Tacori VS Diamond with a "WOW" effect

[beezygal]

I need some suggestions here.

My bf and I have been looking for an engagement ring for 2 months. He wants me to pick something I like since I''ll be wearing this for the rest of my life. He is willing to pay $10k max CDN for it. Here is the problem:

At first, I felt in love with a ring (high setting with paved stones on the band and 2 "peek-a-boo" diamonds at the front and the back). The ring is a 1.04 F color, SI2 H&A GIA cert for $8800 CND. Everytime I tried it on, my heart literally skip a beat. It was so sparkly. Even my bf was amazed by all the sparkles and couldn''t stop staring at it. Then, when we were planning to get it, we realized we saw a small white line, not eye clean and it bothers us. So we didn''t wanna buy it. We asked the guy there to look for similar diamonds, but eye clean. He found one recently, 1.01 G color, SI1 H&A GIA cert for $9000 (just the diamond). The band is $1000. So it would still be ok. We haven''t looked at it yet. That''s because I found a Tacori 2561 ring I like. Since the setting itself is already close to $4000, getting a H&A diamond will be in the mid $10k.

We looked at a VG/VG D color SI2 EGL cert. But it''s just not as ''WOW" as the H&A one.

What do you guys think? Should I go for the WOW diamond with the setting I fell in love with in the first place? Or should I get a designer band with an "ok" stone with EGL USA cert? Thank you very much!!!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think those prices are very high for 1ct diamonds! I am Canadian too, but I chose to buy from an online US vendor to get more for my money.

Have you thought about buying the biggest diamond you can afford and having a temporary setting, and then upgrading to a Tacori for a significant anniversary down the road?

 

[beezygal]

I suggested getting one online. But my bf doesn''t want to buy anything off the internet. He doesn''t want to buy something so expensive online. He''s very picky and I have expensive taste. lol

 

[akmiss]

Date: 2/26/2010 6:28:29 PM
Author: beezygal
I suggested getting one online. But my bf doesn''t want to buy anything off the internet. He doesn''t want to buy something so expensive online. He''s very picky and I have expensive taste. lol

To be honest, I think you probably find a better looking diamond online and still be able to afford the Tacori setting.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 2/26/2010 6:18:24 PM
Author:beezygal
I need some suggestions here.

My bf and I have been looking for an engagement ring for 2 months. He wants me to pick something I like since I''ll be wearing this for the rest of my life. He is willing to pay $10k max CDN for it. Here is the problem:

At first, I felt in love with a ring (high setting with paved stones on the band and 2 ''peek-a-boo'' diamonds at the front and the back). The ring is a 1.04 F color, SI2 H&A GIA cert for $8800 CND. Everytime I tried it on, my heart literally skip a beat. It was so sparkly. Even my bf was amazed by all the sparkles and couldn''t stop staring at it. Then, when we were planning to get it, we realized we saw a small white line, not eye clean and it bothers us. So we didn''t wanna buy it. We asked the guy there to look for similar diamonds, but eye clean. He found one recently, 1.01 G color, SI1 H&A GIA cert for $9000 (just the diamond). The band is $1000. So it would still be ok. We haven''t looked at it yet. That''s because I found a Tacori 2561 ring I like. Since the setting itself is already close to $4000, getting a H&A diamond will be in the mid $10k.

We looked at a VG/VG D color SI2 EGL cert. But it''s just not as ''WOW'' as the H&A one.

What do you guys think? Should I go for the WOW diamond with the setting I fell in love with in the first place? Or should I get a designer band with an ''ok'' stone with EGL USA cert? Thank you very much!!!

love the G SI1 combo,but $9k sounds way too high for a 1ct stone.

 

[E B]

Date: 2/26/2010 6:28:29 PM
Author: beezygal
I suggested getting one online. But my bf doesn't want to buy anything off the internet. He doesn't want to buy something so expensive online. He's very picky and I have expensive taste. lol

Tell him if he opens up his mind (and wallet, ha) to an online purchase, you can have both the Tacori and an eye-clean H&A.

 

[Cinna]

Date: 2/26/2010 6:28:29 PM
Author: beezygal
I suggested getting one online. But my bf doesn't want to buy anything off the internet. He doesn't want to buy something so expensive online. He's very picky and I have expensive taste. lol

Mine is the same exact way. But I finally convinced him to do it with a trusted vendor listed with great reviews on Pricescope and the guy I've dealt with has been wonderful so far. Wired the money, and got a signed letter from him about our exchange so put our faith in him and getting our stone next week. We got a setting that we both loved in stores for a low price and we're going to use that for the engagement ring.

