Help to find a round diamond and setting for up to 1 carat

[brentwoodkris]

Hi there experienced PS gurus.

I've been stalking the site for a few weeks now and have finally worked up the courage to make my first post. I'm looking for a round diamond in what will probably be an ideal cut with at least good clarity and color is negotiable (I think I understand that you can skimp on color a bit with great cuts?). Price range for the stone and setting (both together) will be $5k-ish (maybe up to $5,500 for the right stuff). I'm kind of stumped on where to start looking for a platinum band, but I know that I should buy the band AFTER the stone (but I'll accept suggestions).

Apparently diamond prices are on the rise and I realize I might not be able to get up to a 1ct stone in this price range. I should think that I should be able to at least get a .85ct in there though.

Any suggestions or links to specific stones/rings would be great. Other things to note are that my gf's hand is REALLY tiny, so we went and tried on rings and a 1ct looks nice and big (she's pleased ). I think we've decided on a simple platinum band with the single round stone for the engagement ring.

Any help is much appreciated in advance!

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: Help to find a round diamond and setting for up to 1 car

If you couple either of these stones:

1.16ct, L, VS2
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.160-l-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104068959053

.792ct, D, SI1 (verified eye-clean)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.792-d-si1-round-diamond-ags-104059143094


with this platinum setting:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/six-prong-solitaire-platinum-5351p


After Pricescope discount, you're very close to your price point, with an AWESOME ring.

 

[JulieN]

Re: Help to find a round diamond and setting for up to 1 car

To get the full carat, you're looking at J, SI2, or strong fluoro.

 

[RockyRacoon]

Re: Help to find a round diamond and setting for up to 1 car

Here are a few top-notch stones from another well-respected vendor, to give you some more options in regards to color (the options I listed above are sort of the 'extreme' options for colorless and near-colorless stones):

.8ct, F, VS1
www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-default&id=17

.94ct, H, SI2 (verified eye-clean)
http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-default&id=20

1.07ct, K, SI1
http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-default&id=28

HPD give a 15% discount on mountings, when purchased with the stone, so you'd probably be able to work with them to find the best setting to suit your budget.


Regardless of the option you choose, all of the stones I've suggested will be of the highest-quality, and you'll end up with an awesome ring.

 

[krisjon]

Re: Help to find a round diamond and setting for up to 1 car

Here's a nice option to pair with the BG setting that Rocky recommended. With PS discount, you should be at or under $5500.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.810-G-VS2-Round-Diamond-AGS-104068964002

 

[heididdl]

Re: Help to find a round diamond and setting for up to 1 car

Here's a nice option to pair with the BG setting that Rocky recommended. With PS discount, you should be at or under $5500.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.810-G-VS2-Round-Diamond-AGS-104068964002

Hey this is the one I was going to sugggest with Rocky's setting.

 

[krisjon]

Re: Help to find a round diamond and setting for up to 1 car

Here's a nice option to pair with the BG setting that Rocky recommended. With PS discount, you should be at or under $5500.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.810-G-VS2-Round-Diamond-AGS-104068964002

Hey this is the one I was going to sugggest with Rocky's setting.

It's a nice choice with a slightly bigger table than you'd expect for the size. Should face up nicely, has great color, and of course, a great cut. Hits all the marks for me if I were buying. Only thing I'd check on is the crystal under the table to see how eye clean it is. Given that it's a BG Signature, I can't see it being an issue. Otherwise, that's an exceptionally clean VS2.

I'd reserve that sucker ASAP and get more info.