Need some help 5k budget

[cocolo2k]

Hello all, I was interested in getting a classic setting, I went to the diamond district and after the seller went from 10k to 4k in a matter of 2 minutes I don't feel comfortable going back there. I went to tiffany's and saw a few I liked but didn't really care to pay for the name. I have a few questions:

I wanted a 1 carat diamond, I can't decide between princess or round, is there any advantage of either in quality?

For 5-6k what is the ideal range of the four c's in a round or princess should get a diamond that will sparkle for her?

 

[webdiva]

Welcome! We love budgets!

The most important C is the CUT - that's what makes it sparkle. You don't want a giant blob of "meh" on her hand right?
EDIT: For rounds, familiarize yourself with what a good Idealscope image looks like and what the HCA selection tool is. For princesses, look up the ASET tool - it's all under "knowledge" in the top nav.

For the Carat - the dimensions are actually more important - you can have a larger diamond in carat weight and be smaller than another diamond.

For Clarity, look for "eye clean" diamonds. That means lower in clarity, but you can't see the inclusions with the naked eye at arm's length. SI1-SI2 range.

For color - in a round diamond - you can go higher in color and still have it appear white - look at I/J. Princess you may want to go slightly higher but I've seen a J in a white gold setting and it looked pretty white (And I'm super color sensitive). Out of the setting, I could see the color. It's subjective, too.

I just posted some ideal cut, I color diamonds for another posted - here's one I didn't post for him: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2671396.htm
You're looking at $6800 on that guy, plus $350 for a solitaire ring : http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/search.htm?t=solitaire
Drop to .91 and it comes down to $5800 - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2772513.htm

Princesses are a little cheaper per carat than rounds - found you a 1 carat I color for $5300 -
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2642474.htm

This is just with one vendor - I'm sure other's will chime in with more selections.

 

[webdiva]

Also look for vendors that offer the following - which all PS preferred vendors do.
1. At least a 30 day refund policy
2. AGS or GIA certs
3. ASET and/or Idealscope images (depending on shape of diamond)
4. Time to search the value of that diamond and compare it to the PS database
5. Upgrade policy in the future in case your wife decides to go bigger
6. Optional - buy back policy

 

[cocolo2k]

Thanks for the help,

Is this one any good,
http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/diamond-page.asp?diamid=1493662


Is james allen a good place for the budget conscious?

 

[webdiva]

Thanks for the help,

Is this one any good,
http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/diamond-page.asp?diamid=1493662


Is james allen a good place for the budget conscious?

James Allen is a great place! It's a little trickier because you have to wade through the options yourself and you can only ask for three ASET/Idealscope images.

ASET images are essential to see the performance of princesses. However, it's not square - and has a pretty rectangular shape. Are you ok with that?

I'll let some of our other more princess savvy members chime in on selections from James Allen.