Around 5k budget engagement ring help

[egantz]

Glanced around at whiteflash and liked some of their gems but wanted to get everyone's opinions.

Looking for around 1ct cushion or princess diamond. Would go as low as .95 and of course higher if it was in my budget. Color I could go down to an I and clarity SI1 if eye clean.

Would like the best cut possible but not sure if its really necessary to get the ACA or super ideal cuts vs one that is a cut below if that would bump me up some in color or to vs2. Would a person be able to really see a noticeable difference between those cuts?

I am not even opposed to a used diamond if it means I can get something that would have been out of my price range otherwise but don't feel comfortable really buying from ebay and possibly getting scammed.

Settings she would like Halo twisted or regular pave white gold and have found some on James Allen for 900-1200ish that would work well so it leaves me with around 4k budget for the diamond.

Looked around blue nile and was wondering if their "very good" cut would be ok if it allowed me to up the carat some to closer to 1.2.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

A cut designation is only valid on round brilliants and on AGS graded ideal cut princess cuts. But cut is the #1 factor in a diamonds beauty, so that is never the place to compromise.

First question, did she tell you she likes both cushions and princess cuts equally?

 

[egantz]

She likes cushions better than princess but does like both. Likes rounds in some settings but always has mentioned "square" diamonds.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Some people get rounds in cushion shaped halos and that is a great way to get a well cut stone that faces up well but get the cushion shape, too. Cushions are usually deep and do not face up as large as a round. Often those halo settings have to be custom made. You do have to shop for cushions and princess cuts only where you can see photos of the stones.

Here is an example of a cushion shaped halo:

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/ritani-french-set-cushion-halo-diamond-band-engagement-ring-4693.htm

I'd really recommend platinum since it isn't a whole lot more. Better over the long haul.

For that setting, you'd have $3k left for the diamond. Suggestions:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3711810.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3736733.htm

I'll take a quick look and see what I can find in cushions.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Cushions often will show more color than an ideal cut round, so I looked primarily at H color. This is the best stone I saw in your budget. Note that while it is 1 ct, it has about the same diameter as the rounds at .75-80 cts. Finding a well cut cushion is kind of like searching for a needle in a haystack! So I'd grab this one if you want a cushion over a round. (put on hold before someone takes it)

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1979859

https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-cushion-outline-pave-engagement-ring-item-49998 (this one can be made for a cushion or round diamond)

I'd recommend cushions or rounds over princess cuts as long as those are not her first choice. I think the others may stand the test of time better.

We can help you more with a setting once you decide on a diamond.

 

[Gypsy]

I would not get a round for someone who wants a cushion. Most people who like fancies do not like modern round brilliants.

 

[egantz]

Thank you all for the suggestions so far I will check out some of those diamonds. These are some examples of the type of settings she pointed out that she likes. The third one wouldnt have the round diamond but she likes the twist style. Most of these are close to 1k and would like to get something similar so I can spend more on the diamond. That way I could get something closer to 4k instead of 3k. If it goes slightly over thats 5k thats fine. Unless james allen or blue nile are not recommended for settings?

One point about the princess cut not holding up as well in time. The upgrade trade in policy of whiteflash entices me. I am pretty sure if i bought from that company I would choose to upgrade it when I could for an anniversary or something and at that time would have my CPA and be able to afford a better diamond. So if I traded up after a few years I was thinking I could start with a princess and then switch it out for a more expensive cushion before there would be durability concerns with the princess. Would that change your opinion on going with that shape? I notice its easier to find decent princess cuts within my budget compared to the others.

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...shion-outline-pave-engagement-ring-item-49493
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...lo-diamond-engagement-ring-cushion-item-17429
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-...ite-gold_21482?track=SimilarSettings&elem=img

Looking at these though I think I would prefer micropave if possible

These are some from Whiteflash I was looking at.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3520087.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3712681.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3695590.htm

 

[egantz]

Some others I have noticed

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut-loose-diamond-3729294.htm?source=pricescope
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut-loose-diamond-3729029.htm?source=pricescope

These have a strong blue fluorescence but since its an H and G color that can actually make it seem whiter correct? Or does it need to be medium blue.

 

[kb1gra]

Some others I have noticed

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut-loose-diamond-3729294.htm?source=pricescope
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut-loose-diamond-3729029.htm?source=pricescope

These have a strong blue fluorescence but since its an H and G color that can actually make it seem whiter correct? Or does it need to be medium blue.

first one is not good and second one is not a picture of the actual diamond so have no idea what it looks like.

Also, virtual selection stones aren't upgradeable at whiteflash. It would be case by case basis.

Were I buying a cushion in that price range and I wanted a micropave setting, I'd be purchasing this one https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/search?make=x-factor&shape=Cushion&wire_price_max=4500#diamond=C104-327274734

great spread, great ASET. Close to top of budget so I'd see what David Klass could make me in a platinum plain shank halo for around $1200 and come in around $5300.

This one is a little less of a budget killer but it's an I, not sure how far down you're willing to go.
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/search?make=x-factor&shape=Cushion&wire_price_max=4500#diamond=C100-250420Z0Z

and on a different note I just found a gorgeous K that I had to have so, new pendant here I come. This forum is so bad for my wallet.

 

[Aurora43]

All of these stones are gorgeous. However, speaking as a woman who happens to love cushion stones, I think the 2nd ring that diamonseeker posted with a cushion setting is absolutely breathtaking. I think it would be so beautiful with either a 1 or 1.5 carat cushion diamond. This setting looks so smooth and elegant, I cannot imagine her not being happy with it if she already knows the general budget you have put aside for her ring.

 

[Gypsy]

Get. Her. A. Cushion.

Why are you getting her second choice? That makes no sense. YOUR desires in this case do not matter. She wants a cushion get her one.

 

[Gypsy]

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.01-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1979859

https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-cushion-outline-pave-engagement-ring-item-49998 (this one can be made for a cushion or round diamond)

This is a great combo.

The WF cushion with the picture sucks. And the other one has no image.

 

[egantz]

I do like that combo diamond seeker posted and its in my budget. But now we looked at different pictures last night and she says she likes princess better because of the sharper edges. That's been part of my problem. Last week she liked the cushions this week princess. It's switched 3 or 4 times. That's why it kind of makes me want to just go with the princess because it's easier to find a higher quality stone in my budget. Not trying to pick her second choice. I don't think she really knows which one she likes better . I personally like the look of cushions better but I know it doesn't matter which I like.

One thing I noticed from going into jareds to get an idea if I could see a color difference down to I and look at settings in person. The micropaved settings kind of made the center diamond disappear. Like it just got ate up with all the chips and was hard to really admire the center stone. When I went to a local jeweler though and looked at their paved rings I did not notice this problem. Is this just due to the quality of the setting or possibly the lighting in each room?