Practical, real world differences in diamond quality?

[puma1552]

^

Hmm, okay, I can certainly believe that. I suppose I am part of the misconception then. I do agree cut is most important. I didn't think to address that point because you seemed to be aware of that already. However, being as I have seen a diamond with poor clarity, which may have also had a poor cut, I would rather have something with more colour than less clarity. (if you get what I mean.) I just didn't want you thinking that the only decent diamond was a D colour because they're not so easy to come by and you really can't easily tell the difference between them and a few letters down.

Anyway, best of luck with all this.

Thanks, I'm so close to calling and ordering it while they are holding the diamonds for 24 hours that I had inspected by the gemologist...given that the last one I liked got snatched up...but I still have one more conversation to have with the lady about the future before I know that all lights are green to move forward. I wouldn't care and would just buy it anyway right now since there is free shipping, but that's only for the US--even though I can return it I'll be out shipping two ways and duty into Japan, so I better get it right the first time so I need to hold off through the weekend, booo.

A big diamond can look vulgar and I certainly wouldn't want my other half wandering around looking like a tasteless WAG.

hahaha

Interesting, didn't see they had this setting:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/Platinum-Scroll-Basket-Pave-Set-Diamond-Ring.html

the exact same setting as the one I chose, but with side diamonds. not sure how i feel about that

 

[Abstract]

I read this thread on my iPhone and basically skimmed it, so I don't know if this has been said, but personally, if you want to buy a ring with a solitary diamond, I'd forget about the four Cs, get a 0.9 carat diamond or greater, and leave it at that. The rest is perceived value due to marketing anyway. If you can't see any visual difference, then forget it.

Just remember that diamonds were not this valuable until around 70 years ago, when DeBeers' marketing department was really really good, and when Marilyn Monroe became really popular and declared that diamonds were a girl's best friend. If you ever look at historical civilizations that had gold and treasure, you'd find that stones lime rubies were really sought after. It wasn't diamonds until last century.

Anyway, put things in perspective. There's probably an ideal size (not too big, not too small) and everything else is perceived value. I mean, if you need a microscope and a calibrated eye to tell apart differences in colour and clarity, why pay more?

 

[puma1552]

You've got to be ****ing kidding me--the setting I want just went from 900 bucks to 1180.

The pave one above with the side diamonds just went from 1500 to 1950.

unadvertised sale for the last three months?

****.

 

[CaoCao]

My uncle (a Jeweler) recommends Diamonds to his customers, a Sapphire to the family (we're Indian, he can match the perfect sapphire for the person's complexion) or if they really want a diamond look to go for Moissanite. Personally I like Sapphires most.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Get a 1 CT, SI1 or SI2, G or close and she’ll be happy. You don’t need any VS and having no color is just not worth it.

Oh, and size does matter. Try to get as close to a 1 that you can.

It depends on who you are and what your job is. My wife didn't want a 1 ct stone because she'd be knocking it all around and wouldn't be able to where it at work (nurse). Plus it would look ridiculously big on her finger.

I read this thread on my iPhone and basically skimmed it, so I don't know if this has been said, but personally, if you want to buy a ring with a solitary diamond, I'd forget about the four Cs, get a 0.9 carat diamond or greater, and leave it at that. The rest is perceived value due to marketing anyway. If you can't see any visual difference, then forget it.

Just remember that diamonds were not this valuable until around 70 years ago, when DeBeers' marketing department was really really good, and when Marilyn Monroe became really popular and declared that diamonds were a girl's best friend. If you ever look at historical civilizations that had gold and treasure, you'd find that stones lime rubies were really sought after. It wasn't diamonds until last century.

Anyway, put things in perspective. There's probably an ideal size (not too big, not too small) and everything else is perceived value. I mean, if you need a microscope and a calibrated eye to tell apart differences in colour and clarity, why pay more?

The reason diamonds cost so much is because DeBeers has a monopoly (or just about) on them. There are crap loads of diamonds out there it's just that supply is restricted.

Watch Blood Diamond and you won't want to buy a diamond without researching where it came from again.

A couple of my pointers:
- Buy a ring from a trusted smaller town jeweler. Someone whose been in the business for decades. If you find a ring you like online, print a picture of it and bring it with you. That's how I found the ring for my wife (I knew exactly what she wanted).
- Whatever you do, don't buy it from a large jeweler (ie. Kays) or shop in the mall as you will be getting severely ripped off.
- Tell them you're on a budget and, if they're worth buying from, they'll work with you, usually lowering the price.
- 6 prong rings keep the diamond from shining as much as a 4 prong. You might get told that it's stronger but that's purely BS.

 

[CaoCao]

It depends on who you are and what your job is. My wife didn't want a 1 ct stone because she'd be knocking it all around and wouldn't be able to where it at work (nurse). Plus it would look ridiculously big on her finger.


The reason diamonds cost so much is because DeBeers has a monopoly (or just about) on them. There are crap loads of diamonds out there it's just that supply is restricted.

Watch Blood Diamond and you won't want to buy a diamond without researching where it came from again.

A couple of my pointers:
- Buy a ring from a trusted smaller town jeweler. Someone whose been in the business for decades. If you find a ring you like online, print a picture of it and bring it with you. That's how I found the ring for my wife (I knew exactly what she wanted).
- Whatever you do, don't buy it from a large jeweler (ie. Kays) or shop in the mall as you will be getting severely ripped off.
- Tell them you're on a budget and, if they're worth buying from, they'll work with you, usually lowering the price.
- 6 prong rings keep the diamond from shining as much as a 4 prong. You might get told that it's stronger but that's purely BS.

