Help finding a Cushion diamond to match this Tacori setting

[oatmealpoet]

Hello all. I've been reading up and researching everything here on pricescope and wanted to ask for help choosing the perfect stone for this setting. I'd like to keep the total ring cost under 10k, so this gives me about 5k max budget for the stone. I'm looking for an eye clean diamond with no visible inclusions that gives off a ton of sparkle under the light! Whiter on the scale of color.

Here is the setting:

http://www.tacori.com/engagement/ht2547cu7.html

Here are a few diamonds I've noticed. Any opinions on these or suggestions of other diamonds would be great. Can I go lower on the clarity/color to get a bigger diamond without any noticeable difference in quality?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-e-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-299755

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut-loose-diamond-3051031.htm#

Thanks in advance!

 

[tuckie]

Re: Help finding a Cushion diamond to match this Tacori sett

Hello Oatmeal Poet,
What a pretty setting you have chosen!
I expect that more seasoned PS gurus will chime in, but I am happy to give you a preview of several of the things that they are likely to point out to you:
1. If you are looking for a "eye clean diamond with no visible inclusions"
It's very likely that you can go down to VS2 or even SI1 without eye-visible inclusions. When we say "eye clean" we mean that you won't see inclusions with your own eye at a normal distance of say 6 inches (this will vary by vendor and you'll want to follow up). But basically, while you might be able to find inclusions via microscope, there is often little/no real-life difference when looking at at VS2 diamond in person and an IF diamond in person. You may for other reasons (often called "mind-clean") choose to want a higher clarity stone, but that is personal preference.

2. "... that gives off tons of sparkle"
"Sparkle" is typically most impacted by the cut quality of your stone. Most PS folks prioritize cut quality as the most important of the Cs. I'm sure that the cushion experts can help you evaluate facet patterns and other measures of cut-quality to ensure that you pick a super sparkly stone.

3. ..."Whiter on the sale of color"
Many believe that the F/G/H range is preferred for VERY white stones without the price premium of D/E. Your color sensitivity (and that of your partner!) might very, but most aren't seeing tint in stones G and above.

4. Stone vs. Setting budget
With a healthy budget like yours, I expect several people will mention that you may not want to choose to spend half on the setting, and instead redistribute more into the stone... but I'll let them make that point.

Happy hunting!

 

[oatmealpoet]

Re: Help finding a Cushion diamond to match this Tacori sett

Thank you tuckie. I was thinking I can probably lower the clarity/color a bit and still be eye clean. Good to get confirmation.

After hearing from you, cut quality is definitely most important to us if that's what will give it the sparkle and shine. She loves the sparkle. I think the higher end of eye-clean would be best, maybe in the VS1 or VS2 range. I can see both of us examining the diamond up close. Not sure if 6 inches is enough! Might have to be eye-clean for 1 inch!

On the note of spending less on a setting, here is another setting she really liked over at Gabriel that is definitely an option: http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER10290W44JJ

Thanks again for helping out with this process!