4K budget for a girl with 20K taste

[Cocosgirl]

Hello,

So the BF and I finally had the budget talk about a ring and whoa was it way under what I thought it would be. We''ve got alot of expenses coming up and just need to keep it real. I could easily match his budget but he would go off the deep end if I even suggested something like that. I have been promised an upgrade at a later date. He said he would go higher but I know that anything more than a couple of hundred dollars will be problematic.

Here''s my dilemma, I work for a big firm in NYC and we''ve had at least half a dozen women in my office (who are much much younger and way more junior than I am) get married or engaged in the last couple of years and their rings are HUGE. HUGE. I haven''t seen a diamond under 1.75 carats and most hover in the 2 carat range. I''m sort of heartsick over it since I had my heart set on something in the vicinity of a 1.5 carat in a diamond halo, but know this is just not possible right now. I realize love isn''t a competition but I am a sparkly sparkly kind of girl.

I am beyond happy that the man I love wants to make a life with me, but I don''t know what to do about a ring. I''ve had several custom pieces done in the past in gemstones and diamonds so he knows I know my stuff and has agreed to allow me to design/choose my ring to get the biggest bang for his buck.

So, I''m thinking of doing a really fantastic diamond and/or diamond and sapphire 3/4 eternity band (hoping for a baby and you know how fingers swell!). I wear a size 9 so I am looking for max finger coverage. I am a huge art deco/vintage/pave/melee fan. Not a big channel set fan. My only "must" is that the ring be platinum.


Any suggestions? Thank you in advance and hope no one thinks I am a terrible girlfriend.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I don''t think you are terrible at all! Just honest! I think it is a great idea to get a nice eternity band and then later add a traditional e-ring if you wish. I know some people are doing eternity rings for the e-ring, but I consider the band to really be the wedding band.

Truthfully, you''ll get more bling for the buck by going with a nice 5 or 7 stone band or even half. You won''t be able to get very big stones if you go 3/4.

Many people here buy bands from Signed Pieces/ Facets. Look under Facets and wedding bands to find the rings that are not full eternity:

http://www.signedpieces.com/facets.cfm?choose_wedding=1

 

[partgypsy]

Here''s an example from Facets, a 1.32 tcw 5 stone diamond band in platinum. Not shabby at all.

 

[door knob solitaire]

Yes, 40 is the new 20.

I thought your post was sensitive to the issue and yet honest. If you had come across sounding like a spoiled selfish brat I would thrown the book at you!

So happy for you and your future with a great fella!

Have you considered a colored stone as the center? You can get size that way and then surround it with pave halo. Is there some color that represents the two of your interests? You know like pacific blue because you love the pacific or caribbean blue because you vacationed there together? Or aquamarine blue because it is the color of his eyes...you see where I am going with this?

A story...a sentimental angle that the other 2 carat honkers don't have. Their fella only chose something big so it would impress his friends...but your choice has more depth and meaning to the two of you?

A yellow sapphire can look like a yellow diamond...many covet a canary over a white stone.

Had you considered that?

If you go with a diamond...you know White Flash has a trade up policy...that may be helpful in your upgrade. Best wishes in finding a happy medium! (and I don't mean a giggling psychic...

) §

 

[kellyfish]

If you bought a colored stone you may have enough $$ to have a beautiful setting from Leon Mege......

 

[:)]

You are certainly not terrible! I would like to suggest that you seriously rethink your platinum requirement - it can eat away at the budget!

 

[sera]

Do you know if your coworkers have excellent cut stones? Because if they don''t, a 1 ct super duper drool-worth AGS0 diamond would blow a crappily cut 2 ct away (imho)! I love colored center stones... like this one from Missrocks!

 

[kelpie]

Date: 1/11/2008 7:47:44 PM
Author: door knob solitaire



Have you considered a colored stone as the center? You can get size that way and then surround it with pave halo. Is there some color that represents the two of your interests? You know like pacific blue because you love the pacific or caribbean blue because you vacationed there together?

) §[/i]

DKS is on to something! You get an awesome custom cut non-diamond gem that is blingy and totally represents you and put the other 80% of your budget to a great setting. Later on when the moneys flowing better you could get a diamond set in the ring and move the gem to a pendant - twice the bling! I hear this guy is an awesome custom cutter and you seem to be able to get great stones in the $300-400 range depending on what it is. http://www.whitesgems.com/ and have it made into something like this: http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=354

 

[kellyfish]

Good lord that sapphire is beautiful! That ring blows the average e-ring away. VERY sophisticated and looks very high-end.

 

[nolimits]

Check out Kirk Kara....they have some nice bands with colored stones. I''m very fond of the 6685 setting myself. For the e-ring (no diamond) and wedding band, cost was around $3,800 for both at a local store. Might be a way to buy a great setting and buy the diamond later when the $$$ comes a little easier. Of course I think that particular style was designed for a 1-1.5ct stone which may not work for you.

