German guy needs help - engagement ring

[BensonLoe]

Hey there,

first of all - really nice discussion threads! Many people with much knowledge, impressive .
Well I started to read a bit about diamonds and rings because I want to buy an engagement ring for my girlfriend.

At the moment I am looking through the JamesAllen website and I am looking at these diamonds:

1. 0.40 Carat Round Diamond H Color VS1 Clarity True Hearts Cut - HCA Score 0.6
2. 0.43 Carat Round Diamond H Color VS1 Clarity Excellent Cut - HCA Score 2.6
3. 0.49 Carat Round Diamond F Color SI2 Clarity Excellent Cut - HCA Score 0.9
4. 0.50 Carat Round Diamond G Color SI2 Clarity Excellent Cut

The setting would be completed with 14K Yellow Gold 2mm Comfort Fit Solitaire Engagement Ring (Six Prong) or maybe only with 4 prongs. The lady from JamesAllen said, that 6 prongs might be "too much".

I am very happy if you could give me some advice - my budget is around 1300€ - 2000€.

Regards,
Ben

 

[mayaINaU]

Welcome! I will leave it to others to assess the choices you posted, but I just wanted to give my personal opinion, that if I had your budget and carat size goals, I would 100% go with a Whiteflash ACA or JannPaul Decagon or Round10 H & A for such a special purchase. The light performance will be perfect and you won't have to worry about assessing all the details.

A CUT ABOVE Hearts and Arrows Diamonds | Whiteflash

Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® Heart and Arrows Diamonds are The Most Visually Balanced Diamonds® in the world. For more information head to Whiteflash.

www.whiteflash.com

https://www.jannpaul.com/diamond-price-guide and

(you can see how the decagon cut compares to their Round 8 Hearts & Arrows super ideal cut).
Feel free to disregard, but just wanted to put this out there!

 

[jewels4life]

Welcome! I will leave it to others to assess the choices you posted, but I just wanted to give my personal opinion, that if I had your budget and carat size goals, I would 100% go with a Whiteflash ACA or JannPaul Decagon or Round10 H & A for such a special purchase. The light performance will be perfect and you won't have to worry about assessing all the details.

A CUT ABOVE Hearts and Arrows Diamonds | Whiteflash

Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® Heart and Arrows Diamonds are The Most Visually Balanced Diamonds® in the world. For more information head to Whiteflash.

www.whiteflash.com

https://www.jannpaul.com/diamond-price-guide and

(you can see how the decagon cut compares to their Round 8 Hearts & Arrows super ideal cut).
Feel free to disregard, but just wanted to put this out there!

Very good advice mayalNau. Can’t ever go wrong with a white flash aca. Since I own a decagon, I can say that it’s stunning in person. I don’t regret it at all. Can’t wait to see what you decide on. How exciting!

 

[mayaINaU]

Very good advice mayalNau. Can’t ever go wrong with a white flash aca. Since I own a decagon, I can say that it’s stunning in person. I don’t regret it at all. Can’t wait to see what you decide on. How exciting!

Wish I knew about the decagon before I purchased my ring! That’s why I had to mention it!

 

[Kim N]

Among the ones you posted, my favorite is 0.49 F SI2.

But I 100% agree with mayaINaU that with your budget, you could get a super ideal cut diamond with top light performance and a much more generous upgrade policy.

Diamond | 0.514 ct H SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4498335

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.514 carat H color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4498335

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 0.520 ct H SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4510286

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.520 carat H color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4510286

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 0.402 ct G SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4483047

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.402 carat G color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4483047

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 0.405 ct H VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4472155

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.405 carat H color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4472155

www.whiteflash.com

4-Prong Classic Diamond Solitaire | 588

Elevate your style with a timeless 4-prong classic diamond solitaire ring. Perfect for any occasion, this stunning piece is a must-have for any jewelry collection. | 588

www.whiteflash.com

 

[BensonLoe]

Wow you guys are fast! Let me check your suggestions

 

[mayaINaU]

Wow you guys are fast! Let me check your suggestions

We love shopping for diamonds, even for other people!

 

[BensonLoe]

On the JannPaul website there are no pictures etc. right? Only some prices so if you want to buy there you need an appointment?

