Need help: halo hesitation!

[redfalconx]

is it you who reserved that?
I say yes to the I

No, I didn't. Argh!

Well, scratch that idea.

 

[Niel]

this one might be worth calling in to get an IS and see if its eye clean
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1536355.asp

 

[milton333]

I have a J SI2 1/2 carat, in that size you do not need to worry too much about color or clarity, it's just not as obvious as in a larger diamond (so long as you're not looking at black inclusions). For your budget, I'd go down to J and SI1 or SI2 clarity to maximize your budget. A 1/2 carat is not large, even on small fingers, believe me

Here are pictures of my stone in a halo with F-G stones, no significant color differences are noticeable. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-bgd-halo-bezel-pendant.170776/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-bgd-halo-bezel-pendant.170776/[/URL]

Here's what I would do with your budget, which is quite limited for what you're trying to accomplish (halos are pricey settings). Contact ID Jewelry in New York. http://idjewelryonline.com/engagement.php Say that you're a Pricescoper looking for an engagement ring for $1,500. IDJ can get you Gabriel & Co. settings for good prices, here are some options.

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8276W44JJ
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7807W44JJ
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7815W44JJ


Tell them that you want the largest, eye-clean, Pricescope-quality stone of around I-J color that you can get within your budget.

 

[Niel]

I have a J SI2 1/2 carat, in that size you do not need to worry too much about color or clarity, it's just not as obvious as in a larger diamond (so long as you're not looking at black inclusions). For your budget, I'd go down to J and SI1 or SI2 clarity to maximize your budget. A 1/2 carat is not large, even on small fingers, believe me

Here are pictures of my stone in a halo with F-G stones, no significant color differences are noticeable. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-bgd-halo-bezel-pendant.170776/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-bgd-halo-bezel-pendant.170776/[/URL]

Here's what I would do with your budget, which is quite limited for what you're trying to accomplish (halos are pricey settings). Contact ID Jewelry in New York. http://idjewelryonline.com/engagement.php Say that you're a Pricescoper looking for an engagement ring for $1,500. IDJ can get you Gabriel & Co. settings for good prices, here are some options.

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8276W44JJ
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7807W44JJ
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7815W44JJ


Tell them that you want the largest, eye-clean, Pricescope-quality stone of around I-J color that you can get within your budget.

Not a terrible idea at all, i really like the third gabriel setting

 

[Rosebloom]

That's a great idea. IDJ is fantastic at working with tight budgets. And they are very well liked on this forum.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I like the third setting but that would leave him very little for the diamond.

I really think you had good choices already at James Allen. At least you have images of the stones there.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

this one might be worth calling in to get an IS and see if its eye clean
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1536355.asp

I like this one and the H VS2. He could get idealscope images of both.

 

[Niel]

I like the third setting but that would leave him very little for the diamond.

I really think you had good choices already at James Allen. At least you have images of the stones there.

I agree I do like that setting but it takes out 150 from the diamond budget that is already stretched pretty thin.... Ive never seen one of these IDJ "budget miracles" though. So maybe worth contacting them while your getting those 2 stones pulled in for IS images at JA.....I have a feeling you be stuck with a .4 ct or less though.


is there a third JA option??

 

[redfalconx]

I have a J SI2 1/2 carat, in that size you do not need to worry too much about color or clarity, it's just not as obvious as in a larger diamond (so long as you're not looking at black inclusions). For your budget, I'd go down to J and SI1 or SI2 clarity to maximize your budget. A 1/2 carat is not large, even on small fingers, believe me

Here are pictures of my stone in a halo with F-G stones, no significant color differences are noticeable. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-bgd-halo-bezel-pendant.170776/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-bgd-halo-bezel-pendant.170776/[/URL]

Here's what I would do with your budget, which is quite limited for what you're trying to accomplish (halos are pricey settings). Contact ID Jewelry in New York. http://idjewelryonline.com/engagement.php Say that you're a Pricescoper looking for an engagement ring for $1,500. IDJ can get you Gabriel & Co. settings for good prices, here are some options.

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8276W44JJ
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7807W44JJ
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7815W44JJ


Tell them that you want the largest, eye-clean, Pricescope-quality stone of around I-J color that you can get within your budget.

