E Ring Diamond Search, High Quality 1-1.5ct. Princess

[wildhawker]

Hello,

I''m hoping to get some advice on finding the right stone for the unbelievably wonderful woman I hope to make my wife. It seems the more I read and learn, the less I am confident of choosing the right center for her engagement ring (Kirk Kara "Charlotte", picture attached).

The designer stated that he designs rings for 1-1.5ct stones, and that larger stones can look disproportionate set with this ring. As such, I''m limiting the search to stones of 1-1.5ct. (+ or -). My soon-to-be fiancee has asked for the stone to be a Princess shape, although I see some similar shapes at GOG such as Cut Corner Sq. Brilliant, Sq. H&A and others that may also work in the ering; any thoughts on the shape? I assume that it would be safer to stay with the Princess, since that''s what she asked for!

My budget is about $15k, but would hope to land somewhere in the $9-12k range; however, most important is procuring a high-quality stone that she''ll love. I''m definitely interested in keeping the color in the D-F range, AGS Ideal or GIA ex/ex (hopefully, I''ll find an AGS stone that matches what I am looking for), and clarity VVS-VS. Fluorescence may not be such a bad thing, with the sapphire baguettes on the e-ring and band. I''ve found a few stones in the G color range- are these too "colored"? I was going towards the 18k white gold, but another thread has me leaning now towards platinum.

Stones I''m currently looking at:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/pr1574gvs1/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3259/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3599/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2421/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2418/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/1978/
http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-119930.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-56830.htm

Well, as you can see, I''m beating this up quite a bit... My thoughts go from "go larger" (i.e. 1.25-1.5ct) to "better aesthetics" and everywhere in between.

I could definitely use any assistance and advice you all might have to offer! Am I on the right track? I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this help; it truly is a weighty decision, and I''m glad there are those of you out there who openly share their experience and knowledge with those of us who know even less than we think we do!

 

[wildhawker]

This stone keeps grabbing me...

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/pr1574gvs1/

Is the better light performance of the smaller stones worth giving up some size? Thanks!

 

[dageman]

Date: 1/5/2008 5:46:25 PM
Author: wildhawker
This stone keeps grabbing me...

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/pr1574gvs1/

Is the better light performance of the smaller stones worth giving up some size? Thanks!

I think the general mantra around here is YES... better light performance is alway worth giving up some size!

And that looks like a real bangin' stone!

 

[Angel7]

If she wants a princess I would stick with it. That GOG stone looks beautiful. (I am not an expert so I would wait for others to chime in!)
The Whiteflash ACA Princess cuts are a great option too.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you get!

 

[wildhawker]

I think that the performance of the 1.57ct stone is so close to some of the smaller stones, while remaining in the size range I''m shooting for, that it really keeps calling me back to it.

I did talk to WF about the ACA stones, but they won''t know until Monday if any will be available from their cutter(s) in the near future. The two they did have were very nice, but smaller (1-1.2ct).

Thanks all!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 1/5/2008 5:46:25 PM
Author: wildhawker
This stone keeps grabbing me...

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/pr1574gvs1/

Is the better light performance of the smaller stones worth giving up some size? Thanks!

Whoa! What do you mean? This stone is an AGS0 Ideal cut princess with outstanding light performance! It scores Very High on all areas of light performace! It has fabulous color and clarity, and with princess stones, you need to go as large as possible since they often face up smaller than a similar round. I haven''t looked up all those stones, but this one is a winner for sure!

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 1/5/2008 5:20:21 PM
Author:wildhawker
Hello,


I''m hoping to get some advice on finding the right stone for the unbelievably wonderful woman I hope to make my wife. It seems the more I read and learn, the less I am confident of choosing the right center for her engagement ring (Kirk Kara ''Charlotte'', picture attached).


The designer stated that he designs rings for 1-1.5ct stones, and that larger stones can look disproportionate set with this ring. As such, I''m limiting the search to stones of 1-1.5ct. (+ or -). My soon-to-be fiancee has asked for the stone to be a Princess shape, although I see some similar shapes at GOG such as Cut Corner Sq. Brilliant, Sq. H&A and others that may also work in the ering; any thoughts on the shape? I assume that it would be safer to stay with the Princess, since that''s what she asked for!


My budget is about $15k, but would hope to land somewhere in the $9-12k range; however, most important is procuring a high-quality stone that she''ll love. I''m definitely interested in keeping the color in the D-F range, AGS Ideal or GIA ex/ex (hopefully, I''ll find an AGS stone that matches what I am looking for), and clarity VVS-VS. Fluorescence may not be such a bad thing, with the sapphire baguettes on the e-ring and band. I''ve found a few stones in the G color range- are these too ''colored''? I was going towards the 18k white gold, but another thread has me leaning now towards platinum.


Stones I''m currently looking at:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/pr1574gvs1/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3259/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3599/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2421/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/2418/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/1978/

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-119930.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/A-Cut-Above-Princess-cut-diamond-56830.htm


Well, as you can see, I''m beating this up quite a bit... My thoughts go from ''go larger'' (i.e. 1.25-1.5ct) to ''better aesthetics'' and everywhere in between.


I could definitely use any assistance and advice you all might have to offer! Am I on the right track? I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this help; it truly is a weighty decision, and I''m glad there are those of you out there who openly share their experience and knowledge with those of us who know even less than we think we do!

No comment on the stones you are looking at, but that is a beautiful ring! One thing that shocks me, why would he make such a nice ring, and use such a poorly cut center stone to show it to the world with? Shocking!

Wink

 

[wildhawker]

Thanks to all for your help! I didn''t even notice the center in the picture I posted until Wink pointed it out- I''m hoping that the center we choose is more appealing than that picture!

 

[nolimits]

If your lady likes the princess cut I''d stick with it. Remember, this ring is for her. But if you think she may like one of the newer "princess style cuts w/ flair" then get her opinion first. If you are trying to be sneaky there are ways, just be creative.

By the way, I must say the e-ring is pretty awesome. I haven''t seen a setting using colored stones that I liked until the one you posted. And I do think the princess looks "made" for that overall style.

I didn''t go through and look at all the stones, besides I''m not sure I could give a solid "professional" opinion anyhow as I am just learning all the details myself. This I do know. You are buying this ring for your lady and what SHE likes needs to be considered. For instance, my lady prefers color, cut, carat and lastly clarity (as long as there are no visible defects). At the same time, she''s pretty clear she wants 1ct+ but after looking at princess cuts (her favorite too) we both believe the 1.50ct range is ideal.

Also keep this in mind, unless your lady is a diamond expert she is most likely to be blown away with whatever stone you give her. Granted you want the best because she is the best. I''m just saying realize what''s important to her and find the most beautiful diamond that fits that criteria and you will be "the man".

With all the information floating around here, it can drive the ordinary guy insane looking for the right diamond. Best of luck.

 

[wildhawker]

Nolimits, to you and all others who have opined, I truly appreciate your time and advice. This is much more complicated than I had ever imagined, yet within this process (of making efforts to be more educated and prudent) I have found more personal satisfaction and gained more confidence in knowing that she''ll more likely receive a diamond worthy of the wearer.

This place is, ahem, a gem of a site.