Advice on diamond

[PreBallAndChain]

Hi all, long time reader, first time poster. Was hoping someone could help sanity check some diamonds I was looking at. I was trying to optimize around cut and target anything in the 1.3-1.5 G-H eye clean range. I wanted to keep the budget closer to $10K, but since she's got her heart set on a Tacori setting, I could probably stretch a bit closer to the $15K range.

I like the way James Allen is setup with the viewer that you can pivot, and I feel pretty good about the fact that this this stone is probably eye clean.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.31-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-213743

This is larger, but I'm unsure what to make of the imperfection near the center.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10620/

Same story on this one:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10582/

While I really like the James Allen shopping experience, the GF seems to have her heart set on a Tacori setting (http://www.tacori.com/engagement/ht2545rd75.html) and I can probably get through GOG to avoid dealing with a local jeweler and therefore sales tax.

Any words of wisdom for me? Should I wait for more choices to pop up? I'm in no particular hurry, though she would likely have it sooner rather than later. I figure this is the kind of thing you'd rather do right the first time around.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Christina...]

It's much easier to work with a vendor that can also provide the setting that you want. Otherwise you have to deal with shipping back and forth and insuring the (which you will need to do anyway) diamond before setting since outside vendors will not take responsibility for a stone that they did not sell, and though it's uncommon it is not unheard of for a diamond to crack or break while being set.
I also think that I remember hearing that in order for the warranty on a Tacori setting to remain intact that Tacori must also set the diamond? Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

I would contact Jon at GOG and ask him to do a video of the two stones you are considering and to make additional recommendations for you.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I totally agree it is best to buy setting and stone from the same vendor. And I cannot say enough about how good my buying experiences have been with GOG! They will find you a diamond if they don't have what you want in stock. Call them and tell them what you're looking for!

Don't you need to be looking at $10k diamonds if the total budget is $15k? That setting is $4500 in platinum.

This is gorgeous:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10829/

 

[PreBallAndChain]

Thanks all for the advice so far.

Don't you need to be looking at $10k diamonds if the total budget is $15k? That setting is $4500 in platinum.

We were leaning towards white gold and I haven't actually talked to anyone about Tacori yet so I wasn't sure how close to MSRP the pricing will be.

 

[JulieN]

Your choices seem a bit expensive if you have a 15K budget that needs to cover a Tacori. You save less than 1000 by going with white gold, so I'd get platinum.

The G SI1 diamondseeker posted is very nice.