E-ring diamond/setting help

[jlb5035]

Hi everyone, this is my initial post on the site. I am a soon to be college graduate and am in the market for an engagement ring. I'm very glad that I stumbled across pricescope as a quality source of information about diamonds bc previously I knew nothing about them. I have read through many of the pages on the site and have come up with a good idea of what to get but it never hurts to get a little more insight.

I am shopping for my girlfriend of 3 years now, and through some pinterest snooping and subtle hints I think I have figured out the style/type of ring that she will love. She likes rings with a vintage style and rings with halo settings, and she has a preference for jewelry that has its own artistic appeal or character over something that's just big and flashy. I have attached some examples of rings that are on her page that she likes. 






I know it may be hard to tell from the single picture but my main question with these is what size range center stones would look good in these settings? 

I am asking this bc I am planning on purchasing the stone separately from one of the listed online sellers  (bc of their massive selection) and then taking it to a family friend who runs a jewelry store to pick out a setting. My total budget is somewhere around $2500 and for the stone I really want to get something with a high quality cut, SI2 or higher clarity, and J or better color.

Thanks for the help

 

[soxfan]

what is your budget?

 

[jlb5035]

My budget is around $2000

 

[soxfan]

http://diamondbistro.com/category/216/Natural-Diamond-Center/listings/34266/34-ct-round-yellow-diamond-halo-ring,-size-60.html

 

[RockyRacoon]

Since you specified you're only looking for a stone, check this one out:

F color, nice size, under budget (after Pricescope discount from vendor) and eye-clean -
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.604-f-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104067041037

 

[soxfan]

Sorry!! I just read you were looking for only a stone. That's what I get for posting so early in the morning.

 

[UberClaire]

Is your budget $2000 for the diamond, or $2000 for the entire ring?

 

[Niel]

Is your budget $2000 for the diamond, or $2000 for the entire ring?

Total budget 2500

 

[UberClaire]

Is your budget $2000 for the diamond, or $2000 for the entire ring?

Total budget 2500

I'm still confused -- he hasn't picked out a setting yet, and if he's doing that with a private jeweler, there's no way to know how much of that budget will be left over for a diamond.

OP, I think you're going to have a hard time finding a setting like the ones you pictured for $500 or less.

 

[Niel]

OK I'd get this

http://diamondbistro.com/category/216/Natural-Diamond-Center/listings/35879/Reduced-Blue-Nile-Set-GIA-Triple-Ex-G-VS1,-120ctw.html

I would ask if they could sell just the e ring alone, not the w band.

Offer around 2k see what they can do?

Then I'd get a nice vintage inspired wedding band. Or a twisty one. Those can be purchased from JA for a very decent price.

http://www.jamesallen.com/wedding-rings/matching-bands/14k-white-gold-cable-wedding-band-item-9320

These two combined give feel of your first look, quite possibly in budget(if she comes down or sells it on its own) and an amazing deal


Eta oops didn't see they were soldered together. Still I'd see what she could do....

 

[Niel]

so you would have to ask them to review these and see if they are eye clean, get asets for the last one, and give you their impression, but here are the ones from JA i like

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.60-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-229137

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.61-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-253069

this one probably isnt eye clean but if you wanted to review it they could
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.72-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-257328

you could buy it loose and go with your local person, or do this

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-cabled-diamond-engagement-ring-item-17996

could be done with the shank any color too, as looks like she might like rose gold...

and ask for a PS discount and pay by wire, im sure that will fit your 2.5k budget.

 

[jlb5035]

To clarify I am looking to get a stone and a setting for under 2500 and I'm indifferent to how much of that goes towards the stone or setting just whatever looks the best together.

Neil and rocky, thanks for the links they all look really good to me but I'm a little confused about the reviewing. Sorry if this is a novice question but how do I go about asking for a review and what exactly does it reveal that isn't already listed by the grading report?

