Beginning the search! antique style (edwardian) suggestions?

[denverboy]

hi everyone! Well the time has come for me to start searching for an engagement ring! Still don't know when I'll ask the question, but it will be some time between Sept 08 and May 09 I think. My girlfriend has pretty much hinted that she'd like me to choose the ring, and that she wants to be surprised (for this reason, I'm trying not to even ask her many questions like 'soooo what type of rings do you like'). I'm trying to make it seem like it'll be a yr or 2 before I ask her =P

But she also commented once that she'd like a cooler more antique style ring with a bit of uniqueness and elegance. Her taste is simple, yet slightly artsy (NOT over the top at ALL). She's pretty small and skinny.

I've searched some of the older threads and these are some examples of what I like:
style 1 (but I can't find this ring on the jeweler's website)
style 2
style 3

So nothing too bulky.

question 1 - do you think a ring like that would fit the 'style' of my gf from the description I gave above?
question 2 - please if you have suggestions of rings you think I might like, plz post them!
question 3 - if anyone knows of any jewelers in the Denver, CO area that would have stuff like this, please let me know!
question 4 - how much would it cost to get someone to create a custom setting similar to the ones above?

And by the way - I would ideally like to buy the diamond separately (round brilliant cut).

My Budget: around $3000 total (edit: I mean $3000 for the setting AND diamond together)
Oh, and I'm not 100% set on edwardian style, I just happened to like those few ones so far

Thanks! =D

 

[Shaninj4]

You may want to contact SingleStone in LA. They have gorgeous antique repros as well as antique settings!

ETA:
You mean 3,000 for the setting alone?
Singlestone has many gorgeous settings in that price range!

 

[denverboy]

oh sorry i mean $3000 for everything (diamond AND setting)

 

[surfgirl]

I was just at Single Stone looking for a ering for a friend and I dont think they have much if anything in that price range, though it''s worth asking. Your last link to antiqueengagementrings.com is a good one for your price point I think. They have a 30 day return policy and that''s important. Dont buy from Fay Cullen - they only have a 3 day return window, after that you''re screwed. Also, given that your gf doesn''t want to participate in the shopping process, I would strongly advise you to get a ring and be prepared to propose immediately. That way you can show her the ring and assuming she loves it, then get it appraised (or do it before you propose to make sure you''re getting what the seller said you''re getting) and still be within the return period window. If you buy something now and wait 6+ months to propose, you wont be able to return or exchange the ring if she doesn''t love it.

 

[LGK]

Honestly, with that budget I think you would do best to put most all of it in a diamond, then pick a temporary setting. And in a few years, if she wants something more ornate, you could go for a more ornate style. Most of the good repros out would eat up a lot of your budget. There are some nice ones by Beverly K I contemplated seriously; their stuff is quite lovely and well made I hear.

However, I'll mention this too as a possibility. There are a number of places you can get so-so quality but very cheap antique reproduction settings that are recastings of antique rings, that look pretty good from a distance, but up close they usually have some issues. (I have a half dozen or so, some sterling some white gold, but they're set with cheap gemstones not anything I'd be out more than $30 if the stone came out, though.)

http://www.jewelryrings.com is the one I've used the most, and never had an actual defective setting from (like non functional prong or whatever). It might be an OK option at least temporarily, if you realllly don't want a basic temp setting but don't want to spend your budget on a pricey setting. I used one for a temp setting for a while, for a diamond, and it was fine, but I made sure my jeweler OK'd it as sturdy enough. Just be aware you get what you pay for- the castings are usually a little wonky, with asymmetrical bits you find on close inspection, but I personally found it worked better for me than a plain temp setting- I knew it wasn't perfect but it was much more my taste & style.

I think your GF sounds like she might be OK with a basic setting though, if she wasn't fond of that look I'm sure she'd have made sure you knew it.

 

[tradergirl]

Single stone has nice stuff but very expensive (I would say overpriced).

Here''s a place to look at. These guys also sell on Ebay with a "buy it now or best offer" so you might be able to negotiate price if you like something.

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/

 

[denverboy]

thanks for the suggestions/advice everyone!

About my budget again... I guess I'd be ok w/ $3,500 as long as it didn't get above that. I'm trying to save up for a house downpayment at the same time and pay off my student loans, so I think that is my max.
So we could break that down to $1,000 on the setting, and $2,500 on the diamond, give or take a few hundered on each one.

Also, littlegreykitten - You had a good strategy/option there, but after my initial browsing online, I still think that I can get a "quality" setting & diamond for my budget. My gf is simple and doesn't expect (and wouldn't want) a very expensive ring w/ a huge diamond. I was thinking the diamond would be 0.6 - 0.7 carrot w/ color J or better, clarity SI2 or better (preferably SI1). To me, this size/quality diamond is just fine. What do you guys think?

oh, and I was thinking I'd like the setting to be platinum if possible just b/c of what I've read and heard about it's ability to last longer w/o maintenance.

