Looking at engagement rings and diamonds - Help!

[clevertrees]

Hi everyone! I've been shopping online for diamonds and engagement ring designs to get an idea of what styles I like best. BTW, I'm a female, but not much of a jewelry person so a lot of this is new to me!

I've read through a lot of sources about different types of metals, so I'm set in that area. My biggest concern is the diamond, since it is such a huge purchase, and every diamond is different. I'm not into a lot of bling or sparkle, so I don't want anything too big, and I'm 100% sure I don't want a bunch of little diamonds covering the ring.

I have done some homework on diamond basics so I know a little about the 4 Cs. I plan to go into jewelry stores and look at diamonds so I can see things like color and clarity for myself. Aside from that, though, I really don't know what else to look for when shopping around for diamonds!

Any tips or pointers? I would appreciate any advice you give me. Thanks!

 

[TheFoo]

Go to pricescope.com and learn about how to judge a diamond from the numbers--the 4 Cs are just the beginning, and can actually be quite misleading. Fortunately, once you've picked the shape of stone you want, you can reduce the search to a numbers game and find the stone you want online.

 

[Crane's]

One of the most important things when it comes to a diamond is something called "make". This term covers the quality of the cut and finish. I've seen some nice stones C wise but the make was terrible. It was a dead stone, no life, no sparkle.

 

[clevertrees]

Originally Posted by Crane's

One of the most important things when it comes to a diamond is something called "make". This term covers the quality of the cut and finish. I've seen some nice stones C wise but the make was terrible. It was a dead stone, no life, no sparkle.

What do you mean by "C wise?" I know that there are 4 Cs that diamonds are graded on...carat, clarity, color, and cut. Were you referring to the cut?

I actually really like the look of Asscher cut and princess cut diamonds...there's something about the square shape that is appealing. I'll have to look at some in person, though.

Also, I was browsing around and saw a lot of people talk about getting grading reports for diamonds from labs. Does anyone know how these labs differ, or are they pretty much the same? I've seen GIA and AGS come up often. Any information on these two?

 

[jc138]

Originally Posted by clevertrees

What do you mean by "C wise?" I know that there are 4 Cs that diamonds are graded on...carat, clarity, color, and cut. Were you referring to the cut?

I actually really like the look of Asscher cut and princess cut diamonds...there's something about the square shape that is appealing. I'll have to look at some in person, though.

Also, I was browsing around and saw a lot of people talk about getting grading reports for diamonds from labs. Does anyone know how these labs differ, or are they pretty much the same? I've seen GIA and AGS come up often. Any information on these two?
+1 on http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/

Asscher is a great cut, but when I went to buy one the differences in the sort I could afford and the ones I liked were huge. For some reason the big ones had a depth that made them really special, which the smaller ones lacked.

Many women have strong feelings about Princess cuts.

Some women are clueless about what they want. If you don't know what she wants she might not either. Try and get someone to take her ring shopping so that she can see the options. My fiance thought she wanted certain things but when she saw them changed her mind.

Spending an extra grand on the mounting can make the ring.

 

[Etienne]

Originally Posted by jc138

If you don't know what she wants she might not either. Try and get someone to take her ring shopping so that she can see the options.

Originally Posted by clevertrees

BTW, I'm a female

 

[jc138]

Originally Posted by Étienne

Excellent point. In that case you can ignore most of my prior advice.

You should definitely go to some places and look at things in person to see what you like. Princess and Asscher seem to me to be about as different as two cuts can get.

I really like the style of the plain, very simple, tiffany's ring. It is not for everyone though some people like more action, either something old or very modern.

Check out http://www.langantiques.com/type/5/
The site has some nice old rings. The new rings I have seen that I've liked have all been from small places in Manhattan and worn by people in far more interesting fields than I am, so I don't have anywhere to suggest.

 

[dragon8]

Search is over. Graff Diamonds. She. will. faint.

 

[clevertrees]

Originally Posted by jc138

+1 on http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/

Asscher is a great cut, but when I went to buy one the differences in the sort I could afford and the ones I liked were huge. For some reason the big ones had a depth that made them really special, which the smaller ones lacked.

Thanks for the link!
Were the differences mostly in size? I have read that differences in clarity and/or color can really affect prices, more so than the size/carat weight. And honestly, I don't need a huge rock...I have pretty small fingers and I just want something simple but still elegant.

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by clevertrees

Thanks for the link!
Were the differences mostly in size? I have read that differences in clarity and/or color can really affect prices, more so than the size/carat weight. And honestly, I don't need a huge rock...I have pretty small fingers and I just want something simple but still elegant.

Asschers need to be bigger in weight than the standard round brilliant in order to achieve a comparable presence on the finger. That's because a good Asscher, with a sufficient face-up surface are and well-defined facets, requires a good amount of depth and a pronounced bowl. They say that a perfectly cut Asscher (like a Royal Asscher) needs at least 1.5 carats to look right, while you need 2 carats or so for one that is not cut perfectly. Otherwise, the facets aren't clear enough and the stone tends to look lifeless.

 

[Mr. Moo]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Asschers need to be bigger in weight than the standard round brilliant in order to achieve a comparable presence on the finger. That's because a good Asscher, with a sufficient face-up surface are and well-defined facets, requires a good amount of depth and a pronounced bowl. They say that a perfectly cut Asscher (like a Royal Asscher) needs at least 1.5 carats to look right, while you need 2 carats or so for one that is not cut perfectly. Otherwise, the facets aren't clear enough and the stone tends to look lifeless.

Sounds like someone spent some time on Pricescope...

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by Mr. Moo

Sounds like someone spent some time on Pricescope...

Yep. A few years ago. It was time well spent, though not enjoyed.

 

[Mr. Moo]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Asschers need to be bigger in weight than the standard round brilliant in order to achieve a comparable presence on the finger. That's because a good Asscher, with a sufficient face-up surface are and well-defined facets, requires a good amount of depth and a pronounced bowl. They say that a perfectly cut Asscher (like a Royal Asscher) needs at least 1.5 carats to look right, while you need 2 carats or so for one that is not cut perfectly. Otherwise, the facets aren't clear enough and the stone tends to look lifeless.

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Yep. A few years ago. It was time well spent, though not enjoyed.

I spent 3 months on there... I know how you feel. It was somewhat enjoyable, as are most "hunts" for things, but there are some rather interesting women that post there.

 

[Augusto86]

******* hell. The De Beers marketing people are gods among men.

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by Mr. Moo

I spent 3 months on there... I know how you feel. It was somewhat enjoyable, as are most "hunts" for things, but there are some rather interesting women that post there.

They generally have terrible taste. The rings are mostly vomit-inducing.

Originally Posted by Augusto86

******* hell. The De Beers marketing people are gods among men.

A novel insight. I'm glad someone has it all figured out.