Need help: GF wants big rock, I want eye-clean nice rock

[JulieN]

1.5 K VS1 Oval, med blue flour: http://rockdiamond.com/index.php?crn=209&rn=528&action=show_detail
1.5 L SI1 cushion, strong blue flour

http://rockdiamond.com/index.php?crn=209&rn=511&action=show_detail

 

[blueroses]

Julie, Great finds!!! I especially love the combo of FLOUR with a K or L stone.....can be a tasty combo


That oval is Nice!!!!! The l/w ratio makes it face up nice and big--some good long finger real esate??

GIA 1.52ct K/VS1 Oval Diamond
Loose Diamond: 1.52ct K/VS1 Oval
Color: K color
Lab report: GIA Report
Measures: 8.93 x 6.29 x 4.06mm (Almost 9mm in length??!! BIG!)
Fluorescence: Medium Blue
Depth: 64.5%/Table:58%
#R1323
$5795

The cushion faces up smaller, but is PRETTY. Good price too.


Catalog Home > Loose Diamonds > GIA 1.51ct L/SI1 Cushion Cut Diamond
GIA 1.51ct L/SI1 Cushion Cut Diamond
Loose Diamond: GIA 1.51ct L/SI1 Cushion Cut Diamond
Color: L color
Lab report: GIA Report
Measures: 7.43 x 6.09 x 3.95mm Polish/Symmetry: Very Good/Good
Depth/Table- 64.8%/T- 60%
#R1379
$4350

 

[LAJennifer]

If she said "over 2 carats", then she most likely means "2 carats at minimum". Listen to her. My friend got engaged a few months after I did. I helped as much as I could to educate the both of them. She wanted a minimum of 2 carats. They both had seen my ring and she will admit that mine is one of the most beautiful she has ever seen. My center stone is around 1 carat, E color, VS1, with a kick-a$$ cut and fire shooting everywhere. While she loves my ring and admires the "quality", it is not something she would be happy with for her engagement ring - she wants something "BIG". I tried (and so did he) to get her to "settle" for something in the 1.5 - 1.7 range. But she would have been "settling" and would have ultimately been disappointed. She ended up with a very pretty ring - Clarity Enhanced stone. The center stone is just over 2 carats and a princess cut, F color, EGL cert. It is set in a white gold, thin pave, halo setting. It is a beautiful ring and she couldn''t be happier. It is indeed colorless and the enhancement can only be viewed from the side (and you''re looking for it). It does have a very small black carbon spot near the center - visible if you look at the ring up close - but she couldn''t care less! It is BIG and very sparkly and cost just under $10K.

 

[codex57]

Yeah, some people just don''t care about anything else except the feature they want (usually carat size). I remember when I was in the elevator either going to or coming from the shop where I got my e-ring, there was this couple who had just picked up their ring. It was a honker. Prolly 3+ carat. Maybe more. The girl was absolutely thrilled to pieces. It was very cloudy, dull, yellowish, and I''m sure it had a bunch of visible inclusions in it (didn''t get to inspect it all that long). However, it was huge and that''s what she wanted. Since she was happy, that''s all that really matters.

My wife had previously told me that she wanted a clear stone. Pretty much meant D color. She prolly woulda been fine with E color, but she would have "settled" for it. That wouldn''t have made her truly happy so I sucked it up and only looked at D colored stones even tho I thought it woulda been better to go down to E/F and increase size.

Mind clean can be as important as eye clean.

 

[Mara]

haha this is the oddest thread EVER.

she's 20, she wants a 2c plus ring, but it has to be colorless and antique?

for $7k.

she doesn't want much does she??

here's a question. does she know how much you plan to spend? because maybe she thinks your budget is more like $25k instead of $7k?

if she wants everything listed above for under $7k, i'd get clarity enhanced even though that totally goes against my grain. but even then not sure if you can get 2c for $5k. she already said she doesn't want a colored stone and you said she doesn't want a tinted diamond. to me that means anything mediocre cut/antique cut in J+ is out of the question. that means no L's, no K's, no M's. i doubt she'd want to show off a tinted diamond as well.

as much as i love some of the options posted here, i would never buy a stone like that 2.55 M or the N that was posted etc...those cuts are horrendous!! 65% table? yikes! i would totally go with fay cullen and get an old antique stone that is a mediocre cut but meant to actually be that way....with some personality with a cool setting and call it a day. but even then not sure if you can find something colorless. maybe near colorless.

this thread makes my brain hurt! hehe. good luck dude.

