Help with diamond choice on a budget

[wmbjr]

I am new to the online diamond buying and have been looking at jamesallen enchanteddiamond and other sites to see what they have. All are much better than what is available locally in terms of better quality for the buck. I am not in the best financial position so am on a budget that is pretty firm. I have 3500 for the diamond. I will probably do a basic solitaire to maximize the diamond I can buy. I think I should be able to be in the 3/4 carat range pretty easily with the amount. The setting will be white gold in case it effects just what color diamonds are recommended. Below is an example of one that I think looks pretty good overall, but am not sure. I am looking for recommendations. I am including a diamond outside my current budget to see why it is so much more than the first diamond in hopes of gaining a better understanding.

Here is the one I am looking at. They have indicated it appears eye clean and are verifying this info with the supplier.

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R83-H2LPZ7

Here is the one that is significantly more for roughly the same size and I am curious as to why it is $1000 more and whether it is worth that much more.

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R80-QXFFF2

Thanks in advance for any help, recommendations, and education!

William

 

[wmbjr]

This is another one that I am considering. It is with Ritani who has a setting I really like. Again, thoughts, recommendations, criticisms all appreciated.

https://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-0-74-Carat-I-color-GIA-certified/D-9RN6NQ

William

 

[RockyRacoon]

Here are two awesome options that are under budget and have a top-notch cut. Both are listed as 'eye clean.'

You can get a bit more size if you go to I-color, though I would probably opt for the H-colored stone here:

.81ct, I, SI1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-81ct-i-si1-premium-round-ideal-cut-diamond.html

.764ct, H, SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3337348.htm

 

[wmbjr]

RR,

Thanks for your suggestions. I do really like the one at Whiteflash. I am having a hard time with color over the internet. When I see them in a store, there is such a range that qualifies as i or h that it is kinda concerning. So I definitely understand the recommendation/suggestion to stick with the h.

My next question is whether there will be a significant difference between sizes once set in a ring. For example a solitaire with a .65 vs .75 vs .85 stone. I am sure the differences will be noticeable between the .65 and .85, but what about between each step? I would also assume the difference is much less noticeable in other settings, especially a halo setting. Thoughts?

Thanks again for the suggestions!

 

[RockyRacoon]

RR,

Thanks for your suggestions. I do really like the one at Whiteflash. I am having a hard time with color over the internet. When I see them in a store, there is such a range that qualifies as i or h that it is kinda concerning. So I definitely understand the recommendation/suggestion to stick with the h.

My next question is whether there will be a significant difference between sizes once set in a ring. For example a solitaire with a .65 vs .75 vs .85 stone. I am sure the differences will be noticeable between the .65 and .85, but what about between each step? I would also assume the difference is much less noticeable in other settings, especially a halo setting. Thoughts?

Thanks again for the suggestions!

What you'll need to look at is diameter. Carat is a measure of weight, but what you really care about is face-up surface area.

The .81ct from GOG is 5.98mmx6.01mm

The .764ct from Whiteflash is 5.96mmx5.89mm

.1mm is about the thickness of a piece of copy paper. You can see that the difference between these two stones is about .1mm, so one sheet of paper is the diameter difference.

Since the size difference is negligible, the H-colored stone would still be my choice.