She's just not that picky

[TC1987]

The average e-ring diamond is probably a .6-.75ct in my area, which is not rich. People change with time & experience, so it might be that after she has that .5 ct a while she;ll start liking diamonds and she'll be used to wearing a ring, and she'll want something bigger. So, buy from a vendor that has a good upgrade policy in case she gets buyer's remorse. I got engaged in my early 30s and didn't know what I wanted in a ring. But getting a diamond makes one more interested in learning about them.

I'd go for cut and color, but clarity is lowest priority. If you can't see the inclusions with unaided eye and they don't affect brilliance, then SI1 or even SI2 is good enough. I spend money on what shows, and clarity "shows: the least, because it has to be inspected up close.

 

[Polished]

Perhaps there is a niche in the market to produce settings that look great with smaller sized stones. US vendors don't seem geared to this although with the internet they are reaching out to a worldwide market. Smaller stones look terrific "nestled" into a setting - eg art deco style. There were a few on this site that took my fancy:

http://www.my-wedding-rings.de/verlobungsringe2012.php?id=1

 

[MarionC]

I'm a little late to the party, but there really are women who like a smaller diamond.
Also, in the real world a half-carat is not that small.

I got my daughter a 0.50 as a surprise and she said it was too large. So I exchanged it for a H&A 0.33 E/IF for her 33rd B.D. and she loves it dearly. It packs a lot of power

A half carat top-cut stone has a charm all it's own. I can't wait to see what you end up getting.

 

[cookies]

A high-quality half-carat would be very nice in the right setting. Do you know what type(s) of solitaire settings she likes, 4-prong, 6-prong, single-bezel, double-bezel, tension-set, etc? You could see lots of real-life pictures of bezel-set solitaires, and tension-set solitaires, in the following threads.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-us-your-bezel-rings.121897/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-us-your-bezel-rings.121897/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-tension-set-rings.138628/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-tension-set-rings.138628/[/URL]

Many people here like prong settings, while many others prefer bezel settings (which echo the shape of the stone and protect the stone very well), and some prefer tension settings (which let in the maximum amount of light). I just want to throw some ideas out there!

 

[Niel]

What type of solitaire setting(s) does she like, 4-prong, 6-prong, single-bezel, double-bezel, tension-set, etc?

You could see lots of real-life pictures of bezel-set solitaires, and tension-set solitaires, in the following threads. I just want to throw some other ideas out there!

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-us-your-bezel-rings.121897/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-us-your-bezel-rings.121897/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-tension-set-rings.138628/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-tension-set-rings.138628/[/URL]

I'm quite a fan of bezel setting/ semi bezels for stones in the half ct size.

 

[Niel]

This isn't for everybody of course. But the prongs are very flattering for a smaller stone, and its from blue Nile so the price is reasonable. If she's somebody that is pretty laid back/ jeans and a t shirt type girl, this might work.
Shown here is a half ct

This stone
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04560478?keyword_search_value=LD04560478
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/semi-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-18k-white-gold_33371

Would put you right around budget and wouldn't be swollowed up by prongs

 

[E B]

.52ct, G, VS2
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.525-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104067973045

That will leave you some extra dough to buy the thing Bender really likes...

BGD is having a sale on their signature diamonds for the next several days, and this is one of them. You could even splurge on their Tiffany-style repro setting (which is very pretty) and be right around $2500.

 

[FireMonkey]

This isn't for everybody of course. But the prongs are very flattering for a smaller stone, and its from blue Nile so the price is reasonable. If she's somebody that is pretty laid back/ jeans and a t shirt type girl, this might work.
Shown here is a half ct

This stone
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04560478?keyword_search_value=LD04560478
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/semi-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-18k-white-gold_33371

Would put you right around budget and wouldn't be swollowed up by prongs

+1

Simple and classic; you can't go wrong here. The setting subtly emphasizes the stone, while keeping it the star of the show.

 

[msop04]

This isn't for everybody of course. But the prongs are very flattering for a smaller stone, and its from blue Nile so the price is reasonable. If she's somebody that is pretty laid back/ jeans and a t shirt type girl, this might work.
Shown here is a half ct

This stone
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04560478?keyword_search_value=LD04560478
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/semi-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-18k-white-gold_33371

Would put you right around budget and wouldn't be swollowed up by prongs

+1

Simple and classic; you can't go wrong here. The setting subtly emphasizes the stone, while keeping it the star of the show.

+2

I love this look on a smaller stone -- very sleek!

 

[rockhoundofficiando]

Perhaps there is a niche in the market to produce settings that look great with smaller sized stones. US vendors don't seem geared to this although with the internet they are reaching out to a worldwide market. Smaller stones look terrific "nestled" into a setting - eg art deco style. There were a few on this site that took my fancy:

http://www.my-wedding-rings.de/verlobungsringe2012.php?id=1

Love some of these!

 

[OoohShiny]

.52ct, G, VS2
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.525-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104067973045

That will leave you some extra dough to buy the thing Bender really likes...

BGD is having a sale on their signature diamonds for the next several days, and this is one of them. You could even splurge on their Tiffany-style repro setting (which is very pretty) and be right around $2500.

Really?

