Q&A: Princess or Round for Platinum Solitaire Setting

I am interested in purchasing a solitaire diamond for an engagement ring. I have spent quite a bit of time reviewing the information on your website and find it extremely informative, but as I started looking at various stones realized I desperately needed some professional guidance. I’m interested in round or princess shape diamond–she would love either one–in the 1.5-2 carat range. I would prefer not to exceed $15,000 for the loose stone, if possible, but could go a bit higher if there was a significant advantage in doing so. Of course, I would be delighted if something nice was availabel at a lower cost. It will be mounted in a single-stone platinum ring. Would you be able to offer some suggestions? I want something that is eye clean and has a lot of sparkle. Much appreciate any advice you can offer.

Thanks for the reply Mike.

I have decided to go with a round cut diamond. After comparing the 2 you suggested I have a few follow up questions.

How would the 2 compare visually in terms of size? Does the size of the table/depth/girdle make a noticeable difference in how big the stones “look” when mounted in settings?

I like that the diagram for the I stone looks so clean, but are I colored stones still bright and beautiful? I was initially looking only at G & H color with VS1 or VS2 clarity in hopes of getting a clean stone with a lot of sparkle, but I want to make a smart purchase. If I can still get the “wow” with an I stone, I would certainly be game.

One stone has higher color/lower clarity and the other lower color/higher clarity. Would one of those combinations generally be expected to provide a superior appearance (better fire/brilliance/sparkle)—other factors being equal?

After seeing the specs for these stones I did a search on JA specifically targeting medium fluorescence in slightly larger H & I stones. The two you suggested were both medium blue and after reading the article about fluorescence on your website that sounded like the way to go with stones in that color range. Unfortunately, the search only returned one additional stone and I wasn’t impressed with it in comparison. From your experience is it unusual that there would not be more options available?

I greatly appreciate your assistance. We are leaving for a vacation in Vegas on March 19, so I need to make a decision and purchase quickly to get the ring in time.

Thank you for the feedback. One last question related to brilliance. Would an I stone be “white enough”? If both are eye clean, that would seem the only real issue in terms of brilliance comparison between the two you suggested.

Thanks again for your help, I hope to make the purchase today.

Ok. Thanks very much

Will do. I ordered the I/VS2 stone!

Thanks again for your help.