Advice on engagement ring, please?

[NYCBride12]

Hi friends,

My fiancee and I recently bought an engagement ring at a family-owned jeweler on Long Island.

It is an estate ring, .61 carats, VS1 clarity - I don't know the color grade, octillion cut. It is a solitaire setting in platinum. We paid $1900.

It's a pretty ring! But when I brought it home I realized that inside it says "The Zales" with a small diamond.

I have a week to return it.

I have three questions:

1. I've heard TERRIBLE things about the quality of Zales settings and diamonds - that the diamonds often fall out, for example, or that the octillion points break off. Should I be worried about this?

2. Is $1900 fair for this ring?

3. I don't think that the diamond is as fiery as the European diamond it's replacing (long story). Am I imagining that?

4. We were hoping to find an estate ring within our budget - about $2000-$2300 - with a solitaire about .60 or a center stone of about .50 with delicate side baguettes. (I like settings that make the stone look like it's a square, or square-ish, even if it's round). If I return this ring, is the search hopeless?

What would you do?

We are in knots and would appreciate your advice!

 

[NYCBride12]

Here's a photo of the ring, if that's helpful....

 

[LibbyLA]

There are several people here who are really "up" on old cut diamonds. I'll bet they'll find something lovely for you within your budget. I would take that back and get something you really love.

Here's one way under budget, 18K white gold, pretty setting with square head: http://www.ebay.com/itm/280605894557?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 (Can't tell much about the quality of the diamond from the photos, am not sure about return policy.)

old mine cut solitaire: http://www.ebay.com/itm/261017801339?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

another possibility, not in a square head: http://www.ebay.com/itm/230786927341?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-02ct-DIAMOND-VINTAGE-FILIGREE-ART-DECO-ROUND-BEZEL-FLORAL-ENGAGEMENT-RING-OEC-/150811555549?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_with_Accents&hash=item231d11b6dd (don't know if you like the setting)

square head, way under budget: http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-59ct-Si1-VINTAGE-EUROPEAN-CUT-DIAMOND-ENGAGEMENT-RING-ORIGINAL-ESTATE-PIECE-/400296658849?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_with_Accents&hash=item5d338a47a1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-56ct-OLD-MINE-CUT-F-G-COLOR-ORIGINAL-ANTIQUE-18K-VINTAGE-ENGAGEMENT-RING-1920s-/170839529513?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item27c6d45829

Here are a couple of old cut stones under budget, you could have either set the way you want it: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/2-tranny-oec-s-for-sale-5-86mm-and-5-77mm-t175327.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/2-tranny-oec-s-for-sale-5-86mm-and-5-77mm-t175327.html[/URL] (There may be more in preloved, I know there are a couple that are a little over budget.)

You should be able to find something nice for your budget. I got a .75 ct. OEC in a square setting for $1700 not too long ago. Here's the thread with photos if you're interested. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/3-4-ct-oec-ring-here-soon.172522/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/3-4-ct-oec-ring-here-soon.172522/[/URL]

liz

 

[Gypsy]

OMG. Yes, we can find you something amazeballs for that budget. Return that thing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140586057275?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Offer 1900 for this one. And I'd only pay that because it's GIA certified and higher color for an old cut and it's a low risk sale.

If you are okay with higher risk (no certification listings for old cuts) I can find you something less expensive or larger depending on your color tolerances.

 

[Gypsy]

Another option: http://diamondbistro.com/category/215/Loose-natural-Diamonds/listings/28777/57mm-Old-European-Cut.html I'd probably just go for this one, bigger, cheaper and a reputable PSer.

 

[NYCBride12]

This is so nice of all of you, thank you!! I can't believe how helpful you are.

The budget is for a ring and setting - I feel like settings alone can sometimes be so expensive - and I'd like an estate setting - so maybe I need to buy stone and setting together? Or is it better to buy them separately?

 

[Christina...]

OMG. Yes, we can find you something amazeballs for that budget. Return that thing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140586057275?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Offer 1900 for this one. And I'd only pay that because it's GIA certified and higher color for an old cut and it's a low risk sale.

If you are okay with higher risk (no certification listings for old cuts) I can find you something less expensive or larger depending on your color tolerances.

 

[LibbyLA]

If you can find a complete ring that you like that's within your budget, that's the best option. However, you may not like some of the complete rings, so you're also getting suggestions for loose stones so you can choose a setting. It may be difficult to find an estate setting to fit the loose stone you choose, but you may be able to find a vintage or antique style setting.

Here's a listing in preloved that is out of budget, but scroll down to see the fishtail setting that the diamond was reset into. I don't have any idea how much the setting cost, but it is the square head style you said you like.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/0-97ct-oec-i-vs2-egl-t173769.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/0-97ct-oec-i-vs2-egl-t173769.html[/URL]

liz

 

[Mico]

IDJ had this up on their ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-95CT-Round-Ideal-Cut-Diamond-Solitaire-Ring-H-SI1-14K-/180782973642?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item2a178142ca

didn't look into the specifics, but why not ask them if they can help you?

