Solitude, I can see that you are really getting into ticking things off your list!!!! LOL. Your new diamond cross is spectacular and must be kicking in by now to curb your bling cravings?
In answer to your question, with a set budget of say $1500- $2000, I know that I can get very little in terms of diamond jewellery. But I know that I can get a very significant size pearl with some tiny diamonds in the setting.
Previous to getting my pearl pendant I never thought twice about pearls, they just werent in my radar. But since I have been wearing my single pearl pendant, Im really getting a buzz....and lots of comments. I think this would suit your situation. One pearl is not as expensive as a pair of earrings or a strand either, but is very effective!!! And you can wear it all the time day or night.
However, if you would have asked me this last year, I would have opted to spend the $ on diamonds. Mind you, for the price of my 18 mm perfect pearl, you could hardly get anything in terms of diamonds, although the pearl looks like a million dollars!