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7K Budget Engagement Ring

S

Slick

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 23, 2012
Messages
13
Hello Pricescopers. I've been lurking for a month or so while researching engagement rings. I finally decided to sign up, and make my first post. I've really learned a lot so far, so thank you all.

I plan to propose sometime in the next month or so. I'm trying to decide on what vendor to go with for my gf's E-ring. I know blue nile has the 5% cash back deal going on with fatwallet, so I was thinking that may be my best bet.

The criteria I've been using is:
Round Brilliant
Around a carat(if a .94 or around there is the best value I would have no problem with that.)
Excellent cut(if GIA) From everything I've read here I don't want to skimp on this, and would be willing to sacrifice somewhere else in order to keep best cut possible.
Clarity: SI1 at minimum. I've been to a few jewelry stores and saw some SI2's that I could see the inclusions if I really looked. Other people who look at her ring may not, but I would always know they are there. I don't think I'd like that.
Color: Would like to stay with an I, but I'd like to hear more about your opinions on how fluorescence can make a J look better, if that would be a good option.

That about sums it up as far as the diamond. Here is a link to a Blue Nile sort, because I know they have the fatwallet 5% deal going on, I'm open to other vendors though if you all know of a good candidate for a stone.

Now the ring: If money were no object I would go with Mark Morrel's Fancy Torchiere, I believe. I love that ring. Unfortunately, I can't swing the price tag, and keep the diamond that I want. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good replacement? I like the look of a six prong setting, and would probably stay with white gold for price consideration.

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
 
Thanks for the suggestions you two. Is engagement rings direct a pricescope vendor?
 
Yes, ERD does beautiful work :twirl:
 
Here are some similar swoopy 6 prong solitaire settings:
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...n-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-310.htm
and a custom diamond version (I don't know how much more expensive)
http://www.whiteflash.com/gallery-images/exquisite-custom 6 prong diamond engagement ring-32101.htm

or
http://www.exceldiamonds.com/-Engag...al-Crown-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-119-632.html

or
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/e.../diamond-faceted-crown-18k-white-gold-5687w18
and because BGD makes their rings themselves I'm sure they would put some diamonds on the band for you for not much more. or diamonds between the basket parts.
 
Would you consider a cushion cut? One of our long standing members is selling a beautiful 1ct H vs2 in a white gold setting. Its stunning. Worth a look for $4400 :))

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/gia-ex-ex-1-01-square-cushion-h-vs2-14k-solitaire-t173932.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/gia-ex-ex-1-01-square-cushion-h-vs2-14k-solitaire-t173932.html[/URL]

There is an awesome video on the listing on DB. You have to correct the last part of the link for it to work.
 
Thanks all for the suggestions. They have been helpful. Sorry Maisie, but I'm only considering a round stone I'm afraid. Any other suggestions about where to look for a setting?
 
I really like that Brian Gavin blue 1c diamond. Faces up nice and large. Here are some more setting suggestions. Was looking for 6 prongs but actually you mostly see the pave on the shank so that might be a priority over the 6 prongs, but does put you over budget. Have you looked for a setting on ebay?

Diamond:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.024-i-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104057888008

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/the-valentine-micro-pave-1-18k-white-gold-5688w18

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/diamond-faceted-crown-18k-white-gold-5687w18

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/u-shaped-half-eternity-18k-white-gold-5483w18

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/six-prong-regal-truth-18k-white-gold-5401w18 6 prong “Truth” head

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/estate-jewelry/rings/34EB1/8/

6 prong platinum engagement set $5,000

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/estate-jewelry/rings/198PO1/72/
 
Personally I love the performance of these antique round cuts on GOG:
I think that K 1.04c would be awesome in a 6 prong solitaire.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9272/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9002/

Here are some great videos on color and H &A's vs AVR's

comparing 4 diff. types of rounds

http://vimeo.com/8141283


F, J, O H&A, AVR AVR .6; .94, .6 SI2, I1, si1

http://vimeo.com/7943811

understanding color:

http://vimeo.com/3288695

Comparing H, J & K H&A’s
http://vimeo.com/4495973
 
Thanks again to all. I've contacted BGD, and their design team thinks they can tweak one of their current rings to give me what I want.

Can you all tell me more about these blue flour diamonds? Are BGD's any different than one you would buy on another site? From what little I've read this may be something I'm interested in.

Also, is there generally a price break when you purchase a setting and stone from the same retailer?
 
I don't know if there is a pricebreak for the setting, but make sure you get the pricescope discount on the diamond ;)
 
What is everyone's opinion on this stone?

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-search?track=head#diamonds_pid=LD02422380

Would you buy a med blue flour diamond from Blue Nile? I haven't talked with Brian Gavin yet about their Blue diamonds. I did watch a few youtube clips of blue flour diamonds and think they are really cool, and may be something I'm interested in. Any other opinions, or things I should know about them, would be appreciated.
 
