$5000 Question!! POLL

[sunshine0808]

Ladies:

I have been very very torn trying to decide what to do. I know you are the right people to help!!

Background: My husband and I got married very young. We were paying for our own wedding as well as saving for a house. Plus I was in college and we were starting our own business. There were so many things that were just more pressing and/or more practical to spend $ on than jewelry. So we bought wedding bands and left it at that.

We have now been married for a little more than 3 years. My husband has said that he would like me to have a nice wedding set. He has set a budget of $5000. I know this is not very much by pricescope standards, but I can't realistically imagine spending much more. I guess I feel that $5000 is sufficient to have something very nice and any more $ I would just rather put into remodeling our house or travelling or saving for our future.

I had always imagined that when the time came, I would get a simple solitaire (most likely an AVC) for the e-ring and a simple diamond wedding band. I definitely want something of quality more than size. I like the timeless, classic yet modern look.

HOWEVER, now that I have spent so much time on Pricescope "researching," I have added a number of pieces to my jewelry bucket list. Nothing too crazy or extravagant, but more just very nice classic diamond pieces that I could wear pretty much daily, either casually or dressed up (such as: some diamond studs/hoops, a DBTY necklace, etc)

SO, here's the big question:

Would you spend the $5000 budget on:

1. A Wedding Set - AVC solitaire, likely around 0.75, and a diamond wedding band of similar weight?

OR

2. Several nice pieces -
Specifically:
$2000 on an eternity band
(I'm thinking the 2 carat u-prong from IDJ - http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=53_127&products_id=62028 )

$1500-1800 on a DBTY necklace

The remaining funds ($1200 - 1500) on diamond stud or small, everyday diamond hoop earrings

I see pros and cons to each. If I concentrate the entire budget on the wedding set, I could get something really nice, like an AVC. However, if I go for just an eternity band instead of traditional e-ring + wedding band, then I could have a diamond necklace and earrings too. I feel that by going with option 2, I could effectively take care of nearly all my jewelry wishes. I could perhaps see having a new nice occasional pieces added to my collection in the future, but like I said, I doubt there will be any big major jewelry purchases in the future because we both would like to spend our money on traveling, remodeling our house or saving for retirement.

I would LOVE to hear your thoughts. Mind you, I do realize that $5000 will only go so far with either option.

Thank you in advance. You guys are the BEST!!

 

[JulieN]

The biggest, baddest 5-stone you can pull off.

 

[D&T]

we were in the same boat only we waited 5 years later to get something of higher quality and larger than what we first started out with. I would maybe just work on a large eternity band or I definitely like JulieN's suggestion, you can do a lot and have some massive finger coverage with $5k for Five stone for sure!.. hmm I voted then realize I would rather vote for 1 "stand Alone" largest for the budget, I think you will accumulate more jewelry in your lifetime and check off those items on your bucket list eventually but why not use it up one really nice Bling? for now.

 

[Natylad]

I'd buy the biggest and best looking diamond for my budget and set in in a halo setting and i'd use my already existing band with it as a set.

 

[sunshine0808]

JulieN and D&T: Thanks so much for your replies. A large stand alone ring is a great option. I guess I figured I might accomplish that with the 2 carat eternity band mentioned in option 2? And since that would leave me so far under budget.... But I could see how sinking the entire budget into one large stand alone ring would really have a ton of presence. My ring finger is a 5.5, so I don't want to have anything too gaudy...just something with enough sparkle and substance to stand alone, ya know?

Thanks ladies! Already some good suggestions! Would love to hear more!!

 

[D&T]

5 stone will actually look very classic and definitely not a gaudy look at all. Maybe 5 stone graudated? I made a five stone once with a .80ct center, and .30 ct each for the sides for well under $5k (but that was with OEC not AVCs)... so I suspect that you could potentially create a gorgeous five stone look with possible AVCs as that seems to be what you wanted initially?

For example: like this could be a possible center:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7264/

with 4 of these:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/F46-1072/

and you can still pair your wedding band possibly with the five stone?

