I’ve been doing research online, in store, and through friends regarding buying an engagement ring. I’ve heard different answers all down the board in terms of “best” buy. I’ve been reading your site and it seems that I validly should ask you guys as experts, so here is what I have.
First question, is it “rude” or considered a no-no to buy a diamond online individually and buy a ring in store? Reason for asking, I found a ring that I really feel that I like in a store. I feel like it’s unique, it’s classy, and in general I really like how it looks/how the woman will think it looks. Some specs on it is that it’s 14k white gold, it has a pave setting with a cathedral mounting, and also from the side view has diamonds on it. Not sure of the weight (I just asked) of the remaining diamonds.
Second, the diamond itself. I’m looking right around 1.00 carat. I keep seeing excellent cut. What is the difference between excellent and ideal? In general, I’m looking for a quality cut, whether it’s excellent/ideal/super ideal. After reading a bit on your site, I see that there is a lot that goes into the color and it’s best fit based on the ring as well. In store I was matching a 1.01 carat diamond side by side at K and at H and I felt it was very noticeable. I definitely would say I’m leaning toward H… but again I’m looking for guidance. For clarity, I was told based on your cut you can get away with a lot in terms of clarity. I would like a diamond that you cannot see any flaws to the naked eye. Generally that is around the VS2 coding, although in store, at SI2 I could not see anything (ideal cut). Is it true that cut matters for clarity?
Lastly, my price cap is $9,000 for the diamond. Of course I’d like to save if possible, and after reading about the rob job stores will play on you, I really felt like I need guidance.
If you found a setting you love in a store and there isn’t any similar online, go for it.
Can you also tell me what shape of diamond you’re looking for? It influences my search for color and other characteristics, too. Then I’ll be happy to send you my suggestion.
No, cut doesn’t influence the clarity but the light return (brilliance).
Excellent and Ideal is basically a different terminology for the same thing. (AGS certification uses ideal, GIA uses excellent). I hope I answered all important questions. Feel free to ask me again if you have more questions.
Pertaining to the ring question, I haven’t found anything like it online, but I want to state my question again, is it unorthodox or somewhat inconsiderate to buy the ring, not the diamond in store? Also, if I were to choose to do that, who would help put the diamond onto the ring?
I’m looking for a round cut diamond.
Yes, that makes sense. I am definitely hoping to have a diamond that has that extra sparkle… so a very good brilliance would be preferred.
Thanks.
Then I think that you should stick with the setting you love and find one of your local jewelers to mount the diamond for you.
If an extraordinary brilliance is what you’re looking for then I’d suggest Brian Gavin Signature Hearts and Arrows. That’s exactly what they focus on and you can be sure that you’ll receive the best of diamonds. Not only do these conform to the strictest of cut parameters, but Brian himself selects them for optimal brilliance. Brian Gavin is known as one of the worlds experts when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds. If you want to spend extra on their cut, it’s a great way to go. Here is a great choice from BGD:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.266-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104092229005?a_aid=y
An I color diamond is going to look colorless in a pave style setting.
Let me know what you think.
The link you gave me did not show the diamond itself. I looked at a comparable diamond on the site and I agree, even off the pictures it has some fire and I did notice that they have nothing but ideal+ in their cuts. Do you recommend anywhere else for diamonds that have that brilliance I may be looking for? Do you have any other diamonds options I can go look at?
How does clarity play into all of this with what I am looking for? I noticed the one you sent to me as an VS1… Is that something you may recommend?
Also, is the I color what you would prefer for what I am looking at then considering the type of ring I am looking to get?
Thank you.
Brian Gavin is known for diamonds with an extraordinary brilliance. Mike can tell you from experience. He worked for one of the largest suppliers for Blue Nile. When he went to Brian Gavin with the 30 best cut diamonds in their inventory (of thousands), Brian Gavin rejected them all. When he showed Mike his selections, Mike was blown away. I’m not saying you should definitely go with Brian Gavin, but if you want to focus on cut more than anything else, that is the route to go.
Yes, an I color stone is perfect for the style of setting you like. There’s no need to go for a higher grade. As for the clarity, as long as the stone is eye-clean, you can go lower. At the same time, most of the SI stones have eye-visible inclusions. This VS1 stone is the best I found at the moment.
I don’t know why the link isn’t working for you. Try this one:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.266-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104092229005?a_aid=y
Feel free to send me the link if you find another option you like. I’ll be happy to comment on it.
So you would agree with me that if I want a great sparkle, with great brilliance, and an excellent cut that a diamond from Brian Gavin is a solid selection?
I don’t want anything visible to the eye… With that being said you would agree I should be looking at a VS1 (or potentially better?) clarity mark?
For color, “I” is where you think I should live considering my ring setting will likely be a classic setting?
I’m trying to find a comparable ring but I can tell you that it is a Scott Kay brand.
That link worked, and it does look great. I appreciate your help in all of this. Here are a couple other examples I have been comparing:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.003-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104091843041&a_aid=y
Same version but smaller.
www.brilliance.com/loose-diamonds/round/1-21-carat-i-color-super-ideal-make-vvs1-clarity-gia-certified-SKU-D12951341
I don’t know if this is a reputable website.
Thanks!
Exactly as you mentioned, you should go for a stone from Brian Gavin if you want a diamond with high brilliance and a stunning cut.
We don’t recommend purchasing from Brilliance.com as we have not had good experiences with them.
Yes, I color is perfect for a pave or solitaire style of setting. And as for the clarity, as long as the stone are eye-clen you can search for SI grade, too.
The main issue with the stone from Blue Nile is its strong fluorescence on this color grade.
I noticed that the diamond form BGD is not available at the moment. Did you put it on hold?
Can you describe the difference between brilliance and sparkle and fire? I see the three of them and seems as if they mean different things.
Can you give me more insight on clarity? Is this a preference thing? As long as it fits in the budget, I don’t mind going for a better clarity, but any tips/guidance you have for me would really help. I was looking based off the VS1 clarity you’d given to me on previous links.
I did not put a hold on anything yet. I was trying to compare to what you were giving me. I noticed you’ve sent me 1.2 carat sized diamonds. I know I am willing to go smaller, down to 1.0… But I do like the idea of getting my bang of the buck.
Thank you!
Sparkle is just a term people use. Diamond experts use the term “brilliance”. It describes how the diamond is cut and how the light refracts in it. “Fire” describes the different colors the light is broken down to that you see when you look at the diamond.
Regarding the clarity, we usually search for stones with SI2+ clarity grade. If the inclusion is on the edge and can be covered by a prong, it saves you money. At the same time, most of the SI stones are not eye-clean. The inclusions are usually right on the table and we don’t recommend purchasing these stones. You can read more here.
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/
The 1.266 carat stone is reserved but I can still find it in the search. I suggest contacting them directly. Maybe it’s still available for you.
I took your advice and I did contact them regarding that diamond, and comparable diamonds if that one is no longer available. I really appreciate your help in all of this. It has opened my eyes quite a bit to what I wanted, and confirmed a few things as well!
My pleasure helping you.
Feel free to contact me if there’s anything else I can do for you.
And let me know what you decide and which stone you choose.
Figured I would give you an update. I went with this diamond:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.088-i-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104091071003&a_aid=y
Thank you again for all your help and answering the countless questions I had. I really appreciate it!
That’s fantastic news! Thank you for the information. It was my pleasure helping you.
Please let me know how you like the diamond once it arrives.
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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