After spending about 1 year looking at rings and studying stones on and off.. I just pulled the trigger on a 2.0 carat triple excellent GIA certified VS1 - G stone ... spent a cool $28k (after taxes) .....*wipes sweat off forehead*!
Just to let most of you guys know that SI1 is perfectly acceptable. SI2 would be the absolute lowest I would go.
As for color i wouldn't go past I/J.
I wouldn't get anything less than excellent cut (ideal cut).
Believe it or not carat quickly became the least important factor once I got seriously looking into stones, in person.
For reference - I could of spent the same amount and gotten a 3 carat, SI2, J Color Stone.
Know your partners finger size as it will really help to visual the carat on her hands. My partner has 4.5 sz fingers pretty slim so a 2carat will really look like a 3 carat on size 5 or 5.5 hands. You can google sizing for reference.
There is a LOT more to stones than the 4 c's. However the 4'cs is a great foundation to start looking. When you really get into it you'll know cut is the most important. Color and Clarity is where you can compromise a little to increase carat size while being within budget.
Like some have said, eye clean is all that matters, for the most part. You could have an incredibly looking SI1 from GIA that could honestly pass for VS2 or VS1 from other grading companies like AGS or IGI. AGS would be the next pick tho if it wasnt GIA.
I feel like I could be a diamond broker now
there is a lot more to it than this short post! Learn your inclusions as well! That will help you determine if that particular clarity is a clean one or not.
GIA is the gold standard and they really scrutinize each stone. Tough grading forsure.