Step cut e-ring suggestions - where to buy?

[scratch]

Greetings fellow PSers... I am in dire need of help...

I originally wanted (and found) a 5 stone graduated emerald cut engagement ring in either white gold or platinum. We found the setting (which is where I first saw it) at a mall jeweller and put a deposit on it. Unfortunately it didn't work out (he was dodgy and kept lying to us which took us a while to realise) and my FI lost his deposit. He is still upset about it and hence his reluctance now with the whole ring thing, and also the smaller budget too.

So now I'm looking for either an emerald cut or asscher cut. Budget is about 4k but FI really likes the idea of it being in platinum (which will eat up most of the budget I know... I tried to explain to him but the budget won't... budge). I still LOVE the idea of a 5 stone emerald cut ring but I know that is impossible now due to the budget. Soooo I started looking at something really dainty like a small asscher cut with very small tapered baguettes on the sides. I figure this could be a good compromise because I don't mind the asschers in a small size and it's still a step cut (if I got an emerald cut in this design I wouldn't be happy with a small one) and it's a classic design so it shouldn't be as expensive to make as the 5 stone ring... right?

I've already been to all the 'quality' jewellers in the city. Most of them are quoting 2-3k min. over budget... one of the stores even quoted 20k (how that was justified, I have no idea...). After looking extensively locally, I started looking online and found some good suggestions. Here is where I'm at with the online ideas:

JA - I can get an asscher cut for under budget and currently have the one linked below on hold, however I'm not incredibly fond of their settings as they appear on the website. I'm hoping they look much nicer in person as I'm thinking for the budget, I can probably only afford JA. http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/0.72-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-274035

BN - I know it's incredibly dodgy to buy a step cut unseen but I've done so much research on emerald cut specs, comparing them to photos, videos and ASETs that I am pretty sure I know what specs I would be happy with and wouldn't want a super blingy EC anyway, so I wouldn't mind if it was glassy. BN is a cheap option if I was to go with an EC centre and tapered baguettes, however I wouldn't buy an asscher from them unseen as I still have no idea about specs for asschers. Also, I'm not sure how good their settings are. This is probably a backup choice/worst case scenario.

77 Diamonds - actually, this is the backup/worst case scenario as their settings are even cheaper than BN and JA, you can't see the diamonds and they don't even have pictures of recently bought rings like BN and JA, however they do have videos of what the setting should look like...

GOG - I've emailed about the 2 smallest asscher cuts they have listed on their site, and am awaiting more information and quotes.

Leon Mege - I love their workmanship but already received a quote for a .70 ct EC with tapered baguettes for 2.5k over budget. I emailed back and asked if there would be a price difference for an asscher with lower specs and am awaiting a reply...

BGD - I'm pretty sure I would be happy with a setting from them as I am in LOVE with Junerose's 2mm trellis setting, but they don't have any asschers or emerald cuts listed on their site at all, only by virtual selection and I'm reluctant to make them go to the effort to source some for me unless I was 100% sure I was going to buy from them. I get the impression that BGD is a specialist in rounds anyway... would that not be too incorrect a statement?

What do you guys think I should do? Just bite the bullet and buy from JA as it's probably my most affordable option? Or is there another option out there that I haven't considered. I'm happy with a smaller size diamond, around .70-.80 if it's an asscher, or .80-1ct if it's an EC and don't plan on upgrading in the future as I'm sentimental and would rather stick to the same diamond. I also am not a huge fan of solitaires (too traditional), bezel, pave, or any busy sidestones or filigree/engraving. If we really can't afford the 5 stone ring from anywhere then I'm pretty set on the tapered baguettes side stones and a plain, rounded 2mm shank.

The other question is do you think it would be weird if I contributed a little bit to the budget in order to make sure I get something that I will be happy with? I'm quite happy to do this, and already suggested the idea to my FI but he didn't like the idea as he is very traditional about certain things (he wouldn't even let me propose to him - he wanted to be the one to do it). Do you think it would be really terrible if I paid something towards it, like a deposit, then he can pay the balance, but maybe not know that I paid the deposit? (Ohh I'm typing it and hearing you all saying don't start a marriage with lies!!) :/

Apologies for the long post and also I'm not sure if my questions are valid for Rocky Talky so please let me know if I did a boo boo and posted in the wrong section. I'm just really down and frustrated and almost really close to the point of giving up and saying I don't want one at all...

Any ideas or nudges in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

 

[FireMonkey]

I'll let the step cut experts evaluate your stone/setting choices; not my forte.

