Absolute Newb: Where to start?

[Gypsy]

Platinum is a much better choice for a high quality engagement ring.

I would ask BGD to source a nice GIA 3X stone for your budget. They are great at that. Seriously.

 

[Jmlleiva]

Assuming you wanted the classic Tiffany half round (tapered/knife edge or not) in platinum, that leaves about $6750 left for the diamond.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/classic-style-half-round-platinum-5478p


This is the ONLY diamond in there inventory with specs G-J, VS2-SI that was less than $7000. It is a J with a touch of fluoro... don't know if I'd go below I, but that's all they had...

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.155-j-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104085573012

I did some calculations and going to move my budget back to 10K. I will but a good downpayment so it won't be a burden on me. I'm looking at Brian Gavin and their setting. I talked to them already. Just need to go ahead and give them the ok.

 

[Jmlleiva]

Platinum is a much better choice for a high quality engagement ring.

I would ask BGD to source a nice GIA 3X stone for your budget. They are great at that. Seriously.

What is a GIA 3x stone?

 

[msop04]

Platinum is a much better choice for a high quality engagement ring.

I would ask BGD to source a nice GIA 3X stone for your budget. They are great at that. Seriously.

What is a GIA 3x stone?

Excellent Cut
Excellent Polish
Excellent Symmetry

There is a wide variety of quality of XXX stones... then you have to run the HCA, get an IS/ASET/etc... Personally, I don't see the point in paying more at BG when you could get a larger stone for the same price and just use his setting. To me, the whole point of BG was for his AGS stones -- you can find a great XXX from many other vendors for less.

 

[Gypsy]

You csn get stone somewhere else, but you can also wait till they find you a stone and see if the price is competitive. If it is and they provide an ideal scope...one stop shopping.

I may have misread the issue though. I recommended the 3X cause I thought BGD didn't have an AGS0 in budget that meets you size/ spec requirements and you wanted one stop shopping. If they do, ignore me.

 

[Jmlleiva]

You can get stone somewhere else, but you can also wait till they find you a stone and see if the price is competitive. If it is and they provide an ideal scope...one stop shopping.

I may have misread the issue though. I recommended the 3X cause I thought BGD didn't have an AGS0 in budget that meets you size/ spec requirements and you wanted one stop shopping. If they do, ignore me.

How much do AGS0 stones usually cost? My budget is $10K, which people say is a very healthy budget. I'm fine with a 1 carat diamond since her finger is so small (5.5).

I want to do one stop shopping.

It seems like if I go with BGD, that I will be overpaying. But when I go look at James Allen, there are like a lot of holes I have to jump through to ensure it is a quality diamond. Am I better off just paying a little more to have a piece of mind with BGD.

Thanks

 

[msop04]

You can get stone somewhere else, but you can also wait till they find you a stone and see if the price is competitive. If it is and they provide an ideal scope...one stop shopping.

I may have misread the issue though. I recommended the 3X cause I thought BGD didn't have an AGS0 in budget that meets you size/ spec requirements and you wanted one stop shopping. If they do, ignore me.

How much do AGS0 stones usually cost? My budget is $10K, which people say is a very healthy budget. I'm fine with a 1 carat diamond since her finger is so small (5.5).

I want to do one stop shopping.

It seems like if I go with BGD, that I will be overpaying. But when I go look at James Allen, there are like a lot of holes I have to jump through to ensure it is a quality diamond. Am I better off just paying a little more to have a piece of mind with BGD.

Thanks

Personally, I'd rather let the PS community do the work for me (as far as jumping through hoops, you only have to inquire about the specific stones).

I think you could easily get a 1.2-1.3 ct diamond that is amazing through JA vs a 1 ct via BG. There will be a visual size difference. She will notice the difference.

 

[Jmlleiva]

You can get stone somewhere else, but you can also wait till they find you a stone and see if the price is competitive. If it is and they provide an ideal scope...one stop shopping.

I may have misread the issue though. I recommended the 3X cause I thought BGD didn't have an AGS0 in budget that meets you size/ spec requirements and you wanted one stop shopping. If they do, ignore me.

How much do AGS0 stones usually cost? My budget is $10K, which people say is a very healthy budget. I'm fine with a 1 carat diamond since her finger is so small (5.5).

I want to do one stop shopping.

It seems like if I go with BGD, that I will be overpaying. But when I go look at James Allen, there are like a lot of holes I have to jump through to ensure it is a quality diamond. Am I better off just paying a little more to have a piece of mind with BGD.

Thanks

Personally, I'd rather let the PS community do the work for me (as far as jumping through hoops, you only have to inquire about the specific stones).

I think you could easily get a 1.2-1.3 ct diamond that is amazing through JA vs a 1 ct via BG. There will be a visual size difference. She will notice the difference.

Yeh, but will the cut be the same? Looking for quality over quantity.

 

[msop04]

You can get stone somewhere else, but you can also wait till they find you a stone and see if the price is competitive. If it is and they provide an ideal scope...one stop shopping.

I may have misread the issue though. I recommended the 3X cause I thought BGD didn't have an AGS0 in budget that meets you size/ spec requirements and you wanted one stop shopping. If they do, ignore me.

