first time shopping for diamond and overwhelmed -help needed

[couchpotato]

hi all, new here so go... easy... or hard lol
Started looking/browsing around for an e-ring for my soon to be fiance. I'm still reading and researching everything there is to a diamond and what to look for, but figure i'll get a running thread for some advice since I am just completely overwhelmed as it's really more than just c's.

My budget is around $8,000-10,000 just for the diamond but if i can include a setting even better but if not no problem. Priority is the stone.

These are probably common wants but I know she'll want the most minimum attributes for eyeclean, sparkly, "wow" factor. So basically not looking for flawless if something is lesser that the eye can't see, that would be fine.

Also, she's most interested in either radiant, cushion, or ascher. Any plus or minus I should know of these types of cuts?

Lastly, carat... well based on my budget, is it possible to get as close as possible to 2 carat?

I know fluorescence could help lower some prices down but at what point does it affect the wow factor of the sparkle/clarity if it does at all?

Thanks alot for any help. Hope this makes sense as I'm writing this with little to no sleep after nights of researching lol

 

[MarionC]

Re: first time shopping for diamond and overwhelmed -help ne

I am not an expert, but if I were you, I would look together at the various cuts that interest her. There are videos at James Allen, so you can see which diamonds stand out to you. Within the cuts you are considering there are different looks to the cut.
You can also get an idea of pricing that way. I am sure others will chime in with links to diamonds to consider. You will get great advice here!

Of the cuts you mentioned I only know about Asschers, because I originally wanted one and did lots of research. It is tricky to get a great one and they face up very small. I think it might cost around 10k for an Asscher that faces up like a one carat round diamond and has good color & clarity. Also, they will not have as much "sparkle" as the other cuts you are considering, although they are beautiful.
Have fun!

 

[Niel]

Re: first time shopping for diamond and overwhelmed -help ne

hi all, new here so go... easy... or hard lol
Started looking/browsing around for an e-ring for my soon to be fiance. I'm still reading and researching everything there is to a diamond and what to look for, but figure i'll get a running thread for some advice since I am just completely overwhelmed as it's really more than just c's.

My budget is around $8,000-10,000 just for the diamond but if i can include a setting even better but if not no problem. Priority is the stone.

These are probably common wants but I know she'll want the most minimum attributes for eyeclean, sparkly, "wow" factor. So basically not looking for flawless if something is lesser that the eye can't see, that would be fine.

Also, she's most interested in either radiant, cushion, or ascher. Any plus or minus I should know of these types of cuts?

Lastly, carat... well based on my budget, is it possible to get as close as possible to 2 carat?

I know fluorescence could help lower some prices down but at what point does it affect the wow factor of the sparkle/clarity if it does at all?

Thanks alot for any help. Hope this makes sense as I'm writing this with little to no sleep after nights of researching lol

So to this question, what you should know is that these stones face up small for the CTW, typically. Radiants show more color than cushions or asschers, so you can't go too low in color with those compared to your other choices, asschers you usually have to stay higher clarity because the inclusions are easier to spot, compared to radiants and some cushions that hide inclusions. Cushions, depending on the cut can fall under either of these categories. An antique cushion can show a little bit more of the inclusions than a modern cushion, but modern ones tend to show more color due to the way they are cut..... any chance she might consider an emerald cut too, similar to asscher but elongated? Or does she just like the squared off look?

 

[tyty333]

Re: first time shopping for diamond and overwhelmed -help ne

Hi couchpotato...Welcome!

I'm going to link you to some videos for the different types of diamonds that she likes just so you can get a feel what they are like.

http://vimeo.com/album/121731 Radiants - ( note - there are lots of ugly radiants out there)
http://vimeo.com/7579666 cushion ( note - lots of different types of cushions)
http://vimeo.com/2510008 this has a cushion and asscher in it

There are lots of different cushion cuts...
see this thread for more info (scroll down and you can see examples of the different types of cushions)
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/[/URL]

FOR FANCY CUT STONES YOU NEED TO SEE PICTURES (and asets to evaluate light return). Only shop somewhere that has pics of their
stones (GOG, JA, ERD, DBL, I'm sure there are a few others). That would be

http://www.goodoldgold.com/
http://www.jamesallen.com/
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/

YOU WILL NEED OUR HELP . Post links to stones that you like, or better yet let us recommend stones for you until you
can narrow down what type of stone you would like to get her (of the 3). Then we can concentrate on that specific cut.
There are lots of people here that have spent lots of time looking at stones and have a vast knowledge of what stones will
perform the best. (Fancy cuts can be tricky).

That should get you started...In the mean time I'll go look at some stones that fit in your budget so you can start narrowing it down.

tyty333

 

[Niel]

Re: first time shopping for diamond and overwhelmed -help ne

I went looking around on JA and ritani and it looks like you could reach 2 cts if you went down to a K, at least in asschers and emerald cuts. They didn't seem to have any nice ones on those sites, but if you are happy going down to a K to reach that magic number i would contact good old gold, have them try and find you one.

