Q&A: “Ideal Cut Round Brilliant Diamond with Great Sparkle/Fire in the 1.2-1.5 ct. range”

Thanks for the valuable information and resources on your website. I’ve been shopping around for engagement rings/diamonds at a few brick n mortar jewelry stores and am now close to knowing what I want.

I would now like to get your advice/suggestions, especially on the diamond since my worst fear of the whole process is getting ripped off. My girlfriend has pretty small fingers at 3.5 size. I’m looking to find an ideal cut round brilliant diamond with great sparkle/fire in the 1.2-1.5 carat range. Since she has such small fingers, I’m looking to pair up a classic solitaire with wire basket setting along with a channel set wedding band with diamonds going half way around. I’d like to stay under the 10k budget barrier, but will consider going higher if a deal is out there. Your advice and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

On a side note, would you happen to have a recommendation between choosing white gold vs. platinum setting?

THANK YOU!!!

Thanks for the quick response.

Both of the points you made are definitely helpful! I will keep the H+ in mind as I was previously looking at I & Js as well.

Both of the diamonds you recommended are gorgeous. I’m definitely leaning more on the second recommendation!!!

The reason I have been more focused on a 1.20ct+ is during our shopping trips together, my girlfriend mentioned preferring to have above a 1ct. when trying different sizes on. So something between 1 & 1.5, which is exactly like you recommended in the second recommendation! If I were to be able to stretch my budget 1k (+/-), would the following couple of diamonds be recommendable?

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Very%20Good-Cut-Round-Diamond-1479840.asp

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1480440.asp

Thanks Mike. I really appreciate your time and advice. Any thoughts on my platinum vs. white gold question?

Thanks again for your valuable input. I’m pleased to tell you that I just received my girlfriend’s parents blessing this past weekend, and now it is time to seal the deal! I’m pretty close to purchasing the 1.20ct that you recommended. I have one final question about that specific diamond. On the GIA certificate, it notes that there are “twinning wisps” that are spread over half the diamond. Can you please explain in a little detail what this means and how it affects the diamond in any way if at all?

Also, please let me know if there are any new diamonds that you recommend that might have just recently come into inventory.

Mike, that diamond is beautiful! I’m loving this process of shopping for a diamond. You have a great eye!

What are twinning wisps? Is there a reason why the virtual loupe photos show more contrast in the “arrows” than others. Is it just an angle thing?

I’ve decided to go with your suggestion on the 3.4ct diamond and have just purchased it! Along with your advice regarding white gold over platinum, I’ll now proceed with going to my local jeweler to shop for a custom solitaire setting similar to a Cartier 1895 setting coupled with a channel set wedding band. Any suggestions for what size diamonds on the wedding band would pair up well with this size diamond? Also, would a 2.4mm ring be sufficient for a 3.5 size finger?

Thanks again Mike! You’ve made this experience very pleasant. I love shopping too, so it’s very thrilling haha.

Sounds great. Let me know how it looks when it arrives.

The diamond has come in and it looks beautiful! I’m ready to have it set! I do have an additional question. I didn’t notice before, but the GIA report date is back in May of 2010.

Does this usually mean that it was traded back in? Should I have it re-certified or get it appraised?