 

[Gypsy]

If it were me:

I'd spend 3k on an 5 or 7 stone (depending on the coverage you wanted and your finger size). I wouldn't buy an eternity band. the diamonds on the bottom can get cracked pretty easily and with a 5 or 7 stone you can get larger stones across the top of your finger where it counts. I personally find seven 20 pointers to be just right in terms of impact but still wearable. But five 25 pointers are great too.

http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_27&products_id=62048 By the time you upgrade the stones to "PS quality" (and you do need to do that) and to platinum you are looking at 3k. You can also skip the platinum and ask for Stuller X1 metal that doesn't need plating and keep the gold setting.

Photo on this is not accurate to scale. http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_27&products_id=21724 that's 7 25 pointers (so the stones are the same size as the last link). And I would upgrade the stones to PS quality. And ask if they can use Stuller X1 14kt metal for the setting so there is no plating needed.

I'd spend 2k on another piece. Probably second hand. Probably some nice diamond earrings. But I would be open to lots of options, so that I could maximize my budget.

 

[sunshine0808]

D&T:

I do like your idea of a great 5-stone. I am wondering if AVCs in that size range (.5 and below) are worthwhile? Can you really appreciate the large facets and the pastels in stones that small? Or is it better suited to stones in the .5 and up range?

I think that's why I said I would do the AVC if I was going for the solitaire & wedding band (which I could put all the $5000 towards the solitaire and use the 14k white gold wedding band I have now for the wedding band part of the set).

 

[JulieN]

There are AVC 5 stones! http://shop.goodoldgold.com/AugustVintageJewelry/AugustVintageWeddingBands/

 

[Niel]

Graduated 5 stone!

 

[LLJsmom]

I would go for only an AVR and a very simple solitaire setting. I would nix the wedding band because you already have one. And you can upgrade in the future if you go with GOG. I'm big on the diamond.

To get a lot of bang for your buck, have you also considered pre-loved? I see so many gorgeous OECs up for sale.

Everything else you can get later. After you and your eye gets accustomed to seeing and wearing bling, then decide what else you want. That's my .02.

Let us know what you decide!

 

[sunshine0808]

If it were me:

I'd spend 3k on an 5 or 7 stone (depending on the coverage you wanted and your finger size). I wouldn't buy an eternity band. the diamonds on the bottom can get cracked pretty easily and with a 5 or 7 stone you can get larger stones across the top of your finger where it counts. I personally find seven 20 pointers to be just right in terms of impact but still wearable. But five 25 pointers are great too.

http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_27&products_id=62048 By the time you upgrade the stones to "PS quality" (and you do need to do that) and to platinum you are looking at 3k. You can also skip the platinum and ask for Stuller X1 metal that doesn't need plating and keep the gold setting.

Photo on this is not accurate to scale. http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_27&products_id=21724 that's 7 25 pointers (so the stones are the same size as the last link). And I would upgrade the stones to PS quality. And ask if they can use Stuller X1 14kt metal for the setting so there is no plating needed.

I'd spend 2k on another piece. Probably second hand. Probably some nice diamond earrings. But I would be open to lots of options, so that I could maximize my budget.

Gypsy:

I tend to agree with you. With a $5000 budget for jewelry, and no foreseeable $ becoming available for future purchases, I am having second thoughts about sinking it ALL into ONE piece of jewelry.

I really like your thought of putting 3k towards a nice 5-stone and then using the rest towards a second piece. Maybe a pendant? or diamond hoops?

Are diamond eternity bands, such as the u-prong, not conducive to daily wear?

I definitely want to upgrade to PS quality stones, even if I have to drop the carat weight. I have no love for the "maul" stones. I want nice clean sparkle that I can appreciate from a distance. Does anyone know the approximate cost to upgrade to "PS quality" stones?

Thanks everyone. I am so glad to have help. Like I said, I know $5000 is not so much here on Pricescope, but it is a significant purchase for us and something I've been patiently looking forward to for a while.

