Opinions Requested - Engagement Ring, 15K-20K Budget

[TJK]

Hi,

I''m new to the forums, and I''m currently trying to get some opinions on what people look for in an engagement ring diamond.

I have a budget of between $15K - $20K, and since I obviously can''t ask my girl what she wants, I''ve decided to ask around internet strangers

A bit of researching, here is what I think I will get for my budget:

Cut: "Best there is". E.g. Whiteflash ACA
Carat: 1.5-1.8
Color: F-H
Clarity: VS1-SI1

Some examples of these diamonds would be:

1.738ct G VS1 ACA, $19K = http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2192317.htm

or

1.708ct G VS2, $19K = http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040397620030



My questions are - if you were me with a similar budget, would you have very different criteria? Of course it depends on what your preference is, but hearing many different opinions at this point (for a newbie) is helpful (e.g. "Get a bigger rock and compromise on color!" "Lower the cut grade, go for better clarity!", etc)

Thanks,

TJ

 

[suzannea]

I think you are right on for what you are looking for- but I wouldn''t go below VS2- I have a (personal) issue with SI1- if you are spending that type of cash- I wouldn''t want to see any inclusions from the side- again just my opinion. I had a budget of 12K so we ended up with a 3K setting and a 1.20 8500 F VS2- I am very happy. I will never upgrade- I love what I have. HTH

 

[PumpkinPie]

what is your budget for the setting? What type of setting are you thinking of?

 

[Kaleigh]

I think you are spot on. Love the stones you are considering... Best to put one on hold... I have dealt with both WF and Brian...

Best of luck!! If you need help with a setting let us know...

 

[Dreamer_D]

You will not be ableto jump the 2ct mark and stay in the G/H color range and VS2/SI1 clarity range, so I think that you have picked a GREAT size and color/clarity for your budget! You can save some money by looking for an eye clean HSI1 if you want, but G color is my personal sweet spot so why not get it if you can?

My favourite setting for diamonds in that size is a three stone with pear sides. Yum!

 

[beezygal]

I wouldn''t compromise on the cut. Get the BEST cut so that the diamond will sparkle like crazy. I like the G colour VS2 combo. It''s eye-clean and near colourless.

 

[Gypsy]

If you want a round those are great choices. How are you planning on setting it?

 

[Dancing Fire]

those are fine.

 

[TJK]

A few have asked about settings (thanks for the replies so far! I like hearing what people think). Honestly I haven''t done as much thinking around the settings compared to the diamond, but my current thought is to go with the traditional Tiffany settings, something like this:

http://www.tiffany.com/Engagement/Item.aspx?GroupSKU=GRP10001#f+0/0/0/0/0/0

Something simple, elegant, classic. My girl doesn''t wear much jewelry in the first place, so I think it will fit her. My brief research indicates that a platinum Tiffany(like) setting would cost me less than $1K, so I''m not currently worried budget-wise... (I could be wrong).

But I''ll be looking around forums and pictures for some additional "mind-stimulation" here...

 

[tyty333]

You could get into the 2 carat range if you drop to an I
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040391440001

However, if you dont know her comfort zone as far as color G/eye-clean SI1/VS is a good place to be.

Here is an H at a good price
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040397620032

Edit - one more to consider 1.7 G/VS2 at $18,400ish
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040397620030

or

1.72 G/SI1 at $15,118
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040381680004

Here is there classic tiffany knife edge setting
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5336

 

[LadyJane83]

I''m not a diamond expert, but something in your post caught my eye....

You say you obvisouly cannot ask your grilfriend what she wants.... why?

I hope you have at least made sure that she likes round diamonds in the size range you have chosen, and at least have a basic idea about what setting she would like...

IMO it is risky to ring shop for a woman unless you have a very solid idea of what she likes. This is a very improtant purchase and women can be very particular about these things.

 

[Lew Lew]

Date: 4/21/2010 12:50:06 PM
Author: LadyJane83
I''m not a diamond expert, but something in your post caught my eye....


You say you obvisouly cannot ask your grilfriend what she wants.... why?


I hope you have at least made sure that she likes round diamonds in the size range you have chosen, and at least have a basic idea about what setting she would like...


IMO it is risky to ring shop for a woman unless you have a very solid idea of what she likes. This is a very improtant purchase and women can be very particular about these things.

I was thinking the same thing. Has your GF ever commented on other women''s rings? That could give you a clue as to the style. You could also ask your GF''s friends, b/c she may have confided in them what she would like. For all you know, she prefers emerald cuts or princess cuts to round brilliants. It would be better to find out before you purchased the diamond.

 

[TJK]

Date: 4/21/2010 1:15:52 PM
Author: Lew Lew

Date: 4/21/2010 12:50:06 PM
Author: LadyJane83
I''m not a diamond expert, but something in your post caught my eye....


You say you obvisouly cannot ask your grilfriend what she wants.... why?


I hope you have at least made sure that she likes round diamonds in the size range you have chosen, and at least have a basic idea about what setting she would like...


IMO it is risky to ring shop for a woman unless you have a very solid idea of what she likes. This is a very improtant purchase and women can be very particular about these things.

I was thinking the same thing. Has your GF ever commented on other women''s rings? That could give you a clue as to the style. You could also ask your GF''s friends, b/c she may have confided in them what she would like. For all you know, she prefers emerald cuts or princess cuts to round brilliants. It would be better to find out before you purchased the diamond.

No worries. We have actually walked into Tiffany''s before ("for fun") and talked in general about what her choice would be (round, classic setting, etc). When I said I can''t ask my GF, I meant it''s a little too specific to ask about the 4C compromises or what her threshold for clarity would be.

Or maybe I should be worried (and be safer than sorry here even if it might tip her off)?

 

[slg47]

If she doesn''t wear a lot of jewelry, then you are probably ok going with a simple setting (she can always upgrade later...but a simple Tiffany-style setting is classic). Also, the Tiffany-style solitaires are set "higher up"...if she is not so fussy/doesn''t wear a lot of jewelry, maybe you should get her something more low-profile?

You definitely need to find out what cut she wants...maybe you can "browse through magazines" or go ring shopping with some friends who are about to be engaged? I think it''s really nice that you are trying to plan a lot of this on your own but if she hates rounds or loves emerald cuts...you gotta find that out first.

Of course, this is coming from a girl who basically picked out her own ring to save BF the trouble...ensuring I got what I want (and he didn''t have to stress too much)