That is amazing looking. Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I feel much more at ease knowing that different colors won't be too much of an issue.

I do think I'm going to go with the JA setting. Something about it really strikes me. I think it's that the diamond can be seen underneath.

this one might be worth calling in to get an IS and see if its eye clean
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1536355.asp

I like this one and the H VS2. He could get idealscope images of both.

I've put in a request for the idealscope images for this one and the H VS2. I'll let you know what they look like once they are done.

JA also pointed me to these two. Thoughts?

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1536486.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1546514.asp

Thanks, everyone! Most helpful forum ever!!

 

[redfalconx]

Oh, it turns out JA can't do idealscope images of the first three because the diamonds are from their partner in Israel. So I asked for it for the last one.

 

[Niel]

oh great!!! so they'll do the setting for a .45ct?

 

[redfalconx]

oh great!!! so they'll do the setting for a .45ct?

Yes. It sounds like they'll do it for a .43 ct even.

 

[Niel]

thats a shame they cant get IS , because that E seems really promising. Its very close close to 5mm. Could they still pull them in and give you an assessment on the clarity and which they recommended for light performance?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Good grief. We spend all that time and the stones are in Israel??? That is irritating. I do not like the H SI1. It is very good on symmetry and I like excellent on cut and symmetry. I'll take vg on polish.

I'll look around and see if I see anything else promising elsewhere.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

So what did they say about the other 3? How long does it take them to get them in?

 

[redfalconx]

So what did they say about the other 3? How long does it take them to get them in?

I was told that since the diamonds are in Israel, this is not necessarily an option. But they said that "they all have great dimensions, and should have a lot of fire and brilliance."

 

[Niel]

So what did they say about the other 3? How long does it take them to get them in?

I was told that since the diamonds are in Israel, this is not necessarily an option. But they said that "they all have great dimensions, and should have a lot of fire and brilliance."

So they can pull them for you but not give you any IS images? hmm.

 

[redfalconx]

So what did they say about the other 3? How long does it take them to get them in?

I was told that since the diamonds are in Israel, this is not necessarily an option. But they said that "they all have great dimensions, and should have a lot of fire and brilliance."

So they can pull them for you but not give you any IS images? hmm.

Maybe? I don't know. I'm just relaying the info.

So what are your thoughts?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would assume if they list the diamonds on their site, they should be able to access them quickly. Otherwise, it makes no sense at all for them to be on the site. You almost can do without the IS images on stones that size that are GIA XXX with a diamond photo that looks good. But can they get them in in a few days?

 

[redfalconx]

I would assume if they list the diamonds on their site, they should be able to access them quickly. Otherwise, it makes no sense at all for them to be on the site. You almost can do without the IS images on stones that size that are GIA XXX with a diamond photo that looks good. But can they get them in in a few days?

So I'm told I would have to purchase them before they can view them.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would assume if they list the diamonds on their site, they should be able to access them quickly. Otherwise, it makes no sense at all for them to be on the site. You almost can do without the IS images on stones that size that are GIA XXX with a diamond photo that looks good. But can they get them in in a few days?

So I'm told I would have to purchase them before they can view them.

That is really aggravating and not acceptable. At this point, I guess I'd call ID Jewelry since Gabriel and Co has basically the same setting. Tell them you want a diamond that is around .44-.49 that will go in that least expensive Gabriel halo setting. You want GIA Ex cut, polish, and symmetry, and at least H VS2 or higher color and very eyeclean SI1. Total budget $1500. Then see what they come up with and post it here. Be sure to tell them you are a pricescope member!

Here is the setting:

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8276W44JJ

 

[milton333]

I really don't think you need H or higher color with your budget constraints and the size of the diamond you're looking at with the requirement for a halo setting. Keep in mind that the average "mall stone" seems to be around I-J-K in color, so most "average" people have stones in that color range. I believe that all the Costco stones are I color. There are all kinds of budgets and social circles represented on this board, so some people have expectations of higher color and clarity, but "not noticeably tinted and eye clean" are sufficient for most people, and you have a very limited budget that means some compromises will have to be made. Better to make those compromises on color and clarity than on cut.

