I Need Some Help...

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

So, the past 2 days my BF has been talking a lot about diamonds. To the point where I have a hard time getting out of the house in the AM b/c he continues to talk... As I have posted before there was a lot of talk about purchasing the ring at T&Co and him not budging on that. Well, I think he is beginning to see that there are other places to get engagement rings-or at least diamonds...not that I mind a T&Co ring...but for what we are looking at, I could get decent car or make a down payment on a house for what they charge for a diamond!-either way, I shouldn't be complaining...I've been waiting 7 years for this ring and our DFTW!

Anyway, I digress. So, today he tells me I can either have quality or quantity. Um...ok. He is a total NERD! So, he has been researching all of the little in's and out's of diamond shopping. Me on the other hand, right about now, I'd be happy with a piece of string with glitter on it! I'm torn about how to answer this question. I would love a 1 ct diamond, but honestly...I could go with .85, .90, .83 -what ever. I don't want to go with .5 ct. I've tried them on and they get lost on my hand...it just doesn't look right. I have my dad's finger length and my mom's pudge. I would like good color b/c it will be in a platinum setting and I don't want it with too many inclusions. At this point I wonder why he is even giving me options. this morning was the first time he actually said I'm the one that has to wear the ring. (Wow! Like I said before-it was always going to be T&Co since when did I have options?!?!)

Ok I've babbled enough...Anyone know where I can find easy to read, straight forward diamond education??? Anyone got any insight on how to get the best of both worlds? With all of the school stuff I am doing right now, I could really handle just being handed a ring.

Thanks for listening to be babble. I can't wait to start posting my PJ...but Im afraid to start it with out a ring! Don't want to jinx it!

 

[ComplicatedPink]

Hey there! Congrats on the soon-to-be engagement! I would highly recommend http://pricescope.comYou can find more than you ever needed to know about diamonds (and other gems) there. I don't know if it is an option but you might want to check out some diamonds in person. See how color sensitive you are and what a VVS looks like next to a VS or an SI. Happy hunting!

 

[Tink_Kel]

Finely a topic I can contribute to! You definitely want quality vs quanity....the best place I would recommend for education is pricescope.com, and www.gia.edu
You definitely want a good grade diamond, otherwise it may not keep the sparkle and shine through the years. I'll also have to recommend a wonderful jeweler, Mr. Larry Van Craeynest... you can see his work at www.vancraeynest.com

Here is my Van Craerynest:

It is only 1/2 a carat, but with the fire and brilliance of a quality diamond it looks much larger! I've seen people walking around with 1 carat diamonds with low quality diamonds, and they just don't have the flash and sparkle of a a diamond with a good cut, clarity, etc.

It's definitely worth doing your homework. Incidently, I bought my diamond (and had to have it shipped to the jeweler) at goodoldgold.com. They give you very comprehensive reports on your diamond selection, and they also have education tools on their website.

I had someone look at my diamond the other day and make a comment, "Why does your diamond sparkle so much, mine's only 2 years old!" Age really shouldn't make the difference with a diamond, if it's a good quality.

Good luck! If you have any questions after you look at those web sites please feel free to ask.

Kelly

 

[Tink_Kel]

I would highly recommend http://pricescope.comYou

You beat me to the punch!!

 

[B714210]

I hate to disagree with a previous poster, but I say quantity over quality! As long as the color is ok, no visible inclusions, etc. most people comment on the size of my stone, and they obviously don't go around with a jewelers loupe (sp?) to look at the ring. If it's beautiful to the naked eye, it's beautiful, IMHO. I would also look at bluenile.com. Better yet, my diamond is from St. Thomas. Take a cruise, get to a jeweler and get a great vacation and ring for the price of the ring only in the states. Congratulations, either way!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Hey there! Congrats on the soon-to-be engagement! I would highly recommend http://pricescope.comYou can find more than you ever needed to know about diamonds (and other gems) there. I don't know if it is an option but you might want to check out some diamonds in person. See how color sensitive you are and what a VVS looks like next to a VS or an SI. Happy hunting!

I think you're right...I need to go see for myself what the difference is...

