Absolute Newb: Where to start?

[Jmlleiva]

Talked to her last night. She changed her mind on the yellow. She wants a regular diamond, nothing fancy colored. I'm thinking a round cut.

I think she would like 3 Stone Setting, but a solitaire would also work.

What clarity/carat/color combo should I be looking for to get the best value. My budget is $10-12K. This includes setting.

Specific links would be awesome as I am clueless. Thanks for the ideas.

 

[msop04]

Talked to her last night. She changed her mind on the yellow. She wants a regular diamond, nothing fancy colored. I'm thinking a round cut.

I think she would like 3 Stone Setting, but simpler is okay.

Well, that certainly helps narrow it down. ...a three stone setting will be significantly more expensive than a solitaire or one with smaller diamonds. Did she say she wanted a three stone, specifically? The reason I ask is bc if you used almost all your budget on the center diamond in a solitaire or simpler setting, she could upgrade to a three stone later on or for an anniversary...

 

[msop04]

If it were me, I'd reach out to IDJ and have Yuki find you the biggest, best "PS-picky" rock for your budget and set it in a classic six prong solitaire in platinum. ...but I'm a size whore, so...

 

[farrahlyn]

maybe i'm in the minority but if she's mentioned 3 stone, go 3 stone! SO classy and you can still afford a nice sized center stone with your budget. I really like the WF Trellis setting ($2109 [with wire transfer] with the .50ctw side stones) and looking at the pictures, a 1.3ct/1.4ct stone looks really nice in that setting. VERY classy setting i think and a 3 stone really packs a punch visually.

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...tone-trellis-diamond-engagement-ring-1428.htm

There are some nice 1.3/1.4ct ACA's and Expert Selections within your remaining budget. Do a wire transfer and you get a little discount too.

 

[msop04]

maybe i'm in the minority but if she's mentioned 3 stone, go 3 stone! SO classy and you can still afford a nice sized center stone with your budget. I really like the WF Trellis setting ($2109 [with wire transfer] with the .50ctw side stones) and looking at the pictures, a 1.3ct/1.4ct stone looks really nice in that setting. VERY classy setting i think and a 3 stone really packs a punch visually.

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...tone-trellis-diamond-engagement-ring-1428.htm

There are some nice 1.3/1.4ct ACA's and Expert Selections within your remaining budget. Do a wire transfer and you get a little discount too.

Oh, I love a 3-stone, don't get me wrong! ...I just thought that, unless she specifically mentioned it, then I'd go for the biggest diamond! hehehe

 

[farrahlyn]

maybe i'm in the minority but if she's mentioned 3 stone, go 3 stone! SO classy and you can still afford a nice sized center stone with your budget. I really like the WF Trellis setting ($2109 [with wire transfer] with the .50ctw side stones) and looking at the pictures, a 1.3ct/1.4ct stone looks really nice in that setting. VERY classy setting i think and a 3 stone really packs a punch visually.

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...tone-trellis-diamond-engagement-ring-1428.htm

There are some nice 1.3/1.4ct ACA's and Expert Selections within your remaining budget. Do a wire transfer and you get a little discount too.

Oh, I love a 3-stone, don't get me wrong! ...I just thought that, unless she specifically mentioned it, then I'd go for the biggest diamond! hehehe

Absolutely, I don't think you can go wrong with either one!

 

[Jmlleiva]

I went to a jeweler here in Virginia. I told them my budget and showed them a picture of what I was looking for. The picture I showed her is shown below.



She told me I would want a diamond to be at least I in color and in the S1 Range. (My budget is 10-12K).
She said the ratio should be 3 to 1. (Side diamonds should be a 1)


I did some of my own preliminary research on Blue Nile and got this. I'm flying blind since I don't know what I'm doing. Let me know what you guys think.

 

[msop04]

I went to a jeweler here in Virginia. I told them my budget and showed them a picture of what I was looking for.

She told me I would want a diamond to be at least I in color and in the S1 Range. (My budget is 10-12K).

The setting you choose will be a major factor in how much you'll have left in the budget for a center stone? So are you going to go with a solitaire or a three stone?

 

[Jmlleiva]

I went to a jeweler here in Virginia. I told them my budget and showed them a picture of what I was looking for.

She told me I would want a diamond to be at least I in color and in the S1 Range. (My budget is 10-12K).

The setting you choose will be a major factor in how much you'll have left in the budget for a center stone? So are you going to go with a solitaire or a three stone?

I'm open to going with either. As long as it is within my budget. ($10-$12K). I prefer a three stone.

Is a three stone necessarily more expensive? My friend told me that isn't always the case.

 

[msop04]

I went to a jeweler here in Virginia. I told them my budget and showed them a picture of what I was looking for.

She told me I would want a diamond to be at least I in color and in the S1 Range. (My budget is 10-12K).

The setting you choose will be a major factor in how much you'll have left in the budget for a center stone? So are you going to go with a solitaire or a three stone?

I'm open to going with either. As long as it is within my budget. ($10-$12K). I prefer a three stone.

Is a three stone necessarily more expensive? My friend told me that isn't always the case.

