Narrowed it down to five diamonds - please help!

[Brad208]

Hi all,

I've been hemming and hawing over diamonds for a good month now. I've narrowed it down to the following five choices. I'm leaning towards the second one, just because I never thought I would get a 'D' color diamond. I was hell-bent on getting a carat, but I've given up as I don't think I can get the round, ideal cut, D - G, FL to VVS1, 1.0 carat within my $4,000 budget, lol. Imagine that, eh? Plus, in my research, it sounds like the average for an engagement ring seems to be between .25 and .75 anyway. So I figure .75 - .85 would work, no? Is it too small?

Anywho, please provide your input on my choices - hopefully all my research has paid off.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2978561.htm

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.77-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-243434

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-228690

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.81-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-247828

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2983072.htm

Thank you!!

Brad

 

[RockyRacoon]

.75 - .85 ct is definitely not too small.

Check out this stone, as it has an excellent cut and is under your budget:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.751-f-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104066186028

 

[tyty333]

Is there a reason you are going so high on clarity?

 

[msop04]

Is there a reason you are going so high on clarity?

Ditto this. FL-VVS is total overkill, especially when you're working with a budget and would like a larger carat weight. You could easily go VS and be totally clean. When shopping in the 0.75-1.0 ct range, every little bit of weight is noticable. Get your carat.

EDIT: ...or as close as possible.

 

[msop04]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-247828

Of those you listed, this one looks best to me. It's HCA is good and it's got a little larger diameter, too.

 

[maxs.memo]

you can get close to a carat if you relax your parameters to what is SEEN by the naked eye. look for 0.9 carat with VS clarity at a G color with excellent/ideal cut and you will be very happy

 

[karsa]

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2978561.htm

This one looks to be the best deal.