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jphillips

Rough_Rock
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Nov 15, 2014
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So this might be a long post, but my husband purchased my engagement ring at Mervis. .84, H, SI2. It really is beautiful. Long story short the prong has broken twice. I am hard on my hands. This is the second time, and I took it to them and they found a small chip on a corner of the stone. not really visible to naked eye. I submitted to my insurance. I am wondering if anyone has experience with this and what I can expect. They have not completed their investigation yet. Also, another issue is that the ring is giving me severe blisters. Its either the nickel in the 14K gold of my rings, or the soap that gets caught in there. my wedding band is a 1 ct channel set band with like 10 stones. 

What I would LIKE is to replace the ring with a diamond band in platinum to eliminate the nickel allergy completely if that's what the problem is. SO... I have been researching and found some beautiful stuff at COSTCO. Cost generally has great quality from what I can tell and great prices. PLUS a sale this weekend on a 1.5 ct eternity band for $1599 this weekend. BTW it's platinum. I've seen some great pieces on costco.com that I really love. 

Ideally I'd like to find a 2.0 ct anniversary band so that the diamonds are concentrated on the top where they can be seen, but I am following the sales, so if I don't find a sale, then forget it. Not to mention the insurance company may not give me full replacement value. I have no idea. 

I have also seen a 4.0 ct eternity band sold by Madina Jewelers on sale right now for $3799 through Amazon. Platinum. But I've been researching them to find out how reputable they are, and I've called them to ask about this specific piece. 

Last night I saw some beautiful things at Bloomingdale's. I don't usually shop there at all, but just happened to be there for a fundraising event and maybe it was the sparkling wine flowing, but they had some nice sales going on. BUT the catch is they are 18K white gold, and I2 clarity. These are anniversary bands. 5 stone bands. 1.5 ct. Priced at 50% of $14,000 plus and extra 20%. They've also got eternity bands, but 18K gold, I2 clarity, but they seems like way too expensive, even with the sales, considering they are not platinum and the clarity is way down at I2, I1.

So what should I do? Worst case scenario, I've considered just upgrading the original stone, and maximizing brilliance/cut. I'm looking at princess cut, asscher, radiant, or cushion. Not a fan of round. what's the difference in brilliance and light reflection in these stones? Is one more expensive a cut that the other? I can't tell. Diamonds vary SO much with all the factors you have to consider.

I just want to find the best deal for my money, and of course this all depends on what my insurance company says. and Black Friday sales are coming up too, so I know there will be some deals where I might potentially be able to find something for less than what I originally paid.

Can any experts give me some direction? I know I asked a lot of questions. I need some unbiased feedback from experts.

Thanks in advance.
 
I'm not an expert but I know how it feels to wait for someone to post so just my two cents...

I would get platinum since you probably have a nickel allergy (I don't so I don't know if you really do) but I personally don't like platinum because I don't like the patina it gets. I like the bright white of white gold more. Some places don't use nickel in their white gold; for example Ritani doesn't use nickel at all so that could help if platinum is too expensive.

I would follow the deals and pick a setting you love (and is durable) within the insurance.
 
Thanks. These are the things I really appreciate about this forum. Knowing who doesn't use nickel in their metals is important information!!
I got distracted by the wine event at Bloomies, and should not have stopped at the diamond department. Looking back, their diamonds are inferior (I1 and I2, and come to think of it they had some obvious flourescence) and they overpriced, so best to avoid.
The Costco eternity ring that they had a special on is now sold out, so I'm moving on to other options. Checking out Ritani.

Thanks for the feedback! I appreciate it!

-J
 
Check out ID Jewelry online. Lots of PSers have loved their eternity bands, or any bands, from them, loved the sparkly stones, and their prices are quite reasonable.

Call them and talk to them. I have before, and they are really nice, and I ended up not getting anything from them.

If you're considering Ritani, I would also consider Brian Gavin Diamonds, and Whiteflash. Their stones are very beautiful, super ideal cut melee, and prices I think comparable to Ritani.

Just look up Whiteflash and BGD on this site and you will find lots of PSers who have been happy with their bands.

Also, I don't know your budget, but diamondnut has a Tiffany eternity on sale in preloved. Maybe worth a look.
 
I would definitely go with platinum!

I would also use Brian Gavin Diamonds or Whiteflash for a replacement stone and setting. I chipped my diamond recently (boo) and am totally in love my my replacement diamond from BGD. I am so thankful that I had my ring insured.

All the best with your decision!

And please post pics of your new diamond and setting when you get to that point.
 
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