Hi guys. I am interested in buying a proposal ring right now. Need it by mid-December before I head to US. Therefore, all the inputs here by sifu will be very useful to me.
To start it off, before coming here, I have go around in MV-Gardens to survey for the diamond rings. Tomei, Goldheart, Love&co, Wah Chan, Poh Kong and Le Lumiere. From the 1st 2 shops, I still wasn't sure want I wanted in a diamond. Luckily, I met some good sales person who willing to explain to me all the 4C and also their products. At first, I set my minimum diamond as colour E, clarity VVS2, 3Ex cut and 0.4 carat; budget RM6k. But after going through the few initial shops, I realised that with that budget, I am unable to achieve that kind of diamond spec I wanted. Then I went on to do my own 'homework' by researching and reading about diamonds. I learned that with limited budget, you can't always get the best of all 4C. Also putting Cut > Carat > Colour > Clarity as my priority. I have friends that disagree that cut should not be the most important of all 4C. Some said carat, some said colour and clarity. After all the readings and surveying, I still believe Cut is the most important factor for a good diamond. I remembered someone mentioned that "Cut is King", and I totally agree with that. No matter how big or how clear your diamond is, if it don't sparkle or shine brilliantly, it is not a perfect diamond for me.
Now, after all the above, I have now set my new minimum for a diamond; Cut has to be perfect, around 0.4 carat (+/-), clarity SI1 and colour G with budget >RM7k (including the ring). I am not sure if I can be getting this with this kind of budget. So far, I know Le Lumiere has the closest but with lesser carat (GIA 5256615959) and color (GIA 7261392761). Both are RM6688 and RM6388 respectively. Love&co, the specs might be lower if not mistaken but compared with Le Lumiere I saw, the diamond performance are better than Love&co; sparkles more brightly. Another option is to go for diamond and ring separately (like in Wah Chan). I looked for JannPaul and Brian Gavin; I have to say their diamond looks amazing (thou by picture and videos only) and it fulfill my requirements of good cut (Hearts and Arrows).
Here begins my headache moments. Although my gf once told me to decide on the diamond ring, I am unsure if I should go for those ready made well-known diamond ring brand (like Love&co, Hemera, Le Lumiere and etc) or should I go for those customize diamond and ring (like Brian Gavin, Audrey, Wah Chan, JannPaul and etc). Ladies and guys thinking may be a bit different you see... guys are more to technical stuff than just looking at brand (specs, performance, etc) while ladies usually go for brand (Tiff&co, Love&co, etc).
Any opinion or suggestion based on the above? If I were to order those diamonds from Brian Gavin for example, you think it can fit my budget and enough time to do the setting as well? Thought of JannPaul too but I don't know if can fit my budget as well. Worry if I go SG then end up with failure. Hope all the sifu here can give me some guidance.
**Sorry to keep this one so long. I just hope my scenario here can help others as well when comes to decide on the proposal ring**
