$500 Engagemend Update with Poll

[beginswithT]

Hi everyone--
Thank you all so much (especially you, Valeria!) who helped me brainstorm to find the perfect $500 ring for my frugal but fannciful lady.  After a lot of careful looking on my part and my girlfriend's (and asking for "expert" opinions) we made some decisions. 

Setting:
First, we are probably going to go with something from www.chicjewelry.com.  They have hundreds of styles of rings set with CZs and seem, based on A LOT of research on and off line, to be very well made.  Everything is in our price range.  Plus, the woman from customer service was very helpful and really went the extra mile to answer questions and the customize things.  So, yeah, these rings may not last generations, but will definitely last a long time. 

Center Stone:
For the center stone, we decided that our favorite gemstone is definitely emerald.  I've heard a lot of conflicting advice about emeralds not being strong enough for rings, but we're willing to take the rish, especially since we have decided to go with lab created emeralds.  We think we are going to go for one from Gem Bob, a retired computer engineer who cuts gems for fun.  One of his favorire materials to work with is lab-created emerald, which have the same chemical make-up as real emeralds and look very believable.

So now, a poll.  Which setting do you like best?  We really can' t decide yet.  Remember, the center stone will be a lab-created EMERALD, not a diamond or whatever else they have in the photo.  She wears a 7.5 and had short, fat fingers but is very petite and slim herself (5'4", 118 lbs). 

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

 

[beginswithT]

Fixed numbers... sorry about that... and ignore the thread below.  I''m having a rough computer night!

 

[velouriaL]

I voted for #3 because it remind me of my favorite Tacori ring. #2 does, too, but I like the shank and sidestones on #3 better.

I also like #5 a lot because it reminds me of my favorite Ritani ring, but with a more antique-y flare.

Geez... I must sound like a brand-whore tonight! ::hides her chanel and LV bags::

I also like #6 because it''s sturdy, antique-y, and would protect the emerald

 

[sxn675]

Hey, you should post on betterthandiamond.com. There are people there who are familiar with all of the different kinds of sims and can advise you on which ones are the most realistic looking. I voted for #5 because I love that style and think it would look best with the emerald. Did you see my idea in your other post about spending a bit more and just getting a band? Whatever you decide, good luck to you!

 

[valeria101]

#6....

Not only I like it (for what that matters), but the way the bead set CZ are placed is the safest in the bunch. And they should look very much like old single cut pave, which is not a bad thing at all.

I would think that the side stones of #1 and #3 are too exposed for CZ's sake, and the un-engraved basket of the Tacori-like may not help the dizguise. With short fingers in mind (mine are too, even if strangely small!) a havy band like those of #@ & #3 would not help loads. But a larger ring head would - one more vote for #6 from this point of view.

#4 and #5 are quite trendy, but so much exposed pave comes at a risk even on the better made diamond settings. I would not bet on how long these small CZ will endure in place. Until the first cleaning ? Maybe....

Hope I could help

 

[beginswithT]

Vel-- Funny, she (girlfriend who is helping along the way) seems to have been reading up on brand names, too, even though she doesn't want me to spend the big bucks. She said the exact same thing about those styles.

sxn-- I looked on BTD.com but I don't think I saw anything about colored sims. I want an emerald, not a diamond for the center. As long as the little sidestones are protected enough and small enough to not be too noticeable, I don't care if they're just plain old CZs. I liked your band idea, but she didn't She's a strange one. But thank you for the input!

val--
I was thinking that about some of the settings, about them needing to be better protected, but those are the ones she tends to gravitate towards.
What do you mean, "un-engraved basket of the Tacori-like may not help the dizguise"
You don't think #6 has a heavy band, too?

 

[sxn675]

BeginswithT - I meant that you should post something on their messageboards and get input from the ladies there (sorry if that wasn''t clear). Some of them have tried practically every sim out there. Good luck!

 

[sxn675]

Oh, and because I'm procrastinating (I have a paper and a statistics problem set due tomorrow), I've done some browsing for you. I tried to stay under $800 (I know you said $500, but I couldn't help myself!). Enjoy the eye candy - I won't be offended if you hate my suggestions (they're different ideas than what you're considering)

.

http://www.faycullen.com/rings/800/bjb820r7rd.html

http://www.faycullen.com/rings/800/be609r2d.html

http://www.faycullen.com/rings/800/b614r5ds.html

http://www.faycullen.com/rings/800/b615r4ds.html

http://www.faycullen.com/rings/800/b215r8rd.html

http://www.faycullen.com/rings/800/bl224r4d.html

http://www.faycullen.com/rings/800/b911r4d.html

This whole section is rings under $1000, so maybe you'll find something:

http://www.wannabuyawatch.com/solitaireengagement1.html

The bottom mounting on this site would fit your budget with a lab-created stone:

http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?page=2

This one is way above your budget, but it's similar to things you've posted. Maybe you can convince her somehow???

http://www.faycullen.com/rings/800/bl227r6ed.html

Here's a source for lab-created emeralds:

http://www.justgemstones.com/synemeraldlab.html

I don't know much about these vendors, but enjoyed looking. Good luck to you!

 

[beginswithT]

sxn-- Thank you for posting all those links. But, unfortunately, her budget and tastes are pretty set in stone. She wants a substantial, non-diamond, antique-ish ring. And she doesn''t want me to pay more than $500 for it. That site for lab-created stones looks very interesting. Thanks!

 

[Hest88]

My favorite is #6

#1 & #7 have got to go!!!

 

[sxn675]

Oh, I didn''t realize she was set on that - I thought maybe you were still looking. Good luck, I am sure you will wind up with a beautiful ring!

 

[qtiekiki]

#3 because that''s my ring, except my center stone is a diamond. It''s just perfect.

 

[beginswithT]

qtiekiki- Where did you get yours from? Is it EXACTLY like that one (except for the diamond)? More details... I''m interested in your review!

 

[qtiekiki]

My fiance got the ring from a trusted vendor in the LA jewelery district. The centerstone, sidestones and pave on the setting are all diamonds. I have been asked if my ring is a tacoori ring. The first time I was asked, I didn''t even know who/what tacoori is and I just said I don''t know. The funny thing was that the person just assume it was after I said I don''t know. hehe. I have gotten lots of compliments on my ring. I love it.

 

[fuffi]

No emerald cuts??