 

[Lynn B]

Awww, sistah, I feel your pain!

Those blasted BUDGETS, anyway!!! They DO get in the way of our BEST IDEAS, huh?!

Well, I do like the idea of a beautiful colored stone... then upgrade sometime in the future to a diamond, if you still want to. But you may love it so much that you MAY NOT want to!

The other suggestion, a 5-stone ring or similar, is also a great idea. Alotta bling for the buck, which is ALWAYS a plus.

My only only suggestion would be (if you are still dreaming of a single diamond) to consider a lower color, lower clarity stone (but NEVER sacrifice CUT!) I have a gorgeous, AGS-0, 2.36 RB that also happens to be a J/SI2, and it is blazingly white and totally eyeclean. I couldn''t be happier. Getting that color/clarity combo really let me maximize SIZE

... while still getting a beautiful, killer stone that blows away every other diamond I see IRL. And honestly, I think you could even go to a K and still be 100% thrilled. (I just got a pair of AGS-0 1.47 tcw studs, K/SI1 and ooooh maaaan, they are beautifully white and simply stunning!

I couldn''t be happier!) If you do a search for lower color stones, you''ll find LOTS of threads to prove my point!

OH, one more thing... you said you could easily add some money to the budget but you don''t think DBF would like that... well, baby, I say ASK!!! You never know for sure how he''ll feel about it until you do, and you just might be pleasantly surprised. And just think what you could do with double the budget!!!

 

[DiamanteBlu]

How about something like one of these with a sapphire center? http://www.saturnjewels.com/engagment1.asp#

 

[Cocosgirl]

Thank you so much for all your posts!!! Colored stones are TOTALLY an option for a center stone and sapphire''s are both our favorites! I have MissRocks ring saved in my "fave rings" folder and I would DIE to have that type of setting. I have been searching a bunch of sites for a sapphire center (which my BF LOVED the idea of!!!) but a good size one seems to be a couple of grand and then the setting, like from Leon, seems to be practically my entire budget. Kelpie I love that Leon ring too! Although this is my favorite ring ever on his site -- these are the two links to it:

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=95

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=12

This J. L White site -- has anyone worked with him before? If he''ll custom cut a stone I could probably get in the 2ct zone with sparkly diamond pave ring!

Again, thank you so very much!

 

[kellyfish]

I think you can make this work. You will not be sacrificing anything by going with a beautiful gemstone and a fabulous setting. Who would want another ring with something beautiful like that?

 

[Cocosgirl]

Lynn B -- I would totally be open to lower color -- a colleage from like 3 years ago had a gorgeous K/VS2 emerald cut that was white white. I just don''t think I will get to the carat size I want even with low color or clarity with $4K. But there is always that upgrade

I was also thinking of the 5 or 7 stone type ring -- my finger, at a size 9, is pretty wide so I would want some significantly sized stones -- could I get close to 2 carats in small stones with a platinum setting (say diamonds AND sapphires)? I thought about 18K white gold but platinum''s patina is my fave.

I will check out Kirk Kara too! DiamanteBlu I just love those Saturn Jewels rings! I think they would look awesome with a sapphire center . . .


As for making the ask to match his budget . . . believe me I have wrestled with it but it is not an option. We''ve been through alot together and this is something he was already upset about (not being able to swing the "big" budget he knew I wanted). This is a compromise I am very willing to make, assuming of course that I work that budget within an inch of its life

.

Will keep you all posted and keep the suggestions coming!

 

[Kaleigh]

Love the idea of going with a colored stone!! I''ve always thought they were classic and elegant as erings. Good luck in your search. Since you''re in NYC, you have many vendors right at your fingertips.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Welcome! Lots of options, as others have mentioned before. Are you looking for round stones, all diamond, or are you open to other shapes and gemstones? Do you want to wear a wedding band with your ER? What does your budget include: ER (stone and setting), stone alone + setting extra.....

Food for thought, ready made at Pearlman's: diamond, halo, platinum, not sure about sizing up.....

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/previously-owned-jewelry/rings/028PO1/16/

Here is another Pearlman's sapphire/diamond, Micheal B, platinum, again not sure about sizing up:

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/previously-owned-jewelry/rings/089PO1/8/

OR How about this Tacori mount from Pearlman's:

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/previously-owned-jewelry/rings/096PO1/0/

Set with this Ideal cut Infinity stone available thru Winfields:

=107&src=loupe:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=107&src=loupe

OR: How about this K, IF, Infinity Cut Princess stone available thru Winfields:

=160&src=loupe:2o8h065d]http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/index.php?pid=63&lang=eng&sid[]=160&src=loupe

Set into this mount from Pearlman's:

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/previously-owned-jewelry/rings/092PO1/0/

cheers--Sharon

 

[E B]

Have you seen this ring from Whiteflash? Similar to the Tiffany Legacy.

