Choose a diamond for my mom!

[girlguineapig]

My mom and dad's 35th anniversary is this fall and my dad asked me to help him buy a diamond ring for my mom, or at least a center stone.

My mom just recently bought a wedding band that looks *exactly* like this one from Berricle: http://www.berricle.com/micro-pave-cubic-zirconia-925-sterling-silver-half-eternity-ring-band-jewelry-r750.htm

When I took her to a jewelry store to buy earrings, she tried on a few e-rings and liked the three stone ones the best - either round, or possibly pear side stones. And definitely a round center.

My mom has never had a diamond engagement ring before and she's 62 years old now. My wishlist for her diamond is:

>= 1.05ct (at least as big as mine!)
H+
VS1+ (it really needs to be mind clean for her)
Of course, an awesome cut
Used is okay but I'm not sure where to find used diamonds.

I've identified six possible candidates by using the PriceScope search tool:
1. http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3620442.htm $7,811 1.071 ct H VS1 Expert Selection
2. http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3571556.htm $8,997 1.20 ct G VS1 Expert Selection
3. http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3466457.htm $9,921 1.062 ct F VS1 Expert Selection
4. http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3664939.htm $9,406 1.091 ct G VS1 A CUT ABOVE Hearts and Arrows
5. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.05-carat-g-color-vvs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-1032748 $9,970 1.05 ct G VVS1 True Hearts
6. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.21-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-1059484 $10,160 1.21 ct G-VS1 True Hearts

I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions, maybe eliminate a candidate or two (or add other ones), and then present the remaining options to my dad with good commentary so that he can make his choice. Then I'll need to think about settings...Thank you!

 

[tyty333]

How big and what color is your stone? What size is your mom's finger?

 

[PintoBean]

What is the budget?

 

[farrahlyn]

I know you're not looking settings yet but Vatche has a gorgeous 3 stone with pear sides.

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...und-and-pear-3-stone-engagement-ring-2646.htm

recent posting on this setting:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sharing-my-vatche-three-stone-pear-setting-310.222514/

 

[girlguineapig]

Mine is 1.05 ct G color (though it's an AVR so it doesn't face up as big). That's why I wrote 1.05ct+, so she'll definitely feel good about the size of her diamond

I'd like to present my dad various good options from $8K to $10K. I'm don't think he knows how much he can get for his buck. I want him to understand exactly what he gets for his money if he leans more towards the $10K side than the $8K.

I'm not sure what size my mom's finger is. My size is 4.25 and hers is definitely bigger, but I don't think bigger than 6.

 

[girlguineapig]

@farrahlyn: I spent some time this morning looking at the settings on the Whiteflash and James Allen websites, and I do think that one is the best one! It looks even better in those photos you linked to than on the website. I'll recommend it to my dad (the 18K version). I suppose that means it will be more convenient to purchase a diamond from Whiteflash instead of James Allen.