 

[blueroses]

Mara, I think you''re right--maybe an antique colorless stone where cut quality isn''t so much of an issue b/c it''s MEANT to be cut that way! (Yeah, when I plugged that 2.55M into the HCA I was like, wait, that table has to be a mistake!!)

I am going to see what''s loose on faycullen.

But yes, my brain hurts--it''s like a sphinx riddle figuring this out!

 

[LAJennifer]

Here is a 2+ carat princess - clarity enhanced, J color for around $7K. I don''t know anything about princess cuts - so I don''t know how the cut is.

http://www.yehuda.com/viewproduct.asp?ID=2375424&ProductID=17814&type=Loose&parcel_id=GG25343151&itemstatus=1

Maybe if you shopped around at a local jeweler and tell them your looking for a nice clarity enhanced stone they may be able to help you.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I am not sure whether you have been shown this stone yest, but it is a very excellent cut and a teriffic deal from Wink:

http://www.winkjones.com/specials/sa_diamonds.php

Scroll down to the very last stone, J VS2, 1.56 Infinity diamond for $8789!!! I wouldn''t mind taking a look at that one myself!

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 6/14/2006 10:52:27 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I am not sure whether you have been shown this stone yest, but it is a very excellent cut and a teriffic deal from Wink:

http://www.winkjones.com/specials/sa_diamonds.php

Scroll down to the very last stone, J VS2, 1.56 Infinity diamond for $8789!!! I wouldn''t mind taking a look at that one myself!

That''s a VERY nice diamond. Infinity! Yum!

 

[Mara]

Date: 6/14/2006 11:16:33 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 6/14/2006 10:52:27 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I am not sure whether you have been shown this stone yest, but it is a very excellent cut and a teriffic deal from Wink:

http://www.winkjones.com/specials/sa_diamonds.php

Scroll down to the very last stone, J VS2, 1.56 Infinity diamond for $8789!!! I wouldn''t mind taking a look at that one myself!

That''s a VERY nice diamond. Infinity! Yum!

DITTO!! That is a nice stone.

 

[Small]

Date: 6/14/2006 10:52:27 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I am not sure whether you have been shown this stone yest, but it is a very excellent cut and a teriffic deal from Wink:

http://www.winkjones.com/specials/sa_diamonds.php

Scroll down to the very last stone, J VS2, 1.56 Infinity diamond for $8789!!! I wouldn''t mind taking a look at that one myself!

I think Belle posted another infinity I1 on the other page. Now while some people wouldn''t consider it, coming from Wink and having an Infinity SI2 that has a visible inclusion covered by my prong I''d consider an I1 in a heartbeat with its size and cut it easily would look better inclusions and all then a horribly cut 2ct. Paul cuts spectacular stones and for the prices that Wink has all of them for I''d encourage anyone to take a look. This one is a beauty too

I hope the professor takes alot of this advice to heart especially about talking to his lady. I think if she could see an ideal cut vs a 2ct that is mediocre she may change her tune!

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 6/14/2006 11:44:47 PM
Author: Mara

Date: 6/14/2006 11:16:33 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 6/14/2006 10:52:27 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I am not sure whether you have been shown this stone yest, but it is a very excellent cut and a teriffic deal from Wink:

http://www.winkjones.com/specials/sa_diamonds.php

Scroll down to the very last stone, J VS2, 1.56 Infinity diamond for $8789!!! I wouldn't mind taking a look at that one myself!

That's a VERY nice diamond. Infinity! Yum!

DITTO!! That is a nice stone.

Triple ditto. Yummo, now that's a stone I can get behind. All the one's before were not my cup of tea. And CE is not the way to go IMHO. Take a good look at this one, cause it's a winner!!!

Nice find DS!!!

 

[LAJennifer]

Date: 6/14/2006 11:50:33 PM
Author: Small
I think if she could see an ideal cut vs a 2ct that is mediocre she may change her tune!

