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Engagement ring diamond advice

seekerdiamond

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 30, 2013
Messages
6
Hi,
My girlfriend and I have found the engagement ring we like, I'm just trying to decide now on where to get the main diamond. We'd like a princess cut diamond that is very close to square since we're putting it on point. The ring is from Shane Co, the diamond I'm looking at getting there would be a 0.91 Carat, SI2, G for $3,720. I've looked at it in person and it looks pretty good, although I wouldn't mind getting a little bigger one if I could for around the same price.

Or, I could look at buying the diamond elsewhere and have Shane set it for ~$200, this will preserve their warranty on the ring minus the main diamond of course. The advantage of getting the diamond from Shane would be that they'd cover it if it fell out or got chipped. Plus, they have their program where you can upgrade the diamond if you later want to.

There's also the option to add it to my home owners insurance, but I don't know what this usually covers.

Any suggestions are appreciated, thanks!
 
On the forum, we've heard lots of disappointed consumers say that if they are late for their ring checkups at all, Shane will void the warranty.

Best to get insurance and not worry about it.

Does it come with a GIA report? What are the dimensions?
 
Hey, thanks for the info. Yeah, I've been worried about voiding the warranty by missing a checkup. Although they did tell me, and their website seems to agree, that the only thing that will void the warranty is having an outside jeweler work on it, that the 6 month checkups is more of a recommendation, I don't know how this plays out in practice though.

That's good advice, I'll have to check with my home owners insurance how much it'll cost to add it, and what all it covers. Do you know by chance if they typically cover things like side diamonds that have fallen out? Or if it's lost?

It doesn't come with a GIA report unless I want to pay $100 to have them send it out to get one. According to them they have 3 people that are certified each grade their diamonds independently and they go with the lowest grading, to be the most conservative and accurate.

The dimensions are 5.07 x 5.11 with a depth of 4.03.

Thanks again for your help
 
seekerdiamond|1359653373|3368600 said:
Hey, thanks for the info. Yeah, I've been worried about voiding the warranty by missing a checkup. Although they did tell me, and their website seems to agree, that the only thing that will void the warranty is having an outside jeweler work on it, that the 6 month checkups is more of a recommendation, I don't know how this plays out in practice though.

That's good advice, I'll have to check with my home owners insurance how much it'll cost to add it, and what all it covers. Do you know by chance if they typically cover things like side diamonds that have fallen out? Or if it's lost?

It doesn't come with a GIA report unless I want to pay $100 to have them send it out to get one. According to them they have 3 people that are certified each grade their diamonds independently and they go with the lowest grading, to be the most conservative and accurate.

The dimensions are 5.07 x 5.11 with a depth of 4.03.

Thanks again for your help

Woah- you may want to double check those measurments. 5.07 is about the size of a 1/2ct diamond and 4.03mm seems incredibly deep for that size stone....
 
Get insurance!

The Shane Co site says, "To ensure a lifetime of trouble-free wear compliments of Shane Co., please bring your Shane Co. jewelry to us every six months for a free cleaning and inspection. That way, we can spot any potential maintenance issues and provide free preventive maintenance before problems occur."

Sounds to me that if you miss a check-up, you have voided your agreement. Life happens, after a few years, you may accidently miss a six-month inspection and you might be out of luck. Someone recently posted on here about her problem with them.

Regardless of which vendor/store you purchase from, it's best to get insurance. I'd also NOT spend $3700 on an ungraded stone.
 
bastetcat|1359653610|3368607 said:
seekerdiamond|1359653373|3368600 said:
Hey, thanks for the info. Yeah, I've been worried about voiding the warranty by missing a checkup. Although they did tell me, and their website seems to agree, that the only thing that will void the warranty is having an outside jeweler work on it, that the 6 month checkups is more of a recommendation, I don't know how this plays out in practice though.

That's good advice, I'll have to check with my home owners insurance how much it'll cost to add it, and what all it covers. Do you know by chance if they typically cover things like side diamonds that have fallen out? Or if it's lost?

It doesn't come with a GIA report unless I want to pay $100 to have them send it out to get one. According to them they have 3 people that are certified each grade their diamonds independently and they go with the lowest grading, to be the most conservative and accurate.

The dimensions are 5.07 x 5.11 with a depth of 4.03.

Thanks again for your help

Woah- you may want to double check those measurments. 5.07 is about the size of a 1/2ct diamond and 4.03mm seems incredibly deep for that size stone....

