Q&A: Looking for a Round Diamond with the Best Cut for a Pavé Setting with an $8k Total Budget

Thank you so much for all the information on your website, it has been crucial for giving me a better understanding of how to shop for diamonds! However I am still quite new to this and hoping for some help.

I am looking to get a diamond with the following specifications:
Cost: Preferably less than $7500 for the stone itself, but up to $8000 as a max.
Carats: >1.1 (I would like the largest size possible, but do want the ideal cut first and foremost)
Shape: Round
Cut: Ideal, preferably a True Hearts & Arrows Cut such as a Brian Gavin Signature Cut
Color: D-J (as long as it looks totally white to the naked eye)
Clarity: IF -SI1 (as long as it is completely eye clean)
Fluorescence: No preference as long as eye clean… although having some “positive” fluorescence would be pretty neat!
Polish and Symmetry: Very good or Excellent

I would also like for it to be certified by either GIA or AGS.

I am mostly concerned with picking out the diamond since that is the most complicated part, but if you happen to find a great setting, I’d be thrilled to see what you recommend.

My girlfriend would most prefer a thin shank, 14K white gold or 14K yellow gold and generally she likes either a plain setting or from my best guess pave. Preferably less than $1,000 for the setting.

Thank you in advance for your help, I greatly appreciate it!!!

Thank you so much for getting back to me, and so soon!

That is a beautiful diamond indeed. I am wondering why you chose that 1.088 carat vs this one:
www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.088-j-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104091552010&a_aid=y

There is nearly a $900 difference with the only main difference being one step in color… Both of which are in the near colorless range. I was under the impression an upgrade in color is almost never worth it. Maybe if you can explain the rationale behind this, it will help me to search for other diamonds as well. I am also wondering if you recommend getting a Brian Gavin Signature Cut vs an ideal cut on a website such as James Allen when the “lesser” cut can get nearly a 0.4 carat increase in size for the same price. To the naked eye is there a significant difference in “brilliance” or “fire”? Thank you again for your help!

……

I am also wondering what your thoughts about this particular diamond are: www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.412-k-vs1-round-diamond-ags-104091555006&a_aid=y

Thank you again for your help!!!

Thank you, in that case I prefer to stick to the BG signature collection! For the 1.412 carat I sent you in the last email from BG, would you say the crystal inclusion in the center which can be seen when magnified would be an issue with regard to it’s light refraction (to my untrained eye the ASET looked good), or if it would be noticeable on close inspection with the naked eye?

Also, just to clarify, when you are talking about the K being ok in a solitaire (as opposed to pave), is that with a white gold setting as well or is it only ok in the yellow gold setting?

Again, thank you so much for your input!

After contacting BG and them assuring me that the 1.412 diamond was eye-clean, I have pretty much decided on going with that one. I am still trying to pick out the perfect setting but will let you know when I have decided. I was also wondering if you have any discounts for purchasing Brian Gavin diamonds currently?

Thank you!