Help me find a Princess

[hngu7721]

I''m finally doing it and planning on proposing to my girlfriend of over 6 years! I''ve attempted to gather as much info as possible, but it is truly mindboggliing. Forums like this are priceless, and I feel the knowledge on here are above and beyond what most people can get at a retail outlet. I appreciate any info and suggestions you may have to offer.

We''ve talked about designs and she has her heart set on a Princess cut diamond with halo and pave band (similar to the Ritani Endless Love)

My budget is about ~$3,600 for the stone and ~$1,000 for a similar setting.

PLEASE HELP!!!

 

[Regular Guy]

hnqu,

Here's two to consider.

The first might be a preference...because it's bigger...but since it's not priced more...find out if there's anything else about it bringing the price down that gives you caution. Ask. Confirm it's zero for light performance.

Read here about AGS and their work on princesses. I constrained for them on the search by cut.

Oops (edited to add...)...though skipped on the previous db (not sure why), this one pushing it a bit for your price point is one you might consider too (found on the big search, again, constraining for AGS).

Welcome!

 

[jstarfireb]

I'd go with nothing less than an ideal cut princess. Good Old Gold has 2 nice looking ones in the 0.8ct range that fit the bill:
0.824 G VS2 - this would probably be my top choice for you
0.828 I VS1 - another option; note that you may see some color in an I princess, but mine is an I and looks great

If you'd like to break the "magic" 1ct mark, you'll have to drop the color and/or clarity a bit. Here's a nice looking J princess that's a little above 3600, but you may be able to squeeze it in:
1.041 J VS2

The Whiteflash A Cut Above line is gorgeous (that's what mine is)! There are some nice ones around 0.7-0.75ct within your price range, actually a little under so you have some more room for the setting. Here are some nice ones:
0.744 G VS1
0.78 H VS2 - this is an Expert Selection rather than ACA, but looks very nice and is a bit less expensive
And this one breaks the 1ct mark, but it also breaks your budget just a tad:
1.024 I SI1

Also consider the Whiteflash X-factor cut (or Good Old Gold cut-corner square brilliant, although they don't have any in your price range right now), which is a princess with the corners cut off. It will be less prone to chipping and face up slightly larger than a traditional princess.
0.743 H VS1
0.715 H VS2

This setting is probably most similar to the Ritani among the settings Whiteflash has. A few PSers have this setting and love it! It's pretty affordable too.
The Legato with Micro-pave - $995 in white gold

 

[phoenixgirl]

I believe he''s looking for a halo setting.

I checked the prominent vendors here and didn''t find anything in your price range. You might try google to see what else you can come up with. Or maybe you can have something custom made.

 

[FacetFire]

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/diamond/23177.html (.95 I VS1)

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2845/ (1.04 J VS2)

 

[jstarfireb]

Date: 7/8/2007 4:28:22 PM
Author: phoenixgirl
I believe he''s looking for a halo setting.

See, that''s what I get for reading too fast.

How about one of these then?
Knox Princess Crown
Knox Regal Princess
Knox Sparkle Princess
Knox Bezel Elegante - closest to the Ritani, but you''ll have to ask if it can be made for a larger stone

 

[hngu7721]

Wow! This forum is the greatest!

The 1ct sure does look tempting, but I''m not sure if there will be a visible difference between say a G and an I color grade.

Anything to make it easier for me to decide?

Thanks in advance

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 7/8/2007 8:46:01 PM
Author: hngu7721

Anything to make it easier for me to decide?

$400?


The wire/Pricescope price for my 1 carat H is $4066.

 

[jstarfireb]

Date: 7/8/2007 8:46:01 PM
Author: hngu7721
The 1ct sure does look tempting, but I''m not sure if there will be a visible difference between say a G and an I color grade.

Honestly, I''d rather have a 1ct I princess than a 0.8 G. Princesses face up pretty small compared to rounds, so you''ll want to maximize size. I really don''t think I could tell the difference between G and I stones...just make sure the pave diamonds in your setting aren''t too high color, since it may make a contrast. Also, most of the color in an I-J stone is visible from the sides of the stone, and if you''re haloing it, you won''t see much side action anyway.

 

[hngu7721]

Well, I did it! Thank you everyone for their recommendations and suggestions for the stone/setting.

I ended up purchasing the .824 G VS2 from Good Old Gold mounted on a Ritani Endless Love setting. The price was a little bit more than what I had budgeted, but still in my "comfort" zone.

Now, how to surprise her......

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 7/10/2007 4:21:56 PM
Author: hngu7721
Well, I did it! Thank you everyone for their recommendations and suggestions for the stone/setting.

I ended up purchasing the .824 G VS2 from Good Old Gold mounted on a Ritani Endless Love setting. The price was a little bit more than what I had budgeted, but still in my ''comfort'' zone.

Now, how to surprise her......

Congratulations!

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 7/10/2007 4:35:46 PM
Author: Regular Guy

Date: 7/10/2007 4:21:56 PM
Author: hngu7721
Well, I did it! Thank you everyone for their recommendations and suggestions for the stone/setting.

I ended up purchasing the .824 G VS2 from Good Old Gold mounted on a Ritani Endless Love setting. The price was a little bit more than what I had budgeted, but still in my ''comfort'' zone.

Now, how to surprise her......

Congratulations!

She is going to love it!!! What a beautiful stone and ritani mountings are so pretty and delicate! The mounting is going to highlight the stone really well. Please post pics when you get the ring, we''d all love to see it!!!

 

[hngu7721]

Pics as promised. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. This forum has been a TREMENDOUS help.

 

[hngu7721]

more;

 

[hngu7721]

and more..