Need help: Going to propose in about 10 days. Cannot decide on which ring. Lost and indecisive

[LostManInSac]

I am going on vacation with my GF starting Jan. 5th through Jan. 12. Just decided to propose a few days ago. Not a shotgun marriage or anything....just know this is the right time to do it. I can get the ring delivered to where I am staying if I cannot get it before the 5th. So this is a quick buy. But I am super indecisive and cannot decide what to get. Please help this clueless guy.

--$2000 to $3000 budget (including ring)
--I think I want round cut but I can be swayed with the right diamond. Princess cuts seem nice, too. Comes down to the best diamond for the cost.
--Want a classic solitaire with white gold (debating between these : http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-setting-white-gold_12962 or http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagment-ring-setting_8116)
--Seem to be leaning towards Blue Nile but I can be swayed away
--From what I have read cut is key
--I can live with slight problems with the ring as long as not easily seen by the naked eye. I would rather get more diamond and better cut
--From what I have read J color is fine, and if you can get med. to strong blue it will be fine. Again more diamond and better cut, if possible


Below are the diamonds I am looking at. Please offer any suggestions and help. I am clueless guy when it comes to this and trying to learn as fast as I can.

 

[LostManInSac]

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-g-color-si2-clarity_LD01591732
$1820
.74 carat, Ideal cut, G color, SI2
Concerned about SI2

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-e-color-si2-clarity_LD01292973
$1827
.72 carat, Ideal cut, E color, SI2
Concerned about SI2

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-j-color-si1-clarity_LD01620481
$2798
.91 carat, Ideal cut, J color (with medium blue flour.), SI1
A bit over my budget

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-j-color-si1-clarity_LD01627846
$1668
.76 carat, Ideal cut, J color (with strong blue flour.), SI1

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-j-color-vs1-clarity_LD01627880
$1887
.79 carat, Ideal cut, J color (with strong blue flour.), VS1


http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-f-color-si2-clarity_LD01536719
$2334
.78 carat, Ideal cut, F color, SI2
Concerned about SI2

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-j-color-si1-clarity_LD00327322
$2125
.82 carat, Ideal cut, J color (with medium blue), SI1

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-i-color-si1-clarity_LD01616551
$2028
.8 carat, Ideal cut, I color, SI1


http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-j-color-vs1-clarity_LD01606876
$2344
.83 carat, Ideal cut, J color, VS1
Concerned on J color


James Allen

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193020.asp
$2360
.91 carat, Premium cut, J color, SI2


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1263365.asp
$2160
.91 carat, Premium cut, G color, SI2


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1271080.asp
$2050
.82 carat, Ideal cut, J color, VS2


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1195494.asp
Cushion cut
$2220
.92 carat, Ideal cut, I color, SI1

 

[LostManInSac]

Some more I am looking at on James Allen. I should stop. Making myself crazy!!! Too many to decide on.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1246472.asp
.91 carat

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1264376.asp
.93 carat

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1277071.asp
.8 carat

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-I1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1260170.asp
.86 carat

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1264376.asp
.93 carat - I really seem to like this one. But as usual, doubting myself.


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1276170.asp
1.11 carat Princess cut

 

[kenny]

You have a list that is too long for anyone to bother with.

Here's a first step to narrow down your list to filter out the best-cut diamonds.
Get these 4 numbers from each lab report:

Depth %
Table %
Crown angle in degrees
Pavilion angle in degrees

Plug these 4 numbers into this cut-advisor tool:

HCA

Eliminate the ones that score over 2.0.

Post the ones that score under 2.0 for us to look at.

 

[LostManInSac]

Thanks. And I will narrow the list.

 

[kenny]

Also, I recommend looking at diamonds in person to discover what color and clarity you are willing to pay for.

Price goes up sharply for the higher color and clarity grades.
Everyone has a different comfort zone but I think the largest group end up wanting a diamond near H SI1 as long as it is eye-clean to the naked eye.

IMHO you should decide for yourself based on seeing diamonds in person.
Your comfort zone may not match that of the majority.

 

[LostManInSac]

Here is my narrowed list. Sorry the first one was so long.


.7 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1277071.asp

2 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1264376.asp

. 7 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1264376.asp

1.6 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1264376.asp

1.3 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1264376.asp

1.8 – http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193020.asp

2. 0 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1127246.asp

 

[HVVS]

Some of those links are not labeled right.

What''s your budget? You want round, right? And want I/J color?

Then, here are a list of parameters for rounds. Try to stay within these:
Total depth between 59 - 61.8%
Table diameter between 53 - 57%
Crown angle* between 34.3 - 34.8 degrees
Pavilion angle* between 40.6 - 40.9 degrees
Girdle between thin to slightly thick
Culet: GIA none or AGS pointed (same concept)

Look at stones graded Excellent or Premium, or Very Good.

You can use the PS search by cut grade, here: https://www.pricescope.com/sift.aspx

 

[tyty333]

These would be my choice
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1276711.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-2145461.htm
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6223/
http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2163474.htm

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 12/28/2009 8:45:30 PM
Author: LostManInSac
Here is my narrowed list. Sorry the first one was so long.


.7 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1277071.asp

2 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1264376.asp

. 7 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1264376.asp

1.6 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1264376.asp

1.3 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1264376.asp

1.8 – http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1193020.asp

2. 0 - http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Premium-Cut-Round-Diamond-1127246.asp

So the next step is to call and ask whether the diamonds you are interested in are eye clean to your standards -- whether you can see inclusions or not. And then to request ideal scope images from the diamonds that you prefer. I like the highlighted the best of the ones you posted. I do not like BN because they do not have the diamond in house and you cannot get IS images for the diamonds, so you would need to get the diamond examined when you received it if you really wanted to be sure you got a top cut. Also you do not have an upgrade policy or buyback with BN. So I prefer other PS vendors for these reasons.

I also like these two that tyty posted, and these vendors have better after care policies.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6223/
http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-2163474.htm

ETA Actually, I think this is the winner in size and cut for the price:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1276711.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131