Tired and ready.....

[Sr4482]

After coming across this forum and reading almost every thread (LOL), i''ve decided to stay away from the Kays, Reeds, Zales, etc of this world.

I do however have ZERO experience in selecting diamonds or even know where to begin to look. I''ve read up on color, clarity, depth, etc and looked through the various websites linked to this.

I figured there are many diamond "experts" here so why not give it a shot.

I''m looking for something .7ct or above, princess cut clean eye. I know there''s a similar thread, but my price range is around 2k for the diamond (will probably trade up in the future, but don''t let this be deciding factor). I plan on putting it into a style like these:

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/-Flush-Fit--Diamond-Engagement-Ring_1063.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/-Bead-Set--Diamond-Engagement-Ring_966.htm#

both in yellow gold. I know other sites have similar styles but i''m unsure of where to go for a good diamond.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Sr4482]

I can actually go up to 2200 or so. Would like to stay in the 2k range however.

 

[Sr4482]

what do you guys think about these diamonds:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1278259.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1264020.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1276770.asp

Is there a huge different b/t premium cut and ideal cut?

 

[gooki]

I would stick to the better cut

 

[Dreamer_D]

The labels don''t mean all that much, each diamond needs to be assessed on its own merits. Unfortunately with princess cuts you can''t tell much from the certs either. AGS is the only lab that actually has a cut grading system for Princess cuts, so me personally, I would stick with AGSO princess cuts to make it more likely that I am getting a winner. OR I would buy from Good Old Gold because they do a really good workup on their diamonds.

Here is an AGS0 from WF
http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/Whiteflash-ACA-Princess-cut-diamond-2226894.htm#

This one pushes the budget a little
http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/Whiteflash-ACA-Princess-cut-diamond-2231277.htm

I like this one too
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6955/

Stone cold is good at picking princess cuts from JA, maybe he will stop by.