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.4 diamond in WF Legato sleekline?

T

texanincanada

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 25, 2013
Messages
8
Hi, first off thanks to everyone on this forum, it's been an invaluable resource over the past couple weeks of research.

some basic info: I'm on a budget as we are both students, trying to keep total cost around $1500...although I could maybe stretch it a bit to $1800 if needed. My girlfriend rarely wears jewelry, and when she does it's only a necklace or earrings, so I've had a tough time working with a blank canvas, so to speak. I finally caved and took her to a couple jewelry stores this weekend, and she seemed to gravitate towards the 3-stone rings as well as trellis-type settings.

Because of my budget I've determined 3-stone rings are out of the question...although there is the Trio micropave setting on bluenile (http://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-wedding-ring-white-gold_20371) however she didn't seem too fond of pave and that setting also seems to be sort of high, and we both prefer a low setting. (If anyone has this ring and can downplay those fears, feel free. the few real-life photos I've seen of it here on PS only seem to confirm this)

So, I've taken a real shine to the Legato Sleekline setting on WF. I've read just about every post on here regarding that ring, and it clearly seems to be a fave. With my budget that only leaves enough money for a .4~.44 stone. I'm worried that a smaller diamond would be sort of swallowed up in this setting. I've seen another PSer's pics of his .54 and it looks fine, it actually makes it seem bigger, but still...I worry! Would I be better off getting a simpler setting and a larger stone? I really want it to be more unique than just a classic 4-prong etc...even though I know she'll be happy regardless.

One last question: I've been able to find slightly cheaper diamonds for the same size on BN...would this petite trellis setting be an ample sub for the Legato? They look similar to me. http://www.bluenile.com/ca/diamond-engagement-ring-setting-white-gold_20403

Thanks in advance for your advice!
 
My opinion yes go with the BN ish type simple setting . If she is not a jewelry wearer I'd keep it simple buy a stone as close to .50 as possible . we will all look for you.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2892572.htm

table is just slightly larger then ideal but nice stones.

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.50-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-200485

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.50-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-199984
 
With a budget of $1500, we will always say to put all but $300 into the diamond and get the basic 4 or 6 prong setting. You can always change the setting later. I would not spend the money on the Legato Sleekline now. It is honestly going to look better with a larger stone than .40 anyway.

This one is $1375. It is a good deal because the J SI1 stones are about the same price.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2892581.htm
 
thanks Diamond seeker that is my sentiment exactly. Whether or not your girlfriend is a jewelry person. We all feel it is the center stone that is important and with a modest budget (we've all been there) spend your money on the stone. we have all upgraded our settings over the years. I have been married 26 years and I am on my third stone/setting....

As a girl getting engaged the first time you want to see the fire and sparkle in that ring and as large as budget can go. so I agree spend all but $300 on her gorgous stone.
 
Haha....just chatting with Brittany at WF now and she says "Honestly, I would just stick with the .422ct J SI2. Going up in size, or color is going to result in a pretty big price jump, and not a drastic visual difference. " :rodent:
 
meant to add that despite her advice I'm starting to think y'all have the right idea. Looking at some larger stones in simpler settings now. Thanks.
 
An I SI1 is just a nicer quality stone than a J SI2. I just can't see doing that. She is trying to go with your love for the Legato setting, but there are few girls who would choose a .4 J SI2 over a .5 I SI1 especially when a plain solitaire setting isn't going to make all that much difference. And I love the Legato setting. But I'd only do that with double that budget minimum. That setting is more beautiful with larger stones because you can see more of the basket. You could always put it in a simple setting now and for your 5th anniversary, upgrade the diamond and let her pick a setting she loves!
 
I know I'll be in the minority, but have you considered whether she'll actually agree to a setting upgrade later on?

My budget was relatively modest, except I fell in love with the Legato Sleekline Pave setting in Platinum (40% of my budget). My girlfriend is a very sentimental person, and despite her having a smaller stone compared to what I could get if I bought a simple setting, she would give me the death glare if I even mentioned the idea of giving up her ring for another, even if it was the same stone.

If she'll be okay with upgrading, then by all means I'd spend almost all of it on the stone. I guess it's different since yours is a simple setting, but just wanted to give some food for thought. The size difference in my case would've been around 0.1ct, from a 0.7 to 0.8ish
 
Well, if she ends up loving the simple solitaire and doesn't want to change it, there's not a thing wrong with that, either!
 
