Buying Engagement Ring - Seeking Help w/ Diamond Selection

[CB16905]

Hi All,

I am looking to buy an engagement ring in the very near future. I have been browsing this site recently and have found it to be the best resource available and I would really appreciate any help.

My budget is approx. 5-6k (including setting). Ideally I would like a high quality round diamond in the 1 ct. range. Obviously with a limited budget, some characteristics will not be as high as others, so I am basically looking for the best value I can find.

My girl has pretty simple taste and would like a simple setting in either white gold/plat w/ the diamond being the focus.

I would like to purchase diamond online as I have gathered it is most cost effective. As far as the setting I have debated whether I get that done online as well or bring the loose diamond to a local jeweler. Any advice there is greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks for any help!!!

Chris

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: Buying Engagement Ring - Seeking Help w/ Diamond Selecti

How color sensitive are you (or, more important, is she)?

If not very color sensitive, you could get this 1.2ct stone with an awesome cut, still leaving $1k for a very nice setting:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.206-m-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104067043009

 

[hawk25]

Re: Buying Engagement Ring - Seeking Help w/ Diamond Selecti

I think M color is too low, unless she's specifically asked for a warm color diamond. I believe most people start to see tint around J color, and IIRC a PSer (might be Niel) has a K stone that faces up white, but people's color sensitivity varies. I'd assume that most women think of diamonds as white. For a 5-6k budget for both setting and stone, you'll have to sacrifice on size if you still want, somewhere around 0.9ct if you want to stay within a safe color range

 

[CB16905]

Re: Buying Engagement Ring - Seeking Help w/ Diamond Selecti

Thanks for the responses.

I would say she is fairly sensitive to light/color, and would be willing to sacrifice size for quality in that respect. So as a general rule, I should stay below J?

 

[JulieN]

Re: Buying Engagement Ring - Seeking Help w/ Diamond Selecti

what kind of setting?

 

[hawk25]

Re: Buying Engagement Ring - Seeking Help w/ Diamond Selecti

Fancy shapes also face up smaller than a round diamond. I would stick with round unless she specifically asked for something different. I would personally stay above J color.

Have you chosen a setting yet?