First timer excited + nervous. Needs opinion.

[CluelesswithDiamonds]

Ok,

Hello all. Quick background. I am a newbie who overall likes to research things, and in this particular area atleastI know enough not to buy from a mall type jeweler. I am seeking a beautiful engagement ring for a my beautiful girl friend. We saw together a Jarad Jewelers commercial and saw a beautfuil MEGA rock, (nothing we could afford) and I kind of came up with this based on her being happy the one we saw on TV. I think the ring below is stuning but need your help.


After coming across this web site, ( Thank God!) and reading some positive words I was comfortable dealing with Good Old Gold to find a stone and platnium setting for my engagement ring purchase.

Well I was presented four stone choices and a setting. I am very pleased with the platnium setting but am having issues deciding on what stone to pick. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Here are the specs. Personally I am leaning towards the .85 stone but again even after all this helpful info , I am very confused.

Thank you and God Bless for anyone willing to lend a lend in the decision making process.
Here is the info for the setting. Has anyone dealt with Unique Settings from NY?

Platnium Setting from her email at Good Old Gold

"The ring showing here will have two round diamonds on each side of the center. Each round here will be 6 points. The total cost of this ring in Platinum with .24 tcw G VS Hearts and Arrows rounds on the sides and .28tcw G VS tapered baugettes will be $ 2,723.00 "

http://showroom.uniquesettings.com/view/3672

Here are the stones. They are round and all Hearts and Arrows.


Stone # 1 $5521 Bank Wired
Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 0.85ct
Color: E
Clarity: VS2
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
AGS Light Performance: Ideal
Optical Symmetry: Superior
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: Faint
Girdle: 2.30%
Culet: None
Lab Report: GIA
Lab Report #: 16947000
In House: Yes
Width: 6.04mm
Length: 6.08mm
Depth: 3.75mm
Table Percentage: 56.22%
Depth Percentage: 61.93%
Crown Ú: 34.85‹
Crown Depth: 15.15%
Pavilion Ú: 40.79‹
Pavilion Depth: 43.02%
Upper Girdle Ú: 40.73‹
Lower Girdle Ú: 42.00‹


Stone # 2 $5521 Bank Wired

Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 0.93ct
Color: G
Clarity: VS2
AGS Cut Grade: Ideal
Optical Symmetry: Superior
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Fluorescence: None
Culet: None
Lab Report: AGS
Lab Report #: 9344007
In House: Yes
Width: 6.30mm
Length: 6.32mm
Depth: 3.89mm
Table Percentage: 55.30%
Depth Percentage: 61.60%
Crown Ú: 34.20‹
Pavilion Ú: 41.10‹



Stone 3 $5592

Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 0.94ct
Color: F
Clarity: SI1
GIA Cut Grade: Excellent
AGS Light Performance: Ideal
Optical Symmetry: Superior
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: 1.68%
Culet: None
Lab Report: GIA
Lab Report #: 16693103
In House: Yes
Width: 6.27mm
Length: 6.31mm
Depth: 3.90mm
Table Percentage: 55.50%
Depth Percentage: 61.95%
Crown Ú: 34.52‹
Crown Depth: 15.14%
Pavilion Ú: 40.97‹
Pavilion Depth: 43.37%
Upper Girdle Ú: 42.17‹
Lower Girdle Ú: 42.14‹
Policy: Lifetime Guarantee


Stone 4 $5897

Shape: Round
Carat Weight: 0.97ct
Color: F
Clarity: SI1
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Very Good
Fluorescence: None
Girdle: 1.34%
Lab Report: GIA
Lab Report #: 16243289
In House: Yes
Width: 6.46mm
Length: 6.49mm
Depth: 3.86mm
Table Percentage: 54.86%
Depth Percentage: 59.74%
Crown Depth: 15.20%
Pavilion Depth: 42.95%
Policy: Lifetime Guarantee


Closing thoughts. Should i be concerned with the differencial between the size of the smaller stones in relation to the big stone? And also I am open and not sensative to negative comments on the look of the engagement ring. That''s why I''m here so if you don''t like it please feel free to tell me. Thanks again everyone in advance.

 

[mrssalvo]

Hi and welcome to Pricescope. Has your girlfriend seen the setting? It''s nice and if she loves and you can afford it, go for it. however, it does eat up a lot of your budget. I''d also at least consider some other setting options so you could put more $ towards the center diamond. Would goodoldgold be making that setting custom? I think you could find a very similiar stock setting for less $ as well.

 

[Splinter]

Wow... What a first post.

Welcome!

The first 3 stones score the following on the Cut Advisor:

1)1.5
2)2.3
3)1.6
4)Need Pav and Crown angles.

I like the first stone the most (without having full knowledge of the 4th). The E, VS2 combo appeals to me. The difference between .85 and .93 or .94 won''t really be noticeable (except of course to PriceScopers and their super bionic eyes). This is really a personal choice though, since I prefer to sacrifice size for quality. Stone 3 is also a good option as listed below.

