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Clueless guy looking for some new ideas on Princess cut

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gofarhaveacigar

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 6, 2013
Messages
12
Hey guys,

I'm pretty new to this and have been doing some research. I'm looking to propose in about 3 weeks and realized I'm a bit late to the game on searching, so I'm trying to do as much as I can in the next week or so and order a ring online. I need to have it in hand by 2/25 before we leave on our trip.

Must haves: Princess cut, some sort of smaller stones on the band (no solitaire) - prever a Pave (I think that's the right term?). I've been told I should spend more money on the diamond than the setting, but I don't want it to look too plain or cheap.


Total Budget: $3500-4000 (prefer on the lower side)

Setting: Something similar to this - http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?forceStep=STYLE_STEP&offer_id=20311

Any other recommendations for something similar? She likes plain but elegant settings, so nothing too fancy. My concern with the one I linked is that it's eating up a big portion of the budget, which I'd rather focus more on the diamond itself than the setting.

Cut - Not sure what kind of ratings there are for it. I know Blue Nile ranks them - and I've been looking at "Very Good" for the most part. How to other retailers rank them?
Clarity - SI1+ - Looking for something not visible to the eye, but I don't care about anything clearer than that.
Color - Prefer near colorless, so H and above.
Carat - My price range puts me at around .7-.8, is that right? Obviously the bigger the better within budget, but I haven't seen much that's bigger than that.

Any recommendations on what other settings to look at? Any recommendations for specific stones?

I've been primarily looking at Blue Nile since that's the more famous one, but I've seen some good links on this site which opened my options a little bit to other online retailers.

Much appreciate the help!!!!!
 
JulieN|1360141350|3373427 said:
2/25 is VERY short time.

From BN, seriously, go with this one, it is totally in budget and is over 5mm: http://www.bluenile.com/princess-cut-diamond-1-carat-or-less-signature-ideal-cut-i-color-vvs2-clarity_LD03051061?click_id=844014885
Click to expand...

Why do you say that 2/25 is a VERY short time? A lot of what I see on BN is available within a few days. I guess I was just going by those dates, thinking I had plenty of time - is that not the case? I've been doing research for a while, just not seriously looking at specific diamonds and settings until now.

What sets that diamond apart from the others? My main concern is the I coloring of it. Won't it appear slightly warm/yellow? There's a note on the BN report that says: "Note: If this diamond has medium or strong blue fluorescence, its slight tint will be partially masked, making the diamond appear whiter to the eye." I'm not sure exactly what that means.
 
BN turnaround is very fast. I would expect many places are busy for Valentine's Day.

What makes the .76 awesome is that it is one of the better cut Blue Nile Signature Ideals in your budget, I looked through a lot of them. At 5.08 mm it has good spread for its weight. And the price gives you some flexibility in your setting choice.

I color in this size is really very white. I is considered near colorless, we don't get to faint yellow until K. It is not cold colorless, though.

Other option is a cushion. How do you feel about that?
This is really nice: http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.71-carat-I-color-SI1-clarity-sku-120179
At 5.36mm, it is about the same size as the 5.08 princess... but for $2000.
Some alternatives: http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.73-carat-I-color-VS1-clarity-sku-38222
http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.72-carat-I-color-VVS2-clarity-sku-138226
If you are interested, ask for gemologist's inspection on them.

You can pair it with this and be in budget it is a very Tiffany Novo-like look: http://jamesallen.com/#!/Engagement-Rings/Pave-Rings/Platinum-Art-Nouveau-2.0mm-Pave-Set-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-item-1575
There are also some cheaper settings if you don't want to spend that much: http://jamesallen.com/#!/Engagement-Rings/Pave-Rings/Platinum-0.32ct-French-Cut-Pave-Diamond-Engagement-Ring--item-1301

I guess I don't really want to go below the equivalent of 5x5 princess when I already linked you one in budget on BN.
 
Firstly I would say that is a short space of time so if you are serious about sticking to it you need to buy only 'in house' diamonds and you need to buy the diamond at the same place as the setting so you don't waste any shipping time. Also please check with you chosen vendor they get you the ring you want in time.

I would not buy a princess without an ASET. Cut grades given buy diamond vendors do not mean anything. An ASET image is the only way to virtually assess princess diamonds. For that reason I would not recommend buying a stone from blue nile as they do not give actual photos of the diamond nor ASETs.

