Please help me pick an engagement diamond/setting

[nybtsla]

Sorry if this is a repost. I'm new here and tried to post earlier but can't seem to find it.

I have recently decided to propose to my girlfriend and I am just starting to figure out what ring to purchase. I have learned a lot through reading this forum - it's really amazing how much information is out there.

I am looking to spend roughly $5k - I feel like I should try to spend more but law school is not cheap.

In speaking with my girlfriend, it seems like we are focused mostly on fire/sparkle and size, and relatively less so on perfect clarity and color. So that said, I've been focusing on roughly 1 ct. stones with as close to ideal cut as possible. So far I've been searching mostly G/H color and VS1/2 clarity, but would consider lower quality in those two crtieria if you all think that might make sense.

Here are a few that I am currently considering. I'd really appreciate your input:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1216261.asp
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-signature-ideal-cut-h-color-vs1-clarity_LD01021766?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1982389.htm#
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/5234/

Also, I know this is getting long, but please indulge a few questions re setting. I'm looking at a Tiffany-style setting. I'm inclined to go with white gold, possibly with platinum prongs, unless you all think platinum is really necessary. And I think I prefer the more circular appearance of a 6-prong, but would like to hear your take.

Thanks in advance for all your help with this exciting but stressful decision.

 

[stone-cold11]

The JA stone is a little to steep in the pavilion, might has some light leakage.

Both WF and GOG stones look good.

The BN stone looks like there is some leakage.

EDT:

This looks good, ask JA for a IS of the stone.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1181013.asp

 

[Tuckins1]

There are many beautiful 6 prong solitaires floating around here, as well as gorgeous 4 prongs! Browse through the eye candy thread to see some stunning settings.

Here are a few nice settings from Knox Jewelers... I don''t know if you are against side stones or not, but here''s a few...
Verona
Solera
Silk
Contour petite
Legacy

You should also do a search on PS for Mark Morrell settings... His settings are to die for!!!

 

[nybtsla]

Thanks for your reply. The JA you suggested looks nice, but I''m a bit wary of what appears to be a somewhat significant inclusion right in the middle. But I wonder how noticeable it would be at actual size...

 

[stone-cold11]

It is a VS2, normally should not be visible. But if you are worried about that, ask JA to verify that it is eye-clean while getting you an IS image of that stone.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/6/2009 4:05:36 PM
Author:nybtsla
Sorry if this is a repost. I'm new here and tried to post earlier but can't seem to find it.

I have recently decided to propose to my girlfriend and I am just starting to figure out what ring to purchase. I have learned a lot through reading this forum - it's really amazing how much information is out there.

I am looking to spend roughly $5k - I feel like I should try to spend more but law school is not cheap.

In speaking with my girlfriend, it seems like we are focused mostly on fire/sparkle and size, and relatively less so on perfect clarity and color. So that said, I've been focusing on roughly 1 ct. stones with as close to ideal cut as possible. So far I've been searching mostly G/H color and VS1/2 clarity, but would consider lower quality in those two crtieria if you all think that might make sense.

Here are a few that I am currently considering. I'd really appreciate your input:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1216261.asp
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-signature-ideal-cut-h-color-vs1-clarity_LD01021766?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1982389.htm#
http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/5234/

Also, I know this is getting long, but please indulge a few questions re setting. I'm looking at a Tiffany-style setting. I'm inclined to go with white gold, possibly with platinum prongs, unless you all think platinum is really necessary. And I think I prefer the more circular appearance of a 6-prong, but would like to hear your take.

Thanks in advance for all your help with this exciting but stressful decision.

Welcome!

I will just fix the links so I can take a look for you-

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1216261.asp


http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-signature-ideal-cut-h-color-vs1-clarity_LD01021766?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0


http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1982389.htm#

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/5234/

Ok I took a look and I would pick either the WF or GOG diamonds. Also both vendors have good upgrade policies should that ever be a consideration.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 4/7/2009 5:45:53 AM
Author: Lorelei

Welcome!

I will just fix the links so I can take a look for you-

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1982389.htm#

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/5234/

Ok I took a look and I would pick either the WF or GOG diamonds. Also both vendors have good upgrade policies should that ever be a consideration.

Thanks for the linkies miss.

Ditto on the WF or GOG stones. I would shoot for the GOG, it's a bit less for the same size. Just make sure the fluorescence isn't having any affect on the stone. (I seriously doubt it is)

The JA stone (that stone posted) is not bad either, if you want to consider an I. I don't care for their upgrade policy though....

 

[nybtsla]

I''m not too concerned about the upgrade policy - I think it will be quite a while before I''m considering that...

I''d love to hear more opinions regarding moving down to I color or SI clarity. It seems like I could get a significantly larger stone, and still keep as close to ideal cut as possible, but I''m worried about dropping too low in the other criteria.

Thanks so much for all your help.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/7/2009 12:18:49 PM
Author: nybtsla
I''m not too concerned about the upgrade policy - I think it will be quite a while before I''m considering that...

I''d love to hear more opinions regarding moving down to I color or SI clarity. It seems like I could get a significantly larger stone, and still keep as close to ideal cut as possible, but I''m worried about dropping too low in the other criteria.

Thanks so much for all your help.

Most welcome Miss Ellen!

NY, you could definitely consider I colour and SI clarity if GIA or AGS graded and verified eyeclean, this can really help maximise the budget.

 

[stone-cold11]

Have you see a I color GIA/AGS diamond in real life? Compare with other colors to see if you can see the difference?

This link shows the color comparison http://vimeo.com/3288695 with ideal cut stones.

The color in the video may be slightly off because of the display, camera etc, but you can get a sense of how much drop in color there is.

Regarding clarity, for me as long as it is eye-clean, no one will be able to tell if the stone is an IF or SI1 eye-clean stone, so why pay for something you cannot see?

 

[Lorelei]

Here is an I colour which could work if Whiteflash verified that it is eyeclean to your standards. It is just about $100 more than 5k if you pay by bank wire.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1982315.htm

 

[Ellen]

Along with the other visuals, here''s a thread on J''s. I''m not saying get a J, just showing you what a color grade lower than an I can look like in a well cut stone.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/j-color-stones-in-platinum.24731/

 

[nybtsla]

Thanks again for all the help everyone.

How about some input on this one, if you don''t mind. It''s a total wild card, but I''m kind of intrigued by it.

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/5388/

I hope the hyperlink worked - but sorry if it didn''t. I''m still learning...

 

[stone-cold11]

Looks crazy... You might like it. Can''t tell you much about it as it is a non-standard cut. Try giving GOG a call and ask for their advice on this stone.

 

[tyty333]

Edit - I forgot to "quote" - doh! I'm talking about the Robert Cento diamond.

I know nothing about the cut of these stones but looking at the picture all I could say was "Wow". Personally, I like
the look (and like the fact that it looks a little different from a round brilliant). You need to talk to GOG about the
stone and find out what they think of it. They are know for their honesty.

 

[Mrs W]

What about these?

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1227848.asp

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1982325.htm

http://www.niceice.com/certcopies2008/ags0009397005/index.htm