WF Cushion Topaz Halo

 

[Elmorton]

I second the colored stone idea - and I''m soooo hooked on Richard Homer concave cuts. On your budget, you could get a rockin rock that has some serious brilliance. I went to a roundtable of his a few weeks ago, and kept on thinking how amazing an e-ring with one of those babies would be. If you search "Richard Homer" in PS quite a few of his beauties will come up.

 

[Lynn B]

Oh Sharon! Suggesting Bill''s "previously owned" selection was BRILLIANT!!!

Which made me think of Facets/Signed Pieces previosuly owned selections, too.

To the OP, don''t you worry, girlfriend, we are gonna MAXIMIZE that budget and you are gonna have one KILLER ring!!!

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 1/11/2008 9:34:02 PM
Author: Lynn B
Oh Sharon! Suggesting Bill''s ''previously owned'' selection was BRILLIANT!!!

Which made me think of Facets/Signed Pieces previosuly owned selections, too.


To the OP, don''t you worry, girlfriend, we are gonna MAXIMIZE that budget and you are gonna have one KILLER ring!!!

I agree, way to go Sharon!!!

and i ditto lynn on checking out signedpieces previously owned section as well. that is absolulely one of the best ways to get the most bang for your buck!!

 

[kellyfish]

I think you can get Richard Homer gemstones through Winfield''s, too......

 

[ephemery1]

Ok, so it's SLIGHTLY more than 4k, if that's your limit..... but maybe you could sell your boyfriend on it, based on the actual value??

http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=3703

ETA -- Oh no!! I spoke too soon... ring is currently sized as a 6 and cannot be resized. Now I feel bad.

I just got so excited when I saw it!!

 

[surfgirl]

IIRC, Leon''s basic plat setting, no melee is only about $1200-1500. Add a really nice sapphire cushion, and a baguette on each side and that would look pretty nice.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Date: 1/11/2008 9:54:55 PM
Author: ephemery1
Ok, so it''s SLIGHTLY more than 4k, if that''s your limit..... but maybe you could sell your boyfriend on it, based on the actual value??

http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=3703

LOVE this one... but it''s 6 and the comments say it can''t be resized.

A beautiful sapphire in a pave halo though; ooh la la!

 

[sputat]

I think this is fabulous as a colored-stone e-ring! Hell, I want it for myself. LoL

http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=7080

 

[Cocosgirl]

oh good Lord that facets sapphire ring is incredible -- good think it can''t be sized

I should probably give Leon a shout on Monday and see what a simple sapphire with a halo would be -- if his basic platinum settings are $1200-$1300 wondering if it is possible to get a stone for maybe $1K and then spend the $3K on the setting????

 

[WishfulThinking]

I am just a novice here compared to some of these other ladies, but I thought I''d chime in.

Would your boyfriend maybe agree to purchase the stone for you, and then allow you to pick out and purchase your own setting? I know you mentioned he would flip out if you asked, but it can''t hurt to try!

I ask because I saw something that looked pretty promising at Whiteflash when I was browsing around today... it might be worth taking a closer look at. You said in an earlier post that you''d be open to a lower color- the stone is a 1.37 ct K, SI2. It''s just a few hundred over the max of your budget. It''s got a GIA cert and as far as I can tell by the numbers available, it looks like it''s well-cut. You''d probably need a lot more info to tell, and WF doesn''t have the stone in-house, but you could contact them, if you''re interested. They''ve given it 4 stars, which is a good sign! They also have a really great upgrade policy... someone who knows better than I do might be able to chime in about that.
[I am basically IN LOVE with this stone, by the way- I''m so jealous of all you ladies that get to shop NOW, I''m still waiting!

]

You could always max the budget on bigger stone in an inexpensive plain solitaire setting and then work on him allowing you to purchase the setting of your dreams, or allow him to maybe save up a bit more for it.

Just a suggestion! If it''s not a good one just ignore me. You''ve been given tons of great suggestions so far, and no doubt the ring you choose will be beautiful.


I also adore the colored center stones- they look GORGEOUS! <3

 

[Cocosgirl]

Oh Wishful Thinking that is wishing thinking. I will say that I had thought about that too! Max-ing out the stone with a good upgrade was something I have been thinking alot about especially with vendors like Whiteflash and GOG around here.

I might broach that subject with him. Though he might get suspicious when I want to upgrade before the wedding!

Thanks!

 

[marriahlyn]

I would say buy the biggest stone in a color K that you can and set it into a halo type setting. This always makes the stone look bigger.

Or option #2 would be to buy the biggest diamond band that you could get within your budget, then this could be your wedding band. As the years pass and you can afford it, get the diamond solitaire to go with the band.............just opposite of how the rings are usually purchased. Then you could always wear the ring he gave you originally.