Advice on engagement ring settings

[Kitae527]

How are you guys doing? I have questions relating to engagement ring settings. My wife and I already have a ring but I am currently researching for a better setting for my wife. Our center stone is a round brilliant, 1.51 ct, SI2, G, and it's EGL certified. My wife has been showing significant interest in Verragio and Scott Kay. We did look at Tacori but it is too much for our budget. I prefer the setting to be in platinum. My wife and I have great interest in Halo Settings with high profile. Once again, we already have the center stone, I'm looking for a good affordable (around 2k-5k) engagement ring and wedding band set. My wife is very picky, by any chance any of you guys know any jeweler who can personally customize almost everything? Anybody know if there is one Alaska? I still lack some knowledge in diamonds and setting but I plan to use this forum and your guidance as my learning foundation. Much help will be appreciated thank you!


This is an example of one of the ring from Scott Kay that my wife showed interest in.

 

[Gypsy]

Engagement Rings direct can. But it will cost you.

Your best bet is to find something as close as possible to what she want with a designer that customizes like Beverly K or Gabriel.

Also look at Brian Gavin. Does she like this one: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/the-anita-halo-platinum-5950p It would look FANTASTIC with a 1.5 carat center stone, and they can make a matching wedding for it.


That said, you shouldn't have bought an EGL diamond. You probably got ripped off. And there is no way that stone is a G. Please read this:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/been-wondering-when-this-would-happen-lawsuit-over-grading.204318/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/been-wondering-when-this-would-happen-lawsuit-over-grading.204318/[/URL]
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/[/URL]

So if you have a return policy on the stone, I highly suggest you return it.

 

[Gypsy]

The entire purpose of faceting a diamond is to reflect light.
How well or how poorly a diamond does this determines how beautiful it is.
How well a diamond performs is determined by the angles and cutting. This is why we say cut is king.
No other factor: not color, not clarity has as much of an impact on the appearance of a diamond as its cut. An ideal H will out white a poorly cut F. And GIA Ex is not enough. And you must stick to GIA and AGS only. EGL is a bad option: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/egl-certification-are-any-of-them-ok.142863/[/URL]
So how to we ensure that we have the right angles and cutting to get the light performance we want?
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-cut
Well one method is to start with a GIA Ex, and then apply the HCA to it. YOU DO NOT USE HCA for AGS0 stones.
https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/holloway-cut-advisor
The HCA is a rejection tool. Not a selection tool. It uses 4 data points to make a rudimentary call on how the diamond may perform.
If the diamond passes then you know that you are in the right zone in terms of angles for light performance. Under 2 is a pass. Under 2.5-2.1 is a maybe. 2.6 and over is a no. No score 2 and under is better than any other.
Is that enough? Not really.
So what you need is a way to check actual light performance of your actual stone.
That's what an idealscope image does. https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/firescope-idealscope
It shows you how and wear your diamond is reflecting light, how well it is going at it, and where you are losing light return. That is why you won't see us recommending Blue Nile, as they do not provide idealscope images for their diamonds. BGD, James Allen, GOG, HPD, ERD and WF do.

The Idealscope is the 'selection tool'. Not the HCA.
So yes, with a GIA stone you need the idealscope images. Or you can buy an idealscope yourself and take it in to the jeweler you are working with to check the stones yourself. Or if you have a good return policy (full refund minimum 7 days) then you can buy the idealscope, buy the stone, and do it at home.


Now if you want to skip all that... stick to AGS0 stones and then all you have to do is pick color and clarity and you know you have a great performing diamond. Because AGS has already done the checking for you. That's why they trade at a premium.

 

[Kitae527]

Wow! Thanks for the in depth explanation! Unfortunately *gasp*, we bought the stone at L.A. but we are currently in Alaska, according to HCA it seems to measure out fair visual, but once again, center stone is a whole different topic. I plan to change out the center stone one day, therefore I will definitely start reading into AGS0 and GIA, after reading the article you provided me with the EGL is now officially under my "no no" list.

The Brian Gavin page you also showed me looks very nice! It is a very similar style that my wife and I am seeking with affordable price. Only thing is that if I am to go with the setting you recommended, I will have to have it shipped here in Alaska and find a local jeweler who would place the diamond into the setting.

It seems I have tons of articles to read though. I will definitely have more look around Brian Gavin for the engagement ring setting though Thank you so very much for those information you provided me with!