SET 1:
Setting $751 + diamond $2995 = $ 3746
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...pen-cathedral-diamond-engagement-ring-626.htm
0.76 ct G VS2 http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2874874.htm

SET 2:
Setting: $1135 + diamond $2520 = $ 3655
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...o-micro-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-1011.htm
0.698 ct I VS1 http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2681934.htm

SET 3: This would be my pic beacuse i love the setting and think this diamond is good value for the money
Setting $1625 + diamond $1609 = $ 3234
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...ve-diamond-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1653.htm
0.625 ct I VS2 http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2835506.htm

SET 3:
Setting: $1270 + Diamond $1940 = $ 3210
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/gina-18k-white-gold-5587w18
0.731 J VS2http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...j-vs2-princess-diamond-active-bl-104062164009

What do you think?
 
This would be my choice

Diamond: http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/10156/

It is a princess of hearts, basically it is a square cut with optics more like a round, gorgeous :love:

It also has a larger spread so it will appear bigger than the other choices.

Here are some settings from GOG if you are interested in any of them I would contact GOG asap

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8061W44JJ

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8057W44JJ

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8030W44JJ

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7990W44JJ

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8016W44JJ

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7985W44JJ
 
+1 on the stone and setting options that Farmer Gal posted. It's on the high end of your budget, but your soon-to-be fiance will be WOWED by it ! Great find! :appl:
 
You could check on this one. It looks kind of dark in the picture for an H. I would ask JA about that. You would need to
ask for an aset image.

$2570 + PS discount
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.78-carat-H-color-VS2-clarity-sku-194230

With this $1080
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-0.32ct-french-cut-pave-diamond-engagement-ring---item-2496
or this setting $650 (may be a little too danity)
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-289
 
chel180|1360149420|3373447 said:
Firstly I would say that is a short space of time so if you are serious about sticking to it you need to buy only 'in house' diamonds and you need to buy the diamond at the same place as the setting so you don't waste any shipping time. Also please check with you chosen vendor they get you the ring you want in time.

I would not buy a princess without an ASET. Cut grades given buy diamond vendors do not mean anything. An ASET image is the only way to virtually assess princess diamonds. For that reason I would not recommend buying a stone from blue nile as they do not give actual photos of the diamond nor ASETs.

SET 1:
Setting $751 + diamond $2995 = $ 3746
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...pen-cathedral-diamond-engagement-ring-626.htm
0.76 ct G VS2 http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2874874.htm

SET 2:
Setting: $1135 + diamond $2520 = $ 3655
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...o-micro-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-1011.htm
0.698 ct I VS1 http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2681934.htm

SET 3: This would be my pic beacuse i love the setting and think this diamond is good value for the money
Setting $1625 + diamond $1609 = $ 3234
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...ve-diamond-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1653.htm
0.625 ct I VS2 http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2835506.htm

SET 3:
Setting: $1270 + Diamond $1940 = $ 3210
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/gina-18k-white-gold-5587w18
0.731 J VS2http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...j-vs2-princess-diamond-active-bl-104062164009

What do you think?
Click to expand...

Is there a reason that you specifically paired certain diamonds with certain settings? I know she prefers the non-cathedral type setting. I think I like your #2 the best, but is there a reason that I shouldn't pick that setting and pair it with a different diamond?
 
farmer gal|1360155808|3373469 said:
This would be my choice

Diamond: http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/10156/

It is a princess of hearts, basically it is a square cut with optics more like a round, gorgeous :love:

It also has a larger spread so it will appear bigger than the other choices.

Here are some settings from GOG if you are interested in any of them I would contact GOG asap

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8061W44JJ

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8057W44JJ

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8030W44JJ

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7990W44JJ

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8016W44JJ

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7985W44JJ
Click to expand...

Aren't these settings different from goodoldgold? Wouldn't I lose a lot of time on shipping the diamond to get it set somewhere else? I'd prefer to do it all in 1 place. I do like that diamond though.
 
gofarhaveacigar|1360183507|3373856 said:
farmer gal|1360155808|3373469 said:
This would be my choice

Diamond: http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/10156/

It is a princess of hearts, basically it is a square cut with optics more like a round, gorgeous :love:

It also has a larger spread so it will appear bigger than the other choices.

Here are some settings from GOG if you are interested in any of them I would contact GOG asap

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8061W44JJ

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8057W44JJ

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8030W44JJ

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7990W44JJ

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8016W44JJ

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7985W44JJ
Click to expand...

Aren't these settings different from goodoldgold? Wouldn't I lose a lot of time on shipping the diamond to get it set somewhere else? I'd prefer to do it all in 1 place. I do like that diamond though.
Click to expand...