Finely a topic I can contribute to! You definitely want quality vs quanity....the best place I would recommend for education is pricescope.com, and www.gia.edu
You definitely want a good grade diamond, otherwise it may not keep the sparkle and shine through the years. I'll also have to recommend a wonderful jeweler, Mr. Larry Van Craeynest... you can see his work at www.vancraeynest.com

Here is my Van Craerynest:

It is only 1/2 a carat, but with the fire and brilliance of a quality diamond it looks much larger! I've seen people walking around with 1 carat diamonds with low quality diamonds, and they just don't have the flash and sparkle of a a diamond with a good cut, clarity, etc.

It's definitely worth doing your homework. Incidently, I bought my diamond (and had to have it shipped to the jeweler) at goodoldgold.com. They give you very comprehensive reports on your diamond selection, and they also have education tools on their website.

I had someone look at my diamond the other day and make a comment, "Why does your diamond sparkle so much, mine's only 2 years old!" Age really shouldn't make the difference with a diamond, if it's a good quality.

Good luck! If you have any questions after you look at those web sites please feel free to ask.

Kelly

I'm glad you found a question you could answer I have some homework to do that is for certain. It's not that I want low quality...but I'd like to find a way to met in the middle..Decent quality and decent size...I'm not sure if that is possible.

I hate to disagree with a previous poster, but I say quantity over quality! As long as the color is ok, no visible inclusions, etc. most people comment on the size of my stone, and they obviously don't go around with a jewelers loupe (sp?) to look at the ring. If it's beautiful to the naked eye, it's beautiful, IMHO. I would also look at bluenile.com. Better yet, my diamond is from St. Thomas. Take a cruise, get to a jeweler and get a great vacation and ring for the price of the ring only in the states. Congratulations, either way!

I've looked at bluenile but they don't show the actual diamond...or they do and I just haven't found it yet! we're going on a Disney Cruise in Feb.but only to Nassau and Castaway Cay...Who knows maybe he will find something there.

I'm half temped to tell him just to pick. I've got so much going on with school it would just be a nice surprise to have the dang ring show up. Sorry. I know I should be thrilled aobut this...and I am...but it seems like school stress is just bogging me down. To be asked what I wanted more-quality or quantity was just a BIG question and I don't want to give him the wrong answer. Does that make any sense? OK off to do school homework...If I'm lucky maybe I'll get to do some of the diamond looking tonight...Does anyone know if there are any forums on diamonds where I could ask some questions?

thanks for all your help!!!

 

[Tink_Kel]

Hi, www.pricescope.com is a wonderful forum that you can ask questions on...it's very informative, and where I found the sources I needed. If you are looking for something without visual flaws, the lowest you would probably want to go is probably VS-2. SI's can have visible inclusions. The most important factor, even beyond being "eye-clean" (no visible inclusions), is the cut of the diamond. If you don't have a good cut, the color and clarity aren't going to mean much.

Some places that let you see an actual picture of the diamond is goodoldgold.com and I believe jamesallen.com has actual pics of the diamond too.

Good luck in your search...if you're anything like me, by the time your done doing reseach, you can write a book "Everything You Wanted to Know, but Were Afraid to Ask".

 

[ComplicatedPink]

Glad I could help! I'd go to the forum Rockytalky on pricescope with specific questions. I know many people go there to ask for help. Sometimes posters will even go as far as to find you a diamond within your budget and specifications (color, cut, clarity, etc.) I've learned so much from that website, now I just feel bad for my boyfriend if the time ever comes for us to get engaged poor guy.

 

[Tink_Kel]

I've learned so much from that website, now I just feel bad for my boyfriend if the time ever comes for us to get engaged poor guy.

I know what you mean! My little stone was more expensive than the setting! Like you, I got a lot of advice from Rocktalky!

 

[jenna77]

I recommend Blue Nile. I wanted a balance of size and quality. We choose a 1 carat princess cut F-color, very good cut, VS1. My diamond is perfect. And I was very happy with the customer service at Blue Nile. They will resize your ring for free within 45 days of purchase, and you get 30 days for returns. I had my ring resized and it was returned to me very quickly. I spent a lot of time learning about diamonds before making a decision. Good luck!

 

[jenna77]

Oh, and Blue Nile has great information on selecting a diamond. Even if you don't purchase from them you might want to check it out.

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

Hi, www.pricescope.com is a wonderful forum that you can ask questions on...it's very informative, and where I found the sources I needed. If you are looking for something without visual flaws, the lowest you would probably want to go is probably VS-2. SI's can have visible inclusions. The most important factor, even beyond being "eye-clean" (no visible inclusions), is the cut of the diamond. If you don't have a good cut, the color and clarity aren't going to mean much.

