Suggestions/comments on engagement ring purchase

[rigisme]

First, I want to say hello to all the helpful users on this forum. I am a longtime lurker, and, have loved seeing all the great and passionate people help out. Hopefully, I can get some help myself!

I'm going to be proposing to my girlfriend soon. First things first...I've gotta get a ring!

We discussed the types and she looked at some pictures a while back. I know she likes this:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?forceStep=STYLE_STEP&offer_id=17884
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-ring-white-gold_17885?keyword_search_value=17885

So, with those out of the way....diamond time!

I was thinking about something like this:

Diamond Details
Carat weight: 1.01
Cut: Ideal
Color: E
Clarity: SI2
Depth %: 61.8%
Table %: 59%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Medium
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Strong
Measurements: 6.45 x 6.41 x 3.98 mm

That diamond is around $4500. Total for the entire ring(s) and diamond is around $7500. That's likely about what I need/want to spend.

I've read up on the 4 C's...I just am having so much time "pulling the trigger". So, I thought I'd get some opinions on that stone. Is there anything comparable I might want to look at instead?

Thank you so much for any help!

 

[JulieN]

Have you seen the BGD Legera? Similar setting but with nicer head and upgraded melee, price is only a few hundred more, and if you want platinum it is only a few couple hundred on top of that.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/legera-pave-18k-white-gold-5861w18
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/wedding-and-anniversary-bands/eternity-bands/legera-pave-matching-band-18k-white-gold-5862w18

 

[rigisme]

Have you seen the BGD Legera? Similar setting but with nicer head and upgraded melee, price is only a few hundred more, and if you want platinum it is only a few couple hundred on top of that.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/legera-pave-18k-white-gold-5861w18
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/wedding-and-anniversary-bands/eternity-bands/legera-pave-matching-band-18k-white-gold-5862w18

That does look quite similar, and, looks very nice. Thanks! I will absolutely keep it in mind!

So, now...any good suggestions on an accompanying diamond?

 

[JulieN]

On the other hand, the price of this set combined is nearly the price of the BN setting alone.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-0.32ct-french-cut-pave-diamond-engagement-ring--item-7090
http://www.jamesallen.com/wedding-rings/womens-diamond/14k-white-gold-0.34ct-rounded-french-cut-pave-diamond-wedding-ring-item-7091

With something like this http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.14-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-sku-227722

BGD will set outside stones; their in-house inventory limits you to below .9 cts for a 7500 budget.

 

[Christina...]

I think that if you are considering stones in the SI range that it's going to be important that you work with a vendor that can provide images of the diamond or at the very least can evaluate the stone for you. Have you considered dropping a tad lower in color and raising the clarity?

 

[msop04]

First, I want to say hello to all the helpful users on this forum. I am a longtime lurker, and, have loved seeing all the great and passionate people help out. Hopefully, I can get some help myself!

I'm going to be proposing to my girlfriend soon. First things first...I've gotta get a ring!

We discussed the types and she looked at some pictures a while back. I know she likes this:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?forceStep=STYLE_STEP&offer_id=17884
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-ring-white-gold_17885?keyword_search_value=17885

So, with those out of the way....diamond time!

I was thinking about something like this:

Diamond Details
Carat weight: 1.01
Cut: Ideal
Color: E
Clarity: SI2
Depth %: 61.8%
Table %: 59%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Medium
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Strong
Measurements: 6.45 x 6.41 x 3.98 mm

That diamond is around $4500. Total for the entire ring(s) and diamond is around $7500. That's likely about what I need/want to spend.

I've read up on the 4 C's...I just am having so much time "pulling the trigger". So, I thought I'd get some opinions on that stone. Is there anything comparable I might want to look at instead?

Thank you so much for any help!

Hi rigisme!

This combination is concerning (bolded). The table is on the big side... I don't think you will be able to find an eye clean stone with such a high color in the 1 ct range for $4500. I did a quick search on JA and the best I could find for $4500-4900 were stones in the 0.90 ct (6.15-6.25 mm) range with G/H colors and SI1 clarity. Is it important that you hit the "1 carat" mark? If not, you will probably be able to achieve the look at a 0.9 ct. Do you like any of these?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-231150 this one has a "big spread" with a large table (usually 57-58% is the "cut off")... (6.24 x 6.26 mm) It does look good in the video though...

