Advice and help for a 1ct round e ring

[tabuf1]

First, I am a complete noobie when it comes to jewelry, please help me and be easy on me.

I am looking for an engagement ring for my wife this August is our 10 year engagement aniversary and back then being a student I have proposed with just a simple ring without a rock... While she has never complained about it, I think it is time to correct that mistake and get something nice. I have a 5k budget in mind and i am looking for a 0.8-1.05 carat round cut diamond ring in a white gold prong setting (i think tension looks better but it looks so fragile...

Problem is, I have no idea about how diamonds really compare - i did my research, but in the store locally it is hard to appreciate how diamonds really look.

How important is clarity? Is there a big difference between VVS2 and VS2?

Color? Can one tell with a naked eye the difference between D-G?

I am looking for X symetry and X cut, what is flouresence? Is that a big deal?

I am located in Ottawa, Canada, but i will drive across the border if i have to.

Some real life examples and feedback would be nice,

Thank you very much!!!

 

[Niel]

Clarity is a mind clean issue. Some people like the idea of high clarity, but that's really all high clarity does for you. VS stones or even SI1 stones can be found that are eye clean. So if your on budget, no reason to pay for something you really can't see.

Color is subjective. I like stones in the k color range because they are cheaper, dont come off as icy white, but do not come off yellow either. Some people don't like them, BUT I would strongly suggest you explore the possibility. Because for you to get a nice setting and keep the budget under 5k (keep in mind you'll be paying taxes) and have about a 1ct stone you'll have to drop down to the ijk range. But don't be scared by it, the average stone at a mall store is about that range, just camouflaged by a weak greading report. A higher color smaller stone is an option too, you just need to know if color or size is more important.

Fluor is no big deal! Its a good thing for stones in some lower ranges (assuming the fluor is blue).... it can rarely have negative effects, but no reason to throw out all strong blue fluors, just when or if you find one, ask the rep if the stone has any ill effects. And medium of slight should be an issue.

If you're willing to explore j-k range. Here's a nice one.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.97-carat-k-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-139390

Also I've attached my being that is a k color in all the stones. And the stones range from VVS to SI1, and I'll bet you don't know which are which