12 replies to this topic

[mk261274]

Hello all---today is my first day finding this forum and I've found some of the posts I've read extremely helpful. I'm in the process of deciding exactly what I want in an engagement ring so that I can tell my boyfriend and he can shop around, get the best deal and purchase one. I have many questions and will be appreciative of any and all insight/opinions available Please bear with my many ignorances which will be revealed below!

Basic info: I've come into this process with certain general ideas---I'd like a round solitaire .5-.75 carats (small fingers-I'm a size 4), thin yellow gold band, and prefer quality over size. I'm looking for simple and elegant but with lots of sparkle. I'd much prefer a stone with life rather than a larger glassy one. I'm planning to match it with a thin yellow gold channel set "anniversary" type wedding band. I feel the need to be pretty specific about what I want since he may be buying online and I'm kind of afraid of such a purchase without seeing the diamond first. So I prefer to get a smaller diamond with higher quality rather than risk something with no sparkle showing up.

1) My biggest question at the moment is regarding cut and Leo diamonds. Through my research I think I've come to the conclusion that cut should be my 1st priority. I was trying rings on like crazy with my sister yesterday and she and I both found that The Leo diamond really did appear to have more "sparkle". I was comparing it to a similar certified diamond ( Both 1/2 carat, G-H color, S1-S2 inclusions, Good cut...if I recall correctly) From what I see online having a diamond with the standard 57-58 cuts vs a High Definition with 66 and up really just reflects the same amount of light but splits it up more? So it may not technically reflect more light but it may "appear to have more sparkle"?

Do you guys think it is worth the extra price?? I also hate the idea of having a logo printed inside my ring!? LOL But I loved the sparkle!! (My boyfriend clearly told me not to fall in love with a specific ring since he will not be buying at the mall but I think I broke the rule)

2) I really prefer yellow gold. I never wear white or silver. How much will that affect the color of my Diamond?

3) And knowing that I plan to set in yellow...how much of a difference is there really to the naked eye and affect on "sparkle" between an F, a G and an I ?(If I look toward the lower end of colorless and the top and bottom of near colorless.)

4) I know that to the naked eye there really is not a big difference between clarity grades, correct? But will there be a difference in how the light is reflected?

5) 4 prongs vs 6 prongs? I've heard that 6 is safer and makes the diamond look rounder (and perhaps larger) and that 4 squares it off a bit but lets more light in so it sparkles more. I can't decide between the two. Originally I was sure I wanted 6 because it was safer and I liked the rounder look...but after seeing the Leo with a 4 prong setting--I honestly fell in love.

Thank you so much for reading!!

Edited by mk261274, 18 November 2010 - 09:53 AM.

[denverappraiser]

The extra facets on a Leo, Crown of Light, 88,and other similar designs does NOT increase the light return or 'sparkle' from a diamond. That comes from the angles, not from the number of facets. What it DOES do is change the look of the stone. It produces more and smaller sparkles as opposed to ,say, an Old European Cut which will have fewer big flashes. Whether or not you like it better is a matter of taste, not physics. It's an annoying problem of the stores that promote these things that they provide a viewing environment that's full of spotlights, they offer a 'regular' stone to compare with that's ordinarilly a dog, and they romance them heavilly. Buy one if you like them but don't fall for the gimicks. It's also worth noting that they are not all the same. Again, it's the facet geometry, not the number of facets that makes the difference. There are dog Leo's and there are good ones. Since they are all priced using the same formula, obviously you want to end up with the later, not the former if you decide to get one. That's harder than you might think to decide because most of the dealers don't make the data readilly available.

[mk261274]

So basically -regarding my #1: The extra facets in and of themselves are no benefit except for the fact that they create extra angles and thus if cut correctly might split the light to create more smaller flashes as opposed to a standard cut with less larger flashes? What I'm coming away with is that if it is cut right--it may be worth spending more if I like more smaller flashes (which I do)?

[denverappraiser]

correct. If you like the look, go for it, just make sure to choose a well cut one of THOSE.

[davidelevi]

Don't compare what you saw on the Leo with a "Good" cut stone, though. Before you plump for the Leo, make sure you see at least an "Excellent" or AGS-0 to AGS-2 cut traditional stone. You may still decide you like the Leo best, but at least you will compare against "the best" available traditional cut (which is still less expensive than a Leo).

To your other questions:

2) It will depend on how it's set, but in general not very much. You can also have the shank in yellow and the head or basket in white, if you are worried about that (it may cost extra to have the ring made).

3) Sparkle will not be affected by colour. It's all a cut game. A well cut I will look very white once set, seen from the top and without a much whiter stone right next to it, however if you plan to use yellow gold all around, it may be safer to stick to an H or higher.

4) Clarity above I2 will not affect sparkle and liveliness, except in very very rare cases (large diffuse clouds), which may result in dullness even with an SI2 clarity.

5) Buy what you like best for design. What you have heard is correct, but good quality metalwork and setting work are as important (or more!) as the number of prongs to get a secure seat for the stone and to maximise its beauty.

[mk261274]

Thank you both so much for the input! Certainly a lot to think about!

Edited by mk261274, 01 December 2010 - 04:46 AM.

[mk261274]

What do you think of this website?

[url="http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/"][url]http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/[/url][/url]

Edited by mk261274, 01 December 2010 - 04:46 AM.

[denverappraiser]

I don't have a great problem with M colors or I2 clarity for that matter, as long as that's what you want and as long as it's being sold for what it is. It's a pretty specialized item and they're NOT for everyone. It's not even for most. Obviously it's not for you. If your beau doesn't have a better idea of what your taste is like, talk to him about it. Visit some jewelry stores and point things out. Guys regularly don't 'get' the whole diamond thing and the whole reason to do it is because they want you to love it. It's ok to guide a bit towards that end because, really, that's what you BOTH want. You may not need to hit him with a board but it sounds like the hints need to be a little less subtle. I agree with your sentiment that this is a gift and should be graciously received as such but YOU are the one who is expected to wear it on your finger for the rest of your life.

