I'd like engagement ring advice.

[MichiganMan]

I'm not a long-time reader, but I've done about a month's worth of research on diamonds. I'm also familiar with the terminology and the grading system considering that I've bought diamond earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Now, however, I'm looking to buy an engagement ring so I'd like as much vetting help as possible.

My girlfriend (soon to be fiancee!) wants a round diamond in a solitaire engagement ring. We're looking at rings between 1.25 and 1.5 carats, skewing larger rather than smaller (but no bigger than 1.5, which is where she says she personally feels the size gets too awkward).

My priority, based on all I read, is cut quality, creating brilliance and shine. I want a diamond that is "merely" eye-clean, and color is my last priority considering it will be a round diamond in a white setting. My budget for the diamond alone has a "hard cap" of $8000, but I'd prefer to keep it below $7500.

I've looked at countless diamonds over the last two weeks online, and the current one I'm looking at is this one:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1547921.asp

It's "on hold" because I put it there, by the way.

What do you think? The HCA calculator sees very favorable things, and I plan on mounting it in platinum or white gold so I'm not too concerned about the color. The eye-cleanliness is the only thing that I'm going back and forth about. I see a small line occlusion at around 2 o'clock on the diamond's surface (which seems fine), but my big concern is the "discoloration" at around 11 o'clock and 6 o'clock around the surface. I can't tell if the dark facets are some optical thing going on or a problem with the stone.

Any guidance or suggestions would be appreciated. It is well known that this is THE spot for advice, so I'd appreciate whatever you can provide!

Thank you in advance, and I'll be around to help answer any questions you might have for me.

 

[SB621]

How color sensative is your girlfriend? Some people really care about that stuff so though it might be your last priority have you checked with her? I'm actually not color sensative at all but for some reason that diamond does look very eggshell to me. Almost like an L or lower...perhaps it is my monior though?

 

[Niel]

Hello fellow Michigander!
If you are concerned about the clarity here is a nice K VS2 clarity, that may be worth it, sense she isnt THRIVING as large as possible, and you are not confident in the clarity aspect of that stone. Plus I dont know what that stones price was, but this would allow for a very lovely solitaire and still keep you around 7500-8000 for the fist one. Or a diamond setting if she wants that with the second, and I think you can ask them to use melee the same color as your stone.
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.324-k-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104062571026
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.308-l-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104062571040
Your stone does look nice, but unfortunately I am no expert on inclusions. What did the JA gemologists say about the inclusions?

 

[JulieN]

Ideal Scope.

 

[rgladiator]

Here is a stone that should be eye clean. With the PS discount it's just under $8000 and it scores a 1.8 on HCA.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1547576.asp

I really like this one. It scores a 1 on HCA. Very good dimensions for cut quality and it looks like the inclusions blend in well so it should be eye clean. $7510 with PS discount.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1525228.asp

Also, with JamesAllen, you can put up to 3 diamonds on hold and schedule one of their gemologists to review them over the phone with you. He/She will tell you their honest opinion on which stone looks the best.

 

[04diamond<3]

Here is a stone that should be eye clean. With the PS discount it's just under $8000 and it scores a 1.8 on HCA.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1547576.asp

I really like this one. It scores a 1 on HCA. Very good dimensions for cut quality and it looks like the inclusions blend in well so it should be eye clean. $7510 with PS discount.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1525228.asp

Also, with JamesAllen, you can put up to 3 diamonds on hold and schedule one of their gemologists to review them over the phone with you. He/She will tell you their honest opinion on which stone looks the best.

I was going to suggest that 1.52!!! It's stunning! Seriously, if you like it, PUT IT ON HOLD ASAP! The one you chose -OP- is also a beautiful stone!

 

[Niel]

Here is a stone that should be eye clean. With the PS discount it's just under $8000 and it scores a 1.8 on HCA.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1547576.asp

I really like this one. It scores a 1 on HCA. Very good dimensions for cut quality and it looks like the inclusions blend in well so it should be eye clean. $7510 with PS discount.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1525228.asp

Also, with JamesAllen, you can put up to 3 diamonds on hold and schedule one of their gemologists to review them over the phone with you. He/She will tell you their honest opinion on which stone looks the best.

I was going to suggest that 1.52!!! It's stunning! Seriously, if you like it, PUT IT ON HOLD ASAP! The one you chose -OP- is also a beautiful stone!

I like both of those suggestions but Shoot! thats a lovely 1.5 ct stone!! and they still have settings you could use. if its is a HARD CAP id say this one.
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-six-prong-17927w14.html
( i think there is a PS discount on settings too, but that puts you at like 8050.)
This setting is super cute too, if you choose a stone not at the top of your budget.
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-33mm-cross-prong-solitaire-engagement-ring-11116w14.html

 

[MichiganMan]

How color sensative is your girlfriend? Some people really care about that stuff so though it might be your last priority have you checked with her? I'm actually not color sensative at all but for some reason that diamond does look very eggshell to me. Almost like an L or lower...perhaps it is my monior though?

