Starting my search (soon to engage)

[wolverine_man]

Hello everyone. I posted in the wrong forum earlier today, sorry for that. Anyway, I've been with my girlfriend for over two years and I am finally going to propose to her. Estimated target date of proposal is within 3 months. I'm just starting my search, and from what I know, she likes either princess or cushion cuts. I have initiated my education through you good folks by reading numerous forum posts and searching reputable online vendors. I will be heading out to the B&M stores here in SW Michigan over the holidays.

This is kind of what has caught my eye at this point. Without seeing the ASET and DiamXray, I asssume it is very difficult to tell if this would make an ideal diamond in this price category:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Premium-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1392300.asp

I would be setting in stone I get in white gold, so I was hoping color ranging from H-G would be sufficient. Quality, I am looking in the SI to VS1 range (I def want it to be clean with even the most discernible naked eyesight) As for carat weight, I'd like to be 1 to 1.5, with ideal target being in the 1.15-1.30 range. Now my gf is pretty traditional, loves Tiffany jewelry (though not the common hearts, etc, more paloma) and would probably prefer some kind of plain setting. My budget would be in the $7,000 range at the higher end. Any advice or words of encouragement would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[diamondseeker2006]

HI, and welcome! With the holidays coming up, there will be lots of good occasions for a proposal!

First, you have to have pictures of the stones to even begin to sort through them. So just ignore virtual stones with no pictures at this point and stick to listings with the actual stone pictured. You can't choose a stone from the numbers on the cert except in some cases with a round.

Do you know about the different style of cushions? I'd recommend looking at Good Old Gold because they have some different cuts related to cushions and princess such as square hearts and arrows (brellia) and Princess of Hearts. I'll take a quick look around and see if I see anything. Hopefully others will see this and suggest stones, too!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7760/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7138/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3433/

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2633280.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2568620.htm

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.050-g-vs2-princess-diamond-ags-104046966011

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.148-j-vvs1-cushion-diamond-ags-1040400870002 (this cushion looks promising in terms of cut but they only have J color)

 

[TristanC]

Hi, just to chip in before the invariable (make sure you get her feedback and what she likes, why don't you ask her to buy the ring with you etc) messages fill downline in this thread.

Pricescope's greatest asset for the diamond seeker is tons of experience in finding a great deal through reputable vendors, and getting you the best bang for your buck, as well as giving you alternatives for settings from various sources at varying budgets. PS is really awesome for this.

If you bear this in mind, you'll be on the way. Good luck.

Personally with your budget, I would avoid anything above SI1 (make sure it is eyeclean), get as close to your 1.3ct size as possible, and to keep the colour at H-I. Look at the vendor sites with actual images and see what you can find within this band.