Round Solitaire Engagement Ring – Advice On Where To Purchase

Q:

Hi Liz,

I’ve just found your website and its amazing. But I’m still confused. I have a 0.91ct round solitaire engagement ring which I think doesn’t sparkle much. I’ll give you its details but more than that I want to have a bigger stone which really sparkles. I can stay with H color, 1.45-1.60 carats and the budget is $11k at most, (it would be helpful if this included a setting too, but if not I already have a setting so I might have a jeweler change it slightly and mount the new stone).

I think what I want is a round solitaire engagement ring with a hearts and arrow diamond or a A Cut Above from Whiteflash. I also would like the diamond to be eye-clean. If its eye-clean I don’t really mind if its an SI2 but sparkles and brilliant like crazy. Also not sure about the fluorescence. I looked at all the websites you recommend. Do you think I can find what I want through any of the websites within my budget? Any help would be much appreciated.

A:

Hello Marissa,

I’m glad you stumbled across my website. Of course I’m happy to help you with your round solitaire engagement ring! Thanks for letting me know your required diamond specifications and budget.

Here are a couple of diamond suggestions depending on what you find the most important:

1.505 J SI1 A Cut Above diamond from Whiteflash.com

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2938307.htm – This is a 1.505 J SI1. This diamond offers you the best ‘bang for your buck’ and will allow you to get the largest carat size for your budget. A J colored diamond still faces-up nice and white and the cut is AGS triple 0 ideal, making it sparkle with maximum light reflection. You may be able to see some ‘warmth’ color from the side view of the diamond. But, without direct comparison to a (D, E, or F) diamond, your eyes will not be able to detect any yellow color. This diamond is also eye-clean.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2945676.htm – This is a 1.325ct H SI1 and fits within your required color, clarity and budget requirements, however it is a bit smaller than you had intended. If you prefer to have an “H” colored diamond, then you will need to go a little smaller in carat weight.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2945674.htm – This is a 1.351ct I SI1. Again the cut is AGS triple 0 so it will sparkle with maximized light reflection. It is the cheapest option at $9,671.00 but will allow you to get a new setting if that is what you want to do.

All of the above diamonds will shine brilliantly because they are cut to the finest proportion sets. The question you need ask yourself is what is the most important thing to you? Carat weight? Color? Or saving a few thousand on budget? Let me know what you think and feel free to ask me any questions.

Kind Regards,

Liz

Q:

Hi Liz,

I’ve been looking at the first diamond you recommended. I think I’ll go tonight to a jewellery store to see the sizes and J to H colors myself and then decide but leaning towards this one as its A Cut Above!

One more thing, I’m planning the buy the diamond loose and set it up at my jeweler in the NYC Diamond District. Do you think it is a good idea or I should be better off buying a Whiteflash solitaire diamond engagement ring setting? I have a timing issue (travelling soon to overseas) and would like to be there when they are setting the stone but not sure how long would that take. Would you know?

Thanks a lot,

Marissa

A:

Hi Marissa,

You’re welcome. Try to get stones that are graded by GIA or AGS so you are comparing similar labs. One more thing, ideal cut stones will appear brighter and whiter than diamonds that aren’t cut well. So it is possible to get a “J” colored diamond that has a poor cut and it will look like it has more body color because it is loosing white light through the pavilion (lower half of the diamond). Just something to keep in mind.

I always recommend having the diamond set where you purchase the diamond from because if anything happens to the diamond while being set, the jeweler is liable for the damage and you aren’t.

Setting a stone can take a bit of time and customers normally do not wait for this. However, it could be done in an afternoon and you could come back to pick it up if that is what you wanted. After setting the stone you could ask them to either show you the diamond under a microscope to prove the AGS number that is inscribed on the girdle matches the diamond grading report or you could loupe the diamond to visually inspect that the inclusions are the same as on the AGS grading report.

Kind Regards,

Liz

Q:

Hi Liz,

I went to a jeweler and he told me I shouldn’t go with an AGS diamond and its not even a certificate and I should stick with GIA. What do you think?

Marissa

A:

Hi Marissa,

This just proves how very uneducated jewelers can be!

Be very careful on the advice you seek, as many are ignorant of advanced diamond evaluation technology and methods to grade diamonds. AGS is a very reputable lab and is very consistent in their diamond grading. I’d stay away from your jeweler if they aren’t even aware of who AGS is.

Kind Regards,

Liz

1.505ct J SI1 Whiteflash A Cut Above diamond

Q:

Hi Liz,

I just wanted to let you know that we are going with the 1.50ct J SI1 that you recommended! I’m not a tiny girl and I’m sure I wont regret going bigger when I’m older! 😀 Thanks for the advice regarding setting the diamond. I’m going to have Whiteflash do the entire round solitaire engagement ring. Thanks again for everything – it really helped me feel comfortable with my round solitaire engagement ring decision. 

Thanks again!

Marissa