In the beginning we debated how much of our budget should go into the diamond versus the setting but we ended up spending pretty much all of it on a great diamond and barely anything on the setting (but we would never consider it temporary, we are in love with it). He doesn't believe in upgrades

(well I don't think I can part with my first engagement ring anyway) so for my "upgrade" I'm going to make him get me much later down the road buy me a nice Tacori setting instead to place my diamond in.

So I second dreamer_dachsie's suggestion because it's sort of what we are doing as well.

 

[small_paws]

I agree with this. Every vendor I''ve seen has some type of return policy so if you get the diamond and are not happy you can return it and keep looking. With your budget you shouldn''t have to settle, and if you''re like me, if you do end up settling the only thing you''ll think of is the diamond and/or setting you could have had and compare it to what you got. GL.

 

[Lestat]

I agree, you could find a much better diamond online for much cheaper, and if you go with a REPUTABLE vendor like GOG who also sells Tacori settings, you'll be able to get it all safely in one place and with a better quality overall. This is not an eBay purchase, you're dealing with a good company with a great reputation that specialises in providing you the information you need to make an informed choice. They also have great refund, trade up, and buy back policies.

If your boyfriend is picky, why let the salesperson choose your diamond? Why not choose a good online vendor who will provide you with detailed images of the hearts and arrows, idealscope images of light return, magnified images so you can spot inclusions, etc so you can judge for yourself and have experienced people here help you choose the perfect diamond?

In my personal opinion and limited experience, buying a diamond from the average jewelery store is pretty much the same as buying blind in most cases, all they tell you are the carat weight, color, and clarity, and the fact that it says H&A somewhere which doesn't guarantee GOOD hearts and arrows, and they hand you the certificate and off you go. Even if the H&A are good, that still doesn't guarantee a good cut, only good symmetry. Not all H&A diamonds are equal. And not all diamonds are cut well, and cut is actually the most important of all the "C's".

I believe buying a diamond online can be a safer bet than buying from the average retail store, as long as you are working with the right vendor. Just so you know I'm unbiased, I personally purchased my diamond through Whiteflash.com and the service and quality of the diamond was excellent.

P.S. Jewelery made in the USA is duty free when shipped to Canada, all you'll have to pay is the PST and GST from your local province, and maybe a small brokerage fee from Fedex.

 

[AprilBaby]

Given your choices, I would choose the stone over the setting.

 

[beezygal]

haha!!!! It''s hard to open his mind. We''ve been together for almost 6 years.. I know him.. haha.. But.. he did open up his wallet... starting with $6k to $8k to now $10k. Now that I think about it. I dunno if I actually like the Tacori. I dunno if I like it because of the style or because it''s a designer brand. Tacori might not suit my style. Maybe I should get a better diamond. I need to see how eye clean is the SI 1 first. Maybe we can talk the guy down a bit and get a better discount.

 

[Gleam]

I don''t think I''ve ever seen a setting that made me go "wow" and made up for a mediocre center stone. If I were you, I''d spend the money on the stone itself. For what it''s worth, because a stone is certified by EGL USA doesn''t make it a bad diamond... it just means you have to be a little more careful and aware that the specs may not be what the certificate says they are. In many cases, however, EGL USA does rate accurately. Experts here have said many times that within the past few years, EGL USA has really upped its standards and consistency.

 

[Jsmith8]

1.01 G color, SI1 H&A GIA cert for $9000

That sounds WAY overpriced!

Edit:

I did a search on Good Old Gold and this is what I got.

Shape Carat Weight Color Clarity Price
Round 1.01ct G VS2 $6,774
Round 1.01ct G VS2 $6,774

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Seriously overpriced!!

What about these? These are all BGD Signatures or WF ACAs - which means definitely WOW factor. All about 1 ct. and G or H, and all around $6K. You can get one of these and still get your dream Tacori setting and stay at or around $10K - and all the prices I listed are not including the wire discount

BGD 1.041 H VS2 $5,786

BGD 1.050 G SI1 $5,975

BGD 1.002 H VS2 $5,566

WF 1.002 G SI1 $6,107

WF 1.015 H SI1 $5,882

 

[beezygal]

I know online seems to be cheaper. But with the exchange rate and pst, gst and brokage fee and stuff, wouldn''t that be the same? I saw a D color SI2 EGL USA VG/VG with the Tacori band for $9500 CDN tax included. First I couldn''t see the inclusions. Then, I think I kinda saw some white line if you look very closely. I still want a better cut.

For H&A, the polish has to be EX/EX, right? The $9000 one is like that.

 

[beezygal]

yeah. It''s the H&A stone that WOW me. Anyways, I find that the ppl at the store can give a MUCH better discount on EGL diamonds than on GIA. Is this usually the case?

