Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Advice Selecting Princess Cut Engagement Ring

C

Cheenist

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 28, 2010
Messages
3
Greetings,

I am new to the forum, but I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on an engagement ring for my beautiful girlfriend of over two years. :)

I need a little help making sure I get a good value for my budget and most importantly, get something she will love for years to come.

Here are the specs:

Budget: ~ $4,000 including setting (This can be stretched a bit, but not more than 2-300 dollars.)

Princess Cut

Solitare setting--no side diamonds, white gold or platinum (My mom and sister have both had platinum and white gold and both prefer the white gold, as they feel it retains its visual appeal longer and is a better value.)

As close to 1 carat as possible without sacrificing quality. Above all else, I'd like to emphasize quality before size.

Here's one on Blue Nile I've beens seriously considering: http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?&pid=LD01130777&builder=BYOR&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#DIAMONDS_STEP|LD01130777

The setting: http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?offer_id=4123&forceStep=STYLE_STEP

Am I on the right track? Are there better deals out there? Please help a neophyte all you can.

Thanks!
 
Cheenist|1290974291|2781072 said:
Greetings,

I am new to the forum, but I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on an engagement ring for my beautiful girlfriend of over two years. :)

I need a little help making sure I get a good value for my budget and most importantly, get something she will love for years to come.

Here are the specs:

Budget: ~ $4,000 including setting (This can be stretched a bit, but not more than 2-300 dollars.)

Princess Cut

Solitare setting--no side diamonds, white gold or platinum (My mom and sister have both had platinum and white gold and both prefer the white gold, as they feel it retains its visual appeal longer and is a better value.)

As close to 1 carat as possible without sacrificing quality. Above all else, I'd like to emphasize quality before size.

Here's one on Blue Nile I've beens seriously considering: http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?&pid=LD01130777&builder=BYOR&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#DIAMONDS_STEP|LD01130777

Am I on the right track? Are there better deals out there? Please help a neophyte all you can.

Thanks!
Click to expand...


The issues with Blue Nile is that they drop ship stones, meaning they do not have the stones in their possession- and they do not post actual pictures of the stones. You will never be able to determine how well a princess stone is cut unless you see pictures and ASET images. That will tell if the stone is cut well or not.

James Allen will provide aset upon request- as will whiteflash.
James allen posts actual pictures of the stone you are looking at- Whiteflash provides pictures of their ACA stones, you need to ask for aset & images of others.
 
james allen stones under 3,200

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VVS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1277312.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1277617.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Premium-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1277367.asp


keep in mind that you want an ideal or premium- excellent cut. A better cut stone will sparkle more, hide color more than a good-fair cut stone. If you are going to go for quality over size- an ideal-premium cut stone, H or higher in color (althought many like I - J as well, but there may be a tint) and VS2 or SI1 or higher clarity. Many people feel that H & higher color, and eyeclean SI1 or higher clarity is very safe.
 
 
Cheenist|1290974291|2781072 said:
Greetings,

I am new to the forum, but I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on an engagement ring for my beautiful girlfriend of over two years. :)

I need a little help making sure I get a good value for my budget and most importantly, get something she will love for years to come.

Here are the specs:

Budget: ~ $4,000 including setting (This can be stretched a bit, but not more than 2-300 dollars.)

Princess Cut

Solitare setting--no side diamonds, white gold or platinum (My mom and sister have both had platinum and white gold and both prefer the white gold, as they feel it retains its visual appeal longer and is a better value.)

As close to 1 carat as possible without sacrificing quality. Above all else, I'd like to emphasize quality before size.

Here's one on Blue Nile I've beens seriously considering: http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?&pid=LD01130777&builder=BYOR&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#DIAMONDS_STEP|LD01130777

The setting: http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?offer_id=4123&forceStep=STYLE_STEP

Am I on the right track? Are there better deals out there? Please help a neophyte all you can.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Hi and welcome! :wavey:

I think you are focusing too much on color/clarity and not on cut quality, which is unfortunately one of the hardest parameters to define. AGS grades cut quality of princess cuts so you can look for an AGS0 or look for a GIA princess with a good ASET image. Unless your GF is super color sensitive G/H color should be fine and VS2/an eye-clean SI1 will look the same to the naked eye as VS1.
 
I like the first 3 that Amy suggested, particularly the 0.92 I/VVS1 based on the picture. If you can narrow your choices down to 3, JA will provide you with up to 3 ASET images to compare.
 
The pic looks good...I'd reserve it and ask for an ASET.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top