Engagement Rings (merged)

EastEndStu

Thanks for the qualitydiamonds.co.uk tip - I'll book an appointment to go have a look. I've had a quick look on their website and I like the look of this one for £835 (excluding the setting):

Diamond Grading Report: GIA 6107549881
Shape and Cutting Style: Princess
Measurements (mm): 4.19 x 4.08 x 3.06

Carat Weight: 0.46
Colour: F
Clarity: VS2

Table: 70%
Depth: 75%
Girdle: Medium to Thick
Culet: None

Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None

or maybe this for £925 if I was to push the budget a bit:

Diamond Grading Report: GIA 2101528424
Shape and Cutting Style: Princess
Measurements (mm): 4.65 x 4.52 x 3.27

Carat Weight: 0.54
Colour: G
Clarity: VS1

Table: 71%
Depth: 72.3%
Girdle: Thin to Thick
Culet: None

Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None

Any thoughts on these? Does anyone else have any experince of this store? Also, I'm guessing that as they are a primarily online strore they won't be too receptive to haggling (tho I'll still give it a go )?

mdhughes03

Hi guys wondered if I could ask you some advice about diamond engagement rings.
I have found some very reasonable Palladium rings-what are the pros and cons of having this type of metal as opposed to platinum?

Many thanks in advance!

stumpjumper

Why Palladium instead of White Gold? The weight of 950 palladium wedding bands is very close to that of 14k white gold wedding bands. However, palladium wedding bands will stay white forever, never needing the “renewed whitening” from rhodium plating that white gold requires. Palladium wedding bands are the perfect choice for those with sensitivity to nickel because they are nickel free and hypoallergenic - unlike white gold wedding bands. Palladium is an extremely rare metal, much more so than gold. It is one of the whitest of all metals and consequently yields wedding bands of extraordinary and uncommon beauty. Plus, palladium wedding bands are incredibly durable and virtually tarnish proof.

White gold is not a true white metal like platinum or palladium. It is made by mixing pure yellow gold with other white metals like zinc and nickel to change its colour to white. As a result, it usually has a slight yellowish tint. To enhance the whiteness of white gold jewellery it is electroplated with another precious metal called rhodium. Rhodium is very white, reflective, extremely hard and virtually tarnish free, so it's the perfect protective coating for a white gold ring. However, rhodium coatings wear off gradually. Many people choose to have their rings re-plated with rhodium. Others love their rings with the natural not-quite-white look of white gold.

Abby21

Hi

Got engaged last week (YEY!!) and want a round diamond with diamond shoulders:
I am thinking of purchasing this ring online (but am scared as never ordered anything like this online)
http://www.samarajames.com/acatalog/certified-diamond-round-brilliant-engagement-ring-4.html


it would be 0.5 carat, G Colour and VS2 - i know I want platinum as dont want to buy white gold and have to replate it.

Do you think this is a good price for £1694? Also not sure if VS2 ok, or should I stay at H colour and move to VS2? Its very confusing trying to decide as dont know whether is better to move up the scale in clarity or colour!!

This is roughly my budget so cant afford to go much more!!
Thanks in advance
Abby!

LyndsE

Hi Abby, Ooooh that is pretty!
I'm haven't bought anything from Samarajames, but we did buy my engagement ring (and more recently a pair of earrings) from qualitydiamonds.co.uk. They have lots of diamonds online so you can pick the best for your money, then they set it in what ever style you like.
I would say, that cut grade is really important, possibly more so than colour and clarity. A well cut diamond is more more eye catching and sparkely, but it is quite difficult to see a difference betwen G & H colour. Again the difference between VS1 &VS2 is very difficult to see with out a special viewer thing - can't remember what it is called.
Good Luck
Lyndsay

stumpjumper

LyndsE wrote: »

Again the difference between VS1 &VS2 is very difficult to see with out a special viewer thing - can't remember what it is called.

Loupe.

differences between IF, VVS (1&2) VS (1&2) and SI1 can be virtually impossible to see with out the aid of magnification - put a flawless stone next to a SI1 graded stone and 99% of the general public wouldnt see the inclusions withouth a loupe.

Abby21

Thanks for your replies - have upgraded to a better cut and ordered it - delivery for this saturday so fingers crossed I will love it!!!!

If not it can be returned within 30 days so no bother there.

Have got to say customer service at samara was very good and they were very helpful in pushing delivery through so that I couls have it for saturday!!

Will update when I get ring!

JEM28

I recently got my engagement ring from Samara James and am absolutely delighted with it. We shopped around for a long time and did loads of research and this diamond is the most sparkly one I have seen. I got a 1.03ct G colour VS2 with Excellent Cut and everyone has commented on just how sparkly it is. I can see the entire spectrum of colours and can't stop looking at it!!

I dealt with Ed and he was extremely helpful - I would highly recommend. I was a bit worried about buying over the internet initially aswell but simply can't fault my experience and the savings we made. Hope this helps some people.

jcartlidge

Strange one here but does anyone have any experience of buying a ring in New York? I have a budget in mind for the UK and the exchange rate at the minute is average so any benefits of a stronger £ do not come into the equation.

Question is are diamond rings cheaper in the US as opposed to the UK? and has anyone dealt with a particular store/person in New York they would be happy to recommend?

mdhughes03

Hi guys

I have just chosen a beautiful half carat palladium ring from the beautiful company which I am very excited about!!!!!! I will let you now what it's like when it arrives :j