Q&A: Looking for 1.2 Ct. Round Cut for WG Channel Setting

Thank you for the website, as someone who is very analytical I tend to open every door possible when searching for big purchases. Your website was very helpful in educating me know what to look for when it comes to diamonds. I feel like I am ready to finalize this search and have a few questions that I would appreciate your answers to.

My girlfriend has looked at setting after setting until finding a Ritani that she found to be her fit at a local jeweler. I perused their website and like that you can pick out a setting and diamond and have it sent to a local Ritani retailer to look at before purchase.
With a channel diamond minimum color of H+ in this ring: http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/channel-set-diamond-engagement-ring-in-18kt-white-gold/4594 , should the center stone also be H+? Or will the channel set sidestones be so small to the naked eye that you won’t be able to notice a color difference?
Is Ritani reputable? Have you had any experience with them?

Thanks very much for your reply. Go figure we had a change of mind when looking at rings. Now we have decided on this channel set James Allen ring: https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channel-set/14k-white-gold-thin-channel-set-round-shaped-diamond-engagement-ring-item-19

I had this diamond picked out for the setting: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-sku-183110?a_aid=dmnd1357
In your opinion, would the color of this diamond be good for the setting? Also would it be eye clean and good value for the money?

Thanks for the response again. My girlfriend and I went to a brick and mortar store to look at diamonds of various color and size, 1.00 vs. 1.20, and G vs. H vs. I vs. J and honestly couldn’t tell much difference at all. Is this typical of someone who doesn’t look at jewelry every day? All things considered, what do you think about splitting the difference in color from H to J and going with this I?

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.20-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-176215?a_aid=dmnd1357

Thanks for your help and input, Mike. I went ahead and put a hold on that diamond, with plans to purchase it tonight after work.

I just had one more quick question about diamonds. With the particular diamond involved, should I be worried at all about the feathers that look to be located near the girdle? Can feathering ever lead to fracturing or anything like that? Or is the chance of that happening so small that it shouldn’t even be on my radar?

Awesome. Thank you very much for your help. I placed the order last night and it should be here early next week. I will give you an update once I receive it.