shape
carat
color
clarity

Engagement ring on 2,000 budget

Chevren

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 3, 2015
Messages
5
Alright so I'd like to propose in the next month or so and I need help from you fine people!

I'm on a budget of about 2,000 but if I could keep that a little lower all the better. I'm kind of overwhelmed right now, I'd just like a beautiful ring to give to the woman I adore.

I know she wants a round solitare, I know she wants a simple setting so I'm thinking around 3-400 hundred for a 4/6 prong white gold ring leaving me with 1600-1700 on the diamond.

For the size I'd like to get close to 3/4 carat but I think we'd both be happy with as low as .5 if the stone was right. Color I'm not super picky about I'd be fine going down I maybe J, clarity I want eye clean but beyond that again not super picky. I'd like a quality cut, balancing this and carat is what I'm shooting for right now.

Is something like one of these about as good as I'll find within my budget?

https://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-0-60-Carat-G-color-GIA-certified/D-61J9NJ

http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.59-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-328443
 
I rly like that .59 that the op posted :) decent size, best cut, and a bit lower colour/clarity to stay in budget.

for me thats nr. 1 of all posted stones so far
 
For $2000 or under I think you can risk the pre-owned market. I like this one which is listed for $2000 (most likely will take a slightly lower offer, say $1750):

https://www.idonowidont.com/diamonds/hope-it-works-out-better-you-1

GIA rated 0.84 carat J color, SI1 clarity center stone. A nice 18k solitaire setting with another 0.20 carats or so in diamonds on the sides. Good size and plenty of value, especially if you make a lower ball offer.

The jewelers at the site verify the diamond's stats and keep the cash in some kind of escrow so there's no risk of outright fraud. No taxes!
 
@Jimmianne Do you think a slightly bigger stone like the .71 with a little worse cut would look better? I'm deferring to all your opinions because I've got very very little experience with diamonds!

@Danielxlin I was worried about second hand market, seemed like an easy market to scam but that site looks like it would ease my mind. I know she doesn't want any side stones at all so that particular ring doesn't work and I didn't see anything else too interesting there but thanks for the idea.
 
Chevren|1422981025|3826621 said:
@Jimmianne Do you think a slightly bigger stone like the .71 with a little worse cut would look better? I'm deferring to all your opinions because I've got very very little experience with diamonds!

@Danielxlin I was worried about second hand market, seemed like an easy market to scam but that site looks like it would ease my mind. I know she doesn't want any side stones at all so that particular ring doesn't work and I didn't see anything else too interesting there but thanks for the idea.

I wouldn't step down in cut. The cut is what makes a diamond sparkle from across the room. Color can be fudged, clarity can be low, but the cut is what really makes a good diamond.

I also like the AGS0 .59 you posted in your first post. Of what's posted I would go with that one. I've had good dealings with JamesAllen as well.
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Martin-Flyer-Flyerfit-18K-WG-Ring-w-0-80-ct-Round-Diamond-GIA-J-SI1-EX-9K-/191501857579?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c9666732b

One more, new condition with tags, reputable vendor I've bought from before. 0.80 carat, GIA J color, SI1, excellent cut, strong blue fluoro. The 18k white gold Martin Flyer setting is substantial and retails for well over $2000 by itself.

With the best offer option on the $3000 asking, you may be able to buy it for $2400 or so. A steal at that price.
 
Here's what I would opt for:

This stone:
.61ct, I, SI1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.610-i-si1-round-diamond-ags-104072301003

with this setting:
14k Gold Six-Prong Solitaire
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/six-prong-solitaire-14k-white-gold-5351w14

BGD is running a promo right now where you can get up to 8% off stones and 10% on settings, using this code: VDAY152


All together, that will be just about $2k and you will have an eye-clean stone with a top-notch cut in a classic setting.
 
RockyRacoon|1422982993|3826649 said:
Here's what I would opt for:

This stone:
.61ct, I, SI1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.610-i-si1-round-diamond-ags-104072301003

with this setting:
14k Gold Six-Prong Solitaire
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/six-prong-solitaire-14k-white-gold-5351w14

BGD is running a promo right now where you can get up to 8% off stones and 10% on settings, using this code: VDAY152


All together, that will be just about $2k and you will have an eye-clean stone with a top-notch cut in a classic setting.

He'd like to buy someplace that can charge him in Canadian currency so he doesn't take an additional 2% hit on the already weak dollar by paying conversion fees.
 
kb1gra|1422983949|3826657 said:
RockyRacoon|1422982993|3826649 said:
Here's what I would opt for:

This stone:
.61ct, I, SI1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.610-i-si1-round-diamond-ags-104072301003

with this setting:
14k Gold Six-Prong Solitaire
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/six-prong-solitaire-14k-white-gold-5351w14

BGD is running a promo right now where you can get up to 8% off stones and 10% on settings, using this code: VDAY152


All together, that will be just about $2k and you will have an eye-clean stone with a top-notch cut in a classic setting.

He'd like to buy someplace that can charge him in Canadian currency so he doesn't take an additional 2% hit on the already weak dollar by paying conversion fees.

2% is a nominal fee here. We're talking $40.
 
Cut is King, but it's just as important to be a Size Queen. Fight for those two factors above all.

