I am in the final stages of getting a stone with a family jeweler.

we are having a problem deciding on a "perfect" square or "near perfect" square -- a common problem with princesses.

for example, some of the stones he has access to are 7.00 x 7.2. The question I ask is: would this be noticeably rectangular to the naked eye???

Getting a near perfect 7.0_ x 7.0_ may cost me another few grand. Im hard set on 2.0 ct, VS1, H, and do not want to go any lower on those metrics for the sake of finding a near perfect "square".

Thoughts? Input? This jeweler is selling to me at wholesale prices, figure 17-20k for a 35k+ appraised stone. So I want to stick with what he has.

Should I stick with a 7.0 x 7.2, 2 ct, VS1, H for 18k? or pay 21k for a 7.0 x 7.0?

Thanks!

 

looks like anything < 1.10 ratio looks square to the eye. They say "perfect" is 1.05 ratio or less.

Any firsthand advice?

 

if your eye cant tell then no one else will either, unless folks are walking around with jewlers monocles

the main thing is the Cs.. if you get the quality you want and at a great price go for it

the only caveat is if you are buying it to then sell somewhere/someone else who cares.. if you are using it then jump on that deal

 

^^ thanks. nope, not selling it.

the thing is, a higher length to width ratio means that the stone is more asymetric, and does not capture light as well. so the clarity and cut of the stone would be diminished.

im asking because i would be paying thousands for VS1 and signature ideal cut, which may all be lost to a weak length/width ratio. guess thats the question...

 

best way to dewcide is to view them side by side... on paper it says all that but until you see it person you wont really know.. its a tough decision anytime you puttnig down that much cash.. but its liek cars, until you really see it in person and compare in person will you truly come to a decision

 

Let me say first that I am a former jeweler and a Certified Diamontologist. I just got married in September and let me tell you, I was horrible to take shopping for a diamond. I was pouring over every little detail and certification. My husband (fiance at the time) finally told me "you're taking all the romance out of this!" and reminded me what we were really there for. Ultimately, they are ALL nice diamonds and the fact that you took the time to choose something so lovely will be enough for her and should be for you too! Have fun with the process and find the best combination overall for the price. Everything else should be about what it means to you to do this for her.

That being said ;-) I am a hard core believer in cut. I chose a round ideal for myself but I think it to be very important, maybe even more so, in a princess cut. Might you consider a VS2? There's literally, what, a tenth of a percentage difference? You can only see a difference under a 10k loupe and even then, it's difficult. Just a thought that might help to get you into that more perfect cut...

Good luck and try to remember the emotion and keep it fun ;-)

 

You get what you pay for. If you are paying $20k, the gem is worth $15-17k, not $35. The jeweler can put any number they want on the stone if they are the ones giving the appraisal.

Save your money, don't get married. It's a fairy-tail dream for little girls. A real commitment doesn't need a $20k ring to secure.

 

HAHA. 20k doesnt pay for much sex over a lifetime

And yes, a gem's WORTH is one thing, being able to buy it for close to that worth is another thing. You could always order a loose stone online @ wholesale, but will have to pay upfront without actually seeing it in person...and the two-way shipping lead time eats into basically all of your return policy timeframe. The key is to find the right jeweler that can show you stones at close to wholesale prices.

I strolled through a new store last weekend for kicks and talked the jeweler down from 57k to 19k. Diamond was probably worth 13k with a 3k setting. Just goes to show...

 

Thanks!!! I agree. Trying to keep this fun. I am trying to not have these conversations with her, as to not spoil the mood. Getting engaged is a beautiful thing, but the act of buying a diamond is a process. At the end of the day, a ring needs to be purchased, and it's not in my nature to walk into a negotiation for a big purchase without being best prepared. Its a lot of money, so I want to search high and low, and educate myself as best as possible. Guess I am an analytical, deal-seeker by trade. Price haggling and attempting to outsmart shifty jewelers is extremely fun, in some sick way.

(Emotions aside) For a guy, buying a diamond could be like buying an economy sized car in cash, without ever having been in a car before, let alone understanding the specs of a car. We initially come into the process not knowing anything, and we are making thousand dollar decisions based on the slightest differences. All while being peddled by a jeweler. Self-education is key.

