Engagement ring help :D

[Electricityme]

Hi everyone, I love the forum-so many great people, and invaluable info! (Keep in mind that I am *super* new, so if I am doing anything wrong, I'm sorry!) I wasn't sure where to post this, and got a tip to post it here instead of in "Jewelry Pieces."
So I am in the process of picking out the most fabulous engagement ring within our price-range (I am picking out my own ring haha). My total budget (ceiling) is about 6200. I have my heart set on getting a custom setting, and have spoken with Erica Grace (who is so delightful btw!) because some of her designs are very similar to my style. I was also considering poking around WhiteFlash to see about getting my setting done there, as I see that so many people here are quite satisfied by their work.
Erica Grace quoted my setting at $2000 (in platinum, but I am also loving the idea of rose gold..). I am kind of going off of a McTeigue & McClelland design that I really like. Link: http://www.mc2jewels.com/gallery/Rings/1016b
I am changing it a bit, but I am wondering 'how much' are you supposed to change a design in order for a place like WhiteFlash to be allowed to produce a copy? (Just a footnote, that designer setting is around 8500- in other words-completely out-of-budget!)

Ok so for the diamond, I am getting a little over my head I think lol. I have read so much, but I'm afraid that I might be becoming a snob haha (which I really can't afford!)
I don't mind being 100% honest-I want the biggest diamond that I can afford! lol, I don't own any diamonds, and I would absolutely love a 'big' diamond for my engagement ring. I am absolutely ok with an SI or SI2, but I do want "eye-clean." As for color, it sounds like I is the one for me, possibly J if I do go with rose gold. When I first started looking at diamonds, my favorite shape was cushion, but I have since been perusing photos of ovals, but I see that they have their own huge set of confusing rules ha. I have seen ovals set sideways, and I think that can look really great! What does anyone think about how a sideways oval would look set in this bezel-type setting, where the diamond sits in a little flower?
My finger is a size 6, and my general jewelry preference is 'chunky,' (if that is helpful at all ha).
Also, I have used the diamond search tool on Pricescope, and I am confused because a lot of them have "none" listed under cut. I have generally been looking at 'very good' cuts, only because I've heard how important a good cut is. Does anyone know anything about Solomon Brothers? I did a search on their site, and everything seems suspiciously cheap...
Here are a handful of stones I saw that would definitely meet my 'big' requirement, but it would be great to hear some feedback about quality (obviously I don't want a gigantic hideous stone lol) Links:

http://www.solomonbrothers.com/Dialog.aspx?ImageUrl=http://www.overnightdiamonds.com/certs/24405145.jpg
http://www.solomonbrothers.com/Dialog.aspx?ImageUrl=http://www.om-barak.com/barak/Output/Certificates/gia37256e.jpg
http://www.solomonbrothers.com/Dialog.aspx?ImageUrl=http://www.overnightdiamonds.com/certs/24405145.jpg
http://www.solomonbrothers.com/Dialog.aspx?ImageUrl=http://Diamonds.net/UF/30133/Certs/89720101D.JPG
http://www.solomonbrothers.com/Dialog.aspx?ImageUrl=http://www.om-barak.com/barak/Output/Certificates/OXC33476.jpg
http://www.solomonbrothers.com/Dialog.aspx?ImageUrl=http://Diamonds.net/UF/24581/Certs/2909101830.jpg

All advice is very much appreciated!!!! (Even if ovals aren't your forté!) I would love to hear peoples' opinions on any of it!
Thanks so much in advance for reading through my ramblings and helping me in my quest!!

 

[yennyfire]

Hi and welcome! I'm by no means an expert, but here are my thoughts, for whatever they are worth. The reason you are not seeing "cut" grade on stones other than round is that fancy shapes (i.e. everything other than round) are not given cut grades. As for how much the setting would need to be modified before another jeweler would imitate it, I would imagine it would depend on the jeweler. Some may not be willing to copy such a specific design, while others may be willing to do so.

I think that ovals are lovely and looked at them briefly when I was searching for my replacement ering. The one thing I saw was that you have to watch out for the "bow tie" effect. I'm not sure what measurements that means you want to look for. Hopefully, one of the experts can give you some more specific advice. Good luck!

 

[tyty333]

You have to have pictures/images of fancy cut stones (ovals)...the numbers on the certs just dont tell you enough.
James Allen would be where I would start looking for an oval. I'll see what they have in the $4k price range.
I think and E/W oval would be lovely.

 

[tyty333]

I looked on JA and didnt find much of anything with your specs....Here are a couple that *may* be worth a further look.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1093337.asp /* a little over budget */
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1325575.asp


I think your best bet would to work with a vendor and let them find you a stone.

 

[Electricityme]

Thanks for the advice!! I emailed James Allen about what I am looking for. Any other (cheap but good) vendor suggestions?
All of your advice is very much appreciated!