Those aren't good measurements for a princess cut of .91. It will face up small for it's size.
 
MC|1359654430|3368629 said:
bastetcat|1359653610|3368607 said:
seekerdiamond|1359653373|3368600 said:
Hey, thanks for the info. Yeah, I've been worried about voiding the warranty by missing a checkup. Although they did tell me, and their website seems to agree, that the only thing that will void the warranty is having an outside jeweler work on it, that the 6 month checkups is more of a recommendation, I don't know how this plays out in practice though.

That's good advice, I'll have to check with my home owners insurance how much it'll cost to add it, and what all it covers. Do you know by chance if they typically cover things like side diamonds that have fallen out? Or if it's lost?

It doesn't come with a GIA report unless I want to pay $100 to have them send it out to get one. According to them they have 3 people that are certified each grade their diamonds independently and they go with the lowest grading, to be the most conservative and accurate.

The dimensions are 5.07 x 5.11 with a depth of 4.03.

Thanks again for your help

Woah- you may want to double check those measurments. 5.07 is about the size of a 1/2ct diamond and 4.03mm seems incredibly deep for that size stone....

Those aren't good measurements for a princess cut of .91. It will face up small for it's size.

Oops- thanks- I missed the princess part...
 
bastetcat|1359654683|3368635 said:
MC|1359654430|3368629 said:
bastetcat|1359653610|3368607 said:
seekerdiamond|1359653373|3368600 said:
Hey, thanks for the info. Yeah, I've been worried about voiding the warranty by missing a checkup. Although they did tell me, and their website seems to agree, that the only thing that will void the warranty is having an outside jeweler work on it, that the 6 month checkups is more of a recommendation, I don't know how this plays out in practice though.

That's good advice, I'll have to check with my home owners insurance how much it'll cost to add it, and what all it covers. Do you know by chance if they typically cover things like side diamonds that have fallen out? Or if it's lost?

It doesn't come with a GIA report unless I want to pay $100 to have them send it out to get one. According to them they have 3 people that are certified each grade their diamonds independently and they go with the lowest grading, to be the most conservative and accurate.

The dimensions are 5.07 x 5.11 with a depth of 4.03.

Thanks again for your help

Woah- you may want to double check those measurments. 5.07 is about the size of a 1/2ct diamond and 4.03mm seems incredibly deep for that size stone....

Those aren't good measurements for a princess cut of .91. It will face up small for it's size.

Oops- thanks- I missed the princess part...

Yeah! lol ;))
 
Side diamonds would probably be under the deductible. Get a policy that covers loss.

The depth on this one is 79.5%, too high. And I expect it is too expensive.
 
Thanks for the feedback, I'll definitely check into getting it insured.

Is there somewhere you might suggest I look to find a better one for the price? Preferable that has an upgrade policy.
 
What are you comfortable spending?

at about 5.10, this faces up considerably less than .9 cts. Did you want it bigger, or is that big enough...? I guess I worry about the exposed corners on a kite-set princess, please put them in V prongs.
 
seekerdiamond|1359653373|3368600 said:
Hey, thanks for the info. Yeah, I've been worried about voiding the warranty by missing a checkup. Although they did tell me, and their website seems to agree, that the only thing that will void the warranty is having an outside jeweler work on it, that the 6 month checkups is more of a recommendation, I don't know how this plays out in practice though.

That's good advice, I'll have to check with my home owners insurance how much it'll cost to add it, and what all it covers. Do you know by chance if they typically cover things like side diamonds that have fallen out? Or if it's lost?

It doesn't come with a GIA report unless I want to pay $100 to have them send it out to get one. According to them they have 3 people that are certified each grade their diamonds independently and they go with the lowest grading, to be the most conservative and accurate.

The dimensions are 5.07 x 5.11 with a depth of 4.03.

Thanks again for your help

Whoa! that is 79% depth...that would be a very big NO on that stone.

Here is a true hearts and arrows stone on James allen:
6.5mm x 6.5
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.98-carat-E-color-SI2-clarity-Ideal-cut-sku-72979

So for a round .9 -1 carat stone you should be close to a 6.5mm stone

I doubt they would buy a stone for their inventory with those measurements...I would check again.