I might consider very good on polish but not symmetry. I'd recommend James Allen over BN since they have videos of the diamonds and will provide idealscope images.
 
Might I also suggest IDJ? They are really good at working within a tight budget to maximize your stone/setting desires.
 
sorry to be a bother but after hours of going round and round I'm finding myself still right on the fence between the 0.422 ct J SI2 ACA in the WF legato vs a simple (or in my mind..plain..) solitaire with a ideal cut .55 on BN.

I've found several threads on here where the majority of people say if you're going to sacrifice any of the 4C's, sacrifice Carat first. This sort of contradicts the advice I've been given here. Is this one of those things that really just comes down to opinion?

Also, the enthusiasm for ACA diamonds on this board has got me really stuck on getting one, even though initially it struck me as a marketing gimmick. Is it really worth it? (I ask b/c the one other option I'm considering is a .52-.55 in the BN petite trellis setting...just ideal cut, no signature/ACA rating...seems less optimal now after all the rave ACA reviews I've read on here)
 
texanincanada|1364235121|3413016 said:
sorry to be a bother but after hours of going round and round I'm finding myself still right on the fence between the 0.422 ct J SI2 ACA in the WF legato vs a simple (or in my mind..plain..) solitaire with a ideal cut .55 on BN.

I've found several threads on here where the majority of people say if you're going to sacrifice any of the 4C's, sacrifice Carat first. This sort of contradicts the advice I've been given here. Is this one of those things that really just comes down to opinion?

Also, the enthusiasm for ACA diamonds on this board has got me really stuck on getting one, even though initially it struck me as a marketing gimmick. Is it really worth it? (I ask b/c the one other option I'm considering is a .52-.55 in the BN petite trellis setting...just ideal cut, no signature/ACA rating...seems less optimal now after all the rave ACA reviews I've read on here)
Click to expand...

In terms of sacrifices, it's definitely down to opinion. I think the ACA stones are worth it; I don't own one but the ring in my avatar image has their ACA melee stones, and they really are amazing little things (I can see arrows in the .01 carat stones!). They visually inspect all of their stones, whereas BN is a drop shipper. WF also do have a good upgrade policy, so you can turn that .42 into a .55 someday, if you want to. I also think that if you love the Legato, it might be worth it to stretch to get it. Another suggestion is this Ritani ring, the tulip solitaire. I know Whiteflash carries Ritani but they don't have this setting on their site, but might be worth an ask. It's listed at $440 in 14k white gold and $525 in 18k:

http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/tulip-solitaire-tapered-engagement-ring-in-platinum/5666

There's also the tulip cathedral version, $635 in 14k and $780 in 18k:

http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/tulip-cathedral-solitaire-engagement-ring-in-14kt-white-gold/5339
 
Well, I had to order it today in order to have it shipped and here in time. I know my girlfriend would be upset with me if I spent too much, and that's no way to start a marriage is it? So In the end, reason overcame emotion and I ended up going with the less expensive tapered cathedral setting from BN, and this diamond: http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-j-color-si1-clarity_LD03241463?keyword_search_value=LD03241463

It was down to that vs this diamond at the end...if anybody thinks I made the wrong choice, please speak up http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-ideal-cut-j-color-si2-clarity_LD02978860?keyword_search_value=LD02978860

I figured .58 vs .52 wasn't worth the extra money, plus the one I ordered is SI1.

Now time to start saving for 3 year anniversary...maybe I'll finally be able to get her a 3-stone by then. Thanks everyone for your help! :appl:
 
I am really not sure after coming here to ask for advice why you ordered a diamond without running the specs by us first???? I wouldn't have considered a 32.5 crown angle as that is pretty far from the 34-35 we usually try to aim for. The table is small for a modern round brilliant as well. I like smaller tables, but 54-57 is more typical on round brilliants. I think we could have found you a better stone without buying blind, but it will probably be okay. Good luck!
 
Sorry Diamondseeker...I am trying to hit a moving target as we are currently visiting friends in another city from where we live and will only be at this address until Friday. It was the only diamond that fit my budget and shipping constraints. I figure if there are any glaring problems with it I'll take advantage of the return policy. thanks again
 
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