 

[D&T]

D&T:

I do like your idea of a great 5-stone. I am wondering if AVCs in that size range (.5 and below) are worthwhile? Can you really appreciate the large facets and the pastels in stones that small? Or is it better suited to stones in the .5 and up range?

I think that's why I said I would do the AVC if I was going for the solitaire & wedding band (which I could put all the $5000 towards the solitaire and use the 14k white gold wedding band I have now for the wedding band part of the set).

Hi Sunshine.
- will have to send this thread to Packrat as she once had a 5 stone avcs then turned them in for a three stone instead so she will have a lot of info I think .

Would you consider purchasing one of those .40ct and see for yourself? I have an asscher eternity with 12pointers, and had a 7 stone in 15 pointers, and I currently have a 1.15ct asscher as well, and honestly I can appreciate the facet pattern down to my 12 pointers. Some may feel the effect is better suited in larger stone, but I happen to like and can visually see the facet pattern in my 12 pointers - (now I may change my mind in 10 years or so when my eye sight gets worse and would prefer the larger stones) Now with AVCs you have bigger chunkier facets than my wee 12 points asschers, so I think you will be able to see the facet pattern even more in avcs at 15points or higher

 

[AprilBaby]

I voted the eternity, necklace and earrings...lots of people take off their erings but usually wear a band and earrings. Go for the total bling look!

 

[Gypsy]

5000 is a good chunk of change.

I don't know what the upgrade charge would be exactly at IDJ, but I would estimate about 500 dollars for that in the 1.25-1.4 carat range total weight.

I personally don't know if I would go for the AVRs in the 25 point range. I suspect they will have more white light than colors (you can call and ask for a video of two AVRs at 25 points next to two MRB at the same weight and see what it shows though), and if they have more white light, I'd save my money and just go for MRB.

As for carat weight. I'd go to a good local jeweler and try things on. I was very surprised how 'perfect' the seven 20 pointers felt on my hand. I thought for sure I'd want 25 or 30 pointers. Or even 5 forty pointers. See what suits you best and go from there. There is no substitute for seeing things in real life when it comes to bands.

As for the second piece. Like I said, I'd go for second hand. So I'd just start looking on Pre-loved board, Diamond Bistro and Loupe Troop and see what catches my fancy. Then I'd go from there. I haven't bought a new jewelry piece is over 3 years. HIGHLY recommend low risk pre-owned pieces.

 

[sunshine0808]

There are AVC 5 stones! http://shop.goodoldgold.com/AugustVintageJewelry/AugustVintageWeddingBands/

JulieN: Wow! Thanks for answering my question. That video of the 5 stone with 0.25 AVCs was stunning. I loved the stones, they really did seem to have the same gorgeous AVC look as the larger stones. I didn't love love the setting, I would prefer a u-prong or a trellis more, especially for a stand alone.

I see that they have an AVC 5 Stone Trellis Wedding Band with F-G color and VVS1-SI1 clarity diamonds weighting 1.35cttw, but no price listed. I wonder if it's inside the $5000 budget.

Do you guys think this would look sufficient as a stand alone piece?
http://shop.goodoldgold.com/AugustVintageJewelry/AugustVintageWeddingBands/

 

[Gypsy]

I gotta tell you, if they can swing it, I'd ask for H-I melee on the AVRs and SI clarity. See what that does to the price. Call them and ask. They are open right now. Worth a quick call.

 

[sunshine0808]

I voted the eternity, necklace and earrings...lots of people take off their erings but usually wear a band and earrings. Go for the total bling look!

AprilBaby: This was my thought too. I've been wearing a plain white gold wedding band for 3 years, so I am not opposed to just having a band, instead of a 2-piece set. I just would like to upgrade to some nice diamonds. I do have a nice watch that I wear daily and then the rest (necklaces and earrings) are costume stuff. My thought was that this may be the opportunity to get rid of all the fake stuff and have a nice set of quality pieces I could wear all the time. A diamond ring, some simple diamond earring and a DBTY or pendant. I think that would feel so complete. And with a band or with studs, I could always have the option of upgrading in the future if I so desired.

