Post # 1

Member
100 posts
Blushing bee
My boyfriend and I are slowly shopping for rings. We have been to look two times over the past few months and I don’t want it to be overkill or rushed, but I am trying to decide what style I prefer. Honestly, I just want it to be what I love, and to look as big as possible! I am thinking of .75-.9 (D-E color, S1,S2 clarity). Does anyone have pictures of a ROUND stone with or without a halo on a size 5-6 finger? I am a 5.5.
Thanks!!! π
Post # 3

Member
100 posts
Blushing bee
ALSO! We are thinking around the $3500 range (I wish it was a little more… we live in the NYC area). If anyone has recommendations on where to go (in the diamond district, Long Island, or Jersey) for more bang for your buck, let me know! π
Post # 4

Member
106 posts
Blushing bee


Don’t mind the horrible quality but my ring is only a little less than .5 carat center stone. I def feel that it looks 10x the size because all the bling around it. My ring size is a 5 I am pretty sure. Hope this helps!
Post # 5

Member
212 posts
Helper bee
@futuremrsdunc: i would suggest playing with the pricescope site to see what price you should be looking at for a loose diamond. rounds are one of the more expensive shapes. with regard to the 4cs, etc, each individual has their preferences as to which are most impt. to me, i like the color and cut the best. to me, a great color and cut can hide the barely visible imperfections of an SI2 or SI1. i got a strong blue flourescnece (lowers price, but they are gaining in popularity – look blueish in bright sunlight)…BUT, 1-2% strong blues have an oily/milky appearance so i’d advise not buying a strong blue without seeing in person. you also want the diamond to not be “bottom heavy.” ie. all lot of the weight carried underneath where you can’t see it. you want to the top to be the biggest it can be for the weight. also check what the inclusions are. i find black inclusions (carbon) easier to see than white inclusions. white inclusions can be crystals (diamond within a diamond) that look like tiny air bubbles. i have these and they are generally not visible unless hitting light perfectly and i look for them.
you might decide the diamond you can get with your money is enough to be on its own. i have a halo personally, with very tiny micropave in a circle around it so that the center stone still looks like the ‘star.’
Post # 6

Member
100 posts
Blushing bee
@JandieMames: What a beautiful ring! I have only seen the halos with micropave diamonds around the centerstone, this one is so different and so great! The halo really does make the stone look much bigger because there are sparkles… everywhere!! Congratulations and thanks! π
Post # 7

Member
1468 posts
Bumble bee
I am trying to decide b/w a halo and a solitaire too!! When I first started looking, I loved the halo style. I even went ring shopping with the bf and showed him what I thought I wanted.
Now, the more I look by myself, the more I want a solitaire. And I never would have considered myself a solitaire girl! They’re just so classic.
Halo rings tend to give the appearance of a bigger diamond for less money. But a decent sized solitaire is great though. One thing I also take into consideration is the band. I figure since he is paying for the engagement ring, I would make sure I get whatever I want for the band…and if we decide on the solitaire, I’ll make sure the band makes up for the halo.
Good luck!
Post # 8

Member
100 posts
Blushing bee
@maery1: Thanks for all the info, I had read a little about blue florescence but did not know much about it. I have tried micropave halo with one and two bands, i really liked the one band on my finger. Do you have a picture of your ring? I would love to see it. I’m really looking for lareger, millimeter-wise (across), that’s why I’m thinking halo would be better. So many decisions! hehe
Post # 9

Member
4355 posts
Honey bee
Mine is a round stone (.95 or something) in a cushion type shape halo, on a size 5.25 ring size.

Post # 10

Member
286 posts
Helper bee
@MrsSawyer: Love your ring π
Post # 11

Member
4355 posts
Honey bee
My bad.. you said on finger and I totally posted the wrong picture, here’s another…

Post # 12

Member
100 posts
Blushing bee
@Reign14: Thanks for replying! I like a skinny band because to me that makes the diamond look larger, and has a more delicate appearance for the finger. If I did a solitaire I would want diamonds on the band as well to give it a little more bling! I have only tried on halos, but the next time I look I want to try on some solitaires as well. Essentially, I want to try on two rings almost side by side; one solitaire, and one halo, both worth the same price to see the difference, haha.
Post # 13

Member
100 posts
Blushing bee
@MrsSawyer: LOVE IT! It looks huge!! I’m so glad I have a small finger so it will look bigger, haha! Thanks so much. I love cushion, too! So many choices! I actually toyed with the idea of getting a pear shape with a halo, also, but wasn’t sure if I would like it down the line. My mom has a pear shape since they were popular in the early 80’s but I just keep going back to round! Oh I don’t know! π
Post # 14

Member
1061 posts
Bumble bee
My center stone isn’t a diamond, but it is a 1 ct. round ruby w/ a halo on a 1mm band. My ring size is a 5.5. (Sorry for the poor quality, just snapped it with my phone at my desk!)

Post # 15

Member
1066 posts
Bumble bee
My center stone is 1 carat ideal cut, and my ring size 4.5, round halo, micropave. Sounds similar to what you want, so hope this helps!!
Also, try to stay away from really deep diamonds… it’s hard to explain but those won’t look as large because the diamond weight is in the bottom, not on the surface. I wouldn’t go too shallow either because that will affect the sparkle, but ideal cut is the best.

Post # 16

Member
4355 posts
Honey bee
@futuremrsdunc: I’ve seen someone on here with a pear halo and almost died, I LOVEEE it. I think no matter what you decide you’ll love it.