Calling All Diamond Experts!

[yellowledbetter]

I need your help. I need a princess cut diamond, 1.3-1.5 carats, near colorless (D-H based on GIA ratings), clarity is not as important as long as it is eye clean. I would like maximum brilliance, so as close to ideal cut as possible. I also need a pave, white gold ring. My budget is $8500 for the entire ring. I have found a beautiful pave ring for $1,300, so that leaves $6200 for the stone.

I have been on WF, James Allen, GOG, Blue Nile, and numerous B&M''s in the Dallas area and I have not been able to find what I am looking for without really sacrificing on the cut.

I want to propose to my GF this Christmas, so I would like to buy it by the end of this month.

My request is not out of laziness or lack of effort in searching. I just need a little help. My experience thus far with this website is that everyone is very helpful, so I am hoping that my call for help is answered.

(I want to take a moment to thank Garry H., Neil Beaty, Regular Guy, and Neatfreak for their help on other issues.)

 

[neatfreak]

The reason you can't find it is that your budget is a smidge too low except in the best of circumstances...

This one will come close with the wire discount. Not the most amazing cut, but certainly nice:

http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-912097.htm#

 

[neatfreak]

This one will come close too, but you''d have to drop a bit on the size. But the cut looks really great from the image. I''d ask for an ASET or idealscope to be sure though:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1119591.asp

 

[neatfreak]

Ohhh this one is nice and is right about the right price with the bankwire discount:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1196536.asp

 

[yellowledbetter]

I am starting to wonder if it is better to go smaller and get a high quality, excellent cut diamond and upgrade later, when I am not a full-time graduate student.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 11/11/2008 9:46:06 PM
Author: yellowledbetter
I am starting to wonder if it is better to go smaller and get a high quality, excellent cut diamond and upgrade later, when I am not a full-time graduate student.

You could certainly do that too as long as you buy from a great vendor with an upgrade policy! Would you consider dropping to an I? That could open your options up a lot too.

 

[yellowledbetter]

Will an I be noticeable? I mean does it look like yellowish?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 11/11/2008 10:01:19 PM
Author: yellowledbetter
Will an I be noticeable? I mean does it look like yellowish?

I don''t think so. And I doubt anyone would call an ideally cut I "yellow" even in a princess. A more appropriate term might be "less white" or even "slightly creamy" if anything at all. But you''d have to have pretty good eyes to see that IMO...

 

[Deelight]

Chances are you will never notice any warmth if any, I diamonds are still white .

Most people notice size and sparkle.