How much do AGS0 stones usually cost? My budget is $10K, which people say is a very healthy budget. I'm fine with a 1 carat diamond since her finger is so small (5.5).

I want to do one stop shopping.

It seems like if I go with BGD, that I will be overpaying. But when I go look at James Allen, there are like a lot of holes I have to jump through to ensure it is a quality diamond. Am I better off just paying a little more to have a piece of mind with BGD.

Thanks

Personally, I'd rather let the PS community do the work for me (as far as jumping through hoops, you only have to inquire about the specific stones).

I think you could easily get a 1.2-1.3 ct diamond that is amazing through JA vs a 1 ct via BG. There will be a visual size difference. She will notice the difference.

Yeh, but will the cut be the same?

Yep. You just have to dig a little deeper. Esp since BG didn't have any AGS stones in budget.

 

[msop04]

You csn get stone somewhere else, but you can also wait till they find you a stone and see if the price is competitive. If it is and they provide an ideal scope...one stop shopping.

You could also see about this. See if BG can find you a GIA XXX diamond in the 1.2 to 1.3 range that is competitive in price with JA. May as well try.

 

[vintagelover229]

Why not an entire preloved ring? Lots of nice stone/setting combos out there for your budget. Which btw 8k is MORE than a fair budget, even half that is!

 

[msop04]

Why not an entire preloved ring? Lots of nice stone/setting combos out there for your budget. Which btw 8k is MORE than a favor budget, even half that is!

Great suggestion, vintagelover! [emoji1360]

OP, would you be open to that?

 

[vintagelover229]

Why not an entire preloved ring? Lots of nice stone/setting combos out there for your budget. Which btw 8k is MORE than a favor budget, even half that is!

Great suggestion, vintagelover! [emoji1360]

OP, would you be open to that?

I of course am bias, but that's bc my ring was preloved and after my AVR reset and recently listing it-I am hoping someone else buys "used" to get a good value so that way pretty preowned rings get love too! That's how I shop though, nearly all my pieces are preloved.

Sooo many nice settings on the preloved market too, for a variety of stone sizes. Saves a fortune not paying the mark up of retail. More bang for your buck!

 

[msop04]

This one is lovely.
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-36ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-i-vs1

 

[Jmlleiva]

You can get stone somewhere else, but you can also wait till they find you a stone and see if the price is competitive. If it is and they provide an ideal scope...one stop shopping.

I may have misread the issue though. I recommended the 3X cause I thought BGD didn't have an AGS0 in budget that meets you size/ spec requirements and you wanted one stop shopping. If they do, ignore me.

How much do AGS0 stones usually cost? My budget is $10K, which people say is a very healthy budget. I'm fine with a 1 carat diamond since her finger is so small (5.5).

I want to do one stop shopping.

It seems like if I go with BGD, that I will be overpaying. But when I go look at James Allen, there are like a lot of holes I have to jump through to ensure it is a quality diamond. Am I better off just paying a little more to have a piece of mind with BGD.

Thanks

Personally, I'd rather let the PS community do the work for me (as far as jumping through hoops, you only have to inquire about the specific stones).

I think you could easily get a 1.2-1.3 ct diamond that is amazing through JA vs a 1 ct via BG. There will be a visual size difference. She will notice the difference.

Yeh, but will the cut be the same?

Yep. You just have to dig a little deeper. Esp since BG didn't have any AGS stones in budget.

The stone I am looking at is AGS the guy tells me. It is within my budget. It is 1.16 Carats. I think the cost is $8K

 

[msop04]

You can get stone somewhere else, but you can also wait till they find you a stone and see if the price is competitive. If it is and they provide an ideal scope...one stop shopping.

I may have misread the issue though. I recommended the 3X cause I thought BGD didn't have an AGS0 in budget that meets you size/ spec requirements and you wanted one stop shopping. If they do, ignore me.

How much do AGS0 stones usually cost? My budget is $10K, which people say is a very healthy budget. I'm fine with a 1 carat diamond since her finger is so small (5.5).

I want to do one stop shopping.

It seems like if I go with BGD, that I will be overpaying. But when I go look at James Allen, there are like a lot of holes I have to jump through to ensure it is a quality diamond. Am I better off just paying a little more to have a piece of mind with BGD.

Thanks

Personally, I'd rather let the PS community do the work for me (as far as jumping through hoops, you only have to inquire about the specific stones).

I think you could easily get a 1.2-1.3 ct diamond that is amazing through JA vs a 1 ct via BG. There will be a visual size difference. She will notice the difference.

Yeh, but will the cut be the same?

Yep. You just have to dig a little deeper. Esp since BG didn't have any AGS stones in budget.

The stone I am looking at is AGS the guy tells me. It is within my budget. It is 1.16 Carats. I think the cost is $8K

What is the spread? That's what she'll see. Weight really doesn't matter, as some stones measure larger or smaller than others at the same carat weight.

 

[msop04]

Why not an entire preloved ring? Lots of nice stone/setting combos out there for your budget. Which btw 8k is MORE than a favor budget, even half that is!