Gog sells gabriel,and co you could do it all in one place. I much prefer thase to princesses BUT if she was insistent on a princess she may be dissapointed. Very different looks
 
I just posted them like that to show you want you could get for your budget. You can mix and match at will.

Princess of hearts are lovely but they don't look anything like princesses. If your girlfriend really like princesses stick to princesses. If she also likes rounds and isn't fixed on princesses then a PoH would be a fantastic choice.

GoG stock some Gabriel and co setting but you would need to call and see what they have available you your size.

If you go for a PoH then GoG is the only sticker so go with them. If you definitely want a princesses then I would send you to Wf purely because they have several fab diamonds and several fab settings so you will have more choice.
 
Ok I think I've started narrowing down my options. I think I'm going to go with James Allen - they seem to have a good selection of diamonds and more importantly, pictures of diamonds. They also are providing ASET images which helps me a bit (even if I'm only pretending to know what I'm talking about when I look at them).

I like this setting a lot, and it's one of the cheaper ones, which leaves me with a lot of options for diamonds. Here's the setting:
http://jamesallen.com/#!/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-0.32ct-french-cut-pave-diamond-engagement-ring---item-7090

It has a 5 day manufacturing time, so that means I have a few days before I need to order it.

As for diamonds,

I requested ASET images for these 3 (which are now on hold until the images come back):

http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.77-carat-H-color-VS1-clarity-sku-169331
AND
http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.83-carat-I-color-VS1-clarity-sku-176835
AND
http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.76-carat-H-color-VS1-clarity-sku-177061

is there any other ones I missed that I should consider?

Is there anything else I should ask or anything I should be aware of?
 
chel180|1360199310|3374037 said:
I just posted them like that to show you want you could get for your budget. You can mix and match at will.

Princess of hearts are lovely but they don't look anything like princesses. If your girlfriend really like princesses stick to princesses. If she also likes rounds and isn't fixed on princesses then a PoH would be a fantastic choice.

GoG stock some Gabriel and co setting but you would need to call and see what they have available you your size.

If you go for a PoH then GoG is the only sticker so go with them. If you definitely want a princesses then I would send you to Wf purely because they have several fab diamonds and several fab settings so you will have more choice.
Click to expand...
Yeah I think she had her mind set on the princess cut, so I'm hesitant to get away from it.
 
[quote="gofarhaveacigar|1360227966|3374248" Here's the setting:
http://jamesallen.com/#!/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-0.32ct-french-cut-pave-diamond-engagement-ring---item-7090

As for diamonds,

I requested ASET images for these 3 (which are now on hold until the images come back):

http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.77-carat-H-color-VS1-clarity-sku-169331
AND
http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.83-carat-I-color-VS1-clarity-sku-176835
AND
http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.76-carat-H-color-VS1-clarity-sku-177061

is there any other ones I missed that I should consider?

Is there anything else I should ask or anything I should be aware of?[/quote]

That setting in platinum is only $1300, I suggest you get that and then fit the diamond to the rest of your budget.

The only one of those that will ASET reasonably well is the .83. Lose the other two.

http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.90-carat-H-color-VS1-clarity-sku-196153
http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.82-carat-I-color-VVS2-clarity-sku-176837
http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.81-carat-I-color-VVS2-clarity-sku-176839
http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.78-carat-I-color-VVS1-clarity-sku-176842
 
JulieN|1360231517|3374254 said:
That setting in platinum is only $1300, I suggest you get that and then fit the diamond to the rest of your budget.

The only one of those that will ASET reasonably well is the .83. Lose the other two.

http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.90-carat-H-color-VS1-clarity-sku-196153
http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.82-carat-I-color-VVS2-clarity-sku-176837
http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.81-carat-I-color-VVS2-clarity-sku-176839
http://jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.78-carat-I-color-VVS1-clarity-sku-176842
Click to expand...

Why do you say that the other 2 won't ASET well? I guess I'm confused at what to look for in a diamond other than the big 4 C's.
 
Because after one looks at enough of these pictures and their corresponding ASETs, I can predict them with some accuracy.

Look at the difference between the two I didn't like, and the five I did like.
 
It's not a polish issue... poor polish doesn't look like that.

It's not a clarity issue at VS1... I have been trying to figure it out, too. I think it is just dirty. Fingerprints + dust.
 
JulieN|1360264842|3374566 said:
It's not a polish issue... poor polish doesn't look like that.

It's not a clarity issue at VS1... I have been trying to figure it out, too. I think it is just dirty. Fingerprints + dust.
Click to expand...
Well I guess it's time to wait 3 days for the ASET images. Once I get them back I'll post them here and try to come to a decision.

Thanks for your help Julie!
 
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