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Clueless guy needs help finding Harry Winston duplicate

EricOSU

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 1, 2012
Messages
13
Hello,

Well, I'm proposing to my girlfriend (applause). I'm obviously thrilled! But this whole engagement ring shopping is difficult! I just tutored myself on the 4 C's and am trying to learn more and more about what I should be looking for and what questions I should be asking when purchasing a diamond or a complete ring. But, if I put myself on a scale from 1 to 10 (1 being clueless and 10 an expert), I'm a 2. Pushing 3. Ok so here's the deal, skip forward to whatever section you find most interseting:

The Story...
I met my girlfriend while working on a cruise ship, and instantly fell in Love (awwwww). She's from Canada, I'm from the States, so we've been figuring out ways to make it work and avoiding the whole long distance relationship. From the time we've met up until now (3 years) we've had too many crazy adventures to count and are currently living in South Korea as English Teachers to cute little Korean students. This August we will go to Las Vegas so our families can meet and well, for me to propose (she has no idea I'm proposing). We're open when we talk about marriage and obviously know it's going to happen.

The Ring...
I'm looking for basically an exact duplicate of the Harry Winston Cushion Cut Micro Pave ring. I made the "wise" decision of taking her into a Harry Winston while in Hawaii and she tried it on and fell in love. However, the price tag is a bit steep for me. So I'm looking at other ways to purchase an engagement ring that would fool anyone to thinking it's the real thing. She already knows I can't afford the real thing (sad face), but she'll love it regardless! My budget is $8,000 - $9,000 and I am hoping for a 1.4 or higher carat. Obviously the other C's are important to me as well. I know that the ring from HW has small diamonds circling the entire band, however from what I've heard it may be best to have them only circle partially (like 70%?). I've attached a picture just in case I may have not given enough info.

Please Help...
Whether you just want to give me a piece of advice or know of a great Jeweler, I'd truly appreciate it. But most importantly, is this feasible with my budget? I don't want the diamond too small but appropriate for her, she's a ring size 7. I'll continue browsing pricescope for more info but in the main time, again, I'd appreciate ANY help you can offer. Thanks a ton and I look forward to what you have to say!!!

Eric

Custom-Cushion-Cut-Micro-Pave-with-Halo-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-by-Whiteflash-20484.jpgcushion%20with%20micropave%20halo%20wiht%20matching%20micropave%20band_0.jpg
 
The best advice I can give you is something is going to have to give. You are NOT going to get a 1.4 carat amazing cushion in a handmade halo for less than 11k for the stone and then another 5k for that halo.
Here's a list of what your choices are:

1) You aren't going to get the best HW type halo with your budget. A really perfect HW type halo will be handforged and will cost you about 4-5k at a minimum.

2. You get a small center stone, but will get a gorgeous ring overall anyway because you spring for that halo.

3. You compromise on both the setting and the stone size. You shoot for a 6k center stone. And you get a great quality CAD setting for 3k.


That's pretty much it. Beginning middle and end.

WHAT I WOULD DO:

I would buy THIS EXACT DIAMOND: http://diamondbistro.com/category/216/Natural-Diamond-Center/listings/27899/GIA-ExEx-101-square-cushion-HVS2-14K-solitaire.html $4,400 for the most beautiful modern cushion you will find. You can't even find 8 main cushions anymore. And certainly NOT at this price. H is white and the clarity is great. Yes, it is pre-loved. But it was a present from one of our members to her mother and now her mother has given it back to her not for any reason but just because. So no bad karma or anything. And in perfect condition.

Then I would contact Steven Kirsch at Timelessluxury.net and ask him for a HW type handmade platinum halo for 4.5k. I would personally do half point melee halo and a 1 point melee band.

And NO ONE will be able to tell you that your ring is ANY less perfect than an ACTUAL HW ring. Seriously and I promise.
 
You are going to have a hard time getting a 1.4 cushion and a Harry winston setting for your budget, unfortunately. All pave is not created equal so you certainly don't want to cut costs on the setting. You can go with a smaller diamond and an excellent setting or put the whole amount into a center stone and set it in an inexpensive solitaire and save up for the setting. I'd suggest calling Mark T at www.engagementringsdirect.. and let him know your budget and she what he can do. He is known for having a great eye for cushions and has produced many HW style halo's.

That stone Gypsy linked and the Steven K. setting would be amazing too and doable with your budget so if you and she are open to a little bit smaller stone this could be a great way to go!
 
