Really close to pulling the trigger on engagement ring

[kris11]

after tons of research, and reading.....I think I am pretty confident in what specs/type of diamond I want to propose with. These are the two I am currently looking at:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-550394

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-550408

I am favoring the G colored stone, even with the crystal in the middle.

Here are the specs I am wanting. G-H color, SI1(eye clean)-VS1, .7-.9ct, as I have read on here cut is very very very important so must be under 2 HCA... and show a good idealscope/ASET. Doesnt need to be a "true" hearts and arrows stone, but very nice. Not to say these two examples above are true hearts because they probably are not. I remember reading an article where there is no "standard" for that etc.

I really want to stay in the 3k range for the diamond, and under 4k including the setting. Preferably under $3500 for everything. I have two basic 14k gold settings I am interested in:

1.5mm 14k 4 prong: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-1.5mm-comfort-fit-engagement-ring-item-22606
2mm 14k 4 prong: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7115

I really want to "maximize" size of the diamond. Theres a $250 difference between the 1.5mm setting and 2mm setting. Im leaning torward the 1.5mm.

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I know both above diamonds dont have fluro.....I actually like fluro...and my girl does too. It is not a "requirement" but I know she really likes it. I figure if I can get a diamond that is in the G-H color range the positive effects of fluro wouldnt really do much anyways. She liked it due to the blue glow that would basically never show anyways... and the "blue hue" that can show in the sunlight. Ideally I would love to go bigger than .7ct, but I know between .7-.9 really isnt too big of a difference. Her hand size is 5, so its pretty small. We fitted her for a 1ct diamond and it was the biggest she wanted to go, as she did not want the diamond to be overly big.

I would really like to go with James Allen... I know about brian gavin, and WF... but I always find myself coming back browing James Allens diamonds....

Any input is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[telephone89]

I would reach out to BG and see if he has anything else. He only 2 showing in stock for his blue line right now, and theyre smaller than youre looking. He might have something else though. Worth a try IMO.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.657-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-cbl-104069111019
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.632-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104077586032

 

[solgen]

My personal opinion is that you can sacrifice a bit in cut and go with a bigger stone. True H&A patterning isn't that important or should I say noticeable until you reach a certain size. As long as it has a great ASET then I would forego true H&A patterning. Most will still have excellent arrows.

 

[kris11]

I would reach out to BG and see if he has anything else. He only 2 showing in stock for his blue line right now, and theyre smaller than youre looking. He might have something else though. Worth a try IMO.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.657-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-cbl-104069111019
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.632-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104077586032

I have seen these for a while, not interested in either. I did contact his company and they do not have anything in inventory at the moment.

 

[kris11]

This diamond actually just popped up in theyre inventory this morning, I just saw it: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.75-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-550414

this is what Josh @ james allen just replied to me: "That is a very clean looking SI2, so no concern here regarding if it will be eye-clean. Looks like the SI2 grade is due to the feather. The main imperfection shown and visible in the 360 video falls right at the 12 O’clock position, and that could likely be covered by a prong if it’s a concern to you.

A ‘trained’ eye might be able to pick up on what you find plotted on the AGS report, and seen in the video, but I’m confident you will need a 10x loupe. Many would consider this to be one of those ‘needle in a haystack’ SI2’s, because once set, it will appear to be a higher clarity grade. I like it!"

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This looks like a good value stone yes? There are a couple green spots on the outside of the diamond, but I cant imagine that would be a huge difference from the G stone I linked above....?

 

[kris11]

My personal opinion is that you can sacrifice a bit in cut and go with a bigger stone. True H&A patterning isn't that important or should I say noticeable until you reach a certain size. As long as it has a great ASET then I would forego true H&A patterning. Most will still have excellent arrows.

I was thinking this too.... but plugging in GIA EX EX EX stones in the HCA and then having to contact companies for an idealscope/ASET image was becoming way too much work....I did this a few times and it was so time consuming....(not complaining) but I just dont have the time. I like stones that already come with an AGS report.(I guess I have to pay the premium for it :/)

 

[telephone89]

I think the H is nice, as so long as you cover the inclusion, I think a good value.

 

[kris11]

I think the H is nice, as so long as you cover the inclusion, I think a good value.

I think so too..

Does anybody else want to chime in?

 

[kris11]

waiting for JA's graduate gemologist to come back and let me know whether or not the feather on the edge is a durability concern, and whether or not it can be covered via prong etc...

 

[16ocean]

waiting for JA's graduate gemologist to come back and let me know whether or not the feather on the edge is a durability concern, and whether or not it can be covered via prong etc...

sounds like a really good plan . . . fingers crossed for you.

I too like the stone

 

[kris11]

So I ended up purchasing the stone on Friday. Total cost with the setting was $2640 after pricescope discount.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.75-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-550414

I cant wait to receive the ring in the mail. I think I did an exceptional job at finding a ring that yields great value. If I would have spent $2640 in a brick and mortar store I believe I would have bought next to nothing, or a terrible cut diamond probably in J color......and likely actually a K or L.......

 

[kris11]

should ship by july 14th....eagerly waiting!