Here''s what I think of the other stones:

2) Doesn''t score well on the HCA. You''re looking for below 2. Cut is the most important aspect of a good diamond! Don''t skimp on the quality!

3) Not a bad stone! If it''s eye-clean this could be a really good choice. Good Cut Advisor score and F is already a pretty nice icey colour. Just check it''s eye-clean. You''re getting more stone for your money with this one than you are with stone 1.

4) The Table and Depth percentages bug me on this stone. Don''t really know why... If you can get the crown and pavilion angles, we can run it through the Cut Advisor and see what it says.

As for the setting, I think it''s really nice.

 

[Ellen]

splinter, once you get info like GOG gives, the HCA isn't really necessary.

A good IS pic trumps an HCA score. It's just for determining whether one should get more info on a stone, which we have with GOG. And it dings deeper PA's, when in reality they can be killer stones.


Clueless, I like .93 G, and the .94 F the best. They look good (I looked them up), and bigger spread. I have a question though, do you know that your girl wants a setting like that? Or do you think she might prefer a bigger diamond in a single solitaire? Just wondering.

 

[Splinter]

D''oh! I completely missed they were GOG stones...

In which case, yup, the images are worth more! As you said, the HCA is an elimination tool and can''t really be used for ranking stones as such.

 

[Ellen]

 

[CluelesswithDiamonds]

Talk about quick help. TY SO FAR.. My girlfriend did not see the setting. I showed it to my sister who loved it. Please don''t be afraid to share your opinion on the settings. I can take it lol.
It''s a minature version of the MEGA Rock that was in all those annoying Jarad commericals. I have a bad pic of it that I can email . Haven''t figured out how to copy and paste it here.


here are the links to the four stones if that helps anyone. I recognize that the platnium setting is a big part of the budget and that is something i have to think about. Thank you for pointing that out. Am I wrong to think that with the quality of the side stones and bagets that overall with the platnium band it will really scream GLEEM ? I would gladly go lower $$$ on the setting however I have not found a thing I like.


http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4284/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4330/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4203/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4294/

Again thank you. I wil be anxiously awaiting any input !

 

[alcibiades]

I have an almost completely unrelated question, but I have dealt with Unique Settings of NY before, actually just last week they made my GF''s setting and I should be getting it next week. My question is, how in the world do you use their search catalog option? how did you get to that page which has the picture of the ring with the diamonds in it. i would love to do that for mine. they sent me a stock photo, but i could never pull it up on the site.

 

[Muss]

Hopefully some smarter people that me will chime in here, but I would be afraid that a setting like that would take away from the center stone.

What do you think guys?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/2/2008 10:45:46 AM
Author: CluelesswithDiamonds
Talk about quick help. TY SO FAR.. My girlfriend did not see the setting. I showed it to my sister who loved it. Please don''t be afraid to share your opinion on the settings. I can take it lol.
It''s a minature version of the MEGA Rock that was in all those annoying Jarad commericals. I have a bad pic of it that I can email . Haven''t figured out how to copy and paste it here.


here are the links to the four stones if that helps anyone. I recognize that the platnium setting is a big part of the budget and that is something i have to think about. Thank you for pointing that out. Am I wrong to think that with the quality of the side stones and bagets that overall with the platnium band it will really scream GLEEM ? I would gladly go lower $$$ on the setting however I have not found a thing I like.

Well, I think the highlighted part is what caused me to ask the question. You were stating it as singular, as in one big rock, even though the ring had sidestones. So I was just kinda confused. I''d like to see a picture of the actual ring she liked, that would help us give you some suggestions.

Here''s a link to help with posting pics, see if that helps. If not, you can contact the Admin and they will post it for you.

https://www.pricescope.com/forum/faq1/how-to-upload-reduce-pictures-for-posting-t41381.html

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/2/2008 10:59:05 AM
Author: Muss

Hopefully some smarter people that me will chime in here, but I would be afraid that a setting like that would take away from the center stone.

What do you think guys?

I know what you''re saying. The thing is, it really comes down to personal preference. There are those that just want lots of bling, and those that would rather let the stone have the whole spot light. There''s no right or wrong choice, it''s just about what someone likes.

 

[CluelesswithDiamonds]

Yikes... You guys raise an interesting point. I dont want to the side stones to blind the emphasis off the main stone either. Maybe that issue should have me lean toward the bigger stones although i can''t imagine the .10 making that huge of a difference.

 

[CluelesswithDiamonds]

Bad pic attached from commericlal. Hope it works. I am guessing they are using a 2 ct rock or better for the main one.

