When I got engaged 52 years ago, I bought my fiance' a 3/4 Carat brilliant cut diamond. At the time that was $800. A lot of money. Even though I was in college I made tones of money over the summer as a quarry drillers helper. Usually made $2000+ over the summer.
Fast forward for your 25th anniversary I bought another stone identical to it and a custom setting. For our 45th I made it a trio and another custom setting.
This things dazzles. I have truly never seen a nicer ring. I'll post it tomorrow. The cost would be under $8K for 3 very nice (not perfect stones) Approx G SI1.
The rig appraises out at $12K. She has gotten a lot of compliments.
But My message: 2 Smaller stones may look nicer than 1 larger stone.
jstnstr: Sounds like a good divorce. Glad it worked out!!!