Can not make a decision

[enelson]

Hello again,

I am still very frustrated in what ring I want. I do have a "small" budget. I am saying that because we know of a few couples who have gotten married recently who bought the nicer ring, but do not have a place to live. In that said I am not sure what to do. I really like this vintage looking ring on http://www.faycullen.com/rings/800/e515r8ds.html. I really really like it. Even though the actual diamond is small, it gives a grander look on the finger. Also it is platinum, and on sale. If I were to have them make it in white gold, it would cost more than the one on the website. My other idea that I am toying with is getting a solitaire with a plain setting. I could get a little bit bigger diamond, and replace the setting later on. So I need the following help:

$2,000 is my budget, but I am willing to go over a little if it would be worth the deal in the long run

1) Do I get the vintage ring(which I have always wanted) with the smaller diamond?

2) Do I get the larger diamond in a plain setting?

Please give me some advice. I am looking to buy this month.

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Hi, Emily Rose!

I have to say, I love the Fay Cullen ring you posted! W

W!!!

In fact, my wedding band is from Fay Cullen, so I''m a little partial to her stuff!

How much bigger of a diamond were you looking at if you go with the solitaire setting? If it''s a good bit bigger and/or higher quality than the Fay Cullen diamond, you might be better off to go with that for now, and then maybe have it reset later in a setting from Fay Cullen when finances allow.

I know how hard these decisions can be. Good luck, and let us know what you decide!

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

Emily,

The advantage of the Fay Cullen ring is that it would make a pretty e-ring now and a great right hand ring when you get your bigger diamond. Just make sure you familiarize yourself with Fay Cullen''s return policy as I have heard it is not great. Having said that, the ring looks like a good price to me for what it is. That ring has a cool design.

Alternatively, here are some diamonds from GoodOldGold.com if you want to go the solitaire route (Jonathan can set the diamond into a solitaire setting for you):

A gorgeous .65 ct. H/SI1 round at $1930 http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4356/
An equally pretty .63 ct. I/SI1 round at $1646 http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3823/

He can also get you something bigger for $2,000. Just email or call him and ask. I bought my diamond from him and am looking for another! He is awesome.

As far as settings go, I have been looking at Beverley K rings at Pearlman''s Jewelers and I am amazed at how good the price points are. You might want to have a look. They make new rings like the Fay Cullen one and they can make them custom for your diamond. Here is one: http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/beverley-k-jewelry/rings/79PP1/54/ This is just an example, of course. And some of the Beverley K styles are designed to accomodate a wedding band. I myself have been looking at their halos and they are so pretty in real life. Their wedding bands are awesome too, if you go the solitaire route maybe later you could add some cool stacking bands on each side!

Hope that helps! I know you are in a dilemma. It''s hard when you know you are going to be wearing the ring for a long time.

 

[erica k]

I'm not sure if you know this, but Fay Cullen does not refund your money for $2000 or less purchases (store credit only). If over $2000, they will give you a refund (minus $200 stocking fee), and you have to notify them within 24 hours that you're returning the ring. So, it might not be the best option if you go with something vintage because you'll probably want to spend some time with it before deciding whether or not to keep it.

It looks like you can go up to even a .63ct RB GOG and still have money for a very simple solitaire setting.

What about an antique bezel setting?
.53 ct old mine cut ETA. oops, this is over your budget, too. Sigh!
.60 RB (a little over your budget)

If you go with a larger stone now, there's the option of a re-set with halo or other design.

Here's my .50 ct in a wg setting. It cost $2,500 (canadian diamond, F SI2, reclaimed gold), size 5.5. You can definitely get bigger than this for less (the setting was $800, and canadian stones are more expensive than the average WF/GOG stone).

 

[Bliss]

If it were me, I would go with the Fay Cullen. There, you get a really gorgeous vintage look for less. It's a statement piece and quite lovely! You are right, it has a very grand look & has presence.

The question is, are you more concerned about finger coverage and a grand look or are you more of a diamond lover? The .6+ carat diamonds are quite grand, too! And they are substantial.

What's more grand to you? Style and finger coverage or more center diamond? I think that's the key.

