Need DIAMOND help

[smk]

My boyfriend and I have recently embarked on engagement ring shopping and just when we think we know enough, we learn more and are back to the drawing board! I am looking for a diamond that is as close to the 1.5 ct weight as possible and I just want it to sparkle!!! Our budget is $7000-$8000 for the stone and setting. We are working with a family friend who is making recommendations, with no-pressure to buy, and he recently showed us a 1.51 ct, EGL, G, SI2, 7.43 mm at $6890. It was a beautiful stone and it dazzled!!! There was a faint blue fluorescence to it. Thoughts? At bluenile, I found the following two stones that are GIA certified. I'm trying to get a sense of what would be the best route to go?

Thanks for your suggestions. At this point, anything would help.


1.50 Carat weight
Ideal cut
H color
SI1

Depth %: 62.5%
Table %: 57%
Symmetry: Very good
Polish: Very good
Girdle: Medium to thick, faceted
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Medium
Measurements: 7.21 x 7.28 x 4.53 mm
$8,650 (over the budget!)


1.40 carat weight
Ideal cut
G color
SI2

Depth %: 62.4%
Table %: 57%
Symmetry: Very good
Polish: Very good
Girdle: Medium to slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 7.11 x 7.18 x 4.46 mm
$7,182

This is the setting I love: http://www.ogi-ltd.com/gallery_dia6.php

 

[Shay37]

Okay. First of all, for the budget that you have, you may have to sacrifice a bit more in color to get a top cut. Staying right under the 1.5 ct mark will help. As far as the two stones you have chosen, do you know if one is eyeclean or not? EGL for an SI2, I would not do. It might be graded I1 by another lab. Which EGL lab graded it will make a dif. USA, maybe if it was eyeclean. You said it sparkled and was really pretty. The price is excellent for a stone of that size, assuming that the cut makes the grade.

Personally I would rather sacrifice carat, color, and clarity to make sure that CUT was perfect. That''s my own thing.

I do not have enough info on the stone from the friend of the family to help you with it. Actually all of these stones need crown and pavillion angles to be of much help. Just because something is called ideal, doesn''t mean it is. Find out how it was graded for light performance if nothing else.

shay