Desperately need help choosing diamond engagement ring!

[bucsoftb]

Hi everyone, I need help picking out an engagement ring for my girlfriend. I plan on asking her on our 3 year anniversary in December. All I know is that she wants a round solitaire.

My budget is around $5000. Everywhere I read says that I can find a better deal online rather than the mall stores. Here is a ring I threw together on Blue Nile:

Good-cut, H-color, VS1-clarity, Round, 0.90-carat Diamond. Stock #: LD02303790 $4,549
Classic Six Prong Engagement Ring in Platinum. Stock #: 2 $670
Subtotal: $5,219

I know absolutely nothing about diamonds. Here is a link to the one I picked: http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-good-cut-h-color-vs1-clarity_ld02303790

Are the dimensions normal/okay? Is that the standard price for those qualities? I wanted to get atleast a 1.0 carat diamond but when I changed the cut to "good" and clarity to "VS1," the price was too high.

Am I right by choosing a smaller, yet better quality stone?

Will that stone fit okay with the setting I chose?

I am running short on time so I thank you kindly in advance for any help!!!
Jay

 

[marchesa6989]

hi jay! well firstly congratulations on taking the next step...very exciting

i think you'll find the concensus on here is that:
1. cut is king. it impacts on the performance of the diamond and the way it sparkles. so for that reason the stone you chose is probably not a good option.
2. bluenile is a little more pricey than other vendors. for a person who doesn't have time to do a lot of research, perhaps buying an ideal cut stone from there will take the thinking out of it, but since you've come to pricescope we can help you find something else in your budget

i'll have a little look for some stones and post links on here, but also do you need the setting to be platinum? i think that when going for a solitaire, personally i'd prefer more money to go into the centre stone.

 

[marchesa6989]

so if we look at that blue nile stone, the measurements are 6.02 x 5.96 x 3.93 mm, which means it will look smaller than its actual weight. so if you go for a better cut stone with a lighter carat weight, it will actually look like the same size but the light return will be much better

also in terms of clarity, going down to an SI1 or even SI2 but ensuring it is eye clean will mean you can optimise size and quality. i haven't had time to put these through the HCA calculator, but here's a few to start with:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1437843.asp the inclusion looks prongable
http://briangavindiamonds.com/Diamonds/diamond-details/0.910-F-SI2-Round-Diamond-GIA-33516165 have to call and ask if its eye clean
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/8811/ amazingly cut diamond

these are all actually bigger than the original one you posted and perhaps even a little cheaper once you factor in the pricescope discount

 

[bucsoftb]

So James Allen is a reputable retailer? I looked over their site and I love some of the settings.

What can you say about this diamond? http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1398467.asp

How are the dimensions? Does the image look good? Is that a good price?

I was considering it with this setting: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-White-Gold-Thin-French-Cut-Engagement-Ring.html

Thanks!!!!

 

[minmin001]

I would not get a good cut diamond, here are some ideal cut ones for a little cheaper with pricescope discount and you would not be able to notice the size difference with your naked eyes.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2715432.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2677729.htm