Help for a newbie picking a diamond

diannec18 · Mar 14, 2015

Hi guys
this site was suggested to me by another member of a site that I frequent. I was told that people on here are very knowledgeable on diamonds (all I know is what i've found out in a few hours of researching, so not much) and can help you find great diamonds at great prices. If I'm incorrect for posting this here, my apologies.

My boyfriend and I are going ring shopping today, but I'm pretty positive Im going to tell him that I want something online because of cost savings and also the increased selection. I'm already limited by my nickel allergy, so many stores won't have settings that work for me anyway.

So anyway, our total budget for a ring is under 2k, preferably around 1500. I want a very simple solitaire setting, very delicate in palladium, so I'm thinking that will only be about 350-450, based on what I've seen online. So that leaves a decent amount for a smaller diamond. My wants for a diamond are:
- I want something that's at least .4 kt (I think, I'll have a better idea after going to the store this afternoon (Ive never actually had a diamond on my hand, so I have to see how it looks!!))
-I dont care about clarity so long as inclusions/imperfections cant be seen to the naked eye
-I don't care about color so long as the ring appears colorless (even if its not)
-I want something that appears symmetrical (even if its not perfectly)
-I want it to sparkle!

Basically, I want a diamond that looks lovely to the average laymen, even if a professional would know its not perfect.
If anyone has any advice, I'm all ears and much appreciative
Thanks again!!

diannec18 · Mar 15, 2015

Have I done something incorrectly to not get any responses?

Chihuahua6 · Mar 15, 2015

Not as many people post on weekends so just be patient and more will answer. In the meantime I did a quick search and found these:

.50 carat H $1,425 http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2994238.htm

.42 carat F $1,334 http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-540855.htm

Chihuahua6 · Mar 15, 2015

BTW I found this beautiful ring on sale for $339 last night in 14k. I think they only have one left and not sure about the size but if I was lookign for 14k I would have snatched it. It's the first ring on this page. Click on it and then click n detail to see the side view. I think this ring with the 1/2 carat diamond I suggested would be stunning.
http://www.solomonbrothers.com/Jewelry.aspx?&query=tulip%20ring

ccuheartnurse · Mar 15, 2015

Hi There...congratulations on this next step.

I would contact ID Jewelry & ask them to find you a stone. You wont get any of the pretty idealscope pics etc...but they have a great reputation for finding lovely & well made stones, especially for tight budgets & those just looking for a great sparker. They have very reasonable pricing on settings as well.

There is always a pre-owned option as well. Would this be ok with you?

All the best...

Chihuahua6 · Mar 15, 2015

ccuheartnurse|1426433911|3847530 said:
Hi There...congratulations on this next step.

I would contact ID Jewelry & ask them to find you a stone. You wont get any of the pretty idealscope pics etc...but they have a great reputation for finding lovely & well made stones, especially for tight budgets & those just looking for a great sparker. They have very reasonable pricing on settings as well.

There is always a pre-owned option as well. Would this be ok with you?

All the best...

I think you confused me with the op. I was helping out the op and suggested the setting ; )

ccuheartnurse · Mar 15, 2015

I was answering the OP.

Chihuahua6 · Mar 15, 2015

ccuheartnurse|1426435560|3847548 said:
I was answering the OP.

Oh that does make sense lol. I thought you were referring to my post about the setting not realizing that you were answering the original post, silly me ; )

ccuheartnurse · Mar 15, 2015

It's ok.

I came across this one just now...definitely worth looking into. Several PS's have bought from DZ & they have a good reputation. Have them check the stone or perhaps negotiate getting it certified with GIA or AGS. If not, then will be worth sending it to one of PS appraisers. Setting is Platinum too, no issues with your allergy.

http://www.diamondzonejewelry.com/jewelry-collection/diamond-rings/engagement-rings/3-4ct-diamond-f-si1-natural-platinum-engagement-ring.html

Judy

palmersj · Mar 15, 2015

Hi Cherry,

Here's a good one. http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?stockno=LD05371782
I don't have a lot of experience with nickel allergy scenarios. You could check with bn and or have the loose diamond shipped to whoever you buy the setting from. Congrats and good luck.

Niel · Mar 15, 2015

Hey!
So sorry you were worried about getting responses.

First things first, if your budget is 1500, I would not spend so much on the setting.

I would get one of these. Your setting can always be changed down the road. Much more expensive to change diamonds

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7115

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-six-prong-item-7990

I've purchase this setting and, though inexpensive, it does not look cheap.

Now one moment let me look for stones.

palmersj · Mar 15, 2015

ccuheartnurse|1426436822|3847563 said:
It's ok.

I came across this one just now...definitely worth looking into. Several PS's have bought from DZ & they have a good reputation. Have them check the stone or perhaps negotiate getting it certified with GIA or AGS. If not, then will be worth sending it to one of PS appraisers. Setting is Platinum too, no issues with your allergy.

http://www.diamondzonejewelry.com/jewelry-collection/diamond-rings/engagement-rings/3-4ct-diamond-f-si1-natural-platinum-engagement-ring.html

Judy

I checked this one out and agree that if everything checks out (grading is legit), it's pretty sweet.