I would prefer to buy a stone from a vendor that has the stone in-house. That way they can look at it give me their opinion. BlueNile doesn't supply any images (they drop-ship) and I prefer to buy stones with images, especially SI1's. BlueNile has a good return policy but if I could find what I like from BGD I'd buy from them and have them set the stone.
 
Ok that's a good point swingirl. I wasn't aware Blue Nile didn't have stones in-house. Would prob be worth a few extra dollars(if any difference) to buy from a vendor who can look at a stone and determine if eye-clean. Also would be nice to support a vendor who supports this site, which has given me great info.

I'm still planning on contacting BGD today, to talk with him about blue flour, settings etc.
 
Slick|1336475246|3189941 said:
Can you all tell me more about these blue flour diamonds? Are BGD's any different than one you would buy on another site?
Click to expand...

The BGD Blues are simply diamonds with blue fluorescence that have been hand picked by Brian and stocked in-house. IMO it's pretty difficult to find well cut stones with blue fluorescence on the virtual lists, so if you want blue fluorescence it's probably easier to go with a Blue, or ask vendors like GOG or IDJ to find one for you.
 
Ok. Thanks thbmok. What's you opinion of the blue stone I linked from Blue Nile? It seems to be a nice stone when compared to the BGD linked further up the thread. I ran it through the HCA and it scored slightly better, and is a little larger. I guess there could be other issues with the stone?

I know it's personal preference, but having never actually seen a blue flour stone in person, do Pricescopers generally view them favorably?(Provided the stone isn't cloudy, etc.)

The few videos that I have seen, look pretty cool, IMO. The two videos I found on youtube showed strong flourescence stones, how much less would a medium flour stone show, say, out in direct sunlight?
 
Slick|1336504363|3190284 said:
Ok. Thanks thbmok. What's you opinion of the blue stone I linked from Blue Nile? It seems to be a nice stone when compared to the BGD linked further up the thread. I ran it through the HCA and it scored slightly better, and is a little larger. I guess there could be other issues with the stone?

I know it's personal preference, but having never actually seen a blue flour stone in person, do Pricescopers generally view them favorably?(Provided the stone isn't cloudy, etc.)

The few videos that I have seen, look pretty cool, IMO. The two videos I found on youtube showed strong flourescence stones, how much less would a medium flour stone show, say, out in direct sunlight?
Click to expand...


Take a look at the video on the bottom of BGD's website. A customer submitted it and it shows a medium blue diamond in multiple types of lighting.
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/brian-gavins-blue-diamonds-with-fluorescence/

I'm considering going with a BGD Blue myself. If I went with fluorescence it would be with someone like BGD just because I'd want to be assured that there were not a negative impact from the florescence and since the BGD blue's are inhouse they can verify that.

I'm on the fence though. I like the idea of getting a larger diamond for the money but I'm not sure I want her diamond lighting up blue if we are around certain lighting. I'm not sure I like how the diamond in the BGD video looks blue in the living room shot with the mixture of florescent and halogen lighting. I was almost sold on the blue until I saw that. It's just a personal preference. It looks pretty cool but I'm just not sure.
 
Slick|1336504363|3190284 said:
Ok. Thanks thbmok. What's you opinion of the blue stone I linked from Blue Nile? It seems to be a nice stone when compared to the BGD linked further up the thread. I ran it through the HCA and it scored slightly better, and is a little larger. I guess there could be other issues with the stone?

I know it's personal preference, but having never actually seen a blue flour stone in person, do Pricescopers generally view them favorably?(Provided the stone isn't cloudy, etc.)

The few videos that I have seen, look pretty cool, IMO. The two videos I found on youtube showed strong flourescence stones, how much less would a medium flour stone show, say, out in direct sunlight?
Click to expand...

While the BN stone looks promising from the numbers, IMO the price difference is not big enough for me to forgo Brian's eyes and the extra images that BGD provides. The HCA is really just a starting point to help identify stones that have potential. There's no way to know whether the BN stone is as precisely cut without images, or whether it is eye clean or whether the fluorescence has any negative effects without someone looking at it in various lighting.

There are many fans of blue fluorescence on PS, and I'm one of them. :mrgreen:

In my experience, the amount of blue tint seen in a stone with blue fluorescence in sunlight depends on a combination of the strength of blue fluorescence of the stone, the color of the stone, as well as time of year and location. The blue tint is more apparent during the summer and nearer the equator. But not all stones with blue fluorescence will show a blue tint in sunlight, it's really on a case by case basis.
 
Ok, thanks for the link and info. you two! Was in contact with BGD yesterday, and they were very helpful. I just need to decide if a Blue is right for me.

The video linked shows an F color diamond... Could it be that a lower color grade wouldn't show as much blue, and would instead "neutralize" the yellow, and just make it appear more white? From looking at prices, blue tends to reduce the price of the higher color grades, and add a little to the lower ones.
 
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