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4K budget for a girl with 20K taste

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I have another idea for you. I think this setting was reasonable and probably less than some others . I think you could do this one for $4000. This belongs to London Blue and was made by Quest. Sapphire is just over a carat. Pictures came from this thread (and there is some discussion of pricing, etc., too): https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/tiffany-legacy-with-sapphire-for-engagment.74598/



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Are there other stones you like besides sapphires? What colors do you like?

Howz about a larger(or good sized-size that you want) stone that's not a sapphire--a little more affordable say, and then later, when you guys are able to get a diamond in the size you want(if you still want one
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), you switch the stone into your original setting, and reset the colored stone. (That sentence was poorly composed--sorry!)

I love diamonds, but I also LOVE seeing colored stones of all sorts as e-rings.

I recently got a pink morganite RHR. Here's a pic!

I also love the idea of an eternity or 5 stone ring.

You have so many options! Yeah! Congratulations in advance on your upcoming engagement!
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Date: 1/11/2008 7:47:44 PM
Author: door knob solitaire

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.
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Had you considered that?
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Cocosgirl -- I really like DKS''s idea about either getting a colored stone with a "story" to make their honkers pale in comparison ... and I LOVE the idea about a yellow sapphire centre stone ... A PS member Catmom, I think is her name, has a beeeautiful ring as her avatar and it has a yellow stone as the centre stone. I think it is actually a diamond, however, you could probably get a yellow sapphire and it would look as beautiful!

For whatever it counts, I applaud you for stating what a lot of people do not have the courage to verbalize in a public forum.
Good luck!
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I hope you find something that you love.
 
Date: 1/11/2008 10:09:26 PM
Author: WishfulThinking
I am just a novice here compared to some of these other ladies, but I thought I''d chime in.
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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!
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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
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WishfulThinking i think you are on to something here! Cocosgirl, WF offers a PS discount and/or wire transfer discount that would probably get you down to your budget. you would have a stone pretty close to your desired size of 1.5ct, but you would have to put it in an inexpensive white gold setting (i''ve seen some post ones for $150-$300). then maybe for your wedding gift (if you chose to do one for each other) he could upgrade your setting to platinum. or if you can stand to wait for an anniversary, he could do it then.
 
Diamondseeker where did you find LondonBlue''s rings!?!??! I was searching for that link all afternoon and the images kept coming up as x''s where the photos should have been. Love that setting -- is Quest in DC? Will they work remotely?

The more I think about it the more I feel that I want to go with a sapphire center to be unique and different and then wait for a great 3-stone or anniversary type ring oh, as, I don''t know, a push present or 1st anniversary present! It''s fun to think of the "oh that''s so different" comments that I will get!

I have actually been to the B&M story that is http://www.estatediamondjewelry.com -- they have beautiful rings -- they''re located blocks from my office in NYC. I''ve actually been carrying a photocopy of a ring I loved there (though unfortunately it was $12K and BEFORE we discussed budget!!
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coatimundi -- your morganite is beautiful! Very antique looking -- where did you get the stone? The only other stone than a sapphire I''ve considered is an amethyst since it is my birthstone and I really do love it. Unfortunately it is a pretty "soft" stone and not suitable for hard daily wear.
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Ironic that two posters have mentioned a yellow sapphire -- I love them but I think a blue sapphire is more my style.

I think the "blingy" factor is becoming more important than a larger center diamond -- not that I don''t WANT that
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but for my e-ring I think having a signature piece, with a different kind of center, is the way I am leaning.

Please keep the ideas coming!! Would love to see some eternity ideas too! You all ROCK!!!







 
Cocosgirl,

This setting is similar to the one on Signed Pieces. If you found a gorgeous sapphire oval to put in it, that''d be some SERIOUS finger coverage.

Oval Brilliant Crown
 
Diamondseeker where did you find LondonBlue''s rings!?!??! I was searching for that link all afternoon and the images kept coming up as x''s where the photos should have been. Love that setting -- is Quest in DC? Will they work remotely?

The more I think about it the more I feel that I want to go with a sapphire center to be unique and different and then wait for a great 3-stone or anniversary type ring oh, as, I don''t know, a push present or 1st anniversary present! It''s fun to think of the "oh that''s so different" comments that I will get!