If you aren't comfortable going down to a K, looks like there were a number of asschers in the I color range at about 1.7cts. and thats still a lot of ctw... If the ring will be in white gold i would suggest going the I color route, but if she is open to rose gold or yellow gold (both a in fashion for e ring btw) then you could get away with a K.

Im partial to asshers over radiants just due to the fact the color will be less apparent in the step cuts. And i like step its over cushions just because they are so popular now. So if it was me id do a step (meaning asscher or emerald cut) and if she wants an asscher cut give her that, but if she like emeralds too id go that route, as they aren't typically as deep as an asscher. And depth means that it'll "face up" or look smaller on the hand, have less LxW.

of course i say all that but can't stop looking at this 1.5 ct cushion

 

[tyty333]

Re: first time shopping for diamond and overwhelmed -help ne

I looked around but dont feel like I found anything that would be "perfect". Seems like the nicest stones I found were radiants which
would not have been my first choice but anyway...so here is some of what I found. I'll keep looking.


Branded cushions...
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11107/ K/SI1 1.5ish

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11102/ 1.7ish just slightly over budget

Non Branded cushions - some at JA...couldnt really find anything that was all that great (trying to maximize size)
http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/cushion-diamond-1-72-Carat-J-color-GIA-certified/D-DJJ0VX

http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/cushion-diamond-1-51-Carat-I-color-GIA-certified/D-D9H390

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/?CaratFrom=1.30&CaratTo=1.50&Color=I,H,F,G,E,D&Clarity=SI1,VS1,VS2,VVS2&PriceFrom=400&PriceTo=10000&Sort=Carat%20asc,%20DefaultOrder&TabSelected=3&ps=15&DiamondID=259922,233494,293854,22311,287041



Asschers
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11460/ 1.25 $8k

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.72-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-231385 $9.8k

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/1.61-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-190053

Radiants
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/?CaratFrom=1.30&CaratTo=2.44&Color=I,H,F,G,E,D&Clarity=SI1,VS1,VS2,VVS2&PriceFrom=400&PriceTo=10000&Sort=Carat%20asc,%20DefaultOrder&TabSelected=3&advancedParameter=pn&showAdvanced=show&ps=15&DiamondID=237147,257838,283952&Polish=&Symmetry=&Lab=&Flour=&DepthFrom=45.0&DepthTo=80.0&TableFrom=50.0&TableTo=83.0

 

[EFADiamonds]

Re: first time shopping for diamond and overwhelmed -help ne

Hi!

This is my general opinion when it comes to purchasing diamonds. Generally speaking, 10k gets you around a 1.50ct diamond (give or take). Since it sounds like you do want high quality... I would say that this is what you are looking at. Most 2ct engagement rings with color and clarity in the near colorless with SI1 clarity or better fall closer to 20k (you can get under but just speaking from experience). That being said, there are specific things to know about different diamond shapes. A cushion diamond tends to measure smaller than other cuts and require higher color in order to feel "white", but they do have rather competitive pricing. Radiant's can also have competitive pricing and will look whiter at a lower color because they are more brilliant than a cushion. The more facets, the better color and clarity will appear. Lastly, an assher will require higher clarity (VS1 or better) which does drive the price up slightly. My professional opinion, get the cut that is visually the most appealing to your partner! Asschers are beautiful when you per them will brilliant cut stones such as in a halo. My best bet with your budget is that you might get the largest measuring stone out of a radiant. At the end of the day, your budget permits for a beautiful ring!

 

[Gypsy]

Re: first time shopping for diamond and overwhelmed -help ne

EFA, I'm sorry but I disagree with some of you post.

1. Asschers don't need VS1. There are plenty of eyeclean VS2's out there. SI's are much harder because 99.99 of them are not eyeclean, but even then there are rare exceptions to the rule. But in general I would say VS2 or higher. Not VS1. You just have to shop at an honest vendor with large magnified pictures of the stone, and a good gemologist on the staff.
2. Radiants trap a lot of color. Personally I would stay at H or better. Every time I've seen a radiant below H, I can spot the color immediately.
3. Cushions in my experience hide color better than radiants== at least the modern ones, and the AGS0 antique cushions from GOG and Victor. I've seen very white J's in cushions. Granted they were very well cut one, but then again... that goes for any stone.

Otherwise, I agree with you completely.

 

[couchpotato]

Re: first time shopping for diamond and overwhelmed -help ne

Wow thanks a lot for all the great and helpful replies. Still sorting through the links and those informative good old gold videos are well ... gold!

A slight update from reading the posts and looking at some stones in person. I've narrowed it to either a cushion or radiant. Weight for weight, the asscher looked smaller probably due to the steps.

Looking at a H radiant I did see a slight yellow so I see what Gypsy was trying to say. Will probably up the budget slightly if I can find the "right" one as there is so many different small nuances with every stone that my eye sight is starting to get blurred lol.

