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$5000 to spend, do you upgrade the stone or the setting?

Cupcake*Muffin

Cupcake*Muffin

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Mar 3, 2009
Messages
351
I was wondering if you guys can give me some perspective?

In the next few months I will have about $5k to spend on my ring. Currently, it's a RB 1.66 solitaire set in platinum on a size 4.75 finger. I have never been a big fan of solitaires unless the stone was larger. I was wondering if you think with $5k I could upgrade the stone to beyond 2ct? I know this is probably a subjective question since it depends on the jeweler but our jeweler has a full upgrade policy so I just need some education on what $5k will buy. I think that anything over 2.1 is ideal for the kind of finger coverage that I would like to see. But I am not sure that it's in the budget.

The other option is to upgrade the setting from a solitaire to a halo, which is the type of setting that I love and originally wanted. DH was against this at first because he likes the solitaire look however, over time, I've shown him some halos that he has really liked. DH would prefer if I kept the original stone but at this point, he is just going to give me the money and let me do as I want. If I were to halo the ring, it would have the more ornate look that I crave and possibly the finger coverage that I am looking for. I really like Chemgeek's 3 stone Ritani.

So I guess I am asking you what you would do if you had $5k to play with?

2010-05-28%2019_14_07.jpg

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haloschemgeek.jpg
 
If you have the vague desire to upgrade someday, I don't think I'd spend 5K on a setting: I'd wait until I was at my ideal size and *then* upgrade the setting.
 
Ditto what Circe said. Also, I don't think $5k will get you from 1.66 to 2+ cts, unless you went down in color and clarity too.

What are the specs on your current diamond?
 
I don't think $5k won't get you over the 2 ct mark either, but I would upgrade the stone for size before getting a halo, unless you know for sure that you want to keep this particular $5k halo setting forever.
 
antelope1|1289403992|2760025 said:
Ditto what Circe said. Also, I don't think $5k will get you from 1.66 to 2+ cts, unless you went down in color and clarity too.

What are the specs on your current diamond?
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I will have to dig out the cert since its in the safe. Off the top of my head I know it's an I (faces up more like a G, the warmer tint is towards the bottom), VG/EX/EX, no flor, VS2 (feathering hidden underneath a prong). Overall, I am pretty happy with the stone. I think my main thing is the finger coverage. I am not 100% sure that I would a bigger stone, but I know with certainty that I want a halo setting. I guess maybe that answers the question? I know that DH would prefer to keep the same stone and change the setting so it is also important to me what he wants. But at the same time, I was wanting to know what kind of an upgrade I could get on the stone size with $5000 since that might be an option.
 
The halo setting is beautiful. Have you also considered a 3-stone with pear side stones? That's another way to stretch out the diamonds across the finger.
 
I am in the exact same situation! I have a 1.5 and $ 5 k to spend. I really want finger coverage too (I'm a 5.25) and found that spending 5 k didn't get all that much in mm the way a halo can. I have gone back and forth many times over this issue.

I could get maybe .5 - 1 mm difference with a stone upgrade, and would have to go down in color.

Halos generally are about 1 mm on each side (or more) so you get at least 2 mm extra coverage.

If you think you could upgrade twice, now for stone, later for halo, go for it. If it is a one time thing, then go for the halo.
 
Have you thought of trying a CZ halo to see if a stone of your size (without upgrading) after being halo'ed would make you happy with the amount of coverage? Because if you try it on, and it's enough for you, perhaps that's the route to go. Another thing to consider, you could upgrade your stone slightly (did you buy from an online vendor?) and get a nice halo setting for less. Beverly K has a few great ones for 2k and under.

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/pearlmans-bridal-jewelry/rings/151EE1/
 
I think your current stone looks fabulous on your hand and since your husband is pushing for you to keep the stone, that should definately be a consideration. I vote do nothing. keep the 5K until you're 100% sure what you want done and enjoy your curent fabulous solitaire!
 
Have you thought about taking advantage of the 'try it before you buy it' that Eternity Diamonds offers? They will send you three CZ rings of your choice so you can see how the style works on your hand. They have some nice halo designs, once of which is almost identical to the halo you posted. Hope this link works:

http://www.eternitydiamonds.com/engagement-rings/diamond-engagement-ring/Zora-diamond-ring-with-diamond-accents-and-diamond-studded-band-by-Eternity-(.40-ctw...)-257.htm

ETA: Okay, the link only takes you to the home page, once there, click on 'Engagement Rings' and look for 'Zora' on page 8.
 
I have a diamond of similar size and $5K will NOT buy you a noticable increase in size. You are already at I color, so you would need to drop to K perhaps to really make that money stretch and that may not be your preference. If you want to stay in the color family you are in, you would need to add probably 8K to get over the 2ct mark, and then the size difference is not all that noticable anyways -- 2.3ct is where it starts to become really noticable in my opinion.

I vote 100% to go for that Ritani halo three stone. Not an imitation, THAT setting. It will add 2mm in diameter to your stone and will add even omre finger coverage. Sounds like a real winner!
 
I agree with Dreamer. I think you should go with a new setting. That way you can keep the stone for sentimental reasons and still feel like you're getting something bigger. That setting is TDF, btw.
 
I agree with DD. If your DH is attached to the stone for sentimental reasons, and you're pretty happy with it too, then get the setting! I've never seen a setting with halos around the accent stones, but it looks really nice -- might have to put it on my list of dream settings myself!
 
if you definitely want a halo then...get it :) that halo setting you posted is beautiful and will give you lots of finger coverage!
 
