Please help me put together her dream ring!

[gravflux]

I've been lurking these boards for a few months and I'm finally ready to buckle down and find the perfect stone and setting for my lady, but I need some help!

I know she wants a cushion cut halo, much like http://www.bluenile.com/cushion-shaped-halo-diamond-engagement-ring_41112 - but I'm still looking for the perfect setting and would like to stay at or below $2k.

She has a size 5 ring finger and she's not into super big and bling-y. What would be the best carat size with this style for decent but not overwhelming finger coverage? I was thinking somewhere around .75 - .90, am I totally off?

She's pretty color sensitive, so assuming I keep the stone under 1 carat, what would be a good color to aim for the best bang for my buck?

As far as cut and clarity go, I definitely want it to be eye clean have great sparkle.

Budget wise, I'd like to keep the entire ring under $5k, is this doable?

If you have any input or recommendations on settings, stones or websites, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!

 

[misskittycat]

I have always loved this setting from Ritani:

http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/french-set-halo-diamond-band-engagement-ring-in-14kt-white-gold/6113

(Actually I love the split non pave shank halo version but this is also lovely).

Are you after a cushion cut or a round centre stone?

 

[Gypsy]

Normally we say you shouldn't buy a cushion (or any fancy) without pictures or an ASET. So we do not recommend Blue Nile for fancies.

But the ONE LINE of signature ideal hearts and arrows cushions is the exception to the blue nile no fancy rule.

Why? The GCAL report has pictures of the actual stone and evaluates it for several factors. Some are better than others still, so you have to really scrutinize the G CAL.
This one is nice (nicest of it's size/price range):
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?pt=setform&track=NavDiaSeaCU#diamonds_pid=LD04109781 either with the blue nile setting or the Ritani (which I prefer as well) it is in budget-- you can order it for your stone (just give them the dimensions and the G-Cal and then send them your stone and they will set it for you.

The Ritani can be made for a cushion btw, easily.

 

[gravflux]

That is a beautiful setting from Ritani, but I think she'd prefer a thinner, more petite halo (unless the picture just makes it looks bulkier than it actually is?).

She definitely wants a cushion cut over RB, even knowing that it'll face up smaller.

That does look like a pretty nice diamond from BN. I've mainly been looking at James Allen/Good Old Gold cushions. I feel like I can get a better idea of what I'm actually buying, but the truth is, I still don't actually know what it is I'm looking at/for, ha!

Have any JA/GOG cushions to recommend?