Hi all,
So I've just started a hunt in earnest for a radiant diamond for myself. I started off with a band as an engagement ring thinking we would buy a diamond for an anniversary, perhaps at the 5 or ten year mark. At the ten year mark we opened a business instead, so it didn't happen. We're now on year 14 and I'm (more than) ready. If I leave it up to my husband it will never happen, and I enjoy the process, so we are doing it together. I'm very excited! I will be switching my existing band to my right hand, just fyi.
In terms of what I am looking for... I have long thin fingers (ring size a "tight 4") so I like elongated cuts on my hand. I also really like sparkly (who doesn't??). I considered ovals, cushions (my husband's favorite), and radiants. Just kind of fell in love with the radiants and can't shake them! I love the look of a halo, but I feel like you can't see the stone as well and I also don't want it too look "too big" on my hand (my friend group is down to earth professional women in their 40s who are not showy at all, none of them have large diamonds). If I can get a larger stone I'd prefer to let the stone stand alone and not place a halo around it (can always halo it later once the "shrinkage" sets in!).
So what is big enough to stand alone to me? Around 2.5 carats. So there's that. And I'd prefer to be around $20k. I really can't justify much more than that given that there are other things we need to budget for. As for the other diamond details... Cut is by far the most important to me (fire please!!!), also want in the colorless range. Clarity not such a big deal. I don't like them too long or too square. And of course am looking for a "good deal."
I went today to look and found a stone that I do like, but I would like to get your opinions. It is 2.63ct, E, SI1, depth is 69.5 - is this too deep???, table 65%, other details in GIA pic. Asking 22,500. They let me take it outside to see it in the sunlight (had a fun trip with the sales lady and a 400 pound security guard) and I snapped a few quick pics, but it was hard as I was worried it would fall out of the setting. Really digging the size on my hand, and the shape of the radiant. I can't tell "how sparkly" it is compared to other stones, but it did seem to have more fire than the other one I looked at. Would really love honest opinions from all you rockaholics out there, really value your input! I've waited a long time for my forever stone, so I want it to be special. Thanks
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So I've just started a hunt in earnest for a radiant diamond for myself. I started off with a band as an engagement ring thinking we would buy a diamond for an anniversary, perhaps at the 5 or ten year mark. At the ten year mark we opened a business instead, so it didn't happen. We're now on year 14 and I'm (more than) ready. If I leave it up to my husband it will never happen, and I enjoy the process, so we are doing it together. I'm very excited! I will be switching my existing band to my right hand, just fyi.
In terms of what I am looking for... I have long thin fingers (ring size a "tight 4") so I like elongated cuts on my hand. I also really like sparkly (who doesn't??). I considered ovals, cushions (my husband's favorite), and radiants. Just kind of fell in love with the radiants and can't shake them! I love the look of a halo, but I feel like you can't see the stone as well and I also don't want it too look "too big" on my hand (my friend group is down to earth professional women in their 40s who are not showy at all, none of them have large diamonds). If I can get a larger stone I'd prefer to let the stone stand alone and not place a halo around it (can always halo it later once the "shrinkage" sets in!).
So what is big enough to stand alone to me? Around 2.5 carats. So there's that. And I'd prefer to be around $20k. I really can't justify much more than that given that there are other things we need to budget for. As for the other diamond details... Cut is by far the most important to me (fire please!!!), also want in the colorless range. Clarity not such a big deal. I don't like them too long or too square. And of course am looking for a "good deal."
I went today to look and found a stone that I do like, but I would like to get your opinions. It is 2.63ct, E, SI1, depth is 69.5 - is this too deep???, table 65%, other details in GIA pic. Asking 22,500. They let me take it outside to see it in the sunlight (had a fun trip with the sales lady and a 400 pound security guard) and I snapped a few quick pics, but it was hard as I was worried it would fall out of the setting. Really digging the size on my hand, and the shape of the radiant. I can't tell "how sparkly" it is compared to other stones, but it did seem to have more fire than the other one I looked at. Would really love honest opinions from all you rockaholics out there, really value your input! I've waited a long time for my forever stone, so I want it to be special. Thanks





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