Help with diamond in halo setting under $5k

[MarilynMonbro]

Hey y'all! Hoping to get some help in choosing a center stone for an engagement ring.

The setting will be a halo with average color F-G. My budget for the ring is $5k (center stone budget around $3,300). I had almost got a 0.8 G-SI1 Excellent cut from James Allen, but it was out of stock before I could purchase it (link below). I went by a local shop and they put a G/H color and an I color in a halo setting and I couldn't really notice a difference once the diamond was set. Outside I could tell even less. So, now I'm thinking about choosing a center stone a little bigger but lower color. I picked a 0.9 I-SI1 Excellent. Thoughts on this diamond? Do you think with the setting below I'd be better off going with G or H color? I'm also pretty clueless on other parts of the diamond such as fluorescence, depth, table, etc...

Thanks in advance!

Here is the setting https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/e...liant-diamond-halo-engagement-ring-item-53062

Here was the .8 stone https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3449827

and here is the .9 stone I currently have picked out https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3369209

 

[MarilynMonbro]

I think I figured out the depth and table thing I was confused about. Looks like it's a tool to reject stones greater than a 2.0? The .9ct with strong blue fluro above is a 2.0

I found a couple more with less fluro that are 0.8ct I VS2. One is at 1.4 HCA no fluro and another is 0.8 HCA no fluro

 

[farrahlyn]

I think for a halo, an I is a really good choice. the halo hides the sides of the stone some so you are less likely to see tint from the side. a nicely cut stone should be very white face up.

So. GIA XXX doesn't necessarily guarantee a nice stone. Like you've found with the HCA tool, angles make a difference. Anything under 2 with the HCA is worth further scrutiny. It is simply a tool to reject stones, not to choose stones.

I really like this one, D color and likely discounted due to the fluoro
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...d-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3225416

This one too is probably discounted due to strong fluoro so definitely have it confirmed that it's not causing any milkiness in the stone.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3455940

Med fluoro on this one too but really great color and a great price.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...f-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3436023

 

[MarilynMonbro]

I like all 3 of your picks better than mine! I will call and ask about milkiness

Thank you!