Help with the upgrade anniversary ring

[GreenEyedLady]

hi. I've read and lurked here for forever, trying to educate myself for the day when I would get the upgraded, anniversary ring. 16 years is upon us come December, and my dh said this is the year.

I'm in love with a double shank setting I saw at a b&m store. I'm torn between a cushion cut or a round stone for the center stone. This will be the ring I have forever, and I want it to be fabulous!

So for a round center stone, what're your thoughts on these specs?

Weight: 2.0
Color: F
Clarity: SI2
Measurements: 8.06-8.10x4.78
Depth: 59.2%
table: 52%
fluorescence: faint
Symmetry: excellent
Cut grade: excellent
Culet: array
Girdle:medium
Cert: EGL Belgium
Price: $16,728

TIA for your help. Everyone here is always so knowledgeable and helpful!

 

[GreenEyedLady]

I'll add the information for the cushion cut I'm considering as well:

Weight: 2.02
Color: E
Clarity: SI2
Measurements: 7.80x6.66x4.66
Depth: 70%
table: 69%
symmetry: very good
Fluorescence: none
Cut grade: good
Culet: array
Girdle: array
Cert: EGL Israel
Price: $16,597

The thing I'm most interested in is sparkle and whiteness. And being fabulous!

Thanks again!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

EGL reports are notoriously inaccurate in most cases, so I would not even consider the stones unless you have easy access to an independent appraiser and a rock solid return policy. The round does not sound promising. What are the crown and pavilion angles? Have you seen it in person to determine if the inclusions are visible to the eye?

Cushions have to be evaluated with pictures. You can't tell about those with just numbers. So please post pictures of both stones if you can get them.

 

[farmer gal]

If you post your budget and what you are looking for I am sure we can find you some better options

 

[GreenEyedLady]

THank you so much for your responses. This is all the information I currently have, but it's from the store's website. They have a lot more stones available at their store, including hearts and arrows rounds. I need to get on a different computer for pictures because I don't know how to do that yet on my iPad.

I'm wanting to spend between $15,000 and $18,000 for the center stone. I found the same setting I'm in love with online.

I've purchased through an online vendor before and was extremely pleased with my ring. The reason why I'm looking at a b&m store this time is because they offer 24 month financing, interest free. And they will let you trade in your current ring. I'm still torn between a round center stone and a cushion cut. The cushions that I like are more square than rectangular and no crushed ice.

 

[GreenEyedLady]

Farmer Gal, I would add that I want a 2 carat stone that is super sparkly and white.

 

[slg47]

I do not think you will be able to find a well cut round 2 ct stone in your budget. JA will review 3 stones for you so ask if you are interested?

rounds

1.80 H SI1
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1393098.asp

cushions
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1383499.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1345229.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1360150.asp

 

[tuffyluvr]

When my guy started looking at stones, he found a few that he liked at two different stores and put them on hold. He brought me to look at them, and despite the EGL stone being several grades better in color and clarity and a larger stone, the GIA stone looked soooo much better. If I were you, I would go look at both EGL and GIA stones in person. You may find that a GIA H or I color looks as white as an EGL E or F.

And I think you will be able to get a bit more for your money if you get a cushion. Getting a 2ct round in that budget will be tough

 

[Gypsy]

When my guy started looking at stones, he found a few that he liked at two different stores and put them on hold. He brought me to look at them, and despite the EGL stone being several grades better in color and clarity and a larger stone, the GIA stone looked soooo much better. If I were you, I would go look at both EGL and GIA stones in person. You may find that a GIA H or I color looks as white as an EGL E or F.

And I think you will be able to get a bit more for your money if you get a cushion. Getting a 2ct round in that budget will be tough

Yes but a round will look larger than a cushion of the same weight. So it's better to compare spread (mm size) rather than carat weight when you are comparing the relative size of different shapes.