First engagement ring 3k budget

[umc]

Hi everyone,

I am shopping for an engagement ring with a low 3k budget. With my budget, I have been looking at 0.8 ct, VS2, J color, VG cut, round diamonds with platinum solitaire setting. I have my eyes on a few diamonds, but I am not sure if I can get a better deal or a better diamond with marginal price increase. Should I get an excellent cut if I go with J color? Or, should I get an I color and very good cut? I really appreciate it if anyone can help me get a good ring with my budget. By the way, I am from Los Angeles area. Below are the links to the diamonds and settings I'm eyeing.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4894661-0.80-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-1-4172545-0.80-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-296167
http://www.b2cjewels.com/Traditional-Solitaire-Settings/Ageless-Solitaire-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-Platinum-(2.0-mm)-3195-1.aspx

http://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/J-VS2-Very-Good-Cut-Round-Diamond/D20726018
http://www.adiamor.com/Engagement-Rings/Solitaire/Classic-Solitaire-Setting-2mm/1623

 

[Gypsy]

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough.
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want?
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it. YOU DO NOT USE HCA for AGS0 stones.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance. Under 2 is a pass. Under 2.5-2.1 is a maybe. Over 2.5 is a no. No score under 2 is better than any other.
Is that enough? Not really.
So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. James Allen and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.


Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Here are some options (ask for Pricescope discount, for better pricing):

14k Setting - $325
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/six-prong-solitaire-14k-white-gold-5351w14

Platinum Setting - $675
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/six-prong-solitaire-platinum-5351p


Either of these will work with your budget and the platinum setting:

.604ct, G, VS1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.604-g-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104068959017

.596ct, G, VS1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.596-g-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104068959025


If you can stretch your budget a LITTLE bit, get this:

.707ct, H, VS2
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.707-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104069795033

 

[Marge_C]

If you are interested in purchasing a VG cut, make sure the proportion and polish are at least VG as well. You'd do well to keep the table size at 57% and under, and keep the depth between 60%-62%. Also avoid extremely thin or extremely thick girdles. Before you order ask if the diamond is eye-clean (inclusions won't be visible to the average person from 8-12 inches). I've read advice that it's best to keep an engagement stone in the I colour and Vs1 and above range. Keep in mind that a few of the listed PS vendors offer lifetime upgrade services.

Congrats on your upcoming engagement!

Check out the PS section above labeled "Knowledge" to learn more.

 

[tyty333]

Here is what JA has to offer...

Plat engagement rings start at $640...
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/?MetalType=p

Stones worth taking a look at...

A few nice "I"s
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.72-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-303350
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-184721

AGS000 - would need to ask how eye-clean it is
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-290691
A really clean AGS000
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-290688


This is a beautiful "I" ...its a VS2 and should be eye-clean but be sure to ask.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.73-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-177973

 

[tyty333]

Hi everyone,

I am shopping for an engagement ring with a low 3k budget. With my budget, I have been looking at 0.8 ct, VS2, J color, VG cut, round diamonds with platinum solitaire setting. I have my eyes on a few diamonds, but I am not sure if I can get a better deal or a better diamond with marginal price increase. Should I get an excellent cut if I go with J color? Or, should I get an I color and very good cut? I really appreciate it if anyone can help me get a good ring with my budget. By the way, I am from Los Angeles area. Below are the links to the diamonds and settings I'm eyeing.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4894661-0.80-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-VS2-clarity.aspx TOO Deep
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-1-4172545-0.80-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-VS2-clarity.aspx Too deep
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-296167 Get an ASET
image....looks like it has leakage.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/Traditional-Solitaire-Settings/Ageless-Solitaire-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-Platinum-(2.0-mm)-3195-1.aspx

http://www.adiamor.com/Diamonds/J-VS2-Very-Good-Cut-Round-Diamond/D20726018 probably not a great stone
http://www.adiamor.com/Engagement-Rings/Solitaire/Classic-Solitaire-Setting-2mm/1623

 

[vintagelover229]

3k is a very healthy budget!
What is the style you are looking for? You might be able to get the whole package in a vintage/pre-owned ring. There are a ton of beautiful OEC stones in a great size/budget some with settings.

http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-natural-diamond-center/reduced-truth-x-3-bgd-18k-rose-gold-ring-with-1-dot-02-ct-antique-cushion-sz-6-dot-75

http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-natural-diamond-center/14k-wg-egl-center-halo-diamond-wedding-set

http://diamondbistro.com/category/216/Natural-Diamond-Center/listings/37848/Reduced-OMC-Diamond-and-Emerald-18k-Ring-GIA.html


A bit over budget
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/rings/81ct-transitional-cut-diamond-brian-gavin-solitaire.html#.U01PGVcjS9Y


There are a lot more where those came from-I didn't even check rubylane or ebay if your more interested in

 

[umc]

Thank you so much for everyone's inputs. Thank you Gypsy for educating me about diamond cut. I always thought GIA excellent cut is good enough. I learned something new today.

Many thanks to Marge_C, RockyRacoon and tyty33 for suggesting some good diamonds within my budget. I am leaning toward this http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.73-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-177973

 

[SHOWBIZ]

Pick out a couple other diamonds from James Allen, then have them put it on hold and request to have a gemologist check them out and provide you with idealscope images.

Congratulations on your engagement!

 

[teobdl]

You can absolutely get a .80-.85 ct J or I for about 3K and under. Jamesallen has many right now... no time to pick out good ones, but they're definitely in there.

 

[umc]

Thank you vintagelover229, showbiz and teobdl for your helpful and informative inputs. I requested the idealscope images of three stones from JA ( 2 of them are listed above by tyty333 and the other one is listed in my first post). I was told that I would receive the images by the end of next week. I also have my eyes on three other stones at b2cjewels. Would someone please let me know if these stones have good cuts and are eye clean? Thanks a lot in advance.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4886624-0.80-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4749263-0.80-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-VS2-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4826388-0.80-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-VS2-clarity.aspx

 

[Niel]

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaRD#diamonds_pid=LD04175361

i say BN because their setting are a tad cheaper... id get this one, as the .7 ct looks just amazing in this

http://www.bluenile.com/semi-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-platinum_33370

that would put it at 3300, though i swear theres a SCOPE10 discount, it isn't applying for me

or they have cheaper more classic setting, but i just love the way this looks with that size stone