 

[BensonLoe]

One more thing - why would you choose a Whiteflash aca and not one from the other company (e.g. JamesAllen). If I go through the characteristics I don’t get it (newbie)

 

[Kim N]

One more thing - why would you choose a Whiteflash aca and not one from the other company (e.g. JamesAllen). If I go through the characteristics I don’t get it (newbie)

A Whiteflash ACA has stricter cut standards than even the best of James Allen's stones. You're guaranteed superb light performance and optical symmetry, with the ASET/Ideal-Scope and H&A images to back them up. Whiteflash, along with Victor Canera, also has one of the best upgrade policies in the industry. You can trade in your ACA for any other of equal or greater value, unlike with James Allen where you need to spend double.

 

[mayaINaU]

I think you are right that for JannPaul you need to make an appointment. I would make an appointment with both JannPaul and Whiteflash. They have great customer service and will not pressure you. They can show you actual stones and answer any questions. To bounce off of what @Kim N said, there is a very specific and narrow combination of angles on a round diamond that will make all the facets act as mirrors to bounce back to your eye all the light it takes in. If these angles are off even a little bit, some light will leak out and not bounce back to you. Light leakage makes the diamond sparkle less. Both JannPaul and Whiteflash (for ACAs) have the actual stone in hand and, in addition to knowing it has the super-ideal combination of angles, have verified with their own ASET/Ideal-Scope and H&A images that no other characteristics of the diamond, such as clarity issues, are impeding light return. James Allen does not have the stones in hand and has not performed advanced imaging. If you watch some of JannPaul's education videos, you can see examples of super-ideal light return compared to non-super ideal diamonds.

JannPaul video:

Diamond Proportions

The physics of light-behavior within a diamond are reliably consistent, which means proportions measurements can be useful.

www.pricescope.com

 

[BensonLoe]

Ok I will look through this tomorrow (need to sleep now ) - guys thank you that already helped a lot

 

[jewels4life]

Wish I knew about the decagon before I purchased my ring! That’s why I had to mention it

On the JannPaul website there are no pictures etc. right? Only some prices so if you want to buy there you need an appointment?

You would do a zoom appointment with jaan Paul . They would show you stones in your price range . They want you to understand everything about the stone you are thinking of buying. If you’re interested, I would email sales@ jaan Paul.com . I met with Eugene and never felt any pressure to buy a stone.

 

[emmy12]

@DRSAMURAI might be able to chime in too on the decagon. More info here.

Who owns decagon stones?

Considering which shape to go for a lab stone? Does anyone has decagon stones from different vendors with photo or even videos? Is this a shape that precision gemstone cutters can generally cut? I like that a decagon looks generally round from distance while you discover it’s a bit edgy when...

www.pricescope.com

 

[DRSAMURAI]

@DRSAMURAI might be able to chime in too on the decagon. More info here.

Who owns decagon stones?

Considering which shape to go for a lab stone? Does anyone has decagon stones from different vendors with photo or even videos? Is this a shape that precision gemstone cutters can generally cut? I like that a decagon looks generally round from distance while you discover it’s a bit edgy when...

www.pricescope.com

Yes, I purchased 3 Mined Decagons for my wife: Earrings 1.8 ctw and; 2.227 ct ring with a custom designed hand forged setting. This was prior to their LGD selection availability. JP owns all of the natural and LGD roughs that their Master Cutter exquisitely polishes to their exacting precision cuts for the White Series offerings as evidenced by all scopes perfection. If the desired ct wt stone is in-house, consider yourself lucky. If not in-house, one will need to place a deposit on a rough that will be cut and polished to your specs with a ct range and price range dependent upon final ct wt. This custom cutting process will take 3-4 months. The bespoke hand forged setting will take 3-4 weeks and can be completed while one is waiting for the diamond to be cut.

The end result is a perfect visual harmonization of optical symmetry, brilliance, scintillation and fire. Review the JP education videos and make an appointment. The JP SAs are fully trained and knowledgeable on their proprietary White Series and non-WS diamonds. The SA will patiently shepherd you though the diamond education and diamond selection processes. The service is non-pressured, professional, transparent and polite. They are not on commission and deal only with high quality diamonds. Color grades offered are G or higher and Clarity of VS2 or higher. They have an internationally stellar reputation and a completely satisfied global customer base.

The prices are inline with comparable SICs of similar/same 4 Cs.

 

[DejaWiz]

Guten Tag! Willkommen bei PriceScope!
I agree with the others: there is quite a bit of value-add with the SIC vendors: intense vetting, extremely strict specifications, contracted cutting and polishing, and the favorable upgrade programs.