On a smaller budget I would definitely sacrifice the new car smell.
 
danielxlin|1422982558|3826644 said:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Martin-Flyer-Flyerfit-18K-WG-Ring-w-0-80-ct-Round-Diamond-GIA-J-SI1-EX-9K-/191501857579?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c9666732b

One more, new condition with tags, reputable vendor I've bought from before. 0.80 carat, GIA J color, SI1, excellent cut, strong blue fluoro. The 18k white gold Martin Flyer setting is substantial and retails for well over $2000 by itself.

With the best offer option on the $3000 asking, you may be able to buy it for $2400 or so. A steal at that price.

Plugged into Holloway Cut Advisor and came out with a HCA of 1.4, for whatever that's worth.
 
danielxlin|1422985482|3826683 said:
danielxlin|1422982558|3826644 said:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Martin-Flyer-Flyerfit-18K-WG-Ring-w-0-80-ct-Round-Diamond-GIA-J-SI1-EX-9K-/191501857579?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c9666732b

One more, new condition with tags, reputable vendor I've bought from before. 0.80 carat, GIA J color, SI1, excellent cut, strong blue fluoro. The 18k white gold Martin Flyer setting is substantial and retails for well over $2000 by itself.

With the best offer option on the $3000 asking, you may be able to buy it for $2400 or so. A steal at that price.

Plugged into Holloway Cut Advisor and came out with a HCA of 1.4, for whatever that's worth.

Unless his gf is a size 6.5, that ring can't be sized without messing up the engraving.
 
The eBay ring again she just wants a classic white gold setting so that doesn't really work for me either unfortunately, I like the bgd I'm about to pull the trigger on either that or the james allen .59. The bgd is about 150 more expensive after the coupon codes than the james allen.

Any consensus on the better stone? Clarity is a little better on the JA one.
 
Chevren|1422989370|3826731 said:
The eBay ring again she just wants a classic white gold setting so that doesn't really work for me either unfortunately, I like the bgd I'm about to pull the trigger on either that or the james allen .59. The bgd is about 150 more expensive after the coupon codes than the james allen.

Any consensus on the better stone? Clarity is a little better on the JA one.

For me, the decision would be easy.

Better upgrade policy, better reputation for cut, and high quality settings at BGD.

The point about the JA stone that I don't like is that it has the note 'The clarity grade of this diamond is partly based on clouds not shown,' which can sometimes mean performance issues resulting from the inclusions. At a VS2 clarity, and with AGS 0 cert, I don't think it would be much of a factor, but that is a comment I am conscious to avoid on stones I purchase.
 
RockyRacoon|1422990096|3826735 said:
Chevren|1422989370|3826731 said:
The eBay ring again she just wants a classic white gold setting so that doesn't really work for me either unfortunately, I like the bgd I'm about to pull the trigger on either that or the james allen .59. The bgd is about 150 more expensive after the coupon codes than the james allen.

Any consensus on the better stone? Clarity is a little better on the JA one.

For me, the decision would be easy.

Better upgrade policy, better reputation for cut, and high quality settings at BGD.

The point about the JA stone that I don't like is that it has the note 'The clarity grade of this diamond is partly based on clouds not shown,' which can sometimes mean performance issues resulting from the inclusions. At a VS2 clarity, and with AGS 0 cert, I don't think it would be much of a factor, but that is a comment I am conscious to avoid on stones I purchase.

Fair enough, I'm putting my faith in you Rocky Racoon! Thanks everyone for the help and advice!!
 
Chevren|1422990376|3826737 said:
RockyRacoon|1422990096|3826735 said:
Chevren|1422989370|3826731 said:
The eBay ring again she just wants a classic white gold setting so that doesn't really work for me either unfortunately, I like the bgd I'm about to pull the trigger on either that or the james allen .59. The bgd is about 150 more expensive after the coupon codes than the james allen.

Any consensus on the better stone? Clarity is a little better on the JA one.

For me, the decision would be easy.

Better upgrade policy, better reputation for cut, and high quality settings at BGD.

The point about the JA stone that I don't like is that it has the note 'The clarity grade of this diamond is partly based on clouds not shown,' which can sometimes mean performance issues resulting from the inclusions. At a VS2 clarity, and with AGS 0 cert, I don't think it would be much of a factor, but that is a comment I am conscious to avoid on stones I purchase.

Fair enough, I'm putting my faith in you Rocky Racoon! Thanks everyone for the help and advice!!

One last note - confirm with BGD that the stone is eye-clean. Just don't want any (negative) surprises when the final ring arrives.

I have dealt with BGD in the past and they do a great job of responding to your concerns, particularly if you speak with Jamie, Leslie, or Brian on the phone.

Best of luck!
 
I wanted to give you guys an update since you helped me out, the ring came in yesterday and I love it! Proposal is planned for next weekend so hopefully she loves it as well!

Here's one of the glamour shots and a few pictures of it, thanks again everyone!

20150214_092414.jpg

20150213_163215.jpg

briangavin_6prong_mmiller3-021315.jpg

20150214_092324.jpg
 
Beautiful ring!, good luck with the proposal... :wavey:
 
Looks great.

Definitely something you can feel proud of you!
 
AWESOME!!!!Classy and classic!
 
The ring looks beautiful, I'm so glad you went with this option, BGD is so good.
 
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Top