Request for Feedback on Engagement Ring Diamond

[nhandy007]

Hello,

I am shopping for an engagement ring for my girlfriend, and I've learned quite a bit from PriceScope's wealth of resources. I would appreciate any thoughts you have on the diamond that I'm thinking about purchasing in a ring from Blue Nile. My situation is as follows:

Budget for Diamond: Under $3k
Setting: Cushion Halo in Platinum http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-...atinumSelect&track=alternate-metalsCustomizer

Diamond: Round Diamond http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD05097603
Cut: Excellent (1.7 HCA - Light Return - VG, Fire - EX, Scintillation - VG, Spread - EX)
Carat: 0.81
Color: H
Clarity: SI1
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: Medium Blue
Clarity Char: Crystal, Cloud

Blue Nile's comments on the diamond were: "Eye-clean, but it was noted that under closer observation with the unaided eye, you can see an inclusion off the side of the table."

I know that there can be better deals on diamonds outside of Blue Nile, but my girlfriend appears sold on this setting. This diamond appears to me to be one of my better choices; what do you think? Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Dancing Fire]

IMO, Not good news when the table % is > depth %.

 

[JamesW]

After looking around at numerous different vendors, you'll find that setting is pretty common. This should help expand your search.

 

[tyty333]

Not finding much in your price range. Did find this at B2C but it's a little high on the clarity and it is an I.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6268135-0.80-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-VVS1-clarity.aspx

They have lots of nice halos...This one seems most like the one you are looking at but they have others that I think are
prettier.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/Round/1/12487/Diamond-Accent-Settings/Cushion-Shape-Halo-Round-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-14K-White-Gold.aspx

I'm not big on the halos with diamonds on the side but that's my taste. It's too boxy to me. I like this one better...However, they
have lots of other halos that are nice. If you do like this one, ask how wide the shank is. It looks thin to me and I just noticed that
the diamonds in the band are SI2. That wouldnt work for me.
http://www.b2cjewels.com/Round/1/12523/Diamond-Accent-Settings/Cushion-Shape-Halo-Round-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-14K-White-Gold.aspx

 

[nhandy007]

Thank you all for your feedback.

tyty333 - I appreciate the settings you suggested, and I showed them to my girlfriend, but she remains convinced that the Blue Nile setting is her favorite; though the settings you shared do appear to be the most similar I've seen while looking at the different sites.

JamesW - Yes, you're right. I've just had difficulty getting my girlfriend to come around to slightly different settings from other sites. I've made suggestions from James Allen, Brian Gavin, White Flash, Good Old Gold, etc. to no avail. My hands are tied.

Dancing Fire - I did not consider the Table %/Depth % as I probably should have for this one.

I spent some time this evening looking for a better option, and I found the diamond below:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD05156065
Cut: Excellent (1.2 HCA - Light Return - EX, Fire - EX, Scintillation - EX, Spread - VG)
Carat: 0.81
Color: H
Clarity: SI1
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Faint
Clarity Char: Crystal
Depth %: 60.6%
Table %: 57.0%

Blue Nile said that the diamond is eye-clean, and they provided the attached picture for more information.

Do you think this could be a more appropriate choice? Thanks for your help!