ideas?

[JR320]

I''ve enjoyed reading the pricescope forums for quite some time and have learned so much already. But now I''m at the point where I am ready for some advice from the experts. I recently learned that my boyfriend''s budget for the engagement ring (setting and diamond) is $3000. We''d like to get an excellent cut diamond (prefer H&A) around 0.75 ct. Also, I adore the legato sleek lines solitaire setting from WF as well as Mark Morrell''s Petite Torchiere (probably out of the question, but its fun to think about

). But I also think I could be satisfied with a simple 2mm tiffany style setting.

Anyway, I''m not sure what to consider in terms of color and clarity and what would be realistic in terms of getting a fabulous diamond and setting for this budget. Any ideas?? Thanks!

 

[neatfreak]

I would drop as low on color and clarity as you are comfortable with and get a basic setting if you genuinely will be happy with it. Around $3000 can net you quite a bit more stone than $2000, and if you get a basic tiffany 4 prong, you can spend almost your entire budget on the stone. But at the same time for a bit over $2000 you can get very close to a .75 if you are in the J SI1 range. Which will still be STUNNING.

This one would be good choice and with the PS discount you would even be able to squeeze the legato setting in WG into the budget. Best of both worlds:

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1148655.htm

 

[Tuckins1]

Date: 11/9/2008 10:32:47 AM
Author: neatfreak
I would drop as low on color and clarity as you are comfortable with and get a basic setting if you genuinely will be happy with it. Around $3000 can net you quite a bit more stone than $2000, and if you get a basic tiffany 4 prong, you can spend almost your entire budget on the stone. But at the same time for a bit over $2000 you can get very close to a .75 if you are in the J SI1 range. Which will still be STUNNING.


This one would be good choice and with the PS discount you would even be able to squeeze the legato setting in WG into the budget. Best of both worlds:


http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1148655.htm

This is a great choice! I think a warmer color stone is beautiful, and will still face up quite white if it is cut well. This would look great in a simple solitaire setting!

 

[MMT]

I agree

Date: 11/9/2008 10:40:08 AM
Author: Tuckins1

Date: 11/9/2008 10:32:47 AM
Author: neatfreak
I would drop as low on color and clarity as you are comfortable with and get a basic setting if you genuinely will be happy with it. Around $3000 can net you quite a bit more stone than $2000, and if you get a basic tiffany 4 prong, you can spend almost your entire budget on the stone. But at the same time for a bit over $2000 you can get very close to a .75 if you are in the J SI1 range. Which will still be STUNNING.


This one would be good choice and with the PS discount you would even be able to squeeze the legato setting in WG into the budget. Best of both worlds:


http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1148655.htm

This is a great choice! I think a warmer color stone is beautiful, and will still face up quite white if it is cut well. This would look great in a simple solitaire setting!

 

[JR320]

Thanks for your input!

I hadn''t thought of going down to a J, but that diamond looks beautiful! J sounds scary to me, but logically, I know it wouldn''t look much different than an I or H. And I love your confidence in it! I''ve never seen color grades compared in person.

What would your opinions be about going down on size to get something higher quality? On principle, I like the idea of having a better quality diamond for a smaller size, but at the same time, I don''t think it makes sense to pay for something that I''m not going to see/notice on a daily basis.

I found a few others that I thought might work as well:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193843.asp
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1467039.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-1467062.htm

Any thoughts?

Ultimately, it will be up to my BF because he really wants this to be a surprise, but I''m trying to come up with some good guidelines for him because he is admittedly clueless.

Thanks again!

 

[Tuckins1]

Going down a little in size will definitely help your budget. If you stick with a solitaire setting, you can still spend the majority of your money on the stone itself. I personally like the first stone you listed,it scored a 1.5 on the cut adviser. Good luck on your search!!!

ETA- The second one you listed scores a 1.4 on the cut adviser, so they both would be lovely!!!