College kid looking for ring

[Pullupachair]

Hey everyone,

I''m in the market to find the perfect ring for the love of my life, and I need your help.

She wants a princess-cut diamond. She has small hands and size is not her priority.

http://www.reeds.com/Diamond-Engagement-Ring-3-4ctw-plu18621953.html
This is the most appealing setting I have found so far. The local store told me they could sell the setting without the diamond for an even $1000. Does that seem a little high?

I can afford to spend $1500 to $2000 on diamond + setting. I''ve been browsing Blue Nile and Mondera. I think I''ve found some possible purchases, but there are so many factors to consider it can be overwhelming.

For instance, what do you think of this diamond?
http://www.mondera.com/diamonds/product.asp?mscssid=LVF2SRWV67PG8PJ51ASBM938HJPQ3GUC

I would deeply appreciate any suggestions you could offer. Thanks!

 

[FacetFire]

Your Mondera link doesn''t work. But, as far as the setting...you need to read the fine print...the stones in the setting are going to be I color, I1 clarity. Now, I have no problem with I color, but I1 clarity means that if you look, you are probably going to find some visable inclusions...that would bother me.

So, your total budget is $1500-2000?

You can either put most of the money into the center stone and go with a simpler setting, or get a smaller center stone and put more money into the setting. With your budget, I would tend to lean towards putting more money into the center stone.

Just some example of nice ideal cut princess stones:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=862240

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=952038

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-13316.htm

 

[pahoyafan]

Here are a few suggestions.........

If you want diamonds on the setting, here are a few options....
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/The--Legato--with-Micro-Pave_1071.htm
or
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Baguette-Diamond-Ring_969.htm (picture a princess center stone)

This leaves about $1100-$1200 for the center stone.........a few suggestions....
http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-160441.htm#
or the new X-factor, (which will give you more size)
http://www.whiteflash.com/xfactor/X-Factor-cut-diamond-10.htm

 

[Pullupachair]

Thanks Facet and pahoya for your help so far.

I realized that the center stone in the Reeds diamond would have I1 clarity, but I guess I never thought about the other diamonds.

Does Whiteflash list the quality of the sidestones in its settings? What are some other places you would suggest shopping for settings?

I suppose, to me, the setting is more important than the diamond. Neither my future fiance nor I are diamond experts. Plus, I suppose the center stone could always be upgraded in the future.

Thanks again! The Legato setting from Whiteflash was beautiful, and the diamonds suggested all seem wonderful!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I would get a nice solitare ($500 max) and put the extra into a nice diamond. You can get her a nice diamond wedding band later.