A humble request for advice

[brick_taunter]

I''m a newbie getting ready to propose as soon as I can. I am not of means (still student teaching, but soon to be a 2nd grade teacher), so I have around 1K to spend. I honestly have no idea what my GF looks for in a diamond so I have tried to get my best all around value. Through various searches I have come up with diamonds in the G VS-1 .40 range to be the most likely candidates, but even after viewing in local stores (where I''ve had some REMARKABLY BAD experiences), I''m not sure if this is the best combination. I suppose I would like to get the biggest stone that I can for the money but it needs to still be quality (as best I can). The other kicker is that her long-distance best friend is a gemologist and works in a very high end jewelry store, and I don''t ever want her to feel... underwhelmed about her ring from info from someone who knows what they are looking at.... Such a frustrating debacle. Anyhow, any help is really, really appreciated. I''ve been searching but if you all have any advice on color or clarity changes I would appreciate it. My GF is not very knowledgeable about diamonds, but I still want her to have quality. Also if anyone can provide advice and sources on inexpensive low-profile settings I would be really greatful (she is a horse trainer who loses lots of jewelry in the course of her job).

 

[foundnemo]

Your situation sounds similar to a recent post:
My first post:.....

Have you checked *price stat* to see what's possible for your budget?

What is the min. and max. size you're aiming for?

Many on this forum swear that J SI2 is still white and eye-clean if the cut is good, so you might want to look at that.

 

[brick_taunter]

Thanks for your reply. Your original post was very helpful, I read it earlier today. I'm wary of J but definately don't rule it out, I welcome any other opinions either way. SI-2 is fine by me.

 

[Spartan]

Check out Whiteflash's Expert Selection:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/expert-selection/1.htm

There are a few there that are within your budget and sure to be winners!

Good luck!

 

[cmcwill]

How do you (and your fiancee) feel about the subject of upgrading at a later time? If this is something you might consider, maybe think about getting her a band with a row of smaller diamonds instead of a larger solitaire. I know its not very traditional, but you could use it as the wedding band for later!

Colleen

 

[brick_taunter]

Great link, thanks a ton!!! I'm looking at this one http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-677999.htm
what do you think? It's a touch out of my range as 1k needs to cover both ring and setting but it sure looks like a great deal.

 

[brick_taunter]

Coleen,
I appreciate the idea, I know she likes rings that are more wedding band style, but I would still like it to be a real solitare, upgradability is certainly an option.

 

[cmcwill]

Brick the one you posted looks quite nice! it scored a 1.6 on the HCA! If you haven't visited the cut advisor its on the top of the screen. I also think its best to go with color over clarity, and this one is sure to be a sparkler! You get a pricescope discount when you mention the site too! I think you will be able to meet your budget.

Colleen

 

[Spartan]

Whiteflash also has some plain, inexpensive settings. Some are even < $100. What you might think about doing is setting it in something like that and then letting her pick out a setting after you propose. That way she can get something that's comfortable for her to wear and not in the way at work.
BTW - the diamond you posted looks great!

 

[brick_taunter]

Thanks,
I'm a bit scared to buy a diamond 15 mins after posting, but I may just do it. The only hitch for me is the setting. She'll definately not like yellow gold which is what whiteflash offers on the low end and nothing under like $350 is even close to what she "might" be looking for... Or maybe I'm just beating myself up over this.

 

[sluke]

Call Whiteflash and ask about 14 kt White gold. I'd purchased my diamond from them and had them set it in a simple 14kt white gold.

 

[brick_taunter]

I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has offered advice on this. I think I'm going to go with the stone that I mentioned earlier, and I'll probably go wih a basic, cheap setting and let her pick later unless you can help me with some more low profile ideas.

 

[valeria101]

It seems that the stone you have selected at WF has sold...

Most generic settings come in white gold and they are available off catalogs, even if the diamond sellers may not list all that on their websites.

Does it have to be round? Most other shapes are traditionally less expensive and you may find pears and marquize cuts looking larger for the same weight as a round

Keeping round stone sin mind, how about THIS stone and some white gold setting from the same source?

 

[solange]

I just wanted to say that I just bought a ring from Whiteflash and am very pleased with the stone,setting, price and service. If you have not yet called them you should. They may have suggestions either on other stones or inexpensive white gold settings. I dealt with Lesley.

 

[Hest88]

I don't know your GF, obviously, but have you thought about proposing without a ring? I had a boss once who's husband proposed without a ring, then they chose her dream ring together. That way, he was able to save up until he had enough to buy the ring she really wanted.

 

[uclaure]

I found a .47 G SI1 cut above from whiteflash for 1,078. ( http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=AGS-5088106) It seems that all of the information that is usually provided for their cut aboves has not been loaded. I would call them up and inquire about this stone and any other ones that they might have in your ranges.

 

[Lincoln]

I would definitely call whiteflash (or another of the better vendors on PS) and tell them what you have to spend and let them email you back with the best they can offer. They are better aligned to find you a better value than trying to randomly choose from a list of diamonds. I ended up with an SI2, and talked directly to Brian about the SI2 concerns I had prior to purchasing. The stone was just as he described it, and I saved some money by not putting an arbitrary floor on the quality parameters, such as SI1.