Newbie help- Michael B - Cushion Cut - Online vendors

[hotrock]

Aloha,

Found this website and was hoping I could get a little help. The options for diamonds are dizzying and overwhelming at times and I just want to make sure that I get something my Girlfriend (hopefully wife one day) will get something she loves.

My girlfriend's dream ring is the Michael B Lace collection ring, she loves cushion cut styles as well. I know more than anything to her it is the meaning behind the ring and I would like to make her dream a true reality!

I found out that Pearlmans is a vendor for the ring she wants and have spoken with Bill and feel very comfortable working with him.
My question is that is it better to go shopping for a loose diamond on one BN, JA, or the many plethora's of websites or just getting a diamond through him.

I just don't know if Its better to hand pick a diamond first then have it set and go through that whole process or just trust the jewelers eye to pick a nice eye clean diamond within my budget.

Specs
-4.5 ring size
-Michael B - Lace collection
-Cushion Cut - 1-2 carats whatever can fit my budget. Probably needs to be in the "I" Color or better because of the setting.
-Budget 8-9k

The bottom line though is that I have a feeling that whatever I get she will be happy with because it is the meaning behind it more than the ring, I just want to make sure I get quality especially buying online.

Thanks in advance! Love this site! so much information it makes my head hurt though!

 

[AVCadmirer]

Im no expert but what I do know is that cut is king and that is what will make the difference in a beautiful diamond as opposed to a dead lack lustre diamond, Im not familiar with Pearlmans so can not comment however for a cushion cut I would firstly recommend GOG and also ERD. Most people also suggest to put most of your budget into getting a beautiful diamond and setting into a cheaper temp ring until perhaps an anniversary.
Hopefully the experts will chime in soon

 

[tuckie]

Hi!
Just to clarify, is your $8-$9k budget for the stone alone? I see the lace solitaire on pearlman's is running $7600, which is very pricey for a solitaire, though it is indeed pretty.

 

[Gypsy]

Lace is a VERY expensive setting. I know, I wanted it for myself. But even years ago (10 years) it was a budget buster. You aren't getting that setting with a budget of 7k for the whole ring.