My boyfriend and I are looking to purchase an engagement ring. We will most likely end up purchasing over the web (no sales tax/better deals on the stones). We did go to a B&M store to take a look where I fell in love with a 3.0 carat E SI1 stone, but it was out of the price range at $32K. We were originally thinking of something smaller (2-2.5 carats) but since seeing the 3 carat stone I now have my heart set on that. Our budget will permit us to get a very well cut (below 2.0 on the HCA) 3 carat around H SI1 (my biggest concern is that it is eye clean--I know some SI1 stones out there in this size are not, but I have seen ones that are so I know they exist). I keep thinking about that elusive E colored stone and wondering if the H is going to look bad. Am I compromising too much on the color (wrt the clarity, any stone would have to be inspected to make sure it is eye clean but spending money on something I can't see is not too big of a prioirty to me so I don't want to spend hoards on that)? The stone would be set in platinum. Would it be better to go for something smaller in a higher color grade? I do realize that a D is better than an H, however is an H in this size going to be a disappointment? Would it be better to go for something smaller in a higher color grade? I have seen an H colored stone and it didn't look yellow to me but I keep reading these posts and it seems like everyone is buying colorless stones and I am beginnning to second guess myself. Plus, I keep thinking about that beautiful E colored stone I saw and wonder if I shouldn't get one of those in a "smaller" model.