Been lurking for a while, need your opinons!!!!

[bmaynard06]

This may be lengthy, just a forewarning! But I hope you can help!!!

Hey everyone!!!! I just want to say, i'm so glad that I found this site! I have learned so much just lurking around here for the past week or two! And boy am I glad, the gf and I had been browsing in many many B&M stores, and that may have lead to a big mistake. At least I got an idea of what she likes .

I found out she likes Princess cut, and 3 Stone or Halo (I would have to pick, she that was enough info lol)

So i've been searching and have found a few Natalie K. Rings that I really like, and think she would love (3 Stone & Halo's lol)...
So I inquired pricing through firenze, as there one of the bigger online carriers of that designer. I also then went back and forth with BGD (Denise was great, sooo helpfullll!), but when the quote returned for a custom ring close to it was only about $25 cheaper the the original.

So.....
Today I journeyed to a local jeweler who carries Natalie K. They were very nice, and very helpful, I just want to check how good/bad of a deal this is (as i'm still not the most knowledgable on diamonds). I mean I originally intended to do a complete e-ring, but the price difference wasn't substantial for the setting I want, and I really do enjoy the comfort of it being local and being able to see it.

So anyway, I originally found this ring, which is what I was hoping to find (but I cant even find it on the Natalie K. website, so I think its an older design)



So we talked and I found this ring


oh and the ring is located at http://www.nataliek.com/bridal-sets/bridal-collection/nk15678eng.html


And we talked about doing some custom work to it. So what we decided is to pretty much redo the whole shank (whole ring portion right? sorry for my lack of knowledge of terms) with a little wider band, sort of like the first one, with 5 princess cut diamonds channel set on each side (I was reading how pave could possibly fall out easier, and I like the look of channel set anyway).

So the ring would be set up as follows
14k Gold Natalie K base w/
2 princess cut supporting stones @.47 ctw
76 round around the halo @ .35 ctw
then add
10 princess cut channel set @ .5 ctw
So roughly 1.32 ctw G-H VS-SI1
for around 3300

Now the center diamond they showed me was a princess cut
GIA Cert., but I didnt see a cut grade (is this bad?). But I did get some data from the label
1.02 ctw
VS2
F Color
Depth 66%
Table 70%
Dimensions (5.9x5.81x3.86)
for $5200 (probably a little high a?)

So a total of 8600 otd (which is in my budget of 8-9k)
(they said they would pay the tax for me)

So, sorry for the long long story, but overall, what do you think? That bad of a buy? Should I stick to an e-ring? I feel more comfortable buying in store (if reasonably priced), but there close, and offer a lifetime warranty on work/ring (other than loss or theft, etc..)

Thanks again in advance!!!!

 

[Stone-cold11]

GIA do not grade fancy cut in cut performance, that includes princess. The only lab that grades the cut performance of a princess is AGS. Ask them to bring in an AGS0 cut graded princess and compared it to that princess.

 

[bmaynard06]

You mean as far as comparing the two?

I mean can you tell much about it by the stats I posted? I viewed the diamond via a loupe, and it seem much better than things I've seen at previous stores. I didn't get a chance to see it under a microscope though.

Also, I mean I realistically only have about 5500 for a 1ct, can I afford an ags0?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Truthfully, I really like the design of the first ring picture, but I really do not like the sharp edges of the second one. I'd really rather see you have one like the first one custom made.

 

[bmaynard06]

You know what I didn't even really notice that until now. I really don't think it's dramatic in person, I don't remember it that way. I think from an angle it's not as dramatic

 

[Stone-cold11]

You mean as far as comparing the two?

I mean can you tell much about it by the stats I posted? I viewed the diamond via a loupe, and it seem much better than things I've seen at previous stores. I didn't get a chance to see it under a microscope though.

Also, I mean I realistically only have about 5500 for a 1ct, can I afford an ags0?

Nope, numbers are useless to judge a princess cut as the facets angles are not constraints by these 2 numbers. You do not view the cut performance of a diamond with a loupe.

5.5k easily.
GOG has 3 in your specs and price range.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8122/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8124/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8125/ Not a D IF, but a H VS2 as stated in the report.

 

[Gibson486]

You mean as far as comparing the two?

I mean can you tell much about it by the stats I posted? I viewed the diamond via a loupe, and it seem much better than things I've seen at previous stores. I didn't get a chance to see it under a microscope though.

