Looking for advice for a ~$7500 princess cut ring

[kglasser]

I'm 25 and have started saving up some money for a ring for my girlfriend of 3 years. I'm thinking I can comfortably spend about $7500 total on a diamond and setting. The problem is, I know nothing about diamonds other than some online research over that past couple months. My girlfriend wants to be surprised, so I'm not going to get much help from her on what she wants. The one thing I do know, is that she's mentioned to her friends that she likes princess cut. For the setting, I'm thinking she would like something simple, either a solitaire or something with small side stones.

That's about all I've figured out so far, so I'm looking for advice on what sort of mix of size, cut, clarity, color I should be looking for. I'm thinking I should avoid any visible defects for that price, but open to other opinions. I had started looking for something E-H color, VVS1-VS2 clarity, and very good to ideal cut.

• -Should I just be looking for the biggest ring I can get that falls in those categories?
  -Is 1-1.25 carats a respectable size? (don't really have any friends that are engaged/married yet to compare to)
  -How important is the cut?
  -Can an average person notice the difference between very good and ideal?
  -How much should I be spending on the diamond vs the setting?
  -What material is best for the setting?
  -Should I get both the ring and diamond online from the same site, or get the diamond online and go to a local store to have it set?
  -Anything else to consider?

Thank you so much for any advice you can give. I'm glad I found this site after searching on my own for a while.

 

[fiona00004]

Cut is the most important criteria because if the stone is cut poorly, no matter how good the other criteria are, the diamond will just not sparkle. By cut, I mean how will thecut us... the proportions etc... not the shape.

I understand that the ring is to be a sipurprise... but I don't truly believe in that because I think many people don't know all the options out there... do u know if she has really reflected on which diamond shape she really wants? Princess vs emerald, vs round vs ival vs radiant vs cushion.... it is all very persocal. If i is a surprise, I would be sure that the vendor you get it from has a good return policy or upgrade policy.

In terms of color or clarity, some people, I think many on this forum, opt for lower color for a larger diamond. I have a J stone and I love it. For clarity, you can probably go lower as long as there are no inclusions that are actually visible to the naked eye... you would SI1or SI2 can have that... really depends on where on the diamond the flaws are located.... you would end up paying a higher premium for the VVS1.

If you don't know what setting to get her, maybe you could just choose the best center stone you can afford, and propose with only the diamond... or get the most simple classic least expensive setting, and then work together in searching for her dresm setting after the proposal. Visit jewelry stores together and try on different settings...

The carat size you mentioned is a very decent size...

If you are thinking of a simple setting, then you can most probably get the stone and setting together from the same vendor... it is also easier that way.

If she likes a squate shaped stone.. she may also like the cushion shape or radiant.... ? Does she know about those?

 

[kglasser]

So I talked with her and she has decided she definitely wants a princess cut diamond with a solitaire ring. I upped my budget by a little bit and I'm currently thinking about this diamond:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/1.25-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-231311

For a setting, she said she wants something plain, to show of the diamond, so I was looking at one of the following. I'm not sure what would look best with the size diamond I'm getting. I'm also not sure on the difference between comfort fit vs knife's edge:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...nife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7028
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...mfort-fit-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-1981
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...nife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7207
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...ut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-2018

Any advice is greatly appreciated! I was just hoping someone else could weigh in on this before I spend $8500 on something I don't know much about.

Thanks!

 

[kglasser]

bump

 

[JulieN]

G VS1 AGS Ideal is a very nice combo, you can't go wrong.

The setting with diamonds is not so much more expensive, so I'm leaning towards that one, but she did say plain, so a solitaire sounds good, too.

 

[kglasser]

Thanks Julie. That's the setting I was leaning towards also. Makes me feel more confident about spending this much money.

Any other advice is still welcomed. Thanks guys!

 

[sphillip11]

Also check out Whiteflash's A CUT ABOVE line for some Super Ideal Princess cuts. They are highly regarded around here and I think you'll be able to find something great in your price range especially if you're putting it in a simple solitaire setting.

www.whiteflash.com

They also give a Pricescope discount of 2% so that could help too.

 

[AprilBaby]

The diamond you choose is beautiful and a lovely size. I also recommend looking at Whiteflash ACA princess before you commit.