Ready to propose, now just need a ring, please help!

[druggist]

I have an idea of what she wants, here it is:

Cut: Square shaped, probably princess, maybe emerald
Setting: Single stone with bagettes(sp?), doesn''t want the diamond to stand high, lower setting
Carat: around 1.5 give or take a quarter carat
Ring: preferbly platinum but 18K white gold will do
Clartiy: at least vs2
Color: not less than G

I''m willing to spend up to 8K. Of course looking for the best with best price. Any suggestions? Have looked through the vendors and forums but need help from you pros. Thanks for all of your help!

 

[lojack_ii]

Try BlueNile.com....they have a great search feature. I have found quite a few stones in my range of preferences on there. Other sites I have heard pretty good things about and are easy to use are mondera.com and jamesallen.com.

 

[E B]

I don''t know about a 1.5ct G, VS2 princess for under $8k, but here''s a nice looking 1.2ct for $7,550:

1.2 G, VS1 WF Expert Selection

 

[firebirdgold]

I had trouble finding a low profile setting with baggettes.
How about this?:

I put together a blue nile ring with a total carat weight of 1.41 for $10,638 with 1.27 carat weight G Vs1 Ex/Ex cut princess diamond.

hope this link works

 

[UCLABelle]

Hi!

You may have a hard time finding exactly what you are looking for in your budget. Some people are more color sensitive than others, would she be willing to have an "H" color diamond. If so, you may be able to get that 1.5 you were hoping for....Many "lower" color diamonds are often forgotten but are great for people with specific budgets. I have a 1.92 GIA certified "I", and love it to death...I could have had a 1.5 GIA "G" for about the same price...but wanted a bigger diamond.

 

[firebirdgold]

Ooh. missed the buget thing. my bad.

how about this 1.33 signature blue nile princess for $7792? It''s an H Vs2 which is pretty close to what you''re looking for. With the ring I found before it''d be $8967.
this smaller 18k white gold setting it''d be $8292

I don''t know a ton about princess cuts, but since the depth seems a bit variable I''d pay more attention to the mm size rather than the carat size. Also it''s very hard to tell the difference between a G and an H, imho.

 

[firebirdgold]

And for something a bit different, and a lot less expensive:

1.01 H Si1 radiant set in an antique 1930''s platinum ring for $4550.
It''s smaller than what you''re looking for but I think the combination of shapes is very appealing. It''s on antiqueengagementrings.com

 

[druggist]

Thanks for all of your help. After reading a little more, I now realize that White Flash is located in Houston, which is where I live. I fell more comfortable seeing what I buy, so I''m gonna make a trip there and probably get something. In yall''s opinion, how does white flash compare in price with the others?

 

[chrono]

Lucky you! To live that close to WF. They are a great vendor with reasonable policies. However, I think before you drop by, you'll have to call and set up an appointment and let the salesperson you are working with find a couple of stones within your specifications and price range first. This way, your time would be fully utilized as you compare them side by side.

BTW, a princess cut has a VERY different sparkle from an emerald cut.

Oh, and their prices are competitive. Much better than most brick & mortar stores, and much better diamonds.

 

[druggist]

Which of the square diamonds have the most sparkle? She loves that sparkle!

 

[chrono]

Because the different square shaped diamonds have different faceting, they will sparkle differently.

Princess cuts have lots of tiny sparkles with a X shape top down, sort of a crushed ice look.
Cushion cuts usually has bigger flashes of fire (but not always - depends on the faceting)
Emerald cuts are step cuts, so big flashes of fire, much less flashy sparkle
Radiant cuts also has lots of tiny sparkles but at the same time sparkles differently from a Princess cut
GOG's Square H&A has the sparkle of a round (really flashy) but shaped like a square

Gee, it's so hard to describe. I think you'll have to look at them in person and decide which sparkle "personality" you are after.

Princess (from an old WF pic)

Cushion

Radiant

Square H&A next to a Jubilee (courtesy of GOG)

 

[kgwen]

Also, just make sure you have a plan regarding the wedding band.

I have a couple close friends that had a dilemma in creating a wedding band to go with the baguettes on the e-ring.