Guidance Needed On Engagement Ring

[Dynasty90]

My girlfriend and I went to the local Zales jewelry store to look at and try on some engagement rings. We've been talking about rings for about a week and I've been gathering information regarding what she likes. I also have been doing research online to learn as much as I can about diamonds and engagement rings in general to make to best purchase possible. In summary, she was blown away by one ring in particular. The specs of the ring are as follows:

- 4 prong solitaire (Tiffany style)

- 2 mm band (white gold)

- Round shape

- F color

- Ideal cut

- 0.96 carat

- I-1 clarity

- Lab rating was AGS (I do not recall if this is 100% correct, though)

- Price = $6,500

The diamond was Zales' next step up diamond. I wish I could remember the name they call their next step up diamond. It was branded with white lettering in the name and a blue background. The salesman made it clear the cut made it sparkle much more than their lower end diamonds. The sparkle and shine is what my girlfriend loved the most.

Based on my limited research, I know the clarity of the ring she thought was amazing is pretty low. I could see the flaws with the naked eye. That didn't seem to bother her. So, I feel like I can step up in clarity and she will be even happier.

She tried on rings ranging from a little less than 1 carat to rings in the 1.5 carat range. She liked the bigger diamond, but felt the 1 carat range is more than adequate. Perhaps something in the 1.25 range is the sweet spot?

I come here seeking guidance on purchasing the best ring for the money. Basically getting the best "bang for the buck" package. I do not plan on proposing until the summer months, so I do have some time before I make the purchase. I'm going to use this time to learn as much as I can to make the best educated decision regarding the purchase.

I could use some guidance from you experts regarding what engagement ring I can get for my budget of around $6,500 max. If I can get something for less without sacrificing overall quality, I would be very happy.

If I am missing any key information required to receive feedback and guidance, please let me know and I will do my best to get more information.

 

[msop04]

What about this:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.15-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2463988

Set in this (assuming she wants knife edge like the Tiffany):

https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7028

 

[msop04]

I know VS may be overkill since she was happy with the I1, but I just couldn't find any nice SI's on JA that checked all the boxes...

 

[bmfang]

I just looked at JA for F I1 stones that are around the 1ct mark and even when you factor in a 2mm knife-edge solitaire setting, you will still be miles ahead buying at JA (or another online vendor) compared with Zales. And I would be extremely surprised if Zales were selling AGS graded stones (heck, I'd be surprised if they sold many GIA stones, would be expecting them to be either IGI or GSI graded [or some other lab] stones instead).

Do a search at James Allen as you'll get something within your budget there and the rest of us here can help you out with finding the right stone for you.

 

[Dynasty90]

I just looked at JA for F I1 stones that are around the 1ct mark and even when you factor in a 2mm knife-edge solitaire setting, you will still be miles ahead buying at JA (or another online vendor) compared with Zales. And I would be extremely surprised if Zales were selling AGS graded stones (heck, I'd be surprised if they sold many GIA stones, would be expecting them to be either IGI or GSI graded [or some other lab] stones instead).

Do a search at James Allen as you'll get something within your budget there and the rest of us here can help you out with finding the right stone for you.

Now that you mention it, I believe IGI was the grading. I had numerous things running through my head at the moment, but IGI is beginning to sound very familiar.

 

[Dynasty90]

I know VS may be overkill since she was happy with the I1, but I just couldn't find any nice SI's on JA that checked all the boxes...

Would SI be an obvious (naked eye) upgrade from I1?

 

[bmfang]

I know VS may be overkill since she was happy with the I1, but I just couldn't find any nice SI's on JA that checked all the boxes...

Would SI be an obvious (naked eye) upgrade from I1?

Generally speaking, yes. You may want to drop the colour from a F to maybe a H/I to allow you to move up to the SI1/VS2 category and maintain that ~1ct weight level. Around here, generally cut is king rather than carat weight or clarity.

What about this stone?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.97-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-2475647

Or this one?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.92-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2375251

The 1.15 that msop04 suggested is pretty darn good as well for over a carat. And the strong blue fluor doesn't appear to make the stone look dull (though checking with a JA gemologist about that would be the first port of call if you were to choose this stone). That strong blue fluor should also help with boosting the colour of the stone when it's viewed in an environment which has a decent amount of UV light (like in daylight).

 

[Snowdrop13]

How about this?

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3788138.htm

Leaves you enough budget for a simple solitaire setting.

 

[SimoneDi]

Hi Dynasty90!

It should be mentioned that an F color, I1 clarity diamond sold at Zales and graded by IGI/GSI is most likely an H/I color, I2/I3 clarity, if graded by GIA. The quality of the stone probably didn't bother your intended because she has not had the opportunity to see a good quality diamond. Luckily, you have come to the right place to seek for advice.
Below are my recommendations for you, but any recommendations from the folks here are 100% better than the Zales diamond.