 

[PintoBean]

My DBTY was about $2,000-ish with 7 20 pointers towards the front, 18" from ERD. Keep in mind this was a purchase made over a year ago, so there may be slightly higher pricing now. I think IDJ's price quote was about $200 less, so you can get a substantial DBTY from IDJ for $2,000, allocate $2,000 for a 5 or 7 stone , and $1,000 for earrings.

IDJ's items are all upgradeable, so you can trade in for something else in the future as your taste and budget evolves over time.

 

[sunshine0808]

Also, several people have asked if I am open to pre-loved pieces, YES! I am all about getting the most bang for the buck.

And yes, I am flexible on color and a lower clarity, but they must Excellent/Ideal cut and be completely eye-clean. By eye-clean, I mean my eyes cannot see anything from any distance (blemishes seen through magnification are acceptable, of course).

 

[sunshine0808]

My DBTY was about $2,000-ish with 7 20 pointers towards the front, 18" from ERD. Keep in mind this was a purchase made over a year ago, so there may be slightly higher pricing now. I think IDJ's price quote was about $200 less, so you can get a substantial DBTY from IDJ for $2,000, allocate $2,000 for a 5 or 7 stone , and $1,000 for earrings.

IDJ's items are all upgradeable, so you can trade in for something else in the future as your taste and budget evolves over time.

PintoBean: Thanks for your reply! Yes, this is what I meant by option 2. It would give me a great collection that could always be upgraded over time.

 

[AnnaH]

I would go for only an AVR and a very simple solitaire setting. I would nix the wedding band because you already have one. And you can upgrade in the future if you go with GOG. I'm big on the diamond.

To get a lot of bang for your buck, have you also considered pre-loved? I see so many gorgeous OECs up for sale.

Everything else you can get later. After you and your eye gets accustomed to seeing and wearing bling, then decide what else you want. That's my .02.

Let us know what you decide!

Strongly agree with LLJ. Your budget is decent for those ideas.

 

[dk168]

I voted for multiple items, and my choices would be a half paved ring for the bling, a pair of studs with the aim to add more bling by adding a pair of jackets without breaking the bank, and a pendant.

After that, I shall plan to have a nicer ring with the next 5k!

DK

 

[misssoph]

I would spend the majority of the funds on a 5 or 7 stone ring. You will have something really impressive for the price.
What is left over 1000-2000 I'd spend on necklace or earrings not both. I would use my existing wedding band.

I'd look at getting 2 not several items . For 5000 you can get 2 substantial standalone pieces. If you wanted something else less expensive then you could slowly put a little money away for it, or there will eventually be other occasions like your 10 year anniversary

Another thought for a necklace would be to buy diamond from somewhere with a good upgrade policy like good old gold or whiteflash, set it in a basket pendent setting, and maybe be able to save a bit gradually to upgrade the stone. Maybe a A VCA or A V R if ou really like them, a 0.40 carat stone would look lovely as a pendent. Alternatively diamond studs from somewhere with a good upgrade policy.

 

[packrat]

Dangit, I replied and then the computer conked out or something.

I don't know that I would get multiple pieces, myself. Just b/c unless you're either never going to be on PS again or you REALLY REALLY 100% mean it...you have many many years ahead of you to collect other pieces. Even if it takes 5 years to get one of the things on your list. You've been married for three years, you have a lot of time ahead of you to collect pieces and save up for a budget.

What kind of a setting are you looking at doing? If you're wanting to get a stock setting, or one that doesn't cost a whole lot, maybe upgrade the setting later or whatever, I'd put the entire budget toward the stones, and then wait just a little bit and save for a less expensive setting.