Yeah, do what Gypsy said. Her prices are on-target and her solution is too. A 1ct with a halo will be plenty big enough for your girlfriend. The diamond she linked to is amazing. I have been drooling over the pictures since it was posted and wish I could buy it. The way you buy things on DB is to sign up, contact the seller, they will send you an email or a reply message (usually email), and then you will arrange the transaction privately. I've bought multiple things through DB and all the people selling have been excellent to work with. If you would like to arrange an appraiser to act as an escrow, you can do that too, so that he holds the money and is shipped the item, and when he confirms it is what it is supposed to be, he ships the item to you and sends the money along to the seller. I've never done that, I've just paypaled the money, but I've also never bought anything over a thousand dollars on DB.
 
Yes, I agree that the stone listed on diamondbistro is a good buy. The seller is a long time member here and can totally be trusted. Sadly the setting you want is expensive, and that leaves less for the diamond. You took her in the wrong store to try on rings! ;))
 
Yea Im gonna throw one more hand on that pile from what Gypsy said. Perfect solution.
 
ame|1335883492|3184768 said:
Yea Im gonna throw one more hand on that pile from what Gypsy said. Perfect solution.

agreed!

also agree with this what distracts posted...
If you would like to arrange an appraiser to act as an escrow, you can do that too, so that he holds the money and is shipped the item, and when he confirms it is what it is supposed to be, he ships the item to you and sends the money along to the seller. I've never done that, I've just paypaled the money, but I've also never bought anything over a thousand dollars on DB.

a halo adds a LOT of size, so a 1 carat stone in a halo will be quite substantial.

You could also check with ERD (where the cushion on DB was purchased) about making a halo setting-they have done some beautiful hand forged settings recently.

I don't think you can find a prettier cushion, and the price on that stone is amazing.
 
just to chime in here, i just recently purchased an e-ring for my newly fiance and i had my jeweler knock off the HW cushion halo model you're looking at. i must say it looks excellent and he has a great reputation in my city, so i'm quite confident in the quality i received. i ended up with a 1.21ct cushion brilliant, G, VS2, with excellent dimensions, no fluo, etc, plus the ring in platinum, plus the halo and diamonds on the band (3 pointers for all those diamonds) and it all came in to under your budget. she's a size 3.75 and it looks PERFECT. couldn't be happier.
 
Hello and welcome!!!

Dont know what size diamond you can get WITH that exact setting, but I would also definitely contact Mark at ERD. You DO NOT need a hand forged mounting.....If you call Mark, he will defnitely be able to work with your budget to get you the ring your gf wants. His settings are amazing (my SIL has a HW cushion halo- not hand forged- from him and its amazing. I'm sure you can get that setting for way under 4K. He is also super nice to work with and a true gentleman.

Best of luck!!!! :appl:
 
Hey everyone. Thank you so much for all the recommendations! Sorry for the delay in response. But I'm definitely taking everything into consideration. I contacted a family friend who is jeweler and they have quoted this as their offer:

"Here is a list of diamonds that I have in stock.
1.08ct. G SI2 $7,150.00
1.15ct. G SI1 $7,555.00
1.20ct. H I1 $4,950.00
1.38ct. G SI2 $9,950.00
1.40ct. H SI1 $9,795.00
1.52ct. H VS1 $21,750.00

The ring should be around $3000.00 in white gold including the metal, labor, side diamonds. Basically, everything but the center diamond.
Platinum is usually an extra $800 in a style like this."


Now, I have looked around online at the possibility of buying my own diamond from other places and then have it shipped to him to include that in the ring...however, I want to make sure I can ship him an appropriate diamond for this particular ring, as far as I know it should be a cushion cut...but not sure what other specifications it needs to be to look just like the Harry Winston ring picture in my 1st post. For example, I found these two:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1488013.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1457361.asp


I'm really hoping to stay under $9,000, but from what he offers I'm afraid I'll only be able to afford the 1.2ct H I2..which may or may not be an excellent diamond. What do you think? Thanks!
 
^I was first going to suggest the people at engagementringsdirect.com b/c they have HW replicas. I am currently working with them now to have a custom setting done. Check out their site : http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/harry-winston-inspired-pcid-15.html

As far as the diamonds go, I think you've received valuable information as what to get. The problem with the diamonds you listed is all those numbers and prices are arbitrary: I think the board needs to know more about the diamonds before they can inform you about the ones you have in question. I like the one listed above in Gypsy's post; seems nice! I'd probably pass on the JA 1.32 ct one you have listed, you can clearly see the mess going on in there! Good luck, man! I'm still stressed over all this stuff, and my girl doesn't even know half of what I do to have to get her the ring she wants! :wavey:
 
I would not purchase an I1 diamond for an e-ring so I'd personally rule that one out. You can't tell anything from the info you've given us on those cushions and even numbers don't mean much. You really need an aset along with a vendor who knows and understands cushions.

I'd suggest watching the video on Goodoldgolds homepage when you have time. It's very useful in how to determine a good cushion and what all the numbers can mean..

http://www.goodoldgold.com/

I really do suggest just working with Mark T at engagementringsdirect.com. He has an amazing eye for cushions and has made that Harry Winston replica over and over. He can find something in your budget. Please just call him...
 
