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3 stones, opinions please!

Which stone would you buy?

  • 1

  • 2

  • 3

Results are only viewable after voting.
D

davemclean

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
23
Dear PriceScope forum members,
I am a 30 y/o Aussie who is preparing to propose to his Canadian g/f of 2 years :wavey:. We're travelling together for the next few months so once the ring is sorted I'll carry it with me and wait for the right time. I'm pretty excited!

I have come up with what I believe to be 3 strong options and I would love it if you'd let me know what you think. Size isn't a top priority... performance and eye cleanliness are. I intend to set the stone as follows:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...d-15mm-comfort-fit-engagement-ring-item-50380

Let me know what you think! Thanks in advance for your feedback. :pray:
1.) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...rat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-2869896
2.) jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.92-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3172527
3.) https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...g-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3274228

Min and max prices are within $500 (call it 10%). All three stones are on hold.
 
I just responded on your other thread. The first of these 3 is the nicest. The second needs an IS bc the CA is a little high and a definite no on the third (table too big, CA too low). You have a nice budget and I prefer the larger stone you posted and it has very nice light return...I posted some stones on your other thread for you to take a look at.
 
It'll be lovely, love the simple elegant setting.
 
ac117 said:
I just responded on your other thread. The first of these 3 is the nicest. The second needs an IS bc the CA is a little high and a definite no on the third (table too big, CA too low). You have a nice budget and I prefer the larger stone you posted and it has very nice light return...I posted some stones on your other thread for you to take a look at.
Click to expand...

I asked JA and an IS is not available on option no. 2. It sounds like you'd strike it out on that basis.
 
davemclean said:
I asked JA and an IS is not available on option no. 2. It sounds like you'd strike it out on that basis.
Click to expand...

Yes, I would eliminate it. More importantly, go buy that 1.13...it's a winner!
 
ac117 said:
Yes, I would eliminate it. More importantly, go buy that 1.13...it's a winner!
Click to expand...

Haha! OK thanks! What do you think of the IS image of the 1.13? Do you like it? The white that is typical on ideal cuts (e.g. around the edges and the 'arrows' between the black arrows) is not particularly pronounced... is this a bad thing?
 
I don't like it...I love it! The lighter areas are due to stronger backlighting and I would not be concerned.
 
:) do it and then post pics of the final ring after you propose. Congrats!!
 
Thank you so much for the help guys (esp. ac117!) I am in the process of finalising the order. I am going to go for the gorgeous 1.13 :dance::lickout:

Regarding setting, what are your thoughts on:
1.) 1.5mm vs 2mm for the stone size (she has long, slim fingers and I was set on 1.5mm but not sure if the stone is too big and will look 'silly'?)
2.) 4 claw vs 6 claw
3.) white metal claws vs rose gold claws

I am shooting a little blind on this but am going to pull the trigger within the next couple of hours so I'll hopefully hear from you (or someone) shortly.

Thanks again,

DM
 
2mm rose gold band + white gold head (platinum if your budget will allow, so maintenance is needed). 6 delicate claw prong (4 will make the round squarish and is less protective).

Just to give you another look. This band is narrower at the top and tends to make the diamond look bigger. This setting has a more graceful flow. You could ask them to ease the top profile to make is more comfort fit.

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...e-flower-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-50164
 
rockysalamander said:
2mm rose gold band + white gold head (platinum if your budget will allow, so maintenance is needed). 6 delicate claw prong (4 will make the round squarish and is less protective).

Just to give you another look. This band is narrower at the top and tends to make the diamond look bigger. This setting has a more graceful flow. You could ask them to ease the top profile to make is more comfort fit.

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...e-flower-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-50164
Click to expand...

This setting is very nice! Still simple but a little flair and I like how it tapers at the top.

Unfortunately I'm quite tight on time and a custom job would stretch out my timeline by at least a few days (i.e. white metal head on the flower setting).

This brings me back to the comfort fit 1.5mm or 2mm. Out of interest why would you suggest 2mm over 1.5mm? She is small with slender fingers, size 5 or 6 (I figure I'll go with 6 to start with as better off too big vs too small when I pop the question!).

Thanks for the reply,

DM
 
Probably best to have her correct size especially if you do any customization on it.
 
Even with a solid metal band, 1.5 is about as thin as I'd go and only if I knew the metal was tall enough to compensate. Metal will bend, twist and torque under pressure and wearing. Gold also wears away over time. 2 mm is way thinner than you think and gives a safety margin against bending and wear. Also, more metal=more friction=less spinning. Even she sits as a desk all day and will take the ring off a lot, 1.5 is probably fine. If she is active and will tend to leave the ring on, 2 mm is better.