I have actually been to the B&M story that is http://www.estatediamondjewelry.com -- they have beautiful rings -- they''re located blocks from my office in NYC. I''ve actually been carrying a photocopy of a ring I loved there (though unfortunately it was $12K and BEFORE we discussed budget!!
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coatimundi -- your morganite is beautiful! Very antique looking -- where did you get the stone? The only other stone than a sapphire I''ve considered is an amethyst since it is my birthstone and I really do love it. Unfortunately it is a pretty "soft" stone and not suitable for hard daily wear.
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Ironic that two posters have mentioned a yellow sapphire -- I love them but I think a blue sapphire is more my style.

I think the "blingy" factor is becoming more important than a larger center diamond -- not that I don''t WANT that
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but for my e-ring I think having a signature piece, with a different kind of center, is the way I am leaning.

Please keep the ideas coming!! Would love to see some eternity ideas too! You all ROCK!!!







 
I think you could definitely get a super blingy halo setting custom made for around $2000 and use the rest for a colored stone. I got a custom made halo at Whiteflash (I''ll attach a pic) and I believe it was right around $2000 or $2500.

Also, there''s a beautiful Beverly K halo setting I love that is only $1290 at Pearlman''s:

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/beverley-k-jewelry/rings/22PP1/0/

And there are several beautiful D. Vatche vintagey settings that I LOVE. Jayrenay has a GORGEOUS one and so does Thumbelina. You can see them at DVatche.com under Fashion Rings and here is a link to the one Jayrenay has that I love for $1790 on exceldiamonds.com:

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/-Engagement-Rings-5/Vatche-Antique-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-1204.html

If you can do white gold for the time being (which is really the best option since you''re on such a tight budget) you could pop a gorgous colored gemstone in the middle of one of these halo settings and have a great art deco style ring for a really good price.

Here''s my ring:

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www.ajsgems.com was mentioned in another thread. They have some interesting & reasonably priced stones. Others will have to chime in on their quality. Perhaps post on the colored gems forum for some specific directions with your center stone?
 
thing2of2 -- what size center stone do you have? Your ring is STUNNING!
 
Date: 1/11/2008 9:02:44 PM
Author: Cocosgirl
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!
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Yes, I have and unequivocally recommend him.
 
Harriet -- I was so in love with the stones on his site I already e-mailed him about a stone!!! Thank you for the reco . . .
 
This is very exciting!! You are going to have a beautiful ring!
 
I second (or third, fourth...) the notion of either an eternity ring or 5-stone/7-stone ring. Very classic (ala Audrey Hepburn)....Not sure if you are wanting a designer ring, but you could find a similar ring to those mentioned above on signedpieces (such as a pre-owned Tiffany, etc)....or have a ring made by one of the trusted vendors here. So many wonderful options!!!
 
thing2of2 -- WOW I just love your ring.
 
I know you''ve gotten a lot of great advice about using a colored gemstone. Just another idea to toss out there. Is it possible your BF would not object to him buying a diamond, and you buying the setting? Can you spin it that he''s getting the "most important part" of the ring, and since it''s also going to be jewelry for you, you''d like to get a jewelry-ish setting that you picked out yourself? Then maybe you could do a diamond in a halo setting (maybe a halo plus side stones), allowing you to drop some of your cash on the setting. If you get a center stone from a vendor that will upgrade, you can later trade up. If you go with a colored gemstone, if there is some day cash for a diamond, the e-ring will have to be a RHR. But, if you go with a smaller diamond now (you could get near a carat with his budget), all the money for the center stone will be "equity" toward a larger stone in the future.
 
I LOVE the sapphire idea a LOT, but would add that since you are talking upgrade, I would consider WG or paladuim instead of Platinum. Metal prices are CRAZY right now, and you could upgrade the SETTING instead of the colored stone later. I would also look at nice blue spinels, might be less per carat than a sapphire.

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/beverley-k-jewelry/rings/72PP1/96/

This is one of my favorite settings for a colored stone. It's a lovely antique style halo. In 18K, it MAY be doable if you don't mind a heat treated stone.

A little above budget, but to give you and idea of size and look here a 2+ Carat sapphire in that setting.

http://www.topazery.com/antique-jewelry-item-rg1922e.htm I wouldn't say you have 20K taste 100%.

You could get this nice 1.5 (the J on this page) http://www.winkjones.com/specials/sa_diamonds.php in the setting above for about 7K.
 
