Advice on engagement ring

[LukeWalker64]

I'm shopping for an e-ring, with a budget somewhere in the range of $10-15k. I've spent quite a bit of time on these forums--enough to know that cut is the most important C to be looking for. I want to get some advice for what to expect for diamond specs in that budget, while maximizing bang for the buck. She has pretty tiny fingers--4.25--so even a mid-sized diamond would look good on her hand. That said, her best friend got a 1.2 carat solitaire, which she loves. Another of her friends got a similarly-sized ring, albeit in a halo setting (she doesn't want a halo), which she also thought was beautiful. So I'm thinking something at least that heavy, if that helps.

Also, what is the typical turnaround time for getting a ring? If I buy from WF or James Allen, should I not plan to propose for a month? Two weeks? One week?

Thanks in advance for the guidance!

 

[danielxlin]

Re: Advice on what to expect for my budget

I'm inferring a couple of preferences:

1) A simple solitaire setting. Even a high end platinum handforged version won't blow out your 15k budget.

2) Modest size. You could blow most of the budget chasing a magic number like 2 carats, but you're going to be sensible.

What's left to spend on? Perfection of cut.

If I had your budget I'd buy a Crafted by Infinity diamond from Wink at High Performance Diamonds. He's got a 1.2 carat H/VS1 for $11K. This is absolute perfection of cut.

Because Wink believes these are the best cut diamonds in the world, and will have enduring value, this purchase is backed up by an absurd 80% lifetime buyback guarantee. If you spend $11k on the diamond, Wink will always be willing buy it back from you for $8800 in cash. That's crazy.

 

[RockyRacoon]

I'm shopping for an e-ring, with a budget somewhere in the range of $10-15k. I've spent quite a bit of time on these forums--enough to know that cut is the most important C to be looking for. I want to get some advice for what to expect for diamond specs in that budget, while maximizing bang for the buck. She has pretty tiny fingers--4.25--so even a mid-sized diamond would look good on her hand. That said, her best friend got a 1.2 carat solitaire, which she loves. Another of her friends got a similarly-sized ring, albeit in a halo setting (she doesn't want a halo), which she also thought was beautiful. So I'm thinking something at least that heavy, if that helps.

Also, what is the typical turnaround time for getting a ring? If I buy from WF or James Allen, should I not plan to propose for a month? Two weeks? One week?

Thanks in advance for the guidance!

Here's where I would start:

1.318ct, H, SI1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3227657.htm

That gets you an eye-clean stone with top-notch cut, in a size slightly larger than her friend's stone, but still in a size that would be acceptable if they ran in the same circles.

That leaves you about $5k in your budget to spend on a setting (should you want to invest there). That would be a large enough budget to get a handmade setting from Victor Canera or one of the other expert bespoke folks.

That combo would be a killer final product!

 

[danielxlin]

Or a little more size, still in your budget: Crafted by Infinity 1.58 carat G/SI2 for $13,803. Put that in a Vatche solitaire with some pave on the shoulders. Wow.

 

[sharkweb]

This was one of the stones I considered. You could have it set and shipped to you for under $15k.

1.7 VS1 H Ideal $13.8k. HCA = 2.8
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD05273526

 

[Travelgal]

$10-15k is a very healthy budget. Are you looking for round stones? Some of the vendors like James Allen have ship dates listed on their website. It depends on what you order- if it's custom, then it could take several weeks. If they have the setting in stock you could get it within a week- you will have to ask the vendor you choose on timeline.

 

[LukeWalker64]

Those are some great diamond options. She likes this setting, although I don't think she's married to this exact one. Just something like this style.
http://www.brilliantearth.com/Petite-Shared-Prong-Diamond-Ring-%281/4-ct.-tw.%29-Platinum-BE1PD25R25-1151390/

I found these two settings on WF, which I actually liked before I even discovered her preference.
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/legato-micro-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-1012.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/charis-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1658.htm

I like the Legato's narrower width (2.0mm instead of 2.1mm), lower cost ($1695 instead of $2042), and faster production time (8 days instead of 20 days).

But I like that the pavers on the Charis only go halfway around, and the look of the bigger pavers.

I didn't really see any settings I loved at GOG. These were the closest, but don't come in platinum, and I don't like the look of the pavers as much.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/beverley-k-engagement-ring.html
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/beverley-k-pave-engagement-ring-1.html

This is the closest one I found at High Performance Diamonds.
http://highperformancediamonds.com/shop/engagement-jewellery/nicole-2/

I think I still like the Charis the most.

 

[LukeWalker64]

Here are three I found on WF that look like good options:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/compare.aspx?idnos=3377988,3408388,3408387

Thoughts?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Just so you know, both Good Old Gold and Whiteflash offer the full Vatche line, so either can get you the Charis. GOG only puts a fraction of their setting options online. Same with WF. You will see all their brands, but they do not list every single setting the designers make. I do like the Charis a lot and hope it has a matching wedding band.

Of the three WF stones you just posted, I'd certainly go for the 1.6 ct H VS2 if that is in budget. It will definitely be visually larger than the other two.

Or this if you want an ACA:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3400948.htm

 

[LukeWalker64]

Or this if you want an ACA:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3400948.htm

That's a great diamond.

I just found this one today:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3372501.htm

It's $2k less, still ACA. Looks like the only differences are its color (I instead of H) and slightly less weight (1.516 ct instead of 1.536 ct). It scores a 1.2 on the HCA (instead of 1.1). I'm not sure about the blue on the edges of the top--is that something to be concerned about?