 

[CluelesswithDiamonds]

Regarding Unique, I am dealing with Good Old Gold and the sales lady Marie found it for me and sent it via email. PLEASE tell me about your experience with them so far. I haven''t found any thing good or bad said about Unique on this site. GOG has been great so far as the posts have attested to.

 

[arjunajane]

Clueless, with re to the setting - if thats what your girl likes than fair enough. Imho, a classic solitaire with a bigger rock would be preferable for an ering. Classic and timeless, yet with the calibre of stones you''re looking at will still be a stunner.

GOG carries the Vatche line which from all accounts is great quality. Perhaps you could get an eternity or pave on the shank for extra bling?
just my 2c

 

[purrfectpear]

To me it''s a typical mass produced mall setting. I wouldn''t care for it at all but that''s my taste. If your sister loves it, and you''re sure the GF loves that style also, 70% of mall shoppers can''t all be wrong

I like a solitaire setting, or a simple halo.

 

[Ellen]

Ok, let me ask you this, (I''m not being much help yet, lol). Do you think she liked the style of the ring (all the stones and how they''re set), or the fact that it was just really blingy?

 

[chrono]

I like stones 3 and 4. Very icy and yet eye clean (which GOG''s stones are). A good combo for value.

As for the setting, it looks very busy and doesn''t help the center diamond stand out much. I second Ellen''s question as to whether she likes a lot of side diamonds or if she prefers the center to pop with some bling on the side.

 

[CluelesswithDiamonds]

Ellen has raised a very interesting question and I''m really glad she did. I dont know what size the main stone is in the one for the picture for the setting. I do agree, the ring certainly would get better with the larger center stone. That certainly was the case for the Jarad ad.

 

[swingirl]

Just my opinion but when you get a beautifully cut stone from GOG it should be the main attraction. I think the setting you picked is too busy and will take away from the center stone. I also don''t like the space between the main stone and side stones. It looks like a dirt trap. Plus it''s quite expensive. I think you ought keep looking at settings. If you get a setting with side stones you want to make sure they match the cut quality of your center stone.

 

[Ellen]

I''m going to do some searching, and try to find some different examples of rings that will give most of the attention to the main stone, but still be blingy.

 

[CluelesswithDiamonds]

Wow Ellen, that is going above and beyond. I am still awaiting an answer as far as how big the MAIN stone was in relation to the side stones in the setting picture.

 

[anitabee]

well, since you mentioned you want our honest opinions...

i really don''t like that setting at all. as others have mentioned, it''s too busy, looks kinda dated (early 90s?), and is distracting.

your stones look lovely and any girl would LOVE those stones.

good luck!

 

[Ellen]

Here''s a really pretty Ritani ring, which GOG carries. And you could get an eternity wedding band to match (with a few of these), blingy, but yet the center doesn''t get lost.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ritani-rings.22547/


A setting I believe GOG made.

http://goodoldgold.com/images/settings/gallery/Slide12-800.jpg


A D''Vatche, which GOG also carries. One of my faves.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/images/settings/gallery/Slide30-800.jpg


Precision set, which I don''t see listed with GOG, but I''m finding a lot of there settings in the gallery.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/images/settings/gallery/Slide37-800.jpg


These were just a few to give you an idea of what you might get that lets the center stand out. I am giving you the links to some designers GOG carries, they don''t have them all on their site, and there are many different styles, many more blingy if you think the ones I listed are too subtle. Ritani''s site is nice as it has a small video for the settings. Look through their different collections to get a good idea of what''s available.

http://www.ritani.com/home


Veragio

http://www.verragio.com/


Vatche

http://www.dvatche.com/


Tacori

http://www.tacori.com/mm5/merchant.mvc

Maybe after you''ve looked through these, you might see some that give you a better idea of which way you should go. We''d be glad to help you pick after you''ve narrowed them down. There''s just so many styles, it''s hard to say, and you know her better than we do.

p.s. One thing you might want to keep in mind, and which is important to a lot of women, but not all. The thinner the band, the more the stone will "pop", and look bigger.

 

[Lorelei]

Ellen, quite sim''ly, you ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/2/2008 12:23:49 PM
Author: CluelesswithDiamonds
Wow Ellen, that is going above and beyond. I am still awaiting an answer as far as how big the MAIN stone was in relation to the side stones in the setting picture.

No problem! It''s keeping me from much more mundane things.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/2/2008 12:39:58 PM
Author: Lorelei
Ellen, quite sim''ly, you ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well thank you very much mam!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/2/2008 12:42:16 PM
Author: Ellen

Date: 5/2/2008 12:39:58 PM
Author: Lorelei
Ellen, quite sim''ly, you ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well thank you very much mam!

Welcome.

You does.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 5/2/2008 12:43:02 PM
Author: Lorelei

Welcome.

You does.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 5/2/2008 12:39:58 PM
Author: Lorelei
Ellen, quite sim''ly, you ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree too. hehe