4K budget for a girl with 20K taste

[Joolskie]

I''d be all over that #2 Leon... gorgeous!

 

[Cocosgirl]

Oh my poshpepper who did your ring???? It''s gorgeous -- I could totally see that with a blue sapphire

 

[kellyfish]

I love both of them!!! You mean that he will custom make one of them within your budget? I am thrilled for you. Do you have your eye on a stone yet? Are you still thinking custom-cut from White? Your ring will be fabulous. I am sooo excited for you!

 

[poshpepper]

Date: 1/14/2008 1:29:03 PM
Author: Cocosgirl
Oh my poshpepper who did your ring???? It''s gorgeous -- I could totally see that with a blue sapphire

Thanks

A local jeweler did the ring for me (Los Angeles area). You are in NY right??

You really cant go wrong with Leon, he does gorgeous work! (as you already know

)

 

[Cocosgirl]

Yes I believe the quotes I received are for him to make the ring for my stone.

 

[EMPTorres]

In reading your post it sounds like you will be going with the Leon. This might be a little late however I just found this beautiful pink sapphire ring. It is just $200 over your budget. It reminds me of JLo''s pink diamond ring.

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Jewelry/Rings/Jewelry=J552

 

[sera]

Date: 1/14/2008 11:36:27 AM
Author: Cocosgirl
OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!! Leon e-mailed me this morning and he''s got TWO, count em TWO, pave halo settings in my budget!!! (Ok, one is slightly higher but I think I can squeeze and extra $500 out of DBF.) Here are links to them -- I''m leaning towards the one with the square stones in the shank:


First Pave Halo


2nd pave halo and my fave


Now I do still LOVE the Beverly K ring -- out of the three -- what do you all think?

I like that 2nd Leon!

The pink sapphire EMPTorres posted is very pretty and uncommon as well!

The Bev K is still unique so it would stand out for that reason, but I think not in a flashy way. The 1st Leon is similar to a lot of rings out there, but being a Leon it would stand out.

I think the 2nd Leon or the pink sapph would stand out above and beyond your coworkers a lot more than the others (which I think is what you want?)... regardless, all beautiful choices.

 

[EMPTorres]

The Natural Sapphire Company has a ring that is similar to "poshpepper''s" ring. It has an orange sapphire and comes in well under budget and looks like it will have great finger coverage.


http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/nscnet/expandjewelry.aspx?jewelry=J130

 

[Cocosgirl]

The three stone halo on naturalsapphire is ALSO in my favorites! I like it, but if I can go for a Leon all my dreams will come true. (Well, most of them anyway).

I''ve been thinking about the whole co-worker thing and I''m kind of disappointed in myself that I care so much. I think going a non-traditional route takes me out of the competitive arena (I hope) and makes it more about having a ring that is unique and different and is about my BF and I.

I will keep you posted as we move forward! Thanks you to everyone and all your great ideas!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I adore the 2nd Leon and think it is a step above everything else we''ve looked at! How much will that leave you for the sapphire? And will the sapphire need to be round?

 

[Cocosgirl]

I think, with the second Leon, I would be willing to drop down in size for the sapphire -- the quote would be close to the entire budget of $4K (the frist one he quoted at $3500) but I THINK I can massage the BF to an additional $900 with a great ajsgems stone in the 1.5 -1.7 size. I think that would still give me a rockin rockin rockin ring!!! Thoughts???????????????????

I''m having visions of gorgous sapphire in diamonds dancing in my head!

 

[kellyfish]

Well, I would justify it by saying that he did not have to buy me anything extra for Valentine''s Day, Birthday, and Christmas (OK-maybe he will forget the deal by then) to make up for the extra $$$. I am wearing my Christmas, Val. Day, Anniversary, & B''day present as we speak. And dh really sticks to it......

 

[Cocosgirl]

Now that is a great idea! The only prob is that I have a HUGE b-day coming up . . . I will be 40 in February. (Dear God how did that happen??)

I would be happy to roll all gifts for the next year into my e-ring . . . I just don''t want him to feel ovewhelmed by my jewelry obsession (and needs

All these poor men with ladies who know and love the bling -- definitely puts them at a disadvantage

BTW-- I GENTLY (truly) broached the subject of maybe putting a little scratch towards my ring which he kind of IGNORED. So I am guessing not a good thing for him but will let you know what he says . . . .

 

[Italiahaircolor]

I personally believe that you shouldn''t measure your ring by the standard that is commonly seen in you place of employment.

