Finally bought the diamond and ring... THANKS for everyone''s help!

[NewlyEngaged]

Wanted to say thanks to everyone for their help with my sometimes many questions or annoying questions. This whole process is/was much more than I expected when I first started out. I initially thought all I needed to understand were the 4 C''s. HA! That''s the easy part.

Well, I''m done. I will post pics when I have the ring and let all know how I proposed and how it all worked out.

I don''t have all the "specs" in front of me, but the ring is Platinum all around, with a yellow gold raised channel on each side. Inside each channel are three small princess cut stones going up and down. Next to that is a round stone (again, on each side) set inside a platinum round setting (total weight of all is .70). The center stone itself, the heart of the diamond, is a 1.00 Princess, G, VVS2, GIA Certified. Gorgeous cut, nice symmetry, measurement, etc. Sorry, will get the other stats when have the cert in front of me if anyone is interested. Setting the princess stone in a diamond position though, so a bit more unique than the standard set.

Total cost was/is: $6,425, that includes the custom ring being made from scratch. Went brick and mortar for this with a family jeweler, but being well educated really helped me get a great deal and feel comfortable.

THANKS AGAIN TO ALL!!!

 

[smaggard]

Congrats! What a relief huh? But boy am I glad I took the time to learn all about the intracacies of stones and cuts etc., instead of getting robbed at the maul for a piece of junk!

Good luck!

 

[NewlyEngaged]

Smaggard... Thanks. BIG relief indeed. It is amazing... For fun and time wasting, did go to a couple of "mall" stores, just to see how they operate. I am amazed people actually buy diamonds and diamond rings there. SO expensive, very few certified diamonds, HIGH price. Anyone shopping at a mall... PLEASE shop around elsewhere and educate yourselves. I never considered buying from a "mall" jeweler. After looking there, know why I didn't/wouldn't.

I don't doubt there are some good independent "mall" stores out there, but the chain's amazed me. They are designed for the very uneducated consumer and count on them as well.

My thoughts anyways.

No offense intended with these comments. Just my observation and opinion.

 

[smaggard]

Funny you say that...I concur 100%...the day I had the stone sent to RockDoc, the other half and I were at the maul and wandered into HelzBerg Diamonds. It was funny, we talked to a "Diamontologist" (which I later learned there was no such thing except in Helzberg land), and she showed us a 1 carat E SI1 RB, then a 1.10 H VS2 "Masterpiece" H&A by them. The Masterpiece looked yellowish next to the E regular round. This got me paranoid since I had just sent a G to be appraised, and was worried it too would yellow (she did NOT like that H, nor did she have any idea what I was up to re: the SuperbCert). So I called RockDoc, Judah, all paranoid it would look yellow and everyone assured me that it would not look yellow at all...and they were right!
The funny thing is the one at this store was smaller, lower color and clarity, and about the same price as the one I ended up buying.
It's unfortunate that unsuspecting people go buy their rings at these places, but then again it helps keeping ours looking that much sweeter

 

[NewlyEngaged]

Ah... I should offer. If anyone is interested in the jeweler I worked with here in Chicago, let me know. I am thrilled to recommend him to anyone and everyone. If you are an online freak like me, but just have to be able to touch and feel what you are buying, he is outstanding. I am in Chicago, but he is just outside Chicago and honestly is phenomenal. Great integrity and honesty. Very patient with my indecision (when it showed) and brought in and held diamonds just for me to see. Also, hasn't taken a dime, not even a deposit from me while making the custom setting or getting or holding diamonds. Not taking payment at all until I take delivery.

Send me a private or public message if you want their information.

After I propose, I will send all his info, just in case my gf happens to be on here.