Oh, ok, now i see that it is a princess cut diamond...LOL, that is still really deep, which makes it face up very small. I would look on James Allen and see what they have.
 
ariel144|1359656610|3368671 said:
seekerdiamond|1359653373|3368600 said:
Hey, thanks for the info. Yeah, I've been worried about voiding the warranty by missing a checkup. Although they did tell me, and their website seems to agree, that the only thing that will void the warranty is having an outside jeweler work on it, that the 6 month checkups is more of a recommendation, I don't know how this plays out in practice though.

That's good advice, I'll have to check with my home owners insurance how much it'll cost to add it, and what all it covers. Do you know by chance if they typically cover things like side diamonds that have fallen out? Or if it's lost?

It doesn't come with a GIA report unless I want to pay $100 to have them send it out to get one. According to them they have 3 people that are certified each grade their diamonds independently and they go with the lowest grading, to be the most conservative and accurate.

The dimensions are 5.07 x 5.11 with a depth of 4.03.

Thanks again for your help

Whoa! that is 79% depth...that would be a very big NO on that stone.

Here is a true hearts and arrows stone on James allen:
6.5mm x 6.5
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.98-carat-E-color-SI2-clarity-Ideal-cut-sku-72979

So for a round .9 -1 carat stone you should be close to a 6.5mm stone

I doubt they would buy a stone for their inventory with those measurements...I would check again.

Oh, ok, now i see that it is a princess cut diamond...LOL, that is still really deep, which makes it face up very small. I would look on James Allen and see what they have.

Just saw that you figured out it was for a princess...

OP - I'd suggest this one. Put it on hold if you like it and ask for an aset image. The table might be a bit large but ask how bright it is in person. With the PS discount JA gives it will be around $3800ish (5% discount):

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.92-carat-G-color-VS1-clarity-sku-165880

and this one!

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.91-carat-F-color-VS1-clarity-sku-190678

And lastly:

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.00-carat-F-color-SI1-clarity-sku-159497
 
JulieN|1359655168|3368646 said:
What are you comfortable spending?

at about 5.10, this faces up considerably less than .9 cts. Did you want it bigger, or is that big enough...? I guess I worry about the exposed corners on a kite-set princess, please put them in V prongs.

I'd prefer a little bigger if it's not a lot more. I'd probably prefer to keep it under $4.5k. I'll check out all your recommendations on jamesallen.
 
I would highly encourage you to select a princess cut from Good Old Gold. They only carry proven performing stones and find the best princess cuts out there IMO. Please note that an excellent performing princess cut will have a VERY SMALL TABLE. These are hard to find in the general market as they cut them way too deep and their tables are way too large. Here are some that are really nice and most likely within your budget. That 1c E SI1 is a great stone for just under $4,000. You should be able to find a princess cut that is approx. 6mm x 6mm. That 5mm stone is not a good princess cut...way too small for the weight.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10185/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9698/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10273/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9173/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8825/

cut cornered radiant with princess cut faceting:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4859/

GOG will do a video of several of their stones for you to select the one that is for you. You may also want to educate yourself on their excellent videos on cut, color etc and how to select the best diamond.

Hope this helps! Good luck in your search.
 
Heh, sorry, I should have been more clear about looking for a princess. Thanks for all the links, I've checked them all out. I think I'd ideally want one that is very close to square, so it looks good mounted on point. Close to a carat, probably G or better, and SI2 or better with no major inclusions that are easy to pickout by the natural eye.

I do like the upgrade policies at Good Old Gold and Whiteflash. I looked through everything at Good Old Gold, and they have one that might work, http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9698/ my only hesitation is with it being an I. I'd be all over it otherwise. Comparing in the store I do remember being able to see color in some around there. Maybe that was just looking at it face down on a white paper though, maybe it wouldn't be noticeable once mounted face up?

If I do go through James Allen there seem to be a few that could work, like maybe:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.02-carat-H-color-SI2-clarity-sku-182006
http://www.jamesallen.com/?q=1.01 4...cut/1.01-carat-G-color-SI2-clarity-sku-178438
 
Yes, I has some color, but in this size I think you are ok.

Also, were you looking at GIA I, or EGL/no-report I, that makes a big difference.

That JA G SI2 is not nice. For JA, stick to the three I picked...and I'm even kind of having second thoughts about the H SI2...
But it would be good if you can get JA to verify if they are eye-clean and ask for ASETs

I did not post the I SI1 from GOG because I would rather have the H VVS1 from Whiteflash; the size difference is very small, color and clarity are better, and price is better. The other I from WF is also very nice, I like it a lot but maybe a bit above your budget.
 
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