 

[swingirl]

Date: 2/27/2010 1:37:09 PM
Author: beezygal
yeah. It's the H&A stone that WOW me. Anyways, I find that the ppl at the store can give a MUCH better discount on EGL diamonds than on GIA. Is this usually the case?

This is the case because EGL is known to be a softer grading lab than GIA or AGS. Meaning your EGL "F" could really be a GIA "G" or "H".

Also, keep in mind that vendors like Good Old Gold have a retail jewelry store on Long Island. You can talk to the owner and sales associates or visit them if you are close enough. That type of vendor is very different from someone selling on ebay when you don't know anything about the person or their business.

 

[beezygal]

Date: 2/27/2010 1:47:29 PM
Author: swingirl

Date: 2/27/2010 1:37:09 PM
Author: beezygal
yeah. It''s the H&A stone that WOW me. Anyways, I find that the ppl at the store can give a MUCH better discount on EGL diamonds than on GIA. Is this usually the case?

This is the case because EGL is known to be a softer grading lab than GIA or AGS. Meaning your EGL ''F'' could really be a GIA ''G'' or ''H''.

Also, keep in mind that vendors like Good Old Gold have a retail jewelry store on Long Island. You can talk to the owner and sales associates or visit them if you are close enough. That type of vendor is very different from someone selling on ebay when you don''t know anything about the person or their business.

I''m from Canada. The price seems to be higher in Canada.

I find that things are usually cheaper in the states... and online.

 

[swingirl]

Lots of Canadian buyers on PS. Most have found that buying from a US vendor and paying the VAT and with the exchange rate it is still cheaper. Maybe someone will chime in but there are lots of threads from Canadians.

I love the Tacori setting. The one you picked has the stone sitting quite high. Did you try one on to see if it is comfortable?

 

[Dreamer_D]

There are no brokerage fees from the US, you pay GST and PST in canada too (or you should! If a jeweler is offering to sell it tax free it is a major red flag that leaves you vulnerable as a consumer because such sales often have no receipt), and the exchage rate is almost equal. You cannot compare the prices you have to *any* online prices, you should compare them to the *best* online prices form reputable dealers.

ETA As I said, I am Canadian and there is no price comparison at all. "Discounts" on EGL diamonds are not what they appear to be. Remember, you get what you pay for and if diamond A costs less than diamond B from the same dealer, there is a substantive reason.

 

[beezygal]

Date: 2/27/2010 2:01:38 PM
Author: swingirl
Lots of Canadian buyers on PS. Most have found that buying from a US vendor and paying the VAT and with the exchange rate it is still cheaper. Maybe someone will chime in but there are lots of threads from Canadians.

I love the Tacori setting. The one you picked has the stone sitting quite high. Did you try one on to see if it is comfortable?

I tried the setting a few times. It feels fine. My bf thinks it looks like a baseball on my finger though. The $1000 band i was talking about has a high setting too, but.. i guess. not as big.

 

[beezygal]

I''ve found a site that sells Canadian diamonds. The good thing is that we can look at some diamonds in person before buying. I''m waiting for the $ for a 1ct H&A G color, SI1 eye-clean diamond. Anyways, I was looking at their inventory online for EX/EX GIA diamonds. I actually find 2 Canadian diamonds I like:

1.11ct F SI1 EX/EX GIA for $6707 CDN
http://www.canadadiamonds.com/canadian_diamond_detail.php?stock=CAN-E1487&customer=CAD

1.19ct G SI1 EX/EX GIA for $7013 CDN
http://www.canadadiamonds.com/canadian_diamond_detail.php?stock=CAN-E1498&customer=CAD

Now, my question is. Can you see the difference between a true H&A and a EX/EX GIA cut?

Thank you!!!

 

[Lestat]

Buying by the numbers is safer with round diamonds than with fancy cuts, but still not 100% guarantee of a good diamond. GIA EX cut grade is based on averaged measurements, not actual pictures, and is known to include diamonds that are called "steep deep" which allow light leakage, meaning your diamond is letting light leak out through the bottom, instead of reflecting it back to your eyes. Here''s a thread briefly discussing how GIA EX does not necessarily mean that your diamond has an "Ideal" cut. { Link }

H&A is also not a guarantee of a good cut, only good symmetry. It would be best if you could purchase through a vendor that will provide you with an Idealscope image of your diamond so that you can see the whole picture of the actual stone, not just an estimate based on the average numbers.

