Advice and guidance?

[cafemocha]

My boyfriend and I have been searching for the perfect ring for a few weeks now, and our heads are spinning! There is so much information online and there are so many vendors to choose from online and locally...making a choice is very difficult and we''re feeling a little paralyzed.

We have finally narrowed down what we''re looking for. I really like the style of the Tiffany Novo setting but I want an RB stone (and don''t want my boyfriend to pay Tiffany''s prices). I''ve seen the Novo replica setting by Excel, and I''m not sure it''s exactly right for me (although it''s so difficult to tell in pictures vs. actually trying it on).

I think this James Allen setting could be nice > http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-2853_design.asp?module=setting

Are any of you familiar with it, and with how similar it may or may not be to the Novo setting?

We have done exhaustive searches for stones on Blue Nile, Amazon, and a variety of other Web sites. We''ve also visited three B&M stores locally as well as a diamond wholesaler. I think our final steps are to contact GOG and ERD to try to find the right stone at the right price.

The type of stone we''re looking for is:

Around 2 ct.
G-H in color
SI1 to SI2
Very good or better cut
GIA certified

His total budget is around $16,000 or less for the stone and the setting. We''re thinking we''d like to find a stone around $15,000 or less and then spend ~$1k on the setting.

I guess my main questions are:

1. Are we going about this the right way? Is there anything I may be missing or not thinking of? The seemingly massive pool of stones to choose from is dizzying. I''m hoping that some one-to-one contact with GOG and ERD will help make it seem less crazy.

2. I''ve read a variety of threads on buying your stone from one place and the setting from another. Is it usually best to have the setting shipped to the vendor you buy your stone from and have them set it? Or the other way around?

Sorry for the verbose first post...we''re really hoping to come to a decision soon and I thought perhaps you all could give me a nudge in the right direction.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/3/2008 11:24:06 PM
Author:cafemocha
My boyfriend and I have been searching for the perfect ring for a few weeks now, and our heads are spinning! There is so much information online and there are so many vendors to choose from online and locally...making a choice is very difficult and we're feeling a little paralyzed.

We have finally narrowed down what we're looking for. I really like the style of the Tiffany Novo setting but I want an RB stone (and don't want my boyfriend to pay Tiffany's prices). I've seen the Novo replica setting by Excel, and I'm not sure it's exactly right for me (although it's so difficult to tell in pictures vs. actually trying it on).

I think this James Allen setting could be nice > http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/ring/item_58-2853_design.asp?module=setting

Are any of you familiar with it, and with how similar it may or may not be to the Novo setting? I am not that well up on settings, but that looks nice to me!

We have done exhaustive searches for stones on Blue Nile, Amazon, and a variety of other Web sites. We've also visited three B&M stores locally as well as a diamond wholesaler. I think our final steps are to contact GOG and ERD to try to find the right stone at the right price.

The type of stone we're looking for is:

Around 2 ct. Look a little below also as that could help the budget.
G-H in color Consider I and J colour also again to help the budget if you are fine with it.
SI1 to SI2 Check carefully with the vendor that the diamond is eyeclean to your standards.
Very good or better cut Evaluate each diamond on it's own proportions, feel free to post here and we will help.
GIA certified also consider AGS.

His total budget is around $16,000 or less for the stone and the setting. We're thinking we'd like to find a stone around $15,000 or less and then spend ~$1k on the setting.

I guess my main questions are:

1. Are we going about this the right way? Is there anything I may be missing or not thinking of? The seemingly massive pool of stones to choose from is dizzying. I'm hoping that some one-to-one contact with GOG and ERD will help make it seem less crazy. That would make life easier by contacting either of these vendors to help steer you through the process. I have worked with Lesley H at Whiteflash if you would like the name of someone to contact, she was wonderful!

2. I've read a variety of threads on buying your stone from one place and the setting from another. Is it usually best to have the setting shipped to the vendor you buy your stone from and have them set it? Or the other way around? It would be best to clarify your particular situation with the vendor you purchase your stone from, to make sure the diamond is covered against damage whilst being set, so best to check.

Sorry for the verbose first post...we're really hoping to come to a decision soon and I thought perhaps you all could give me a nudge in the right direction.

Thanks for your help!

I would also suggest maybe considering some I and J colours if you are ok with that, to broaden the options for the budget and also look around perhaps a bit below 2 carats if you are agreeable.

Here is a diamond from James Allen which might fit the bill if eyeclean -

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1155344.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

 

[cafemocha]

I would also suggest maybe considering some I and J colours if you are ok with that, to broaden the options for the budget and also look around perhaps a bit below 2 carats if you are agreeable.

Thanks, Lorelei! I appreciate your advice. I have been looking at more I color stones and think that perhaps I should see a well-cut I in person before ruling it out. I''ve always thought I was very sensitive to color, but the recent forum posts from very satisfied I-color owners are making me rethink my criteria.

Thanks again! I think we''re getting closer.