Need help finding a diamond -

[aarick161]

I'm working with a budget of ~$7000 for the diamond (round cut) only. I'm planning to propose within the next three months, to my girlfriend of a 1 1/2 years. I've had "hypothetical" discussions about rings with her and her preferences are the following ranked from most to least important:

1) Carats - she'd like 2ct, but at $7,000 I don't think that is a possibility
2) Color
3) Cut (wants a decent "shine" on it)
4) Clarity (says she doesn't care if she can see slight imperfections if she stares at it for a while - naked eye)

I'll be spending another $1500 on a platinum band as well (total budget $9000).

Something like this might work:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2630305

I'd have to pull out the diamond and have a jeweler put in it a different setting, but my fear is that it will look like, as another user here so aptly put it "a frozen piece of spit).

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[JulieN]

please give us the min. ct wt she will accept (:

 

[aarick161]

I''m sure she''ll accept anything I give her because our relationship is so good; however, I would like her to be happy with her ring, so let''s say 1.5ct.

 

[JulieN]

Hmm.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-I1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1131295.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

Maybe. Sorry, I can't make it a link for some reason.

 

[Ellen]

Here''s the stone Julie found.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-I1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1131295.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131


How low will she go in color?

 

[aarick161]

I''d say anything near colorless will do. So perhaps in the I-J range at worst. Thanks for the input Perhaps there is something out there a little bigger outside of the E-G range? I think I-1 for clarity is fine, SI2 better of course

 

[Ellen]

Here''s what I can find. Not a lot to choose from at the moment.


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Good-Cut-Round-Diamond-1161862.asp


I know this is smaller, but thought I''d throw it out, nice stone.

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/3044/


Price does not reflect 2% off.

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-664432.htm#

 

[dmus]

Boy! I think Julien and Ellen found you great alternatives! Go for the 1.5c. If you shoot for the 2c I suspect you won''r find stones that perform like these probably do being AGS certs. Best of luck. I like Ellen''s a bit more if eyeclean. Just my preference.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 4/23/2008 7:12:09 PM
Author: Ellen
Here''s what I can find. Not a lot to choose from at the moment.


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Good-Cut-Round-Diamond-1161862.asp


I know this is smaller, but thought I''d throw it out, nice stone.

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/3044/


Price does not reflect 2% off.

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-664432.htm#

The one from WhiteFlash looks really good if you have to go over 1.5 cts. You need to ask them if it is eye-clean, though.

 

[Cravin My Emerald cut]

1.51 ct I Si2 $6676
http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-826969.htm

1.5 G Si2 $5942
http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-916655.htm

What about this setting? It''s platinum and only $800 so you could put more towards the center. Granted it says 1.25 center, but I''m sure you could inexpensively (less than $700) switch out the head.
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/closeout-jewelry/rings/098CO1/56/

I''m not the "round expert" but seeing as how you said your gf wasn''t too concerned with cut these should be ok. I''ll keep looking and good luck....keep us updated.

 

[JulieN]

1.7 range, but this costs a little more

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1143583.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1164009.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

of course, need ideal scopes... I think I should switch to IE...I think Firefox doesn't hyperlink them autoatically.

 

[Ellen]

Something to consider. A really well cut stone will outshine, and appear bigger than a so so cut. If it''s a possibility/consideration, I''d get her a smaller, really well cut stone from a vendor with a great upgrade policy. Then maybe down the road, she could get her 2 ct. stone, or bigger...

 

[Cravin My Emerald cut]

Also, you don''t need to spend $1500 on platinum
http://www.bluenile.com/engagement-rings-solitaire?oid1=3770
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/1.htm