 

[rubybeth]

Here's a listing in preloved that is out of budget, but scroll down to see the fishtail setting that the diamond was reset into. I don't have any idea how much the setting cost, but it is the square head style you said you like.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/0-97ct-oec-i-vs2-egl-t173769.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/0-97ct-oec-i-vs2-egl-t173769.html[/URL]

liz

That setting is super cheap, $155 in 14k white gold: http://diamondbistro.com/category/196/Rings/listings/24564/Beautiful-Vintage-Style-Fishtail-Setting.html

So if you liked any of the stones Gypsy posted, the setting would be easy to fit in under budget.

ETA: also, maybe this is a dumb question, but what is an octillion cut?

 

[NYCBride12]

LibbyLA - Liz? - I lo-v-e this one that you found:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280605894557?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

may I ask what your search terms are?

That's such a nice option and makes me relax about returning the ring I have!

I feel nervous to buy something this expensive online/on EBay - if if others have had good experiences, I will continue to look around there!

 

[NYCBride12]

RubyBeth,

Thanks for the link! An octillion setting is an octagon-shaped setting that is (I believe) copyrighted by Zales. It has over 80 points. In my own (recent) experience, staring at this diamond on my finger, I can say that the edges are more sparkly, but the center seems surprisingly lifeless. The cut is really cool though, feeling both round and square at the same time - or, like a round diamond with a bit of a street edge.

 

[NYCBride12]

Mico,

Wow! Thank you! Also a beautiful ring. It seems TOO inexpensive, though, for the specs? Does the dealer have a good reputation?

It's nice to have so many lovely options! Thank you all very much. I'm planning to return this ring and keep looking.

 

[rubybeth]

I feel nervous to buy something this expensive online/on EBay - if if others have had good experiences, I will continue to look around there!

Just look for vendors with good feedback AND a return period that works for you. Some places will only give you 3 days, which isn't really enough time to have an independent appraiser analyze it, but 7-14 days is usually a good amount of time to decide.

When searching eBay for antique or vintage rings, sometimes I use different search terms than the technical names for things, since some people don't know jewelry/jewelry terminology. I look for words like 'old diamond' or 'estate diamond' in addition to 'old european' and 'old mine.' Sometimes 'bad' photos are hiding a diamond in the rough, so to speak, so if you see something that just has one or two bad photos but seems promising, asking the seller to take some macro images face on of the diamond can work.

Can't wait to see what you find and decide on!

ETA: no idea about this seller, would want to ask some questions, but would this fit your ideal? http://www.etsy.com/listing/96622268/antique-unique-14k-white-gold-engagment??

 

[Mico]

Yeah, I just bought my diamond and ring from IDJ, they came highly recomended from the forum (idjewelry.com), I worked with Yekutiel and finalized my ring etc a couple days ago

here's another:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/jwl/3001635403.html

I'm randomly searching for spacers and when I come across things I try to post them. Sometimes I should probably read more than the size and price

 

[LibbyLA]

NYCbride12,

I'm not sure what search term I used to find that one. I've had it on my watch list for a couple or three months, maybe? It turned up in some search that I did and I liked it so I just watch-listed it.

If you find something you like, you can ask here if anyone has had experience with the vendor. I posted several links from DZ (DiamondZone, or mydiamondzone on ebay). I got my OEC from them and they were a pleasure to do business with. I know some others here have purchased from them, as well.

I am sure that you will be able to find something that you love with help from some folks here. There are a few special PSers who have a knack for finding beautiful OMC/OEC/transitional diamonds and jewelry. They are also good about double-checking return policies and looking at all the little details to make sure that things go well for you. I'd return the ring you have ASAP because you can definitely do a lot better.

liz

 

[Gypsy]

This is so nice of all of you, thank you!! I can't believe how helpful you are.

The budget is for a ring and setting - I feel like settings alone can sometimes be so expensive - and I'd like an estate setting - so maybe I need to buy stone and setting together? Or is it better to buy them separately?

I can find you a gorgeous setting for that diamond. But it's 500 bucks. So, yes a ring and setting together would be prefereed and I know I can find you something lovely for your budget. Otherwise I'd buy for the stone now, stick it in a 175 temporary solitaire like the ones linked to above and upgrade to a nicer setting after you save up for one.

 

[LibbyLA]

Similar to my ring, well under budget:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-14K-WHITE-GOLD-OLD-EUROPEAN-CUT-DIAMOND-SOLITAIRE-ENGAGEMENT-RING-/110874761722?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_with_Accents&hash=item19d0a699fa#ht_6794wt_929

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-14K-GOLD-OLD-EUROPEAN-CUT-DIAMOND-SOLITAIRE-ENGAGEMENT-RING-Signed-GMCo-/110874761724?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_with_Accents&hash=item19d0a699fc#ht_6804wt_929

liz