Help needed for engagement ring diamond

[bobobear]

Over the past few weeks, I''ve been doing a lot of research on the various aspects of diamonds and purchasing them. Boy, is there a lot of information to sift through and digest!

I think I''ve narrowed down my choices to the following, based on my budget of around $4000 or less.

1. 0.772 ct, G color, VS1 from Whiteflash

2. 0.78 ct, G color, VS2 from GOG

3. 0.76 ct, G color, VVS2 from GOG

Right now, I''m just totally confused

about which is possibly the "best" one? Would the VVS2 clarity be worth paying additional $$ for? What about the Gemex reports? Are the diamonds from GOG comparable in that sense? I''m also not sure how to compare them against the Whiteflash diamond.... Do I need to worry about any of those inclusions (either of structural or visual concern)?

I would appreciate any advise you guys can offer.

 

[chrono]

VS1 and VS2 stones from WF and GOG are very eye clean. Most of these are even loupe clean (except for those with eagle eyes). I would pass on the VVS - why pay more $ for what you can't see. I'm already having a hard time finding the inclusions on both the VS1 and VS2 stones you posted.

 

[horatio]

What I find helpful is to actually call, and speak to a live person. This can help you decide.

If you don''t speak to a person, and just base it on their website, GOG has all the information you need to decide, and go with them. WF does not have as much toys, but you can always buy their ACA.

IMHO.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

All three stones are excellent, so it''s really just a matter of you choosing one. They won''t be able to do anything other than tell you that the stones are beautiful! VVS is not necessary at all. It''s just a preference some people have. I''d probably choose between the other two...eeny, meeny, miney, moe. Can''t lose with any of the three.

Oh wait, what setting do you want? That''s probably what would make the decision for me if one of the vendors had a setting I liked.

 

[bobobear]

Ah yes, the setting!

I have decided on the Mark Morrell Petite Sunburst. My girlfriend has a size 4 finger, so I thought that and the sub-carat stone size would make the petite version more suitable. The only downside to this would probably be the additional time required. I would have liked to propose during our vacation to see the New England foliage in mid October, but I don''t see that happening given MWM''s busy schedule. I need to figure out a plan B.

Thank you for your wonderful suggestions so far. I''ve narrowed my choices down to just the first 2. I posted originally because I wanted some independent opinions on these diamonds. I know I could always talk to the vendors some more.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Keep in mind that Mark Morrell requires the vendor to send him the diamond. That setting will be very pretty! I hate it that it can''t be ready before your trip, though.

 

[Ellen]

I didn''t look at the third, but I see you''ve ruled it out, good decision.

Between the other two, it''s a tie. Both are gorgeous. The only real difference is that the GOG stone is a hair (and I do mean hair) bigger, and just over 100 bucks less.

Either way, you can''t go wrong.

 

[FireGoddess]

I''d rule out 3 because the clarity is overkill, and I see you have done so.

Both of the first 2 are gorgeous...you can''t pick a loser here.