 

Diamonds are probably the biggest ripoff item for the average consumer. The average consumer has no idea what this stuff is worth. You have to have faith that you aren't being ripped off. OP sounds like he is a bit more informed than the average schmuck though. I have to stay away.

 

well said. The profit margin is huge...and they are selling on average, a 10k item at extremely low volume. Let's say a few diamonds a week. You think a used car salesman is making the same as a jeweler? Same price range and frequency in terms of sales.

 

Cut and setting is important. It is what will help capture the light and brilliance. For just about every simple person, how it sparkles and how it looks is the only thing that really matters and what catches most people's eye. Forget about huge stones...they look ridiculous and are a waste of money to most people --- I am certain that most down-to-earth women would much prefer a few wonderful vacations, a nicer home, a lower car payment, and/or some money in the bank over a massive investment in a ring.

Look for something that looks nice to the naked eye. What it looks like when examined and torn apart under a loupe and discrimnated to a 't', will never happen once it's on her finger. (As per your other thread) - Buying something so expensive just because you're trying to "keep up with the Jones'" or because her family seems to value that type of material item above other priorities sounds like you're buying into the hype for all the wrong reasons. What her friends thing shouldn't matter either. This ring is only a symbol of your love for one another -- not what defines your relationship or value in society.

 

Thermon, you seem like a smart enough guy, so do the math.

7.2/7 = 1.03

So you answered your own question in your second post.

 

we finally found the perfect stone that we couldnt pass up on! great marks across the board, and an awesome find on behalf of the jeweler.

6.96 x 6.95, 74% table, excellent cut, excellent polish. the thing is straight ice. all of the metrics are in the ideal range, or of excellent grade. very happy! photo is missing the head and paves. think it's a perfect size. not too overwhelming, but not too unassuming that you would anticipate a need for an upgrade down the road.

our mutual friend became engaged over the weekend (ring below)....not sure how many carats this is, but, IMO, is just too damn big...and well, a bit gaudy IMO. think the kid makes roughly ~500k, so it seems as if he literally went with 3 months salary on this thing.

 

MF'er...it's a 4 ct F color, Blue Nile says 150-200k. that's disgusting.

 

Yeah, no need to try to keep up with the Joneses.


What's important is that your fiance is happy with the ring you give her.
My wife has never wanted to exchange her engagement ring diamond for a bigger diamond, and none of my buddies' wives (and they are STILL on their 1st wives, even though they are white Anglo guys! ) have wanted anything other than their sub-1.0 carat engagement rings from the guys they are willing to put up with...

 

word...

yup, not comparing. very happy here

 

Holy bling but yeah that I think is almost to big. I think what you got looks perfect. I want to eventually do something that is noticeable but not obnoxious.

 

Thanks! PM if you ever want the jeweler's contact. Very reputable, fast paced, and pricing came in @ wholesale levels. He can ship to NC to avoid sales tax.

 

LOOK WHAT CAME IN THE MAIL !!

 

Holy hell thats nice.

 

Very nice. What was the final damage on that and where did you get it?

 

Diamond:
2.02 Ct, H, VS2, 6.96 x 6.95 L/W, excellent polish, excellent cut, no florescence, 74% table
$18,250 (a STEAL, considering ideal/perfect metrics across the board. A similar stone on Blue Nile will have a metric or two that is "off" with a higher price tag). Excellent cut + excellent polish are hard to come by, which is why i jumped on this...you get a layered "X" effect, rather than a sea of sparkles.

Band:
.35 ct total, platinum, molded per Blue Nile style setting submitted
$2,000 Blue Nile price match per jeweler

Shipped out of state - $0 tax, so the entire package with shipping/insurance was a few ticks over the $20k mark

Insurable amount is $28k, and storefront retail is probably 40-50k sticker.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND
De Natale Jewelers in NYC (loose stones @ wholesale prices on website -- google)

...she is returning the favor with a Corgi puppy in due time

 

Beautiful! Congrats Hon!

And let me just add my opinion about the other ring (your friend's). I actually think it fits her hand well. She obviously has long fingers and keeps her nails manicured (although she's due for a fill-in) so I think it's a great size for her!