My friend didn''t. I think Professor should listen to his girlfriend and accommodate her wishes. Clarity Enhanced is the only conceivable way to get her a 2 carat stone that still looks nice and stay around his budget. Trust me, my friend would havebeen terribly disappointed with anything less than 2 carats - and she has seen my smaller ideal cut stone. Some people want size.

 

[diamondfan]

Date: 6/15/2006 12:19:53 AM
Author: LAJennifer

Date: 6/14/2006 11:50:33 PM
Author: Small
I think if she could see an ideal cut vs a 2ct that is mediocre she may change her tune!

My friend didn''t. I think Professor should listen to his girlfriend and accommodate her wishes. Clarity Enhanced is the only conceivable way to get her a 2 carat stone that still looks nice and stay around his budget. Trust me, my friend would havebeen terribly disappointed with anything less than 2 carats - and she has seen my smaller ideal cut stone. Some people want size.

I agree, though I think that often, over time, they start to realize that size is not all that matters and if they ever upgrade, quality becomes important...didn''t someone here basically go smaller to get higher clarity and color? (or am I truly hallucinating?)

 

[Mara]

Date: 6/15/2006 12:21:55 AM
Author: diamondfan

Date: 6/15/2006 12:19:53 AM
Author: LAJennifer

Date: 6/14/2006 11:50:33 PM
Author: Small
I think if she could see an ideal cut vs a 2ct that is mediocre she may change her tune!

My friend didn''t. I think Professor should listen to his girlfriend and accommodate her wishes. Clarity Enhanced is the only conceivable way to get her a 2 carat stone that still looks nice and stay around his budget. Trust me, my friend would havebeen terribly disappointed with anything less than 2 carats - and she has seen my smaller ideal cut stone. Some people want size.

I agree, though I think that often, over time, they start to realize that size is not all that matters and if they ever upgrade, quality becomes important...didn''t someone here basically go smaller to get higher clarity and color? (or am I truly hallucinating?)

She may still want a crappily cut large stone after but at least she will be able to know the differences and then made an educated decision on what she is giving up. Sometimes people don''t have any idea what they are giving up OR what they are getting. Education makes all the difference. It''s like shopping at Tiffany''s. If you at least are educated about what you get and don''t get and what you are paying, in the end it''s your decision to make. But nothing wrong with a little edumacation to be sure it''s what you really want!

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 6/15/2006 12:19:53 AM
Author: LAJennifer

Date: 6/14/2006 11:50:33 PM
Author: Small
I think if she could see an ideal cut vs a 2ct that is mediocre she may change her tune!

My friend didn''t. I think Professor should listen to his girlfriend and accommodate her wishes. Clarity Enhanced is the only conceivable way to get her a 2 carat stone that still looks nice and stay around his budget. Trust me, my friend would havebeen terribly disappointed with anything less than 2 carats - and she has seen my smaller ideal cut stone. Some people want size.

I think what Small was trying to say is that... while she may still prefer a 2 carat stone after learning more about diamonds-- she may not. And that, talking with her about it is the best way to be sure whether she will prefer a smaller, better quality stone, or a larger stone of... questionable quality.

Frankly though... I wouldn''t go with a CE either. Would much rather have a 1.7 J SI1 oval (which is huge in terms of MM size) in an inexpensive setting. But then... I don''t think that''s in question.

 

[Small]

Date: 6/15/2006 12:19:53 AM
Author: LAJennifer

Date: 6/14/2006 11:50:33 PM
Author: Small
I think if she could see an ideal cut vs a 2ct that is mediocre she may change her tune!

My friend didn''t. I think Professor should listen to his girlfriend and accommodate her wishes. Clarity Enhanced is the only conceivable way to get her a 2 carat stone that still looks nice and stay around his budget. Trust me, my friend would havebeen terribly disappointed with anything less than 2 carats - and she has seen my smaller ideal cut stone. Some people want size.

