percent of strong flour.

 

[04diamond<3]

That one is lovely! Thank you for the link!

I have a question about fluorescence -- I've heard it can make coloured stones appear more white or give the diamond a purple-blue colouring in sunlight. Would you recommend a faint fluorescence? It's something I think I would like in a stone as long as the diamond isn't hazy/milky.

I wouldn't advise against fluorescence. If you have a lower color stone, like a I,J,K etc it can help the stone look a shade whiter. Some EGL stones with fluorescence tend to have a milky effect but not typical with GIA/AGS graded stones.

I LOVE flour! Such a neat phenomenon! Any reputable vendor will tell you if it has any negative effects because of it, but thats rare. About 1percent of strong flour.

I know! I've heard of places marking down because of fluorescence??? Crazy, but that's fine, I'll pay less for a stone with the ability to look even better!!!

 

[Riesz]

That one is lovely! Thank you for the link!

I have a question about fluorescence -- I've heard it can make coloured stones appear more white or give the diamond a purple-blue colouring in sunlight. Would you recommend a faint fluorescence? It's something I think I would like in a stone as long as the diamond isn't hazy/milky.

I wouldn't advise against fluorescence. If you have a lower color stone, like a I,J,K etc it can help the stone look a shade whiter. Some EGL stones with fluorescence tend to have a milky effect but not typical with GIA/AGS graded stones.

I LOVE flour! Such a neat phenomenon! Any reputable vendor will tell you if it has any negative effects because of it, but thats rare. About 1percent of strong flour.

I know! I've heard of places marking down because of fluorescence??? Crazy, but that's fine, I'll pay less for a stone with the ability to look even better!!!

Yeah I'm all for that!

Thank you again for the links. I start my shift at work soon so I have to head out for a while. I'll be sneaking looks at diamonds when I can so maybe I can most more links for critique later!

 

[bunnycat]

I didn't see a whole lot at 1ct on JA, other than the one Nielsel posted. Here is one from another vendor right under $6k. I don't know what your ring settin gis going to be or if you have one already, but this would work if you were to put it in a simple and fairly inexpensive plain shank solitaire setting.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10102/

 

[JulieN]

If you want fluorescence, you need at least medium for it to have an effect, faint is usually not visible.

Here is one in budget, strong fluoro, and my favorite proportions: http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.06-carat-H-color-SI1-clarity-Very-Good-cut-sku-135176

 

[bunnycat]

A quick glance through Whiteflash didn't bring up any good ideas.

Brian Gavin has a J in his Blue (fluorescent) line, depending on how color sensitive you are. Can you say what lab graded the stone you are wanting to return? If it's not GIA/AGS then chances are that the color grade is off anyway and so if the report on your stone says G then it may already be something like a I/J/K stone anyway. There is nothing wrong with a diamond with some tint, and the flurescence will help mask it, but you have to know how color sensitive you are. If it's going to be a solitaire ring with no sidestones, chances are you'd be fine.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.048-j-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104062571020


To help you weed out the less than desireable stones, this chart can help you. Check it against the numbers on the certs of any stones you are looking at and you can also use the HCA tool under the tools tab. Look for stones that score under 2 in your search.


depth - 60 - 62% - although my personal preference is to allow up to 62.4%
table - 54- 57%
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


And here is the link to the thread in case you want to read a little:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/preferred-specs-cheat-sheet-for-rounds.88548/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/preferred-specs-cheat-sheet-for-rounds.88548/[/URL]

https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca

 

[04diamond<3]

That one is lovely! Thank you for the link!

I have a question about fluorescence -- I've heard it can make coloured stones appear more white or give the diamond a purple-blue colouring in sunlight. Would you recommend a faint fluorescence? It's something I think I would like in a stone as long as the diamond isn't hazy/milky.

I wouldn't advise against fluorescence. If you have a lower color stone, like a I,J,K etc it can help the stone look a shade whiter. Some EGL stones with fluorescence tend to have a milky effect but not typical with GIA/AGS graded stones.

I LOVE flour! Such a neat phenomenon! Any reputable vendor will tell you if it has any negative effects because of it, but thats rare. About 1percent of strong flour.

I know! I've heard of places marking down because of fluorescence??? Crazy, but that's fine, I'll pay less for a stone with the ability to look even better!!!

Yeah I'm all for that!

Thank you again for the links. I start my shift at work soon so I have to head out for a while. I'll be sneaking looks at diamonds when I can so maybe I can most more links for critique later!

