$10k budget. Please help!

[KSmith125]

I'm starting to research engagement rings with the goal of proposing in about 6 months. My girl friend wants a halo engagement ring with a round diamond that is as sparkly and big as possible. She loves the Harry Winston pave setting with the cage protecting the bottom part of the diamond. My total budget is $10k for both the stone and setting. Can anyone help suggest settings in either palladium, white gold or platinum? What size stone do you think I can afford with this type of setting? I was hoping for a center stone around 1.25-1.5. Is that completely unrealistic?

I'm a newbie so appreciate any and all advice

 

[Niel]

As for the metal, I would I would go with 14k WG unless she is specifically allergic to it. Platinum is a little too much $ if you want to stay in budget with a large stone. And I would use palladium. I've heard its hard to work with. Plus, if its going to be covered in pave, you'll hardly see it.


As for the ring, engagement rings direct makes a classic hw style round pave that's really well done and good when you want to save a little money but want good quality. If I'm not mistaken I think that would leave you about 7k for the stone. I would get an eye clean (vs2-si1) I. It'll be white enough to look good with the pave but will help you get a large stone.

Probably get about a 1.2 ct well cut round in a eye clean I range.

something like this if it its eye clean.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.22-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-72908