Help with engagement ring

[garrettc134]

Buying a first engagement ring and was hoping for some opinions on the potentials:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4263548-1.26-carat-Round-diamond-K-color-VVS2-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4143884-1.32-carat-Round-diamond-K-color-SI1-clarity.aspx
https://shopping.usaa.com/product/dmd/single/H6690/19411/diamond.jsp

and from what I've read, I hate to say it:

http://www.zales.com/product/index.jsp?productId=16941436

To be honest, the only thing that turns me on about the zales one is I've seen it in the store and kind of like it. I'm not really sure who certifies their diamonds though. I am a little afraid to buy online but I've been reassured from what I've read here. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank You!

 

[krisjon]

Give us your total budget for stone and setting + setting style preferences and PSers can help you make the most of it.
Let's start there.

 

[garrettc134]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm looking at:
Budget: 5k
Stone: Round
Setting: Tiffany

My girlfriend is not to picky so I was kinda thinking I could sacrifice a little on clarity and a little more on color to get her a bigger rock. You know, something that sparkles when it moves around and has no huge obvious defects. Thanks again.

 

[RockyRacoon]

I'd couple this stone with a $1,000 - $1,200 setting, and you'd still be out-the-door under $5k:

.75ct, F, SI1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.751-f-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104066186028


If the recipient really isn't color sensitive, you could couple this one with a simple setting and be close to $5k:

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

 

[heididdl]

Buying a first engagement ring and was hoping for some opinions on the potentials:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4263548-1.26-carat-Round-diamond-K-color-VVS2-clarity.aspx
http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4143884-1.32-carat-Round-diamond-K-color-SI1-clarity.aspx
https://shopping.usaa.com/product/dmd/single/H6690/19411/diamond.jsp

and from what I've read, I hate to say it:

http://www.zales.com/product/index.jsp?productId=16941436

To be honest, the only thing that turns me on about the zales one is I've seen it in the store and kind of like it. I'm not really sure who certifies their diamonds though. I am a little afraid to buy online but I've been reassured from what I've read here. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank You!

May I ask why you are going so hi on clairty ( one ring is VVS2) and so low on color K, L , M

I would focus an the best cut diamond with equal compromise on color and clarity.

Setting simple http://m.briangavindiamonds.com/Engagement-Rings/Solitaire/Ashleigh-14K-White-Gold-5853W14

stone http://m.briangavindiamonds.com/Diamonds/diamond-details/0.714-F-VS1-round-Diamond-AGS-104054189059

Out the door with PS discount $5,000

 

[Niel]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm looking at:
Budget: 5k
Stone: Round
Setting: Tiffany

My girlfriend is not to picky so I was kinda thinking I could sacrifice a little on clarity and a little more on color to get her a bigger rock. You know, something that sparkles when it moves around and has no huge obvious defects. Thanks again.

What color is the setting going to be? White gold i assume?
JA has a beautiful and very affordable tiffany repro
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-six-prong-knife-edged-solitaire-engagement-ring-handmade-item-22590

Id look at this one.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-283345

Id go lower but how much lower i think depends on the metal color

 

[krisjon]

stone http://m.briangavindiamonds.com/Diamonds/diamond-details/0.714-F-VS1-round-Diamond-AGS-104054189059

That's a winner and really top notch. Especially if you could pair it with a setting plus PS discount for $5k.

Rocky's choice was a great value, too. I'd just double check the very strong blue flourescence on a F, though. BG blues can be amazing for the $.

 

[Niel]

I just do see a reason to go F VS1 if the guy wants a the largest stone he can get for 5k.

 

[Niel]

if she would be open to rose gold, these would work. I emphasis rose gold because they have a brown undertone. A normal stone usually has a yellow undertone. So its not necessarily that these would show MORE tint, the tint would just be a different color. Id still have the prongs in white metal, help the stone stay white. Then the shank in rose gold helps the stone look white as well with the contrast.

http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-1-19-Carat-K-color-GIA-certified/D-TH67WS

http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-1-16-Carat-K-color-GIA-certified/D-MF2MQS

not exactly 6 prong tiffany, but its knife edge and solitaire, and a nice price. Not listen on the page but they will do rose gold
http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/solitaire-diamond-knife-edge-tulip-engagement-ring-in-14kt-white-gold/5345

 

[krisjon]

I just do see a reason to go F VS1 if the guy wants a the largest stone he can get for 5k.