A setting with larger diamonds on the sides will be MUCH more expensive than a classic solitaire setting. This will eat into the budget significantly for the center stone. A solitaire will allow a larger diamond. A three stone will not. It's just preference.

 

[Jmlleiva]

I went to a jeweler here in Virginia. I told them my budget and showed them a picture of what I was looking for.

She told me I would want a diamond to be at least I in color and in the S1 Range. (My budget is 10-12K).

The setting you choose will be a major factor in how much you'll have left in the budget for a center stone? So are you going to go with a solitaire or a three stone?

I'm open to going with either. As long as it is within my budget. ($10-$12K). I prefer a three stone.

Is a three stone necessarily more expensive? My friend told me that isn't always the case.

A setting with larger diamonds on the sides will be MUCH more expensive than a classic solitaire setting. This will eat into the budget significantly for the center stone. A solitaire will allow a larger diamond. A three stone will not. It's just preference.

Ah, gotcha.

So if I were to go for Solitaire with my budget (10-12K), what diamond do you recommend? I'm clueless when it comes to color and clarity. I feel like there are so many combinations.

 

[msop04]

Ah, gotcha.

So if I were to go for Solitaire with my budget (10-12K), what diamond do you recommend? I'm clueless when it comes to color and clarity. I feel like there are so many combinations.

Is your gf color sensitive? Have you looked at diamonds together? If not, I'd say try for H color and eye clean... Let me see what I can find.

 

[Jmlleiva]

Might I add that she wears a size 5 1/2 - 6. I don't know if that makes a difference. The lady told me that the setting shown below wouldn't look good because her finger is small. The three stone setting would work but nothing on the sides since it wouldn't be visible.

 

[Jmlleiva]

Ah, gotcha.

So if I were to go for Solitaire with my budget (10-12K), what diamond do you recommend? I'm clueless when it comes to color and clarity. I feel like there are so many combinations.

Is your gf color sensitive? Have you looked at diamonds together? If not, I'd say try for H color and eye clean... Let me see what I can find.

Thanks for responding msop04.

What does color sensitive mean? I think it means how unclear it is. I would like the diamond to be clear.

No we haven't looked at Diamonds together.

What does Eye Clean mean?

Thanks for the help. Excuse the question. Newbie here trying to get the most bang for my buck. Thanks.

 

[msop04]

Might I add that she wears a size 5 1/2 - 6. I don't know if that makes a difference. The lady told me that the setting shown below wouldn't look good because her finger is small. The three stone setting would work but nothing on the sides since it wouldn't be visible.

Hmmmm... If I'm being honest, I do not like that ring. At all. It looks very dated. Her ring size is on the smaller side, so that's a good thing - - diamond will look bigger!

 

[ringo865]

That picture you showed has three diamonds but also it has a bunch of diamonds going down the sides. Those extra stones cost money. Also, I note the center stone you chose is only a very good cut. PSers recommend GIA excellent cut or AGS ideal cut. You could drop clarity from VVS, as a vs2 and likely even si1 will be eye-clean.

I would, like some other posters suggest, get a big nice solitaire now, and then if she wanted to change it to a three stone later.

 

[Jmlleiva]

That picture you showed has three diamonds but also it has a bunch of diamonds going down the sides. Those extra stones cost money. Also, I note the center stone you chose is only a very good cut. PSers recommend GIA excellent cut or AGS ideal cut. You could drop clarity from VVS, as a vs2 and likely even si1 will be eye-clean.

I would, like some other posters suggest, get a big nice solitaire now, and then if she wanted to change it to a three stone later.

Yeh, I think that is the best way to go. Any suggestions?

My budget is $10-12K with setting. I would prefer more towards the $10K side.

 

[Jmlleiva]

Might I add that she wears a size 5 1/2 - 6. I don't know if that makes a difference. The lady told me that the setting shown below wouldn't look good because her finger is small. The three stone setting would work but nothing on the sides since it wouldn't be visible.

Hmmmm... If I'm being honest, I do not like that ring. At all. It looks very dated. Her ring size is on the smaller side, so that's a good thing - - diamond will look bigger!

Yeh, she has small hands. I think I may switch to Solitaire now and later on if she wants a three stone, I could go that route.

I just feel like Solitaires are boring. I hope to be proven wrong.

 

[msop04]

Ah, gotcha.

So if I were to go for Solitaire with my budget (10-12K), what diamond do you recommend? I'm clueless when it comes to color and clarity. I feel like there are so many combinations.

Is your gf color sensitive? Have you looked at diamonds together? If not, I'd say try for H color and eye clean... Let me see what I can find.

Thanks for responding msop04.

What does color sensitive mean? I think it means how unclear it is. I would like the diamond to be clear.

No we haven't looked at Diamonds together.

What does Eye Clean mean?

Thanks for the help. Excuse the question. Newbie here trying to get the most bang for my buck. Thanks.

In other words...

Some people can see tint in otherwise colorless stones and others cannot. I am not very color sensitive. I have a 3.33 ct I color and it looks amazingly white to my eyes. I had a 2.43 ct J before, and I could notice a little tint at certain angles and on the side. I don't see any in my I color though.

