Help picking out diamond from BN for halo setting

[ucfmike]

Evening,

New to this game, planning to propose to my girlfriend soon and looking for some others help who are more knowledgeable than myself. I read through a lot of threads the last few days and really like the openness and honesty everyone provides here, makes a large decision process such as an engagement ring feel much easier. I've done a lot of browsing on different diamond sites, some from this page and others i just found on my own and i think BN is the best choice. Plus I will get 5% cash back on the purchase from my CC.

My girlfriend has very thin fingers, going to be a size 4 ring, not sure how much that matters but we did go to a Tiffany's and she tried on the embrace style and was sold on the halo look on her. I checked the HCA #'s for the ones below, found that to be very helpful, but not sure of overall importance...guidance there is appreciated.

Here's where I'm at:
- budget - up to 6-7k for the diamond, already set on the setting http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-halo-engagement-ring-platinum_38563
- here's the diamonds i'm considering and their HCA #.
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaRD#diamonds_pid=LD03448282 HCA 1.3
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaRD#diamonds_pid=LD03613334 HCA 2.6
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaRD#diamonds_pid=LD03470908 HCA 2.0

If you think there are others that fit better I'm more than open to others. Thanks in advance for everyone's help!

Mike

 

[jennykuang]

I pick the first one.
second one: 36 degree is too wide.
third one: too deep. makes the diamond smaller than other .9 carat

 

[WillyDiamond]

Hi Mike
Nice choice of setting. We also looked at Tiff Embrace and it was quite beautiful, but pricey of course.
Ok, so you are working within a budget. You might want to call or email Chris at ERD (Engagement Rings Direct). They can source the stone and do a beautiful pave halo setting within your budget. You can check out my post and Momhappys post, both used ERD. Best of luck.

 

[msop04]

Hi Mike
Nice choice of setting. We also looked at Tiff Embrace and it was quite beautiful, but pricey of course.
Ok, so you are working within a budget. You might want to call or email Chris at ERD (Engagement Rings Direct). They can source the stone and do a beautiful pave halo setting within your budget. You can check out my post and Momhappys post, both used ERD. Best of luck.

I agree with WillyDiamond... ERD will probably be able to replicate the Embrace more closely, and their quality is better than BN. Just a thought...

 

[WillyDiamond]

Mike
I looked at this thread again and did a closeup of the prongs on the BN halo vs. the prongs on mine or others from VC, etc. The prongs on the BN are kind of blunt, can't think of a good word, sorry, the prongs on mine and others are a "claw" like shape. See if this detail is important to you and let us know how you are making out.

 

[ucfmike]

Ahhh,

I see what you're talking about after going through the thread of your wife's upgraded ring, very impressive. I never thought about the prongs, wouldn't have even known to look. The prongs on yours does appear to make it "sharper".

Are the prongs preferred for security purposes, or just for the look? Will the diamond be more at risk to falling out of the bluenile style halo? I see that your diamond is significantly larger than what I planed to get, is that going to be a big negative effect in using a halo setting?

Mike