Hello all,
I've been reading these forums for the past couple weeks and trying to absorb as much info as possible. I think I'm ready to buy a rock!
I'll try to give you as much background info as I can. I'm looking for a RB diamond for a delicate halo setting (which I'll purchase locally). I've got my eye on this Gabriel&Co. setting: http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7252W44JJ -- If not that setting, something very similar.
Simply put, my GF wants the biggest, shiniest rock I can afford. (Can you blame her?) I'm a recent college grad (read: student loans) and my budget for an engagement ring is max $4800. It really wouldn't be smart to put myself any farther into debt at this point, so I'm sticking to what I can afford with savings.
For the past 2 weeks or so I've been scouring PS and other sites trying to find a RB that's close to 1ct. I'd really like to get a 0.9ct or above, and I've seen some diamonds that would fit that bill. I know cut is king, so I've been looking mostly at excellent and very good cut stones that score well on the HCA.
I feel as though I probably shouldn't go below H or I in color, because I don't want there to be a noticeable difference between the main stone and the diamonds on the band. Am I nitpicking here? As far as clarity goes, eye clean is good enough for me. I've seen some SI2 stones in person that would work fine.
I found this 0.99 H VS2 (EGL) stone yesterday via DOW: http://www.diamondsonweb.com/shopping_dd/ddetail.mhtml?id=8183011;lab=EGL;p_min=1000;shape=RB;start=0
The price and size are great! But, I've read about all the grading inconsistencies with EGL stones, and I'm concerned about the color. I'm assuming the clarity is lower than VS2, but I'm willing to settle for less there. I've attached the EGL cert and 10x image, so take a look for yourself.
I think that covers almost everything. I'm not sure if it's worth the gamble on an EGL stone, but it's very tempting. Maybe some of you more diamond savvy folks can help me find the perfect rock? I think $3200 is the max I can do for just the stone and still have some wiggle room with the setting and all.
Thank you! (and sorry I wrote y'all a short novel)
I've been reading these forums for the past couple weeks and trying to absorb as much info as possible. I think I'm ready to buy a rock!
I'll try to give you as much background info as I can. I'm looking for a RB diamond for a delicate halo setting (which I'll purchase locally). I've got my eye on this Gabriel&Co. setting: http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7252W44JJ -- If not that setting, something very similar.
Simply put, my GF wants the biggest, shiniest rock I can afford. (Can you blame her?) I'm a recent college grad (read: student loans) and my budget for an engagement ring is max $4800. It really wouldn't be smart to put myself any farther into debt at this point, so I'm sticking to what I can afford with savings.
For the past 2 weeks or so I've been scouring PS and other sites trying to find a RB that's close to 1ct. I'd really like to get a 0.9ct or above, and I've seen some diamonds that would fit that bill. I know cut is king, so I've been looking mostly at excellent and very good cut stones that score well on the HCA.
I feel as though I probably shouldn't go below H or I in color, because I don't want there to be a noticeable difference between the main stone and the diamonds on the band. Am I nitpicking here? As far as clarity goes, eye clean is good enough for me. I've seen some SI2 stones in person that would work fine.
I found this 0.99 H VS2 (EGL) stone yesterday via DOW: http://www.diamondsonweb.com/shopping_dd/ddetail.mhtml?id=8183011;lab=EGL;p_min=1000;shape=RB;start=0
The price and size are great! But, I've read about all the grading inconsistencies with EGL stones, and I'm concerned about the color. I'm assuming the clarity is lower than VS2, but I'm willing to settle for less there. I've attached the EGL cert and 10x image, so take a look for yourself.
I think that covers almost everything. I'm not sure if it's worth the gamble on an EGL stone, but it's very tempting. Maybe some of you more diamond savvy folks can help me find the perfect rock? I think $3200 is the max I can do for just the stone and still have some wiggle room with the setting and all.
Thank you! (and sorry I wrote y'all a short novel)
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