Whiteflash has their ACA lineup.
Victor Canera has their Canera Heats & Arrows lineup.
Continental Diamond (soon) sells diamonds cut by the small team that cut CBI diamonds.
JannPaul has their White Series (8 and 10 main...and I highly encourage you to investigate their Decagon 10 main, either natural or lab grown).
Distinctive Gem and Diamonds by Lauren offer vetted hearts and arrows rounds.

...you have tons of options to land you "The One"!
Prost!

 

[BarbBe]

I am live in Switzerland and have family in Germany. It's great that you found this community.

Does your budget take into account that you will need to pay VAT? This calculator will help: https://www.test.de/Zollrechner-Zoll-und-Steuern-bei-Online-Bestellungen-im-Ausland-1504289-0/

You my want to consider Blue Nile as their prices will include VAT and shipping. They also have free returns or exchanges (30 days). There is a sale code 2022BLUE which gives you a discount on the setting.

This diamond may be considered - it has a HCA score of .9:

https://www.bluenile.com/de/diamond-details/LD17386747

with this setting:

https://www.bluenile.com/de/engagement-rings/design-your-own-ring/petite-cathedral-solitaire-in-14k-yellow-gold_60429?diamondSku=LD17116747

You would be at a total of EUR 1330.

 

[BensonLoe]

Hi @BarbBe,

yeah - I know, that I will pay the tax . If I really like the setting that's fine for me.

The one from BlueNile is looking good, but now this is another company with more stones - I need to focus somehow on a company .

For the ring setting I really like it completely classic (like the setting I posted above).

Thanks for the VAT link!

 

[BarbBe]

Hi @BarbBe,

yeah - I know, that I will pay the tax . If I really like the setting that's fine for me.

The one from BlueNile is looking good, but now this is another company with more stones - I need to focus somehow on a company .

For the ring setting I really like it completely classic (like the setting I posted above).

Thanks for the VAT link!

I understand the need for focus - lot´s of great advice and options above.
I have purchased from James Allen, Whiteflash and Jon. All have all have fantastic products & service.

I think that all the vendors offer a classic six prong , Blue Nile as well.

https://www.bluenile.com/de/engagement-rings/design-your-own-ring/classic-six-claw-solitaire-engagement-ring-18k-gold_9

 

[BensonLoe]

Hey guys,

so I checked out the diamonds at whiteflash but my problem is, that I do not find a ring setting that I do like...

I wrote an E-Mail to JP, let's see if that would work out (I think the price will be quite high..)

After BarbBe send me the link to the BlueNile page I found some rings that I like. So again the question to the other guys, can a BlueNile Astor Ideal Cut (H Color/VVS2 Clarity) compete with the Whiteflash or JP diamonds?

For me it is important that you can see a difference with your normal human eye .

Thanks in advance!

 

[mayaINaU]

Hey guys,

so I checked out the diamonds at whiteflash but my problem is, that I do not find a ring setting that I do like...

I wrote an E-Mail to JP, let's see if that would work out (I think the price will be quite high..)

After BarbBe send me the link to the BlueNile page I found some rings that I like. So again the question to the other guys, can a BlueNile Astor Ideal Cut (H Color/VVS2 Clarity) compete with the Whiteflash or JP diamonds?

For me it is important that you can see a difference with your normal human eye .

Thanks in advance!

You can always have the setting made locally or buy any stock setting (i.e. Stuller). I believe Whiteflash can order additional settings for you from certain vendors and even make one custom if you don’t like what you see (I inquired about this once and they told me they can get additional settings from certain vendors that they work with). I would focus on getting the best diamond first and then the setting can always be arranged.

 

[jewels4life]

Hey guys,

so I checked out the diamonds at whiteflash but my problem is, that I do not find a ring setting that I do like...

I wrote an E-Mail to JP, let's see if that would work out (I think the price will be quite high..)

After BarbBe send me the link to the BlueNile page I found some rings that I like. So again the question to the other guys, can a BlueNile Astor Ideal Cut (H Color/VVS2 Clarity) compete with the Whiteflash or JP diamonds?

For me it is important that you can see a difference with your normal human eye .

Thanks in advance!

I’m not sure if you saw this on jp site or not, but this will give you a rough estimate of their pricing.

 

[BensonLoe]

I’m not sure if you saw this on jp site or not, but this will give you a rough estimate of their pricing.

Thanks, I saw this one - I think in the end it will be around 3k which is too much for me (I know the diamonds are really nice! :\ ).

Can anyone refer to the diamond from BlueNile mentioned above? Is the difference to the Whiteflash really so much?

