Getting ready for first purchase

[trabeculae]

I've been lurking here for awhile -- now about to buy my first engagement ring and looking for some of y'all's input. I've looked through here a lot and price shopped around, and have a couple questions:

1) I've been looking at WF and BGD to buy from. How much of a difference in appearance am I going to see from their highest-end (a cut above, hearts and diamonds) to their tier just below that (e.g. expert selection, blue) or even a tier below that? I'm going for overall impact but neither she nor I are diamond experts, just regular folk.

2) Anyone have feedback on the benefits of either of these vendors? From what I've reading it sounds like both are well reviewed.

3) She has requested the ring be in 18k yellow gold, so will I be able to go with a J color and not have that detract from the diamond's overall appearance?

I appreciate your help, thanks in advance. Your community has made me a much more educated shopper.

 

[trabeculae]

Specifically, would you all suggest any preference between these two? Both are within my price range. Any advice would be very welcome:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.214-J-SI1-Round-Diamond-AGS-104061000009

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2829751.htm

 

[Gypsy]

I'd go with either the cheaper option, since they are the same color, or with the vendor that has the setting I prefer.

Whatever you set it in, make sure the head is white metal, even if the shank is yellow metal.