The reason I suggested Good Old Gold earlier was because they are a reputable dealer that carries Tacori, they can provide you the information you need, they have great return, upgrade and buyback policies, and they''re a pricescope approved vendor that posts on here regularly. Any vendor that can survive on Pricescope for a long time is a pretty safe bet. The vendor you''ve listed has a 15 day return policy which is not available on custom work. They don''t appear to have an upgrade or buyback policy at all, and they advertise tax-free shopping with is very dodgy in my books.

Bear in mind that a "Canadian Diamond" is likely only mined in Canada, but can be cut anywhere in the world same as any other diamond. It''s not a guarantee of quality. In my personal opinion, it''s not worth paying the premium in price just for that. You''re quite protected in North America from conflict diamonds due to the Kimberly Process, so I don''t see why a diamond from Canada is any different from a diamond from anywhere else, other than the fact that you can tell people it''s Canadian. This is a personal preference though.

If you insist on buying from a vendor that won''t provide you with Idealscope images, try to get the GIA certificate number and the carat weight of the diamond to post on this forum. The experienced people here will then be able to look up the measurements from the report and give you an idea of how the stone might perform. This is not as accurate as an Idealscope image, but better than buying completely blind. If you''re in-store looking at the diamond, please try to see it in as many different lightings as possible. Most diamonds can sparkle under the bright lights in a jewellery store, it''s only when you get it home that you see the big black ring around the table and spot the inclusions that you couldn''t see before because of the glaring lights...

To try and answer some of your other questions, in regards to EX/EX polish and symmetry, the human eye most likely will not see any difference between EX/EX and VG/VG. I personally wouldn''t drop below VG. Diamond cut is another matter, get the best cut you can. I would prove a good cut with an Idealscope image and good numbers, rather than just trust a lab grade or a vendor to say it''s "Ideal".

H&A vs. Non-H&A? Depends on how the stone was cut I believe. Some non-H&A stones will still have visible arrows (you can''t see the hearts once it''s set anyway), but if they were not cut to any particular pattern, they may not. A non-patterned diamond will not have the same characteristic look as a H&A stone, but this is a personal preference, there''s nothing wrong with either. Here is a web link giving an example of a great cut H&A next to a great non-patterned stone: { Link }

Good luck

 

[Dreamer_D]

Are you interested specifically in buying a Canadian diamond? Or do you just want a company that sells online within Canada?

 

[beezygal]

Date: 2/28/2010 1:25:19 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsie
Are you interested specifically in buying a Canadian diamond? Or do you just want a company that sells online within Canada?

It doesn''t have to be a canadian diamond. I just happen to find a company online where I can look at a few diamonds in person. I talked to my bf. He''s ok with this as long as we get to see them in person. He is surprised with the cheaper $. We''ll see how it goes. Maybe I can get a bigger diamond with a Tacori band afterall. We''ll see.

dreamer_dachsie, do you know any sites like that? Thank you!!!

 

[Cinna]

Date: 2/28/2010 3:38:48 AM
Author: beezygal

Date: 2/28/2010 1:25:19 AM

Author: dreamer_dachsie

Are you interested specifically in buying a Canadian diamond? Or do you just want a company that sells online within Canada?

It doesn''t have to be a canadian diamond. I just happen to find a company online where I can look at a few diamonds in person. I talked to my bf. He''s ok with this as long as we get to see them in person. He is surprised with the cheaper $. We''ll see how it goes. Maybe I can get a bigger diamond with a Tacori band afterall. We''ll see.


dreamer_dachsie, do you know any sites like that? Thank you!!!

I''m currently dealing with Martin from USACerted and I''m not sure how close it is to you but he''s located in Toronto? or Thornhill (I think the latter)... I know people have been able to go to his office and check out the diamonds firsthand but if your chosen diamond comes from the USA, I heard that it''s would come with a harder return policy. You should give him a call to see.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 2/28/2010 3:38:48 AM
Author: beezygal

Date: 2/28/2010 1:25:19 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsie
Are you interested specifically in buying a Canadian diamond? Or do you just want a company that sells online within Canada?

It doesn''t have to be a canadian diamond. I just happen to find a company online where I can look at a few diamonds in person. I talked to my bf. He''s ok with this as long as we get to see them in person. He is surprised with the cheaper $. We''ll see how it goes. Maybe I can get a bigger diamond with a Tacori band afterall. We''ll see.

dreamer_dachsie, do you know any sites like that? Thank you!!!

In fact, you can see *any* diamond you buy prior to purchase because if you buy from a reputble online vendor, one with a PS reputation for being a good business, then you have between 10 and 30 days to return the diamond for a full refund. In that time you can take it to a reputable appraiser and have them look it over and tell you what they think. I think some of the fears about buying online is that there will be no follow-up care from the vendor or that you are stuck with something if it turns out that you won''t like it. This is not the case. If you decide to return a diamond that you bought from the US, you would simply do so and then send a form to the government to ge ta refund for your taxes. So it adds a little hassel but the savings are worth it in my opinion.

