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Advice - 10-13k budget

R

RL1085

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 1, 2013
Messages
14
Hi folks!

I've been doing plenty of diamond research lately on pricescope and I'm finally at the point where I'm ready to purchase a diamond and a ring.
My budget is in the range of 10k-13k, and I was wondering If I could get some feedback as to what I could expect to purchase.

I'm thinking...

1.5ct
ideal cut
and eyeclean (flexible with color and clarity here)


Is this feasible? I've glanced around and have seen some out there that might fit my criteria. Any stones out there that you could suggest?

Also, I'm looking to do this in a round cut, then getting it in a cushion setting. What's the best way to do this? Should I request a custom ring from a diamond website? (WF, JamesAllen, etc.)

Thanks much in advance!!!
 
beautiful Blue Line recommendation.

I love high performance diamonds but I'd take a larger J with Fluorescence over a K, even an Infinity K, any day.
 
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-232416 Here's a nice find as well. Great color and clarity (looks totally eyeclean) and is an H. Great spread. And at 12,300 it's a good price.

As for the cushion setting... I assume you mean a cushion halo... did she request that... or did she request a cushion, and that's how you are going to swing it?? What did she ask for?

Also is your budget for the stone only? Or is it supposed to include the setting because those settings, in good quality are a bit pricey.
 
Thank you so much for these recommendations so far! These diamonds look beautiful.

Ok, as for the follow up questions. She likes the look of a round diamond in a cushion setting. This is MAYBE something I have some leeway in not going with, but this is the look she likes, so I am trying to go with it.

The 10k-13k range was initially with ring included, but it seems like to get a nice, thin cushion halo with a round cut diamond may be a little bit pricey. I guess if we go with 10k-13k for the stone now I could maybe stretch the budget to get the nice setting.


Thanks again
 
Gypsy|1380671427|3530424 said:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-232416 Here's a nice find as well. Great color and clarity (looks totally eyeclean) and is an H. Great spread. And at 12,300 it's a good price.

As for the cushion setting... I assume you mean a cushion halo... did she request that... or did she request a cushion, and that's how you are going to swing it?? What did she ask for?

Also is your budget for the stone only? Or is it supposed to include the setting because those settings, in good quality are a bit pricey.
Click to expand...

by arkieb1 » 01 Oct 2013 18:01
A better colour, should be white facing and is as nice in person as the Brian Gavin stones;

http://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/1vxsni
Click to expand...

Both of these stones would be really nice!

I was also wondering about the setting... a round in a cushion is my favorite!! (but I'm a little biased) ;)) :lol: :bigsmile:

What about this??
http://www.ritani.com/engagement-ri...-band-engagement-ring-in-14kt-white-gold/6113
 
RL1085|1380673711|3530441 said:
Thank you so much for these recommendations so far! These diamonds look beautiful.

Ok, as for the follow up questions. She likes the look of a round diamond in a cushion setting. This is MAYBE something I have some leeway in not going with, but this is the look she likes, so I am trying to go with it.

The 10k-13k range was initially with ring included, but it seems like to get a nice, thin cushion halo with a round cut diamond may be a little bit pricey. I guess if we go with 10k-13k for the stone now I could maybe stretch the budget to get the nice setting.


Thanks again
Click to expand...

Haha, we were cross-posting! :bigsmile: If that's the look she wants, don't deviate!! Get her what she wants!! :praise:
 
A round stone in a cushion shaped Emilya from Victor would be my recommendation. If you buy the stone from him he will give you a slight discount on the setting. Email him for a complete quote for the whole ring, or tell him your absolute max you can afford and see if he can work with you....
 
arkieb1|1380676539|3530470 said:
A round stone in a cushion shaped Emilya from Victor would be my recommendation. If you buy the stone from him he will give you a slight discount on the setting. Email him for a complete quote for the whole ring, or tell him your absolute max you can afford and see if he can work with you....
Click to expand...

arkieb, wouldn't that set him back a good $4-5+K? I was trying to suggest a more cost effective setting, since the original $ figure included the setting too...
 
msop04|1380676804|3530474 said:
arkieb1|1380676539|3530470 said:
A round stone in a cushion shaped Emilya from Victor would be my recommendation. If you buy the stone from him he will give you a slight discount on the setting. Email him for a complete quote for the whole ring, or tell him your absolute max you can afford and see if he can work with you....
Click to expand...

arkieb, wouldn't that set him back a good $4-5+K? I was trying to suggest a more cost effective setting, since the original $ figure included the setting too...
Click to expand...