The site you linked to is a paid advertising 'affiliate' for JamesAllen and apparently at least one or two other sellers. That doesn't make him wrong but it does mean there's a definite agenda at play and the fact that this is far from obvious in looking at his site is a bad sign. He's a dealer who wants you to think of him as something else. For me, that's strike #1 before you even look at the first stone. I guarantee you that if you surf around the Internet you'll find a great variety of different opinions stated as facts and they will NOT all agree with one another. Receive ALL advice you hear with a healthy dose of caution, including mine and everyone else here, and use common sense in deciding who you want to believe. You're looking for free advice from strangers on the Internet and that doesn't always lead down the path you expected or wanted.

A strategy that I recommend is choosing your dealer first and then the diamond instead of the other way around. Choose your dealer based on who can (and will) communicate with you in the way you like and who has a feel of credibility and trustworthiness. Obviously price is going to be an issue and you'll have plenty of opportunity to fight about the price later but starting out by looking for the one who claims to have the lowest prices in isolation from everything else just leads to a competition to find the biggest liar. It's an extremely competitive business, it's easy as pie to jump from one to the next and it's easy to forget that the most important thing going in is the character of the people behind the keyboard/counter.

Edited by denverappraiser, 19 November 2010 - 08:05 AM.

[mk261274]

Thanks Neil...I understand completely what you are saying about polling a variety of sources and shopping around to make sure that you are first and foremost working with someone that you can trust. After that it all really comes down to individual preference and working with that dealer to get something you'll love at a price you can afford.

Thanks All!

Edited by mk261274, 01 December 2010 - 04:47 AM.

[davidelevi]

Ummm... well, best of luck and congratulations in advance. If you came back after the event with a photo of your new ring, we'd all be hdelighted to see it!

Edited by davidelevi, 19 November 2010 - 06:58 AM.

[mk261274]

davidelevi, on 19 November 2010 - 06:58 AM, said:

Ummm... well, best of luck and congratulations in advance. If you came back after the event with a photo of your new ring, we'd all be hdelighted to see it!

Thanks! I promise to come back with news and a pic (if applicable-lol) I've only been on the forum two days but already see how frustrating it is to read all of these stories (threads) that have no end (final post)

[TruthAboutDiamonds]

Hi Neil. I don't usually go around defending myself on forums, but it's late and I'm a bit bored. I just wanted to correct one thing you wrote about me and my site - I make it perfectly clear exactly what my role is on my site - I hide nothing from my readers. See my article entitled, [url="http://www.truthaboutdiamonds.com/truth-about/truthaboutdiamonds-com/"]"Truth about TruthAboutDiamonds.com"[/url].

This article is available in the menu bar on top of every page on my site under the section entitled "Truth About ..."

Ira

denverappraiser, on 19 November 2010 - 05:41 AM, said:

I don't have a great problem with M colors or I2 clarity for that matter, as long as that's what you want and as long as it's being sold for what it is. It's a pretty specialized item and they're NOT for everyone. It's not even for most. Obviously it's not for you. If your beau doesn't have a better idea of what your taste is like, talk to him about it. Visit some jewelry stores and point things out. Guys regularly don't 'get' the whole diamond thing and the whole reason to do it is because they want you to love it. It's ok to guide a bit towards that end because, really, that's what you BOTH want. You may not need to hit him with a board but it sounds like the hints need to be a little less subtle. I agree with your sentiment that this is a gift and should be graciously received as such but YOU are the one who is expected to wear it on your finger for the rest of your life.

The site you linked to is a paid advertising 'affiliate' for JamesAllen and apparently at least one or two other sellers. That doesn't make him wrong but it does mean there's a definite agenda at play and the fact that this is far from obvious in looking at his site is a bad sign. He's a dealer who wants you to think of him as something else. For me, that's strike #1 before you even look at the first stone. I guarantee you that if you surf around the Internet you'll find a great variety of different opinions stated as facts and they will NOT all agree with one another. Receive ALL advice you hear with a healthy dose of caution, including mine and everyone else here, and use common sense in deciding who you want to believe. You're looking for free advice from strangers on the Internet and that doesn't always lead down the path you expected or wanted.

A strategy that I recommend is choosing your dealer first and then the diamond instead of the other way around. Choose your dealer based on who can (and will) communicate with you in the way you like and who has a feel of credibility and trustworthiness. Obviously price is going to be an issue and you'll have plenty of opportunity to fight about the price later but starting out by looking for the one who claims to have the lowest prices in isolation from everything else just leads to a competition to find the biggest liar. It's an extremely competitive business, it's easy as pie to jump from one to the next and it's easy to forget that the most important thing going in is the character of the people behind the keyboard/counter.

[denverappraiser]

Hi Ira,

Thanks for the link. That's a fine explanation of how an affiliate program works and no, I had not seen it on your site before. As I've said in this and other threads, I have no problem with sales people being paid for their work and I have no problem with any of the dealers you're promote but the fact that you are a commission sales person for some particular dealers, and you consistently promote those dealers is entirely relevant to evaluating your advice. You are NOT an independent advisor and your advice is NOT free. That's not a criticism, it's a fact. I'm not free either and in a fair number of cases I'm not even independent (I work for a particular client) but you claim both of these things on nearly every page. The disclaimer linked above helps, but it doesn't change the core fact that you are a commision salesperson and that this is far from obvious on your site.