Hi Everybody,
I know you’ve offered advice to budget engagement ring buyers before, so I want to ask if you’d be willing to share your expertise.
I’m planning on proposing to my girlfriend in on NYE. It’s going to be an extra special moment because it’s an international relationship and we’ll finally be able to be together here in the US next year. I know that it would make her dream come true to give her a small halo (she’s shown me pictures of rings she likes, and they are always halo). I know that she doesn’t want a large diamond. I’ve set my budget maximum at $3000 (various financial reasons), but I’d feel more comfortable in the under-$2400 range. I want to get a nice ring for my budget – smaller, but quality that will look nice on her hand, with the halo. Of course, if my 4c priorities are off from what you recommend, please let me know.
1] She wants a square-shaped diamond in a halo ring. She wears a size 5.5. Based off a similar post that I read, I’m eyeing these settings (but open to square ideas):
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-princess-center-item-17453 (not paved)
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-princess-center-item-17433 (paved)
2] Since the above settings cost $720/1000, that leaves me with $1700/1400 (ideal) to $2300/2000 (stretch) for a center diamond.
Shape: princess
*I love radiant too, but the setting above requires princess
Cut: must be ideal
Carat: I’m envisioning around .5 for the diamond
Color: am I overpaying if I go colorless? I do like quality when it’s an option. Colorless tends to show in the search results based on my other requirements
Clarity: SI1 to VS1?
Any Thoughts? I appreciate your time.
.5 H SI2 - Final price: $1640/1920
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.50-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-565072
1.03 LW ratio
.53 E VS2 - Final price: $2170/2450
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.53-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-720842
1.02 LW ratio
.52 D VS1 - Final price: $2480/2760
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.52-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-622902
1.01 LW ratio
I know you’ve offered advice to budget engagement ring buyers before, so I want to ask if you’d be willing to share your expertise.
I’m planning on proposing to my girlfriend in on NYE. It’s going to be an extra special moment because it’s an international relationship and we’ll finally be able to be together here in the US next year. I know that it would make her dream come true to give her a small halo (she’s shown me pictures of rings she likes, and they are always halo). I know that she doesn’t want a large diamond. I’ve set my budget maximum at $3000 (various financial reasons), but I’d feel more comfortable in the under-$2400 range. I want to get a nice ring for my budget – smaller, but quality that will look nice on her hand, with the halo. Of course, if my 4c priorities are off from what you recommend, please let me know.
1] She wants a square-shaped diamond in a halo ring. She wears a size 5.5. Based off a similar post that I read, I’m eyeing these settings (but open to square ideas):
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-princess-center-item-17453 (not paved)
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-princess-center-item-17433 (paved)
2] Since the above settings cost $720/1000, that leaves me with $1700/1400 (ideal) to $2300/2000 (stretch) for a center diamond.
Shape: princess
*I love radiant too, but the setting above requires princess
Cut: must be ideal
Carat: I’m envisioning around .5 for the diamond
Color: am I overpaying if I go colorless? I do like quality when it’s an option. Colorless tends to show in the search results based on my other requirements
Clarity: SI1 to VS1?
Any Thoughts? I appreciate your time.
.5 H SI2 - Final price: $1640/1920
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.50-carat-h-color-si2-clarity-sku-565072
1.03 LW ratio
.53 E VS2 - Final price: $2170/2450
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.53-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-720842
1.02 LW ratio
.52 D VS1 - Final price: $2480/2760
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.52-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-622902
1.01 LW ratio