Thanks!

 

[Kim N]

Hey guys,

so I checked out the diamonds at whiteflash but my problem is, that I do not find a ring setting that I do like...

I wrote an E-Mail to JP, let's see if that would work out (I think the price will be quite high..)

After BarbBe send me the link to the BlueNile page I found some rings that I like. So again the question to the other guys, can a BlueNile Astor Ideal Cut (H Color/VVS2 Clarity) compete with the Whiteflash or JP diamonds?

For me it is important that you can see a difference with your normal human eye .

Thanks in advance!

The Blue Nile stone is nice but won't compare to a stone from Whiteflash or JannPaul.

Was the WF setting I linked above not similar enough to the Blue Nile setting you've chosen?

4-Prong Classic Diamond Solitaire | 588

Elevate your style with a timeless 4-prong classic diamond solitaire ring. Perfect for any occasion, this stunning piece is a must-have for any jewelry collection. | 588

www.whiteflash.com

 

[BensonLoe]

The Blue Nile stone is nice but won't compare to a stone from Whiteflash or JannPaul.

Was the WF setting I linked above not similar enough to the Blue Nile setting you've chosen?

4-Prong Classic Diamond Solitaire | 588

Elevate your style with a timeless 4-prong classic diamond solitaire ring. Perfect for any occasion, this stunning piece is a must-have for any jewelry collection. | 588

www.whiteflash.com

Always difficult if you do not have it on your own hands - yesterday I thought so yes, now I looked at it again and I like it more now...I just had a chat with WF customer service - they have a new ring which is also similar and they will send me some pictures via E-Mail.

I hope I will be lucky with WF. For the moment the JP stones are one league above and the BlueNile is not recommended from the forum so yeah..let's see .

Thanks guys!

 

[mayaINaU]

The Blue Nile stone is nice but won't compare to a stone from Whiteflash or JannPaul.

Was the WF setting I linked above not similar enough to the Blue Nile setting you've chosen?

4-Prong Classic Diamond Solitaire | 588

Elevate your style with a timeless 4-prong classic diamond solitaire ring. Perfect for any occasion, this stunning piece is a must-have for any jewelry collection. | 588

www.whiteflash.com

Always difficult if you do not have it on your own hands - yesterday I thought so yes, now I looked at it again and I like it more now...I just had a chat with WF customer service - they have a new ring which is also similar and they will send me some pictures via E-Mail.

I hope I will be lucky with WF. For the moment the JP stones are one league above and the BlueNile is not recommended from the forum so yeah..let's see .

Thanks guys!

I think you are making the right choice. The Whiteflash ACA has passed Whiteflash’s rigorous light-performance tests and the BN has not been subject to these tests. The BN stone would probably look very nice, but if you put it next to an ACA, the ACA would sparkle even more. I have Whiteflash ACA earrings (.5 ct each) and they absolutely slay me. They were my first super ideal cuts and I had no idea a diamond could sparkle that much. Every time I pass a mirror I have to wiggle my earlobes to watch them sparkle. You will definitely be happy with an ACA, especially when you have a chance to see how it performs next to a “regular” diamond.

 

[TXwidow]

and please keep in mind probably a 4 prong setting will be beautiful with the stone you are considering; six prongs might be too much.

 

[BarbBe]

It’s easier and less stress to buy a diamond and the setting from the same vendor knowing that the one vendor is responsible for the entire project. My experience is that it’s not possible to get a comparable setting here in Germany for the price you would pay with any of the above vendors.

 

[Snowdrop13]

I think the Blue Nile stone will be lovely, personally. If you desire “perfection” then Whiteflash is the way to go, however, if Germany is anything like the UK then the Astor stone will be better than anything your girlfriend‘s friends will have. BN is based in Europe, prices include VAT and therefore returns will be easier. The Whiteflash upgrade policy is great but I’m not sure how many of us overseas are likely to take advantage of it.

 

[emmy12]

If you do go with Blue Nile for the stone, go with the "Classic Four Claw Solitaire Engagement Ring" (the top row in the picture you posted before). It also comes in a two-tone 18kt yellow option.

My 2¢: I wouldn't choose the Petite solitaire (bottom two rows in your pic) because I don't like the look when rings have a space (red circle) between the shank/shoulders and the head/prongs and don't flow nicely together because it looks lower quality. Vs The classic four claw solitaire (green circle) doesn't have the gap, and the shank looks like it connects right up to the base of the prongs. Prices are similar for both settings.