Help needed to find the perfect ring to propose with :)

[Happyguy]

Hey everyone, I've spent quite a lot of time reading on this forum and elsewhere on the internet the past couple months and also have gone into some stores to look around. I originally wanted to get my girlfriend a ring from Tiffany but found the prices out of my range for what it was. I'm getting excited about proposing a couple months from now and need to find the perfect ring soon!

I've narrowed down what I'm looking for in terms of budget & 4Cs but am not sure what things to look for when it comes to choosing from the 15-20 options that come up when you search within that range. I was hoping someone could help me figure out what might be some truly nice stones when seen in person and what extra things to look for to know whether one of these is going to be a good choice!

My budget for the ring is about 10-12k, and I'm looking for a round brilliant to be set in a Tiffany style setting (either Vatche U113 or the Superbcert one). I'm looking for a great ideal cut diamond, is it important to get an H&A diamond for the very best cut? Otherwise after looking at some diamonds in person in the store I decided I'm looking for a G color, VS2 or eye clean SI1, and slightly bigger than 1 carat (1.00-1.15 perhaps depending on the clarity).

I've been looking at the usual suspects, Whiteflash/Jamesallen/Blue Nile/Good old gold. These are a few different diamonds at different price points I've been looking at and was just wondering if any of them would be a good choice, or if there are some similar ones that anyone might recommend!!

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2715449.htm
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11005/
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.07-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-147123
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10796/

Thanks so much for your help!! Like everyone else I just want to find the best possible ring to put a big smile on her face so I really appreciate the advice.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You have chosen some nice stones! I will say that I did not like that center inclusion on the JA stone, so I eliminated that one.

Of the other three, I love both Good Old Gold and WhiteFlash for H&A stones, so I would be happy with either. But for me, I would choose them in this order:

1) http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11005/ (This one wins because it is the largest at 6.8mm. Inclusion on the side can be placed near or under a prong to be more invisible, but it probably isn't visible anyway.)

2) http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2715449.htm (Beautiful at 6.6mm)

3) http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10796/ (nice stone, appears to be eyeclean SI1, and 6.55mm)

Both WF and GOG carry Vatche, and I highly recommend the Vatche U113 as it is what I have! (And I think it is the best of it's kind!)

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I will add that if you want one of these, it might be a good idea to put it on hold as there are a lot of lurkers here!

 

[msop04]

OP, if you are willing to go down to an H (which will be very white), you may be able to maximize your budget. Just a thought... If so, I thought this stone was really appealing - - 1.35 ct, H/VS2, H&A, over 7 mm @ $10,570 !! This would leave you enough cash for the Vatche U-113!

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...arat-h-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-238551

diamondseeker, do you think this stone would be eye clean? There is a very small inclusion on the table, but it looks to be pretty clean...