Newbie here - looking for feedback

[dspot23]

Hello everyone.
Glad I stumbled on this forum - tons of great info. Hoping I can get your thoughts on these round diamonds. Like many people say, cut is king and that's been my #1 focus. I've paid attention to table and depth values, based on few comments found here. My trade offs have been between Color and Clarity, and I've basically come to the crossroads of G VS2 or H VS1.

http://www.bluenile.com/_LD04628848
http://www.bluenile.com/_LD04608171
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-h-color-vs1-clarity_LD04569209
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-h-color-vs1-clarity_LD02898490
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-h-color-vs1-clarity_LD04622622

I know clarity characteristics also matter, so I included links for descriptions of those.

For the setting, she chose a simple design: http://www.bluenile.com/monique-lhuillier-solitaire-engagement-ring-platinum_41262

I'm hoping that your advice could stear into one of these choices.
Thanks in advance
D

 

[Andelain]

...
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-ideal-cut-h-color-vs1-clarity_LD04569209

Looks promising.

 

[smilligan]

I would say drop the clarity to an eye-clean SI1 (or VS2 if it makes you more comfortable). Color is subjective. To my eyes, an H is totally white, but a lot of people feel G is the sweet spot. Just for comparison, take a look at these stones from WF. It's a lot easier to judge differences (IMO) with actual pictures/ASET/IS.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3172009.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3157622.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3045735.htm

They have some similar looking solitaire mounts (most places do) if you want to get the setting from the same vendor.

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/comfort-fit-surprise-diamond-ring-600.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/w-prong-diamond-solitaire-by-wf-287.htm

This one is a little more expensive, but it's very elegant: http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...n-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-272.htm

Obviously, I took a very small sample from a very quick search, but you get the idea.


P.S. I'm not trying to steer you away from BN. There are plenty of people that have had great experiences there. It's all about preference.

Edit: The above is more for reference. Since you didn't ask for examples of other stones, I changed my post so it doesn't look like I'm trying to sway your opinion.