I've personally owned a 1/2 carat J stone for 19 years now, and prior to getting an appraisal last year, I had no idea that it was a J color. I did not notice a color difference next to my H&A super ideal, larger H stone upgrade that I got 5 years ago. I still barely notice a difference in its halo setting with F-G melee. I never noticed any bothersome tint, though I can see the difference between a J and H in larger stones. I have multiple SI clarity stones, and even with a 10x loupe and an inclusion plot I can't find the inclusions, so I think VS is probably overkill for you so long as you're working with a vendor that can tell you if the stones are eye clean.

Limiting yourself to high color and clarity with your budget is a bad idea IMO. Find out what IDJ's return policies would be. The advantage to working with them is that they can eyeball stones for you and they appreciate the Pricescope business, so you're not completely in the dark. I'm just not seeing anything workable at James Allen at the moment, and if you're looking to buy now, we're trying to give you some options.

 

[Niel]

Thats ridiculous! Way to lose this business JA!

I'm surprised I had never heard of this problem with them before. I guess idj is your best bet now. That setting ds posted is very very similar. And I think they can find you a nice eye clean I- high j color. I'd probably stay away from a k because it will be next to colorless melee. And I'd strive for an I

 

[redfalconx]

Thanks, all! I am so appreciative of the input from each and every one of you.

Just as an FYI, I do have these diamonds on hold for now from JA. Perhaps that's why they might not be coming up in some of your searches? I added the HCA for each too, if that helps at all.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1536486.asp
HCA of 1.0

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1536355.asp
HCA of 1.8

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1536601.asp
HCA of 2.4

And I was also looking at this one, which JA said they'd get the IS for in a few days.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1546514.asp

I'll give IDJ a call and let you know what they say too.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Thanks, all! I am so appreciative of the input from each and every one of you.

Just as an FYI, I do have these diamonds on hold for now from JA. Perhaps that's why they might not be coming up in some of your searches? I added the HCA for each too, if that helps at all.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1536486.asp
HCA of 1.0

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1536355.asp
HCA of 1.8

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1536601.asp
HCA of 2.4

And I was also looking at this one, which JA said they'd get the IS for in a few days.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1546514.asp

I'll give IDJ a call and let you know what they say too.

Eliminate the last one because of very good for symmetry. The others are okay. I'd lean toward the E SI1 if it checks out eyeclean because it is almost 5mm which will look better in the setting.

I would not call IDJ if you still want to use James Allen. No point in wasting your time or theirs. They'd come up with something similar to these, so you may as well stick with JA since you seem to want to go ahead with their setting.

 

[Niel]

So just so I am clear. Will they pull them in to look at the clarity and light performance just not an IS image?

 

[redfalconx]

So just so I am clear. Will they pull them in to look at the clarity and light performance just not an IS image?

It was my understanding that they were not going to pull them to look at the clarity and light performance unless I purchased them. However, today I received an email stating "we have submitted your request for a gemologist inspection and idealscope images of diamonds 1536601, 1536355 and 1536486. We currently anticipate fulfilling this request within approximately three business days."

So I'm not entirely sure at this point. They may start going through this process just to tell me they can't pull them.

I do think I like the JA setting more, mostly because the bottom of the diamond can be seen, but I like the Gabriel and Co too. I had already called IDJ, and they are looking at diamonds for both settings, and they will get back to me on Monday. So for both companies, I don't think I'll know anything further for a few days. I'll post once I have some more information.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You just need to buy the diamond and setting from the same place. Let us know what they say!

 

[redfalconx]

Hi all,

I finally heard back from IDJ. They sent me some photos of a couple diamonds. I am attaching the photos and whatnot. Please let me know what you think.

IDJ also says they can make me a setting that is like the James Allen one, but better. I'm not sure how it's better exactly, but that's what they said.

James Allen has told me they are getting the idealscope images of the I wanted to look at, but they haven't sent them to me yet. So I'm still waiting on them.

Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[SB621]

I think IDJ has competitive pricing and general better customer service then JA. For my 2 cents with your limited budget I would go with IDJ as I think they give more bang for their buck. Also I have yet to be impressed with a JA setting compared to the other vendors. Ultimately you will get similar diamonds from either place. The settings will also be some what similar so I would go with the best quote, return policey, and customer serivce.