 

[E B]

This diamond from WF looks nice:

.661 J, SI1 H&A $1356

It's under budget, so you don't have to necessarily choose a plain setting. Maybe something like this?

Engraved Cathedral $595

Or if you wanted to go a little over budget, add some sparkle:

Flush-Fit Diamond Engagement Ring $795

 

[Lexie]

Some other web sites that feature some nice antique/vintage rings aside from Lang Antiques, would be: AntiqueEngagementRings.com, Israel Rose, Topazery, and Single Stone

To be perfectly honest, the return policy for Fay Cullen seems somewhat worrisome, and the craftsmanship could be better, but if it''s what you truly want, then go for it!

Otherwise, you may find something equally awesome in the aforementioned links

 

[E B]

You could also do something like this:

.54ct I, SI1 EX/EX GIA $996 wire, ask to see the cert/images

In one of these antique-ish settings:

Antique-style Swirl Engagement Ring $800

Diamond Halo Engagement Ring $950

...and still be in budget. You've got a ton of options at your fingertips!

 

[vintagelover229]

Congrats on your engagement! I was looking at Fay cullen as well, but after reading about them, I decided to avoid them. They ahve some beautiful stuff, but I have heard that if you have any issues with their product, well they can sometimes be not the nicest to people. That''s just what I heard. I love antique setting, but I ended up with a simple solitare because I wanted to get something that I can upgrade to a bigger diamond later, and THEN have my dream ring custom made. I know I have to wait for it, but it gives me something to look forward to. Here is a link to a site I was looking at
http://www.danforthdiamond.com/engagement_rings/120/60/1/engagement_rings.html

Im not sure why on this site palladium is cheaper (if you don''t know what it is just type it in, it''s ususally more expensive than WG but not on this site, it''s actually cheaper! I wanted palladium but the store we bought from doesn''t carry it

).

They have some really nice antique styles to consider and the link I gave you is actually for both the band and the ring. If you just want the e-ring and not the band right away it will be cheaper. Here is that link
http://www.danforthdiamond.com/engagement_rings/40/60/1/engagement_rings.html

If I were in your shoes I''d get a diamond from GOG/WF/ because they have great upgrading poilicys and they are wonderful to work with.
You might want to check out this one http://www.marleneharriscol.com/categories/EngagementRingMountings/M114.html

and http://www.marleneharriscol.com/categories/EngagementRingMountings/M155.html


I hope this helped!

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

Everything I have priced in palladium was less expensive than white gold, by a little bit.

 

[Ellen]

I don''t know. If you opted for the simple setting/bigger diamond, it''s not like it would be a huge difference, and it still wouldn''t take up the real estate the FC ring does. And while it would be pretty, the FC ring is really pretty and unique, and bigger over all. I think I vote for the FC.

 

[enelson]

I also found this one on ebay> What does everyone think?http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Platinum-3stone-1ct-Euro-Diamond-Filigree-Ring_W0QQitemZ300230929493QQihZ020QQcategoryZ52570QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

 

[enelson]

Thank you so much. You were very helpful. I don''t think I can pass up a 100% trade up policy. I think I am going to get the solitaire, and upgrade when we can. I found a nice palladium ring on Abiaza that I like.

 

[enelson]

http://www.abazias.com/builder/builder.asp#main

The above is what I believe at this moment I want. My ring size is 5 3/4. A .63 stone for GOG would look proportionate. What do you think about this one? I would do the palladium material. You can also purchase the matching band. I am happy with whom I am with, no matter the size of the diamond. We have our whole life to be in debt, and I don''t want it to be over my ring. We have lived together for a year now. We own our home, have good jobs, and have reliable transportation. We can upgrade on our 5 year anniversary, or I may be smitten over the one I have. It will resemble where we have come from, and where we have to go!

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

A .63 ct. diamond is awesome! My first one was .24 ct. and we weren''t young. My fiance just had no money (still doesn''t after 16 years of marriage-LOL!) I did not see what you were referring to on Abazias. Why not ask the diamond vendor you select for help with a setting? Marie at GoodOldGold is great, if you use them. She can help you find something you would love. I guarantee you will love everyone there!