5500 budget. suggestions for diamond > 1ct

[bill83]

I'm looking for a diamond for an engagement ring and have set my budget at 5500. I've seen some good stones around 1.1 - 1.25 cts. at Good Old Gold. After reading I've set on colors around H or I and hopefully SI-1. I was also hoping to get something ideal cut or H&A. Also I'm looking for a round cut. Any suggestions???

I appreciate any help and time here. I'd probably get screwed by a mall or B&M vendor if it wasn't for Pricescope!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

This one looks good:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2950/

 

[bill83]

Thanks. I actually had looked at this one and considered buying it. I may pony up and buy this one. Thanks for your help. Any other suggestions are still welcome.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Looks like going with H will put you over $5500, so that's why I picked the largest I SI1 under $5500.

 

[aljdewey]

I''d go this way: http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-78273.htm#

1.125 H, SI2, AND it''s an H&A........image looks eyeclean; simple call to vendor would confirm it. It''s $5586 with PS discount (mention that when you call).

I own five SI2 stones; three are H and two are J; all are eyeclean. It''s a fabulous way to improve color without any visual expense.

 

[Diamond916]

aljdewey, with your H stones...is there any colorness to them or do they look clear? On a person''s hand...do they look colorless? It seems with an H you may start to see some color...I''m a complete noob just learning...so what do I know...thanks.

 

[JulieN]

I is usually considered the place where you''ll see some color face up.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

Date: 10/1/2007 12:34:04 AM
Author: Diamond916
aljdewey, with your H stones...is there any colorness to them or do they look clear? On a person's hand...do they look colorless? It seems with an H you may start to see some color...I'm a complete noob just learning...so what do I know...thanks.

I am not alj, to be sure, but

In real life-not always in pictures- I can usually see color in an H 1/2 ct face up pretty easily, though its impossible in some lighting and some environments and easy in others.

When I first started looking at diamonds, that wasn't the case. Further, Most people I know would have NO complaints about an H, to say the least. In fact, when i first bought an H (that I later sent back) everybody said how white it was, and one mother at the daycare where I worked leaned over the counter and said "oh my god, that is the whitest diamond I have ever seen!"--she asked to see it, held it and looked at it and said, "That is completely colorless isn't it." Her breath was totally taken away. I was stupid and told her it was an H... she looked really embarrassed--but thats not the point--the point is, only you can decide how you feel about it, and only you can determine what you will see, only you and (maybe) your fiance will be looking at it enough for it to matter--so you really need to go check out some ideal cuts facing up of various colors on your own, rather than be concerned about what alj thinks about of H color. Not that I mean that her testaments shouldn't be considered or are pointless to get, but only that when it comes down to it you are a different woman with a different set of eyes.

the other thing to consider is how often you are going to clean it--if you don't plan to clean it pretty regularly then you shouldn't spend money on anything higher than an H or G, as the oils, dirts, etc will prevent you from being able to appreciate the higher color differences to their maximum.

 

[Ellen]

Not sure if you saw this, and I have no idea if the setting appeals to you, but you can get this entire set for 26 bucks over your budget. Of course, need to check for eyecleanliness. Not a bad deal at all, IF the setting appeals to you, gorgeous diamond.

And Al posted a nice option as well, if it doesn''t strike your fancy.

And WHard, I''m just guessing the poster is a guy, not a gal, with Bill for a nic.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 10/1/2007 12:34:04 AM
Author: Diamond916
aljdewey, with your H stones...is there any colorness to them or do they look clear? On a person's hand...do they look colorless? It seems with an H you may start to see some color...I'm a complete noob just learning...so what do I know...thanks.

I own several H stones.

My e-ring stones are all H, and they are all well-cut AGS0 stones. The center is the same range you're looking in, 1.25 ct. The two sides are .30 each. All of them face up totally white, and they don't show any tinge of color from the sides.

On the hand, they appear absolutely clear. When I got my e-ring, people I work with assumed it as an F because it was 'so white'.

I also own two .75 H stones (also well-cut) in leverback earrings. I had baskets custom made so they would dangle and so as much of the diamonds would be exposed in side view. Those also appear colorless in real life.

H stones represent a great value, and they appear colorless to the majority of viewers. I'd totally recommend considering them, as they help you massage the budget. When I began shopping, we wanted an F. My vendor suggested that I look at the H stone, and if I didn't love it, I could return it with no questions.

SO glad I listened to him.....got a much larger stone and it looks no different to me than the F stones I saw in the same size range when I visited that vendor a year later.

As long as you have a good vendor with a reasonable return policy, there's no reason not to consider an H stone. I've been here almost five years now, and one of the most consistent comments when folks buy is "wow, didn't know this color (H/I/J) would look so good!" Near-colorless stones are a fantastic way to maximize the budget.

At this point, I wouldn't purchase anything higher in color than an H. I'd rather put the money elsewhere. But that's me, and everyone has their own thresholds of what makes them happy. There is no right/wrong answer other than "buy what YOU like"....which is always the right answer.

 

[hearts-arrows_girl]

Bill83, You have chosen what I think, are the perfect compromise of color and clarity. I have an H color SI1 clarity stone, and I love it! Mine is a GIA excellent cut and it sparkles like mad! The GIA "Excellent" cut may not be "perfect" like the AGS000, but it is pretty darn close and I saved money and was able to go bigger in size. I compared my stone next to a "Hearts on Fire" stone, and couldn't see a difference, mine was just as dazzling. (Just something to consider if you would like to go more towards the 1.25c size and keep within your budget.)

 

[bill83]

thanks guys n girl. I''ll have to come to a decision and let you all know what i came up with. i''ll probably be purchasing some time later this week.

 

[Diamond916]

aljdewey...another question regarding this post of yours...

I''d go this way: http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-78273.htm#

1.125 H, SI2, AND it''s an H&A........image looks eyeclean; simple call to vendor would confirm it. It''s $5586 with PS discount (mention that when you call).

I own five SI2 stones; three are H and two are J; all are eyeclean. It''s a fabulous way to improve color without any visual expense.
_____________________

So you say PS discount is 5586...does that include a bank wire price or would we get it even cheaper if we bank wire it to them?

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 10/1/2007 11:35:06 PM
Author: Diamond916


aljdewey...another question regarding this post of yours...
_____________________

So you say PS discount is 5586...does that include a bank wire price or would we get it even cheaper if we bank wire it to them?

All discounts with them are based on bank wire transactions. (I think that's true of most vendors on PS).

One discount is a standard bank wire discount; the PS discount offers a bit more off, but requires bank wire transaction too.