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-203670

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-234620

 

[rigisme]

Julie: Thanks also for that link. That's also very similar to the BN one. (Decisions, decisions!)

I think that if you are considering stones in the SI range that it's going to be important that you work with a vendor that can provide images of the diamond or at the very least can evaluate the stone for you. Have you considered dropping a tad lower in color and raising the clarity?

Very helpful. That's a good point about viewing the finished product.
I certainly am not opposed to dropping color for clarity.

 

[rigisme]

First, I want to say hello to all the helpful users on this forum. I am a longtime lurker, and, have loved seeing all the great and passionate people help out. Hopefully, I can get some help myself!

I'm going to be proposing to my girlfriend soon. First things first...I've gotta get a ring!

We discussed the types and she looked at some pictures a while back. I know she likes this:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?forceStep=STYLE_STEP&offer_id=17884
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-ring-white-gold_17885?keyword_search_value=17885

So, with those out of the way....diamond time!

I was thinking about something like this:

Diamond Details
Carat weight: 1.01
Cut: Ideal
Color: E
Clarity: SI2
Depth %: 61.8%
Table %: 59%
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Very Good
Girdle: Medium
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Strong
Measurements: 6.45 x 6.41 x 3.98 mm

That diamond is around $4500. Total for the entire ring(s) and diamond is around $7500. That's likely about what I need/want to spend.

I've read up on the 4 C's...I just am having so much time "pulling the trigger". So, I thought I'd get some opinions on that stone. Is there anything comparable I might want to look at instead?

Thank you so much for any help!

Hi rigisme!

This combination is concerning (bolded). The table is on the big side... I don't think you will be able to find an eye clean stone with such a high color in the 1 ct range for $4500. I did a quick search on JA and the best I could find for $4500-4900 were stones in the 0.90 ct (6.15-6.25 mm) range with G/H colors and SI1 clarity. Is it important that you hit the "1 carat" mark? If not, you will probably be able to achieve the look at a 0.9 ct. Do you like any of these?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-231150 this one has a "big spread" with a large table (usually 57-58% is the "cut off")... (6.24 x 6.26 mm) It does look good in the video though...

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-203670

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-234620

No, I don't think a 1 carat diamond is necessary. I could certainly fluctuate either way.

 

[msop04]

No, I don't think a 1 carat diamond is necessary. I could certainly fluctuate either way.

Great! This makes things a bit less difficult! Did you look at the links by chance?

 

[msop04]

...some more from GOG. These are a little more expensive. Are you firm on the $4500 budget, or is there some "wiggle room"?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10686/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10865/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10679/

 

[rigisme]

...some more from GOG. These are a little more expensive. Are you firm on the $4500 budget, or is there some "wiggle room"?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10686/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10865/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10679/

Definitely some wiggle room on price as well.

I'm going through the diamonds you linked to right now.

For somewhat close ones like these, is there anything I should really value above other things?

(Thank you all for all your help; I truly, TRULY appreciate it!)

 

[msop04]

...some more from GOG. These are a little more expensive. Are you firm on the $4500 budget, or is there some "wiggle room"?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10686/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10865/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10679/

Definitely some wiggle room on price as well.

I'm going through the diamonds you linked to right now.

For somewhat close ones like these, is there anything I should really value above other things?

(Thank you all for all your help; I truly, TRULY appreciate it!)

No problem! I found this "cheat sheet" with the preferred specs for rounds. Some will stray a hair from these though...

Depth: 60 - 62%
Table: 54- 57%
Crown angle: 34- 35 degrees
Pavilion angle: 40.6- 41 degrees
Girdle: avoid extremes, look for thin to slightly thick, thin to medium etc
Polish and Symmetry: very good and above

 

[rigisme]

Thanks for that. I'm a bit overwhelmed, but, love all the helpful feedback!