Need Help chosing the 4 C's for a nice ring!

[Diamond_Noob85]

Hello!

I am starting to look for an engagement ring and I am totally lost on what I should be targeting for my budget. Here is a breakdown of what I have in mind:

Total Budget: $5,000 USD (this includes the setting, which I am going with 18K white gold. I can do 5K diamond minus the setting and pay a little more if the diamond is something I just can't pass up.

Shape: I want a round brilliant diamond, really want it to shine.

Cut: Ideal ( I know this is important for good "sparkle")

Weight: 1.00 Ct.

The problem I am running into is I don't know what the color and clarity should be. My SO is great, I could put an acorn on string and propose and she'd be thrilled. She isn't someone who will be mad or disappointed and will love whatever I get her. The issue is, I love this woman more than anything in this world and want to get her the best ring I can. I don't want something that will look yellow, or see imperfections. I live in the country so not many jewelry stores near me so I have been looking at Blue Nile and James Allen. Just hoping some of you more versed in this topic can give me a range of what I should be looking at to get a beautiful ring in my budget.

Thanks in advance to any help you can provide me!

 

[lovedogs]

Hello!

I am starting to look for an engagement ring and I am totally lost on what I should be targeting for my budget. Here is a breakdown of what I have in mind:

Total Budget: $5,000 USD (this includes the setting, which I am going with 18K white gold. I can do 5K diamond minus the setting and pay a little more if the diamond is something I just can't pass up.

Shape: I want a round brilliant diamond, really want it to shine.

Cut: Ideal ( I know this is important for good "sparkle")

Weight: 1.00 Ct.

The problem I am running into is I don't know what the color and clarity should be. My SO is great, I could put an acorn on string and propose and she'd be thrilled. She isn't someone who will be mad or disappointed and will love whatever I get her. The issue is, I love this woman more than anything in this world and want to get her the best ring I can. I don't want something that will look yellow, or see imperfections. I live in the country so not many jewelry stores near me so I have been looking at Blue Nile and James Allen. Just hoping some of you more versed in this topic can give me a range of what I should be looking at to get a beautiful ring in my budget.

Thanks in advance to any help you can provide me!

Welcome to PS! Are you looking at a plain 18k setting? It will help to be specific so we can estimate how much to set aside for the setting itself.

 

[Diamond_Noob85]

Welcome to PS! Are you looking at a plain 18k setting? It will help to be specific so we can estimate how much to set aside for the setting itself.

My apologies, yes, a plain setting, finding nice ones between 5-700 USD.

 

[lovedogs]

My apologies, yes, a plain setting, finding nice ones between 5-700 USD.

Ok great. So budget for the diamond is 4500ish. Unfortunately you're going to have a hard time getting 1ct in a colorless stone if you want one that is extremely well cut. How fixed is the 1ct mark?

Here are some promising options. If you like any of them I'd put them on hold because it's tough to find well cut stones close to 1ct in your budget.

0.94 carat (ct) GIA Round Loose Diamond I Color VS2 Clarity Excellent Cut

www.b2cjewels.com

B2C Jewels | Brilliant Round Cut Certified Natural Diamonds

www.b2cjewels.com

 

[Diamond_Noob85]

Ok great. So budget for the diamond is 4500ish. Unfortunately you're going to have a hard time getting 1ct in a colorless stone if you want one that is extremely well cut. How fixed is the 1ct mark?

Here are some promising options. If you like any of them I'd put them on hold because it's tough to find well cut stones close to 1ct in your budget.

0.94 carat (ct) GIA Round Loose Diamond I Color VS2 Clarity Excellent Cut

www.b2cjewels.com

B2C Jewels | Brilliant Round Cut Certified Natural Diamonds

www.b2cjewels.com

I guess I wouldn't say it HAS to be 1 ct, I know the price is increased at 1 ct. She won't care at all, I can tell you that. I guess between .9 to 1.0 would be sufficient.

 

[Dr_Diesel]

Ok great. So budget for the diamond is 4500ish. Unfortunately you're going to have a hard time getting 1ct in a colorless stone if you want one that is extremely well cut. How fixed is the 1ct mark?

Here are some promising options. If you like any of them I'd put them on hold because it's tough to find well cut stones close to 1ct in your budget.

0.94 carat (ct) GIA Round Loose Diamond I Color VS2 Clarity Excellent Cut

www.b2cjewels.com

B2C Jewels | Brilliant Round Cut Certified Natural Diamonds

www.b2cjewels.com

Agreed. 0.9ct will give you significant more wiggle room with the budget.

A well-cut 0.9 will have a much “larger” presence Than a poorly cut 1ct

 

[Dr_Diesel]

Hello!

I am starting to look for an engagement ring and I am totally lost on what I should be targeting for my budget. Here is a breakdown of what I have in mind:

Total Budget: $5,000 USD (this includes the setting, which I am going with 18K white gold. I can do 5K diamond minus the setting and pay a little more if the diamond is something I just can't pass up.

Shape: I want a round brilliant diamond, really want it to shine.

Cut: Ideal ( I know this is important for good "sparkle")

Weight: 1.00 Ct.

The problem I am running into is I don't know what the color and clarity should be. My SO is great, I could put an acorn on string and propose and she'd be thrilled. She isn't someone who will be mad or disappointed and will love whatever I get her. The issue is, I love this woman more than anything in this world and want to get her the best ring I can. I don't want something that will look yellow, or see imperfections. I live in the country so not many jewelry stores near me so I have been looking at Blue Nile and James Allen. Just hoping some of you more versed in this topic can give me a range of what I should be looking at to get a beautiful ring in my budget.

