Comfortable Buying An Engagement Ring Online But Still Need Help!

Hi Liz,

Firstly, thanks immensely for the effort you’ve put into your website. It’s really an incredible resource for someone like me who’s comfortable buying an engagement ring online, but completely out of his depth in how to go about selecting a diamond.

After reading your website reviews, I feel a bit overwhelmed by the number of reputable websites out there, and the wide selection of quality diamonds they each offer. I wanted your thoughts on how I’m best to narrow these options, so that I’m only searching 1 or 2 sites.

After reading through your reviews, it seems you recommend Zoara and Whiteflash most favourably. Are there any good reasons I’m missing for looking elsewhere?

Do you recommend purchasing the setting through these websites too? – the setting is actually a bit scarier for me than the diamond as it can be harder to imagine how it looks when worn.

I’m after a 1~1.2 ct solitaire, in a platinum Tiffany-like setting. My budget is around $9k AUD (about 1:1 with the USD currently) Obviously I’d like the highest quality diamond I can get for my budget. Any recommendations you could make would be most appreciated!

Given that my request, I imagine, is a fairly common one, should I expect to search, find and buy all within a short period? Or would you recommend monitoring over the course of a couple of weeks/months to get a feel for the market? Buying an engagement ring online is certainly a process for me…

Thanks in advance for your help.

Harrison

Hello Harrison,

Thank you so much for your genuine feedback. It is always nice to hear what my readers think of my content and website. 🙂

When it comes to buying an engagement ring online, there is a retailer to suit each customer’s particular needs. I do love Zoara, but prefer to recommend round brilliant stones from Whiteflash and Brian Gavin Diamonds (that is not to say that there are some stunning super ideal diamonds sold at Zoara – they are just harder to find!) Other websites are good too (Ritani, James Allen, Blue Nile or Victor Canera), but to date no one provides as much critical diamond information and show consistent cut quality as these two top notch retailers. I absolutely recommend purchasing the entire ring from either of these retailers. They both provide some of the finest diamonds in the world while also partnering with some of the best luxury engagement ring designers. It makes sense to purchase both the ring and diamond from the same place because they accept all liability for the diamond setting process (just in case the stone or setting is damaged in anyway). You also save on costs as they set the diamond for free.

Your diamond specs, budget and engagement ring requirement are fairly standard. You can find something that fits what you are looking for fairly easily. If you wanted a more unique setting it could take several weeks to create and set, so it depends on when you were planning on proposing.

For example, here is a very nice 1.102ct I VS2 for $8,159.00: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2982218.htm

This is a perfect example of a super-ideal near-colorless stone that is perfectly eye-clean. It’s magnified image looks crisp and clear showing it’s hearts and arrows optical symmetry. In addition, the ASET images shows pristine light reflection with lots of red for optimum light reflection and blue arrows for contrast.

You could pair this stone with either of these Tiffany-like settings:

https://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/6-prong-tiffany-style-solitaire-engagement-ring-4.htm – basic platinum 6-prong ring for $703.25

https://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/swan-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-272.htm – designer platinum 6-prong ring for $1,464.00. This ring is hand-made specifically for your chosen diamond and has a smoother/sleeker look. It also has four “surprise” diamonds delicately placed under the head. Definitely a gorgeous ring that takes the classic 6-prong setting and adds some personality to it!

Either way the ring will look gorgeous as long as it has a very well cut diamond as it’s center piece. Please let me know what you think and don’t hesitate to ask me any questions.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Kind Regards,

Liz

Hi Liz,

Thanks very much for your quick reply, and excellent advice.

That’s a beautiful diamond you’ve suggested, however, I find myself getting hung up on the colour. While I understand that ‘I’ is still considered ‘near-colourless’, as it’s near the bottom end of the ‘near colourless’ spectrum I worry I’ll be able to detect a yellowness. My instinct when searching is to leave a safe cushion between the two categories by searching for ‘H’ or upwards.

Previously, my partner and I have discussed our personal order of importance of the four Cs. We both agree on the importance of the cut and the clarity, but the carat is the next most important aspect for her, while I can’t look past the colour.

