Looking For Suggestions!

[youcfer]

Hi All! Been reading PS for about a month now and finally decided to make a post and get some advice.

I am looking to propose to my girlfriend by christmas and have started my ring search

.

Between these forums and the diamondring forums I think I have a good foundation to make an educated opinion on what I am looking for.

Please can you guys suggest any diamonds/settings with the following requirements:

Most importantly, my budget is around $5,000

Diamond: Round Brilliant (Hearts and Arrows Maybe

)
Carat: Around 1.0 (willing to go a smidge smaller if I get more bang for the buck)
Cut: Ideal
Clarity: SI1 or better (definitely want it to be eye clean)
Color: I or better

Setting: I would like to keep it simple. So far the two that have really caught my eye are http://www.ritani.com/products/view/537/in_category/1 and http://www.ritani.com/products/view/555/in_category/1)

I will probably be buying from one of the "e-ring" companies. Currently been in touch with DBOF but will probably be contacting all of the reputable ones.

Thank you guys so much in advance. I was completely lost when this process started, can not imagine how stressful it would have been without finding PS

 

[D&T]

Just to Clarify- Is your budget $5,000 Includes the setting? or $5,000 Diamond Only?

 

[youcfer]

Both ideally although I realize that may be asking a bit much.

 

[D&T]

Ok, that ring reminds me of this from Whiteflash

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/-X-Prong--Trellis-Diamond-Solitaire_977.htm# $795

then pair it up with this:

Still a nice diamond and it gets you the 1 carat mark with the I color

http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-2080405.htm#

pushes you just a tad over budget don't forget the PS discount.

Otherwise this is a H&A diamond, new inventory but not no images yet, just about .90 carat mark and will push your budget a bit

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-2192270.htm#

 

[youcfer]

Thanks for the quick response!

My budget is not set in stone at $5k, I would be willing to spend $5.5k for ring/setting. Both of the diamonds you recommended look beautiful.

I am not hung up on hitting the 1 carat mark, although obviously the closer the better. I would rather a very nice cut/clarity before more carat.

 

[D&T]

Here is a lovely diamond from James Allen, and it seems right in line with your budget

although it is SI2 though, You can still ask them if it is eye clean, I have an SI2 from WF and it was eyeclean, so it wouldn't hurt to ask. But there are quite a few of diamonds at James Allen that you might find very nice and a good size within your budget as well.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1245437.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

 

[Mrs W]

Here are some settings that remind me of the one you posted fr. ritani:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-solitaire-ring.html

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/round-diamond-solitaire-engagement-ring.html

Here is some nice diamonds:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1227529.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1260808.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1260815.asp

 

[youcfer]

Thank you very much for the suggestions!

Is there a huge difference between a Hearts & Arrows Vs. none H&A?

 

[D&T]

Date: 9/15/2009 1:34:37 PM
Author: youcfer
Thank you very much for the suggestions!

Is there a huge difference between a Hearts & Arrows Vs. none H&A?

H&A will mean that it has been cut to specifications with ideal proportions and symmetry which will exihibit H&As and has a nice overall balance of fire/brillance/scintillation and it depends on the vendor's Definition of H&A, Other diamonds can show H&A pattern but will not be consider a "true" H&A - it just means that they maybe a just a tad off one or more things but doesn't mean they are less beautiful, if you can get the right angle combo. But there are experts out there that can ellaborate on this. There are other "ideal" cut diamonds that don't exhibit H&As as well