Advice on Engagement ring for new guy.

[ianmc]

Firstly just want to say this forum is great to learn about engagement rings.

Accoring to my gf she believes the setting is more important than the centre diamond. I know this is probably backwards to how everyone here thinks. We went into spence diamonds which is a large B&M diamond store here in Ontario to narrow down setting ideas. She basically picked one out there and it was of a halo style. There was also one at birks she loved but the prices there are just ridiculous for what you get. (my uneducated opinion).

Do you guys think i should spend more and get a "flashy" halo setting like this one at spence diamonds or like this one at Birks that she loved..note the low profile.

Or should i buy a fairly low halo with less diamonds like this Whiteflash Halo Bezel and spend more on a good quality diamond?

Another thing she mentioned is if she gets one that splits like this james allen one that she doesn't have to wear a wedding band.

I'm just feeling overwhelmed and don't want to screw up.

 

[JulieN]

The difference in price is really all mark-up. The Birks one is not flashier than the WF one; they are more similar than not.

 

[Anon-E-Mouse]

In my personal, unbiased, and equally overwhelmed opinion. . . work with WhiteFlash. Talk to Bob. He stocks rounds and will likely have something that will work for you at a decent price. And check out ERD, also outstanding.

 

[ianmc]

In my personal, unbiased, and equally overwhelmed opinion. . . work with WhiteFlash. Talk to Bob. He stocks rounds and will likely have something that will work for you at a decent price. And check out ERD, also outstanding.

I sent whiteflash an email a few days ago regarding gold composition and some guy named bob responded back. So I think i am already semi-working with him. Good to know he's recommended.

 

[yssie]

I prefer the WF. The Birks one honestly looks a bit like a landed flying saucer to me - the WF cathedral adds a classic elegance. The JA is pretty but looks to have a higher profile.

 

[antelope1]

My $0.02:

It seems like the major differences between the WF setting and the Birks and Spence settings was that the two she liked in person had pave on the rim of the halo. That is, little diamonds on top and little diamonds on the side too. I'd ask WF if they can do a semi-custom for you and put diamonds on the edge of the halo (since this is a feature that she likes). I don't think it would add that much to the cost (compared to getting the Birks, whoooa).

Also, the WF setting is a cathedral, so if she liked the Birks setting, I'm betting that she liked it because it was low and she thought, "Oh, that will not get caught on stuff" -- but the best non-catchy setting option is a cathedral, IMO because the shank meets the halo and there is nothing sticking out. I imagine a lot of stuff can get caught under a halo and if you pulled hard enough, maybe it would just pop off! Maybe. I dunno, I have a vivid imagination, I guess.

So I'd get the WF setting, ask for diamonds on the side of the halo, and put my cash into a nicer center stone.

Good luck!

 

[lknvrb4]

I like the JA one and then the WF. The first two seemed kind of cookie cutter for me. You will get better quality working with WF or JA. Just my opinion.

 

[packrat]

I prefer the WF or JA rings over the other two, personally. I don't care for the profile of the Birks one at all, and the Spence one just feels off to me somehow. If she wants split shank, I'd go w/the JA, otherwise I'd do WF. I'm not sure about w/JA but I know w/WF you can customize things as someone mentioned above.

 

[slg47]

I believe WF custom made a halo setting for someone that had the little 'saucer' or 'donut' just sitting on top of the band, instead of the cathedral. I can try to find it--it is rather similar to the birks setting if you customized it to add the diamonds on the side of the halo.

Like some of the other posters, I prefer the look of the cathedral, but you should get what makes your GF happy and what she wants!

ETA here is the link to the custom setting that WF did but unfortunately I couldn't find any pictures of the profile. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-custom-halo-from-wf.152456/#post-2800375?hilit=custom%20WF%20halo#p2800375']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-custom-halo-from-wf.152456/#post-2800375?hilit=custom%20WF%20halo#p2800375[/URL]

 

[ianmc]

Firstly Pricescopers thanks for all the fast input!

Antelope nailed it right on the head. My gf is worried about the ring getting caught on things and wants something functional. Which makes no sense because the underside of the halo could easily get caught on something as well.

Now that someone stated that the birks ring looks like a flying saucer i can't get that out of my mind! I think the WF Bezel one is low enough and definitely looks more elegant. Also with the WF i think you can get more diamond for the money than the other two places. Thanks for the link on the custom halo by WF, I think that is very much like the birks one.

Trying to customize the WF setting seems to be the best option. I haven't exactly told my gf that I am getting an E-ring but i'm pretty sure she'll say yes regardless.

Thanks for everyones input.