Help with engagement ring search!

[VBE]

Looking to purchase a single stone and pop it into a simple solitaire setting. My budget is in the 4-6k range including the setting. Help me find something amazing!

Carats - Bigger is better
Cut - Excellent+
Clarity - Eye Clean
Color - Little to no yellow

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I probably wouldn't go lower than I color, but I really prefer H over I. VS2-SI1 would be the clarity range. I don't have much time now, but I can come back later today and see if anyone else gives you suggestions. But here are a couple of nice ones to start.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3461749.htm?source=pricescope

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3518163.htm?source=pricescope

 

[tyty333]

I'll set aside $1k for the setting. Here are some JA options...

AGS000
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-621385

GIA stones
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.95-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-686637
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.92-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-686393
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.93-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-580333
There are actually quite a few in the low .9 range if you dont like any of the above.

Here is a nice 1 carat E/SI2 in your budget. It has twining wisp which are one of the "better" inclusions. You would need to ask
the gemologist if the inclusions have any affect on the transparency of the stone.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-e-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-696185


Edit ...that .9 WF Expert Selection that DS pointed out is really nice.
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3518163.htm?source=pricescope

 

[solgen]

Do you have a specific shape in mind? You say bigger is better in regards to carats. Does that mean you want the largest face up size? Or would you rather have a cut that is a little deep but its 1.3 cts? I've seen some pears that give a good amount of finger coverage thus creating the illusion that they are much bigger.

 

[Niel]

Do you think she'd like this setting? It's on sale and leaves you a lot for the diamond, and its much nicer than some other "simple solitaires"

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/semi-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-18k-white-gold_33371?elem=img&track=product

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD05702973

 

[VBE]

So I'm stuck under 1 carat? Can I not get up to to 1.25+ with my price range?

 

[VBE]

I prefer the Tiffany setting over this.

 

[VBE]

Round.

 

[Niel]

So I'm stuck under 1 carat? Can I not get up to to 1.25+ with my price range?

You can if you're not looking for a branded cut and willing to go to a J

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD06261322

Lots of settings to choose from around 400

 

[alamana]

So I'm stuck under 1 carat? Can I not get up to to 1.25+ with my price range?

Here is a 1.21 VS1 J with strong blue fluorescence:

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/R121-HFW9HE

 

[tyty333]

Best I can find at JA that still leave room for setting.

AGS000 ask if eye-clean
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-385313

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-462872 ask if eye-clean

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.27-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-702945 ask if transparency issue
(just hits the 7mm mark)

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.34-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-481896 hits the 7mm mark
ask if eye-clean, would have to pick out less expensive setting.

 

[VBE]

so going larger I sacrifice cut, color and clarity but how much?

 

[Niel]

so going larger I sacrifice cut, color and clarity but how much?

A well cut round compared to an ideal cut round is negligible to some viewers. Considering the, in some cases, .40 ctw you'd be getting in the sacrifice, worth it to many woman.

The one I shared is a vs2 clarity. Perfectly fine

Lots of people have j color diamonds. Either by choice or because they buy it from a mall store that comes with a lax cert that tells them its actually aN H


We can't tell you if she's would be ok with a J or not. Or even if you would be or or not.

You could always go to a store and see one in person

 

[tyty333]

You are not sacrificing cut, you are sacrificing color and clarity (down to J color with SI2 clarity).

I would sacrifice size and go normal range color/clarity in the .9 range. Like .9ish H/I/SI1.

Have you thought about a halo setting to give the stone a little oomph?

 

[VBE]

You are not sacrificing cut, you are sacrificing color and clarity (down to J color with SI2 clarity).

I would sacrifice size and go normal range color/clarity in the .9 range. Like .9ish H/I/SI1.

Have you thought about a halo setting to give the stone a little oomph?

I would like to avoid the halo setting, but need input on how the 1 carat would differ from the 1.25+ carat on a finger.

 

[Niel]

6.5 mm vs 7mm (1 to about 1.3ct)

On a size 7 finger

 

[marymm]

I did a quick search on Blue Nile and found 4 possibilities in the I-color range between 1.23ct and 1.30ct - I haven't run the HCA tool (https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca) on them - and you'd have to check with Blue Nile as to whether they are eye-clean or not... they all face up apx 6.9mm:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD06151678 - $5831 - 1.30ct I-VS2 w/ MBF (twinning wisps are 1st inclusion listed)
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD05869331 - $5761 - 1.25ct I-VS2 w/ SBF (but several crystals so maybe not eyeclean)
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD06387928 - $5800 - 1.23ct I-VS2 w/ SBF
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD06385574 - $5956 - 1.28ct I-SI1

 

[solgen]

You are not sacrificing cut, you are sacrificing color and clarity (down to J color with SI2 clarity).

I would sacrifice size and go normal range color/clarity in the .9 range. Like .9ish H/I/SI1.

Have you thought about a halo setting to give the stone a little oomph?

I would like to avoid the halo setting, but need input on how the 1 carat would differ from the 1.25+ carat on a finger.

It depends on how they are cut. Assuming both are well cut then the difference is noticeable to me. But the difference from a 1.25 to a 1.5 was much less noticeable and really only in a side by side comparison.

 

[VBE]

Maybe I need to go into a store so I can compare. Kind of stuck on how much to spend honestly - just know I don't want halo and def want bigger coverage.