Engagement Ring Piece of Mind

[stant23]

Hi everyone! I have been thinking about and looking for an engagement ring for my gf for a while and have really found all your posts amazing!

I went to a local jewler in Houston intending to test the waters and ended up picking a setting and diamond that visit. Now while I wait for the ring to be made and diamond set, I am second guessing myself a little. I usually approach large purchases (large is all realative) very methodically, but I got excited and sort of caught up in the moment. Below are the diamond specs (from EGLUSA..I know not the ideal certification) and the price and was hoping you could use your collective expertise and let me know if the price looks to be okay. I have seen this jewler spoken highly of on this site.

Weight - 0.98 CT
Shape - MARQUISE BRILLIANT
Color - F
Clarity - SI1
Measurements - 8.52 x 5.12 x 3.61 mm
Depth - 70.5%
Table - 55.1%
Crown - 9.2%
Pavilion - 47.9%
Crown Angle - 21°
Pavilion Angle - 43°
Girdle - VERY THIN TO VERY THICK FACETED
Polish - GOOD
Symmetry - GOOD
Fluorescence - FAINT BLUE
Culet - VERY SMALL
Cut Grade - N/A

Price - $3400.00

I know that the lenth to width ratio is a little low and that the depth, crown and girdle may detract from the value. Also there is one very small inclusion under 10x which I could barely find, but the stone is eye clean, at least to me.

My girlfriend would honestly be happy with a bread tie and a bead

, but I want to make sure that she is really getting the ring she deserves.

BTW - the stone is beautiful and the setting will be amazing in yellow gold!

Thanks for any advice!

 

[sodenc]

Date: 2/26/2010 12:14:14 AM
Author:stant23
Hi everyone! I have been thinking about and looking for an engagement ring for my gf for a while and have really found all your posts amazing!

I went to a local jewler in Houston intending to test the waters and ended up picking a setting and diamond that visit. Now while I wait for the ring to be made and diamond set, I am second guessing myself a little. I usually approach large purchases (large is all realative) very methodically, but I got excited and sort of caught up in the moment. Below are the diamond specs (from EGLUSA..I know not the ideal certification) and the price and was hoping you could use your collective expertise and let me know if the price looks to be okay. I have seen this jewler spoken highly of on this site.

Weight - 0.98 CT
Shape - MARQUISE BRILLIANT
Color - F
Clarity - SI1
Measurements - 8.52 x 5.12 x 3.61 mm
Depth - 70.5%
Table - 55.1%
Crown - 9.2%
Pavilion - 47.9%
Crown Angle - 21°
Pavilion Angle - 43°
Girdle - VERY THIN TO VERY THICK FACETED
Polish - GOOD
Symmetry - GOOD
Fluorescence - FAINT BLUE
Culet - VERY SMALL
Cut Grade - N/A

Price - $3400.00

I know that the lenth to width ratio is a little low and that the depth, crown and girdle may detract from the value. Also there is one very small inclusion under 10x which I could barely find, but the stone is eye clean, at least to me.

My girlfriend would honestly be happy with a bread tie and a bead

, but I want to make sure that she is really getting the ring she deserves.

BTW - the stone is beautiful and the setting will be amazing in yellow gold!

Thanks for any advice!

Stant23...can''t say I know much about Princess cut diamonds; however, having recently purchased a round brilliant EGL USA stone for an E-ring, I would definitely have it independently appraised. EGL USA has been known to be soft on color and clarity, sometimes significantly. If the grading is accurate then great! But if it is off, I would compare prices with the new specs based on the appraisal. It may not end up being such a great deal after all. But do your homework. The first EGL stone I purchased was complete junk being off at least 2 color and 2 clarity grades. The second stone was pretty much right on the mark, and I am extremly happy.

 

[kristie]

^^^ +1 to this.....I purchased an EGL USA (100% promised eyeclean) SI1 stone and it arrived to me with a HUGE black carbon splotch right in the center of the table.....I mean, BIG....like a half blind person would see it. It looked like an I3.

They are notorious for lackadaisical grading. Definitely have it looked at by an independent appraiser.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 2/26/2010 12:14:14 AM
Author:stant23
Hi everyone! I have been thinking about and looking for an engagement ring for my gf for a while and have really found all your posts amazing!

I went to a local jewler in Houston intending to test the waters and ended up picking a setting and diamond that visit. Now while I wait for the ring to be made and diamond set, I am second guessing myself a little. I usually approach large purchases (large is all realative) very methodically, but I got excited and sort of caught up in the moment. Below are the diamond specs (from EGLUSA..I know not the ideal certification) and the price and was hoping you could use your collective expertise and let me know if the price looks to be okay. I have seen this jewler spoken highly of on this site.

Weight - 0.98 CT
Shape - MARQUISE BRILLIANT
Color - F
Clarity - SI1
Measurements - 8.52 x 5.12 x 3.61 mm
Depth - 70.5%
Table - 55.1%
Crown - 9.2%
Pavilion - 47.9%
Crown Angle - 21°
Pavilion Angle - 43°
Girdle - VERY THIN TO VERY THICK FACETED
Polish - GOOD
Symmetry - GOOD
Fluorescence - FAINT BLUE
Culet - VERY SMALL
Cut Grade - N/A

Price - $3400.00

I know that the lenth to width ratio is a little low and that the depth, crown and girdle may detract from the value. Also there is one very small inclusion under 10x which I could barely find, but the stone is eye clean, at least to me.