I purchased a very lovely HW duplicate from Mark at ERD a year ago and will say that the price for a 1.02 ct. G VS2 cushion with platinum setting (CAD/cast) was about 75% of what your jeweler quoted for the 1.08 G SI1 with platinum setting. You should go the route with which you're most comfortable, but I think it would definitely behoove you to call Mark just to see what your options are.
 
Just to add another vote and opinion... I wouldn't trust a jeweler/family friend who offers up an I1 as an engagement ring stone. :sick: I mean, I personally would be okay with an I1 if the inclusion were perfectly placed under a prong, but I have no 'mind clean' issues. I think you need to contact Mark at ERD as others have suggested, as I see the stone that Gypsy posted from pre-loved has sold.
 
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1488013.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1457361.asp

Neither of these stones are any good.

These were the only 2 that I could find that might be worth considering. I would talk to ERD.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1450683.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1441835.asp

edit
gog has this...its not the best cut. Comes in around $5800
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9318/
 
I don't know if it helps but if you put in Micropavé Ring, Cushion-cut in Google Images you can bring up some websites that sell a ring that looks just like that.
 
Wow, again, thank you for all the advice. I've just sent a message to Mark and will try to call him when I have a chance. I'm currently in South Korea so the time zones are just a "little" opposite. I'm just a little worried not being able to see the ring before I purchase it, because I do want to make sure the center stone with the halo looks large enough. I've done an image search on google for particular carat sizes of the harry winston ring, but I get a whole mess of information. Does anyone happen to have an image of the Harry winston cushion cut engagement ring with a 1.0 to 1.30 or so center diamond? I'm curious just to verify the size, what it looks like and I think that with my budget that's the range I'm looking at, although I would be thrilled if I can find someone who can do it with a 1.50 carat.

Oh, and gypsy, I watched the video, very helpful. Thank you.
 
I would go to the halo collection thread. They have litterally dozens of the HW style ring in many sizes done by different vendors. Several are from Mark at ERD. I have personally seen his HW style ring and it is a knock out. I would definitely let him due your ring...forget your local jeweler.
 
I've contacted Mark and am waiting for a reply. I'm really hoping he can help me out, his work looks amazing. Now, because I'm in Korea, it's definitely hard to shop for diamonds and rings...Plan B is that if I am unable to find a ring online, I will propose in Vegas with a mock-ring and then spend a day going to jewelers in the area finding a ring for her together. (we will be in Vegas for 4 days where I plan to propose and have our families gather together). Does anyone know of any jewelers in the Vegas area? Good stores to shop at? Thoughs/Ideas/opinions? I've researched a bit and have a tentative list...and many people have said that they assume Vegas to be more expensive (as it is with nearly everything else) but many people have replied to posts saying it's actually the same to buy a ring there practically than any other city. But perhaps I read wrong. Ok, thanks! Hope everyone is having an amazing day!
 
If you don't hear from ERD in 24 hours call them. Even if it means leaving a message while they are closed. They sometimes have email issues.
 
Will do. Thanks Gypsy for your help! I knew finding an engagement ring would be difficult, but I didn't know how much there is in a ring. I'm sure some guys just guy a ring without much thought...but then I definitely want to put as much thought into this as possible and make sure it's perfect. But I think what's most difficult is that I really can't go over my budget, yet I want to find the best deal. It's as if I feel guilty for "bargain shopping" for such a significant item because I really want her to have the best. I don't think a 1.4ct is probable, but I'm still feeling optimistic about finding a 1.3ct in this setting or something extremely similar within my budget. I'm just afraid that since I won't be able to see it in person (as I'm in Korea right now) that it'll look too small when on her size 7 finger. Sorry, now I feel like I'm just venting my concerns. Thanks for all the help though and I'll update with any info I find out! Take care.
 
I've been staring at the computer screen for too long and all the diamonds are unfortunately blurring together. I've been looking on James allen and ERD and also Eternitydiamonds.com. Could anyone (if they're looking to help someone out) help me out and maybe send me a link or two to some good diamonds I could use for a Harry Winston Cushion Halo inspired engagement ring? I'm hoping to find one in my budget ($9,000 total for diamond and band), and hoping for something above 1.2. Between D-H in color, great size so it looks large when viewed by others and as brilliant as I can get ;) I want to see what others consider great quality for my price range so I know what to look for. Thanks in advance! You're all amazing!
 