Now I know I can’t have everything perfect with my budget, and as the ring is my gift to her, I’m happy to prioritise carat weight over colour. I guess I’m just after a bit of assurance from you that when the diamond sits on her finger it won’t be obvious to me each time I look at it that it’s borderline yellowish.

She doesn’t own any other diamond jewellery, and her wedding band will likely be small and simple, so it’s unlikely there’ll be any great point for comparison like there is in the colour charts.

I also wondered what kind of consideration I should give to the diamond setting, and it’s ability to sit a wedding band snuggly next to it. The prongs in the prong solitaire setting (my preference) start low, and I wonder if this would affect how closely the wedding band could sit next to the engagement ring? What are your thoughts here?

I intend to propose in November, so there’s no great rush on purchasing a ring – however I am ready to move when the right deal comes along. My final question; are diamonds that are the quality and price of the one you’ve suggested fairly common? While it’s a beautiful example no doubt, is there anything exceptional about it that I should rush to purchase now?

Again, thanks so much for your assistance.

Regards,

Harrison

How Much Does Diamond Color Really Matter When Buying An Engagement Ring Online?

Hello Harrison,

You will only be able to detect a yellow hue if you are looking at the diamond from it’s side profile through the pavilion. From the crown or top part of the diamond (what is showcased in a ring) the diamond will appear perfectly white. The diamond will definitely not look yellow in anyway when sitting on her finger. A lot of people are concerned about an I colored diamond and the truth is that most can’t detect the color difference when compared to a near-colorless diamond. Diamond color grading is done by humans and is subjective, therefore there is no true science behind it. If a diamond is color graded I from GIA or AGS and also had ideal cut proportions, then your diamond will reflect light very well and the naked eye will not be able to detect any yellow hues.

Modern day engagement rings and wedding bands don’t sit flush next to each other. It is common for there to be small gap. However, you can choose a ring set that sits comfortably next to each other if this is a concern. Here is a six-prong solitaire with it’s paired wedding ring: https://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/wedding-sets/classic-tiffany-styl-knife-edge-solitaire-wedding-set-4673.htm

Each Diamond Is Unique, Like A Snowflake…

Finally, diamond inventory is constantly changing. Each diamond is unique; like a snowflake, so you will never quite get the same combination of characteristics in every stone. Moreover, some VS2′s are “busier” than other VS2′s, so it is really just a matter of finding something that you like and buying it sooner rather than later. Your diamond specs are fairly common, but who’s to say that a similar I VS2 with carat weight and clarity will be available for $8,159.00? I think you should make the choice that is best for you but I’ve seen clients wait and then get very disappointed because they expected to either buy that exact diamond at a later date or find something similar a few months later. Invariably, they do change their expectations to some degree to account for the ever-changing diamond inventory that is available at the time. One more thing, many men like to propose around the holidays. Thus, diamond inventory does become a bit scant (with the common diamond specs of .85ct – 1.25ct, near-colorless and eye-clean, being the first to go) from October – January. I would just be mindful of this.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Kind Regards,

Liz

Hi Liz,

Thanks once again. All excellent pieces of advice. I’ve made peace with the ‘I’ colouring now…however I’ve had a change of heart on the setting.

I’ve decided the original setting I sent you looks a bit (for lack of a better word) “bulky”. I much prefer the delicate prongs and the way the diamond sits much lower in this setting: https://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/6-prong-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1778.htm

I think it’s closer to the Tiffany style that my partner likes. It’s a shame it’s so much more expensive, as this combined with the diamond exceeds my budget.

While I consider my options, as a cheaper alternative, would you mind taking a look at this diamond for me:
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2762666.htm

In real terms, what sort of difference does that extra 0.1 ct make? Over the weekend I hope to visit some jewellers and put my new knowledge to the test trying out a few different sizes and settings. Hopefully this will make buying an engagement ring online easier.

I look forward to your thoughts. I hope I’m not taking up too much of your time as buying an engagement ring online is completely new to me!

