Engagement ring advice please

[rugbyfan]

Hi, I have been reading the resources and forum posts for a while now and really appreciate the knowledge I have gained from this site. I was hoping to get some feedback on a few diamonds I have put on hold at James Allen.

I have decided on a round diamond in a comfort fit platinum solitaire setting around 1.4 to 1.5 carrots. My priority has been on the cut of the diamond and ensuring the diamonds score a 2.0 HCA or lower. My girlfriend does not wear a lot of jewelry and is not color sensitive. I have found the following diamonds that appear to be eye clean (8-10"). My budget is preferably below $7500 with a $8000 max.

My first pick: ($7000)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/K-VS2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1538757.asp

Looks like an eye clean diamond, my concern would be how a K colour diamond would look in a platinum setting. HCA = 1.7

Second Pick: ($7500)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1525228.asp

Third Pick: ($8000)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1547576.asp

Any feedback, suggestions or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Purely coincidence the choices go up in price

 

[Niel]

What did the gemologists at JA say about them? did you get Idealscope images?

i wanted to throw this one in the ring too, a good price and has flour to help it with the K color, flour would help it appear whiter

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.324-k-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104062571026#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/2/

 

[justginger]

Your second choice is my first choice. I'd rule out your third choice, you can do better. I understand the appeal of hitting the 1.5ct mark, but visually your second choice will be better. I'd personally not want a K brilliant cut for an engagement ring. My antique cushion, which I think is a cut that look better with some warmth, is a J. I wouldn't go warmer for such an important purchase. That being said, you know your priorities. I just think that of those three, the middle option is the Goldilocks of the group.

 

[justginger]

What did the gemologists at JA say about them? did you get Idealscope images?

i wanted to throw this one in the ring too, a good price and has flour to help it with the K color, flour would help it appear whiter

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.324-k-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104062571026#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/2/

Yes, if you were to drop to K, a BGD Blue is the only one I'd feel comfortable recommending. I think it would face as a J, maybe an I in bright daylight.

 

[rugbyfan]

I have asked JA to send me Idealscopes and I'm waiting on a reply. You are likely right. I was hesitant about how the K would look as I was originally looking at J's. I was really struggling with the difference from J to K (if we would notice the difference) or jump a little bit bigger to the 1.5.

 

[Niel]

What did the gemologists at JA say about them? did you get Idealscope images?

i wanted to throw this one in the ring too, a good price and has flour to help it with the K color, flour would help it appear whiter

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.324-k-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104062571026#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/2/

Yes, if you were to drop to K, a BGD Blue is the only one I'd feel comfortable recommending. I think it would face as a J, maybe an I in bright daylight.

I do think its worth considering, especially sense its cheaper than that J option that seems like the best of your 3.

 

[04diamond<3]

I have asked JA to send me Idealscopes and I'm waiting on a reply. You are likely right. I was hesitant about how the K would look as I was originally looking at J's. I was really struggling with the difference from J to K (if we would notice the difference) or jump a little bit bigger to the 1.5.

I personally love the J SI1 that you posted. It looks stunning and better than the other two from JA. The one from BGD will be significantly smaller. I wouldn't suggest dropping to a K even with fluorescence.

 

[rugbyfan]

Thank-you for the great the feedback. You have confirmed my concerns about the K and I'm seriously considering the 1.41 J S1 pending a conversation with JA on Monday - it looks the one. I was planning on the 2.5 mm setting as it seems to not overpower the diamond like the 3 mm. Any thoughts? Thanks again.

 

[04diamond<3]

Solitaire or pave? or multistone?

Here are a few options:

http://www.jamesallen.com/designer-engagement-rings/meno-collection-by-danhov/14k-white-gold-six-prong-cl117-by-danhov-designer-engagement-ring.html

http://www.jamesallen.com/designer-engagement-rings/meno-collection-by-danhov/14k-white-gold-four-prong-cl116-by-danhov-designer-engagement-ring.html

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-double-claw-prong-engagement-ring-17130w.html

Pave:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-pave-set-4-prong-diamond-engagement-ring.html

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-White-Gold-Double-Claw-Prong-Pave-Set-Diamond-Engagement-Ring.html

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-pave-cathedral-claw-prong-engagement-ring.html

 

[justginger]

Thank-you for the great the feedback. You have confirmed my concerns about the K and I'm seriously considering the 1.41 J S1 pending a conversation with JA on Monday - it looks the one. I was planning on the 2.5 mm setting as it seems to not overpower the diamond like the 3 mm. Any thoughts? Thanks again.

I like bands that are 2.2-2.6 mm the best. I do think they look nicer, more delicate than a full 3 mm.

 

[Christina...]

I like a slightly thinner shank as well, 2mm-2.5mm, I think it makes the center stone appear larger and the ring in general to appear more delicate.