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Diamond/Ring n00b about to take the plunge... Need Advice

J

jaysen

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 25, 2014
Messages
4
First off, thanks in advance! This site has been an overwhelming burst of knowledge. I happened to stumble upon it while researching "diamond selecting" a few months back and find myself only jumping on the computer now to check the forums ;)

Anyway, to give you some history my girlfriend (soon to be Fiance) and I have been together 8 years - I know, i know. When we first talked about marriage we had a budget of about $20K, but over the course of time, she decided (with no convincing) that there is no need to spend that much money on a ring; I couldn't agree more. Although no "new amount" has been sent, she has sent me links of rings in the $3-5K typically with a 1C diamond.

She recently fell in love with a Ritani French-Set Halo setting - http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/french-set-halo-diamond-band-engagement-ring-in-platinum/4973 - I would love to surprise her with a bigger diamond without her actually getting upset that I spent more than what she had been looking at. Yes, she's the type of girl that would actually get upset! We've got two kids, so when she says the money can be spent elsewhere it really can ;)

Anyway, I've been reading up on how others have gone through authorized dealers to get a lower price then what Ritan lists as Retail on their website but with some caveats - ie. customer service, warranty issues, etc. IS going through an authorized dealer really a better way to get a "deal" on Ritani jewelry? My thinking behind this is if she was pricing that setting with a 1 carat, I can perhaps splurge for a 1.5 or possibly even 2 Carat, and still stay under 10K.

Without giving up "trade secrets" is there a ton of markup on Diamonds, or is it in the settings?

Here are my diamond requirements;

GIA Cert
Color - J or better (or is this too high for that setting and would be noticeable)
Cut - Very Good
Clarity - SI2; I'm OK with any inclusions so longs as they are not seen with the unaided eye
 
Re: Diamond/Ring n00b about to take the plunge... Need Advi

By and large the largest markup on diamonds will not be found on the internet (stones or settings). There are so many reputable dealers trying to serve their customers and such instant access to review sights (Yelp, here on PS, etc...) that you are likely to find the “best” prices online. Then it becomes a matter of refining your criteria to meet your expectations.

That said - consider the following for the diamond for which you are shopping.

GIA Grading Report: Fine. Add AGS to that.
Color – J or better: Stay with top cut, and the face-up appearance will be whiter than the lab grade, which was assigned viewing the diamond upside-down.
Cut – Very Good: Reconsider this! Please change this to GIA EX+ or AGS Ideal. You will see again and again in this forum that cut has the most impact on diamond beauty, and can make a diamond appear whiter than its lab color grade, larger because of more edge to edge light return, and can even mask inclusions.
Clarity – SI2: Instead, just say “Eye-Clean.” That might be SI1, SI2 or even the remote/rare I1 (if strictly graded)…clearly SI2 is more practical and will be the best for the budget.

I can perhaps splurge for a 1.5 or possibly even 2 Carat, and still stay under 10K.
Click to expand...

It’s possible. You have identified the market where you’ll find the least markup (online). To get the lowest priced 1.50 – 2.00ct diamond in your budget that is eye-clean will require interfacing with someone who can communicate and accommodate your standards for eye-clean. It’s also going to involve deciding the level of cut quality you’re comfortable with. Here I would suggest you do not soften. There are different levels within GIA EX visually. The good people here can assist you in arriving at the best measurements for performance.

In all of that, the best decision you have made so far is to start this thread and ask the questions you’re asking.
 
Re: Diamond/Ring n00b about to take the plunge... Need Advi

Brian

Thanks for the great information! Since my post, I've been exchanging emails with a gemologist from Ritani. She's been plenty helpful and once I narrow down some of the diamonds I like, and that are in my price range, she will send photos over!

I think I'll stick with the website for this first purchase, and not risk customer service/warranty by savings a couple hundred bucks elsewhere... I'll post some of the dimaonds I'm looking at for everyone opinion shortly.
 
Re: Diamond/Ring n00b about to take the plunge... Need Advi

Ok, so dumb question;

I've been searching Ritani's site for diamonds and cannot find a Cushion diamond in anything above "Very Good" cut. I was told by the gemologist this is the Best Cut, for Cushions, GIA will report.

Also, how important are Symmetry and Polish? should I be looking for EX on both?

I'm starting to believe that finding a 1.5 carat plus diamond, that appears WHITE, for under $8K does not exist... :blackeye:
 
Re: Diamond/Ring n00b about to take the plunge... Need Advi

Wouldn't even consider looking for a cushion on the Ritani site, because I don't think they offer pictures of all their stones.

The setting you have chosen has a cushion shaped halo but is designed for a round stone. Is there some reason you aren't looking for a round? It would be easier to find an excellent cut round than a cushion.

WhiteFlash also sells Ritani and they have superior round diamonds. That would be my recommendation, but if you want to buy from Ritani, I'd suggest switching to rounds. I'd go to Good Old Gold for cushions.

I think a 1.25-1.3 ct round would be great in that setting and appear plenty large. I would definitely not go below I color because you may see the tint of the J in a white halo. I also would not go below SI1.
 
Re: Diamond/Ring n00b about to take the plunge... Need Advi

Here you go..best choice at Ritani (would only consider their Ritani Reserve stones):

http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-1-25-Carat-I-color-AGSL-certified/D-Z3YHY0


or if you want to lower the diamond price a little, go with WhiteFlash and you can get a 1.22 I SI1 for $7714 (wire pmt/Pricescope discount), and they carry Ritani settings...

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2972955.htm

Both of these are top quality diamonds and are going to generally face up larger than a cushion and look better in that setting.
 
Re: Diamond/Ring n00b about to take the plunge... Need Advi

Hi OP, there's a J/Si1 Brian Gavin Signature Blue still available. It's 1.483 ct. and when halo'd will look huge! The stone itself is under $9k. Somebody lucky has to buy this stone! The other one suggested, is also a beauty. Can't go wrong with either. The medium blue fluoro will help the J color in some lighting conditions and the cut is AGS Ideal.
 
Re: Diamond/Ring n00b about to take the plunge... Need Advi

luvdajules|1399051404|3665157 said:
Hi OP, there's a J/Si1 Brian Gavin Signature Blue still available. It's 1.483 ct. and when halo'd will look huge! The stone itself is under $9k. Somebody lucky has to buy this stone! The other one suggested, is also a beauty. Can't go wrong with either. The medium blue fluoro will help the J color in some lighting conditions and the cut is AGS Ideal.
Click to expand...

Which site are you referring to?
 
Re: Diamond/Ring n00b about to take the plunge... Need Advi

Yes, sorry...just reread thread and looks like you prefer cushion but would be open to mrb? with a cushion halo? Many people opt that route over a straight up cushion cut. I would love to see a PSer get that BG stone!
 
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