Regards,

Harrison

Hi Harrison,

Oh, you picked a Vatche setting! Those are some of my favorite! Very sleek and classy…

The 1.006 I VS1 is an excellent choice and a very good compromise to get that fantastic setting. In terms of size difference, you will not notice a thing. For help with this, consider that your original 1.102ct measures 6.64×6.66 whereas the new 1.006ct measures just a fraction smaller at 6.42×6.44. Remember this measurement is in mm! So we are talking about 2/10 of a millimeter difference! However the $1000 savings makes total sense.

Kind Regards,

Liz

Hi Liz,

Hope your week is going well. I’ve been in touch with Whiteflash to discuss settings which has been very useful. I mentioned how excellent your recommendations had been as well.

I’m feeling pretty confident about buying an engagement ring online now, and I notice that a bunch of new diamonds have been released over the past day or so. The diamond I had my eye on (this one) is still available and it seems like quite a steal, but I wondered if you’d mind taking a quick look to help me decide if it’s still the best option for me.

My criteria are: nothing smaller than 1ct, nothing more expensive than $8700.

Thanks, as always, for your help.

Regards,

Harrison

Hello Harrison,

I’ve taken another look at Whiteflash’s current inventory with your specs in mind.

To maximize your budget allowance in order to get the best “bang for your buck”, I like this 1.12 H VS2 for $8,660.00: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2813946.htm

If you don’t mind paying the extra $1000, you get a nice color upgrade. This stone is another very clean VS2, and of course perfectly eye-clean. This would give you peace of mind in terms of color and give her the nice carat weight.

However, if you wanted to save that $1000, then the original 1.102 is a perfectly good candidate. It basically comes down to whether you want that color upgrade or not. Both are beautiful stones that are similar in size, carat weight, and clarity. Do you feel the $1000 is worth the “H” color? That is a personal choice, so I’ll leave that up to you!

Liz

Hi Liz,

Thanks again for your advice. I notice the report on the 1.12 ct diamond, states in the comments: “additional clouding and surface grain are not shown”. What does this mean exactly? There’s no mention of anything like this on the report for the 1.012 ct stone.

Cheers,

Harrison

Hi Harrison,

The 1.12ct’s clarity making inclusion are the small crystals. There is one feather that is marked on the pavilion. The cloud notation refers to the fact that there are very tiny pinpoint clusters (clouds) that are scattered throughout the diamond. There may be too many to effectively plot on the diagram. Therefore, a small notation is made indicating that there are some clouds visible under 10x’s magnification. However, since this stone is a VS2, these inclusions would be difficult to see with 10x’s magnification, therefore I wouldn’t worry about it.

The 1.012ct clarity making inclusion is the feather under the table facet. There is also a crystal near the feather. Overall, it is a cleaner diamond.

Clarity grading is somewhat of an art form. VS2 normally refers to inclusions that are somewhat easily visible at 10x’s magnification. It takes into account the inclusions location, orientation and overall visibility at 10x’s magnification.

Does this help? I know that buying an engagement ring online can be a process, but your nearly there!

All the best,

Liz

It certainly helps explain the meanings, thanks!

Your money is still on the bigger stone as the ‘better’ diamond though?

Thanks Harrison.

In my opinion, the 1.12ct H VS2 ‘pops’ just a little more and of course has the higher color grade which ultimately gets my vote. But the ultimate decision is up to you. 😉

Liz

Hi Liz,

Just a quick line to say that after much consideration I’ve finally made my purchase! In the end, I went with the 1.12ct in the Contemporary Solitaire setting. You were right in pointing out that from my shortlist, this stone married the balance of size (for her) and colour (for me).

Thanks once again for your assistance in buying an engagement ring online. Truly you’ve made this process a lot less scary than it otherwise would have been, and it’s a wonderful service that you offer. I’ll certainly spread the word around my friends (many of whom will be in the market for a ring soon themselves to which I’ll certainly advise them in buying an engagement ring online as well).

Many thanks,

Harrison

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