Without a stone, yes, with one, I am not so sure it probably will be out of the price range but it never hurts to ask.
 
msop04|1380674290|3530450 said:
RL1085|1380673711|3530441 said:
Thank you so much for these recommendations so far! These diamonds look beautiful.

Ok, as for the follow up questions. She likes the look of a round diamond in a cushion setting. This is MAYBE something I have some leeway in not going with, but this is the look she likes, so I am trying to go with it.

The 10k-13k range was initially with ring included, but it seems like to get a nice, thin cushion halo with a round cut diamond may be a little bit pricey. I guess if we go with 10k-13k for the stone now I could maybe stretch the budget to get the nice setting.


Thanks again
Click to expand...

Haha, we were cross-posting! :bigsmile: If that's the look she wants, don't deviate!! Get her what she wants!! :praise:
Click to expand...


TOTALLY AGREE.

If that's what she wants, then that's what I'd shoot for.
 
That Ritani setting is perfect... looks exactly what I was going for - thank you!

I will now look through these stone recommendations... I may have a few more questions but at least it looks like this will be a possibility!!

Thanks
 
RL1085|1380716386|3530668 said:
That Ritani setting is perfect... looks exactly what I was going for - thank you!

I will now look through these stone recommendations... I may have a few more questions but at least it looks like this will be a possibility!!

Thanks
Click to expand...

Good deal, RL!! Can't wait to see what you decide!! :appl:
 
Hi all - I'm still deciding on the diamond to buy, but I think the Ritani setting (thanks msop04!) is perfect and I may sneakily have "confirmed" :) that with the lady.

So - let's say I have purchased a round diamond, what would my steps be to get the stone put in that ritani setting? Do I order it online, go to a jeweler and have them combine setting + diamond? Do I go to a jeweler that stocks that setting, buy it there then have them put the stone in?

Thanks
 
Whiteflash carries Ritani - start looking there. Best to get the stone and setting from the same place. They have excellent stones - look at the A Cut Above's, and their expert selection of ten has some real winners as well (don't look at virtual inventory - just stuff in house).

This looks awesome:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3006743.htm
 
arkieb1|1380676539|3530470 said:
A round stone in a cushion shaped Emilya from Victor would be my recommendation. If you buy the stone from him he will give you a slight discount on the setting. Email him for a complete quote for the whole ring, or tell him your absolute max you can afford and see if he can work with you....
Click to expand...

I was going to say the SAME thing.
 
Is going with stone + setting from one place my only real option? What would I have to do to accomplish it seperately?
 
RL1085|1381191188|3533925 said:
Is going with stone + setting from one place my only real option? What would I have to do to accomplish it seperately?
Click to expand...


It's not a big deal, really. Arrange to insure your stone though Jewelers mutual before sending it to the setting vendor. Plus you will have to pay a fee to set an outside stone. People do it all the time.

But...some people don't want to deal with extra hoops.
 
Sounds good. Now comes the hard part... pulling the trigger on a diamond!
 
I keep coming back to this diamond (suggested by Gypsy)

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.51-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-232416

I'm confused on cut.. is this excellent or ideal? Cut is one item that I want to ensure that I have the highest quality on. Is this a GIA excellent? Is this equivalent to GIA ideal?

Also, it looks eyeclean to me, but can anyone offer insight on what the inclusions represent (based on GIA report).

Also, is there any additional information I should request from JA if I'm looking at this one more closely?

Thanks
 
Honestly instead of a ritani I would possible check out Stardust. One of my favorite PS rings of all time (and was actually reminded of tonight) is a MRB in a cushion Stardust halo. They have several options all priced since they are stock settings. Might be a great choice for you.
http://www.stardustdiamonds.com/index.php?page=gallery&catID=5&searchStyle=&startRow=0&full


opps! My bad I didn't see the lady love confirmed the Ritani setting. Sorry about that! If she has that is great. Honestly there are so many halos out there at great price points. I think this forum really pushes ppl to go custom with a halo when it is more cost effective to look at stock options. If my budget was in your range I would have concentrated on getting the best diamond I possible could for my ering. I have already said this today but a dress change or setting change is a very easy fix. An upgrade/ replacing a diamond is expensive so if you are going to sink 4-6k into a setting when you max budget is 13k I would have called you out for being crazy. Glad to see you are getting the most bang for your buck!

_10996.jpg
 
Thanks for the reply SB

Well, the diamond i was looking at is no longer available. Is there any other stone reccomendations out there that I could take a look at ?

Thanks
 
Help me with something folks.