Random question - How much can a ring size be increased/decreased typically?

 

[vintagelover229]

Date: 7/10/2008 9:57:34 AM
Author: denverboy
thanks for the suggestions/advice everyone!

About my budget again... I guess I''d be ok w/ $3,500 as long as it didn''t get above that. I''m trying to save up for a house downpayment at the same time and pay off my student loans, so I think that is my max.
So we could break that down to $1,000 on the setting, and $2,500 on the diamond, give or take a few hundered on each one.

Also, littlegreykitten - You had a good strategy/option there, but after my initial browsing online, I still think that I can get a ''quality'' setting & diamond for my budget. My gf is simple and doesn''t expect (and wouldn''t want) a very expensive ring w/ a huge diamond. I was thinking the diamond would be 0.6 - 0.7 carrot w/ color J or better, clarity SI2 or better (preferably SI1). To me, this size/quality diamond is just fine. What do you guys think?

oh, and I was thinking I''d like the setting to be platinum if possible just b/c of what I''ve read and heard about it''s ability to last longer w/o maintenance.

Random question - How much can a ring size be increased/decreased typically?

You are going to take a HUGE chunk out of your budget going with platinum. Read this link to decide if thats really the route you want to go. Another options is palladium if you want to go that route. The first link it platinum vs. palladium, the next WG vs. platinum

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/platinum-or-palladium.78629/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/why-do-b-m-jewelers-discourage-platinum.38716/



As for the ring size....it really depends on the ring. If it has lots of side stones...perhaps a size up or down. It''s its eternity...no room for anything I believe. The experts will correct me if I''m wrong of course

 

[innerkitten]

Hi Have you checked www.langantiques.com or wannabuyawatch.com

Here a a few http://www.langantiques.com/type/5/5/list_view/high/page-10

 

[surfgirl]

tradergirl, actually Single Stone isn't that expensive if you want a high quality stone and/or setting. They're very reasonably priced in fact. They have very good prices for what they're selling and since they supply many antique dealers/shops across the country, you'll get a much better price going directly through them, but yes, their price points for erings probably start at about $5k or so and those are small rings.

Israel Rose (aka New York Estate Jewelry) is, IMO, good only if one is going to immediately take the ring for an independent appraisal and present it to the woman right away because they only have a 5-7 day return policy and you must pay a re-stocking fee if you return, not to mention shipping and insurance. Yes they have rings in the OP's price range but still, it's best to see in person if you can make the trip to NYC.

All that aside, OP, please dont keep raising your budget if you really shouldn't! You're saving for a house and paying off student loans and given that, your budget seems reasonable. May I ask, are you open to your lady upgrading her ring at a later point in life, when you're more financially comfortable? I ask because if so, putting more into the stone makes sense. You also dont say if she really is set on a new stone or an antique stone. If she's open to a new stone in an antique style setting, you may be able to put something together more easily, from an online dealer who can get you into a nicer stone in your budget...Why dont you call Jon at GOG and give him your budget and let him know what you're thinking and see what he can come up with. Then come back here and show us what he's suggesting and we can help you further. FYI, Jon's mother deals in antique jewelery so between the two of them, perhaps they can get you what you want and keep you in budget...

 

[denverboy]

surfgirl, just to answer your q''s - I think she''d like a new stone in an antique style setting. As for upgrading the ring later... I don''t think I would want to do that unless she grows to hate it for some reason haha

and what exactly is "jon at GOG" ? is that a store? I tried googling it but didn''t find a website =/

 

[innerkitten]

GOG is goodoldgold.com
If you like the antique look but don''t want an antique maybe you should look at the Beverley K. settings on pearlmans

 

[Lexie]

GOG = Good Old Gold

 

[surfgirl]

Date: 7/10/2008 12:59:38 PM
Author: denverboy
surfgirl, just to answer your q''s - I think she''d like a new stone in an antique style setting. As for upgrading the ring later... I don''t think I would want to do that unless she grows to hate it for some reason haha

and what exactly is ''jon at GOG'' ? is that a store? I tried googling it but didn''t find a website =/

Well you know what? That''s a better situation for you then. Because I think Jon could help you find a great stone and an antique style setting and/or his mom might have a setting around that would work. If you look at the banner at the top of the page you''ll eventually see a Good Old Gold banner you can click on, or do a search. Jon''s a very easy guy to work with and his team really puts a lot of energy into each customer regardless of how much you''re spending. I''d be interested in seeing what he comes up with as options for you...

 

[denverboy]

I am going to try to contact GOG in the next week or two (been busy lately) to see what they can come up with.

Another question for you guys though - say I go to a local jeweler with photos of the ring I like (lets say "style 1" above that I posted). Is it possible (and if so, how much do you think it would cost) for them to basically create a custom (or copied) setting just like it. Since some of them seem pretty intricate, I have no idea if this is easily done or how much it would be.