Comparing between three 0.82 ct online

[bikecrash]

After much reading, research, and budget consultation, I am drawing near on three-ish diamonds. The difficultly in comparison for me is that each is from a different online vendor: Goodoldgold, Whiteflash, and Bluenile.

Here's a quick look at my decision process.
My girlfriend saw her perfect setting at the Shane Co. It has a filagree band with 4 channel-set diamonds and millgrain on the channel. The setting is 14kt white gold (I'm not sure if white gold or platinum is better for filagree settings, thoughts?, but it would be tough to sway her away from it).

Shane Co has some nice diamonds in their "Shane Co Classic" cut but their prices get pretty steep. So my direction turned online. My total budget is about $6k (+/- ~$500) for the center diamond. Getting an external diamond set in the Shane Co setting will cost $3 per point but covers ring cleaning, polish, and warranty of their work should something "bad" happen.

About the girl:
She doesn't want gobs of money poured into a ring so I've centered around $6k for the center stone. She likes the look of antique jewelry, thus the filagree and millgrain on the setting. Most of all she like sparkly thing.

Diamond criteria that I think is reasonable to find in my price range:
0.8 ct (and above is applied to the entire list)
VS2 clarity
H color
Ideal/Excellent cut (hearts and arrows preferably)

My decision process has lead me to the following:
0.82ct
$5941
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8809/

0.82ct
$5580
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2709033.htm

0.83ct
$5502
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search#diamonds_pid=LD02283582

I would like to go a little closer to 0.90ct but the online selection seems to lack a bit even if stretching my budget further. I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions towards a diamond you'd love to get if you were really in the market for one with a similar criteria as me.

Thanks!

 

[SweetAsscher]

What about this one? I love the look of the Solasferas. Have you seen the videos on GOG?
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/8853/

 

[marymm]

Of the three you've posted, and considering your preference for hearts & arrows, I'd probably eliminate the BN stone and choose between the GOG and the WF stones - and between those 2, I would have a hard time picking between WF's H-VS1 and GOG's G-VS2 - especially for an ER ring, I like GOG's G color and smaller table, but I also like WF's VS1 clarity...

(Nothing wrong with BN at all - but of the 3 stones you listed the other 2 vendors provide much more info so there is more a certainty of what you'd receive - that said, I did buy a lovely AGS 0.63 G-VS2 round brilliant from BN and was very satisfied - no H&A though)

But, just to throw in an outlier, since your GF likes antique-style rings, any chance she'd/you'd like GOG's Antique Vintage Rounds? The stone that fits most of your criteria (no hearts & arrows, but check out the lovely flower facet pattern) is the G-SI1 AVR here: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8243/. It is 5.8mm rather than the 6mm size of the three stones you posted above, which I think would be unnoticeable once set - and it is quite friendly to your budget. If you're interested, I'd call over to GOG to ask if the stone is eyeclean to your standards, and maybe see if they have a stone not yet listed that is closer to your preferred carat weight?

And, if you want to post a photo of the Shane Co ring setting your GF likes, maybe there's a similar setting at one of these vendors so that you can put the whole project under one roof.

Last question - is this a "forever" ring such that it is unlikely you'd use the upgrade options?

 

[bikecrash]

SweetAsscher, thanks for the Solasferas suggestion. I really like that cut but steered away with the unlisted prices. I'll give GOG a call and hear what they have to say.

Marymm, that's the first look I've taken at the Vintage Rounds. The flower pedal pattern looks unique and I'm taking a closer look at them now. Thanks for the suggestions to call GOG. It would be nice to hear them give some more 'color' on the stones and even offer up some alternatives.

I would say that this will be a forever diamond. She didn't like the idea of upgrading when the B&M sales lady mentioned it during our setting window shopping

Thanks for the insight so far!

 

[SweetAsscher]

You're welcome!
If you want to check the prices without calling in you have to click reserve diamond and it will add it to your shopping cart. The prices can be viewed there. I believe that diamond I posted was $5100 bank wire price.

Edited: actually credit card price is $5187 divided by 1.035 for bank wire discount. Comes out to $5011