Just brainstorming out loud ... I know I will not get a 2 ct but was hoping maybe in a range of 1.7 and up. Also, would probably want to stay in the vs2 and up clarity. As for color, maybe H for either Radiant or Cushion. For Cushion, it should hide the H better than the radiant I assume.

Is that just a pipe dream? lol

Saw good old gold's video on fluorescence and wow. I feel like having fluorescence could help lower the price but if buying online, should I take the chance and hope it's not cloudy/milky/hazy?

Thanks again for all the help. After all said and done, hope to post some pics of the stone derived from the ps community!

 

[Niel]

Re: first time shopping for diamond and overwhelmed -help ne

a good online jeweler will tell you if a stone with fluor is milky or not before purchase.

This fits all your)(revised boxes except its a J

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/11926/

 

[EFADiamonds]

Re: first time shopping for diamond and overwhelmed -help ne

In my experience, a radiant will look whiter than a cushion of comparable color. Why? First, a radiant has more brilliant cut faceting which masks body color. Second... It is more common to find them to be cut slimmer than a cushion in the pavilion which aids in lightening the color concentration throughout the body. I always tell my customers if you want a cushion, select a G color or better for a very white feel. On the other hand, I am very comfortable with an H-I color radiant (all GIA standards). There are rare cases when a cushion does face up whiter than expected, but they typically are cut more "brilliant like" rather than "modified" and those command higher pricing because cutters are not cutting them as much. In those cases, yes the diamond is gorgeous...but it will be pricier than comparable cushion diamonds. A radiant also has a higher potential to measure larger than a cushion of comparable weight which might be important to you Let us know what you get!

 

[couchpotato]

Re: first time shopping for diamond and overwhelmed -help ne

Just wanted to update everyone on my progress thus far. I've been busy researching and consumed watching countless GOG videos, which made me even more confused at one point.

EFAdiamonds I really took that into consideration and was really torn between radiant and cushion as you mentioned a radiant can measure up larger. But, after reading everyone's input and continuous research, I think the cushion has won her over at the end.

Niel Good point. So, I am currently speaking with GOG and ERD to help me find one without the milky or haziness. In fact, ERD did find one with faint fluorescence and he will be sending me pictures of it soon. I'll post it and hope you guys can let me know what you think. Hopefully, GOG will find something good soon so I can post those pictures to compare and get your feedback.

You guys are right, getting close to 2 carats with my budget isn't easy if I want to maintain decent quality. I just saw this article on huffington post and it showed a JA halo ring that has a cluster look to it. What do you guys think if I get a 1.5 or 1.6 range and do that similar cluster halo style setting around the cushion? It wouldn't be too gaudy, would it?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ira-weissman/diamond-cluster-settings-_b_4868523.html

http://www.jamesallen.com/preset-en...-cathedral-cupcake-engagement-ring-item-36139

 

[arkieb1]

Re: first time shopping for diamond and overwhelmed -help ne

A 1.50 to 1.70 size stone is not small in the normal world, I am not sure you need to put a cluster style halo around a stone that size if you are trying to make it appear larger, a simple beautiful halo done by someone like ERD will give you the benefit of extra size and showcase the stone simultaneously. Having said that if you like cluster style halos then if it is elegantly done then you can do them with any sized centre. You can look at all different sized stones and different types of halos to see how they look for size here;

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-collection-of-halos.121549/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-collection-of-halos.121549/[/URL]

 

[Gypsy]

Re: first time shopping for diamond and overwhelmed -help ne

A 1.50 to 1.70 size stone is not small in the normal world, I am not sure you need to put a cluster style halo around a stone that size if you are trying to make it appear larger, a simple beautiful halo done by someone like ERD will give you the benefit of extra size and showcase the stone simultaneously. Having said that if you like cluster style halos then if it is elegantly done then you can do them with any sized centre. You can look at all different sized stones and different types of halos to see how they look for size here;

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-collection-of-halos.121549/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/a-collection-of-halos.121549/[/URL]

Totally agree with this.

 

[couchpotato]

Re: first time shopping for diamond and overwhelmed -help ne

arkieb1 and Gypsy Thanks for the advice and link. After browsing through it, you both are right about a simple halo is enough.


Another update, turns out that the stone ERD found was not as good in person as hoped for so back to the drawing boards. But, I did get something from another vendor and I need your help.

Would love love opinions as I have no idea what I'm looking for.
What do you guys think of any of these stones? Should I buy any of these? They don't provide aset imaging but they gave me photos and a video.

Video: http://youtu.be/Lqu9NbUIO4s

Specs from left to right:
1.72
H
SI1
Table 63%
Depth 68.2%
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Very Good
Fluorescence Faint

1.70
H
SI1
Table 61%
Depth 68.2%
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Good

1.61
H
VS2
Table 60%
Depth 66.8%
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Excellent