My personal preference is AVC's b/c that's what I have and they're spectacular. I have had a five stone and now a three stone. I prefer the three stone, b/c I could get bigger stones and see the faceting better. If I were doing a standalone five/7 stone, I wouldn't do less than .25's, but if it were a small wedding band, I'd be ok w/the itty bitties. I've not seen the bitty AVC's to compare them to bitty rb's, but in the .11's in my five stone, I could see the facet pattern..just not enough for a stand alone band.

I'd go as low as you're comfortable w/color and clarity wise, to get the biggest stones you can. I went from j/k's in the five stone to L/M's in the three stone and couldn't be happier.

This was the avc five stone I started my upgrade project with [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/packrats-graduated-avc-five-stone-from-gog.171141/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/packrats-graduated-avc-five-stone-from-gog.171141/[/URL]

This is what I have now [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/packrats-avc-three-stone-and-wedding-band-by-single-stone.180821/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/packrats-avc-three-stone-and-wedding-band-by-single-stone.180821/[/URL]

 

[sunshine0808]

I would spend the majority of the funds on a 5 or 7 stone ring. You will have something really impressive for the price.
What is left over 1000-2000 I'd spend on necklace or earrings not both. I would use my existing wedding band.

I'd look at getting 2 not several items . For 5000 you can get 2 substantial standalone pieces. If you wanted something else less expensive then you could slowly put a little money away for it, or there will eventually be other occasions like your 10 year anniversary

Another thought for a necklace would be to buy diamond from somewhere with a good upgrade policy like good old gold or whiteflash, set it in a basket pendent setting, and maybe be able to save a bit gradually to upgrade the stone. Maybe a A VCA or A V R if ou really like them, a 0.40 carat stone would look lovely as a pendent. Alternatively diamond studs from somewhere with a good upgrade policy.

Misssoph: thanks for your reply! I agree with you, if I try to divvy the $5000 up among too many items, none will be spectacular. Obviously, the ring will come first and it will take as much of the budget as required to get something I love. I was hoping the remainder could be put towards another nice diamond piece, such as a pendant or DBYT. But yes, I realize that trying to purchase too many pieces would be a mistake.

Ladies, I never saw myself as a five stone girl, but I'm definitely starting to lean that way due to your comments. I love the idea of an eternity band, but the reality of damaged stones since this will be an daily piece, really sways me towards the 5 stone. Not to mention the larger stones on top of my hand where I'll be able to see them most. The larger stones may even make AVCs a possibility, which I had not previously considered.

Still, very close numbers in the poll!!

 

[GreenBling]

I voted for multiple piece but I'd do that over a period of time rather than in one go . The ring is something you can look at to enjoy all the time so I'd put the most towards something like a graduated 5-stone to begin with. Put aside whatever left of that budget for a pre-loved piece. Even wait another year to get it as you might have extra few hundreds to add to the budget by then.

 

[LLJsmom]

This is on Pre-loved right now, of you can up your budget a bit. At 1.81, you may never want to upgrade.

http://diamondbistro.com/category/2...ean-Cut-Diamond-Ring-in-Platinum-Setting.html

Like I said, I'm about the big D, and this is a great deal...

Just keeping the options open...

 

[delight]

Quality over quantity.

 

[woofmama]

I was in a similar situation when I found PS a couple of years ago. I wanted an upgraded solitaire and had the same budget as you.
I searched for quite a while and purchased an EC and set it my favorite setting. I had also found a gorgeous diamond band which cost almost as much as the ering at a local jeweler and put it on layaway. I made payments and picked it up before I had my solitaire made and ended up very happy with the set.

My financial situation changed for the better and I have since added other dream pieces to my collection. I got my studs, a few more diamond bands, pendants and am having a five stone ring made. So although you may think you won't ever spend money again, that could change.

I consider myself to be a savvy shopper and found several of my pieces pre-loved.

I find that I wear the bands the most. I wore the solitaire maybe three times this week to work, but had the bands on everyday.
I think you should get a blingy five stone.
Have you gone thru this thread?
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-5-stone-ring-thread.134007/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-5-stone-ring-thread.134007/[/URL]