Engagement Ring Shopping Help

[JPeterman]

Hello everyone!

I am looking to (finally) purchase an engagement ring for my girlfriend of six years.

A while back she hinted at a few styles of rings that she liked. Styling wise they looked similar to the first image in the listing linked below:

https://www.larsonjewelers.com/p-3968-czarina-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-accents.aspx

My problem is that I am not overly knowledgeable about ring shopping. I am hoping to spend in the $1000-$2000 range, and would like to find something similar to the ring linked above. She had mentioned that she also likes the rings with a blue center stone as well.

- Reading up a bit online a lot of people recommended buying online rather than from a shop
- Are there any reputable sites that any of you would recommend?
- Are there certain certifications that I should look for to verify that the diamonds on the ring are authentic and as advertised?

I look forward to hearing back.
Hank

 

[Queenie60]

Hi Hank: I'm bumping your post, hoping that some of the experts will chime in. Your budget is very tight so it's going to take some shopping. And yes, online vendors will be able to provide a better deal than a b&m mall store. I suggest you look for GIA or AGS certified stones. Good luck and I hope you can find a nice ring.

 

[mrs-b]

Hi Hank -

You're also in the wrong forum here. Ask the mods to transfer this post to Rocky Talky and you'll get more help.

Just be aware - the setting you're looking at represents 3/4 of the top end of your budget, so it'll be a big push to get you something approaching what you're after for your budget. I'm also not confident about the quality of the stones in the setting. I would suggest this site:

www.jamesallen.com and perhaps something like *this*:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-falling-edge-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-49492

or maybe *this*:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-petite-diamond-halo-engagement-ring-item-41066

The second setting might give you enough leeway in your budget to get a sapphire center stone. Either way, the stones in these settings are far better quality than the one you linked to and it will be very obvious in person.

This is a pretty stone and, together, depending on which setting you chose, your total would be either $2690 or $2360

This, also, seems to be a pleasant stone:

http://www.jamesallen.com/gemstones/blue-sapphire/0.95-carat-round-sku-17278

Added to the two settings I linked to above, your total would be either $2200 or $1870.

Personally, I'd go with the cheaper setting, but the more expensive sapphire, meaning your ring would cost $2360.

You said she mentioned she likes blue stones. But is that what she PREFERS - or is she just trying to be accommodating to a tight budget? That would be worth exploring, I think.

ETA If you can afford to be even a tiny bit flexible on budget, you could get a very nice stone from Blue Nile. The general site is www.bluenile.com and use the search box in the top right corner to look for diamond stock number LD06892864.

Then - if you look at the examples of the cheaper ring setting I linked you to on James Allen (the $1160 one) you'll see examples of that setting with various sized diamonds in it. In fact, a couple of the photos of rings made up using this setting have sapphires in them, so you can see how that would look. But there's a bunch which are made up using .5ct diamonds and one which uses a .45ct diamond - so those would give you a very clear idea what that setting, plus the BN stone I referred to above, would look like. Unless she actually prefers a sapphire over a diamond, you CAN get her a pretty engagement ring of very good quality in a style similar to the one she likes WITH a diamond center stone. And in person - I think she might prefer this one better than the one you originally linked to, due to the quality of the diamonds in the setting.

The total of the cheaper ring setting, plus the BN diamond, is $2127.27 - VERY close to being in your budget, and a very nice ring for the price.

Good luck!

 

[Queenie60]

http://diamondbistro.com/category/216/Natural-Diamond-Center/listings/47581/crafted-by-infinity-ideal-cut-semi-bezel-ring.html

Have you seen this beauty? For sale by a PS'r. I know it's not the style you're looking for however it would be a beautiful engagement ring. Just a thought.

 

[Queenie60]

or this one -

https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-natural-diamond-center/dot-797-whiteflash-diamond-solitare-18k-white-gold

Would also make a beautiful, simple engagement ring - for sale by a PS'r.

 

[lovedogs]

If she is sure she wants a sapphire center (versus saying she is "ok" with one due to budget), then you might want to ask the folks in the Colored Stone forum. We can help you But if she wants a diamond center stone then definitely rocky talky is the place to go. Good luck!

In the meantime, here are some gorgeous options within budget from a well-respected PS vendor: http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/sapphire-ring-85ct-blue-cushion-cut-sapphire-and-diamond-halo-ring-r6658
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/sapphire-ring-81ct-blue-round-brilliant-sapphire-and-diamond-halo-ring-r6645

 

[JPeterman]

Thanks for all of the recommendations guys, those all seem like good options.

I forgot to mention that the other day she had left her pinterest page logged in on my computer with a board showing a few rings (I am guessing that this was not necessarily an accident). The two rings shown below give a hint at the trend that I was seeing.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/247698048228089288/activity

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/247698048230764525/

I have been trying to find rings that mimic these styles. I found one that had a similar theme to the sapphire ring she had pinned:

http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Wa...fccid=UCSB2OEJR5LLLDKINZAWUI3TYI&searchidx=38

This one is close, but I would like to find one with the black accent as well but havn't had any luck. Plus I don't know if i trust overstock haha.

- Hank

 

[lovedogs]

Thanks for all of the recommendations guys, those all seem like good options.

I forgot to mention that the other day she had left her pinterest page logged in on my computer with a board showing a few rings (I am guessing that this was not necessarily an accident). The two rings shown below give a hint at the trend that I was seeing.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/247698048228089288/activity

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/247698048230764525/

I have been trying to find rings that mimic these styles. I found one that had a similar theme to the sapphire ring she had pinned:

http://www.overstock.com/Jewelry-Wa...fccid=UCSB2OEJR5LLLDKINZAWUI3TYI&searchidx=38

This one is close, but I would like to find one with the black accent as well but havn't had any luck. Plus I don't know if i trust overstock haha.

- Hank

Hi there,
Unfortunately when I click the pinterest links only 1 works, and it shows tons of things so I"m not sure what "black accent" you are talking about. 100% DO NOT trust overstock--I promise we can find you something much better and higher quality within your budget. Could you post a picture or direct link to what you mean by black accent? The rings I posted above are very similar to the overstock one you posted.

 

[Falco]

Hi there, congratulations on your impending engagement. My 2 cents worth is to second lovedogs recommendations above. Pretty rings, from a quality vendor, ready to go and well within budget. Best of all, they are a good match your intendeds preferences

That overstock ring is sterling silver, who knows what quality stones and craftsmanship, and if anything goes wrong, you may have a hard time finding a remedy. Just no

Good luck.

 

[Gypsy]

Call ID Jewelry. They are a PS vendor that happens to list on ebay as well. They have several nice halo settings that will allow you a lovely ring with a sapphire center stone (colored stones can help you find a nice sapphire).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-33ct-Round-Cut-Diamond-Halo-Millgrain-Engagement-Setting-18K-White-Gold-/151995294643?hash=item2363a023b3 Ask what size center stone it takes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-50ct-Antique-Style-Round-Cut-Diamond-Halo-Engagement-Setting-18K-White-Gold-/182035496376?hash=item2a62293db8 Ask what size center stone it takes.