I find it admirable your FF has set a budget, and isn''t willing to set you both back as couple to buy a ring. The truth is, while those woman you work with may be sporting big honking erings, you don''t know what their bank accounts look like...most people live way beyond their means!

While I am not a huge fan in upgrading personally, it is certainly something you could do down the road. But, I wouldnt buy a ring right now with "trading up" in mind...because honestly, you never know what the future holds, and if for whatever reason you''re unable to upgrade later on...you don''t want to be stuck with a ring you didn''t like or felt was substandard from the beginning. Does that make sense?

If you and your FF like a sapphire...have you considered a white sapphire? It gives the same appearance of a diamond...but, it doesn''t hold the same sticker shock. Most people won''t ask "Is that a diamond" and you don''t have to offer the information either.

 

[Cocosgirl]

I agree -- and you''re so right, I bet some of these ladies are living way beyond their means. It is NYC of course. I am really loving the idea of a blue sapphire. I think if I''m not going to have a white diamond I want something completely different! Which also brings me to the upgrade question . . .I think this will be a ring that cannot be "upgraded". That certainly doesn''t mean that a 3-stone anniversary ring is out of the relm of possibility

 

[Lurchie]

Cocosgirl,

This thread is so compelling and you are getting some fabulous advice. You are going to end up with an absolutely *gorgegous* ring! I think you are right on the money (not to be punny) when you say it is best to take yourself out of the diamond ring competition, which I know is especially fierce in NYC. I, too, drool over big baubles and have come to terms with this obsession. But I also think it is the height of class when I see a woman with excellent and expensive taste wearing a diamond that is much smaller than I know she can afford, aka the Audrey Hepburn look.

Best of luck to you and PLEEEASE show us what you end up with!

 

[Cocosgirl]

AAANNNNNNNNNNNNNd, we''re back!

I took 45 minutes to wander through the diamond district today and it always kinda scares me -- so hard a sell!!!

So I''ve got a couple of queries out there for a stone in the right blue color and proportion and I am leaning towards a cushion cut stone (which I LOVE!) AMAZING thing . .. I found MissRocks (almost identical) ring at a local brick and mortar in the diamond district and he can make the ring, in a modified center stone (the one that he had was 5 carats) with half moons sides within our budget. (in platinum). He has one other ring that is very close but with an emerald cut and .3 side diamonds in halo. I wish I had pic! We are going back on Tuesday to look together so hopefully I will be able to get some pics. The piece can be made custom with any size or shape -- so I have some options.

UNLESS -- does anyone think Missrocks ring could be made by one of our fave online vendors at a better cost? (with bigger and better stones ????) The jeweler basically told me that all need to do is give him a range of color, quality on the sides and pave and he could make me whatever I want in our price range.

I also tried on a very pretty (but not SUPER substantail) version of the 3-stone ritani style at a reasonable price even in platinum. Of course the center stone is maybe .5 and the sides .3 in the beautiful halo -- it gave great finger coverage.

Thoughts????????????

Thank YOU!
Without pics, any thoughts>???????

 

[Missrocks]

Haha..I can't believe I missed this post for so long! You have gotten lots of awesome advice so far. I really love the Leon's! -Its so funny I didn't even know about him until I posted pics of mine and someone was like "those look like Leon's prongs". Then I found his site and was amazed

Good luck with your search. And I enjoy every second of my bright blue sapphire. Can't wait to see what your search ends up with

Buyer beware- anyone who says that they can make a pave' setting for siginificantly cheaper, beware of what quality you might be getting. A large chunk of the price in these type of settings is labor, so that is the first thing they skip on too cut cost. Do side by side comparison and check it with a loupe. Mine is handmade fishtail pave' and I see a night and day difference bewteen this and machined varieties. My setting may have been a little pricier for that fact, but it was well worth the extra pennies. I have seen Whiteflash do excellent handmade fishtail pave' as well (sorry, can't remember the link for the SMTR thread). I have never seen a Leon in person, but he has many rave reviews and pics look awesome.

 

[bem3231]

Date: 2/1/2008 2:12:21 AM
Author: Missrocks

Buyer beware- anyone who says that they can make a pave'' setting for siginificantly cheaper, beware of what quality you might be getting. A large chunk of the price in these type of settings is labor, so that is the first thing they skip on too cut cost. Do side by side comparison and check it with a loupe. Mine is handmade fishtail pave'' and I see a night and day difference bewteen this and machined varieties. My setting may have been a little pricier for that fact, but it was well worth the extra pennies. I have seen Whiteflash do excellent handmade fishtail pave'' as well (sorry, can''t remember the link for the SMTR thread). I have never seen a Leon in person, but he has many rave reviews and pics look awesome.