Ditto ditto ditto to reconsidering WG over plat... honestly, no one will ever notice any difference, and it will really let you maximize that budget -- you know, the one that we are trying so hard to squeeeeeeze every bit of juice out of!!!
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Promise you''ll at least just *think* about it!
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Date: 1/12/2008 1:06:25 AM
Author: Cocosgirl
thing2of2 -- WOW I just love your ring.
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Thanks Cocosgirl! The center diamond is a 1.5 carat radiant and the setting is kind of a combo of a few settings that I liked. I want to upgrade the diamond someday and when I do I plan to get a custom cut gemstone, probably a blue sapphire, made for the setting. I think a diamond halo setting looks AMAZING with a center gemstone. (Diamonds are perfect in them too, of course!)

After having a halo, I don''t think I could ever have an e-ring without one because it just makes it look so HUGE and I just really love the look. The setting I linked to that Jayrenay has is actually the setting I want for my upgrade someday! I love square diamonds but the performance just isn''t there, so I''m probably going to get a round diamond, either modern ideal cut or an OEC or transitional cut and put it in the squareish setting to satisfy my love for squares.

And I am a major size girl, so I definitely understand your dilemma. I think you''re handling your new budget very well...I probably would have had a tantrum or two before I got over it!
 
Here is my Ceylon sapphire halo. I got it at Quest in DC (they do work remotely too) at their anniversary sale for 40% off. That made it about $3200, well under your budget, and it''s platinum. Pete told me that they would have another sale in the spring, so it''s worth checking them out...

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You are very fortunate to be near Leon! Talk to him about what you ca do to minimize cost: i.e. pave only the top of the ring and not eternity style (better for havin'' babies anyway). A lot of his rings have intricate pave on the basket which is generally hidden, so opt to keep that part plain and go all out on the halo. I love the idea of you getting something custom and really special that will blow all your friend''s rings out of the water! On a side note- I really would not settle for white gold if what you really love is platinum. With your ring, the difference is going to be in the details!
 
Logan I just adore your ring! I will defnitely contact Pete to see where they are at with a spring sale. I would love a sapphire that is just a teeny bit darker -- did Quest provide your center or did you source it on your own?

The Beverly K ring on topazery is one I have been looking at but it is nearly a thousand above our budget. I have been waffling on the WG vs Platinum dilemma too but when I look at my platinum ring vs my wg rings my eyes are always drawn to the platinum.

What I think is going to happen (because I know me and I know us) is that I will end up using my e-ring as a RHR (thank God both fingers are virtually the same size) and end up with a three stone halo anniversary ring in a couple of years. (Think Ritani endless love or maybe a Leon). The more I think about it, the more I want a spectacular piece of jewelry that I can''t stop staring at, as opposed to having to have a diamond center. I want my dear BF to feel great about it too, so I''ve decided not to offer to pay for the setting. The $4K budget will get me a fabulous gemstone ring.

I e-mailed Leon last night and hopefully I''ll hear from him in a couple of days -- agree that modifying the pave on some of his settings might really help reduce costs -- I think the idea of having a Leon setting makes me completely not care about a diamond center!

Thanks again to everyone who has given such awesome advice! I will keep you posted on Leon''s response . . .
 
I don't know a lot about sapphires, but this one looks beautiful to me and is less than 1k at 1.5ct. It's unheated, a beautiful blue, and it'd give you $3,000 to put toward a Leon:

1.56ct Blue Sapphire
 
blueauratus -- I can''t find that gorgeous stone on their pages? do you have the link where the price is listed? What carat is that?

Thanks so much it''s gorgeous!
 
Ebree that is EXACTLY the color I want! Can''t believe it''s under a thousand dollars. 1.5 in a Leon halo would give me a pretty huge look -- question, proportionately if you put a 1.5 in a halo, how much more "spread" would I get? Would the ring cover my finger like at 2 carat or maybe 2.5?
 
Date: 1/12/2008 1:08:54 PM
Author: Cocosgirl
Ebree that is EXACTLY the color I want! Can''t believe it''s under a thousand dollars. 1.5 in a Leon halo would give me a pretty huge look -- question, proportionately if you put a 1.5 in a halo, how much more ''spread'' would I get? Would the ring cover my finger like at 2 carat or maybe 2.5?
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I hate to break up the party...but most of Leon''s pave halo settings are well over your budget...His basic solitaires are pretty inexpensive and come in under $2000...but he goes up VERY fast from there. A lot of his intricate pave settings are 4k or more right there.

So you might want to come up with some alternative choices juuuuuust in case.
 
What are Maytal Hannah''s prices like?
 
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