Here's a perfect example:

A 1.10 scored a 1.5 on the HCA is a K with medium FL, looks very white, more like an I or J, is VVS2 and with the PS discount would come to about $6100 ish:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.10-carat-K-color-VVS2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-91811

This one's a G with medium FL and a 1.06 SI1 (i'd make sure it's eye clean), it scored 1.4 on the HCA and with the discount would come to $5950ish:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.06-carat-G-color-SI1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-95109

*** if you like these you should put them on hold ASAP (you can put up to 3 on hold), request idealscope images and confirm that the SI1 is eye clean

 

[Riesz]

Those are very nice! Thank you again for sending links.

Sorry I disappeared for a bit. Crazy hectic work schedule! Anyhow, I spent some time over the past couple days looking at diamonds.

This is the band I've fallen in love with: http://www.zoara.ca/engagement/rings/p_vintage_scalloped_diamond_engagement_ring#p=1141303

I've had my eye on a few more diamonds, as well.

One is GIA 1.01 carats, excellent cut, I colour, vs2 clarity, 0.8 on HCA, $5300ish

or

GIA 1.09 carats, excellent cut, I colour, vs2, 2.6 on HCA, $5500ish


Both diamonds are listed as hearts and arrows and 3x cut, but how would I know for sure? Why aren't all excellent cut diamonds with good proportions listed as hearts and arrows? Wouldn't it make sense that they would be with such good ratings?

I also used Pricescope's diamond search and noticed diamonds with excellent HCA rating and GIA excellent cut rating mostly weren't classified "hearts and arrows." I'm confused as to why they wouldn't be.



Would you suggest the smaller diamond since the HCA is better? It's also a bit cheaper than the larger diamond.

 

[Niel]

Gabriel and co sells one very similar (with a bit of a cathedral that i like a tad more ) and that way you could see the stones and make sure they perform well because you could get them from good old gold

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER6711W44JJ

i dont see one right of the bat on there website but they tell you to email them with your specific specs and they'll find you one.

that setting looks nicde jsut hard to recommend a diamond without a pic

 

[Riesz]

The Gabriel & Co setting is very lovely! I do like the detail on it but I just don't think it would fit in my budget, as it is over double the price of the one I'm looking at.


I called and asked for a real picture and Ideal Scope of the two diamonds I'm considering, so I'll be sure to post those as soon as I get them.

Pictures aside and just purely on the specs of the diamonds, are they a good value and would they have the potential to look very beautiful?

 

[04diamond<3]

Personally, yes, I'd pick the smaller one. But a 2.5 on the HCA...it's not a bad thing, and you could look into it...the main thing is to make sure the stone is bright. If it's bright then it will give off good light return.

 

[Niel]

The Gabriel & Co setting is very lovely! I do like the detail on it but I just don't think it would fit in my budget, as it is over double the price of the one I'm looking at.


I called and asked for a real picture and Ideal Scope of the two diamonds I'm considering, so I'll be sure to post those as soon as I get them.

Pictures aside and just purely on the specs of the diamonds, are they a good value and would they have the potential to look very beautiful?

Oh ok i wasny sure about the price and the Canadian conversation

 

[Riesz]

CAD and USD are almost 1:1 now It makes buying online and converting cash from my US relatives a breeze!

I do actually prefer the Gabriel setting you linked. What I like most about it is the setting for the diamond so maybe down the line when I have more savings I could get mine altered to be more like the Gabriel!

I'm still waiting on the high res images of the diamonds I picked out. The site I contacted has to contact their seller but hopefully it won't take too long. The images on the GIA reports look great but before spending a large sum of money on the internet I want to see the actual diamond. It's a bit nerve wracking to spend so much online but it's only option for me to get my dream ring within my budget, as I haven't been able to find any antique/vintage style rings in shops locally.

 

[webdiva]

JA has a very similar setting, the CAD drawing makes it look chunky, so look under the recently purchased at the bottom:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/Engagement-Rings/Vintage/18k-White-Gold-Antique-Bezel-and-Pave-Set-Engagement-Ring-item-1106

Ask for extra milgrain all bezels for it to look the same (they will add it, I forget how much extra for milgrain at JA - can anyone else chime in on that?).

Same price as the Canadian one.

 

[Niel]

JA has a very similar setting, the CAD drawing makes it look chunky, so look under the recently purchased at the bottom:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/Engagement-Rings/Vintage/18k-White-Gold-Antique-Bezel-and-Pave-Set-Engagement-Ring-item-1106

Ask for extra milgrain all bezels for it to look the same (they will add it, I forget how much extra for milgrain at JA - can anyone else chime in on that?).

Same price as the Canadian one.