But he says she knows nothing whereas your friend had previously seen your ring. I think he truly should take her out looking so she can decide for herself. I wouldn''t recommend anyone a clarity enhanced until they understand what they are all about. If she''s 20 she may want to upgrade in the future and that would be impossible with a clarity enhanced stone. I wanted a big ring at 20 too but I had no idea how to gauge size relative to ct wt and so on. Maybe if he educates her then she can tell him yes I''d like a 2ct no matter what or no I''d like a really great cut and I''d take a 1.5 ct instead.
And the mm difference between an ideal cut RB and a mediocre cut RB aren''t going to be that noticeable anyway. One that is cut not so good is probably going to be carrying weight where she doesn''t see it and it will face up smaller anyway.
That''s my 2c. I''m not saying he shouldn''t get her size...I''m just saying before he gets a clarity enhanced 2ct stone he should educate her a bit so she knows exactly what she could get or what she will get

 

[LAJennifer]

Date: 6/15/2006 12:26:30 AM
Author: Small

Date: 6/15/2006 12:19:53 AM
Author: LAJennifer

Date: 6/14/2006 11:50:33 PM
Author: Small
I think if she could see an ideal cut vs a 2ct that is mediocre she may change her tune!

My friend didn''t. I think Professor should listen to his girlfriend and accommodate her wishes. Clarity Enhanced is the only conceivable way to get her a 2 carat stone that still looks nice and stay around his budget. Trust me, my friend would havebeen terribly disappointed with anything less than 2 carats - and she has seen my smaller ideal cut stone. Some people want size.

But he says she knows nothing whereas your friend had previously seen your ring. I think he truly should take her out looking so she can decide for herself. I wouldn''t recommend anyone a clarity enhanced until they understand what they are all about. If she''s 20 she may want to upgrade in the future and that would be impossible with a clarity enhanced stone. I wanted a big ring at 20 too but I had no idea how to gauge size relative to ct wt and so on. Maybe if he educates her then she can tell him yes I''d like a 2ct no matter what or no I''d like a really great cut and I''d take a 1.5 ct instead.
And the mm difference between an ideal cut RB and a mediocre cut RB aren''t going to be that noticeable anyway. One that is cut not so good is probably going to be carrying weight where she doesn''t see it and it will face up smaller anyway.
That''s my 2c. I''m not saying he shouldn''t get her size...I''m just saying before he gets a clarity enhanced 2ct stone he should educate her a bit so she knows exactly what she could get or what she will get

I agree that he should talk to her; and there is certainly nothing wrong with a little edumacation

. However, she may still choose size over everything else and, if she does, he should be prepared to explore other "options". I, personally, would NEVER want a clarity enhanced diamond for my engagement or wedding ring. But, then again, I''m a CRAZY pricescoper

. I would, however, take a nicely cut, fairly colorless, clarity enhanced stone over a really low color graded stone with crazy specs. And it has been said, repeatedly, that Pricescope is not like the rest of the world.

 

[Professor]

Again, thanks to everyone replying to this thread. Most of you were correct in telling me to talk to her about it. After a rough conversation (she wants to be completely surprised and was a bit annoyed that I know know what she wants) and showing her some Fay Cullen pieces, she now realizes she does not want a true antique setting. I basically explained the sacrifice in sparkle and color that would need to be made to accomidate a reasonable budget (where I live, I make half of what a similar person would in LA or NYC), a huge rock would not be as nice as a smaller well cut one. So, after showing her a M color from GoodOldGold as compared to a D color, and explaining a bit about Cut and Color, she now has a different set of critera

1) Classy/Dainty setting (I've always liked Tacori, but would rather spend more money on the stone than the setting). She is a 10 1/2 ring size, but I don't think that will matter.

2) Around 1 Ct center stone (WAY more reasonable and I can get an Ideal cut or H&A stone online for 5K at 90-100 points)

3) Round, Princess, or Emerald cut. She doesn't like pears or any other fancy cut, but for the fire factor, I'm probably sticking to a Round.

This was pretty much what I wanted to do in the first place, and I'm happy I talked to her about it. For now, I will stick with my B&M place for the loose stone (they actually are only 500 buck off of the online prices... pretty amazing), but any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'll post some pictures and tell you how it was done afterwards... just in case she ends up reading this website before hand.