Also I wanted to get a second opinion on getting a stone that isn't a round cut. She has mentioned before that she likes the contrast a square shaped stone can bring to some settings. I am a little skeptical to get one bc I feel like would be more difficult to find the right setting and it just wouldn't have the same fire as a round cut.

 

[UberClaire]

It seems like she likes fairly intricate settings. My advice would be, if the setting is so important, find that first. Then you'll know how much you have left over to buy a diamond. Settings like you've posted will run over $1000 easy (probably more like 2k for a lot of the examples you've posted), so you might have better luck looking at pre-owned sets.

 

[UberClaire]

What about doing something like this:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-twisted-shank-solitaire-item-17466
with
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.57-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-72867

Or this:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-cabled-diamond-engagement-ring-item-17996
with
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.76-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-243473

Or this:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/vintage/14k-white-gold-vintage-infinity-engagement-ring-item-17858
with
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.77-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-249259

Other settings you might like on James Allen:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/vintage/14k-white-gold-antique-bezel-and-pave-set-engagement-ring-item-17425
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-twisted-shank-solitaire-item-17470

 

[Niel]

OP, to answer your question. How you review them is by going to James Allen's web site. There's an option to talk to a seals associate. Do that and say, "oh I'd like to reserve these stones to see if they are eye clean and have a gemologist look at them

They say OK

They only let you review three. So first figure out what shape she wants.

I love fancies but there's a few things to remember. Nothing will sparkle like a round does. Everything has different styles of sparkle. Marquise pears and ovals have a sort of pin point sparkle. As do most radiants. Step cuts like asschers and Emeralds have broader flashes. Typically its considered a well cut round will be most sparkly, but a fancy will add interest and uniqueness. They both have there pros and cons

The issue with squares is they face up smaller on average per CTW than a round. Meaning you look at 2 0.8 ct stones, a round will LOOK like more stone than a square will.

Ovals, marquise, and pears on the other hand, on average do the opposite.

The other thing to keep in mind is a round let's you go lower in color. Fancies usually tend to be cheaper, but even out a bit in cost because you have to usually stay higher in color grade. But for stones with pin point sparkles, you can get away with lower clarity often, depending on inclusion type

Are you in this with her or trying to be sneaky?? As I think it would be nice to pop over to a store and try on like, 0.6 ct solitaires in all types of shapes, see what she likes on her hand. Sure we will shoot for maybe a little bigger stone, and more interesting setting, but that way she doesn't get a ring in her hand and get her hopes up.

Eta. You're right fancies are harder. But you aren't in this alone. We will happily help you hunt for whatever shape you want, once you narrow it down.

And to your question about WHY you want it reviewed. A lab report only goes so far. You want to know how the stone performs. And that can only really be done with the help of light performance tools (asets and idealscope) when you can't look at the stone yourself, as well as someone's trained eyes to tell you how the stone looks in person. ( the gemologists)

Especially with fancies, a lab report isn't going to tell you much. You need these performance reviews to make sure you don't pick a did. Its easier with rounds, though.

 

[Niel]

so you would have to ask them to review these and see if they are eye clean, get asets for the last one, and give you their impression, but here are the ones from JA i like

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.60-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-229137

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.61-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-253069

this one probably isnt eye clean but if you wanted to review it they could
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.72-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-257328

you could buy it loose and go with your local person, or do this

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-cabled-diamond-engagement-ring-item-17996

could be done with the shank any color too, as looks like she might like rose gold...

and ask for a PS discount and pay by wire, im sure that will fit your 2.5k budget.

you could also set any of these stones in a similar setting, sans halo and rose gold

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-cable-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-9315

now i know it on its own isnt as "artsy" as she might want, but if you think big picture, it could be really amazing and if you save an extra 400-500 now, you could afford to get her two interesting bands like that for wedding bands, instead of one band. Just a thought

 

[Niel]

heres a cutie with a fair price and a return policy if you dont like it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Art-Deco-Platinum-Old-European-Diamond-Natural-French-cut-Sapphire-Ring-/231049671411?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35cba232f3

 

[Niel]

also take a look at Isreal rose they have quite a few rings in your budget.

this one in particular i think might be cool, though id wanna see what the diamonds look like, but the design??

