Engagement Ring Advice...

[Octopus]

Eh.. AGS cert and GIA cert, what's the diff har?

 

Not many uses AGS in S'pore if I'm not wrong.

 

Care to share where u brought your stone?

 

Cheers

 

Both are reputable organisation in terms of diamonds certifications. Previously AGS do gave more details on the diamonds in their reports, and I understand the certification do costs slightly more than GIA. But since year 2006, both AGS and GIA had revised their new cut grades for round brilliant, now I'd believe they are comparable standards, either one is ok.

 

Basically AGS used 3-D modeling and ray tracing to grade their diamonds, I feel its too dependent on equipment/machine to determine the cut grade.

 

Whereas GIA uses both computer AND human observations to determine their cut grades, they have records of over 70,000 visual observations from both tradespeople and consumers across a spectrum of different Cut combinations. I think this allows GIA to classify a wider range of diamonds as excellent cut as compared with AGS.

[Octopus]

I bought a 0.5 Hearts and Arrows carat diamond Color G, Clarity VS2 with AGS certification at about 3000 SGD. Similar to LEE WAH Destiny grade

That's a good price, bro. Did you brought it locally or thru internet? Does it comes with the ring or just the diamond?

[Billcoke]

Hi Mica,

 

Lately, I had been shopping at various jeweler stores and if we are looking at say a solitaire ring, here is a approximate price guide:

 

1. Round Brilliant (Normal), 0.5, Colour F, VS1, ~$3-5k

2. Gold Heart Celestial round brilliant, 0.5, Colour F, VS1, ~$7-9k

3. Lee Hwa Destinee round brilliant, 0.5, Colour F, VS1, ~$8-11k

 

Notice that both Celestial and Destinee ranges are priced higher than the normal round brilliant diamonds, reason for the higher price is due to the cut. In order to maximize the Heart and Arrows patterns, the diamonds in these two categories usually have 73 facet cut, compare to the normal diamonds of 57-58 facet. Check it out with a magnifying glass, you will see the difference.

 

Depending on your budget, I guess Tiffany could be around these price range.

[Octopus]

In order to maximize the Heart and Arrows patterns, the diamonds in these two categories usually have 73 facet cut, compare to the normal diamonds of 57-58 facet.

 

Bro, the 73 facet from Celestial is not a Heart & Arrow diamond, and a typical round brilliant may not be a Heat & Arrow diamond as well. Only the Destinee is a Heart & Arrow diamond.

 

But those non-house brand depending on cutting can also be a Heart & Arrow, but at a cheaper price.

 

To see if its heart and arrow you need a light-scope or Ideal-scope to look from top and bottom of the diamond.

[Picantorian]

my advise is to spend more on the proposal plan.

no matter how nice or expensive is, if the mood, ambience for the proposal is screwed, the ring will not make much of a difference.

 

When you pop that million dollar question, she would not scrutinising the ring. if she dun like the ring, once the suprise dies down, also too late to reject you liao..

 

frankly, guys, why do you let the ladies decide on what proposal ring to get for them? or even worse, bring them along to get it. Ladies wear the ring for the meaning that comes with it, not for the design. A proposal ring is not a fashion accessory.

 

just my opinion and i think i may get flamed.

[Coolbluewater]

I agree with you. Cos if a girl truly loves you, she'll love you as you are. If they have secretly decided that you are the one that they want to spend their lifetime with, then even if you don't have ring, they'll say yes anyway. If they love you for what you have, then no matter what they give, they will do their own comparison anyway.

 

A partner is someone whom you could share your joy and woes together.

 

Have to admit, i'm one of those who proposed without rings nor flowers.

[Watwheels]

I thank my ancestors i got a gf who is not into brand.

All her colleages want what Larry, Tiffany etc.

 

I got the diamond and ring separately, a 0.72ct and a 6-leg(holding the diamond) white gold broad band ring all for less than 2.5k.

 

I heck care about the stupid cert but I only check that there are no "black spots". Damage=2.1+k

 

Then I proceed to a Hong Kong craftsman to buy the ring and encrust the rock on it. Done in 30 mins flat.

