Q&A: Help Finding a .8 ct. Princess Cut Diamond for a Pave Setting

I’m looking for an engagement ring (one that I can also readily buy a matching band to 6 months down the road). Want a solitaire princess cut stone with diamonds in the band – can’t really decide between a pave vs channel set style, or something in between. Here’s a handful of potentials:

www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channel-set/18k-white-gold-channel-set-princess-cut-diamond-enagement-ring-item-58676?a_aid=dmnd1357

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/benchmark-small-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-2810.htm

http://www.brilliantearth.com/Petite-Channel-Set-Round-Diamond-Ring-White-Gold-BE1CD15R25-1151825/

http://www.brilliantearth.com/Starlight-Diamond-Ring-White-Gold-BE160-1152073/

http://www.brilliantearth.com/Petite-Shared-Prong-Diamond-Ring-(1/4-ct.-tw.)-White-Gold-BE1PD25R25-1151393/

Blue Nile Channel Set Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

Blue Nile Petite Pavé Diamond Engagement Ring

I think I’d prefer 18k gold over 14k, but it’s not a significant factor for me. I’d like to focus my money into cut, clarity, color in that order (I think..), and thinking carat around 0.80-0.90, give or take. Since it’s white gold and she doesn’t like yellowish I think I’d prefer something around an ‘F’ color.

I should mention that it’s a surprise and while I’ve tried to get a good idea of her ring size and preferences, it’s entirely possible I don’t get it right. So I’m looking for a company that is friendly with their policies, and also ideal for someone living in Canada.

I was hoping to hit around the 4500 USD mark which comes in around 6k CAD. I don’t have a ceiling necessarily, but want to be reasonable. I also like the idea of a Canadian diamond but it’s a minor factor. Seems BE is good for Cad diamonds, and JA offers some but not in princess shape for whatever reason. Blue Nile seems to be the cheapest for diamonds, but can’t see a picture of many of them which concerns me. BN seem to only have ‘Very Good’ cut for princess stones whereas other have ‘Ideal’ – not sure how much this makes a difference for princess cut, but I want to get a stone that sparkles as much as possible.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks for the quick reply and the insight into BE. I did notice there seemed to be a bit of a premium, especially compared to BN, but they do carry Canadian diamonds which is nice, if I feel that’s worth paying for (which it probably isn’t).

Thanks for the insight into color – avoiding yellow is somewhat important so it sounds like I can settle with an H/G and be fine. The JA setting that I like (www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/channel-set/18k-white-gold-channel-set-princess-cut-diamond-enagement-ring-item-58676?a_aid=dmnd1357) contains G color diamonds so maybe it’s best to target roughly the same for the main diamond?

Just a few clarifications – I’m actually looking for a Princess cut, not round. Each company seems to treat this shape a bit different (BN cut is ‘very good’, while JA has ‘Ideal’) so I’m not sure what cut will be best, but I want to maximize sparkle.

Regarding price – the numbers I quoted were inclusive of setting, so for the diamond itself I’m actually targeting the 3250-3500 USD range.

One final question – do you have any opinion if it’s worth getting an 18k setting vs a 14k? Do they look roughly the same? I like the idea of more gold (heavier?) but not sure it will make any difference when you compare the two in hand.

Also, this email is the one I use for everything, so when I ultimately purchase something I will be using this email.

Thanks again.

That is definitely a nice looking diamond!

I’ve spent a few days talking to some of her friends and trying to get a bit more info. Looks like she should be very close to a size 5, so I’ve got that part solved.

In terms of a setting, I am going to change it up and go with this one instead based on some feedback I’ve got:
www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-petite-pave-crown-diamond-engagement-ring-item-53057?a_aid=dmnd1357

The setting is a bit more expensive than the previous one so ideally I might shave a few dollars off the diamond to compensate. I’ve started considering diamonds in the 0.81 carat range and up. She’s a pretty petite girl and it’s a thinner band so I don’t think there’d be a big difference going with a slightly smaller diamond size, or at least that’s what I am telling myself…

What do you think of this one?
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.84-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-1144922?a_aid=dmnd1357

It seems to have pretty good specs and looks very clean and pretty from the superzoom picture. I’ve also started making arrangements for the engagement and so as long as I order in the next 10 days or so it seems I should have it on time.

Thanks again!

That’s a great stone too, I don’t remember seeing that one! The specs look great and it’s big, the only thing I notice is the symmetry is labelled as ‘good’ instead of ‘very good’… Does that make a big difference?

I’m away for the weekend but plan to place my order Sunday night or Monday!

Thanks again!

I took the plunge!

Thanks again for your advice!

Here it is Annie! It just got delivered today, I need to go pick it up still so haven’t seen it in person yet. The completed ring photo looks great though!
www.jamesallen.com/sre8731770ar?utm_source=email&utm_medium=customerservice&utm_campaign=yourengagementring?a_aid=dmnd1357

Cheers!