Engagement Ring Help

[taylorbourne]

Looking to buy an engagement ring in the next couple of weeks and was wondering if I could get a little bit of advice.

I have a budget of about $3-3500, I'm looking for a cushion cut diamond in a halo setting. More interested in a the "double" shoulder look (not really sure if that's what it's called), with a squared shape. Something like this..

https://bnsec.bluenile.com/bluenile...template_main?$v3_catprod_lrg$&$diam_shape=is{bluenile/integratedhead}&$diam_position=0,0&$ring_position=0,0&$ring_sku=is{bluenile/DM03220700_RD_setmain}

Though it does not have to be the "double" look, as long as it has diamonds running down the shoulder area. I've been down to the jewelry district (LA) with the g/f and that's what she's interested in. Down there they quoted a 1.84ct in a similar setting for $5500, which is a little out of my price range right now. I guess a possible bonus would be if I could buy from somewhere with financing options?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[farrahlyn]

Your link is not working but i'm guessing it's this split shank halo you're referring to? Or is it the two halos around the stone that she prefers?
https://www.bluenile.com/build-your...old_33606?elem=img&track=product&vtype=sample

edited because i obviously did not read well. Do you have a typo? Was it possibly a .84ct stone you were looking at and not 1.84? cause that is one helluva cheap diamond.

 

[taylorbourne]

Haha yes! Split shank is what I'm looking for – with the single halo. Yes .84ct is possible? I was going off the numbers the salesmen wrote on a business card for me and I may have misread or misunderstood. Let me know if you need any further information, did my best to provide everything.

 

[scarsmum]

Would you consider pre-loved? https://www.idonowidont.com/diamonds/ladies-18-karat-white-gold-diamond-ring
If you would, then you still need to look closely at the certificate for the main diamond. It should be certified by GIA or AGL and people here can look at the cut quality. With a halo split shank you are going to pay a fair amount for just the setting, so the dilemma is that that leaves you little for the center stone.

 

[scarsmum]

Or this I color if that is in your color range https://www.idonowidont.com/diamonds/beautiful-cushion-cut-105-ct-center-halo-engagement-ring
You can make a lower offer.

 

[taylorbourne]

Ahh so it's the setting that's adding to the total so quickly.. I was wondering why I couldn't find anything affordable with that setting.. I would be willing to go with a standard shank, as long as it has the diamonds running down it. Preferably on the wider side.. Will I be able to find anything decent in a brick and mortar store or should I stick to the online marketplace?

 

[scarsmum]

Ahh so it's the setting that's adding to the total so quickly.. I was wondering why I couldn't find anything affordable with that setting.. I would be willing to go with a standard shank, as long as it has the diamonds running down it. Preferably on the wider side.. Will I be able to find anything decent in a brick and mortar store or should I stick to the online marketplace?

Well specifically, it's the diamonds on the setting that are upping the price.

 

[farrahlyn]

If you're ok with a non split shank, that REALLY helps! the split shank halo is going to run like $2500. Do you know for sure that she wants a thicker band?

this is a thinner band:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...shion-outline-pave-engagement-ring-item-49493

 

[taylorbourne]

I think that the thicker band or split shank would be a bonus. The most important factor is the diamonds on the band itself and the halo. She likes how the halo makes the actual stone appear larger, and kinda gives that extra uh.. for lack of a better term, "icy" effect.

 

[scarsmum]

If you're ok with a non split shank, that REALLY helps! the split shank halo is going to run like $2500. Do you know for sure that she wants a thicker band?

this is a thinner band:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...shion-outline-pave-engagement-ring-item-49493

That's a really nice option. Online vendors like James Allen, blue nile, adiamor, or enchanted diamonds are likely to cost less than a B&M store. The downside is that you can see video/aset of the diamond but you can't really tell if you love it compared to other diamonds like you can at a store. You also can order stones and return them if you need to but it is time consuming.

If you have a look and like any of the stones on an online vendor, post the links here for people to comment on.

 

[farrahlyn]

i'll throw these out there too:

https://www.adiamor.com/Engagement-...e-Halo-Setting-for-Cushion-Cut/WhiteGold/1385
double halo, (tiny) split shank https://www.adiamor.com/Engagement-...-Halo-Split-Shank-Diamond-Ring/WhiteGold/1693

https://idjewelry.com/0-43-ct-diamo...white-gold-diamond-halo-er7527w44jj-igcd.html (IDJ is really great at putting together a ring if you call. they will pull stones, provide images, etc and their prices just cannot be beat)

ETA: shopping in store can be convenient but not many B&M places specialize in fancy cut stones. NICE Cushions are really difficult to choose!

The reason i asked about band thickness is not a lot of women love a thicker band. what is her ring size?

 

[taylorbourne]

She's a size 6 – but yeah I don't think it's that she wants the thicker band, just more of that all over icy look that the added diamonds in the band add. I didn't realize just how much more the split shank is!

PS – thank you everyone for all the links so far, looking over everything this is helping a ton! Even helps just to know which online vendors are reputable.