Damage=360 bucks.

 

I even got her a 5-diamond(0.2ct/ea) ring(exactly like the one from goldheart) on valentines day which my dad bid on an auction from some hotel. At first the craftmanship was lousy and the 18k gold ring was very "auntie".

 

But i brought it to the Hong Kong craftsman to chrome(yes white gold is actually chromed 18k gold) and touch up. Done in 30 mins flat with alteration to the size.

 

Damage= Auction:900 + chrome and alteration:30 bucks.

Looks exactly like the one from Celestial.

 

The diamonds I verified with the HK craftsman, he said all of which are worth buying.

 

IMO ppl will only see/focus on the size of the rock. Unless u print the cert on your shirt no one knows what brand, grade and how many donkey cuts. The naked eye cannot see so many things. Learn from me, save plenty of $$$.

[Comnao]

yeap ... if i hv a choice ... i will heck the clarity (VS1 enough liao)

then focus on the color and carat

F color min ... 1K for the size

 

nobody is going to use a microscope and pinpoint out the dots inside (as long you dont try to sell it back)

[Lilming]

Just to add 2 cents worth...

 

Abt the hearts and arrows, how many facets blah blah...it's not the most impt. No one is going to look at the diamond under microscope when she's wearing it and go "waahh, hearts and arrows!". What's impt is when she's wearing it, does it catch and reflect the light well or not...cos this will affect the apparent size of the diamond (more bling = looks bigger). Cut and symmetry would determine the brightness of the diamond most, then the colour. Not a big visible-to-naked-eye difference for clarity once above VS1, ie. IF and VVS1..can the majority tell the diff? I don't think so.

 

Of course carat also v impt....after cut. No point in big and dull diamond. All diamonds will sparkle under spotlight like those at the jewellers, but the good ones, like larry (of which I'm not affliated at all but I bought from there la), will switch off the counter lights to show that their diamonds will still sparkle under low lighting.

 

Good luck in ur quest!

[Fleek]

Wah...the evil blue box.

 

6K is a bit on the low side for tiffany.

[Picantorian]

you proposed with HDB application form?

[Kxbc]

Ladies wear the ring for the meaning that comes with it, not for the design. A proposal ring is not a fashion accessory.

Sadly, a lot of women do not think like you do or if they do, it's only after the whole euphoria of the wedding ceremony then they realise they could have saved that few thousand of dollars. It's not a fashion accessory but it becomes a bragging right to their friends.

 

Lucky my wife wants the meaning only and not the design. Anyway, she has not worn the ring for more than a few years already. It has become more of a keepsake/rememberance more than anything else.

[Picantorian]

that should be it.. it further shows the sincerity of the guy if he were to go out and buy it, rather than bringing the along and she choose what she want.. kinda 1-sided i feel.

 

looking at the ring should bring back sweet memories when the guy proposed.. and not some stories as to how long you fought for it @ a sale etc etc..

 

now she dun wear, cause she wears another ring that brings along better meaning.. the ring that seals your never-ending love for each other..

Edited April 30, 2007 by Picantorian

[Shinshino]

To answer you and Sony

 

Did some research myself but mostly from a website by a SG guy, can

[Octopus]

Did some research myself but mostly from a website by a SG guy, can

[Arowana1]

wah is it the trend for gals to make demands nowadays? maybe im old school but my time, i go diamond industries at lucky plaza (yeah, they had one unit there long long time ago). 0.3x carat (dunno wat grade, etc), looks decent and priced under $2k, which is

[Shinshino]

ya ya.

 

So what you did you get?

[Gearoil]

Sincerity is not shown thru the buying of expensive things!...Rule No.10001

 

Rule No. 10002 states: looking back at the ring or whatever can have two possibilities, one, you do not like to be reminded of the unhappy union least if you get divorced and two, even if you were to have the ring your need to wear it would not be as great as your need NOT to wear it!

 

Rule No. 10003 : If you need meaning in life , you should not equate it to the 'wearing ' of something or use an object to signify whatever you intend to keep as forever lasting...becos dear, it was all along in your frame of mind to equate "love to getting something expensive in return!"

 

Cheers!