Some places that let you see an actual picture of the diamond is goodoldgold.com and I believe jamesallen.com has actual pics of the diamond too.

Good luck in your search...if you're anything like me, by the time your done doing reseach, you can write a book "Everything You Wanted to Know, but Were Afraid to Ask".

I've looked at some of the diamonds on goodoldgold.com and love to see them. As my BF says- Physics doesn't lie. So, where is this book of yours?? I could use the help.

Glad I could help! I'd go to the forum Rockytalky on pricescope with specific questions. I know many people go there to ask for help. Sometimes posters will even go as far as to find you a diamond within your budget and specifications (color, cut, clarity, etc.) I've learned so much from that website, now I just feel bad for my boyfriend if the time ever comes for us to get engaged poor guy.

Rockytalky...I'll look into that-thanks. This whole researching the diamond this is BF's gig. As sad as this sounds with everything I have going on right now as far as school and stuff...finding time to go diamond shopping is a little difficult (I can't believe I'm saying this!!!) BUT I'm trying... Thanks for the insight.

I know what you mean! My little stone was more expensive than the setting! Like you, I got a lot of advice from Rocktalky!

Yes, it maybe more expensive...but it's purdy!

I recommend Blue Nile. I wanted a balance of size and quality. We choose a 1 carat princess cut F-color, very good cut, VS1. My diamond is perfect. And I was very happy with the customer service at Blue Nile. They will resize your ring for free within 45 days of purchase, and you get 30 days for returns. I had my ring resized and it was returned to me very quickly. I spent a lot of time learning about diamonds before making a decision. Good luck!

Good to know...I don't know how I feel about sending a diamond via mail. I don't know why...it just scares me... Did you have insurance??? How does that work???

 

[ComplicatedPink]

You're welcome! I totally understand being too busy with school. In fact I should really be studying for midterms but here I am haha. Definitely send BF to the websites that were recommended and congrats on having a BF who is excited about the engagement process!

 

[Swmhc]

If you want a great deal on a stone, fly to the midwest and I can hook you up for far less than you will find in the big city. I have an awesome jeweler in Missouri. I am sure he could make it worth your trip. I would have paid 2 or 3 X on blue nile what I paid for here.

A few tips...rather than going for a carat, go with a 7/8 carat. You usually can't tell the difference with the naked eye, but when you call it a "carat" the cost mulitplies greatly. Same for 5/8 instead of 3/4 carat and so on. If the stone only has a small inclusion, it can be hidden behind a prong and no one will ever see it. And for color, you want no lower than an "H" for the best sparkle. Once you get into I, J and so on, you will have too much yellow for a platinum setting.

A round is less expensive but a marquis gives you the largest face, meaning a 5/8 carat marquis will look significantly larger than a 5/8 carat round. If you went with a 7/8 marquis in a G or H color, with a 2:1 ratio on cut and definately stay away from any SI clarity, you will have some serious bling on your hand !

Round have the most sparkle, baguette and emerald cut have the least sparkle.

A solitare will put all the money towards the stone and you can add a wrap or remount later with the wedding band.

Any questions, let me know ! I love my bling ! If you want to make a trip out this way, let me know. I just call my jeweler and tell him what I am looking for and the price range I am wanting to spend and he orders in several stones to look at....works great !

 

[Swmhc]

Oh and as for mailing it....not a problem. We went down to my jeweler to pick out the stone and design the setting. He made the setting and put it together in less than a week. He overnights it to us via Fed Ex, insured for the full value and no problem.

 

[Tink_Kel]

I've looked at some of the diamonds on goodoldgold.com and love to see them. As my BF says- Physics doesn't lie. So, where is this book of yours?? I could use the help

I was teasing, that I felt like I could write a book after all the research!

I got a "Heart & Arrows" diamond, and as silly as it sounds saying, I love looking at it through a jewler's loupe! I just think that it's too cool that a diamond can be cut with such percision that it forms arrows...I can even see them with the naked eye in certain light.

Good to know...I don't know how I feel about sending a diamond via mail. I don't know why...it just scares me... Did you have insurance??? How does that work???

Yes, they definitely send it insured. I had Good Old Gold send it directly to my jeweler, with the original diamond dossier sent to me. The diamond has a laser inscription (kind of like a serial number) etched on it, so if you're paranoid, like me, you can have someone check the inscription against the diamond certificate.

Yes, it maybe more expensive...but it's purdy!