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/0.85-ct--diamond-platinum-ring/12419/3/item#

 

[jlb5035]

Sorry it has taken me a while to reply I have been swamped the past couple of days, and I am trying to be discrete about picking out the ring so that takes a little bit of time in itself.

Claire, I think that may be the direction I take and just pick out the setting before finding a stone. I'm going to send some of these ideas over to the jeweler I mentioned earlier to see if he can find anything similar. I like the first setting that you posted with the twisted shank.

What about something like these
http://www.bluenile.com/petite-diamond-engagement-ring-14k-white-gold_42029

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-white-gold_20306

http://www.bluenile.com/french-pave-diamond-ring-white-gold_44725

with a round, radiant or oval center stone. I think that the first ring placed with an oval center stone would look really good together but I'm afraid that would be something that she either loved or hated.

Neil, thanks for the tips on reviewing the diamonds and fancy cuts. I'm not too crazy about the cable solitaire setting but the antique ring you posted would be a good one if it didn't have the colored gems as the halo.

 

[KristinTech]

so you would have to ask them to review these and see if they are eye clean, get asets for the last one, and give you their impression, but here are the ones from JA i like

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.60-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-229137

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.61-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-253069

this one probably isnt eye clean but if you wanted to review it they could
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.72-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-257328

you could buy it loose and go with your local person, or do this

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-cabled-diamond-engagement-ring-item-17996

could be done with the shank any color too, as looks like she might like rose gold...

and ask for a PS discount and pay by wire, im sure that will fit your 2.5k budget.

you could also set any of these stones in a similar setting, sans halo and rose gold

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-cable-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-9315

now i know it on its own isnt as "artsy" as she might want, but if you think big picture, it could be really amazing and if you save an extra 400-500 now, you could afford to get her two interesting bands like that for wedding bands, instead of one band. Just a thought

I love this look!

 

[jlb5035]

Alright so after some more searching I found one of the actual settings in the OP and it turns out it is made by the eBay vendor Lord of Gem Rings (or LOGR).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-5mm-Round-Cut-14kt-Rose-Gold-22ct-Diamonds-Engagement-Halo-Semi-Mount-Ring-/370886486427?pt=US_Engagement_Ring_Settings&hash=item565a8ea99b

There are a few issues with this setting
1) I cant afford a 6.5mm round cut diamond but I may be able to see if they can make one for a 5mm diamond
2) they are a chinese based eBay vendor so quality is a concern
3) it is going to be an e-ring so more than likely it will see everyday wear

I have read opinions on PS about LOGR and they seem very mixed so I wanted to see if anyone had some recent experience with them or can direct me to a thread of someone with a similar problem.

...

Also I am starting to see that a halo setting in my budget is more than likely not going to look as good as I want so if I end up vetoing the LOGR ring im looking at getting a more simple pave ring like these

 

[Mayk]

You could go ultra simple setting... Put your funds the best/biggest diamond and upgrade the setting at a future anniversary.

 

[Niel]

So I had an idea. There's a setting from diamond zone that is vintage and interesting and might just be perfect. If you don't do any modifications (change the head, add millgraing) is suuuuch a fair price. Plus its a a mix of round and square like you said she liked. And good old gold has a good upgrade policy down the road.

I purchased it and it should be done at the end of the week, if your interested I can show you some pics of the quality.

These stones would fit in it, be in budget, and amazing as these are really special stones.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8840/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11017/

http://www.diamondzonejewelry.com/jewelry-collection/diamond-rings/settings-semi-mounts/vintage-1930s-40s-round-diamond-ring-setting-semi-mount.html