Fay Cullen Engagement Ring

[shimmer]

If she likes an antique-looking solitaire, this one from James Allen is very budget-friendly, $340 for 18k white gold

http://www.jamesallen.com/products/item_57-2120_build.asp?module=setting

 

[mchr3k]

Date: 4/5/2008 5:28:07 PM
Author: shimmer
If she likes an antique-looking solitaire, this one from James Allen is very budget-friendly, $340 for 18k white gold

http://www.jamesallen.com/products/item_57-2120_build.asp?module=setting

That setting is lovely and my partner loves it too. I would still welcome further suggestions and god knows I won''t be making final decisions right away but I now have some more specific diamond questions.

The diamonds on jamesallen.com seem pretty decent prices - is this correct? When I am selecting a diamond I am looking at Round cut, VSI/VS2, G/H. Is there much difference between Ideal and Premium cut? How about polish, symmetry and fluorescence? I''ve read up on what these terms mean but I haven''t handled enough diamonds to know what variables matter the most and at what point extra improvements stop being noticeable.

 

[shimmer]

If you go for the James Allen setting, I would get either of these:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1122711.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-898586.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131


ETA: I would prefer the second because it's larger

AND I

the crown/pavilion combo (34/41)...I would snatch that one in a second! AND it falls in AGS and GIA ideal range on the cut advisor!!! I'm jealous now

 

[flower12]

Date: 4/5/2008 2:09:36 PM
Author: mchr3k
Ok so I think realistically my budget is about $3200 and under.

I have just been through the whole Beverley K collection and this is the only ring close to what I am looking for. However, the band is not fine enough and I'm not a huge fan of the particular details on the raised part.

I have also spoken again with my partner and she assures me thatthis ring setting which I mentioned in my first post is essentially her ultimate setting. Sadly the $4500 for the setting plus stone which is listed is totally out my budget. I wonder if you think it might work to get the ring setting and a diamond separately? I have to admit I don't quite understand the prices listed on that page as there are numbers for ring and band which I thought were the same thing.

seems like your GF loves Edwardian style setting,
how about ask to Mels Antique Jewelry about edwardian style setting?
there is not much selection of the mounting on the her site right now,but she can get some of style.
so recommend you to ask her by E-mail
she is so nice person to deal with.
this pic one is $900.

 

[mchr3k]

Date: 4/5/2008 9:26:23 PM
Author: shimmer
If you go for the James Allen setting, I would get either of these:


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1122711.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-898586.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131



ETA: I would prefer the second because it''s larger

AND I

the crown/pavilion combo (34/41)...I would snatch that one in a second! AND it falls in AGS and GIA ideal range on the cut advisor!!! I''m jealous now

I think the second one is indeed at a bit of a sweet spot in terms of size and price. When I look at the info page there is a normal Price: $2,330 listed and a Pricescope Price: $2,140. When I click to add the diamond to the ring setting it seems to use the higher original price. How would I get the Pricescope price or is the extra money charged for setting the stone in the ring ($190 seems a lot for setting a stone).

Date: 4/6/2008 2:49:07 AM
Author: flower12
seems like your GF loves Edwardian style setting,

how about ask to Mels Antique Jewelry about edwardian style setting?

there is not much selection of the mounting on the her site right now,but she can get some of style.

so recommend you to ask her by E-mail

she is so nice person to deal with.

this pic one is $900.

That picture you posted looks quite pretty. However, I am utterly failing to find where on the melsantiquejewelry.com site you found it. Can you point me in the right direction? Sorry if I''m just being blind.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/5/2008 6:24:22 PM
Author: mchr3k

Date: 4/5/2008 5:28:07 PM
Author: shimmer
If she likes an antique-looking solitaire, this one from James Allen is very budget-friendly, $340 for 18k white gold

http://www.jamesallen.com/products/item_57-2120_build.asp?module=setting

That setting is lovely and my partner loves it too. I would still welcome further suggestions and god knows I won''t be making final decisions right away but I now have some more specific diamond questions.

The diamonds on jamesallen.com seem pretty decent prices - is this correct? Yes. They have an excellent rep here, also an upgrade policy, in case this ever applies, you may want to read through it carefully.


When I am selecting a diamond I am looking at Round cut, VSI/VS2, G/H. Is there much difference between Ideal and Premium cut? You could drop the clarity to a clean SI1 or even SI2, subject to vendor verification that it is eyeclean, and matches your personal ideal of eyeclean. G/ H is a good popular colour range, a sweet spot for some! Don''t rely on labels such as Ideal Cut, Premium Cut to get you a well cut diamond, these terms can be used broadly.

Some suggested numbers you can use are;

depth - 60 - 62.6 ( my preferred max)
table - 54 - 57
crown angle -* 34 - 35*
pavilion angle -* 40.6 - 41*

* when looking at diamonds with crown and pavillion angles towards the shallower ends 34/ 40.6 or steeper
35/ 41, further evaluation is needed to make sure these angles work well together on that particular diamond.*

polish and symmetry - excellent/ ideal
girdle - thin to med, thin to slightly thick, slightly thin etc - avoid thick to ex thick etc.

An easy way to search is to use the search tool above, and select AGS0 and GIA Excellent cut grade diamonds, then hit in house diamonds, this will bring up ones the vendors actually own and can evaluate for you, instead of having to weed through the many virtual diamonds that have to be brought in.

Also if a vendor suggests a diamond which doesn''t match up to the suggested numbers above, then please don''t disregard it. The numbers given are of a tight range and sometimes proportions outside of the ones given above can work well together, so be open to what your vendor suggests and take full advantage of their expertise.


How about polish, symmetry and fluorescence? I''ve read up on what these terms mean but I haven''t handled enough diamonds to know what variables matter the most and at what point extra improvements stop being noticeable.

Polish and symmetry, with a well cut diamond, many prefer excellent to ideal, as part of the superior finish to their diamond. It has been said that polish and symmetry of good and above looks the same to the naked untrained eye, but for an excellent cut, buyers want better grades often as part of their package.

Blue fluorescence has some fans here, it is said to help a lower colour face up whiter in some cases, also some just plain enjoy the effect that may be seen in some lights. Faint you may not notice any difference, medium and strong are said to be the best for having a beneficial effect on some diamonds. Rarely a diamond with strong blue can make a diamond look cloudy in some lights, however this should not be a problem with a good vendor with in house diamonds, as these will have been carefully evaluated anyway.

I hope this helps!