Overwhelmed. Need reccomendations.

[stashmusial]

I am looking to purchase an engagement ring and have gone from box stores to independent jewelers to online jewelers to here. I feel pretty exhausted and decieved, which has turned what should be an enjoyable time to something else altogether.

After looking at settings my girlfriend has decided on a round center stone, set in a square halo setting. She debated between a cushion and a round, but ended up deciding on a round because of the sparkle and light performance in the individual stones we looked at. Since this was the deciding factor for her, I would like to maximize that characteristic and I think I would like to find an H&A stone. My budget is 5-6K for the stone and the setting. From the settings that look similar to what she wants, im thinking its going to work out around 2500 for the setting and 2500-3500 for the stone. She wants the halo and the band to have slightly larger stones than we have seen in most settings and she likes the common prong as opposed to a bezel. This is a setting that we saw that she liked.

http://www.zales.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12131335&kpc=1

I thought this might be a close match?

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/michelle-18k-white-gold-5563w18


Anyway, from the searches I have done (H-J color, ~VS1) it looks like Im going to be looking in the .75 ct range? Can any helpful people suggest any stones? All I really know at this point is that H-J seems to be the best price point for color and I dont want her to see any inclusions.

 

[stashmusial]

for example, why the nealry 1k difference in these 2 stones? Is it just the clarity or am i missing something?


http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-default&id=5


http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.78-carat-i-color-vvs1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-178845

 

[starrylight]

And the fluorescence on the high performance one.

 

[stashmusial]

is the flourescence something that will even be noticeable? Ive read that flourescence in lower colored diamonds can start to make them look whiter. At what point on the scale does this start to happen?

 

[ecf8503]

You REALLY pay for clarity. At this level they will both be eye clean.

Fluor will help any stone look more blue (which counteracts the "yellow") at every level. I have a D color w/ SBF and it looks blue-white in direct sun. Keep in mind the fluor will only have an effect under UV light (direct sun or blacklights) - it has no effect in fluorescent, incandescent, candlelight, etc. And the HPD stone is only medium fluor.

If you want slightly larger size, go with the I - but it will have more tint than the slightly smaller H, with no fluor to counteract it. (Most people start to appreciate a slight warmth to stones when viewed from the side at around the I level.) The difference in size isn't huge, though - side by side you *might* be able to see a difference, but once it is set you really won't.

I'd take the HPD stone just because I love fluor and I would love to own such a spectacularly cut stone! (although the JA is no slouch!)

JMHO.

 

[yssie]

Does she want a round stone or would she prefer a spectacularly performing cushion?

I ask because there are a LOT of icky/so-so/meh cushions out there, but there are also some really nice ones! Good Old Gold carries a handful of lines of square H&A/precision-cut cushions, I'd recommend calling in and talking to them if this is something you might like to investigate

 

[Gypsy]

If it were me, I'd call ID Jewelry and ask Yekuteil to do his magic.

I'd show him the link, and tell him PS sent you and to stick to GIA stones, I or better, SI1 and eyeclean.

He does the best bang for buck with tight budgets.

 

[stashmusial]

I think she might like an H/A cushion or better yet a chunky cushion which I have seen at GOG in their AV cushions. But we havent seen anything like that in person.

 

[ecf8503]

I think she might like an H/A cushion or better yet a chunky cushion which I have seen at GOG in their AV cushions. But we havent seen anything like that in person.

Can you show her some videos? GOG has a LOT of videos on YT (diamondinfoman) comparing different shapes.

 

[JulieN]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.707-g-si1-cushion-diamond-ags-104065050018