Waaay OT: Any diamond experts?
05-20-2008, 03:55 PM
#16
Nordschleife Master
A good clarity and cut can LOOK physically larger than a comparable bad clarity and cut of the same carat weight. When I got my wife's ring, I looked for a 1.0 carat weight marquis. The jewler showed me two diamonds side by side, same price, one was .86 carats, the other was 1.01carats. The .86 carat was a VS1 and color D, I forget what the 1.01 carat was, but it wasn't as good. side by side, he asked me which one was bigger, the 0.86 carat diamond LOOKED much bigger.
I ended up buying the 0.86 carat.
I ended up buying the 0.86 carat.
05-20-2008, 04:37 PM
#17
Pro
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Another data point with lots of useful info...
www.tradeshop.com
Based in Portland OR. No sales tax, and they are a breeze to work with if you have something "custom" you'd like to get made - like my wifes enagement and wedding bands....
http://www.tradeshop.com/finished-ce...r-wed-done.htm
Just a happy customer.....
BTW - Vic, best of luck and hope congratulations are soon in order!
www.tradeshop.com
Based in Portland OR. No sales tax, and they are a breeze to work with if you have something "custom" you'd like to get made - like my wifes enagement and wedding bands....
http://www.tradeshop.com/finished-ce...r-wed-done.htm
Just a happy customer.....
BTW - Vic, best of luck and hope congratulations are soon in order!
05-20-2008, 04:40 PM
#18
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I researched as much as I could before I got my wife's ring. I focused on cut, clarity, color and not so much on carat. As a previous poster said, a smaller weight stone can be significantly better all around if the other three C's are better. I ended up getting the Mrs a 1 carat solitaire on a low profile setting with a platinum band. Very simple yet classy in my mind. Not too overboard, but enough to be seen when she wants it to be seen.
I would hold on to the vintage piece and start fresh with a new stone.
Just my $0.02.
I would hold on to the vintage piece and start fresh with a new stone.
Just my $0.02.
05-20-2008, 05:00 PM
#19
Race Director
Vic,
Based on facts in psot #16, you have a winner. Congrats.
Unlike most ladies, my wife does not like jewelries, thinks they are a waste of money. Count myself lucky. Unfortunately she does not like cars either, thinks they are a bigger waste of money. Count myself doomed.
Best wishes to a happy ever-after.
CP
Based on facts in psot #16, you have a winner. Congrats.
Unlike most ladies, my wife does not like jewelries, thinks they are a waste of money. Count myself lucky. Unfortunately she does not like cars either, thinks they are a bigger waste of money. Count myself doomed.
Best wishes to a happy ever-after.
CP
05-20-2008, 06:48 PM
#21
Burning Brakes
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+1 on the Zirconium Oxide! Maybe I am just one of those people that find diamonds ridiculous but trust me coming from a materials engineering, ZrO2 is so close to diamond that its retarded that people pay so much for diamonds. Diamonds used to be rare and only found in the ground, but nowadays you can grow diamonds via MOCVD. Plus, the trail of blood and suffering that comes along with most diamonds is just horrendous. If your wife (future) thinks diamonds are ridiculous, get her something small or spring for a zirconia stone...then take that thousands and thousands you saved and take her on the vacation of her life and enjoy the beautiful earth! Man I sound like such a tree hugger right now lol.
05-20-2008, 06:50 PM
#22
Rennlist Member
05-20-2008, 07:11 PM
#23
Get her a small Zirconium for everyday (work) and a bigger, real one for special/social occasions. Or you could reverse it. Either way, you cover all the bases.
05-20-2008, 08:22 PM
#24
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Im not a diamond person (never bought one, no intentions of doing so) but if I ever did, I would probably go for a higher quality over size.
I have never had the desire to marry. Its never even crossed my mind nor do I even think about it.
I'll pay someone $500 to replace my gaskets on my C4 but wont spend money on a diamond.
Am I normal or just smart?
I have never had the desire to marry. Its never even crossed my mind nor do I even think about it.
I'll pay someone $500 to replace my gaskets on my C4 but wont spend money on a diamond.
Am I normal or just smart?
05-20-2008, 08:55 PM
#26
Rennlist Member
Wearing a ring to work is unhygenic. If she takes it off for sterile procedures she may end up losing the ring. I bloody well lost a platinum bracelet many moons ago for precisely this reason so I do not wear anything expensive. If I lose it I lose it and don't worry about it.
Harry
Harry
05-20-2008, 10:26 PM
#27
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Thread Starter
She's a radiation oncologist, so wearing the ring at work is not an issue.
I appreciate the kind words and good wishes; I'll let you know how it goes. But ixnay on the zircon!
I appreciate the kind words and good wishes; I'll let you know how it goes. But ixnay on the zircon!
05-20-2008, 10:45 PM
#28
Race Car
While that makes a lot of sense, please be careful!! Many grooms have been duped with the "I don't need a big diamond" line. Your girlfriend seems to have a good reason for it, but I know more than a few brides that were unhappy with the size of their ring - even after saying that they didn't want a big diamond.
Good luck to you and congratulations!
Good luck to you and congratulations!
05-20-2008, 10:59 PM
#29
Rennlist Member
Wearing a ring to work is unhygenic. If she takes it off for sterile procedures she may end up losing the ring. I bloody well lost a platinum bracelet many moons ago for precisely this reason so I do not wear anything expensive. If I lose it I lose it and don't worry about it.
Harry
Harry
(Second time I used that line this week. Sorry.)
05-21-2008, 02:41 AM
#30
Rennlist Member
It's all about managing expectations. I suppose I am not the only one here who has talked up a storm about buying a Ferrari - new or used - and come home with a Porsche at half the price. About 20+ years ago, we even test drove - both of us - a Bentley, then bought a nice MB. I know not one woman who can resist a half off sale.
Likewise, you can go shopping with her (women love guys who take them shopping) at a lower scale mall store for a modest item, then go to bluenile.com, let her choose the ring setting, but you choose the stone. Exceed her expectations with whatever rock you could afford in the first place.
I know I am evil posting this advice here, but it has worked well for 38 years.
Likewise, you can go shopping with her (women love guys who take them shopping) at a lower scale mall store for a modest item, then go to bluenile.com, let her choose the ring setting, but you choose the stone. Exceed her expectations with whatever rock you could afford in the first place.
I know I am evil posting this advice here, but it has worked well for 38 years.