I can't see anything on the website about a sale!

 

[RockyRacoon]

.52ct, G, VS2
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.525-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104067973045

That will leave you some extra dough to buy the thing Bender really likes...

BGD is having a sale on their signature diamonds for the next several days, and this is one of them. You could even splurge on their Tiffany-style repro setting (which is very pretty) and be right around $2500.

Really?

I can't see anything on the website about a sale!

I had received an email about this. Let me summarize here:

7% discount on all BG Signature rounds, cushions, and BG Blues.

Promo code: MAGPIE14

Purchase must be made by August 9, I believe, with all payments clearing by August 11.

 

[luvcarrots]

Lucky you with a not picky wife-to-be. I had a 0.3 that I got for me when I was single years ago. Now I want a 1.5 or 2. Lol. Someone once told me "you'll want a bigger diamond as you age." In my case, that's so true!

 

[the_mother_thing]

This isn't for everybody of course. But the prongs are very flattering for a smaller stone, and its from blue Nile so the price is reasonable. If she's somebody that is pretty laid back/ jeans and a t shirt type girl, this might work.
Shown here is a half ct

This stone
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04560478?keyword_search_value=LD04560478
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/semi-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-18k-white-gold_33371

Would put you right around budget and wouldn't be swollowed up by prongs

Based on what the OP has shared, that seems perfect on so many levels!



And I am not biased in the least, given I am having my champagne OMC set in a similar but slightly modified setting as we type.

 

[teobdl]

.52ct, G, VS2
<a class="vglnk" title="Link added by VigLink" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.525-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104067973045"><span>http</span><span>://</span><span>www</span><span>.</span><span>briangavindiamonds</span><span>.</span><span>com</span><span>/</span><span>diamonds</span><span>/</span><span>diamond</span><span>-</span><span>details</span><span>/</span><span>0</span><span>.</span><span>525</span><span>-</span><span>g</span><span>-</span><span>vs2</span><span>-</span><span>round</span><span>-</span><span>diamond</span><span>-</span><span>ags</span><span>-</span><span>bl</span><span>-</span><span>104067973045</span></a>

That will leave you some extra dough to buy the thing Bender really likes...

BGD is having a sale on their signature diamonds for the next several days, and this is one of them. You could even splurge on their Tiffany-style repro setting (which is very pretty) and be right around $2500.

Really?

I can't see anything on the website about a sale!

I had received an email about this. Let me summarize here:

7% discount on all BG Signature rounds, cushions, and BG Blues.

Promo code: MAGPIE14

Purchase must be made by August 9, I believe, with all payments clearing by August 11.

That price is a winner.

 

[OoohShiny]

.52ct, G, VS2
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.525-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104067973045

That will leave you some extra dough to buy the thing Bender really likes...

BGD is having a sale on their signature diamonds for the next several days, and this is one of them. You could even splurge on their Tiffany-style repro setting (which is very pretty) and be right around $2500.

Really?

I can't see anything on the website about a sale!

I had received an email about this. Let me summarize here:

7% discount on all BG Signature rounds, cushions, and BG Blues.

Promo code: MAGPIE14

Purchase must be made by August 9, I believe, with all payments clearing by August 11.

Thanks, Rocky, that does make things more attractive

It would be good to find a way to pay BGD with a credit card from overseas, though - it seems they can't take overseas CC payments, only wire or bank transfer, and that is no use for those of us who don't have any proper money!

 

[OoohShiny]

Perhaps there is a niche in the market to produce settings that look great with smaller sized stones. US vendors don't seem geared to this although with the internet they are reaching out to a worldwide market. Smaller stones look terrific "nestled" into a setting - eg art deco style. There were a few on this site that took my fancy:

http://www.my-wedding-rings.de/verlobungsringe2012.php?id=1

Love some of these!

Agree with this - some great wedding bands on there that I could happily live with should she ever drag me up the aisle!

 

[Niel]

.52ct, G, VS2
<a class="vglnk" title="Link added by VigLink" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.525-g-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104067973045"><span>http</span><span>://</span><span>www</span><span>.</span><span>briangavindiamonds</span><span>.</span><span>com</span><span>/</span><span>diamonds</span><span>/</span><span>diamond</span><span>-</span><span>details</span><span>/</span><span>0</span><span>.</span><span>525</span><span>-</span><span>g</span><span>-</span><span>vs2</span><span>-</span><span>round</span><span>-</span><span>diamond</span><span>-</span><span>ags</span><span>-</span><span>bl</span><span>-</span><span>104067973045</span></a>

That will leave you some extra dough to buy the thing Bender really likes...

BGD is having a sale on their signature diamonds for the next several days, and this is one of them. You could even splurge on their Tiffany-style repro setting (which is very pretty) and be right around $2500.

Really?

I can't see anything on the website about a sale!

I had received an email about this. Let me summarize here:

7% discount on all BG Signature rounds, cushions, and BG Blues.

Promo code: MAGPIE14

Purchase must be made by August 9, I believe, with all payments clearing by August 11.

That price is a winner.

If you went this route I'd still go this style of setting, myself. It would put the ring at about 2800

http://m.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/ava-sholdt-14k-white-gold-5343w14