Just providing a quick second for Missrocks comments. Last week I was speaking to Leon about a ring he is making for me, and I was inquiring about the size of pave that he will be using. He said that using larger stones actually makes a setting cheaper because so much of the cost of pave is in the labor in order to do it properly, so less, larger pave = less labour = less $. I would be very insistent on seeing examples of the exact kind of quality that you might expect for a lesser cost in order to make sure that you''re getting a great end product. Good luck!

 

[3shebabes]

Cocosgirl, I have been silently following this thread -- and I am amazed at the tremendous number of ideas P-scopers come up with to not only maximize bang-for-the-buck, but also to help anyone who asks for help come up with something they're really excited about! It's awesome!

I think your inclination to ditch the big center diamond "competition" (I know you didn't intend for it to actually be a competition, but I know it can feel like that sometimes....) and go for something stunning for its bling and uniqueness is the best idea! It's going to be gorgeous! Plus, it sounds like you're gonna get massive finger coverage -- !!

I will continue to quietly follow your thread (as I can't add much in the advice department -- I know NOTHING compared to most PSers around here -- but I enjoy soaking up their knowledge) -- because I am excited to see your end result (pictures, pictures) -- AND I'd love to know what sort of comments you get when your ring debuts in the office mix!

 

[etoilegirl]

Hey there...I have been looking at HALO settings too so I thought I would share what I found...all of these are by KNOX because I have been looking at their rings ...ENJOY!

 

[etoilegirl]

Another one...sorry if you have already found your setting..

 

[etoilegirl]

Last one..

 

[Kay]

That second Leon ring is stunning and would look great with either a round sapphire or a square cushion (if Leon will do that for the same price).. You know Leon''s workmanship will be incredible. Personally, I wouldn''t take a risk with some unknown vendor who says they can do whatever you want in your budget. When the ladies in your office ask about your gorgeous sapphire ring, you can tell them it is a custom made Leon Mege original.

 

[Sparkles22]

What about this one: http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=275&rn=1277&action=show_detail

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 2/1/2008 10:04:22 PM
Author: Kay
That second Leon ring is stunning and would look great with either a round sapphire or a square cushion (if Leon will do that for the same price).. You know Leon''s workmanship will be incredible. Personally, I wouldn''t take a risk with some unknown vendor who says they can do whatever you want in your budget. When the ladies in your office ask about your gorgeous sapphire ring, you can tell them it is a custom made Leon Mege original.

Ditto! You usually get what you pay for when it comes to jewelry! I missed your post where you said you could squeeze a Leon Mege setting out of your budget, but I think that''s exactly what you should do! The second Leon you posted is AMAZING.

On the other hand, you could get Whiteflash to make you a setting or you could order their halo setting that''s on their website and sink even more $ into the stone.

I know you said your last try was ignored, but: what if you told your boyfriend that since the Leon setting is so much $ and sapphires are so cheap (I know they''re not, just bear with me!) that you''ll just pay for the sapphire yourself...because it''s just basically pocket change!

Just an idea!

 

[cinnamon013]

If you are looking for a beautiful sapphire, why not connect with Jeff White at www.whitesgems.com? He is awesome!

 

[Sparkles22]

Another idea I had for you is to use a white gemstone (to look like a diamond) maybe a white sapphire....

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I personally wouldn''t do a white sapphire. I think it looks like you''re trying to appear to have a diamond when you don''t.

I''d have Leon or Maytal Hannah make an e-ring. I''m just not sure if I could chance custom with someone I had not seen much of their work. I would get a quote from Maytal to compare, though.

 

[Cocosgirl]

WOW -- I can''t believe this thread has had more than 100 posts!!! THANK YOU all for your feedback and knowledge. MissRocks and Bem3231 -- I have been thinking the same thing! I know that pave work has to be done correctly and requires LABOR. I want the most spectacular "piece" for the money, and Leon is certainly the one who can do that. Plus, can you imagine I would have my very own LEON MEGE!!!

I have been in touch several times with Jeff at whitegems -- he''s awesome. He''s going to source out a couple of varieties of what I would want in color to see if we can get in the carat range I want for the $$$$. That said, I have been looking at ajsgems and simplysapphire I scrolled back through the thread but couldn''t see any comments on simplysapphire? Anyone worked with them?

I checked out a bunch of the knox rings which are also fantastic!

Oh the dilemma of it all, will keep you all posted on our search . . . pricescope ROCKS!