E-ring time! Need some diamond help

[nos83]

I'm looking for an e-ring and after much stalking on this forum, I am semi-confident in my parameters of what to look for in a round diamond:

Carat: 1.4~1.5
Color: D-F
Cut: Ideal - Excellent

Additionally with the HCA in mind, I've also started to sort diamonds based on ideal/excellent parameters for Table and Depth. To fit all of this within my $13K diamond budget, I'm looking to sacrifice clarity in hopes of finding an eye-clean SI1 or SI2.

One of the few diamonds I found was this one http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaRD#diamonds_pid=LD04250607. So my question now is what am I looking at when it comes to the GIA report on the inclusions? Do you have any tips in regards to looking at a GIA report and getting an idea of how the inclusions will appear? I know to see if the inclusions are more off to the side then center, but is there anything else I should focus on? Is this a good buy and am I being too specific in my parameters?

As for the rest of the ring I was thinking of a clean solitaire cathedral setting with pave underneath the diamond that is only visible from the side.

Thank you all for your help in advance!

 

[RockyRacoon]

It will be tough to find a top-cut in that color range, with the budget you had listed.


Here is a great option if you can expand your budget a bit:

1.553ct, F, SI1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.553-f-si1-round-diamond-ags-104054186010


If you can't expand your budget, here are a couple very nice options with SI2 clarity (ask about eye-cleanliness):

1.52ct, G, SI2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11240/

1.51ct, H, SI2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11920/

 

[TC1987]

Twinning wisps set the grade ( first-named inclusion is the grade-setter)
There are discussions on here about how twinning wisps are a "good" inclusion to have because they may be hard to see with the naked eye.

But, there is a feather on the girdle that may post a risk for cracking or chipping. Usual advice here is to avoid those stones for use ina ring. Might be better for pendant or earring.

Also a comment that additional twinning wisps, crystals, pinpoints, surface graining not shown. That puts it in the "has to be seen" class, to me. All those inclusions not plotted -- Do they affect the performance?

 

[msop04]

You may have some trouble finding a 1.5 in the D-F range to fit your budget... G-H will be plenty white, even from the side. How about this one? It even has a little fluorescence and it's larger at 7.57 x 7.59 mm! It looks to be eye-clean, but JA can check it for you.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-281993

 

[Gypsy]

I would expand to G. You will not see any color in G.

 

[SandyinAnaheim]

I would expand to G. You will not see any color in G.

Agreed. A well cut G is colorless. When I started hunting a few months ago I wanted a perfectly cut 1.5 D VVS or IF for $13k. Guess what? That's the non-existent unicorn.

I found a 1.24 F IF for $13k but it was so poorly cut that I would never have been happy with it's terrible light performance. Then I bought a 1.5 I VVS2 platinum ring from Costco for a bit more, and it was so poorly cut that it looked grey in most light. Back it went. Get the best cut you can afford, and then determine what you're willing to sacrifice, size, color or clarity. For me, I sacrificed size for color and clarity.

 

[nos83]

Thanks all! I'll expand my search and take a look at your suggestions. Thanks again!!