Q&A: Choosing a Cushion or Radiant Cut Canary Diamond with a $20k to $30k Budget

I’m in process of buying an engagement ring and she / we really like the Canary diamonds. Saw several in a high end (but highly reputable and been in business for many, many years) jewelry store in Ponte Vedra, Florida, all with spectacular heirloom, antique style settings. But prices were also pretty amazing…top pick was 46K, second pick was 39K. Since I know nothing about diamonds per se, this seemed to be pretty steep. Very steep. So I went to another high-end, reputable independent dealer in PA, and their prices were not hugely different, but a little better. Ponte Vedra is a wealthy area, and people pride themselves in what they spend. I’m not from there and don’t buy in to that kind of logic. My girl has good taste and comes from a fairly wealthy family that knows what good quality is…

Thus I want a very nice diamond/setting and am willing to pay a fair price. Budget is around 20 to 30K, which makes me think I can get something very nice after reading your article and checking out the stones for sale. So looking for some direction on what size/diamond spec to start with, and then where to go to have actual ring made. I doubt the dealers want me to hand them my own diamond (or would they care?) and have them make the ring. I know that jewelry is an emotional buy – thus huge margins per some friends in the business. I was even thinking of heading to NYC to make the pick as i’m not that far away, but then again, would not know where to begin. So there you go, where does one begin…..? Canary center diamond, two flanking diamonds, possibly halo, with an elaborate antique, heirloom setting – but all very delicate in appearance. Many thanks. A very nice service you provide for folks that are new to all this. 

I think the Cushion Cut seems to be most appropriate for setting. I don’t like Oval or Pear shapes. Round would also work, but seems like the square/cushion cuts are more prevalent in the Canary diamonds.

Also, I think there is a cut called Radiant as well that works nicely with the canary diamonds. I don’t think I originally knew that was a cut. I thought it referred to the color… 

All very beautiful, perhaps a little larger than what I was looking at initially only because I want a setting that is somewhat delicate and these very large diamonds may not quite work. Then again, I’ve never heard a woman say her diamond was too big. Once the diamond is selected, where do you get the actual ring made? I’m assuming that these two companies do that of course, – perhaps I should give them a call to discuss. Thanks very much for your assistance.

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If you have the time, perhaps you could make one set of final recommendations for stones that would be in the 2.0 range although I don’t know how much smaller that would be when compared to the ones you suggested in actual size. I do want good quality for sure, something that does look “near perfect” to the naked eye.
Thank you again.