Also, I mean I realistically only have about 5500 for a 1ct, can I afford an ags0?

Nope, numbers are useless to judge a princess cut as the facets angles are not constraints by these 2 numbers. You do not view the cut performance of a diamond with a loupe.

5.5k easily.
GOG has 3 in your specs and price range.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8122/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8124/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8125/ Not a D IF, but a H VS2 as stated in the report.

Yup....and your setting, since it's gold, will not cost 3K....so you will be under budget.

 

[dreamer_dachsie]

As for the princess cuts, cut quality is what you need so it will sparkle. The ones Stone linked look great. The one the store offered has a *very* large table which is not a good thing. Notice the well cut stones from GOG have tables close to 50% and the one you have been offered has a 70% table That one dimension alone tells me you can do better that the one being offered.

I'd personally source the center stone myself online, then have the sides and setting bought locally, but stick to the stock setting not custom. The second design is so much more modern than the first and also more versatile -- she can choose a few different wedding band options. The first one is dated IMO . But if you do go custome, think hard about whether you want to go with your local B&M. Would natali K do the cusom work? If so, fine. If not, then be sure to assess the jewelers bench and their ability to do the cusom work really well.

 

[bmaynard06]

Well even other vendors were over 3k for the setting in 18k gold (not 14k as this one was), so the setting is pretty much is what it is (being a designer). I just need to decide if thats the route I want to go.

As far as the jeweler, he seems to do some good work. I saw some of his previous work, and they have been in business 40+ years, and I cant find much negative info online, so thats a plus.
----And I think Natalie K. doesnt work with the consumer, only businesses

And see I kind of agree about the settings, but the gf loves the "bling", and has stated before that she prefers it when rings have "something going on, on the sides." So thats what made me think to alter the 2nd one.

The one I originally wanted was just beautiful, but the setting alone was about 5k for 18k gold, so thats over budget, and I'm really not comfortable going over that. (i'm trying to stick to my guns haha!)

And I think i'm going to try and go the route you suggest as far as the diamond. I"m going to call the jeweler and let them know that I want to supply my own, and just make sure they dont have a problem with that. Then i'll for sure come back here and see whats available at that exact time.

 

[bmaynard06]

So do you guys think I should do the setting, but look online for a stone?

Any more suggestions on the setting?

Thanks for all the help!!!!

 

[slg47]

I like the 2nd setting better. I agree with Dreamer, it looks more modern. Personally I think halo and 3-stone is 'plenty' going on on the sides but you could definitely get it altered to have channel set sides. If you do go with channel set I would see if you can get the metal on the sides to be less bulky than in the 1st photo.

(examples of thinner channel set)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5500

Also I would ask to see sample custom work from your jeweler and also ask about the price for setting an outside stone.

here is another setting option? 3-stone, no halo
http://www.jamesallen.com/design-your-three-stone-ring/18k-White-Gold-3-Stone-Pave-Set-Diamond-Engagement-Ring.html
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5485 (could have prongs altered)

ETA Faluzure had this one custom made by GOG
http://vimeo.com/19762380

 

[bmaynard06]

I like the 2nd setting better. I agree with Dreamer, it looks more modern. Personally I think halo and 3-stone is 'plenty' going on on the sides but you could definitely get it altered to have channel set sides. If you do go with channel set I would see if you can get the metal on the sides to be less bulky than in the 1st photo.

(examples of thinner channel set)
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5500

Also I would ask to see sample custom work from your jeweler and also ask about the price for setting an outside stone.

here is another setting option? 3-stone, no halo
http://www.jamesallen.com/design-your-three-stone-ring/18k-White-Gold-3-Stone-Pave-Set-Diamond-Engagement-Ring.html
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5485 (could have prongs altered)

I appreciate the response! I agree with the channel set, after looking at it again. I will for sure need to make that note. And I will also ask to see some more custom work from the jeweler to be sure.

And I just learned some more information yesterday (thankfully!), that it seems that the gf only wants a halo around the center stone now, and not the supporting stones. I think I have her talked into going with me to ensure she likes these rings (as she hasnt seen them in person). She was apprehensive at first, because she feels as if its more special to be surprised. But I assured her with such a big purchase, I want to be certain that she will LOVEEE it! I told her the proposal will still be a surprise, and I think she is on the same page now, so that is a plus!