Ive had many people say theyll do it for free

 

[Niel]

I know shopping online is scary but done right its the best and safest way to go...

ok so i knkw you might have to step out of your comfort zone on this kne, but is a fellow ps member and it would leave you a lot of money to get a fabulous vintage type beverly k setting or something, sense i kmow you said you were looking for vintage
http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-natural-diamond-center/red-vintage-1920-s-platinum-oec-1-dot-15c-ring

 

[Dancing Fire]

Both diamonds are listed as hearts and arrows and 3x cut, but how would I know for sure? Why aren't all excellent cut diamonds with good proportions listed as hearts and arrows? Wouldn't it make sense that they would be with such good ratings?

post pic of the hearts..

 

[Riesz]

In the short amount of time I've been planning this ring, I've found several lovely stones and they have all been sold in a day or so.

Looking at this stone for now and possibly shipping it to the store I'm getting the band from. http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3432234-1.01-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-VS2-Clarity.aspx?sku=3432234&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com


Another question -- according to this site http://www.goldmoney.com/metal-rates.html and others, platinum is very close in value to gold. Why are platinum rings still often around twice the cost of gold/white gold? Should I try to haggle the price down since the actual metals aren't priced much different?

 

[Riesz]

I have two diamonds on hold currently, which are:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.96-carat-I-color-VS1-clarity-Very-Good-cut-sku-175811

and

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3427223-1.00-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=3427223&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

Does anyone have experience with buying a diamond from one vendor and the band from another and shipping the diamond directly to the band vendor for setting? Unfortunately I've been unable to find similar diamonds of quality and price from the vendor with my band.

 

[04diamond<3]

I have two diamonds on hold currently, which are:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.96-carat-I-color-VS1-clarity-Very-Good-cut-sku-175811

and

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3427223-1.00-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=3427223&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

Does anyone have experience with buying a diamond from one vendor and the band from another and shipping the diamond directly to the band vendor for setting? Unfortunately I've been unable to find similar diamonds of quality and price from the vendor with my band.

Why do you have that on hold?!?!? We suggested gorgeous stones within your budget that are still available....I also wouldn't suggest buying from b2c because they don't have any pictures and I really don't like their service, or lack of.

 

[Riesz]

Oh sorry! I don't really know much of anything about them, I just did a diamond search here on Pricescope and noticed some of their stones rated well on the HCA for good prices. I figured it wouldn't hurt to put something on hold just to think about.

What's your opinion of the JA stone? It's $4600 with the Pricescope discount and rates 1.6 on the HCA.

I also spent a while on live chat with JA customer service and was extremely impressed. We talked about the JA band that is similar to the Zoara band I love http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engagement-rings/vintage/18k-white-gold-antique-bezel-and-pave-set-engagement-ring-item-1106-Purchased-8272

I talked to the rep about details I like in the Zoara band and they will see if it's possible to add them to the JA band. I mostly like the uniform stones on the Zoara band and milgrain edge throughout the entire band. Excited to hear back from JA

If I buy the stone and band from JA, I could possibly save around $500 or so and put the money toward either a slightly better stone or platinum band. I haven't decided how I'll use the possible savings yet, since I'm unsure how much the custom work on the band will cost.

 

[04diamond<3]

Ha, that's the one I was talking about. I'd suggest this, it scored a 1.9 on the HCA and it's a D SI1 for $4313:

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/Diamonds-1/GIA-Graded-Round-Diamond-0-83-Carat-D-Color-SI1-Clarity-220736.html

or this, it scored a 1.0 on the HCA and is an F:

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/Diamonds-1/GIA-Graded-Round-Diamond-0-92-Carat-F-Color-SI2-Clarity-222127.html


I'll look around JA some more...

 

[bunnycat]

In the short amount of time I've been planning this ring, I've found several lovely stones and they have all been sold in a day or so.

Looking at this stone for now and possibly shipping it to the store I'm getting the band from. http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3432234-1.01-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-VS2-Clarity.aspx?sku=3432234&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com


Another question -- according to this site http://www.goldmoney.com/metal-rates.html and others, platinum is very close in value to gold. Why are platinum rings still often around twice the cost of gold/white gold? Should I try to haggle the price down since the actual metals aren't priced much different?

Perhaps one of the jewelers on the board could answer best, but from my limited knowledge, platinum has to have special equipment to work with it. I know it has to get very hot, so regular oxygen/propane torches may not get hot enough, and I think you have to use some crazy number 4 or 5 welders goggles because the flame is so intense and can damage your eyes without blocking some of the intensity. Platinum is also denser (heavier?), so the same ring made out of platinum is going to weigh more than one made of gold so you can't just say, I'll take this ring in platinum and it would be the same as the gold one. These are just the few things that are creeping back to me from when I took jewelry making classes long ago.

As to your question about why not every GIA EX stone is also H/A. H/A is not a measure of light performance, it's a measure of symmetry. A neat effect of the cutting, if you will. GIA EX category is a broader range of stone proportions than AGS0, so there may be stones that are graded GIA EX that don't perform very well.