I will, however, offer my opinion on the other question in your post: about contributing to the ring. I think it's a great idea; but I totally get where your sweetheart is coming from when he says 'no way'. Lots of men would/do feel the same. I recommend against secretly finding a way to reduce his out-of-pocket expense. Although it seems like a workable solution now, I promise you he'll find out about it sometime, and he'll be upset. Instead, what about offering to pay for the setting cost, while he covers the purchase of the diamonds? You can float it as the diamonds being the "heart" of the sentiment, and the most important part of the ring, value-wise. See what I mean? That leaves you with a generous budget for the stones, and you can still choose the setting together. Just my .02...

Good luck! I'll be following your thread.

 

[PintoBean]

Try Diamonds by Lauren! Here are some examples of step cut rings they have in stock. They can also create something for you as well.

How about a fancy yellow bezeled emerald cut?
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/natural-yellow-emerald-cut-diamond-r2647

EC with baguette sides (but I1 clarity)
[url]http://www.diamondsbylauren.co...1-emerald-cut-diamond-ring-w-double-baguettes[/url]

EC with yellow side stones
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/ind...s-emerald-cut-diamond-fancy-yellow-trapezoids

Yellow center EC with white EC side stones
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/ind...ight-yellow-emerald-cut-gia-rare-beauty-r4966

3 stone EC - gorgeous!
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/ind...i1-emerald-cut-three-stone-diamond-ring-r5791

 

[E B]

I don't necessarily think a 5-stone emerald or asscher cut ring is impossible at 4k, but it all depends on the total carat weight you want. DBL had one for $6k, but it was 2.5 ctw and I noticed in your other post you said you wanted something smaller for every day. I would contact GOG and DBL for options if this is still your first choice.

 

[scratch]

Pintobean - thank you! That 3 stone emerald cut is so affordable!! I will definitely be sending that link to my FI and see what he thinks. The side view of the 'trellis' looks kinda like it's melting though... is that just a photography thing from the bright lights or something?

EB - exactly! I don't mind if I have a 5 stone ring in a really small diamonds I just like the overall effect of the 'glassy spread' across my finger from all those steps and that's why I thought a centre step cut with side tapered baguettes might be a more budget friendly way of getting the effect I like. I started my other post because I thought I had finally compromised and found a good size/priced asscher cut and was ready to be done with the quest for a budget friendly ring but then everyone kept telling me that it is too small was getting me down so I started a new post to explain the whole backstory on why I was after a small stone :/

I also have updates from the above mentioned vendors:

GOG - they think they can do better than the .64 ct asscher they have listed on their site and the .80 is not in house so they are going to try to find something better and in my budget. My fingers are crossed for this to work out as they are really, really friendly and helpful and after all the good reviews I would be happy to buy from them if it all works out

JA - still have the asscher that Neil suggested to me on hold there and the sales rep said with the pricescope discount she can knock $70 bucks off the price.

Leon Mege - sales rep got back to me about being able to do something to help the price quoted, but they said that going down in colour/clarity and/or getting a fluorescent diamond isn't going to shift the price that much anyway, so I think they don't really want to bother with my puny budget :/

There is also a local jeweller who does quality handmade pieces - they originally quoted us 6.3k to make a .70 ct EC with tapered baguettes in a platinum setting, but it was too high so we said we can't go ahead with it. Well, they emailed my FI again yesterday and out of the blue offered to do it for 5.7k either with the .70 F VS1 we saw, or for 5.2k for a .70ish F SI1 that is eye clean. That sounds like a great discount and it would be great to buy locally, but it's still way over budget. What do you guys think of the idea of me contributing towards the budget?

 

[scratch]

Oh Firemonkey I'm sorry I skipped over your post somehow and didn't see your reply about whether or not I should contribute (dang phone screen so small )

Yes, I agree he would probably find out later as I am a terrible liar and we both know each other's financial situations so he would eventually realise somehow down the track.

I like your idea about him paying for the diamond though and me paying for the setting - that's a good way to look at it! I will try to suggest it and see what his reaction is... thanks heaps!

 

[scratch]

Hi guys, I think I have decided what to do. As the original stone I first fell in love with was an EC I am going to stick to that and get the best stone I can for the budget my FI set. I will just get a plain solitaire for now so that the majority of the budget can go towards a decent quality diamond.

The plan is that I will upgrade the setting later down the track, either to a 5 stone setting or add tapered baguettes on the sides, whichever one we can afford and looks good at the time. Since I am not a blingy person and don't like pave or eternity bands I figure maybe instead of getting an eternity band a year after we get married I can ask my FI to upgrade my setting then. Think that's a good compromise?

I'd like to thank everyone for their opinions, ideas and support - I really appreciate it!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think that is a great plan to go with the largest single stone you can! I highly recommend Good Old Gold for step cuts. They do source beautiful ones!