Great suggestion, vintagelover! [emoji1360]

OP, would you be open to that?

I of course am bias, but that's bc my ring was preloved and after my AVR reset and recently listing it-I am hoping someone else buys "used" to get a good value so that way pretty preowned rings get love too! That's how I shop though, nearly all my pieces are preloved.

Sooo many nice settings on the preloved market too, for a variety of stone sizes. Saves a fortune not paying the mark up of retail. More bang for your buck!

I agree! [emoji389][emoji389][emoji389]

 

[vintagelover229]

Nice setting

https://loupetroop.com/listings/settings/hand-forged-steven-kirsch-platinum-double-claw-setting-sz-5-dot-5


https://loupetroop.com/listings/settings/18k-white-gold-whiteflash-vatche-venus-solitaire-setting

 

[ac117]

Are you looking at the H SI1 at BG?

Just so you could see what your money would buy you at James Allen - these are all their "True Hearts" diamonds (beautifully cut) and graded by AGS. http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/?CaratFrom=1.20&CaratTo=30&Color=I,H,G,F,E,D&Clarity=SI1,VS2,VS1,VVS2,VVS1,IF,FL&Cut=TrueHearts&PriceFrom=200&PriceTo=8500&Sort=Carat%20desc,%20DefaultOrder&ViewsOptions=Images

My pick would probably be this one because it gets you to the 7mm mark: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.32-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-1006237

 

[jetmal]

What about this gorgeous, and sizeable August Vintage Round? talk about bang for your buck! Totally within your budget, and larger than others you're looking at.....it's a rare find!!!!!


https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-diamond/1-dot-64-n-si-avr

 

[piano]

Mu husband spent $1000 on my ring and it was beautiful. I also don't particularly care for diamonds and he knew that so he got just the right ring for me. I absolutely love it. It could have been a bit smaller but because he chose it...I love it because he loves me. Size doesn't matter it is the meaning behind it that is what counts.

You win the heart of every man on Earth, sis.

 

[Jmlleiva]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...ls/1.165-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104084591004

This is the diamond I'm looking at.

 

[msop04]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...ls/1.165-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104084591004

This is the diamond I'm looking at.

That diamond is beautiful, no doubt. That said, I don't think there is any reason why you shouldn't meet or exceed the 7 mm mark with your budget.

 

[Jmlleiva]

What about this gorgeous, and sizeable August Vintage Round? talk about bang for your buck! Totally within your budget, and larger than others you're looking at.....it's a rare find!!!!!


https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-diamond/1-dot-64-n-si-avr

Too big, she is a size 5.5

 

[Jmlleiva]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...ls/1.165-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104084591004

This is the diamond I'm looking at.

That diamond is beautiful, no doubt. That said, I don't think there is any reason why you shouldn't meet or exceed the 7 mm mark with your budget.

What is 7mm?

 

[msop04]

What about this gorgeous, and sizeable August Vintage Round? talk about bang for your buck! Totally within your budget, and larger than others you're looking at.....it's a rare find!!!!!


https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-diamond/1-dot-64-n-si-avr

Too big, she is a size 5.5

If you think she'd like that and wanted to pursue it, that ring can easily be sized, no? Appears to be sizable.

 

[msop04]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...ls/1.165-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104084591004

This is the diamond I'm looking at.

That diamond is beautiful, no doubt. That said, I don't think there is any reason why you shouldn't meet or exceed the 7 mm mark with your budget.

What is 7mm?

I think you're confusing carat weight with the size of the diamond. To be clear, two diamonds of the saying carat weight may face up differently in size.

The spread is the diameter of the diamond, which is the size. That is what you see when you look at a diamond.

A 7+ mm spread/diameter is what you should shoot for, given your budget.

 

[Jmlleiva]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...ls/1.165-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104084591004

This is the diamond I'm looking at.

That diamond is beautiful, no doubt. That said, I don't think there is any reason why you shouldn't meet or exceed the 7 mm mark with your budget.

What is 7mm?

I think you're confusing carat weight with the size of the diamond. To be clear, two diamonds of the saying carat weight may face up differently in size.

The spread is the diameter of the diamond, which is the size. That is what you see when you look at a diamond.

A 7+ mm spread/diameter is what you should shoot for, given your budget.

Ahh, okay. Gotcha

 

[Jmlleiva]

[deleted] Answered my own question.

 

[vintagelover229]

What about this gorgeous, and sizeable August Vintage Round? talk about bang for your buck! Totally within your budget, and larger than others you're looking at.....it's a rare find!!!!!


https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-diamond/1-dot-64-n-si-avr

Too big, she is a size 5.5

If you think she'd like that and wanted to pursue it, that ring can easily be sized, no? Appears to be sizable.

Thanks for the link jetmal: This is my current wedding set and yes-it can easily be sized from a 4.5 to a 5.5-the band is currently attached to the engagement ring (soldered together) but could taken apart. I'm bias but I think she'd probably faint if she were to open a box with this ring in it-I know I did! But then again he can't really go wrong with PSers help and an 8k budget-she'll faint no matter what he ends up with