Need help!

[Alanis]

Hi,

New to pricescope. I am in the market for an engagement ring. We have a budget of about 6700 dollars. We already have a possible setting, but not married to it (no pun intended). My partner proposed to me with a very beautiful promise ring, as we were students with 0 money. The ring is a .75 TCW princess cut diamond with a halo and a .5 carat diamond in the center. The diamond in the center is not the best quality. I am not sure about the cut/clarity of it, but if I were to guess based on the website it was purchased from, it is probably I1 with a good cut. The ring itself was about 2000 dollars which I think was truly overpriced.

Now that we have a bit more money at the beginning of our careers, we are looking for a round diamond, excellent cut+, I color+. In terms of clarity, as long as it is eye clean, I am happy. I have only ever seen a K colored diamond in person and I did not like the yellow in it. I would not be opposed to a rose-colored setting. We purchased a 1.5 S12 J diamond from James Allen, but I realized that the warmth of it just was not for me. I would like to stay around that size range. I am open to laser drilled and HPHT diamonds, or even lab grown diamonds like on brilliant earth. The only issue I have with lab grown diamonds is the sheer expense. In terms of resale value, I have seen from friends and family that even diamonds that are truly diamonds GIA and all are difficult to resell for anywhere near the value they were purchased, so I don't really know how to feel about lab made diamonds.

I'd like to keep the size around 1.5. I have about a size 4.75-->size 5 finger. We will likely upgrade the diamond in the future as we are both at the very beginning of our careers, but I do want this ring to be something I enjoy and cherish. I truly appreciate any help you can offer me. Thank you so much.

 

[SimoneDi]

Hi there and welcome!

Unfortunately, you won't find much in the 1.5ct colorless range that has an excellent/ideal cut for $6700. Realistically, and if you want a beautiful diamond, you should be looking in the 1.1-1.2 range. He is an example: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3800297.htm I color, SI with a table inclusion, but it appears to be eye-clean, with ideal proportions (it didn't make the cut on symmetry, but it has a lovely spread and it is upgradable. Or you can go with something like this (and I know that you said no J, but I feel that you haven't really seen ideally cut Js - they do appear very white face up) https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3770051.htm
ACA - ideal performance and eye-clean. Again, always upgradable in the future.
What type of setting are you envisioning and is the $6700 the entire budget?

If you are open to pre-loved and if these are still available, you may be interested in one of the below (I would inquire center stone only, unless you like the setting):

https://loupetroop.com/listings/rin...etting-with-baguettes-and-custom-4-stone-band
https://loupetroop.com/listings/rin...brilliant-platinum-solitaire-ring-1-dot-3-hca
(Above budget, but accepting Best offer and ideal cut + hand forged setting by Steven Kirsch): https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings/ags-ideal-1-dot-10ct-j-slash-si1-round-in-sk-halo-setting

 

[tyty333]

I agree with Simone...your budget is not going to get you a 1.5 I unless you do get a laser drilled...what would make more sense to me is to get a nice
stone in your budget at a vendor that has an excellent trade in policy (so you dont waste your initial layout of $6.7k). Whiteflash has an excellent trade up
policy. You only have to spend a dollar more. So get something like Simone pointed out and save up the additional money to get to 1.5.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3800297.htm

The other option...have you consider a stone like an oval that faces up fairly large for its carat weight (ovals are popular right now). I still suggest you
stick with a vendor that has a good trade up policy so you can reuse your initial layout. I think at JA you have to spend 2x...I dont think you have to stick
with an oval...you could switch to a round at that point but ask to be double sure.

Here is a decent oval I found in your budget that might hold you over until you can get that 1.5 round. Its got a little something on the edge of the table
but compared to a lot of large stones I've seen in your budget I'd say its pretty nice. This oval faces up larger then a typical 1.5 round.
Hold your shift key down when you click on the link. IMO a decent oval would be better than a treated 1.5 round. I think tradeup for BlueNile is 2x but
double check and make sure its on all stones/shapes if you are interested.

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD08738131



View attachment 499261

 

[Alanis]

thanks everyone!

 

[Alanis]

and just a simple setting will do!

 

[Diamond_Hawk]

Hi Alanis,

You talked about resale value of the diamond you are going to buy, which makes me believe you might be considering an upgrade in the future. In your situation it is often best to find a vendor with a liberal upgrade policy so you have a fixed value for your diamond going forward. Then in a year, or 5 or 10 when you are ready to upgrade it will mitigate any uncertainty you may have.