Engagement ring(updated with pic of loose diamond)

[alkemyst]

:thumbsup: Congrats man!

One thing I would make sure is that the setting has 6 points holding the stone. This is more secure and decreases the chance of losing the stone. Also, make sure the points of the setting are all contacting the stone. Get the best stone you can afford. Personally, I wouldn't buy a diamond online as I would want to see it in person before buying.

Almost every vendor allows you to see the stone and return it if it's unsatisfactory.

I usually have mine sent to an independent appraiser I trust (unfortunately my guy, RockDoc died since my last purchase).

 

[alkemyst]

This is an excellent link that explains there is more to 'cut' than just the shape:
http://datlas.com/do-it-yourself-aganaja-cut-class-grader/

They used to have the charts listed with all the specs but they pulled them down. A mirror can be found here: http://www.diamondreview.com/tutorials/diamonds-cut-tables

Most retail chain stones are usually at the 3B to 4A cut levels. Using a site like pricescope can narrow down the search for 1A type stones very easy.

 

[alkemyst]

This is another great calculator that determines brilliance of a stone (works only for round cuts)

http://www.ideal-scope.com/hca.asp

If anyone has in-depth questions on diamonds I have learned quite a bit about them over the years.

 

[Imported]

For rounds, there's the HCA calculator too. For fun, I put in the specs of the diamond I got into that cut level calculator and got the following results:

Tab Percent: 1A
Crown Angle: 1B
Crown Height: 1A
Pavilion Depth: 1A
Girdle: 1A
Depth: 1A
Polish: 1A
Symmetry: 1A
TotalGrade: 1A

 

[alkemyst]

For rounds, there's the HCA calculator too. For fun, I put in the specs of the diamond I got into that cut level calculator and got the following results:

Tab Percent: 1A
Crown Angle: 1B
Crown Height: 1A
Pavilion Depth: 1A
Girdle: 1A
Depth: 1A
Polish: 1A
Symmetry: 1A
TotalGrade: 1A

nice rock.

I am sure many think that stone is closer to 1.5+ carats than 1.25 just due to the light factor it puts out. My ex-wife's ring was .77 carat, 1A...people swore it was a carat or more.

Many don't understand as most people won't put down someone's engagement ring, however; when you have people coming up to you and freely complementing it or asking about "what a nice diamond!" it's very different.

 

[isekii]

nice rock.

I am sure many think that stone is closer to 1.5+ carats than 1.25 just due to the light factor it puts out. My ex-wife's ring was .77 carat, 1A...people swore it was a carat or more.

Many don't understand as most people won't put down someone's engagement ring, however; when you have people coming up to you and freely complementing it or asking about "what a nice diamond!" it's very different.

Rounds look larger than other cuts.

 

[alkemyst]

Rounds look larger than other cuts.

Yes and no, it's got the most brilliance/fire; but things like emerald cut and the like with larger faces have people thinking it's a bigger stone.

IMHO I would not consider anything but round/brilliant/radiant or princess cuts as a second choice.

However; the stone I pick is up to the woman I love.

 

[highland145]

+1 for Alk info and zero flaming/trolling.

Hell, I must have typed the wrong password.

 

[alkemyst]

+1 for Alk info and zero flaming/trolling.

Hell, I must have typed the wrong password.

I don't troll, I correct idiots.

I post my life up, I am honest.

I have been online since 1983.

 

[highland145]

I don't troll, I correct idiots.

I post my life up, I am honest.

I have been online since 1983.

Weren't accusing you of flaming. Giving you a :thumbsup:



weren't...heh.

 

[slightlyhuman]

Learned quite a bit guys, thanks!

Alky, we've definitely hit heads, but thanks for the info sir:beer;

You've got me interested in .77 and getting as nice of a cut as possible. I was set on a carat but after researching, it's all about the cut.

 

[alkemyst]

Learned quite a bit guys, thanks!

Alky, we've definitely hit heads, but thanks for the info sir:beer;

You've got me interested in .77 and getting as nice of a cut as possible. I was set on a carat but after researching, it's all about the cut.

Many make the mistake to sacrificing too much for a 1carat ring. One thing to know as well is even going to a .99 carat can save you a lot over breaking the 1.0 mark. Also sometimes going slightly larger than the 'whole sizes' esp. a 1 carat can save you money as some cultures have an affinity to the perfect 1.0 carat rock.

In fact, every whole size the price per carat jumps.

My ex was tiny, 5' 100-110lbs. A .77 looked big on her.

My fiancee is larger and 5'7". I am thinking a .87 or so...and possibly side stones.

 

[maxi007]

Go to bluenile.com and build your own.

yeah nice site .. recomended

 

[alkemyst]

yeah nice site .. recomended

Whether you choose BlueNile or not, use pricescope.com to link to them to save more money.

 

[Imported]

My only issue with Blue Nile is you can't see photos before buying.

 

[alkemyst]

My only issue with Blue Nile is you can't see photos before buying.

In all honesty a picture of a diamond doesn't tell much.

 

[Imported]

In all honesty a picture of a diamond doesn't tell much.

I like pictures if I'm looking at an SI2/SI1. VS2 and up I'm generally not worried about.

 

[alkemyst]

I like pictures if I'm looking at an SI2/SI1. VS2 and up I'm generally not worried about.

You won't be able to tell flaws vs picture flaws like that.

Most places you can send the rock back if you don't like it.

SI2 flaws that 'people can see' are usually dust on the stone.

 

[slightlyhuman]

Alright, slight update.. I met the guy yesterday and he showed me a diamond he thought I might like. Round cut. 1 Carat, here's the picture. He let me look at it with an eye loupe(sp?). Lots of fire but I told him I can't really go forward with setting/band until I get an appraisal on the loose diamond.

He said we can take care of that this week and then decide to go forward or find another dock. Here's the best pic I could get with my cell phone.

 

[rcpratt]

He showed you a diamond and didn't give you any kind of price?

 

[highland145]

Holy crap, that's on lined notebook paper. You're going to give her carpel tunnel or something by just having to lug it around.


j/k

 

[Imported]

Specs? Certificates?

 

[slightlyhuman]

He showed you a diamond and didn't give you any kind of price?

Yes, he gave me a price. under $3k. That's why I want to see the detailed specs on paper(clarity, etc) so I have something for reference if I look elsewhere.

 

[Jodell88]

Yes, he gave me a price. under $3k. That's why I want to see the detailed specs on paper(clarity, etc) so I have something for reference if I look elsewhere.

Make sure it isn't a blood diamond as well.

 

[richardycc]

I used goodoldgold back in 2003, their website has changed a lot and they've gotten bigger since then. They had a princess diamond with the 3 (white light, color light, scintillation) things the BrilliantScope measures for in the 'very high' range. I don't know about now, but a princess cut diamonds don't sparkle like round diamonds. I actually saw it in pricescope, but goodoldgold was the one that actual had it in possession. I guess the owner saw how special it was and ordered it from the actual owner to take a look personally. I think he told me it was supposed to goto Tiffany, but I think that might be BS. like how would he know that info? Anyway, it took me a while to find a princess with very high scintillation score, so I got it right away. Color = F, carlify = VVS1, so I paid a bit more for something I was OK with in VS1-VS2 range. We got the Vatche X-prong settings, http://www.dvatche.com/, supposingly he is the designer for the Tiffany Lucida rings, a lot of people, including Tiffany employees would mistaken my wife's ring as a Tiffany Lucida, as they would offer to clean her Lucida for her everytime we are in a Tiffany store and treating us like we are repeat customers.