 

[totallyfree]

Throwing some more out:
Diamond halo, and split shank but no diamonds on the shank for under $3k:
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/70ct-round-brilliant-leo-diamond-halo-solitaire

And Diamonds by Lauren has quite a few icy halos in your price range: http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/ind...&price-max=5001&cat_id=199&ring_types=&page=1
There are a combo of yellow, pink and white stones (diamonds and sapphires), but this ring is the closest to what you've described I think:
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/ind...cushion-in-split-shank-halo-medium-blue-r3349

 

[taylorbourne]

Still haven't purchased! Bumping this thread instead of creating a new one.. so my budget has changed slightly, looking to spend under 3K. However the split shank mentioned before is no longer a requirement. Just a halo setting (diamonds on the shank would be good, but not required).. I'm thinking around 3/4 ct. Does this sound reasonable?

 

[scarsmum]

Are you open to preloved?

 

[taylorbourne]

Hmm I’m not sure I would want to go that route, though I’m not opposed to shopping around. I’ve been mulling over this as an option.. is this a reputable seller? I’m guessing I could go a little larger on the stone and stay within my budget.

https://www.adiamor.com/YourRing.aspx?items=41207402|1652|82

 

[ac117]

I'll throw a few options out...keep in mind you could get $100 off with a referral coupon and ask for PS discount from JA:

$2130 https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.80-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3522954
$2070 slightly larger but J color https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.90-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3727426
$840 https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...-halo-engagement-ring-round-center-item-18301

You'd have to go slightly smaller or lower color to get a halo setting with the diamonds on the side-I really think .80 looks nice if you look at the examples so I wouldn't suggest going much smaller:
$1760 https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.82-carat-j-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-3882489 (I prefer the two stones above but it would bring you slightly over $3k)
$1220 https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...lo-diamond-engagement-ring-cushion-item-17429

 

[scarsmum]

Hmm I’m not sure I would want to go that route, though I’m not opposed to shopping around. I’ve been mulling over this as an option.. is this a reputable seller? I’m guessing I could go a little larger on the stone and stay within my budget.

https://www.adiamor.com/YourRing.aspx?items=41207402|1652|82

Adiamor are reputable. My diamond is from there. They do charge state tax within CA.

 

[ac117]

GREAT option here...very nice size and still I color: https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamo...9-Carat-I-Color-SI1-Clarity-Diamond-41934Z193

You could also call ID Jewelry and speak to Yekutiel....tell him what you want and ask what he could do for $3k. They do very well maximizing budgets and produce beautiful results!

 

[taylorbourne]

Adiamor are reputable. My diamond is from there. They do charge state tax within CA.

Ah I see.. ok cool. Is the diamond I listed of good quality?

• 0.76 ct. Cushion I SI1

GREAT option here...very nice size and still I color: https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamo...9-Carat-I-Color-SI1-Clarity-Diamond-41934Z193

You could also call ID Jewelry and speak to Yekutiel....tell him what you want and ask what he could do for $3k. They do very well maximizing budgets and produce beautiful results!

Thanks for finding a few examples for me.. though I wanted to be clear that my budget is for the setting as well as the stone itself! I really think I'm leaning toward the Adiamor set up that I found. I know for a fact she would like the setting.. I'm just nervous about pulling the trigger on a stone.

 

[scarsmum]

Ah I see.. ok cool. Is the diamond I listed of good quality?

• 0.76 ct. Cushion I SI1

Thanks for finding a few examples for me.. though I wanted to be clear that my budget is for the setting as well as the stone itself! I really think I'm leaning toward the Adiamor set up that I found. I know for a fact she would like the setting.. I'm just nervous about pulling the trigger on a stone.

Ask them to send you a video of the diamond. There’s no way to tell otherwise and cushions are complicated.

 

[taylorbourne]

Ask them to send you a video of the diamond. There’s no way to tell otherwise and cushions are complicated.

Of course it's the complicated cut haha.. Ok no worries I emailed them and asked if that's possible. As long as the color/cut quality is there it's hard to go terribly wrong right? Just trying to put myself at ease a little

 

[RetroTreeGal]

Of course it's the complicated cut haha.. Ok no worries I emailed them and asked if that's possible. As long as the color/cut quality is there it's hard to go terribly wrong right? Just trying to put myself at ease a little

Yeah but cut quality is a tricky one.

 

[taylorbourne]

This sounds like something I wouldn't know even if I went into a B&M store not strictly a risk taken when purchasing online, right?

 

[scarsmum]

This sounds like something I wouldn't know even if I went into a B&M store not strictly a risk taken when purchasing online, right?

Sure, but you’re here now and you can’t unlearn. Basic idea is outlined by @tyty333 very.nicely, if she or he would be so kind.

 

[ac117]

@taylorbourne Yes, I know your budget includes the setting as well. That .90 stone gives you a nice size and I mentioned IDJ bc they have access to Gabriel & co. settings that are good quality and a great price point when maximizing your budget. For example: https://idjewelry.com/14k-white-gold-0-30-ct-diamond-halo-engagement-ring-setting-er10694w44jj.html

You do not know the cut quality of the cushion in the Adiamor setting and I highly doubt that you want to end up with a stone that has a lot of mush and not clearly defined facets that make the diamond sparkle. I know it seems like more work, but by letting us help you choose the center you can be sure that the ring will have a top performing center.