patiolanterns
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2014
- Messages
- 6
Wow, just a few days spent pouring over every thread on this site that I can lay may eyes on, and I can't believe how much my perspective on diamonds has changed. A week ago I was ready to go completely screw-up the most important purchase of my life (so far) and buy a ring from a pushy salesperson at the mall... Needless to say, I love this site.
Still, I realize that I am still a humble newbie and would benefit greatly from my own thread with some expert advice tailored to my situation and what is currently available in the market.
I am going to be proposing to the love of my life in early October. I am young and without a great deal of savings, and want to keep my budget at $3500 or under.
My requirements for my Round center stone are extremely "bang-for-the-buck" oriented. My personal thought process about the 4 C's and my potential ideal ring is as follows:
1. Cut is king - no sacrifices here
2. For clarity, it must simply be eye clean - zeroing in on SI1
3. Not picky about color - I'm thinking an I would be best, but would consider a J. Don't mind some fluorescence.
4. I want the largest diamond possible for my budget considering the above
For the setting, I really like the split-shank/infinity style pave set in 14K white gold. There are a couple nice ones that are less expensive at Blue Nile and B2C jewels, and these would allow me to spend a bit more on the center stone. Is the build quality of these settings a big issue?
http://www.b2cjewels.com/Diamond-Accent-Settings/Infinity-Twist-Engagement-Ring-Split-Shank-14K-White-Gold-10038-1.aspx
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/twist-halo-diamond-14k-white-gold-engagement-ring_42402?elem=img&track=product
I am not married to the setting if something else comes along, but I think I want something beyond a solitaire and at least want to do a basic pave.
Other than that, I've been pouring over loose stones and just don't know whether to get something a little smaller at Brian Gavin or Whiteflash that has their upper tier certification (ACA/Signature), OR roll the dice a bit and get an HCA < 2 stone from B2c or bluenile that will be a bit bigger for the same price, and return it if I find any issues with it.
Any thoughts, please send 'em in! I promise not to be offended if anything harsh is said about my ideas so far...
Still, I realize that I am still a humble newbie and would benefit greatly from my own thread with some expert advice tailored to my situation and what is currently available in the market.
I am going to be proposing to the love of my life in early October. I am young and without a great deal of savings, and want to keep my budget at $3500 or under.
My requirements for my Round center stone are extremely "bang-for-the-buck" oriented. My personal thought process about the 4 C's and my potential ideal ring is as follows:
1. Cut is king - no sacrifices here
2. For clarity, it must simply be eye clean - zeroing in on SI1
3. Not picky about color - I'm thinking an I would be best, but would consider a J. Don't mind some fluorescence.
4. I want the largest diamond possible for my budget considering the above
For the setting, I really like the split-shank/infinity style pave set in 14K white gold. There are a couple nice ones that are less expensive at Blue Nile and B2C jewels, and these would allow me to spend a bit more on the center stone. Is the build quality of these settings a big issue?
http://www.b2cjewels.com/Diamond-Accent-Settings/Infinity-Twist-Engagement-Ring-Split-Shank-14K-White-Gold-10038-1.aspx
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/twist-halo-diamond-14k-white-gold-engagement-ring_42402?elem=img&track=product
I am not married to the setting if something else comes along, but I think I want something beyond a solitaire and at least want to do a basic pave.
Other than that, I've been pouring over loose stones and just don't know whether to get something a little smaller at Brian Gavin or Whiteflash that has their upper tier certification (ACA/Signature), OR roll the dice a bit and get an HCA < 2 stone from B2c or bluenile that will be a bit bigger for the same price, and return it if I find any issues with it.
Any thoughts, please send 'em in! I promise not to be offended if anything harsh is said about my ideas so far...