Desperately need help with a ring!

[ErniePotts]

So I'm planning on popping the question... hopefully before Christmas.

I've been scouring bluenile in search of something, but I'm getting pretty lost and could really use any help I can get.

First, whats my best bet for a site to purchase from?

I'm looking to spend around $5k give or take a few hundred. I'm currently looking for a:

G color
VS2 clarity
Great cut
Less than 1 carat

Does this sound doable? If were to go to the next step up on anything, that greatly enhances the look of the diamond, should I upgrade cut or color first?

Any other tips I should look out for? Also, should I just get the setting at the same place as the diamond?

Lots of questions I know, but I appreciate any input I can get!

 

[slg47]

So I'm planning on popping the question... hopefully before Christmas.

I've been scouring bluenile in search of something, but I'm getting pretty lost and could really use any help I can get.

First, whats my best bet for a site to purchase from?

I'm looking to spend around $5k give or take a few hundred. I'm currently looking for a:

G color
VS2 clarity
Great cut
Less than 1 carat

Does this sound doable? If were to go to the next step up on anything, that greatly enhances the look of the diamond, should I upgrade cut or color first?

Any other tips I should look out for? Also, should I just get the setting at the same place as the diamond?

Lots of questions I know, but I appreciate any input I can get!

well, less than 1 carat is definitely doable...depends on how big you want though! It is recommended to get the setting at the same place as the diamond because you avoid shipping/mounting fees and also don't need insurance during the setting process (this should be covered by the vendor but you should always check)

I would upgrade cut first as that will have more of an effect than color.

what type of setting are you looking for?

 

[rubybeth]

I think it sounds totally do-able. I'm assuming you're looking for a round diamond? What kind of setting? We can make suggestions.

ETA: for 'best site' it will depend on a few things: shape of the diamond you're looking for, and type of setting. Whiteflash, Good Old Gold, James Allen, Brian Gavin Diamonds, etc. are all highly reviewed on PriceScope, but one might have the setting style you want.

 

[yennyfire]

Post what you're looking for, including the type of setting and we can make suggestions.

 

[ErniePotts]

Thanks for the responses.

Here's a few diamonds that I came across that look like they might fit the bill:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1416725.asp

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2710226.htm

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/Diamonds/diamond-details/0.870-G-VS2-Round-Diamond-GIA-33956656

So that's sort of what I'm looking at.

As for bands, I was thinking of going with something simple and white gold. I imagine that since I am getting a smaller diamond, the smaller and sleeker the better. She also has pretty small hands.

Here are some bands that I thought look nice (but what do I know):

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/comfort-fit-surprise-diamond-ring-183.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/6-prong-tiffany-style-solitaire-engagement-ring-582.htm
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-White-Gold-2-5mm-Knife-Edge-Solitaire.html

Any thoughts?

 

[ame]

I did a search for .75-.99ct on GOG, up to $5500 and GH-Color, VS1-2Clarity.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8853/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8697/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8810/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8284/

Any of these plus a simple wg solitaire setting would be a win. Closer to the wedding you can have it reset into a new setting to go with a wedding band, should you choose to.

 

[rubybeth]

Thanks for the responses.

Here's a few diamonds that I came across that look like they might fit the bill:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1416725.asp

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2710226.htm

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/Diamonds/diamond-details/0.870-G-VS2-Round-Diamond-GIA-33956656

So that's sort of what I'm looking at.

As for bands, I was thinking of going with something simple and white gold. I imagine that since I am getting a smaller diamond, the smaller and sleeker the better. She also has pretty small hands.

Here are some bands that I thought look nice (but what do I know):

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/comfort-fit-surprise-diamond-ring-183.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/6-prong-tiffany-style-solitaire-engagement-ring-582.htm
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-White-Gold-2-5mm-Knife-Edge-Solitaire.html

Any thoughts?

I'd skip the Whiteflash and Brian Gavin stones since neither are in-house and would need to be called in, which may incur a charge. I like the last 3 stones that Ame posted:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8697/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8810/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8284/

The James Allen one looks nice, and I like the first Whiteflash setting, though buying a stone one place and a setting from another gets tricky since you have to insure the stone while it's being set, and then insure the completed ring.

 

[ErniePotts]

Thanks so much. I really like characteristics of this one that was posted: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8697/

So I might go ahead and get this one. Any other thoughts?

I also wanted to ask about this one too actually:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2709024.htm

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You need to stick with in-house stones if possible, because virtual stones just don't have enough info on them.

This Solasfera is showing up on the PS search at $5012 and you'd have to verify if that is correct because usually Solasfera's run higher than regular hearts and arrows diamonds. They are gorgeous stones!

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8853/

Not sure if this has already been posted (too many links to check), but this would be my second choice:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2709024.htm ($5158 with pricescope/wire discounts)

And I do recommend putting most of the money into the stone and just getting one of the inexpensive tiffany style settings. A setting can be changed later on, if desired, but it is nice when you can go ahead and get the best possible diamond at the outset.

 

[ErniePotts]

When I add the solasfera to the cart it's showing $5,187, so this one is a possibility.

The whiteflash diamond is the one I just posted above. I like this one a lot too. How would the solasfera be more advantageous to purchase than this whiteflash diamond? Just wondering because I pretty much think it's between these two.

 

[rubybeth]

When I add the solasfera to the cart it's showing $5,187, so this one is a possibility.

The whiteflash diamond is the one I just posted above. I like this one a lot too. How would the solasfera be more advantageous to purchase than this whiteflash diamond? Just wondering because I pretty much think it's between these two.

I don't think you could go wrong with either. I'm not sure the solasfera is advantageous over the Whiteflash stone. Do you know what kind of setting you want? Whiteflash has lots of options on their site, and Good Old Gold has access to probably thousands of settings. If they are comparable in price, you could go with whoever has a better deal on the setting you want.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The Solasferas usually run higher because of the specialty cut. You may want to watch a video from Good Old Gold to see how they perform in different lighting compared to a regular H&A. I would lean toward the Solasfera personally because I think it is a beautiful stone that not everyone has.

Here are a couple of videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez5FKcySt-o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaZAE_qv3HE

 

[ErniePotts]

One last question... what kind of size difference am I looking at between these two rings (one is .735 ct and the other is .801)

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2709024.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2715427.htm

I ask because the .735 is probably more in my price range ($1k less). I got a little ahead of myself before, but now that I'm actually putting everything together, I think I'd be better off with this diamond. Any thoughts?

 

[ErniePotts]

Ok I'm being annoying at this point, but I think this is actually the diamond I'm going to purchase tonight:

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2715428.htm

I figure I'll get a slightly larger diamond and sacrifice a little clarity, since it probably won't be noticed anyway. Thoughts?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think that will be a beautiful stone! I think it is wise to stay in the .80 range if you have the choice!

I would ask them if that stone is eyeclean from the sides, though. They say it is from the top, but if your setting will allow the sides to be seen, I'd want to check on that.

 

[ErniePotts]

Thank you. I also think it's better if I stay > .80 ct.

I sent them a message asking whether or not the diamond was eye clean from the sides. If it is I think I'm gonna jump on it. If not, I'm going with the .801 with VS2 clarity for only a couple hundred more.