Hi All,
I could use some help putting together my engagement ring (I have it narrowed to six diamonds and three settings). I know it may seem odd that I am building and buying my own ring, but I've been with my boyfriend for a very, very long time and we both are cool with this. He does plan on buying something that 'represents us' but it may not be a ring. If it matters, I am 30, live in the Midwest, am an engineer, and have neutral to warm undertones. My ring size is a 6 and I have long, slender fingers. I plan on going with yellow gold, with platinum prongs. I have a love of gems and have gone mining in North Carolina a few times with my dad.
What I am looking for in a diamond:
Cut is most important to me, as I want a diamond with a lot of sparkle. I also want a 'clear' looking diamond, it is okay if it is a J as they usually appear clear in color to me, but I do not want a cloudy, milky, or dim diamond (who does?). I have a few friends who have diamonds that look white or milky and I do not care for this look personally.
.80 or larger carat
5.95-6.00 or larger diameter if it is .80
Eye clean (VVS2 or higher but an eye clean that is lower is good too)
$2700 or less (I can go 3K or higher for the 'right' diamond as I have a very good salary, but prefer to stay lower and upgrade in the future or put the money toward an experience or other jewelry)
Ideal cut or better
Faint to no fluorescence
Medium or better girdle
No culet
Excellent polish and symmetry
J or better color
Here are some diamonds I am looking at on Blue Nile, I am open to other suggestions or retailers, but Blue also had settings I like so I figured I'd shop there:
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09288786
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09343784
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09538941
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09611903
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09611904
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09149148
The .80 carat here is what I mean by a 'clear' and sparkly diamond:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...d-presentation-solitaire-six-prong-item-41247
I am leaning heavily towards the first diamond in the list (LD09288786). The problem is these all seem so similar that I am not sure why there is price differences or what the quality difference is.
The setting:
My boyfriend really liked yellow gold when I tried it on in store and I did too, so I think I am going with yellow gold even though I like rose gold as well (any thoughts on yellow vs. rose?). Yellow gold also reminds me of my grandma and mother, as they both had/have yellow gold rings. I have two rose gold diamond bracelets right now that I wear daily but am not opposed to mixing metals. I really love a classic Tiffany setting. I am unsure if I should do four prongs, six prongs, and if I should do Cathedral? Should I get low dome comfort? Does the petite 1.5mm really matter over the regular 2mm band? Here are the three I like:
https://www.bluenile.com/build-your...4k-yellow-gold_60429?elem=title&track=product
https://www.bluenile.com/build-your...ow-gold_9?elem=img&track=product&vtype=sample
https://www.bluenile.com/build-your...8k-yellow-gold_44709?elem=title&track=product
If you stuck with me through this whole thing, thank you. I really appreciate any input
I could use some help putting together my engagement ring (I have it narrowed to six diamonds and three settings). I know it may seem odd that I am building and buying my own ring, but I've been with my boyfriend for a very, very long time and we both are cool with this. He does plan on buying something that 'represents us' but it may not be a ring. If it matters, I am 30, live in the Midwest, am an engineer, and have neutral to warm undertones. My ring size is a 6 and I have long, slender fingers. I plan on going with yellow gold, with platinum prongs. I have a love of gems and have gone mining in North Carolina a few times with my dad.
What I am looking for in a diamond:
Cut is most important to me, as I want a diamond with a lot of sparkle. I also want a 'clear' looking diamond, it is okay if it is a J as they usually appear clear in color to me, but I do not want a cloudy, milky, or dim diamond (who does?). I have a few friends who have diamonds that look white or milky and I do not care for this look personally.
.80 or larger carat
5.95-6.00 or larger diameter if it is .80
Eye clean (VVS2 or higher but an eye clean that is lower is good too)
$2700 or less (I can go 3K or higher for the 'right' diamond as I have a very good salary, but prefer to stay lower and upgrade in the future or put the money toward an experience or other jewelry)
Ideal cut or better
Faint to no fluorescence
Medium or better girdle
No culet
Excellent polish and symmetry
J or better color
Here are some diamonds I am looking at on Blue Nile, I am open to other suggestions or retailers, but Blue also had settings I like so I figured I'd shop there:
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09288786
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09343784
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09538941
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09611903
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09611904
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09149148
The .80 carat here is what I mean by a 'clear' and sparkly diamond:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...d-presentation-solitaire-six-prong-item-41247
I am leaning heavily towards the first diamond in the list (LD09288786). The problem is these all seem so similar that I am not sure why there is price differences or what the quality difference is.
The setting:
My boyfriend really liked yellow gold when I tried it on in store and I did too, so I think I am going with yellow gold even though I like rose gold as well (any thoughts on yellow vs. rose?). Yellow gold also reminds me of my grandma and mother, as they both had/have yellow gold rings. I have two rose gold diamond bracelets right now that I wear daily but am not opposed to mixing metals. I really love a classic Tiffany setting. I am unsure if I should do four prongs, six prongs, and if I should do Cathedral? Should I get low dome comfort? Does the petite 1.5mm really matter over the regular 2mm band? Here are the three I like:
https://www.bluenile.com/build-your...4k-yellow-gold_60429?elem=title&track=product
https://www.bluenile.com/build-your...ow-gold_9?elem=img&track=product&vtype=sample
https://www.bluenile.com/build-your...8k-yellow-gold_44709?elem=title&track=product
If you stuck with me through this whole thing, thank you. I really appreciate any input