White metal claws will reflect 'white' into the stone. Rose gold claws will reflect color. Lots of debate here, but generally folks recommend white metal claws.

On size 6, yes. Always easier to add some metal to take up the space than get it too small. You might buy a snuggie (link below) to have in your pocket with the ring as a temporary measure if the ring too big. She can wear it right away until you get it resized. Not terribly pretty, but would allow her to wear it without fear.

https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Snuggies-Sizer-Assorted-Adjuster/dp/B0014DGXU8
 
Agree with rockysalamander....I would prefer rg with wg head, 6 claw prongs and 2mm which is what we recommend so that it's structurally sound. There's a point where thin is just too thin! You don't want the ring to warp or come out of round if she grabs something, etc. 2mm is safer.
 
p.s. I do really prefer the flower setting over the first one. What is your budget for the setting??? I'll take another look. Maybe @ac117 has a setting in mind?
 
On any ring from JA, specify DELICATE CLAW PRONGS. Make sure they write it on the work order.

EDITED TO ADD...cross-posted with @ac117 . I like her 6 prong if you can't wait for the flower setting. I really like the flower one...
 
I have size 4 finger and my 2mm ring is plenty thin on me. I'd vote 2mm as well
 
OK awesome thanks guys. I am going to ask JA about getting the flower one done with a platinum head now. It is critical that I have the ring delivered to Australia by 6 Sept so if they can do it I'll go for it. I'll keep you posted!
 
Ask also about wg...might be faster.
 
Okey dokey!

Request for a quote on the custom flower setting with 6 delicate platinum prongs has been submitted. Tight production/shipping timeframe noted (not guaranteed) and also noted that white gold is fine for the prongs if it'd expedite the process. They expect to come back to me in 24-48 hours.

Now we wait! THANK YOU! :pray::pray::pray:
 
Yay!!!!! :appl:
 
Great news! We'll cross our fingers and toes for you!
 
So response email from custom team at JA read as follows:
"...I'm unable to modify the design you like SKU17148R14 with slim claw prongs but I have a very similar design which I can do this for. It is SKU17198R14..."
They didn't mention the platinum head so I presume that part is ok... how would you proceed?

At a glance I'm not sure I like SKU17148R14 as much and could always just fall back to this one:
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...-six-prong-diamond-engagement-ring-item-49378
If I do pull the trigger on this one, I would ask for delicate claw prongs per your advice, provided it can be produced within my timeframe.

Let me know what you think! Thanks!
 
davemclean said:
The prongs on the 'recently purchased 1.0ct' in the 360 videos look pretty good right? I'm concerned about time. I hope to lock it in today or tomorrow.
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...-six-prong-diamond-engagement-ring-item-49378

I am not sure if I like the prongs on the other recently purchased videos (more of a 'claw'). What do you think?
Click to expand...

I like the flower solitaire enough that I'd accept their condition of not delicate and just ask that they make them as slim and pointy as possible on the top of the stone. I don't dislike the alternative, I have a similar setting for a gemstone, but it is less unique. If she loves a more unique flair, stick with the flower. If she is more classic, then the alternative they proposed with delicate claw prongs will be great also.
 
Last edited:
rockysalamander said:
I like the flower solitaire enough that I'd accept their condition of not delicate and just ask that they make them as slim and pointy as possible on the top of the stone. I don't dislike the alternative, I have a similar setting for a gemstone, but it is less unique. If she loves a more unique flair, stick with the flower. If she is more classic, then the alternative they proposed with delicate claw prongs will be great also.
Click to expand...

She loves a more unique flair for sure. Thanks for the advice.

I said this to JA custom team:
"...could I please ask that you make the ‘claws’ on the top of the stone as slim and pointy as possible?..."

They replied with:
"...I can certainly get pricing on modifying this ring SKU17148R14 to have claw prongs..."

Did I send the right message?
 
Sounds right to me. It should not be much of a big deal. Ideally, they could just reshape the prongs they have into the claws. But, the fact that they can't suggest that they may need to make them a bit longer so they have enough metal to allow them to be thinned into claws (yet have enough metal holding the diamond). I know it seems like a tiny detail, but your GF will really appreciate the difference. Its another nice detail like adding a platinum head to reduce future maintenance.

But, if time is the most important thing for you, you might follow-up with that "date of delivery is the most critical detail. I need the ring in my hand on X date. So, if the modification for claw-prongs or obtaining a quote for those places that in jeopardy, I will forgo the claw-prongs and stick with just the change to a platinum head." If they can't make the prongs you want now, you kinda want them a bit chunky. If your GF wants them revised, it will give the jeweller material to work with. Hope that helps.
 
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