realistic budget?

[dan1230]

As I've been narrowing and revising my search, I've come up with a ~$6k budget for a RBC solitaire. I've taken in a lot of advice in terms of cut, pavilion angles, table, HCA, etc... and when i do a search for something in the ~1.3-1.4 range J color, I'm typically able to find something I believe meets ideal pricescope criteria. After reading through this thread last night on someone looking at a 1.35c diamond, a few mentioned that his budget should be around 7500 or up:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/what-do-you-think-of-this-1-35-ct-i-si2-please-help.224845/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/what-do-you-think-of-this-1-35-ct-i-si2-please-help.224845/[/URL]

and I'm just wondering if there's something I'm missing or not taking into account in my search?

 

[Gypsy]

Yes. There are many things you aren't taking into account. I am not typing it all out at 5am either so, just wait for others to come on and help.

Also, is this for someone else if so please answer below (hint: the words she'll love anything I get her are not a valid answer). If it is for you personally to wear ignore below.

1.Are you sure the wearer wants a round?
2. If yes, then how do you know? If no, does wearee have Pinterest account?
3. Have you dome the basic reasearch to make sure the wearer likes Jcolored stones?

What type of setting does the wearer want? How do you know that wearer wants this type of setting?

 

[dan1230]

Hi Gypsy,

This is a solitaire for my girlfriend.

Yes she definitely wants a round diamond. She's always told me that she wants something simple and has showed me a number of examples on Pinterest of what she thinks is really pretty. We've even gone to a few stores to look at some rings in person and she's tried on princess and halo cuts and hated them. She also doesn't want side stones (She really just likes something really simple and elegant).

We've looked at a few different settings and she wants the final ring to be a surprise but there are a few things that she was really drawn to:
-she really liked the cathedral settings the most as she preferred the diamond set higher
-6 prong setting is something that she likes both from an appearance as well as from the advice a family friend had given her regarding the security of the setting (i know for a smaller diamond, this isn't AS critical but she does like the appearance of it as well)
-she wants a thin band because she doesn't want to feel it when wearing. 2mm or under definitely.
-While she didn't want the band to be anything particularly ornate, she did like the look of the micropave as long as it didn't add too much thickness to the band and definitely only the top half of the ring (didn't like the idea of them all the way around-she tried on both)

My primary reason for looking into J colored stones is due to the fact that she's also in love with rose gold and definitely wants that as her band material. From what I've read, a J colored stone would compliment the rose gold nicely. I am, however, still considering I but would like to see both in person first before making a final decision.

 

[ac117]

Are you hoping to get the diamond and the setting for ~$6k? Or is $6k just for the stone? If it's just for the stone, there are some options close to that (you can get a $100 off with a JA referral coupon if you have 2 email addresses)

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.33-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-903784
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.31-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1884973
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1981332 60/60 style; faces up larger

I posted this for someone else but it doesn't look like they've jumped on it yet...it's an I color, eye clean, and it gets you a fantastic 7mm spread:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1977355

 

[dan1230]

Yes I should have clarified, the 6k budget was for the stone alone, not stone + setting. I'll take a look at those links when I get home tonight!

 

[Gypsy]

Put that SI2 I color on hold ASAP. Ask them if inclusions arr affecting transparency. If not BUY it.

 

[dan1230]

Not available oh well- I've still got 2 weeks or so before I'm ready to pull the trigger (gotta talk to her dad)

Gypsy- what about this stone made you recommend it so highly? Isn't the crown angle slightly shallow? Also, do you recall the price?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think you can do much better on cut than any of those. I'd suggest looking in the 1.2 ct range and get a better cut stone and preferably Si1-VS2 clarity. I honestly don't see many good ones above 1.2 cats in your price range on JA.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1830323

 

[dan1230]

How about something like this?
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/1.21-platinum_select_round-EX-GIA--VS2-diamond-stock-14457-cert-

 

[ac117]

Stunning find! Truly! I'd be all over that before a lurker snatches it up...

 

[dan1230]

Doh!

Need about another week before I can commit to buying

 

[Gypsy]

that would have been helpful to know from the get go.

 

[dan1230]

Sorry...I mentioned it up a few posts. I'll try and be more clear in my original posts next time that I'm just doing research right now

 

[ac117]

GOG may be willing to hold the stone for you with a deposit so you don't lose out! It doesn't hurt to call and ask!