Hello, I am looking for some guidance in purchasing an engagement ring. I have zero experience so I would like to understand how this process works. My girlfriend doesn’t have a preference on cut so I’m looking for suggestions. Price range hasn’t really been defined because I’m not sure what to look for and how to place a value on the characteristics of the stone. Please help!
Regarding the diamond shape choice, that’s more a question of personal preferences rather than an expert’s opinion. I can give you a few basic facts but in the end it all comes down to what you (and especially your partner) like the most. Generally said, round diamonds always look the largest and most brilliant of all shapes. They’re also the most expensive ones. It’s because of their cut (the least deep cut of all shapes) and they also refract the light the best, so you can cheat colors a bit and go as low as J color. In a solitaire setting a J would appear colorless. If you want to mount the stone into pave or a halo setting, you should upgrade to an I or H+ color. Some people prefer a squarish look of a princess cut diamond or a cushion cut which is a little bit of both round and princess. There’re a few more brilliant shapes such as an oval, a pear or a radiant. Different appearance has an emerald cut and its square version of an asscher. They’re both step-up cuts that are not known for their brilliance but rather for the clear and glass-like appearance. I’d suggest you take a look at a local store and see which shape appeals to you the most.
I’ll be happy to take a look around and suggest some options for you. I’ll need to know a few things in order to select the best diamond for you. First and very important, the diamond shape you want. Also, have you decided what type of setting you want? A solitaire ring or a pave/with sidestones? What color of metal are you considering? Yellow gold or white gold/platinum? As we explain in our article on color, it’ll help me to determine which colors to recommend.
And lastly, can you give me an approximate ballpark figure you’re thinking of spending?
Thank you for the email. At this point, my preference on cut would be either round or princess. I will try to find out what my girlfriend’s preference is but from what her mom tells me, she isn’t picky. Hopefully that gives you some insight on that level. I’m not particular when it comes to setting so either style would work, I would definitely like a white gold/platinum color though. My price range is 7-10k.
Let me know if you need any other info from me.
Thanks!
Thanks for the additional info. If you’re not particularly looking for a halo setting, I’d recommend an I+ color for both round and a princess cut diamond. You can then mount it into any WG/PT solitaire or pave setting of your liking and it’ll appear colorless: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/.
Clarity is not so important as long as the diamond is eye-clean: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/.
Have a look at these:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.31-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1802710?a_aid=dmnd1357
All three diamonds are bright, eye-clean and well cut. They’ll be very brilliant. What do you think?
Thanks for the info, definitely a lot to consider and a bit overwhelming! I definitely like all of the diamonds you chose, I think the Blue Nile one was my favorite. If I were to consider going up to 10k, what characteristics should I focus my budget on? Maybe color and cut? Can you also give me a ballpark idea of what the setting will cost?
The cost of the setting depends on the style you select. To get an idea, take a look at JA’s or BN’s settings:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/?a_aid=dmnd1357
For metal, we always recommend white gold over platinum because of the huge disparity in upfront costs: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/platinum-vs-gold/. Both metals require upkeep every few years. WG needs to be dipped to retain its color and luster while PT needs to be cleaned and polished because it gets scratched and duller over time. So in the end, platinum costs you more in the beginning and doesn’t end up saving you any money in the long run. And I’d recommend 14k white gold. It’s cheaper and more durable than 18k.
If you go for a solitaire, I’d expect the cost to be $200-600 and for a pave approx. $600-1200. Obviously, you can find more expensive pieces but from experience this is the range we usually see.
If you want to spend more on the diamond, I’d go for a larger stone while keeping the other aspects. Or you could get a premium cut stone and thus a more brilliant diamond. In that case I would recommend Brian Gavin’s Signature Hearts and Arrows. Brian Gavin is known as one of the world’s experts when it comes to perfectly cut diamonds. BGD’s Signature diamonds are incredibly brilliant and truly impressive. These would be my recommendations from their selection:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.212-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104055873014?a_aid=y
Or this diamond from their Blue Line, a selection of diamonds with fluorescence. Each of them has been handpicked by Brian Gavin:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.230-i-vvs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104087953003?a_aid=y
The three diamonds are eye-clean and incredibly well cut. They’ll be extremely brilliant. What do you think?