Quality over quantity, but I totally hear you.
I'll look for some nice 1+ J options when I get a minute.

 

[Niel]

I just do see a reason to go F VS1 if the guy wants a the largest stone he can get for 5k.

Quality over quantity, but I totally hear you.
I'll look for some nice 1+ J options when I get a minute.

Color is a matter of preference. So i dont consider a .75 F of higher quality than a 1.15 ct K, necessarily (all other specs equal). Its whatever someone values more.

 

[tyty333]

I just do see a reason to go F VS1 if the guy wants a the largest stone he can get for 5k.

Quality over quantity, but I totally hear you.
I'll look for some nice 1+ J options when I get a minute.

Color is a matter of preference. So i dont consider a .75 F of higher quality than a 1.15 ct K, necessarily (all other specs equal). Its whatever someone values more.

+1 Niel!

 

[krisjon]

I just do see a reason to go F VS1 if the guy wants a the largest stone he can get for 5k.

Quality over quantity, but I totally hear you.
I'll look for some nice 1+ J options when I get a minute.

Color is a matter of preference. So i dont consider a .75 F of higher quality than a 1.15 ct K, necessarily (all other specs equal). Its whatever someone values more.

Of course. Poor choice of words on my part.
Let's just help find some nice options across the board.

 

[Niel]

youre right. Options never hurt anybody

 

[garrettc134]

if she would be open to rose gold, Then the shank in rose gold helps the stone look white as well with the contrast.

Could you please elaborate on what the "shank in rose gold" means? Also would the stones I originally linked have the same "rose" tint as the GIA report also lists it as having a "faint brown" color. Thanks

As for everyone else, guess the big decision I have to make is if she rather have a bigger stone that's slightly colored or a smaller one that isn't? Any advice on this? Might be more the kinda question I ask her sister
Thanks for the help

 

[Niel]

if she would be open to rose gold, Then the shank in rose gold helps the stone look white as well with the contrast.

Could you please elaborate on what the "shank in rose gold" means? Also would the stones I originally linked have the same "rose" tint as the GIA report also lists it as having a "faint brown" color. Thanks

As for everyone else, guess the big decision I have to make is if she rather have a bigger stone that's slightly colored or a smaller one that isn't? Any advice on this? Might be more the kinda question I ask her sister
Thanks for the help

So in the solitaire there 2 parts. The head, the area that holds the stone, and the band that he's around the finger, or the shank.

The head, or basket, you would want white metal so that the metal reflecting into the stone is white, helping the stone look larger. The shank being around the stone but not directly against it being it's from being a colored gold because you're eye then isn't comparing a slightly tinted stone to white metal, instead it's contrasting against warmer metal.

You're stones will have probably a yellow tone, where the ones I found are brown. Brown tones lend themselves to rose gold where yellow lends itself to yellow.

Does it have to be round? A frown of mine just found a lovely emerald cut at 1.25 within your budget. Other shapes are sometimes cheaper. Just a thought.

 

[VRBeauty]

Just a word of caution - rose gold is not for everybody. I don't wear it because it seems to disappear into my skin - something about it is too close to my skin tone - so my personal preference is for either a white metal (WG or platinum) or yellow gold. I know many people prefer rose gold with older, lower-colored diamonds, or because it has an "antique" feel to it. If you're planning to go the surprise engagement ring route, however, you might want to get some intel on what metal color she'd prefer.

 

[Niel]

Just a word of caution - rose gold is not for everybody. I don't wear it because it seems to disappear into my skin - something about it is too close to my skin tone - so my personal preference is for either a white metal (WG or platinum) or yellow gold. I know many people prefer rose gold with older, lower-colored diamonds, or because it has an "antique" feel to it. If you're planning to go the surprise engagement ring route, however, you might want to get some intel on what metal color she'd prefer.

Very true. Input from the recipient is always the most helpful. If you can't get that, look at her Pinterest or the other jewelry she owns. Any watches or necklaces? Bracelets?

As for the question about size. That's hard to say about people because everyone is different. But there's a few things to consider; how big are the diamonds of her friends, sisters, or other people her age? When she talks about it, does she express that size is important? What's "average" in your area for your age?