Thoughts on Setting and Diamond Plans

[Ice Scream]

I have been reading up on this and other sites for a couple weeks now.

A week ago I purchased the pictured setting from a local jeweler for my girlfriend (and hopefully soon to be Fiance). It is 18K white gold with a TW of .56 carats in diamonds. Using this info, I would guess the inside diamonds are about .18 and the outside about .10. The diamonds seem to be particularly white. The jeweler placed a 1.25 carat I color diamond with a GIA cert in the setting, and it looked like dirt comared to the side diamonds. I would guess they are probably F colored, but I am no diamond expert. I paid $1,300. What do you guys think? Did I get a good deal? I don''t really care if I overpaid a little since I love this setting and have not seen anything else quite like it before or since. I would just like to get your opionions.

I am getting a large commission check in about a month or two and will wait until then to buy the diamond. But I figure I may as well start researching now. I have set a budget of $11,000, although I would prefer it to be a bit lower of course. The following are my preferences:

Shape: Round:
Weight: Apprx. 1.40 carat
Color: F or G
Clarity: VS2 or SI1
I would like the dimensions to score excellent on the HCA as well. I would also like the diamond to be Lazer inscribed by either GIA or AGS, since I am a bit paranoid about leaving my valuables with other people and would like to make sure I always get the same thing back. Do you guys think a stone like the one described would look good in this setting? Any other suggestions?

Here is a link to a number of diamonds I would consider if I were ready to purchase now: List Do you guys think I am headed in the right direction?

All comments will be appreciated.

More pics to follow

 

[Ice Scream]

Pic 2

 

[Ice Scream]

Pic 3

 

[Ice Scream]

Pic 4

 

[Ice Scream]

Pic 5

 

[Ice Scream]

Just realized my link for the list probably won''t work on anyone else''s computer, so here they are individually:

1
2
3
4
5
6

 

[MissGotRocks]

I think the setting is beautiful! Your size, color and clarity choices are excellent as well! When you have narrowed your search down to a few, many folks here will be happy to offer your their opinions.

You have obviously put alot of time and thought into this project - I think you will have a stunning ring that she will be delighted with!

 

[Ice Scream]

Thanks for the opinion and encouragement, MissGotRocks.

 

[Rhea]

I like the setting! It''s a bit different and bold with the bezel side diamonds.

Researching now is fine, but there is a possiblity that any diamond that you look at now might be sold before you''re ready to buy. But at least you''d know what you could afford and where you want to look!

 

[Tuckins1]

That setting is stunning! It''s very unique, and very romantic-looking. As for the price, it doesn''t seem unreasonable to me... With the budget you have set for your stone, you will DEFINITELY be able to get her a real stunner!!!!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The setting price would likely be fine. I''d check the stones with a loupe to see if they look pretty clean, though, if you haven''t already.

What size head does this ring have...as in, what size stone does it take? Is it the right ring size for your girlfriend? Generally it is better to buy a stone first and then order a setting to fit it and made in the right ring size.

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 5/9/2009 7:43:45 AM
Author: Addy
I like the setting! It's a bit different and bold with the bezel side diamonds.

Researching now is fine, but there is a possiblity that any diamond that you look at now might be sold before you're ready to buy. But at least you'd know what you could afford and where you want to look!

I'd agree with Addy on the researching. All six diamonds you picked looked to be really well cut by the numbers. Blue Nile is fine as a vendor and many people here have used them with great success, though they don't provide as much information as some of us like to see.

A few other sites to check out for stones would be. These provide various levels of information online, though all provide more than BN in the form of pictures and performance images.

www.goodoldgold.com

www.highperformancediamonds.com

www.whiteflash.com

www.jamesallen.com

Brian Gavin cuts beautiful stones, though his new website is still in progress. You can go to www.brianthecutter.com and then call or email Lesley.

A MGR mentioned, when you are ready to purchase, posters here will be more than willing to offer opinions. I would suggest trying to narrow the search down to two or three before posting the specs for those.

