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Sub $1500 Round Brilliant for a Yellow Gold Engagement Ring!

Magis

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 5, 2017
Messages
6
Hello all,

First post after a few weeks of lurking, and I want to say how thankful I am of the information that’s been shared by the members of this community. I used to think that diamonds were nothing more than hardened pieces of carbon. Boy, was I wrong! I’ve learned so much about diamonds from lurking here, and I’ve come to really appreciate all the nuance that comes with cutting these gems perfectly.

I plan to propose to my girlfriend on our two year anniversary in late November. I’ve set aside $2100 ($2000 after applying a James Allen coupon) for an engagement ring - $1500 for the diamond, $600 for the setting. Not a lot, but it’s a number I feel we’d both be comfortable based on where we currently are in our lives. Thankfully, my gf has shown a strong preference for yellow gold jewelry, which gives me some leeway to pick a lower color diamond with a yellow gold setting.

I’ve narrowed it down to two diamonds. Both K color, both “super ideal” cuts based on the info I’ve gotten here. Both have been reserved.

Diamond 1:
2469928B-0C9F-4692-86BA-760D5B48B791.jpeg
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3443252
0.64 carat K color diamond, medium blue flourescense, VVS2, approx. 5.5mm, $1270.00
Table 56
Crown Angle 34.5
Pavilion Angle 40.6
Depth 62
Star 50
Lower Girdle 80
0.8 HCA score
Idealscope:
FE6FA1BC-C619-47BE-8558-43322DE9EFF6.jpeg

Diamond 2:
1BBDB13D-46CA-4BCE-8684-C9960D2E00F7.jpeg
https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/l...k-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3491983
0.74 carat K color diamond, medium blue flourescense, SI2, approx 5.8mm, $1380
Table 58
Crown Angle 34.5
Pavilion 40.8
Depth 61.5
Star 50
Lower Girdle 75
1.6 HCA score
NO Idealscope as the diamond is overseas

I was hoping the community could help me with the following:

1. I’m really torn between these two diamonds! Diamond 1 is cleaner and has an Idealscope. Diamond 2 is bigger, and I’m hoping it’s going to look eye clean, but no Idealscope. Which of the two would you pick for a Yellow Gold engagement ring? Any other options you could recommend?

2. I’m thinking of setting these in the following setting: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/e...cross-prong-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1223
Would the the yellow gold prongs make the diamond appear even more yellow? Would it be better to find a setting with a platinum / white gold head?

3. Most of what I’ve read shows that I’ll be okay with a K-color diamond on a yellow gold setting. Am I on the right track or should I look more a J or I?

Thanks in advance! I’d love to hear the community’s thoughts :)
 
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valeria101

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Aug 29, 2003
Messages
15,809
IHMO, .3 mm is not worth the SI2 worries.

If I could not find an I/J at least as nice as #1 & fine SI, I would have #1. The difference I am after is not substantial.
 

farrahlyn

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 22, 2015
Messages
1,170
LOVE the first diamond, it's absolutely lovely. I think the second one still has very safe numbers and it's a great find all things considered.

here are the stones for a size comparison.
SNIP1.JPG
which also brings me to this point. that setting while beautiful for a large stone really overwhelms a smaller stone. the thickness on the ring in the pic above is 3mm. now, this one in comparison is 2mm:
SNIP2.JPG
Unless she specificall said, "i want a thick band" then i'd veer more toward something slimmer.
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
27,257
Ditto farrah as far as the setting goes...that is just too much setting for that size stone IMO*. With the 2 stones you selected I really like number 1 but
think we ought to be able to find you something bigger (maybe, but I dont have time to look right now).

Have you seen this stone for sale by a PSer? .84 J with great numbers at $1650...Stuller makes some really nice settings that you should be able to get
in the amount you have left. I'll post some more after I do my running around.
https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones/dot-84-j-vs-2-round-diamond-stone-only
 

valeria101

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Aug 29, 2003
Messages
15,809
.

I / SI1 @ Blue Nile WWW

The HCA is an acceptable 2.5 (see recent thread www )

___

Now that I am seeing the LoupeTroop option, it gets my vote.
 
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lalala

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Sep 13, 2017
Messages
587
Or this diamond 0.65 J VVS2 with this white gold setting 6 prong 2mm

If she does want yellow gold, I think a K would be just fine! I like your first stone posted. I would opt for a thinner band though. The one above comes in yellow gold too (look at the pics in the comments/reviews on the setting page too). I think it looks really nice in YG.
 

farrahlyn

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 22, 2015
Messages
1,170
These are beautiful suggestions!!!!

i tend to forget about Stuller until someone (like tyty) mentions the affordability. then i go browse and am blown away with their designs!
 

pearaffair

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jun 15, 2015
Messages
3,445

My jeweller in Calgary has better prices for Stuller. As long as shipping from Canada doesn't hurt you, it's worth checking out. One setting I compared was almost half the cost that Yates is charging!

http://www.marlowdesign.ca/catalogue/
 

Magis

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 5, 2017
Messages
6
*** Update ***

First of all, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who chimed in. All the opinions and advice posted on here were instrumental as I made my final desicion.

I went with the diamond that “sang” to me the most — the 0.64 carat K VVS2 =)2. I also went with a much thinner setting as some had suggested — James Allen’s petite flower solitaire in 18k gold. Requested a final Idealscope before mounting and it turned out beautifully:

5DEC6C16-7B9F-4FC0-8C37-97DFA2E44DEC.jpeg

So I pulled the trigger. I’m happy to share that the ring arrived this morning and IMO it is stunning:

E0C19E2C-C3A0-49C5-A428-FB51294C9B31.jpeg
1A799033-8476-46E2-A1CB-1B330AF8C96B.jpeg
Here it is in natural light. It’s a bit overcast in the SF Bay Area today =)2
4FF63EC5-6E2D-462E-BD28-E767E92D7E5E.jpeg
55BAA2E6-73C3-45CF-9066-24B427148ED2.jpeg
I am planning to propose over dinner tonight. I’ll post some hand shots if everything goes well!
 

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ac117

Ideal_Rock
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Joined
Apr 28, 2014
Messages
4,064
It's beautiful!! She's going to love it!!! :appl::appl::appl:
 

Niel

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Jul 23, 2012
Messages
20,047
Good luck!:love:
 

HappyNewLife

Ideal_Rock
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Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
2,534
beautiful! it doesn't look like a K at all! Let us know how it goes!
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
27,257
Gorgeous! I cant believe that's a "K" either! The yellow gold really makes the stone pop! Congrats!
 

AprilBaby

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 17, 2008
Messages
13,249
Spectacular ring !
 

Mondayschild

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Oct 6, 2013
Messages
308
Beautiful!! All the best!!
 

lalala

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Sep 13, 2017
Messages
587
So pretty! Can't wait to see handshots.
 

whitewave

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
12,331
It is beautiful and that is the diamond I would have chosen. I'm hoping to see hand shots this morning!!!
 

Krisking

Shiny_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 9, 2017
Messages
249
Congratulations! It's beautiful! :appl:
 

Mondayschild

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Oct 6, 2013
Messages
308
congratulations to you both! It looks fabulous.
 

lalala

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Sep 13, 2017
Messages
587
Congrats!!! Looks amazing on her!!
 

whitewave

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
12,331
:appl:It looks beautiful on her hand! Best wishes
 

HappyNewLife

Ideal_Rock
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Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
2,534
Yay! Congrats!
 

farrahlyn

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 22, 2015
Messages
1,170
congratulations!! The ring is just absolutely stunning, great choice with the setting! And i cannot tell that stone is a K :love:
 
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