Q&A: “My girlfriend wants ‘big and sparkly’!

Love the site. Your website was exactly what I was looking for when I started researching engagement rings. I’m amazed there aren’t more resources like this site given the information asymmetries in the diamond ring market.

Anyways, I’ve been reading and following the The Diamond Pro for several months and I’m ready to take the leap and purchase a diamond. I’m fairly familiar with the recommendations on the site but would love an outside opinion.

My girlfriend wants “big and sparkly!”. She knows about as much about diamonds as I do (little) and isn’t concerned with the specific grade of a diamond, as long as it looks great to our amateur eyes (and makes her sisters jealous). Like most guys on here, I want an eye-clean, brilliant diamond as impressive as my budget allows. For my budget–under $5500 for the diamond, ideally, but flexible–a round shaped diamond seems like my best option. (For what it’s worth, she also likes princess, cushion, and emerald shapes. But based on what I’ve read here I’ve mostly avoided looking at those. From what I’ve read, you get more bang-for-your-buck with round diamonds v. princess/cushion cuts. As for emerald cuts, it sounds like they’re not as brilliant and the grading of quality hasn’t been firmly established.)

Because the virtual loupe is handy, I’ve been searching the James Allen website, using Truth About Diamond recommendations.

Ideally, I’d like to get a diamond 1.20 carats or larger (it will be a simple white gold engagement ring). Applying the standards I’ve absorbed from the site, here’s the most promising to my eye.

I’m leaning towards this SI2 1.27ct: https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1523318.asp

The price and size is right, and the measurements look good to me. Is this a good pick?

I’m also considering this SI2 1.30ct: https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1516056.asp

However, it’s a little pricier and the proportions are outside the “60/60 rule.”

There’s also this SI2 1.20ct: https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1527705.asp

Cheaper, but again, the proportions seem outside the ideal.

Or this SI1 1.25ct: https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-SI1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1484733.asp

It looks good but may have an inclusion in the dead-center. I can’t really tell and it may just be the light.

Any recommendations/contrary thoughts are appreciated. Again, thanks for providing such a great resource. I have much more confidence in my knowledge than I did before happening upon your site.

Thanks for the help in advance.

I’ll likely get a simple, 4-prong white gold setting. The ring will be a solitaire. As I said, I’d like to get a diamond around 1.20 carats. I reached this size based on my budget, which is $4800 to $5300 (but I have a little wiggle room here). Basically, I’m hoping to find the largest eye-clean diamond within this price range. Based on my search of James Allen’s website, with the qualities you guys suggest, 1.20 carats seems to be the largest within that range. If you have any recommendations in addition to the ones I linked to, it would be a big help.

Many thanks.

Thanks Mike. It looks fantastic. I do notice that the specifications don’t mention girdle size, and I know I should avoid “thick.” Should I be concerned? (I’m guessing not, since you approve.)

…….

Oops, nevermind. I swear it didn’t list girdle before, but it says “medium” now. Just made the purchase! Thanks very much for the help. The information I gleaned from your site made me a more confident buyer and the personal recommendation was great too.