bang for my buck, opinions

[jnd03]

Im new to diamonds and would appriciate your help!!!

i want to stay under $3500 for 1ct princess cut diamond and setting, whats the best bang for my buck?
should i go down to si1 clarity so that I get a bigger brighter rock? or should i get a .95 to .99 so that I dont have to sacrifice in color and clarity?

thanks in advance

 

[jaysonsmom]

Since a princess cut has lots of reflecting facets (unlike a step cut), I'd go for size and drop down in clarity because size is noticeable to the casual observer where as the clarity can only be seen if her friends carry around a loupe.

But, above all else, read up on the cut. I have a princess with a large table which faces up big and bright with lots of white and dark contrasting flashes (some leakage though), but it's not a lively rainbowy (which I crave) stone, and I bought this before I came on PS and learned about the crown height, and table size.....a well cut diamond can also look bigger because of the light return.

 

[tyty333]

You are probably gonig to have to drop down under a carat in the eye-clean SI, I color range to stay around $3k for the stone
(leaving $500 for a setting).