If the setting has a peg head, it is fairly easy to change out to whatever size diamond you end up buying.

 

[Ice Scream]

Addy, I wasn''t planning on any of the stones listed being around 1 or 2 months from now. I was giving you guys an idea of the type of stone I was looking at.

Also, the jeweler said that they would have no trouble switching out the head for any size I wanted.

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 5/9/2009 9:18:16 AM
Author: Ice Scream
Addy, I wasn''t planning on any of the stones listed being around 1 or 2 months from now. I was giving you guys an idea of the type of stone I was looking at.

Also, the jeweler said that they would have no trouble switching out the head for any size I wanted.

Just wanted to reassure that you are doing a good job of picking well cut stones, you will be more than ready when ready to purchase.

 

[Ice Scream]

Thank you, Jet.

 

[Ice Scream]

Just wanted to share something with you guys...

So I went to Dinsey World with my girl this weekend. We were in one of the shops in Epcot and were looking at some cheap silver rings. My girl saw a ring with four CZ stones and commented how beautiful it looked. It looked just like the setting I bought minus the center stone setting. She made a comment like "that would be beautiful as an engagement ring with a larger stone in the center. What do you think." I nonchalantly said, "Yeah, sure."

This put me in a great mood. I knew I made a good decision with the setting, but this definately helped reassure me.

Now, just waiting to get the diamond...

 

[Tuckins1]

Seems like you made a good pick then!

 

[icekid]

Sounds like you did a great job knowing your girl's taste. Nice! Any plans for the proposal yet?

 

[Ice Scream]

Date: 5/17/2009 8:49:01 PM
Author: icekid
Sounds like you did a great job knowing your girl's taste. Nice! Any plans for the proposal yet?

Yeah, I think I have the plans pretty well nailed down.

Ever since we have been dating, I have told her that I want to take her on a trip to St. Augustine, FL which is only about a 3 hour drive from us. If you have never been, it is one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the country. I lived in Jackonville for 5 years and was able to spend a lot of time in St. Augustine during that period. I always tell her that I would like to eventually settle down there.

Anyway...I want to take her for a weekend trip there. I have not made any reservations yet, but it will probably be late August or early September. I found this gorgeous B&B right on the beach. Ocean views, the whole nine yards. I also know of this excellent very intimate restaurant in downtown with a chef who rivals anyone found in more prestigious places like NYC resaurants. I figure we go have dinner at the resaurant, maybe go for a drink at this cool Martini/Jazz bar down the street and then go back to the B&B. When we return to the room I'll make sure the Consierge left a bottle of champagne chilling and two glasses.

I just hope it's perfect.

 

[Stone Hunter]

I just LOVE the setting. It''s very very cool.

Good to know she''ll like it too. Funny that you''d already bought the setting when she pointed out a similar one to you. Good Job!

 

[CravingDiamonds]

I think that your setting is beautiful and if she picked out a ring that was almost like it, then you must really know! I love that you don''t see that type of setting very often, in fact I have never seen it before. Your proposal idea sounds awesome as well.

 

[Ice Scream]

Thank you everyone for all the comments.

 

[soocool]

I love the setting and I am sure she will be thrilled!

I just have to say that Beware of Jeweler's tricks. When I was shopping for a diamond/ring, the jeweler was famous for showing an "I" or even "H" stone and then bringing out the "branded" stone to show off these as more beautiful stones. The "I" I looked at a jewelers looked dirty in comparison (ended up it was rated a good cut only) to the branded "H".

I went back to the jewelers over the weekend showing off my new ring and they said something to the matter of "I see you went with a "G" and all I did was nod. My ring is a "J" color(no fluor) and the sides are G/H (can't tell the difference at all), but it is a great cut compared to the lousy cuts they pull out to show you in order to shell out bigger bucks for the branded ones, like HOF. When considering the stone I will always go with a great cut first!