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First time buyer - engagement ring advice

S

shanksk

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 8, 2013
Messages
9
Hello all

I recently discovered this site and have been searching for a quality diamond for a while now. I feel I have a decent understanding of the qualities that make a diamond "good" and would appreciate any help you can provide.

Based on my reading I think the following are needed.

Shape: Round
Cut: Excellent or above (I know I don't want to skimp here)
Color: H or above
Carat: around the 1 ct range seems possible
Clarity: SI2 or above (based on my searching it doesn't seem possible to get much better in this price range)

I've been in contact with Jamesallen.com based on reading posts on this site and they seem quite helpful. In addition I would like to have the diamond mounted on an existing ring I received from my mother and JA are able to accomadate that. If there are other places that also could accomplish this I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Also my girlfriend/fiance has put a hard $6500 limit on the ring which seems that about $6000 should be budgeted for the diamond and the rest for the setting and shipping.

I've found the following diamonds that seem to be good and could use any advice or suggestions for other diamonds.

The first 3 were suggested by a JA representative
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1544201.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1547923.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1523945.asp

The rest I have found searching their site
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1539961.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1523997.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1547059.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1539573.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1544211.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1505757.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1506446.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1538688.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1542030.asp

Thank you for any advice and all the great information on this site.
 
shanksk|1357746816|3351266 said:
The first 3 were suggested by a JA representative
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1544201.asp
This one's my favorite out of the ones that were recommended

The rest I have found searching their site
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1539961.asp- this one's ok...
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1523997.asp - too deep
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1547059.asp - too deep
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1539573.asp - this one looks good
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1544211.asp - personally for me, the table's too big
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1505757.asp - love this one
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1506446.asp - this looks good
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1538688.asp - love this one!
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1542030.asp - and this one

Thank you for any advice and all the great information on this site.
Click to expand...

I absolutely love the cut on this and I'm thinking those inclusions can be covered by a prong. I'd double check with JA about that:

http://beta.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.21-carat-G-color-SI2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-52899

These also look good:

http://beta.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.10-carat-I-color-SI1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-180743

http://beta.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.06-carat-I-color-SI1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-181778
 
You might want to check with Whiteflash and Brian Gavin Diamonds.
Best of luck in your search.
 
Unless she really cares about the "idea " of a ct stone. I think you would be smart to get something between .9 and 1ct. There is a large price jump when you get to one ct, and that doesnt equate to the size difference.
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.926-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104061576002

That woud allow for a fabulous diamond shank setting where the ctw would be over a ct but the stone isnt, allowing for a really nice stone AND setting without going over budget.
 
Thank you all for the help I truly appreciate it.

As far as size goes, I was aware that prices jump at the 1 ct point and I'm totally fine with a smaller/better stone.

Also I'm not commited to JA and am open to looking at other places. My only concern was having a loose diamond mounted on my current ring which I know some jewelers do not like.

Does anyone have a better suggestion on a place that will mount the diamond?

Thank you
 
Did you purchase one? I haven't met a person yet who didn't think that an ACA was a gorgeous stone! Did they confirm that the SI1 was eye clean?
 
 
Thanks for all the help I'm still looking for the best ring but I think I've narrowed it down to the following

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1544201.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1542030.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1512472.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1548959.asp

I'm awaiting to hear if they're eye clean stones.

These two from Brian Gavin which were brought up earlier

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...0.807-H-VS1-Round-Diamond-AGS-BL-104062572011
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...0.926-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104061576002

And the two here at whiteflash

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare.aspx?idnos=2813967,2812713

I suppose it depends on which place offers the best setting. I think the pave type settings would help complement the ring. and my girlfriend is a big fan as well.

Thank you all for the suggestions.
 
So I received the following reply from James allen

I see you found some great options for the center diamond. Of the four, I only find that one of these options will not be completely eye clean. Diamond 1544201 has a dark crystal in the center of the table, and that would be noticeable to the naked eye given the location and color. The SI2 diamond, #1548959 is a phenomenal SI2! Studying the image and grading report, this beauty is eye clean and will be vibrant- not to mention the price is an amazing find for the carat weight! Since you are a PriceScope member the price for that SI2 will be $4,600.

With regards to Diamond 1542030; this diamond is 100% eye clean and an exclusive stone from the Hearts an Arrows collection. The performance of this diamond will be striking and sparkle from across the room. The True Hearts diamond is the ultimate Ideal cut diamond, with that being said less than 1% of the world’s diamonds can even be called True Hearts. Every diamond in our True Hearts Collection is an ideal cut diamond, with superb color, dazzling clarity, incomparable symmetry and exquisite shape. They are the perfect marriage between brilliance and beauty, elegance and grace.

Diamond #1512472 is also a great choice given the locations of the inclusions not on the table. This diamond is eye-clean and the inclusion you see in the image around 8 o'clock can be masked/covered with a prong. You have an eye for diamonds. I have to say that SI2; 1548959 is my top choice. Which diamond are you favoring? Did you pick a setting as well?
Click to expand...

I'm leaning towards going with them since it seems the diamonds are just as high quality as the briangavin and whiteflash suggestions yet significantly cheaper
 
Reserve all of those! You dont want them snatched up

Oh well never mind if yiure giing with ja. How lucky to find an eye clean si2!
Were you thinking just pave or a halo
 
Oh yeah. I already did. Thanks for the heads up.

Now to find a setting. This is a difficult process.
 
I agree that for the clarity, color and cut not to mention size, the 1.00 I SI2 is a great deal! With you only paying $4600 for the stone, that will leave plenty for a stunning setting as well. Did you have anything in particular in mind?
 
shanksk|1357832609|3352117 said:
My girlfriend likes the simple thin solitaire rings like

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...ave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-17158w14.html
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...old-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-ring-17001w.html
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...taire-engagement-ring-six-prong-17927w14.html

But there's room for more in my opinion.
Click to expand...

Yeah, those are very budget friendly, and you could put the rest of that money towards other things...but has she seen this and would she like it:

http://www.jamesallen.com/designer-engagement-rings/meno-collection-by-danhov/14k-white-gold-pave-basket-xe110-by-danhov-designer-engagement-ring.html

Or this:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-pave-set-4-prong-diamond-engagement-ring.html
 
It seems she only likes the simple white gold solitaire rings.

Thank you for all the help in finding a quality diamond.
 
What are your thoughts on 4 vs 6 prong settings?
 
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