Need help choosing a diamond-first time buyer.

[livinlife83]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to buy a ring soon, but I am a little overwhelmed with looking at diamonds and figuring out which ones are good and ones that are not. I do know that I want round, and am looking to spend no more than $8000, and would ideally like to keep it to $7500. I've been looking at Blue Nile mainly. I understand that their diamonds aren't in house, but I keep liking their settings better than other online stores and so I keep going back there. But, I'm open to finding a diamond anywhere and will deal with the setting issue when I need too. These are a couple of diamonds I've found at Blue Nile if you could advise me about them I'd appreciate it! I'm welcome to any and all feedback. Thanks!!

Carat Weight 1.25 carat
Color Grade I
Clarity Grade VS2
Cut Grade Excellent
6.96 - 6.99 x 4.19 mm
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Excellent
Fluorescence Strong Blue
Table % 60
Depth % 60.1
Crown angle 33
Pavilion angle 41
$5813

2nd
Carat Weight 1.40 carat
Color Grade I
Clarity Grade VS2
Cut Grade Excellent
7.19 - 7.23 x 4.39 mm
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Excellent
Fluorescence Medium Blue
Depth 60.9%
Table 58%
Crown angle 33
Pavilon angle 41.2
$7457

I've been looking at H and I color, these just happen to be I. Will I be too yellow? Should I focus more on finding an H color stone?

 

[WillyDiamond]

Perhaps you could tell the PS community what type of setting you want and like or post links and people could chime in and recommend a PS vendor to help you with the stone, setting and your budget,

 

[livinlife83]

These are the settings I've been looking at. I'm not a real fancy girl, so something simple and at most a few sidestones is all I require out of a setting. Budget is as stated in previous post $7500-$8000 all in. I want a round diamond at least 1 carat. I've been looking in the 1.2-1.4 range, but I would prefer quality over size.

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/petite-diamond-engagement-ring-14k-white-gold_42026?elem=img&track=product

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/14k-white-gold-petite-cathedral-ring-setting_25669?elem=img&track=product

 

[Gypsy]

Okay so is that 8k for the whole ring, or just the stone.

BN's settings look nice, but they have many reported quality issues.

Both of those stones have low crowns. No lower than 33.5.

These are nice stones:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8290376-1.20-carat-Round-diamond-H-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?sku=8290376&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com Higher color, nice clean stone, and a good size and price. Leaves you a nice amount for the setting.

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8303146-1.20-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-VVS2-Clarity.aspx?sku=8303146&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1794932

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.26-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-916495

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.26-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1786669

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8419237-1.27-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=8419237&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8308538-1.38-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-VVS2-Clarity.aspx?sku=8308538&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

Anything with medium or more fluorescence you need to ask to make sure it is not overblue. The majority are not and are great values.

As for settings. Let's worry about the stone, then we'll talk settings. Okay?