Smaller town Jewelers in business are typically better buys just like how buying very nice dress shoes from cobblers are better deals

 

[puma1552]

It. Is. Done.

I finally ordered a ring.

I went with the platinum solitaire setting above (they wouldn't budge on the price or honor the old price we had discussed, damn), and debated over two diamonds:

--.5 ct.
--D color
--VS1 clarity (feather/cloud/pinpoint style impurities)
--Super ideal ('hearts and arrows') cut
--$2060

(I had pretty much been set on the above)

OR

--.46 ct.
--E color
--VVS2 clarity (cloud/pinpoint style impurities)
--Super ideal ('hearts and arrows') cut
--$1400

The setting dictates a .5+ ct. setting but I knew there had to be leeway in that, and I knew the price premium on anything .5 or 1.0 ct., so I thought I'd find something just under .5 and see if I could get a massive price break, and see if it could be set. Sure enough I found the above .46 ct. diamond and they said no problem. Compared to the 0.5 ct. diamond it's like 0.09mm smaller across, literally a fraction of a millimeter smaller in diameter...big deal.

Also I know there is zero discernable difference between D and E in color and a gemologist could only tell the difference when comparing to standard master stones in a controlled lab, but I also heard there's usually a 25% difference or so in price between D and E, all things considered; so you pay for what you can't see. I'll also save $50 or so on duty by going with the cheaper diamond.

So basically, .5/D/VS1/Super Ideal VS. .46/E/VVS2/Super Ideal @ 700 bucks cheaper, it's pretty much a no brainer. With duty and everything, total damage is around $2800, compared to about $3500.

I feel pretty good about the choice. She's gonna love the ring.

 

[Tomorrow]

Unless you're planning on selling it later (an investment, rather than as something to wear and symbolize your engagement), just buy one you think looks good. The diamond vendors over-emphasize the four C's, IMO, to get you to spend more money. If all you're ever going to do is wear and enjoy it, what difference does it make?

 

[QuarterSwede]

It. Is. Done.

I finally ordered a ring.

I went with the platinum solitaire setting above (they wouldn't budge on the price or honor the old price we had discussed, damn), and debated over two diamonds:

--.5 ct.
--D color
--VS1 clarity (feather/cloud/pinpoint style impurities)
--Super ideal ('hearts and arrows') cut
--$2060

(I had pretty much been set on the above)

OR

--.46 ct.
--E color
--VVS2 clarity (cloud/pinpoint style impurities)
--Super ideal ('hearts and arrows') cut
--$1400

The setting dictates a .5+ ct. setting but I knew there had to be leeway in that, and I knew the price premium on anything .5 or 1.0 ct., so I thought I'd find something just under .5 and see if I could get a massive price break, and see if it could be set. Sure enough I found the above .46 ct. diamond and they said no problem. Compared to the 0.5 ct. diamond it's like 0.09mm smaller across, literally a fraction of a millimeter smaller in diameter...big deal.

Also I know there is zero discernable difference between D and E in color and a gemologist could only tell the difference when comparing to standard master stones in a controlled lab, but I also heard there's usually a 25% difference or so in price between D and E, all things considered; so you pay for what you can't see. I'll also save $50 or so on duty by going with the cheaper diamond.

So basically, .5/D/VS1/Super Ideal VS. .46/E/VVS2/Super Ideal @ 700 bucks cheaper, it's pretty much a no brainer. With duty and everything, total damage is around $2800, compared to about $3500.

I feel pretty good about the choice. She's gonna love the ring.

Are those prices in the AU dollar? If not, I paid your .46ct price for the .5ct 4 years ago when I bought my wife's solitaire (equivalent diamond based on specs). I know prices didn't go up THAT much. I really hope you didn't get ripped off.

 

[puma1552]

US dollar. It's a fair price based on other jewelers online, especially for a super ideal cut as opposed to an ideal...the same diamond/ring here in Japan would go for 5000-6000 USD...the markup on diamonds in shops here is unreal.

 

[puma1552]

Received the ring an hour ago, finally.

The packaging is impressive.

The ring itself is in a wooden box with a cream lining, and that is surrounded by foam in a larger box.

Because it's a super ideal (hearts & arrows) cut, they included a loupe so I could see for myself...very cool.

The paperwork is in order and very nice too. The receipt is nothing special, just an envelope with it inside, but the AGS laboratory grading certificate is really nice, laminated and put inside a nice black bi-fold AGS folio.

One other thing they did that I wasn't expecting was a complimentary appraisal. The ring is supposedly appraised at $3,600 USD. James Allen still recommends getting an independent appraisal, but they do this just as a complimentary service I guess so I can get it insured right away which is kind of cool.

As for the ring itself it's really nice; the size is decent (5 mm across), but nothing too large for her small hands. I actually think on her hand it will look perfect. The diamond is very white, and I can't see any impurities with the loupe. One thing it does however, is sparkle more than any other diamond I have seen; it's pretty remarkable. The setting is really pretty as well, and I had it engraved and it looks good. Overall I'm very happy with it and the ring is very pretty.

Big thumbs up to James Allen on this purchase, very very happy with the way things turned out.

 

[iBlue]

Gorgeous, very elegant and good choice with the platinum as well. Pre-congrats and best of luck!