Thanks,
White gold sounds like a good option. I really like the solitaire look, very elegant and simple. My girlfriend is fairly skinny and has slim hands and I don’t want to get her an enormous ring that attracts too much attention. A lot of friends have recommended getting a stone size that is proportional to her hand. What are your thoughts on that?
Do you guys have a partnership with any jewelers in the San Francisco area? I would like to see some rings in person since I can’t really get a sense of their appearance without seeing them. Also, what is the satisfaction guarantee policy for James Allen? I don’t want to get into a situation where I don’t really like a ring that looked better online for some reason. Lastly, how would I deal with resizing a ring if necessary? Is that something that can be done by any local jeweler? Is it better to get a smaller size ring and make it bigger or vice versa.
Thanks!
Sounds good. Take a look around to see what you’re looking at. We don’t work with any jewelers there, though.
JA is a fantastic company, they’re trustworthy and we’ve received nothing but positive feedback about them. Also, they offer great return policy, so if you don’t like the diamond you can simply return it for a full refund, no questions asked. They’ll even pay for the return shipping. Regarding resizing, JA offers you one resizing for free if necessary but a local jeweler can do it for you too.
Let me know what you think after the visit to the jeweler.
I’m considering going up to 2 carats, what price range would that put me in? My girlfriend’s ring size is a 5 so I also want to make sure the ring doesn’t look too massive in proportion to her slim hands. What do you think?
Here’s one 2 ct diamond from each company:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1954532?a_aid=dmnd1357
Whether these are too big or not is completely subjective.
Can you show me a 2 carat stone like the JA one below but with an SI1 clarity rating?
I searched for SI2+ as always, but couldn’t find anything cheaper than the one I sent you.
Thank you. Would you be able to show me a stone just under 2 carats with the same ratings so I can see the price differential?
Sure. Here they are:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.883-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104087135005?a_aid=y
Can you show me some recommended stones between 1.5 and 2 carats? Thanks.
From what company? Both again as last time?
Sure, I’d like to see as many options as possible.
Thank you!
My pleasure. Let me know how it goes.
I connected with one of the diamond consultants at James Allen and he recommended this diamond (SKU 1995007) because the pavilion angle was more ideal than the one of the other ones you showed me. Here are the links:
New diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.07-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1995007?a_aid=dmnd1357
Previously sent by Diamonds.pro:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1954532?a_aid=dmnd1357
I wanted to get your thoughts on this.
Thanks.
I agree that the cut is slightly better on the one they showed you. However, if it costs more because of that, I would get it. The difference won’t be visible with the naked eye.
I’m sure you meant to say “wouldn’t”, correct?
……
Here are the prices for each diamond. The one they recommended is actually 2.07 carats, compared to 2.01 carats on the one you recommended.
Item #1954532
Round 2.01 carat I VS1 clarity diamond GIA
Price: $16,120.00
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.01-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1954532?a_aid=dmnd1357
Item #1995007
Round 2.07 carat I VS2 clarity diamond GIA
Price: $16,730.00
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/2.07-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1995007?a_aid=dmnd1357
Yes, I meant “wouldn’t. I’m sorry about that.
Well, the prices are not that different and the 2.07ct one is slightly larger, so go for it. It’s a beautiful stone.
I wanted to let you know I ended up purchasing the 2.07ct stone and I informed James Allen that diamonds.pro helped me. Let me know if you need anything else from me. I appreciate your help!
Thanks!
Great news! Thank you for letting me know and for thinking of us.
Just get back to me after you receive it if you can. I’m interested to hear how you like it.
Will do!
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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