Help Finding Princess Please

[2ndTimesACharm]

Girlfriend and I have been shopping for rings for past couple of months. I'm hoping to propose on 2/29. I've been doing research, but feel overwhelmed (especially with the sample budgets I've seen in other posts here). My budget is $4-$5k.

She likes the bottom left setting in this image: http://tinyurl.com/7gb8yt4 which can accommodate a princess, radiant or perhaps a cushion cut stone. My local jeweler, http://www.meyersjewelers.com,,, has a 1.0 carat princess (EGLUSA certified) E-Si1 for $4,500, which they can put in the setting.

Not only would I like to get a better stone, but I'd like to feel like I got a good deal and bought smart. I've overwhelmed with BlueNile and PriceScope searches. Can you make a suggestion?

 

[yssie]

No need to worry, your budget is just fine to get a lovely stone

We can help you look if you'd like, what is the final budget for the stone alone - 4-5k? And I assume (reputably graded - so GIA/AGS in the US) SIs are okay?

Here are a few on a quick search -

.94 GOG Signature H SI1 $4.1k http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9129/
1.06 GOG F SI2 $4.2k http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8925/

JA will provide three ASETs and reviews free
JA 1.02 G VS1 4.7k http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Very%20Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1451904.asp (get report)
JA 1.22 I VS1 $5.1k http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1442838.asp
JA 1.21 I VS2 $4.7k http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Good-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1442838.asp

Other vendors - www.whiteflash.com,, www.briangavindiamonds.com,, Crafted by Infinity princesses available online at www.highperformancediamonds.com among other sites

 

[2ndTimesACharm]

$5,000 is our budget on the stone.

I want to stick with GIA/AGS certification. In my short research, I've become leery of other certifications.

The setting is white gold, and the stone color/sparkle are most important to her, so I want to stay as close to colorless as possible.

I just talked to my local jeweler and he will mount any stone in the setting. He also wants me to call him before purchasing so he can match prices.

 

[jaebond]

It's nice to see someone else from Columbus! I'm thinking of taking a look there for my wedding ring since they carry MaeVona, but we'll see what my future fiance says. I took a quick look on Whiteflash and this is really all I found

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2733362.htm

BGD has this one, but the picture looks a little weird, you'll have to ask someone else what it would actually look like

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/d...0.901-g-vs2-princess-diamond-ags-104046707017

I think the 1.06 from GOG might be the way to go. I would go ahead and ask them if it is eyeclean.

PS Yssie, I'm not sure what happened to Crafted by Infinity's princess cuts, but I haven't been able to find them on any of their vendors websites.