Niel · Mar 15, 2015

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD05491671

email this to your husband and you can get 100 off this purchase and a discount off your wedding bands if you want down the road

http://www.bluenile.com/email_friend.jsp

there are discount settings, as well as nicer settings... you can get one of those for around 1500, or you can splurge a little for a nicer settings.... I would do that. still under 2k, but the design is better.. I like these

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/robert-leser-petite-solitaire-ring-18k-white-gold_50561?elem=img&track=product

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/nouveau-knife-edge-engagement-ring_38921?elem=img&track=product

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/robert-leser-petite-solitaire-ring-18k-white-gold_50561?elem=img&track=product

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamond-engagement-ring-setting-white-gold_20403?elem=img&track=product

diannec18 · Mar 16, 2015

Hey guys
Thanks everyone for getting back to me. I should have mentioned that I'm staying away from white gold entirely (bc of the nickel allergy) but Ill defintely check out the stones that were posted.

ccuheartnurse: That ring looks too good to be true! From everything I've seen, the setting alone in platinum would be that much. Honestly though, I'm not sure how I feel about the diamond band. I think I need to go back to the jewelry store and try on some different styles before I rule things out.

diannec18 · Mar 16, 2015

Have another question for you guys:
We went to a local jewelers on Saturday and saw some diamonds and a setting that weren't nearly as overpriced as I thought they would be. Found a very simple setting I like for just over $300 and they showed us a .5 ct for around 1000 that was a I and no visible inclusions (to the naked eye).

I'd really like something slightly bigger though and they said their .75 diamonds are significantly more expensive. So it looks like if I want a bigger diamond, I may need to purchase online. My concern however is the this store said that they 100% gaurentee their rings and that if I ever decided to upgrade to a larger stone, they would give me the full value (what I paid initially for the stone) to put towards the new stone, but that if it was someone elses stone, they wouldnt be able to do that.

Is this just a marketing ploy or is that legit? Anyone know?

telephone89 · Mar 17, 2015

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/80-carat-rb-i-si2-triple-ex-diamond-with-pt-setting-t211573.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/80-carat-rb-i-si2-triple-ex-diamond-with-pt-setting-t211573.html[/URL]
!!!

Niel · Mar 17, 2015

telephone89|1426608338|3848531 said:
https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/80-carat-rb-i-si2-triple-ex-diamond-with-pt-setting-t211573.html
!!!

Haha! I was about to post the same thing with the same "!!!"

telephone89 · Mar 17, 2015

Niel|1426608519|3848534 said:
telephone89|1426608338|3848531 said:

https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/80-carat-rb-i-si2-triple-ex-diamond-with-pt-setting-t211573.html
!!!

Click to expand...

Haha! I was about to post the same thing with the same "!!!"

Great minds

tyty333 · Mar 17, 2015

telephone89|1426608338|3848531 said:
https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/80-carat-rb-i-si2-triple-ex-diamond-with-pt-setting-t211573.html
!!!

Great size...and really decent price! Good find!

telephone89 · Mar 17, 2015

Unfortunately it looks like that ring already has multiple offers on it! I hope the OP sees it!

diannec18 · Mar 20, 2015

Ahh, I missed it. I wish I got email notifications when someone posts. Unfortunately, even if you guys put up a specific diamond, I dont think my bf is quite ready to pull the trigger

So Im basically just making myself crazy researching in the meantime.

telephone89 · Mar 20, 2015

cherryiice|1426866430|3850050 said:
Ahh, I missed it. I wish I got email notifications when someone posts. Unfortunately, even if you guys put up a specific diamond, I dont think my bf is quite ready to pull the trigger
So Im basically just making myself crazy researching in the meantime.

Come back when he's ready, or send him. You can still research and learn, but don't make yourself crazy! Lurk and read the threads, and def admire everything on smtb

diannec18 · Mar 30, 2015

OK guys, I'm back and after two weeks of non stop researching, I'm not as much of a newbie. The SO has given me permission to find a stone of my liking, and then hell handle getting it set. So I've decided that I want at least a .55, and I want tons of fire. Don't want it to look yellow and I want it eye clean.

In terms of vendors, I feel most comfortable with James Allen or ritani, because of their options for viewing the stones. We don't have enough disposable income or time to deal with shipping stones back and forth just so we can see what they look like in real life.

Theoretically, I think I'd like to order something 4-5 days from now, we have a phone interview with our lender this evening, so that could impact our timeline some what but I know when if I buy something this week, were looking at probably a couple months before SO would have a ring in hand.

I've been running every stone I've looked at through the HCA, but now I'm pretty confused as to how much I should rely on those figures because of something a poster on a previous thread said.

diannec18 · Mar 30, 2015

danielxlin · Mar 30, 2015

The 0.64 carat J VVS2 is a gorgeous, gorgeous stone. Can't stop looking at it.

diannec18 · Mar 30, 2015

danielxlin|1427738892|3854609 said:
The 0.64 carat J VVS2 is a gorgeous, gorgeous stone. Can't stop looking at it.

What makes you say so Daniel?

danielxlin · Mar 30, 2015

Mostly subjective eye-pleasure. Post hoc justification: the 0.64 J VVS2 is the closest to perfectly round in your selection, and has the crispest arrow pattern (the fluorescent diamond has nice arrows, too, but I don't like the slight milky haze). It's also maybe the most transparent.

P.S. There's also something very lively and appealing about the 0.70 J VS2, big chunky girdle and all. But I'm wary of only a very good cut rating.

diannec18 · Mar 30, 2015

Thanks for the info. Do you think I need to worry about it looking yellowish IRL?

danielxlin · Mar 30, 2015

cherryiice|1427750492|3854709 said:
Thanks for the info. Do you think I need to worry about it looking yellowish IRL?

If you're comparing equally well cut diamonds, from the faceup view you'd have a hard time distinguishing between an E versus I versus J color diamond (because the diamonds are doing a good job of reflecting a lot of white light). From an angle, from the side view, it's much easier to differentiate. See this video for concrete example of E versus I versus J:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzBGhkF5C4o

So your sensitivity to how your diamond will look from the side angle view is important. A J will look slightly tinted yellow from that angle.

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