I am confused with diamond shopping

[nywebchic]

we have a 5000 budget for an engagement ring..
and I amd confused what to get
...the setting would be about $300...so
the stone budget would be about 4700.
I know she wants 1 carat..
so i think we could get
H/SI1 stone but i like
the D-F color range
and wouldn't mind to drop
the clarity to SI2. She thinks
that SI2 are inferior.
Is a H/SI1 stone good for an engagement ring ? Is that lame ?
What should be a good compromise ?
What is a good balance for size/quality/color and
cost ? I;ve seen so many stones I am confused.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

H SI1 is a great biggest / best compromise

Be careful with SI2 because you may be able to spot the inclusion and that can be very annoying for some people - less than perfect, which is what diamonds are all about

 

[bingbongbug]

I know for most people that potentially seeing a flaw in an SI is a problem. However, for me, since it doesn't affect the brilliance of the stone, I like the idea of a little uniqueness in my diamond. I figure hey, I'm not perfect, but I am unique, so why shouldn't my diamond be not perfect but unique too?

And also, a visible spot (whether with naked eye or loupe) gives me something that I -know- is there, so if I get it back after having work done and that spot isn't there... I know to be suspicious.

 

[pricescope]

Lovely attitude, Bingbongbug.

My wife has old miner diamond with barely visible tiny lines of graphite coming across the stone. She loves it.

 

[nywebchic]

We did see a stone 1.15 E/SI2 for about $4000 but
she saw the inclusion with her naked eye. I could not
see it with my naked eye She saw the inclusion with the loupe and then she was able to see it without the loupe even when the jeweler flipped the stone around to confuse her. The inclusion was a little off from the table. We both liked the color but I wonder if anyone else could see the inclusion. I guess it would have been better if the inclusion was on the side to blend in with the prong settings.

maybe having the inclusion wouldn't be so bad after all ?

6.65-6.72 x 4.22 mm
Weight 1.15
Depth 63.1
Table 59
Girdle thin to slightly thick faceted
Cutlet none
Polish very good
Symmetry good
Clarity SI2
Color E
Flourescence none

Inclusions:
crystal
cloud (off the side of table)
pinpoint
indented natural
extra facet