Help a Newb Find the Perfect Rock for an E-Ring

[SparkleGrind]

Hi all,

Let me first say I have been lurking here a bit, and I wanted to thank you all for sharing your wealth of knowledge and time amongst this wonderful community. I have learned quite a bit in the last month or so, and even more since stumbling upon this place. I will get right down to the dirty.

Looking to spend 5k total, maybe 4k on the rock. For the band, I am looking at this one from a local jeweler that is 18k white, very thin, with really small pave diamonds around band.

For the shiny thing: The most important thing is that it is brilliant and shiny.

Looking around .75-1ct, biggest I can get without sacrificing too much elsewhere.

Color-Would prefer it to be as colorless or white as budget allows, have been looking in the G-I range.

Clarity-I am ok with worse clarity as long as it is eye clean and has minimal impact on brilliance.

Cut-as good as possible.

At first I was looking at BN, but recently have been checking out WF. What benefit is there to get an ACA vs another Ideal cut?

If anyone has leads on a good deal that would fit my specs/budget, I would greatly appreciate any help I can get!

Thanks in advance.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Welcome!

Here are 5 stones with top-notch cuts, from well-respected vendors:

.836ct, I, VS2
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3365309.htm

.821ct, H, SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3326172.htm

.81ct, I, SI1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-81ct-i-si1-premium-round-ideal-cut-diamond.html

.81ct, H, SI1 - A Cut Above
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3222867.htm

.806ct, H, VS1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.806-h-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104077586010

 

[pfunk]

Hey sparkle,

First I am going to post what I can find on enchanted diamonds because they are the only vendor that I know of that posts images for many diamonds that are not considered superideal (like whiteflash ACA) and also because it is where I got my diamond and had good luck.

I'll go in order of color and try to stay to vs2 or better which guarantees eye cleanliness for you, even though SI1 will likely mean eye clean as well.

G color options:

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R80-QXFFF2- My favorite because it has included idealscope and ASET
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R80-GMZTGM
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R80-GMZTGM

H options:

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R84-TLDRVL
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R76-2ZAHY8
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R75-4Y433Q
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R80-ML1TU5
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R81-D621F1
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R80-25K2LN
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R81-GEKARJ - srong blue fluoro which you may/may not like?

I options:
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R81-Q43TRK
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R76-PK4SFF
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R75-14LEZW

As you can see, lots of options to choose from. If two appear very similar, I would opt for the less expensive one and put the money towards the setting. Let me look around on a pricescope search and see what I can find from other vendors too, though you will have to request images from them on your own as they do not post them.

Do you want to post the ones you are looking at from whiteflash so you can compare the images and see what you are paying the premium for? They are cut to precise numbers to achieve repeatable, reliable performance, and we will probably be able to see some differences on the images we can point out. If you are ready to purchase, be sure to reserve your favorites so that no one else snags them from you.

 

[pfunk]

Here are some others:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-436400
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-464734
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-472958
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-380022
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6794330-0.80-carat-Round-diamond-G-color-VS1-clarity.aspx

I don't know how to narrow the other vendors searches by crown and pavilion angles and there are WAY too many matches in your color, size, and carat range to open them and check all the numbers, but here are a few that looked nice to me.

 

[SparkleGrind]

Thanks all for the suggestions...This can be so overwhelming. On one hand I feel like neither of us care about many of the things that people pay premium /extra for, but on the other hand I do want to ensure a good quality purchase and want the best deal possible...

What is so good about ACA?

And why do people here prefer these smaller online retailers like WF, BG, GOG, over Blue Nile?

 

[RockyRacoon]

Thanks all for the suggestions...This can be so overwhelming. On one hand I feel like neither of us care about many of the things that people pay premium /extra for, but on the other hand I do want to ensure a good quality purchase and want the best deal possible...

What is so good about ACA?

And why do people here prefer these smaller online retailers like WF, BG, GOG, over Blue Nile?

ACA stones are cut to very precise, ideal specifications. Here are some more details:
http://www.whiteflash.com/a-cut-above-diamonds

WF, BG, GOG, HPD are all superior to Blue Nile due to the additional information they offer. BN can SOMETIMES provide you a picture and that is all (exception: their Signature stones). You are essentially buying blind. You do not have any assessment of light performance, and you may not even have a gemologist looking at the stone. If you have lots of time to ship stones back and forth (they do have a good return policy), BN can be a viable option.