EricOSU|1337046472|3195344 said:
I've contacted Mark and am waiting for a reply. I'm really hoping he can help me out, his work looks amazing. Now, because I'm in Korea, it's definitely hard to shop for diamonds and rings...Plan B is that if I am unable to find a ring online, I will propose in Vegas with a mock-ring and then spend a day going to jewelers in the area finding a ring for her together. (we will be in Vegas for 4 days where I plan to propose and have our families gather together). Does anyone know of any jewelers in the Vegas area? Good stores to shop at? Thoughs/Ideas/opinions? I've researched a bit and have a tentative list...and many people have said that they assume Vegas to be more expensive (as it is with nearly everything else) but many people have replied to posts saying it's actually the same to buy a ring there practically than any other city. But perhaps I read wrong. Ok, thanks! Hope everyone is having an amazing day!

You will not get the quality or value at a Brick & Mortar store unless they specialize in internet sales. Your best bet is to buy online and have them ship to a Fedex office a couple days before your trip and hold it there - and go pick it up. You'll want to enjoy your trip, not trudge around LV looking for someone who won't charge you an arm and a leg for a ring. Look through the Halo thread and note the vendors and quality of rings. It's actually pretty difficult to amateurly photograph a ring and make it look better than it is - so it's a good indication of the quality you'll receive. Cushions are one of the hardest shapes to buy (even in person - probably more so without idealscope images) and you've been given good advice about what vendors to pursue, with your geographic handicap and budget.

The delicate Harry Winston halo (the 2nd one you posted) will not add too much size to a diamond, so I would advise going more for something like #1 with a larger halo area in order for it to be big enough on a size 7 finger. I fell in love with the Harry W, too - so I've tried on many variations in different carat weights. I ultimately decided that for me, I needed more "setting" to offset the carat weight I could afford. This was my experience, and your gf may feel differently. You can also note finger sizes in the halo thread and see what size diamonds and settings they chose. For me, adding a halo with an "airline" around the diamond (adding space between the diamond and halo) added some extra "oomph" to add finger coverage. Your other option is to propose with the temp ring, then TRY on rings in Vegas in the styles you like online to find a finalist. Then order online.

Hang in there - they'll find you something! Good luck!
 
Just call Mark. He can eye ball stones for you that we can't see and numbers on cushions don't do any good. He can also do an aset and other photos for you (although his pictures aren't always the best.) I would trust his eye over my own though when picking a cushion. He is that good.
 
Just got off the phone with ERD, wasn't able to talk to Mark, but talked to another man (I thought he said his name was Steve, but unfortunately because I called from Korea, there was a slight static on the phone and obviously it had to click when he said his name). But he was VERY informative and definitely knowledgeable. But also shared with me and taught me a little bit more. He said they just finished a 1.2 carat harry winston inspired ring well within my budget and will be sending me pictures of that as well as others they've done and the diamonds he finds. Should I post them here as well? Definitely feel a LOT better after talking to him at ERD. Thanks for the advice!
 
:appl: So glad you called them. Sure, go ahead and post what they find here but I've not doubt they will find you winning stones!
 
So I'm working with Chris over at ERD to potentially have a ring made. He was a pleasure to talk to on the phone and helped me understand a little more about the ring I'm wanting. He has followed up with me regarding a diamond, a 1.26 carat H-VS1 that's available and included the GIA Cert. and ASET (4 main faceted with a 1.03 ration). I'm confident he will help pick a brilliant diamond. What type of questions should I be asking him in regards to creating a ring that is an inspired Harry winston micro pave cushion cut (i.e. duplicate)? Thanks for the help!
 
Just tell him to keep the metal work as delicate as possible. The minimum amount of visible metal, and the pave very even. I wouldn't do bigger than 1 pointers. They've done this setting many times, but those are the things I would emphasize. ERD has a CAD bench and a Hand forged? Which are you going for? The Hand forged will be more expensive but it will be much lovelier and worth it if you can afford it. I would do pave 3/4 way around the shank. If you are hand forging, I personally would go below 1 pointers for the pave and especially in the stems under the halo I would do 1/2 pointers (I would do a 1/2 point halo though too).
 
Wow, I'm proud of myself for understanding most of that...but may what you mean when you refer to "pointers?" I am at work with the girlfriend right now so I'm trying to avoid looking up too much about engagement rings, as she could walk in any minute. But browsing pricescope is fairly easy since this post isn't flooded with too many pictures of engagement rings (in the rare chance she walks up behind me). Thanks again! You're amazing.
 
A one carat diamond is 100 points. A 1 pointers is a diamond that is only 1 point. Diamonds of small sizes are referred to as melee diamonds. They come in various sizes sizes and they are referred to by how many points they are. HW style halos for the size stone you have are usually made up of 1 point stones, sometimes smaller, sometimes larger. I was suggesting 1/2 point or smaller than one point at least if you are doing hand forged because that manufacturing process can manage that level of precision and delicacy. Whereas CAD can't so you wouldn't really want to go smaller than 1 point, but too much larger you lose the right proportionality.
 
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