Having trouble making a diamond-decision!!!!

[ichabod]

At the end of the month I'm taking my GF of 2 years on vacation and I'm going to propose there.. so I need a ring! (Then I will just have to thing of a romantic way to pop the question haha). And I could use a little diamond-expert (or just any) advice.

Here's my specs:

I want to spend somewhere around $4k total, and put most of the money into the diamond
Solitaire setting, White Gold, Nothing too crazy (I want the diamond to be the focus)
0.9 or so Carats, which is the biggest I'm finding that look ok to me in my price range
Size 4 ring

So other than that info, I can't really find any good reason to pick one diamond over the other. I'll probably get one online..I find a lot of different opinions, but lean toward maybe a SI2 or S1, I ..or G? I have no idea. I just want it to look good and decent sized, as she is a very gorgeous and awesome person. Any ideas on how to move forward into the decision making? Thanks!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

From what I can see, you'll mainly be looking in the .80 range. Unfortunately most of the ones I am seeing are close to .80.

Here are some suggestions:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1529285.asp ($3635 with pricescope/wire discount)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1545854.asp (.90 but $3989 for just the diamond)

Not having a lot of luck finding a good H color one at JA.

Very nice H SI1 at WhiteFlash:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2829800.htm ($3543 with PS/wire discount) *my choice of these three

 

[ichabod]

Awesome! Thanks for the reply! Yes that third one does look really great.

But would you say that would be better than something like this

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1542808.asp

or this

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1542767.asp

 

[starrylight]

I think the 0.94CT OLD EUROPEAN CUT DIAMOND RING on http://www.jewelsbyericagrace.com/antique_vintage_and_reproduction_rings_page_2 and on sale so it's under your budget

or 0.94CT (EST) ROUND BRILLIANT DIAMOND RING
on http://www.jewelsbyericagrace.com/modern_and_estate_rings_page_2 It's a little over your budget though.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Awesome! Thanks for the reply! Yes that third one does look really great.

But would you say that would be better than something like this

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1542808.asp

or this

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1542767.asp

Both of these have problems (both graded very good cut instead of excellent). GIA Excellent is a very broad category and some of those we'd not recommend. But both of these have issues that would make me rule them out. One has a thick girdle making it face up smaller than a .90 should and the other has a very low crown which is just not attractive. You really need to limit your search to GIA Excellent. I pretty much went through those last night on the JA site when I posted the ones above. I do like the H color of the WF stone.

 

[ichabod]

Thanks Diamond Seeker! I was hoping someone would respond that knew more than me. I'm going to think about this tonight and pull the trigger in the morning, probably on the third one you listed..

 

[JulieN]

Ask for an Ideal Scope on any James Allen rounds.

The Whiteflash one might have noticeable leakage. Need to ask.

 

[JulieN]

Awesome! Thanks for the reply! Yes that third one does look really great.

But would you say that would be better than something like this

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1542808.asp

or this

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1542767.asp

First one way too shallow.

Second one faces up a smidge small, due to thick girdle. HOWEVER, it is a good price, so I would get an Ideal Scope on this one.