What does the group think about this one: http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=1034
I think it's dainty, classy, and I believe she will like the cut and size (A lot more than she is expecting). Since I don't know much about a cushion cut, is this a good stone? Is there anything else I can get from the vendor to find out more information about this stone?

Thanks again for all of your help!

Date: 6/15/2006 12:51:46 AM
Author: LAJennifer

Date: 6/15/2006 12:26:30 AM

Author: Small

Date: 6/15/2006 12:19:53 AM

Author: LAJennifer

Date: 6/14/2006 11:50:33 PM

Author: Small

I think if she could see an ideal cut vs a 2ct that is mediocre she may change her tune!

My friend didn't. I think Professor should listen to his girlfriend and accommodate her wishes. Clarity Enhanced is the only conceivable way to get her a 2 carat stone that still looks nice and stay around his budget. Trust me, my friend would havebeen terribly disappointed with anything less than 2 carats - and she has seen my smaller ideal cut stone. Some people want size.

But he says she knows nothing whereas your friend had previously seen your ring. I think he truly should take her out looking so she can decide for herself. I wouldn't recommend anyone a clarity enhanced until they understand what they are all about. If she's 20 she may want to upgrade in the future and that would be impossible with a clarity enhanced stone. I wanted a big ring at 20 too but I had no idea how to gauge size relative to ct wt and so on. Maybe if he educates her then she can tell him yes I'd like a 2ct no matter what or no I'd like a really great cut and I'd take a 1.5 ct instead.

And the mm difference between an ideal cut RB and a mediocre cut RB aren't going to be that noticeable anyway. One that is cut not so good is probably going to be carrying weight where she doesn't see it and it will face up smaller anyway.

That's my 2c. I'm not saying he shouldn't get her size...I'm just saying before he gets a clarity enhanced 2ct stone he should educate her a bit so she knows exactly what she could get or what she will get

I agree that he should talk to her; and there is certainly nothing wrong with a little edumacation

. However, she may still choose size over everything else and, if she does, he should be prepared to explore other 'options'. I, personally, would NEVER want a clarity enhanced diamond for my engagement or wedding ring. But, then again, I'm a CRAZY pricescoper

. I would, however, take a nicely cut, fairly colorless, clarity enhanced stone over a really low color graded stone with crazy specs. And it has been said, repeatedly, that Pricescope is not like the rest of the world.

 

[Lorelei]

Steady on Professor.....you said in your last post you spoke to your GF and she said she liked rounds, Princesses and Emeralds but not other fancy shapes. So why the cushion??

 

[JulieN]

I guess a cushion is between a round and an emerald...

Does anyone else think that the top left prong is off and the bottom of the shank too thin? Or am I just seeing things?

 

[ecf8503]

Date: 6/15/2006 7:09:30 AM
Author: Professor

1) Classy/Dainty setting (I''ve always liked Tacori, but would rather spend more money on the stone than the setting). She is a 10 1/2 ring size, but I don''t think that will matter.

2) Around 1 Ct center stone (WAY more reasonable and I can get an Ideal cut or H&A stone online for 5K at 90-100 points)

3) Round, Princess, or Emerald cut. She doesn''t like pears or any other fancy cut, but for the fire factor, I''m probably sticking to a Round.


This was pretty much what I wanted to do in the first place, and I''m happy I talked to her about it. For now, I will stick with my B&M place for the loose stone (they actually are only 500 buck off of the online prices... pretty amazing), but any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I''ll post some pictures and tell you how it was done afterwards... just in case she ends up reading this website before hand.


What does the group think about this one: http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=1034

I think it''s dainty, classy, and I believe she will like the cut and size (A lot more than she is expecting). Since I don''t know much about a cushion cut, is this a good stone? Is there anything else I can get from the vendor to find out more information about this stone?


Thanks again for all of your help!

I''m SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo glad to hear you actually talked to her! Now you said round, emerald, or princess - her decision or yours? Has she tried them on or even seen them in person? Things look VERY different on your hand than in a pic. (I love EC''s, but I have yet to find one that looks good on ME!).