Thank you! The picture definitely dosen't do it justice...I just couldn't capture the sparkle!

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

If you want a great deal on a stone, fly to the midwest and I can hook you up for far less than you will find in the big city. I have an awesome jeweler in Missouri. I am sure he could make it worth your trip. I would have paid 2 or 3 X on blue nile what I paid for here.

A few tips...rather than going for a carat, go with a 7/8 carat. You usually can't tell the difference with the naked eye, but when you call it a "carat" the cost mulitplies greatly. Same for 5/8 instead of 3/4 carat and so on. If the stone only has a small inclusion, it can be hidden behind a prong and no one will ever see it. And for color, you want no lower than an "H" for the best sparkle. Once you get into I, J and so on, you will have too much yellow for a platinum setting.

A round is less expensive but a marquis gives you the largest face, meaning a 5/8 carat marquis will look significantly larger than a 5/8 carat round. If you went with a 7/8 marquis in a G or H color, with a 2:1 ratio on cut and definately stay away from any SI clarity, you will have some serious bling on your hand !

Round have the most sparkle, baguette and emerald cut have the least sparkle.

A solitare will put all the money towards the stone and you can add a wrap or remount later with the wedding band.

Any questions, let me know ! I love my bling ! If you want to make a trip out this way, let me know. I just call my jeweler and tell him what I am looking for and the price range I am wanting to spend and he orders in several stones to look at....works great !

Thank you for the offer to set us up with your jeweler. BF and I have been talking CONSTANTLY the past couple of days and let me tell you...its all been good. We are looking at a round stone with F color and VS2 (I think) for clarity...Maybe...I dont know I told BF I wanted to go and look at stones to have a clue. His deal is the particulars...I'm just working on what looks best to my eye.

I love the putting the inclusion under a prong...I never thought of that! Thanks for the tip.

I was teasing, that I felt like I could write a book after all the research!

I got a "Heart & Arrows" diamond, and as silly as it sounds saying, I love looking at it through a jewler's loupe! I just think that it's too cool that a diamond can be cut with such percision that it forms arrows...I can even see them with the naked eye in certain light.



Yes, they definitely send it insured. I had Good Old Gold send it directly to my jeweler, with the original diamond dossier sent to me. The diamond has a laser inscription (kind of like a serial number) etched on it, so if you're paranoid, like me, you can have someone check the inscription against the diamond certificate.



Thank you! The picture definitely dosen't do it justice...I just couldn't capture the sparkle!

I think now we are looking at White Flash...I don't know-again it's his deal...I like th serial number thing...yes I am just as paranoid...We are also looking at hearts and arrows diamonds. BF won't look at anything less...he kills me

 

[Petals & Pixie Dust]

I don't think this is going to ever end...We've been together for 7 years-it is going to take us that long to find a diamond!

So, we found a diamond...However, it was .74. I want a ct. It just looks better on my finger...The .74 was D VS2...I was really excited...Until I went to try on rings and realized that yup-I still want a 1 ct. i was really upset about this b/c I REALLY WANT MY RING!!! Ok I know that is a little dramatic...but I've waited long enough...

Anywho. So, BF and I are going to go and look at diamonds together. Unfortunately, b/c I am looking at size, I have to give on other things (color and clarity) to get what I want. SO...Now I wait...and wait...until BF and I can find time in our schedules to actually go to a store and look at loose diamonds.

I eventually told BF that I don't care. He can pick out the diamond.-We've already picked out a setting that he found. He, however, insists that I have some input. I know I know...how often do they think about what we want. I guess I should be grateful that he wants my input...but still...CAN WE GET ON WITH IT ALREADY!

So, since we/I decided that the .74 wasn't good enough...He hasn't mentioned diamonds since I'm hoping that he is just waiting for me to finish my internship so I can put this first..Right now, I feel like I'm not even enjoying it...like I said, I've been waiting 7 years...it kills me that I'm not all into it. I just don't have the energy

Is it really this difficult to pick out a diamond? Why can't my guy just go and pick one out??? Since when do I get a say? I know I need to be grateful and I am...I have just been waiting so long that I want to enjoy being swept up in all of the hoopla that goes with it...and I don't think that I can be right now. (If I explained the internship to you it would make a lot of sense...but that would be longer that this ranting post)

Thank you for listening to me babble...I appreciate it...Any insight, pixie dust, kind words, kick in bum greatly appreciated...