Thanks in advance to any help you can provide me!

As far as color goes, most people start to notice body color right around the I designation. J is definitely noticeable.

H and above generally just looks white. D-F are very expensive. I would personally aim fir a well-cut G or possibly an H

the better the cut, the “whiter” it will appear due to white light return. Poor cutting brings out body color.

 

[Diamond_Noob85]

Agreed. 0.9ct will give you significant more wiggle room with the budget.

A well-cut 0.9 will have a much “larger” presence Than a poorly cut 1ct

Good to know, thanks! I want to keep the ideal cut, for color and clarity, where would you stay at? where is the cutoff on each that I should not go below?

 

[Dr_Diesel]

I would have a cutoff at H/SI1. It will be super white.

this is a little smaller than you were aiming fir but it’s in budget.

a 6mm ideal cut diamond is a pretty good size IMO

Diamond | 0.847 ct H VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4402608

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.847 carat H color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4402608

www.whiteflash.com

 

[Dr_Diesel]

Here are other possibilities but now we’re over budget:

Diamond | 0.853 ct G VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4410594

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.853 carat G color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4410594

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 0.902 ct H SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4361092

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.902 carat H color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4361092

www.whiteflash.com

and a J color that’s in-budget, but you may want to evaluate in person. Some people notice, some don’t.

Diamond | 0.912 ct J VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4339721

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.912 carat J color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4339721

www.whiteflash.com

You can always see these stone in person and wear it around in a temp setting. If it isn’t right (size, color, etc), you can adjust your criteria accordingly.

 

[Diamond_Noob85]

Here are other possibilities but now we’re over budget:

Diamond | 0.853 ct G VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4410594

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.853 carat G color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4410594

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 0.902 ct H SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4361092

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.902 carat H color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4361092

www.whiteflash.com

and a J color that’s in-budget, but you may want to evaluate in person. Some people notice, some don’t.

Diamond | 0.912 ct J VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4339721

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.912 carat J color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4339721

www.whiteflash.com

You can always see these stone in person and wear it around in a temp setting. If it isn’t right (size, color, etc), you can adjust your criteria accordingly.

Ok great information, I appreciate it. I don't mind going several hundred over budget if it gets me what I need. So something with my specs and Sl1/H won't look yellow or poor quality when looking at it? The diamonds you linked look great! Is that website a pretty solid place to purchase from? Basically, is what I see there is what I will get?

 

[DejaWiz]

Ok great information, I appreciate it. I don't mind going several hundred over budget if it gets me what I need. So something with my specs and Sl1/H won't look yellow or poor quality when looking at it? The diamonds you linked look great! Is that website a pretty solid place to purchase from? Basically, is what I see there is what I will get?

Whiteflash guarantees the following with their ACA lineup:
1. AGS 000 rated
2. Super ideal cut proportions for maximum light return
3. Perfect symmetry that exhibits perfect Hearts & Arrows
4. The best upgrade program in the industry that I know of:

Lifetime Upgrade Guarantee | Whiteflash

A great upgrade policy is a big deal when buying a diamond. Whiteflash has the best benefits in the business including a 100% Lifetime Upgrade Guarantee.

www.whiteflash.com

Really, any of Whiteflash's diamonds are going to blow your socks off.
There are some threads here at PS specific to folks showing off their ACA diamonds.

And a couple more options for you:
This SI1 is cleaner under the table than many VS2 grades:

Diamond | 0.902 ct H SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4361092

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.902 carat H color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4361092

www.whiteflash.com

If you want to stick with a color and clarity grade bump at the sacrifice of a little diameter (0.13mm, approaching the 0.2mm minimum noticable size for most people):

Diamond | 0.830 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4369555

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 0.830 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4369555

www.whiteflash.com

Direct comparison for these two:

Diamond comparison | Compare Diamonds to choose and buy the best one

Whiteflash gives you an excellent opportunity to compare diamonds to make a great deal. With diamond’s parameters provided, you can compare any detail.

www.whiteflash.com

Here are their White Gold solitaire settings:

Diamond Engagement Rings: Exquisite Settings from Whiteflash

Browse our stunning selection of Diamond Engagement Rings at Whiteflash. Explore a variety of unique settings and find the perfect ring to symbolize your love.

www.whiteflash.com

 

[lovedogs]

Ok great information, I appreciate it. I don't mind going several hundred over budget if it gets me what I need. So something with my specs and Sl1/H won't look yellow or poor quality when looking at it? The diamonds you linked look great! Is that website a pretty solid place to purchase from? Basically, is what I see there is what I will get?

Yes. It's one of the most recommended vendors here for good reason. I initially didn't suggest them because of the budget + size requirement, but you will get an amazing stone and wonderful upgrade policy if you buy from them vs other places.

 

[Dr_Diesel]

Good to know, thanks! I want to keep the ideal cut, for color and clarity, where would you stay at? where is the cutoff on each that I should not go below?

These might also be an option if you’re not set on a round. They are truly incredible in person

0.93ct H VS2 August Vintage Cushion Brilliant 74104061

Diamond Details Measurements 5.70 - 5.95 x 3.85 Cut Grade Ideal Polish Ideal Symmetry Excellent Fluorescence Negligible Culet Large Report Click here to view this diamonds AGS Report. Table 0.467 Depth 0.676

www.distinctivegem.com