Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Help....

[kzx87]

Ok, so I just got back from the local jeweler. Fantastic place, real nice guys that have been doing my families jewelry for years. I found a ring setting that I really like and I am definitely going to be purchasing the engagement ring from them.

However... I do have a question about where to buy the solitaire diamond. They showed me an Ideal cut, H, SI1 .74 carat diamond, but the price tag was $5,950 (yikes). The salesman even took me outside the store to look at the stone in the sunlight! It was a beautiful stone without a doubt. I can buy the same stone on bluenile.com for like $3000. Only problem is that it is a sight-unseen purchase. Bluenile.com has been highly rated in Forbes magazine, all their diamonds come with GIA certs, they have a 30-day return policy, and free insured shipping.

So my question really is whether or not its possible to make a great diamond purchase online based on a GIA certificate. The price point between similar stones from B&M versus online is really huge and is something that has to be considered.

[JPH]

If it has the same cut, clarity, color and size...and is GIA cert. it should be just as nice..... I'm by no means a jeweler, though I worked at a jewelry store for a bit. As always though........(just like with cigar companies)....Know your dealer.

just my

[4WheelVFR]

That's too much for that stone. Look for stones online, even ebay. There are some honest businesses on ebay that have some great stones available. I would look a little online though.

[rumballs]

Originally Posted by kzx87

So my question really is whether or not its possible to make a great diamond purchase online based on a GIA certificate.

As long as it is GIA certified and reasonably good quality, you probably don't need to look at, since the grading tells you what to expect. If it were really poor quality, you might want to look at it since it could be more variable...

The only thing I would suggest changing is to get VS2 instead of SI1.
I'm not sure what price you're aiming for, but they have a .92 carat, ideal, H, VS2 for $4,331


I haven't ordered diamonds from bluenile but I've ordered other jewelry and was happy with it.

[4WheelVFR]

Originally Posted by mmblz

I'm not sure what price you're aiming for, but they have a .92 carat, ideal, H, VS2 for $4,331

That's not too bad at all. My wifes diamond was 1.02 carat, colorless, and internally flawless, and I picked it up for less than 10k.
She made me swap it for a smaller one though, and she didn't even know how much it was. She's not a jewelry person, and just didn't want a stone that big. Hell, I'm more of a "jewelry person" than she is considering my watches.

[kzx87]

I'm looking to spend about $6k give or take (probably give)..

the ring setting is gonna be about 2k, since it has 8 princess cut sapphires and 8 small round diamonds.

[orangehorse]

It says in your profile that you are in NY... which is probably too far... however, I have always gone to a little place called Accessories in Mullica Hill, NJ. They are the *best*.

Their website is not too good (http://jewelryandpaintings.com/), but the staff is great and they walk you through the process and they have the absolute best prices. Check out some of the designer sites that are linked from their main site to see a sample of what type of product they offer.

I ended up getting my wife an antique engagement ring from there... they got it at an estate sale. I also had her wedding band made there (through one of their designers). And neither was in the range you were quoting above. The estate ring was actually pretty cheap due to the quality of diamonds used in rings around the turn of the century.

The wedding band was custom made, platinum and gold with 3 emerald cut diamonds and it was under $4k (list price over $8k).

My personal experience is that I do not have the knowledge needed and I needed to work with someone trustworthy in figuring out what was best and this is what the staff at Accessories were great at.

[montecristo#2]

Originally Posted by mmblz

The only thing I would suggest changing is to get VS2 instead of SI1.
I'm not sure what price you're aiming for, but they have a .92 carat, ideal, H, VS2 for $4,331

I would definitely try to get the best stone you can for the money. VS1 or VS2 is considerable better than SI1. I would also try to get something that is D, E (or F) in color (considered colorless). When you look at the stone by itself, you can't tell, however, when you put it next to other stones, the yellow color really stands out.

I think you probably have two basic options, decided what size you want and get the quality you can afford (color and clarity) or decide how much you want to spend and get the best quality/size diamond for the money. Luckily, my wife has small hands and didn't want a big stone (or at least that is what she told me ), so I was able to get a better quality smaller stone for the same amount of money.

I have been told that if you plan on buying a setting from a local place that they can look at the diamond you bought to ensure it is correct. Also, most of the diamonds are laser inscribed with a number that should match the certificate, as long as those numbers match and you are buying from a reputable dealer, you should be fine.

Good luck and congratulations on your upcoming engagement.

[audio1der]

Not to cheap out here, but something to consider: if you're setting it in a yellow gold band, it might take on a yellow hue no matter the rock's color. If you do plan on getting yellow gold, you can "cheat" a little on the color.
If not- pony up because it's worth it.

[n2advnture]

Get a 2 karat fake diamond...bet she'll never tell the difference

[ToddziLLa]

I know more about diamonds than a man should! I researched them for about a year before purchasing my fiance's engagement ring. Do yourself a favor and check out http://jamesallen.com. That is where I got the setting and the stone and the service and quality are second-to-none IMO. Go for a higher quality but smaller stone if cost comes into play.

[kzx87]

I'm looking at this stone...

http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_det...10&filter_id=0

it's right in my price range, almost perfect proportions (not because it's signature-ideal, but because of the table/depth % as compared to "ideal" standards), F color, VS2, .80 carat, excellent polish/symmetry.

[steelheaderdu]

Don't be afraid to buy a diamond sight unseen from Blue Nile. I know many people who have bought stones from them and have been thrilled. The guy I bought my diamond from is a diamond wholesaler, and he said Blue Nile is as good as it gets. He couldn't do any better on the same stones as Blue Nile pretty much sells their stones at a near wholesale cost to the public.

I'd buy the stone from them and pick up the setting locally. Depending on the cut, you can get a very nice .8 carat stone that looks much bigger if the cut is a little more shallow. Stay away from the 1.0 carat and bigger. I've read and always been told that .88-.91 usually present the best value...

just my

[Puffin Fresh]

I don't know if it's been said, but all certification companies are not equal. A few years ago when I was looking (3 or so) GIA was generally regarded as the best.

Somewhat comparable to what you are looking at, I got a GIA certified .75, VS2 ideal cut round that was D in color for just a tad over $3000 and that included a 14k white gold tiffany (not brand, just style) setting. I'm sure prices are up a bit from then, but if you shop around deals can be found. I bought from an independent dealer online. I had it checked a few places, and the lowest it appriaised for was $5000. Now, by appraised I don't mean the inflated prices, I mean what the jeweler said they'd sell it for. The one guy that "appraised" it instead of saying what he would sell for put it at just over $6000.

[Rploaded]

I have made 3 transactions will Blue Nile and have never been dissapointed. Good luck on your decision, either way she will be happy, most important thing is to do what makes you comfortable.