I know the size (1.5), and I have a good idea about the setting. I keep going back now on color/clarity and trying to balance the 2 to get a reasonable price. Price is keeping the lid on me going for a truly beautiful diamond.

If i know for sure its ideal (or excellent) cut, 1.5, I don't feel like I should compromise on color or clarity either, which I feel like I'm doing.
I guess what I'm saying is i'm willing to jack my budget up a little bit, like say 16-17k for the stone.

If I'm thinking about going up in clarity and color, is going from G-H to the D-E-F range a big deal? Does the "whiteness" truly become visible?

And for clarity, going from SI1 to the VS make a big difference? Does VVS2 ever make sense?

Thanks
 
RL1085|1382057385|3539814 said:
If i know for sure its ideal (or excellent) cut, 1.5, I don't feel like I should compromise on color or clarity either, which I feel like I'm doing.
I guess what I'm saying is i'm willing to jack my budget up a little bit, like say 16-17k for the stone.

If I'm thinking about going up in clarity and color, is going from G-H to the D-E-F range a big deal? Does the "whiteness" truly become visible?

And for clarity, going from SI1 to the VS make a big difference? Does VVS2 ever make sense?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I honestly think you would be very happy all the way down to H color. It's not so much whiteness, but absence of color (a D will look like a clear CZ). H color will still appear very much like the "white" diamond that you're wanting. I think this is a really good deal at $14,780 AND it has the largest spread (HCA 1.3) within your price range (all the way up to $17K). It will be very "white," eye clean, and sparkle like crazy! :naughty: :bigsmile:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-252791

Edit: I mean would be happy with H color!! LOL
 
SB621|1381969780|3539137 said:
Honestly instead of a ritani I would possible check out Stardust. One of my favorite PS rings of all time (and was actually reminded of tonight) is a MRB in a cushion Stardust halo. They have several options all priced since they are stock settings. Might be a great choice for you.
http://www.stardustdiamonds.com/index.php?page=gallery&catID=5&searchStyle=&startRow=0&full


opps! My bad I didn't see the lady love confirmed the Ritani setting. Sorry about that! If she has that is great. Honestly there are so many halos out there at great price points. I think this forum really pushes ppl to go custom with a halo when it is more cost effective to look at stock options. If my budget was in your range I would have concentrated on getting the best diamond I possible could for my ering. I have already said this today but a dress change or setting change is a very easy fix. An upgrade/ replacing a diamond is expensive so if you are going to sink 4-6k into a setting when you max budget is 13k I would have called you out for being crazy. Glad to see you are getting the most bang for your buck!
Click to expand...

This is a beautiful setting -- reminds me of the HW Belle with the corners... :)) My fave is still the Ritani, since it's really well made and in the budget. =)
 
Some of the VS2 diamonds I've been looking at on JA I can see inclusions... is that normal given that they have the 40x maginification??

I think I'm good with the H color as well, that makes sense.
 
RL1085|1382185817|3540597 said:
Some of the VS2 diamonds I've been looking at on JA I can see inclusions... is that normal given that they have the 40x maginification??

I think I'm good with the H color as well, that makes sense.
Click to expand...

I'm so glad you've looked at H color stones -- they really are very white and will allow you to maximize your budget. ;) Most VS2 diamonds are eye clean, but it depends on the type and where the inclusion is located. If it's right in the dead center of the table, then there's a chance they won't be eye clean. And, yes, it is very normal you will see even VS1 inclusions at that type magnification. I, as well as other PS members, have SI clarity stones that are completely eye clean. My stone is an SI1, and even when louped, I honestly had trouble seeing anything. My SA at DD had to get the cert to find the area of the inclusion and really look to show me. I finally saw it, or at least I think I did... but there is no way the human eye would detect this just by looking at my ring. You'll find this to be true as well. :))

Think about it... 40x is ridiculously enlarged. Unless you plan on your FF and her friends and family getting our their loupes and going to town to find inclusions, then I'd just focus on eye cleanliness. ;)) :bigsmile: The great thing about JA, WF, and a few other online vendors is that they actually have these stones in house and can look with their expert eyes and tell you if it's eye clean. Worst case scenario, you send it back -- but I can't think of any posts on PS where this was the case with any of the reputable vendors. I know you want a diamond that your FF will be ecstatic about, but I feel like you may be overthinking it a bit. :halo: It's a lot to take in and a very serious (and expensive) purchase, and you want it to be just right -- no shame in that!

Post the diamonds that you like, but are concerned about the inclusions. There are many here that are very good at predicting if you will be able to see the inclusions.
 
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