Seeking help in picking a diamond...

[Irishhammer]

Like a lot of people that post on this forum I have made the decision to go ahead and pop the question, which in turn means that I have to get involved in the daunting process of selecting a ring.

After doing some research and searching I found that princess cut is the way to go as far as style, but after doing as much research as I can I still find that I am lacking some serious knowledge in this field. I have looked around locally and on the internet, but I still fear spending all that money, but missing a minor detail that greatly effects the look of the diamond.

I will try to be as specific as I can in what I am looking for:

At least 2 ct, Princess cut. I wouldnt mind going higher but I have seen that once you go over 1.5 ct, the price increases dramatically with each point increase. I dont want to go under the 2 ct mark if possible though.

I would like to keep the diamond as nice as possible while still staying within a budget (around $20,000). The setting can either be a simple platinum setting or a platinum channel setting, there isnt really a preference so long as it is simple and classy.

That being said, I have looked around and found myself gravitating toward Bluenile the most for online and have found one stone that I really liked, but as I said I am unsure on some of the finer aspects of it. It seems nice as far as the 4 c''s go, but the other stuff I dont know (like florescense, ect)

http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?track=findsimilar_ldresults&filter_id=0&pid1=LD00487356

Mind you, I do intend on going down to the Diamond District in the next week or so to speak some dealers that my friends have dealt with and recomended, but I have to be honest in that the good internet sites seem hard to compete with as far as price goes. I do admit that I am weary about dealing with such a expensive purchase without being able to see and hold the product first though.

I honestly appreciate ANY advice and help that can be given in this thread.

 

[Ellen]

Hi Irish,

The thing about BN is, they don't give enough info, especially for fancies. Also, with a Princess, you are best off going with either an AGS0 graded stone (zero for light performance), or a GIA graded stone from a vendor who can look at it and give you lots of info on it. BN won't/can't do that. I looked there for any AGS's that fit your size preference, but they didn't have any.

I would recommend one of these, both from very reputable vendors (I have purchased from them).

Bankwire 18,986.02. And it's a quarter of a carat bigger.

http://204.17.89.15/diamond/1586/

or

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-361732.htm# (this is from their branded diamond line) 5% PS discount

or this one, which is their Expert Selection line, which are stones that didn't quite make the brand, but are still nice and offer a bit of savings. 2% PS discount

http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-67218.htm# (need to ask if eyeclean)

 

[Regular Guy]

Irish,

Ellen''s given you very good advice. Rounding it out...I''ve double checked Paul''s Infinity options...he too seems to be out of pocket.

But...Excel has some options. Actually 7, where...if you shop around and don''t mind J color you can save 50% of what you''d budgeted, and still get your zero. But...you can also get a G and be right at budget with them.

Just another option.