Engagement Ring Help - $10,000 budget

[shootermcgav1n]

Hi all,

I've spent the last week or so researching diamonds on this site and others and also visiting B&M stores to see what I like. I plan to propose in about a month. At this point, I'd like to get your expert opinions on a couple of things.

First, as the title suggests, I'd like to keep my budget around $10,000 out the door. I think I'd like to get a round in the range of about 1.24-1.30cts. Color-wise, I'm fine with something in the I or H range. I'd want clarity to be VS2 or higher. Obviously, I'd be looking for the best cut possible. Finally, I'm picking this without her knowledge. She has indicated that she likes the simple solitaire look, so I'm leaning to the classic, plain, four-prong setting.

I've visited about four or five different locally-owned stores in the Tampa bay area, and have only had about one catch my eye. I don't have the GIA report, but it is: 1.24ct, I color, VS2, very good cut,very good polish and symmetry. They came down to $8,900 with setting. It looked great in person, but I wanted to check online alternatives.

Here are some that I've been looking at. If you could critique them, as well as tell me what to look out for, it would be much appreciated. Also, I'm not sure which online broker to go with.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02336264
(blue nile settings seem to be very low in price)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1458797.asp

 

[0-0-0]

The JA stone looks nice. We generally suggest sticking with vendors who can provide actual images of the stones.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The James Allen stone does look great. I might prefer an H VS2 over an I VS1, though. But that might require going down to 1.20 or so.

 

[Ravinmad]

so we're talking about a 9,000 stone and a 1,000 for a setting and tax or assorted variables?

 

[shootermcgav1n]

so we're talking about a 9,000 stone and a 1,000 for a setting and tax or assorted variables?

Thanks, for the responses thus far.

As far as the breakdown between the stone, setting, and remaining costs, that sounds about right. I was leaning toward a basic setting in white gold such as this:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/2mm-Knife-Edge-18k-White-Gold-Solitaire-Ring.html

edit: The james allen diamond linked in my first post, combined with this setting and with the pricescope discount comes out to $9,210 which is, of course, within my budget.