Ok so...

[jchamb26]

Well first of all this website has a wealth of knowledge and i am actually really enjoying educating myself on the pursuit of the perfect ring that fits my budget for the wonderful woman God has brought into my life. I am thankful for resources like this and thanks in advance for the help with my query.

I have a fairly small budget but some fairly high hopes. I have always thought I wanted a D-F color stone and it had to be VS1-VS2 at least, ect. Well im starting to realize while yes color is still very important, that there are some beautiful G-H stones out there and that a little flourescence might not be a bad thing on some of these stones and actually may help them appear more D-F. Also light return and fire is a must for me, I want her to be proud. ALso im realizing that on my budget im not going to be able to get a VS1 stone, but that SI1 can still be clean and maybe the inclusions are in a location where they would be covered by a prong.

My budget is $2,500 MAX for the stone and maybe $1200-ish on the setting, a cushion cut diamond (WHICH I STILL NEED TO LEARN MORE AS I DONT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BTW THE CUTS OF THE CHIPPED ICE ONES BY ACTUALLY LOOKING AT THEM IN A STORE). I am looking to get as close a 1.0ct as possible and for the stone to appear colorless or near colorless, I do not want any tingy yellow stones. I want the ring to pop as much as possible on this budget. Im thinking of visiting uniondiamond since im local and shopping them against solomon... I really wasnt impressed at all with Solomon last time I went as the woman tried to really force me out of my budget and lead me to believe there was nothing in my range when the website said otherwise before I showed up.

Anything I might need to know when shopping, or can anyone point me to any other resources. I know that's a meager budget, but it's what ive got. She's not superficial at all, but I just want to make her smile with the budget I do have.

Thanks in advance,
Josh

 

[heididdl]

I think you are looking to start in the 3sssss 3,000 to start on cushion even .90 points. so if you go with a really simple $650 solitaire setting more bang for your diamond buck.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-215218

this one is $3,400 and the least expensive for a .90 H color ideal cut sI! stone.....

this one is .80 points for $2,300 but I color VS2 clarity

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-185245

I'd rather have something close to .90 and a simple setting to maybe upgrade later . I''d want my stone to be sparkly....just my HO

 

[JulieN]

2500, you need to shoot for like .7 cts

 

[Christina...]

I would really encourage you to focus most of your budget on the stone and setting into a simple solitaire for now. You can find an inexpensive solitaire for $300 or less and them think about upgrading the setting down the road, like a special anniversary or occasion. I also think that solitaires are very timeless and classic and paired with a diamond wedding band....stunning!

I think that you are on the right track considering H or even I colored stones, however even with fluorescence don't expect it to appear like a DEF, it won't. Fluorescence isn't even detectable unless you are in environments which produce fluoro. J's are perfectly acceptable to many people as well, although it really depends on how color sensitive you and/or your gf are. Most well cut J's face up very white with only a hint of warmth when viewed from the pavilion. I think it would serve you well to view a bunch of GIA or AGS graded stones side by side and see what you think. You may be surprised!

I completely agree that an eye clean SI stone is a great value. Be sure to work with a vendor that can help determine this for you and be clear about what eye clean means to you...from what distance, from what angle etc. Some people are fine with an inclusion that can be hidden by a prong, others consider inclusions appealing, like little birthmarks, others need a totally eye clean and mind clean stone and won't consider anything less than VS1. Again you need to see these in person to determine how you feel.

You mentioned that light performance is of the largest importance to you. I'd recommend that you work with a vendor that can provide you with ASET images. Honestly, if you are having difficulty distinguishing a chunky cut cushion and a crushed ice type cushion, then I'm betting that easily detecting leakage and transparency issues is also going to be difficult to you...and it is for many so please don't find this to be a criticism. I'm not sure that Solomon or Union Diamond provide ASET images, but if you are able to view the stones in person that you could order your own and learn how to use it. You can even photograph the images and post them here for help.

 

[yssie]

May as well spare my fingers and just ditto Christina Looks like you're going to have to compromise somewhere - budget for the stone, colour, or size...

A handful of interesting stones - some different shapes/faceting types
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.81-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-91519
0.81 I VS1 $2500


This is over the current budget but I would agree w/ Christina re. perhaps putting a bit more into the stone and a bit less into the setting unless there's a specific setting she wants..
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-62743
0.80 H VS2 $2900


I poked around in the radiants too, sometimes there's some overlap - this one is lower coloured than you specified but the patterning looks interesting:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.91-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-160386
0.91 J VS2 $2180


Another beauty:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.73-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-191228
0.73 E VS1 $2500


From DBL w/ medium blue fluor (though again Christina is right re. real-world effect)
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-diamond-80ct-j-si1-cushion-cut-gia-great-stone-r5211
0.8 J SI1 $2600


Gorgeous oval from GOG
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9900/
0.9 I VS2 $3000


Vintage cushion from GOG
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10577/
0.86 I VS1 $2600




Go to some local stores, look at some stones, figure out what your priorities are and what you're most willing to compromise on. Then you'll have a much better idea of exactly what you're targeting!

 

[jchamb26]

guys thank you so much for your responses. I hadnt even thought of just doing a simple solitaire setting and spending most of the budget on the rock and then that would actually be something exciting to upgrade for a future anniversary. I think with more like a 3,500 budget I should be able to get a nice rock hopefully. Next ill need to educate myself on the different types of cushion and how to identify them when looking.

Question though many of you said that I was way out of line on my expectations of price but with parameters of D-H, .95-1.25ct, IF-SI1, and IDEAL cut it gave me many choices in that price range near a carat. Now granted not all of those are going to be acceptable diamonds to me, but on paper the number and grading seems good and in that ballpark. What do you all think?

http://www.uniondiamond.com/control/showCategoryPage?weightMinVal=0.95&weightMaxVal=1.25&priceMinVal=0&priceMaxVal=0&colorMinVal=COLOR_DIAMOND_01&colorMaxVal=COLOR_DIAMOND_05&clarityMinVal=CLARITY_DIAMOND_02&clarityMaxVal=CLARITY_DIAMOND_07&cutMinVal=CUT_05&cutMaxVal=CUT_05&tableMinVal=37&tableMaxVal=85&depthMinVal=44.0&depthMaxVal=89.0&labListC=LAB_01&labListC=LAB_02&labListC=LAB_03&labListC=LAB_04&viewIndex=0&viewSize=20&shapeVal=SHAPE_07&productCategoryId=2184&parentProductCategoryId=2183&parentCategoryMenuName=Diamonds&polishList=&symList=&flurList=&labList=LAB_01%2CLAB_02%2CLAB_03%2CLAB_04&sortBy=wirePriceL2&expanded=

 

[JulieN]

Those are all EGL stones. The grading is loose.

 

[jchamb26]

what is the most desirable cut for a cushion? There are sooo many to choose from lol, I dont know whats pretty and what isnt now. My head hurts. GIA stone it is then....

 

[SB621]

what is the most desirable cut for a cushion? There are sooo many to choose from lol, I dont know whats pretty and what isnt now. My head hurts. GIA stone it is then....

It will depend on the person. Some like antique cushions, others like 8 main facets while some like crushed ice. As your girlfriend seen any of these in person? Does she have a pinterest board with cushions? Or has she pointed any out to you? Knowing what she likes will help us taylor down a search for you.

I suggest you check out this thread which talks alot about cushions. It is geared towards making a HW inspired halo ring but the majority of the info is about different types of cushions with pictures. I'm a visual person so this really helped me.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/cushion-101-my-experience-in-making-a-harry-winston-halo.183473/[/URL]

and a BIG DITTO to everything Christina said.