texirish
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2010
- Messages
- 92
I have started looking at engagement rings, and wanted to get some outside opinions on a few items, first starting with the main diamond itself. (I''ll get into questions on the custom design I want to create, as well as opinions on my idea for the proposal with later posts, as long as people are willing to read and want to help!)
My budget for the diamond itself is somewhere in the $3000 to $4000 range, depending on how much the custom design will cost. (Hopefully $1 to $2k). We are going for a round cut, and color is more important than clarity (need at least eye clean), and for me the sparkle and fire of the diamond is very important. I know that the color and clarity ratings are very important to the value of the diamond, but for me, I am more interested in the "5 second" test with my eyes than I am what the cert says or what lab it came from.
With that said, I still want to do some research and hear other opinions before I rush into something. I''ve been looking at a Leo Round diamond at Kay''s, mainly because I have a trade in I purchased roughly 9 years ago. At that time Kay''s policy was to guarantee a trade in value for the original purchase price plus 5% appreciation each year for up to 10 years. So basically my old diamond is now worth $3200, as long as I purchase a new diamond that is double the price. The 1ct Leo retails at $6000, so with the trade in I''m looking at $3000 which leaves me about $2 to design a nice custom setting. I''ve attached the Gemex and GSI reports, the diamond is rated a G/SI1. To me it is beautiful, it has great of fire and sparkle, and I think after the trade in I am getting a good deal, which is what I''m focused on, the actual out of pocket expense, not just the retail price.
But then it gets difficult... Today when I told my father that I was looking at e-rings, he offered me his great-grandmother''s diamond from 1923. It is very beautiful as well, and I took it the the local jeweler who is building my custom ring to take a look at. He is GIA educated, and he measured the stone at 5mm (about 1/2ct?), and a G/H VS2/SI1. So now I have to decide whether to stick with my original plan of a 1ct Leo or to use my great-great-grandmother''s diamond. Obviously, the meaning and story behind the family handed down diamond makes it invaluable and amazing, and it looks amazing as well. But at the same time it is much smaller than the diamond I had been looking at, and can afford. What to do? If I don''t buy the larger diamond, that leaves more in the budget for the custom mount, means I could use platinum instead of white gold. But again, with the smaller diamond, can''t do a whole lot with the band, as you don''t want the diamond to look small... right? So many options!
So I guess what are other''s thoughts on the Leo in general, and specifically how this one rates, and how I should go about choosing between it and my great-great-grandmother''s diamond?
Thanks for the help!
My budget for the diamond itself is somewhere in the $3000 to $4000 range, depending on how much the custom design will cost. (Hopefully $1 to $2k). We are going for a round cut, and color is more important than clarity (need at least eye clean), and for me the sparkle and fire of the diamond is very important. I know that the color and clarity ratings are very important to the value of the diamond, but for me, I am more interested in the "5 second" test with my eyes than I am what the cert says or what lab it came from.
With that said, I still want to do some research and hear other opinions before I rush into something. I''ve been looking at a Leo Round diamond at Kay''s, mainly because I have a trade in I purchased roughly 9 years ago. At that time Kay''s policy was to guarantee a trade in value for the original purchase price plus 5% appreciation each year for up to 10 years. So basically my old diamond is now worth $3200, as long as I purchase a new diamond that is double the price. The 1ct Leo retails at $6000, so with the trade in I''m looking at $3000 which leaves me about $2 to design a nice custom setting. I''ve attached the Gemex and GSI reports, the diamond is rated a G/SI1. To me it is beautiful, it has great of fire and sparkle, and I think after the trade in I am getting a good deal, which is what I''m focused on, the actual out of pocket expense, not just the retail price.
But then it gets difficult... Today when I told my father that I was looking at e-rings, he offered me his great-grandmother''s diamond from 1923. It is very beautiful as well, and I took it the the local jeweler who is building my custom ring to take a look at. He is GIA educated, and he measured the stone at 5mm (about 1/2ct?), and a G/H VS2/SI1. So now I have to decide whether to stick with my original plan of a 1ct Leo or to use my great-great-grandmother''s diamond. Obviously, the meaning and story behind the family handed down diamond makes it invaluable and amazing, and it looks amazing as well. But at the same time it is much smaller than the diamond I had been looking at, and can afford. What to do? If I don''t buy the larger diamond, that leaves more in the budget for the custom mount, means I could use platinum instead of white gold. But again, with the smaller diamond, can''t do a whole lot with the band, as you don''t want the diamond to look small... right? So many options!
So I guess what are other''s thoughts on the Leo in general, and specifically how this one rates, and how I should go about choosing between it and my great-great-grandmother''s diamond?
Thanks for the help!
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