About a month ago we had some honest discussions about what she wanted from a diamond, and at that time she told me that she really cared about how shiny and brilliant the diamond was first and then the size. She said she wouldn't want a yellow diamond and I definitely see how the one I picked out it less "white" than, say, a E or F, but I don't think she'll notice the difference. She's amazing in a million ways but she's not diamond savvy. My measured opinion is that she wants a big clear shiny stone within our budget and I think the value needs to budge on color.

Thank you to all who have posted suggestions! I loved both the 1.41 and the 1.52 carat suggestions, although I'm not thrilled about the 1.52 carat's price. I want her to be blown away by the ring but we're both exceedingly practical people and we've got a down payment on a house coming up. I do not think I would pay even one dollar more for a stone more expensive than the 1.52 no matter how beautiful, but I could bite the bullet and get that one if you all think it is the best.

This forum is wonderful! Any more words of advice would be extremely appreciated!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Can you see the pricescope member/wire discount price on the 1.52 J SI1? It is $7870. I prefer it greatly over the other one assuming it is eyeclean. Please put it on hold because good stones at good prices tend to disappear around here since there are many more lurkers than there are posters!

 

[SB621]

Can you see the pricescope member/wire discount price on the 1.52 J SI1? It is $7870. I prefer it greatly over the other one assuming it is eyeclean. Please put it on hold because good stones at good prices tend to disappear around here since there are many more lurkers than there are posters!

Yup coudln't agree more. I'm actaully very impressed with that pricing...it seems like diamond pricing isnt shooting through the roof anymore

 

[MichiganMan]

Thank you all so much.

I have put the three diamonds discussed in this thread on hold.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1547921.asp - just short of 7K

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1547576.asp - just over 8K

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1525228.asp - about 7.5K

I haven't gotten the gemologist opinion yet, but my ten thousand foot view at the moment is that the 1.52 would be her favorite, followed by the 1.5 and then the 1.41. That being said, I'm not sure whether the 1.52 is $1K "better." If anyone is still willing to weigh in, which diamond do YOU think offers the best value? I think all three are beautiful and she would be happy with each.

Again - THANK YOU ALL!

 

[Niel]

Oh good I saw it was on hold I was hoping you had been the one to get it. I really love the 1.52. The inclusions seem. Minimal and especially with the first one you picked having inclusions you felt uncomfortable with. And sense you are now a ps'er you can get it fir under 8k..... though you're right with a setting is a tad bit over. For me it's a mind clean thing. I'd prefer not to go si2 if I didn't need to

 

[Sparklelu]

I love the middle one! If you prorate the cost over the lifetime she will wear it(barring upgrades) the bump is minimal

 

[Lula]

My vote is for the second or third one. A "J" color in that size is going to show color (tint) from the side, and maybe from the top in certain lighting conditions. The first diamond is deeper than the other two, and deeper diamonds may "trap" color. The second diamond at 62% depth is still a bit deep for my tastes, but again, color preference is highly subjective. The third diamond is a 60/60 cut, and has the shallowest depth of all three stones. The 60/60 cut is a less favored cutting style (though, again, this is subjective), but if well-cut they can have a brighter appearance, which may make the stone appear whiter. The JA gemologist can give you his/her opinion on the color/whiteness of your three choices, if you ask.

 

[JulieN]

1.50, 1.52, 1.41 is my preference.

 

[yssie]

My vote is for the second or third one. A "J" color in that size is going to show color (tint) from the side, and maybe from the top in certain lighting conditions. The first diamond is deeper than the other two, and deeper diamonds may "trap" color. The second diamond at 62% depth is still a bit deep for my tastes, but again, color preference is highly subjective. The third diamond is a 60/60 cut, and has the shallowest depth of all three stones. The 60/60 cut is a less favored cutting style (though, again, this is subjective), but if well-cut they can have a brighter appearance, which may make the stone appear whiter. The JA gemologist can give you his/her opinion on the color/whiteness of your three choices, if you ask.

Ditto Lula, I'd go with #3 for a surprise engagement (ie. SO is not choosing stones with you) if the stone is clean to your requirements. Tell JA what eyeclean means to you (clean from 6" face-up? 12"?) and have them vet the stone to your specifications... I'd recommend getting it shipped out before setting as well to confirm that you're happy with your choice.

#1 has slightly "better proportions" by common PS reference but as Lula said that's subjective, and honestly these sorts of differences result in slight nuances in performance that aren't going to be notable to non-diamond-nuts.

One thing to remember is that though #3 will face up very bright white the body colour will still be visible from the side, depending on how open the setting is.

 

[rugbyfan]

Hi Michiganman, I hope your choice went well. I noticed I was considering one of the diamonds that you were looking at earlier. Any feedback on your third diamond choice (J S1 for 7.5K) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!