Advice on "vintage-inspired" Zales ring

[dpps]

Hi!

I'm looking for some advice selecting a diamond engagement ring. My girlfriend likes a relatively simple, vintagey style, in yellow gold, but with some detail to add interest. I really like this setting from Zales:

http://www.zales.com/product/index.jsp?productId=21635786

but I'm not thrilled about the stone quality, I'm doubtful about the certification, and I know their reputation for quality here on PS isn't great. So I'm considering purchasing just the setting and then finding a loose diamond to fit. Is that common? Are there considerations other than the size of the diamond?

Alternatively, can someone help me find a similar style of setting somewhere else?

Thanks!

 

[JulieN]

I'm not sure exactly which vintage this is supposed to be inspired by.

These sites might give you some ideas:
http://www.langantiques.com/
http://jewelsbyericagrace.com/
http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/

 

[tyty333]

Im going to be honest here... I don't find that setting very attractive and unless she picked it herself,
I would look around some more. I love antique settings but that one just doesn't cut it for me.

Edit - you might try looking at Gabriel settings at idjewelryonline.com.

They have some very pretty antique -y like settings at reasonable prices (also good quality) .

 

[Mayk]

Im going to be honest here... I don't find that setting very attractive and unless she picked it herself,
I would look around some more. I love antique settings but that one just doesn't cut it for me.

+1

Jewels by Erica Grace has some great items on sale... true vintage pieces. For the same amount of money I would absolutely want something from them over Zales.

 

[Niel]

I think this looks a bit like that, but more attractive. I'd do the halo in white metal, and everything else in yellow.

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7771W44JJ

Good old gold sells this brand. I think they sell it cheaper than listed on the site.

They also sell a brand of old cut diamonds, to add to the vintage look.

Or you could buy a true village stage stone. I think that would be nice.

 

[dpps]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I think I overemphasized the importance of an authentic vintage style. Having shopped with her a few times, I'm leaning towards something simple, like a solitaire but with some metal detail (like the milgrain detail in that setting) to add interest. She's also not into two-tone.

Edit: here's one she did point me to:
http://www.annasheffield.com/products/hazeline-round-champagne-3

The style's nice, but seems way expensive.

Thanks again for the suggestions. I'll keep looking around!

 

[Niel]

whats your budget?

 

[Niel]

heres a lovely one.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-yellow-gold-scroll-basket-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-2492

looks a lot like the second one you posted.

If you budget is 5k, id put this in it

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-263487

but, they have lots of other options, depending on your budget

 

[dpps]

whats your budget?

I'm targeting the 5K-7K range. The setting is more important to her than the stone. It's important to me that the stone be of reasonable quality (near colorless range, SI1 range, .8 - 1ct, etc.), but from my shopping it seems like that leaves plenty of budget for a nice setting.

That James Allen one is nice! The taper and metal shape at the top is great. The only two nits are that I think she'd prefer rounder band edges and maybe fewer stones on the shoulder, but there are a few good options on that site.

 

[Niel]

It'll be a little difficult to get rounded and millgraining as they need something to millgrain.

 

[Niel]

This one is similar. Antiquity with less diamonds down the side.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/engraved-cathedral-18k-yellow-gold-5453y18

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.803-g-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104067973001

 

[dpps]

Indeed, though the first one did: it had milgrain on the windows rather than the band's edge.

I also like these two, even though they have more metal interest around the basket than the shoulder:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/designer-engagement-rings/18k-yellow-gold-six-prong-royal-crown-engagement-ring-item-7231
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/designer-engagement-rings/18k-yellow-gold-spring-blossom-six-prong-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7225

Is there any concern about the durability of 18K vs. 14K gold?

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Niel]

so, i know, i know, its not round, but what about this

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/designer-engagement-rings/14k-white-gold-beaded-ripples-diamond-engagement-ring-item-8039

in regards to 14k and 18k. For rose and white gold, 14k is fine, if not preferred, depending on the color you're trying to get. But for yellow, i would always prefer 18k. 14k makes it look a bit tinny, where 18k gets that warm richness you want.


as for those settings you posted? love them!

If youre concerned about them missing diamond or metal detail. Remember you can add an engraved or diamond wedding band, or both! now that would be lovely.

 

[Cluless]

This one reminds me of the Anna Sheffield you posted, although a little more ornate.


http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=2358

 

[Niel]

so i had an idea....
this stone is about 4k if you also ask for a PS discount (already close to 4k)
and its got great color/ clarity.

then spend the rest on a setting from Van Craeynest
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-some-van-craeynest.79472/page-28']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-some-van-craeynest.79472/page-28[/URL]

he is expensive buy this would leave you 3k for the setting, Id see if they could do a setting for that.

 

[JulieN]

http://www.beverleyk.com/new-styles-644/mounts/r9666-a-d-d-cz.html

Love this one: http://www.beverleyk.com/engagement-rings/engagement-sets/r9635-c-d-d-cz.html

 

[Tekate]

You could get this in 14K yellow.. I like it a bit more than your pick.. but every ring is always beautiful!

http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=42_43&products_id=10057&cType=ER

 

[AprilBaby]

I had to laugh at Zales " she will be swept away" by their I1 diamond.

 

[heididdl]

i don't want to be mean either but that antique yellow gold setting does not appeal to me at all. What specifically does your GF like about antique settings. maybe we can help you.

I know this is white gold but http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ANTIQUE-DIAMOND-SEMI-MOUNT-SETTING-ENGAGE-RING-/400596574333?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item5d456aa07d

 

[kb1gra]

I had to laugh at Zales " she will be swept away" by their I1 diamond.

Well, I mean, for the average person who does not do the pricescope thing, any diamond bigger than about .25ct is impressive and the idea of diamond quality is foreign, since most people have only ever seen maul diamonds anyway...

 

[tyty333]

I doubt you'll like this idea but if the setting is more important than the stone, I would get her
A nice stone for 4 to 5k and put it in a cheap gold setting ($200) then tell her its time for her to
Get to work and find the setting she loves with the $2k left.

That way she gets what she loves and you don't end up spending $2k on a setting that
She may or may not like.

Btw...have you considered antique stoned (OECs)?

Edit - here is an example of an antique stone...lots of personality if your girlfriend is into
antique things.
http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com/detail.php?ID=1233&SHAPE=EU