Please help me find my diamond -- $7500 budget; propose Dec

[engeler1]

Hi All,

Thank you for such a terrific advice & service you all provide. It is VERY appreciated! I'm looking at proposing in early December and need to find a ring soon.

Here is the setting I've picked out:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-2mm-comfort-fit-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-54

I would like either round or princess cut. Basically I want the diamond to look very nice (not have noticeable discoloration or flaws) but other than that as large of a diamond as I can afford. I'm thinking a fully loaded Chevrolet kind of quality. So I was thinking:

Cut - Excellent (my understanding is this is the most important characteristic to spend on)
Color: I or better
Clarity: SI1-2

Would you agree I have the parameters right? I don't want a "junk" diamond but don't want to pay for anything only a jeweler or someone with a magnifying glass would notice. Everyone will notice how "big" the stone is so I figure that's what to spend the money on!

If you have any suggested stones at JA I would be very grateful. Need this whole thing to cost ~$8K so w/ the setting we have $7500 to spend on a diamond.

Again thanks in advance you're very kind!

Eric in Michigan

 

[tyty333]

Re: Please help me find my diamond -- $7500 budget; propose

Here are a few to look at. I went low on the clarity to try and get you more size. You can go down in size if you want a cleaner
stone.

You'll have to ask JA about that cloud and if it is visible or not or affects the light return...
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.32-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-584263
Ask JA if this is eye-clean
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.36-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-634638
Another to ask about
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.29-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-353207

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.25-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-608823
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-601530
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.24-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-374140

 

[engeler1]

Re: Please help me find my diamond -- $7500 budget; propose

Thank you I will check these out!

 

[engeler1]

Re: Please help me find my diamond -- $7500 budget; propose

Update: So I got from James Allen that "these are all great choices for SI1 and SI2 graded diamonds. While two of them have inclusions under the table, I think they'll only be visible to a sharp eye, or if you let someone closely examine them while looking for the inclusion."

So I'm ordering "Idealscope" measurements for the following:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.36-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-634638

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.32-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-584263

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.29-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-353207

I will figure out how to post the Idealscope measurements to the website (3-5 business days from now). I'm off on a good start!

Thanks so much!!!

Eric in Michigan

 

[16ocean]

Re: Please help me find my diamond -- $7500 budget; propose

engeler1 hope you put this one on hold . . . tyty333 found you some winners!!!!
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.32-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-584263

 

[engeler1]

Re: Please help me find my diamond -- $7500 budget; propose

Yes, thanks! They're held while they're inspected and then I'll be back with the Idealscope images for review. I'll have <24 hours to make a decision after that so I appreciate all you great people on this website's help once the reports are back.

"Please take this email as confirmation that we have submitted your request for a gemologist inspection and idealscope images of diamonds 634638, 353207, and 584263. We anticipate fulfilling this request in three to five business days. As soon as we receive your information, I'll be in touch with you.

Once you have received the information from the gemological team, we will continue to hold the diamonds for an additional 24 hours. "

Thanks,

Eric in Michigan

 

[engeler1]

OK - have idealscopes -- need to pick by 3 PM

Hi All,

I've received the feedback from JA and idealscopes. I need to make a final selection as they go off hold about 3 PM today. Would love input on pros / cons or flat out which one you'd pick if you were me.

Here's the feedback:

I’m happy to say that you’ve put together a really strong lineup! Diamond 584263 ($7,370) is your top recommendation and offers excellent fire, brilliance, and scintillation. Its brightness balances evenly and it performs the strongest of the three. It’s eye clean, beautifully cut, and has a white “I” color. Diamond 634638 ($7,260) and 353207 ($7,500) have nice light performance and tie as your second brightest options. They’re well cut, white in color, and will appear eye clean to the average eye. You can’t go wrong with any of them, but if you want to maximize light performance, diamond 584263 is the way to go!

Option 1: 584263

Link: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...arat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-584263

Idealscope:

Option 2: 353207

Link: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-353207

Idealscope:

Option 3: 634638

Link: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-634638

Idealscope:

Again, thanks so much for your advice and help. I have no expertise in this topic so I appreciate what a great service this forum provides.

Thanks!

Eric in (snowy) Michigan

 

[ringo865]

Re: Please help me find my diamond -- $7500 budget; propose

Option 1 is the one I would pick.

 

[Speedie]

Re: Please help me find my diamond -- $7500 budget; propose

Option 1 is the one I would pick.

Ditto. As long as it is eye clean (which they said it is) then it's not even particularly close.

 

[engeler1]

Re: Please help me find my diamond -- $7500 budget; propose

Thank you Ring085 and Speedie! I did ask (and JA very nicely agreed) if they would hold the stones until 6 PM Sunday. They agreed so Pricescope has until mid-afternoon tomorrow to chime in if anyone sees it differently on which diamond to buy..

Thanks again to all of you!

Eric in (Spartan-Happy) Michigan

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Please help me find my diamond -- $7500 budget; propose

I'm thinking a fully loaded Chevrolet kind of quality.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Please help me find my diamond -- $7500 budget; propose

Option #1, and I'm going to tweak your setting choice. I recommend this one instead: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-petite-diamond-accent-engagement-ring-item-50124

 

[engeler1]

Re: Please help me find my diamond -- $7500 budget; propose

Thank Gypsy,

Looks like Option 1 is the broad consensus.

Appreciate the feedback on the setting. I think I like the classy simplicity of just a ring and a single stone. But I was thinking that "comfort fit" might be too practical.

I probably plan on going with this setting now instead. Thoughts?
[url=http://www.jamesallen.com/eng...nife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7027[/url]

Thanks,

Eric in Michigan

 

[engeler1]

Re: Please help me find my diamond -- $7500 budget; propose

Pricescopers,

Just to close the loop I've placed the order for the Option 1 Diamond and a Platinum 2mm Knife Edge Solitaire Engagement Ring. I had planned to order the 18K White Gold but got upsold by a very pleasant lady to the platinum.

I hope my intel on ring size was correct as I hear that it's harder to resize. However, I think JA will let me send it back and exchange ring sizes if needed.

Thanks again to all of you for your help, I'm very happy with how all this turned out. Should be in my hands in about 1 - 1.5 weeks!

Eric in Michigan