Ring size 10 1/2 - a slightly elongated stone shape may be more flattering -

If you and your gal like the dainty antiquey style, then going through AER may be a good option, even if it is just for the setting. Leigh has a very good return policy, so if she doesn''t like the ring (or the setting) there shouldn''t be a problem. Others have also asked about the quality of the center stones he carries (especially the OEC''s) and from what I recall he was a tad offended that anyone would think he wouldn''t carry gorgeous stones, so it may be worth giving him a call.

The cushion you showed from AER looks nice - it has a larger, more antique type faceting style. The mounting itself is a replica - and he sells one that looks almost identical on the bottom of Pg 1 of the "mountings" page. You could find a nice center on your own and have it set in a mounting like this................

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/15/2006 7:46:02 AM
Author: JulieN


Does anyone else think that the top left prong is off and the bottom of the shank too thin? Or am I just seeing things?

I definitely think the prongs are off...the right one looks a lot lower than the left, can''t really tell with the shank but the prongs would drive me nuts!

 

[ecf8503]

Date: 6/15/2006 8:24:44 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 6/15/2006 7:46:02 AM

Author: JulieN



Does anyone else think that the top left prong is off and the bottom of the shank too thin? Or am I just seeing things?

I definitely think the prongs are off...the right one looks a lot lower than the left, can''t really tell with the shank but the prongs would drive me nuts!

A quick search here on PS will show others'' opinions of AER and their settings...

... guess you get what you pay for. And if you aren''t a super-picky PS''r, the things we notice usually aren''t seen at all by "normal" consumers. Genuine antiques often aren''t perfect at all -

 

[Lorelei]

I guess we study this stuff avidly and develop an " eye" for jewellery detail that we do zoom in on these things! I am the type who goes around straightening pictures and can''t bear anything crooked, so those prongs would drive me crazy!

 

[pinkflamingo]

I like that cushion, professor. If she has a 10.5 ring size, a traditional solitaire around a carat will probably look very small. I have a size 8 with long fingers and I feel my Tiffany 6 prong 1 carat looks too small sometimes. Sidestones will help with the size.

I would point out the prong issue and ask if it can be straightened. They have a 30 day money back guarantee, you could get it appraised in that time and make your final decision.

I also think the 1.5 J VS2 looks very good from Wink. What about that in a delicate antiquey setting? It will outperform the cushion, I am sure.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Hooray!!! Exactly what I thought!!! She really did not know enough to know what she wanted!

I''d definitely go with a round with a 10 1/2 ring size. A cushion or other square cut will face up waaay too small. I''d be looking at that 1.5 J VS2 Infinity from Wink if someone hasn''t already snapped it up. Larger ring sizes do look better with a little larger stone and you won''t find a stone with that cut for that price very often. Wink has a nice selection of settings, too.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/15/2006 11:53:03 AM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Hooray!!! Exactly what I thought!!! She really did not know enough to know what she wanted!

I''d definitely go with a round with a 10 1/2 ring size. A cushion or other square cut will face up waaay too small. I''d be looking at that 1.5 J VS2 Infinity from Wink if someone hasn''t already snapped it up. Larger ring sizes do look better with a little larger stone and you won''t find a stone with that cut for that price very often. Wink has a nice selection of settings, too.

Ditto.

 

[Mara]

i''m so happy to hear you talked to her about it! imagine if you presented her with a lovely M antique stone in a fay cullen setting and she was like WHAT is this? yikes.

i''d suggest that you give some thought to halo''ing the 1c stone. i know that 1c is not small but knowing that she wanted more like a 2c and she has a large finger at size 10, i would imagine she''ll be kind of unhappy at how the 1c looks on her finger esp since she wanted way larger. halo''ing the stone can add ALOT of oomph to it and the finished diameter will probably be more like a 2c.

you can get halo settings for various prices but i know WF has two in their collection that are about $1600 each in white gold, and i have tried both on before and just LOVE them. set a 1c stone in there, ay carumba. and if you get a well-cut stone she will be flying high, well-cut stone, beautiful sparkle, halo to give it a bit of ooomph. just be sure the stones your local jeweler is showing you blow your socks off and are well-cut.

just my thoughts from a size 6 fingered girl who is always wishing her diamond was bigger OR fingers were smaller.

 

[Mara]

here is a shot of the WF bezel halo with no prongs...this is my other personality''s dream ring...very delicate and romantic. hehe.