So I started a thread yesterday ([URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/need-help-finding-a-round-on-blue-nile-please.217376/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/need-help-finding-a-round-on-blue-nile-please.217376/[/URL]) and ended up purchasing a round diamond from BN. I got what I believe is a good deal on it, but I have now decided that I don't want to spend almost $10,000 on a diamond. I'd like to keep my budget for the diamond right around $7300 or so instead and I have to buy it from BN.
I want to get the best combo of size and quality for that price. If I'm willing to open myself up to other shapes, what should I be looking at to get a good quality stone that is most impressive size-wise for my new budget?
The other issue I have is that my gf was previously married and her center stone was a 2.69ct square princess cut. It was graded by a crappy lab that's barely even mentioned here, but all she saw was a big stone and although I hate to admit it, I feel like I have to compete a bit. It was graded as an H, VS2 (no mention of cut on the cert but the appraisal says very good, although that doesn't mean much) and it was 7.84x7.95x5.38mm. Depth was 68.6, table was 80, girdle medium, culet none and no fl.
I'll still do a halo setting like I was planning to do with the round, but I'm open to other shapes with excellent cut and color that are also eye clean. I just want to get biggest possible good stone I can get for my money from BN - I think that's what will make my future wife happy. If I still end up with a round stone, that's fine too but I want whatever is going to look the biggest when I give it to her. Please help!
I want to get the best combo of size and quality for that price. If I'm willing to open myself up to other shapes, what should I be looking at to get a good quality stone that is most impressive size-wise for my new budget?
The other issue I have is that my gf was previously married and her center stone was a 2.69ct square princess cut. It was graded by a crappy lab that's barely even mentioned here, but all she saw was a big stone and although I hate to admit it, I feel like I have to compete a bit. It was graded as an H, VS2 (no mention of cut on the cert but the appraisal says very good, although that doesn't mean much) and it was 7.84x7.95x5.38mm. Depth was 68.6, table was 80, girdle medium, culet none and no fl.
I'll still do a halo setting like I was planning to do with the round, but I'm open to other shapes with excellent cut and color that are also eye clean. I just want to get biggest possible good stone I can get for my money from BN - I think that's what will make my future wife happy. If I still end up with a round stone, that's fine too but I want whatever is going to look the biggest when I give it to her. Please help!