Eye clean refers to the clarity of the stone. An "eye clean" stone will appear to have no inclusions visible to the unaided eye. Your best bet is to try to find a clean SI to maximize your budget. If not, then you'd have to go to VS, which is considerably more expensive.

No worries! These are good questions!

 

[msop04]

Might I add that she wears a size 5 1/2 - 6. I don't know if that makes a difference. The lady told me that the setting shown below wouldn't look good because her finger is small. The three stone setting would work but nothing on the sides since it wouldn't be visible.

Hmmmm... If I'm being honest, I do not like that ring. At all. It looks very dated. Her ring size is on the smaller side, so that's a good thing - - diamond will look bigger!

Yeh, she has small hands. I think I may switch to Solitaire now and later on if she wants a three stone, I could go that route.

I just feel like Solitaires are boring. I hope to be proven wrong.

I think that's the best decision... can't go wrong with a solitaire! Let me look around!

 

[leukolenos]

Might I add that she wears a size 5 1/2 - 6. I don't know if that makes a difference. The lady told me that the setting shown below wouldn't look good because her finger is small. The three stone setting would work but nothing on the sides since it wouldn't be visible.

Hmmmm... If I'm being honest, I do not like that ring. At all. It looks very dated. Her ring size is on the smaller side, so that's a good thing - - diamond will look bigger!

Yeh, she has small hands. I think I may switch to Solitaire now and later on if she wants a three stone, I could go that route.

I just feel like Solitaires are boring. I hope to be proven wrong.

Solitaires are totally not boring! There's a reason everyone and their mom copies the classic Tiffany
That being said, there are some really unique solitaire settings!

Like this- I love this one! https://www.etsy.com/listing/236143478/the-julia-diamond-eight-prong-solitaire?ref=shop_home_active_3

 

[Jmlleiva]

Might I add that she wears a size 5 1/2 - 6. I don't know if that makes a difference. The lady told me that the setting shown below wouldn't look good because her finger is small. The three stone setting would work but nothing on the sides since it wouldn't be visible.

Hmmmm... If I'm being honest, I do not like that ring. At all. It looks very dated. Her ring size is on the smaller side, so that's a good thing - - diamond will look bigger!

Yeh, she has small hands. I think I may switch to Solitaire now and later on if she wants a three stone, I could go that route.

I just feel like Solitaires are boring. I hope to be proven wrong.

Solitaires are totally not boring! There's a reason everyone and their mom copies the classic Tiffany
That being said, there are some really unique solitaire settings!

Like this- I love this one! https://www.etsy.com/listing/236143478/the-julia-diamond-eight-prong-solitaire?ref=shop_home_active_3

Doesn't that one have diamonds on the side, which will decrease the amount I can spend on my center diamond?

 

[msop04]

What about this:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.65-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1071370
...and, yes, I know this scores 2.7 on the HCA, but I still think it would be pretty.

In this setting:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-six-prong-knife-edged-solitaire-engagement-ring-handmade-item-2426
This is the prettiest solitaire setting! Very classic Tiffany!

I will keep looking...

 

[msop04]

Or this old cut in a solitaire. If you like it, I'd ask if they'd take less...

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00/1-59ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-i-vs2#.VykCuv7mrIU

 

[Jmlleiva]

What about this:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.65-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1071370
...and, yes, I know this scores 2.7 on the HCA, but I still think it would be pretty.

In this setting:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-six-prong-knife-edged-solitaire-engagement-ring-handmade-item-2426
This is the prettiest solitaire setting! Very classic Tiffany!

I will keep looking...

What does 2.7 on the HCA mean?

 

[msop04]

What about this:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.65-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1071370
...and, yes, I know this scores 2.7 on the HCA, but I still think it would be pretty.

In this setting:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-six-prong-knife-edged-solitaire-engagement-ring-handmade-item-2426
This is the prettiest solitaire setting! Very classic Tiffany!

I will keep looking...

What does 2.7 on the HCA mean?

The HCA is an exclusion tool... a score of 2 or below would warrant another look, and a score of above 2 would be excluded. I will say that there have been stones that scored above 2 that were still lovely, despite the HCA score.

 

[msop04]

I wanted to add that the HCA only applies to modern cut rounds.

 

[Jmlleiva]

What is a better bang for your buck, James Allen or Blue Nile?

I want to order the diamond online and have them set it.

 

[msop04]

What is a better bang for your buck, James Allen or Blue Nile?

I want to order the diamond online and have them set it.

I never look at BN's inventory because you can't see the stones. You'd have to choose a VS to ensure that it's clean. That can eat up a budget when there are eye clean SI's that are less expensive. BN has good diamonds, I just can't recommend any of them unless the specs are higher.

 

[msop04]

To better answer your question, BN is less expensive than JA by a little. The downfall is that you can't see the stones, so it can be a little more difficult to choose a nice one. That said, BN has a great return policy should you decide to use them. I didn't want you to think BN was "bad" or whatever.