Help needed... i''m in charge!

[PuurfectStone]

hello... i''m a long time lurker but first time poster.

anyways, fiance wants to upgrade my ring (the ring i haave now is just a promise ring), but he''s setting me in charge of the center stone. We''re looking for a 1.5 RB and our budget is 10-12k... we''re aiming hopefully to meet in the middle at 11k. My priorities with the diamond is the sparkle, fire, and shine of it... i''m willing to go lower on size but i don''t want to compromise on the overall look of the stone. so i know i want the best cut... so my questions are, what should i be looking our for? I was looking for a RB, G color, VS2 clarity. Do those make much of a difference in the sparkle? can or should i go lower on color or clarity? i''ve seen a lot of SI1s on here that look so beautiful... but we''re also considering buying from an online store and it makes me nervous buying an SI1 stone i''ve never seen. Where would all of you start your search?

Thanks so much for any help!

 

[Regular Guy]

Hi, Puurfect,

Unfortunately...there''s an abyss between $10 - $12K on the search by cut db, above under prices. This one''s at $12,680 wire priced, and does what you''re asking. Close enough?

 

[jayreneepea]

You might need to contact some vendors directly to tell them what you''re looking for. The sparkle isn''t going to be affected by the cololr and clarity of a well cut stone. You could easily drop to an H color and find an eye clean SI1. You will have to put some trust in your vendor as they will be your eyes as to what is eye clean and as long as you''re both on the same page as to what eye clean means, you''ll be in business. Many hear have I''s and J''s and SI2''s (me included) with so much sparkle and fire that it helps mask any inclusions and a well cut stone will always face up whiter.

 

[phoenixgirl]

1.57 G SI1 superbcert just over budget

1.32 G VS2 BlueNile signature ideal

1.52 G VS2 scores 1.3 on the HCA . . . do you mind strong blue flourescence?

 

[PuurfectStone]

Thanks everyone for their help!!! I''m def. going to check out some B&M shops this week and also call some online ones. The diamonds that were posted are gorgeous and i''m def. checking them out. I actually don''t no a lot about flor. what is it exactly? and what does it do to the diamond? Thanks again everyone!