I agree... since Hubby would like for you to keep original stone I think getting your DREAM setting will make you BOTH happy. You get the look you love and MORE finger coverage and keep you sentimental stone :appl: :appl:

Good luck
:bigsmile:
 
If you and the hubbie are willing to compromise, it sounds like you can keep your original stone and go for the setting that will provide you with the halo and the finger coverage you're longing for until you guys are ready to upgrade to the 2ct of your dreams!

Good luck!
 
lovemybling|1289421841|2760296 said:
I agree... since Hubby would like for you to keep original stone I think getting your DREAM setting will make you BOTH happy. You get the look you love and MORE finger coverage and keep you sentimental stone :appl: :appl:

Good luck
:bigsmile:
Click to expand...

Wow I swear your post wasn't up when I did mine! You beat me to it ! :lol:
 
When faced with a similar choice, I put my diamond in a halo setting. I have never regretted making this decision.
 
I agree with getting the Halo.
 
Circe|1289403903|2760023 said:
If you have the vague desire to upgrade someday, I don't think I'd spend 5K on a setting: I'd wait until I was at my ideal size and *then* upgrade the setting.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with this! I made the mistake of getting a very expensive setting for my engagement ring and now am upgrading my stone so just basically wasted the money spent on the original setting.

$5k won't get you a huge size increase unless you drop in color/clarity (which I'd totally do :bigsmile: ) but will get you a gorgeous setting. You have a pretty large stone already and if you haloed it, it would look MUCH larger. (Check out the halo before and after thread.) So, I'd say if you're positive you won't want to upgrade the stone later (or at least not for some time) and that putting it in a halo setting will give you the coverage you desire, I'd get an awesome halo setting but if you *may* want to upgrade the stone later, you can always get a less expensive halo setting to give you more finger coverage now. :)

Here's a great example on finger coverage before and after a halo:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-halo-its-blingalicious.148550/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-halo-its-blingalicious.148550/[/URL]
 
I don't really like solitaires so I would put the money towards a beautiful halo setting and keep the original stone (plus it'll make your DH happy). A 1.66 in a halo should be plenty big! :naughty:
 
Another one for the halo. If the style (and not primarily the finger coverage) really does it for you and there's sentimental attachment to the 1.66er, you can't go wrong! :)
 
Halos will give you the finger coverage you seem to desire and for a nice halo $5k would do just fine.
 
I love that three stone halo - it's gorgeous.

Since your DH wants to keep the stone, and you DEFINITELY want a halo, and the halo will give you finger coverage (which you also want), I would get the setting.
 
I agree with everyone else here too! The 3-stone halo you posted is GOORGEOUS, and I'm not even a 3-stone nor halo girl!! I also think it may be important to consider DH's wish to keep the original stone. I think you'll have an awesome, drool-inducing ring with your center stone in that halo setting!! :appl: Meanwhile, I'm bookmarking chemgeek's photo of her ring....
 
Another vote for the halo. You don't seem to be in love with the solitaire setting and you stated the halo "is the type of setting that I love and originally wanted". And this way you get more finger coverage without replacing the original stone, so your DH is happy too :appl:

Good luck with your decision!
 
I agree with the others. The halo will give you the setting you want, more finger coverage and you will get to keep your original stone.
 
In your original post you state: "I have never really been a fan of solitaires unless they were larger."
I feel the same way (Although I DO think your ring looks good on your finger)
Would you LOVE a solitaire or simple setting if it WERE large enough? My dream ring is an emerald cut flanked with baguettes. But I think it would have to be 3+carats. Below that I would rather have something else...

If you would LOVE a solitaire as long as it is big enough, try doing a search for ovals -- and focus on dimensions rather than weight -- you can get a lot of bang for your buck...you might just be able to get up to a size you would be happy with.

The halo setting you posted is really beautiful. (so nice that I am going to see if I can find one locally to try on!)
Have you tried it on?
Have you tried on a lot of halos? In different sizes?

I had something VERY surprising happen to me in a jewelry store the other night.
I was trying on rings. I put on one that was a haloed RB. I looked at it. I looked at my husband. I looked at it. I looked at the jeweler. It was...gasp...wait for it...too BIG. I couldn't believe it. I was really surprised. I LIKE big. I want BIG. I am NOT that girl who would be happy with something "dainty and pretty and sweet."

So I asked about the size of the center...and this is what really got me...it was a 1.5!

Haloed, a 1.5 was TOO BIG for me to like it on my hand.

So if you haven't looked in person, make sure you do!
 
It seems that you love the haloed 3-stone ring, so go for it. However, since you ask what I would do with the $5000, I shall tell you the answer only for myself. First of all, unless the center stone costs over $50K which justifies getting something grand, I would not spend over $4000 on a setting. Why? The setting will be wasted when I want to upgrade. Diamonds can be reused, but not most settings (e.g, seats won't fit and proportion might be a problem). Now, with $5000, I don't think I can get a noticeably larger diamond unless I go down big (below my tolerable limits) in color and clarity (definitely no downgrade in cut). Therefore, I would sit tight and wait until I have saved up enough money for a noticeably bigger diamond. Even if the per carat price increases, my plan stays.
 
Ditto the halo idea. If you can't get a bigger diamond without dropping the color and clarity, go for a halo. You have a good size diamond to begin with. DH sounds sentimental, so I'd keep the stone and get the setting, since it sounds like you wanted a halo all along. Just try one on first to make sure it's what you want. If you have left over $$...hmmm...studs? :naughty:

Just call me enabler :))
 
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