What Diamond with a setting like this?

[beanie]

Hello

I'm looking at a one carat diamond, but with this type of setting do I need an ideal cut?

http://www.budgetdiamondsonline.com/design2.php

I originally wanted an ideal cut and was willing to sacrifice on colour and clarity to find a one carat diamond in my budget.

So I was just wondering if I should get a steep deep or something shallow, under a carat that is still 6.4 mm in diameter.

Any thoughts?

 

[yennyfire]

For an engagement ring, I think that cut is the most important factor. You don't necessarily need an H&A diamond, but I'd get either an ideal or excellent cut stone. If you haven't gone out and looked at stones to determine what color you want, I'd recommend doing so. An ideal cut stone looks much whiter than the same color stone that is not well cut, so you may be able to go down a good bit in color and still be perfectly happy. Hope this helps!

 

[Amys Bling]

I second yennyfire- the cut is what makes the stone sparkle. An ideal cut stone will look whiter than poor-fair- good stones of the same color and the clarity of the ideal cut stone up against stones of worse cut but same clarity will look better and hide inclusions better. IF this was for earrings or necklace I would say that you can get away from lower your cut standards to get the size you want, but you need to weigh out what is more important to you...

an engagement ring diamond what sparkles like crazy that may be a tad smaller- or lower in color/clarity
or a diamond that is not as sparkly but is larger in carat-highter in color/clarity.

In my opinion- unless you are a mindclean person, an SI1 or even SI2 that is eyeclean is great- as long as it is eyeclean there will be no difference between that stone and a vs2-vs1- etc. Becuase it is eyeclean, unless you take a loop to it- it will look the same. Some people however need to have a certain clarity to feel comfortable.

I think the best thing you can do for yourself- is go to a store and compare stones that are graded ideal cut and very good and fair in the same carat weight to see how you feel about the cut differences.... and how they perform... check out the difference in everyday lighting by a window as well as store lighting makes everything sparkle.

also- compare stones with the same cut and carat of different color grades. You will not know how sensitive you are to color until you compare in person. again store lighting is very flattering, so compare by a window as well!

 

[geckodani]

I echo what the others have said. The center stone is by far the most important. You definitely don't have to go all the way to H&A, but like Yenny said, an Ideal or Excellent cut would be preferable to deliberately getting a steep deep or something shallow.

 

[beanie]

Ok. I will stick with an ideal cut for sure. Thank you for all the informed responses!

I guess the second part of my question is will this bezel type setting detract from the fire or brilliance as it lets less light in?

http://www.budgetdiamondsonline.com/item_detail.php?top_cat_id=1&sub_cat_id=2&item_id=216

or would this second setting be better?

http://www.budgetdiamondsonline.com/item_detail.php?top_cat_id=1&sub_cat_id=2&item_id=212

Thanks!

 

[antelope1]

I like the 2nd setting better in general, not with respect to letting light in...don't have flash here so I couldn't see the profile anyways.

But just something to think about: If you go with these twisty tensiony settings, what kind of wedding band will you get?

 

[beanie]

Sound advice... The "twisty bit" is the only input and desire that my SO has chipped in. So I'm kind off stuck honouring that. They are not true tension settings though. One is pronged and the other sits in a cone...

My worry is that the cone or bezel will detract from the fire of the diamond.

As for the band, I will jump off that bridge when I get there.

Thanks!