So I have been a lurker here on the forum for the past couple months and it has been a great help as I work up the nerve to ask my girlfriend the big question. Of course I want to have the perfect ring for the occassion as well. I know that I want a three-stone ring with a 1ct Diamond center stone and for the two side-stones to be blue sapphires around 1/3 ct each. I would like all three stones to be round cut with the diamond having a color rating no lower than H, clarity no lower than VS2, unless it is an eye-clean SI1 and a GIA cut of very good or better. I would like the setting itself to be 18k White Gold.
In looking through some of the vendors online, I can''t quite find the exact setting as I want it. I''ve seen plenty of 3 stone rings with side stone sapphires, but none with the metal work I like. The settings I do like always have diamonds as the side stones. The one place I have seen the setting I like in person is at Zales, though it didn''t have the right stones in the setting. I was told that they could make it for me. However, I''m hesistant to get a ring made through Zales as I didn''t get a great vibe from the salesman there that helped me and he seemed to be really trying to get me to compromise what I wanted (i.e. - lower carat gold, different shaped stones, etc.) in order to fit what they had.
So, I have a few questions and I finally decided to take the plunge and post here to have the experts help me out.
1. In doing a google image search, I found the setting I like and it can be found here and also at whiteflash here. Would this be something that would be easy to replicate, but with sapphire side stones if I brought it to a jewelry store? I live close to NYC, so is there someone would you recommend to use for such a request? Also, would it be better to purchase the diamond first, before trying to have the ring made?
2. The Zales salesperson told me they would be having a special event where they would be bringing in a wide selection of diamonds/settings and that I could come back then to speak with the vendors that come in. I didn''t think this was going to be the most amazing deal for me, but rather a way to get them to sell me lower-quality product at a higher price point due to the "special event" nature, but wanted to get your thoughts on whether it was worth a perusal at all.
I apologize if this post is in the wrong forum. I''m still trying to find my way around. Thanks so much for the helpful advice in advance.
300x240.png)