1. If you want to stick to an icy white F color diamond, I would suggest this one: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.927-f-si2-round-diamond-ags-104088433010 - this SI2 appears to be completely eye-clean, but you can also check with the vendor. Staying just under 1ct allows you to get a much better price of this perfectly cut stone and the stone still will still face up like 1ct.
2. If you want to get above the 1ct mark, here is a good pick for you: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.017-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104091552009 - I personally find H color to be the sweet color grade as the diamond will still face up very white (see my avatar). Additionally, the strong blue fluorescence will help the stone appear even whiter when exposed to UV light. This also appears to be an eye-clean diamond.
3. My last pick is a bold one and I would not recommend choosing this stone before you get an approval from your significant other, but the only reason I am mentioning it is because the inclusions in the Zales I1 diamond did not bother her: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.704-p-si2-round-diamond-ags-cbl-104082557001 - Obviously, with this stone you go down in clarify and most importantly - color, but you gain a whole lotta size! I always keep thinking of this thread when I think of P color and how amazing it can look: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-custom-ring.147167/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-custom-ring.147167/[/URL] Again, this one is a risky choice, but I simply wanted to show you what your money can buy in the world of ideal cut diamonds (real AGS graded ideal cut)

I would pair these this a simple solitaire setting: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/four-prong-solitaire-14k-white-gold-5342w14

Best of luck!

 

[bmfang]

Hi Dynasty90!

It should be mentioned that an F color, I1 clarity diamond sold at Zales and graded by IGI/GSI is most likely an H/I color, I2/I3 clarity, if graded by GIA. The quality of the stone probably didn't bother your intended because she has not had the opportunity to see a good quality diamond. Luckily, you have come to the right place to seek for advice.
Below are my recommendations for you, but any recommendations from the folks here are 100% better than the Zales diamond.

1. If you want to stick to an icy white F color diamond, I would suggest this one: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.927-f-si2-round-diamond-ags-104088433010 - this SI2 appears to be completely eye-clean, but you can also check with the vendor. Staying just under 1ct allows you to get a much better price of this perfectly cut stone and the stone still will still face up like 1ct.
2. If you want to get above the 1ct mark, here is a good pick for you: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.017-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104091552009 - I personally find H color to be the sweet color grade as the diamond will still face up very white (see my avatar). Additionally, the strong blue fluorescence will help the stone appear even whiter when exposed to UV light. This also appears to be an eye-clean diamond.
3. My last pick is a bold one and I would not recommend choosing this stone before you get an approval from your significant other, but the only reason I am mentioning it is because the inclusions in the Zales I1 diamond did not bother her: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.704-p-si2-round-diamond-ags-cbl-104082557001 - Obviously, with this stone you go down in clarify and most importantly - color, but you gain a whole lotta size! I always keep thinking of this thread when I think of P color and how amazing it can look: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-custom-ring.147167/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-custom-ring.147167/[/URL] Again, this one is a risky choice, but I simply wanted to show you what your money can buy in the world of ideal cut diamonds (real AGS graded ideal cut)

I would pair these this a simple solitaire setting: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/four-prong-solitaire-14k-white-gold-5342w14

Best of luck!

If the OP were to get in contact with Lesley from BGD, she would definitely pull that F/SI2 to verify whether the inclusions were an issue. Looking at the vids on the listing, nothing sticks out easily and that one is a very nice SI2. From my recent BGD transactions, Lesley has said to me that Brian does check his inventory numerous times before they get shipped out to customers. The P/SI2 is a beautifully cut stone from the Cape Series range at BGD.

The H/SI1 from the BG Blue series is my pick of the three that you chose SimoneDi for the OP.

 

[rubybeth]

As SimoneDi pointed out, grading by labs other than GIA or AGS is sketchy at best, so who knows if the stone you saw in person was really F color/I1 grading. I think sticking with G/H or possibly even I color and SI1 is going to be a great option for you, so much better than Zales. Especially with that cut grade--cut is one of the most important factors, if not the most important! Getting an ideal cut stone will make the ring sparkle even when dirty.

All vendors we regularly mention on Pricescope will have a Tiffany 4 prong setting like you describe: James Allen, Brian Gavin Diamonds, Whiteflash, etc.

Can you post your exact budget?

 

[Diamond_Hawk]

You're getting some excellent suggestions and sound advice here. Since you mentioned you'll be doing some more research before buying. Do see the posts about GIA vs. AGS vs. IGI vs. EGL. An informed customer is always better off!