If you don''t want to shop cross border, then Blue Nile is one option as they have a Canadian branch. But I don''t know of any true e-tailers who are in canada. A true e-tailer is different than a B&M that has a website because you will not get the same savings from a B&M with a website because they still incuss the overhead of a regular B&M. True online retailers will cost a lot less because they do not have the same overhead.

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 2/27/2010 1:34:54 PM
Author: beezygal
I know online seems to be cheaper. But with the exchange rate and pst, gst and brokage fee and stuff, wouldn''t that be the same? I saw a D color SI2 EGL USA VG/VG with the Tacori band for $9500 CDN tax included. First I couldn''t see the inclusions. Then, I think I kinda saw some white line if you look very closely. I still want a better cut.

For H&A, the polish has to be EX/EX, right? The $9000 one is like that.

This is a commonly held myth in our industry that everything has to be perfect to acheive perfect optical symmetry.

One can acheive the desired optical symmetry without excellent polish or even excellent symmetry so long as the physical symmetry faults are minor, such as meet points.

Sadly and even more important in my opinion is that EGL does not have the best reputation for agreeing with an AGS or GIA grading report. If your stone is not really a D-SI2, then you have an even greater price variation than that which people are already trying to warn you about.

Wink

 

[beezygal]

Date: 2/28/2010 9:22:13 AM
Author: Cinna

Date: 2/28/2010 3:38:48 AM
Author: beezygal

Date: 2/28/2010 1:25:19 AM

Author: dreamer_dachsie

Are you interested specifically in buying a Canadian diamond? Or do you just want a company that sells online within Canada?

It doesn''t have to be a canadian diamond. I just happen to find a company online where I can look at a few diamonds in person. I talked to my bf. He''s ok with this as long as we get to see them in person. He is surprised with the cheaper $. We''ll see how it goes. Maybe I can get a bigger diamond with a Tacori band afterall. We''ll see.


dreamer_dachsie, do you know any sites like that? Thank you!!!

I''m currently dealing with Martin from USACerted and I''m not sure how close it is to you but he''s located in Toronto? or Thornhill (I think the latter)... I know people have been able to go to his office and check out the diamonds firsthand but if your chosen diamond comes from the USA, I heard that it''s would come with a harder return policy. You should give him a call to see.

I''m in Vancouver.

We''ve been looking for 2 months. I know it''s a very short period of time. We''re kind of getting tired of it. Haha!

 

[beezygal]

Date: 2/28/2010 11:35:47 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsie

Date: 2/28/2010 3:38:48 AM
Author: beezygal

Date: 2/28/2010 1:25:19 AM
Author: dreamer_dachsie
Are you interested specifically in buying a Canadian diamond? Or do you just want a company that sells online within Canada?

It doesn''t have to be a canadian diamond. I just happen to find a company online where I can look at a few diamonds in person. I talked to my bf. He''s ok with this as long as we get to see them in person. He is surprised with the cheaper $. We''ll see how it goes. Maybe I can get a bigger diamond with a Tacori band afterall. We''ll see.

dreamer_dachsie, do you know any sites like that? Thank you!!!

In fact, you can see *any* diamond you buy prior to purchase because if you buy from a reputble online vendor, one with a PS reputation for being a good business, then you have between 10 and 30 days to return the diamond for a full refund. In that time you can take it to a reputable appraiser and have them look it over and tell you what they think. I think some of the fears about buying online is that there will be no follow-up care from the vendor or that you are stuck with something if it turns out that you won''t like it. This is not the case. If you decide to return a diamond that you bought from the US, you would simply do so and then send a form to the government to ge ta refund for your taxes. So it adds a little hassel but the savings are worth it in my opinion.

If you don''t want to shop cross border, then Blue Nile is one option as they have a Canadian branch. But I don''t know of any true e-tailers who are in canada. A true e-tailer is different than a B&M that has a website because you will not get the same savings from a B&M with a website because they still incuss the overhead of a regular B&M. True online retailers will cost a lot less because they do not have the same overhead.

I talked to my bf. He just doesn''t want to buy something so expensive online, even though we can return it. If I were to pay for it, I don''t mind buying online. He''s the one paying, so I''m gonna respect that he doesn''t want to take the risk. He''s just a VERY careful person in general. At least we can actually see the diamonds before buying from the Canadian Diamonds site. I''m kinda excited about that.