Engagement ring cost, advice welcome!

[acave22]

I am researching an engagement ring and have a few guidelines:

Setting and configuration: 3 stone, round cuts (heart and arrow), .6 - .7 carat (not sure of usual increments) center stone with .3 (or close) on each side, 4 prong setting in center with 3 prong triangle hold on either side and a relatively simple, thin platinum band.

What are the usual proportions for a 3 stone configuration?

Clarity: SI1 or better
Color: H or better
Cut: Round cuts with heart and arrow configuration as mentioned above.

Budget: 3500 to 4000 $
Any help would be appreciated and information/suggestions on if I’m actually able to meet this criteria with my budget... and if not, where is the best place to shed cost.

Thank you!

 

[musey]

I don''t know the "usual" proportions, but what''s more important is that you and your girlfriend prefer. Some people like the stones to be very close in size, some people prefer them to be much smaller (more of a center stone with sidestones look).

You could try the "design your own ring" applet on adiamondisforever.com to get an idea of the proportions you like!

You''ll probably get a lot more responses in the Rocky Talky forum, it gets a lot more traffic!

 

[Stone Hunter]

In rocky talk forum C3 buttons has a post "A little help with a 1/2 carat diamond" that talks about 3 stone rings.

I''d link this but I don''t know how.

HTH

 

[bujiatang]

I am big on the rule of thirds. the center should be one third wider than the side stones, the band 2/3 the width of the side stones.

if a .7 is around 6mm that means around 4mm for the side stones and around 2.5-3mm for the band.

or somewhere between a .25-.33 sides.

4k is totally reasonable for a budget.