My girlfriend would honestly be happy with a bread tie and a bead

, but I want to make sure that she is really getting the ring she deserves.

BTW - the stone is beautiful and the setting will be amazing in yellow gold!

Thanks for any advice!

Hi Stan and welcome!

From the info given it might be a nice looking stone, although this is no guarantee as we really need images such as ASET and photographs to work with Marquise, otherwise all we have is a chalk outline of the stone.

Also you need to check that the very thin part of the girdle isn't a potential durability issue, also make any sale final on the stone checking out to your satisfaction in all aspects ( and get this in writing) with an independant appraisal. When you say however that you are working with a jeweller that is highly regarded on this site in Houston, would it be Whiteflash or Brian Gavin? If so, just to mention that EGL graded diamonds don't normally qualify for an upgrade should you purchase it.

 

[Catatone]

Everyone wants the best value based on internals you''d need a loupe for, but you saw it in person... how did it look? Did you look at it in a lot of different lights? Did it sparkle the most?

I think there''s no harm in making sure you got a reasonable deal, but don''t get too hung up on it. If you''re girls the type who is happy with the string around the finger then the experience of you going out on your own to buy a diamond from the store might be the most touching thing of all.

 

[stant23]

Thanks to all who replied!!!

Like I said in my first post, I got excited and a little carried away, so I have already put a deposit down on the ring and it is currently being put together. My next question is...can I have a quality appraisal done after the stone is set?

To answer Lorelei''s question, my jewler was indicated to be very good by some folks on a couple of different posts I read. They are not on any pricescope lists or endorsements I can find. It is not either of the jewlers you asked about. They also received excellent reviews on all the websites I could fine.

I did look at the diamond in differnent lights, though only in the shop. It was beautiful to my eye, but if you can''t tell this is the first diamond I have every purchased, or looked at in any detail. There was no bowtie to the diamond, which I did know to look for.

Catatone - thanks for the input, I think that you have the right idea about my situation. I still am trying to learn, although it is late in the game.

As an FYI...I almost made a HUGE mistake (if not for a lot of great advice

), since I had an appointment set with Diamond Cutters International, until I saw the light!

Thanks again for the help!

 

[swingirl]

If I was concerned about a stone I''d have it appraised before it was set so I could return it in case it turned out to be less than desirable.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Do not finalize the sale until you have it in writing that you may return the ring for any reason at all within 10 days at least. Then go see a qualified independent appraiser to check it out. Only then will you have done your due dilligence.

 

[Lula]

Ditto Dreamer''s comments. And make sure you give it to your girlfriend well before the 10 days is up, so you can return it if for some reason it doesn''t work out. Make sure she wears it in all different lighting conditions, too. Diamonds look different at different angles and women notice the finest details of a piece of jewelry when they wear it (and stare at it) all day!

 

[stant23]

Thanks everyone for all of the advise, I will definitely get it appraised and nail down the return policy. Can anyone suggest a good appraiser in the Houston area? Also, what should it appraise for i.e. more than purchase price, same, lower etc.? I am not sure I quite understand, since the jewler has to make money.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Here is a tool t help you find an appraiser near you: https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

The appraisal is not just about monetary value, it is about the cut quality of the diamond, or at least it should be. It can also verofy that the stone is set into a ring safely and that the diamond is the same one in the cert. But your appraiser can tell you whether the price you paid if fair, and then will also give it a value for insurance purposes, which will be higher.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Here is some information on appraisers: https://www.pricescope.com/isitsafe.asp#apprising

 

[stant23]

Thanks to all who replied!

I am really getting excited and a little nervous and the ring won''t be finished for at least another week! I''m still trying to come up with a good way to pop the question. We have been together for 7 years and she will be so suprised! Believe it or not, I''m still a little nervous she won''t say yes

!!!!!!

How does a wedding band work if you don''t buy a set? It seems like it will be hard to find something that will go with the engagement ring.

 

[Dreamer_D]

You can go shopping for a wb together later when you have the ring. You will find something.

Did your gf tell you she wanted a marquise?

I think all men worry about her saying no. I guess there is no guarantee

but hopefully after so long together and after making the purchase, you must know in your heart she will say yes! have you talked about it before?

 

[stant23]

Dreamer - She did tell me she liked marquise and yellow gold, so that is what I tried to find.

I am sure she will say yes, she had been bugging me about it lately, but still there is a little nervousness there.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 3/2/2010 10:15:49 PM
Author: stant23
Dreamer - She did tell me she liked marquise and yellow gold, so that is what I tried to find.

I am sure she will say yes, she had been bugging me about it lately, but still there is a little nervousness there.

haha.. get on it then! I think she will say yes too

It will be an emotional and wonderful moment for you both, no matter how you decide to pop the question!