Help finding something for my budget

[defen]

Well I was all set to buy a stone from Blue Nile, had the order placed and everything, when I found this site. So, I canceled my order and I'm hoping to get some help here.

Basically I'm buying a diamond for a military academy class ring. As such, the diamond will be set as seen in this picture (http://www.usafa.org/images/ring-3.jpg). The ring is white gold, but it will be an antiqued finish, not the satin one shown.

Anyway, my budget is $1000. Beyond that I'm a bit lost. I've been looking at the five vendors mentioned here (https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/blue-nile.99347/) and found that James Allen and Gold Old Gold tend to have diamonds in my price range.

I'm not averse to using a vendor like Blue Nile, as their prices are better, but it seems from what I've read here they don't provide some of the information necessary.

Anyway, any help is greatly appreciated. Below are some diamonds that I've been looking at (it seems .4 carats is a good target for this price). By the way, I'm a bit confused about certification and have been primarily looking at GIA diamonds, but it appears AGS may be the way to go. My only concern with some of these is the irregular girdle, but maybe that's not a problem.

1.2 cut analysis http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1197125.asp

1.0 analysis http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1036482.asp

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-f-color-vs2-clarity_LD01439942?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

1.6 http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193924.asp

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-f-color-vs1-clarity_LD01439548?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

Thanks again.

 

[defen]

One last thing I forgot to mention, if possible I''d like to only spend $800, but if there''s a good reason to the full $1000 I''m willing to do that.

 

[stone-cold11]

What kind of color range are you looking at? H/I can be white face up with ideal cutting.

An SI1 eye-clean stone is just as good as the higher clarity stones as you will not be seeing anything anyway.


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193848.asp

This BN stone will glow with UV lights.

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-h-color-si1-clarity_LD01446706?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

Just check with the vendors to make sure they are eye-clean and for the BN stone, will not look hazy/oily in sunlight.

 

[defen]

As for color, I''m looking for something that will appear colorless. I saw this stone, which may be good for what I''m looking for:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-955659.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

Being an I, my only concern is yellow appearance, especially in a white gold setting.

 

[JulieN]

I color will look colorless when set.

 

[swingirl]

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4613/

Here is one within your budget and a G which is pretty white by most people''s standards. It would look fine in a white gold setting.

You want to make sure that the size of stone you buy can fit into the ring. Whom ever will be setting it should be able to tell you the dimensions the stone needs to be. You want to make sure your stone will fit.

 

[wishinpink]

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/1395/

I would get this one because from the picture, it doesn''t seem that you need the diamond inside the ring to be very big?

 

[defen]

It's possible to fit up to 1 ct, but I don't plan to go that big. Thank you for some of those options. One question is I notice that Good Old Gold provides a number of extra images over James Allen, do those provide some extra information that can help determine the quality of the stone?

Also, I'm still a bit torn on color. I'm fine with an I if it appears colorless when set, but being a bit of a perfectionist I just want to make sure.

Also, given that BN doesn't give all of the specs, what's the best way to get a good stone from them?

 

[Rhea]

Have you seen an I coloured stone? It''s really quite white. A well cut stones hides a good deal of flaws, making the stone face up very white. You''re not going to see the ring from the side in that setting.

 

[JulieN]

Date: 12/28/2008 11:07:46 PM
Author: defen
It''s possible to fit up to 1 ct, but I don''t plan to go that big. Thank you for some of those options. One question is I notice that Good Old Gold provides a number of extra images over James Allen, do those provide some extra information that can help determine the quality of the stone?


Also, I''m still a bit torn on color. I''m fine with an I if it appears colorless when set, but being a bit of a perfectionist I just want to make sure.


Also, given that BN doesn''t give all of the specs, what''s the best way to get a good stone from them?

The other images (notably the ASET images) are especially useful for fancy shapes. In rounds, an Ideal Scope is sufficient. You can ask JA for an Ideal Scope picture if it is not already posted.

From BN, you should stick to AGS 0 stones and their Signature Ideal selection.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 12/29/2008 12:41:10 AM
Author: JulieN

Date: 12/28/2008 11:07:46 PM
Author: defen
It''s possible to fit up to 1 ct, but I don''t plan to go that big. Thank you for some of those options. One question is I notice that Good Old Gold provides a number of extra images over James Allen, do those provide some extra information that can help determine the quality of the stone?


Also, I''m still a bit torn on color. I''m fine with an I if it appears colorless when set, but being a bit of a perfectionist I just want to make sure.


Also, given that BN doesn''t give all of the specs, what''s the best way to get a good stone from them?

The other images (notably the ASET images) are especially useful for fancy shapes. In rounds, an Ideal Scope is sufficient. You can ask JA for an Ideal Scope picture if it is not already posted.

From BN, you should stick to AGS 0 stones and their Signature Ideal selection.

Yup, ditto.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 12/29/2008 12:41:10 AM
Author: JulieN

Date: 12/28/2008 11:07:46 PM

The other images (notably the ASET images) are especially useful for fancy shapes. In rounds, an Ideal Scope is sufficient. You can ask JA for an Ideal Scope picture if it is not already posted.

From BN, you should stick to AGS 0 stones and their Signature Ideal selection.

Thritto

 

[defen]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I ended up going with a .39 carat H&A/I/VS1 from James Allen. I wasn''t particularly searching for a VS1 but this diamond was very well priced at $540 (PS price) and so I went with it. I''m very happy with the diamond and the service at James Allen. Thanks again.

 

[swingirl]

You made a very nice choice. Glad to hear it was a good experience for you.

If you get a chance come back and post your ring. I don't think we've seen anything like it on PS.

 

[Rhea]

I hope you post the finished ring when it''s done!