Floundering UK Foreigner - Help with an E-Ring! :) Please!

[Punto]

Hi guys, first of all thanks for reading! And also thanks to all of you for the wonderful information this community provides, especially to novices like myself!

Well I've finally managed to save up to buy an engagement ring for the love of my life and I'd really like to end up with something that can show her just how brilliant I think she is!

I'm looking to produce a ring in the style of the verragio setting below with a couple of minor modifications (making it less complex not more!)



I've got a few quotes in the UK that are in the region of $3000-4000 for the setting; however seeing how much cheaper US prices are for diamonds, I turn to you guys for advice! From what I've gleaned it's always sensible to try and get the setting from the same people who do the diamond; is anyone familiar with any PS vendors who would consider making me a custom ring? If i can get some quotes then we can all have a better idea how much I've left for the centre stone!

Now on to the diamond!

I'd like the total carat to be 2+ (with a centre stone around 1.5-1.6ct with the side stones making up the remaining 0.4-0.5ct)

I'm looking for a square cut centre stone but not a conventional princess cut. We like the look of asschers but would ideally like something that is a bit more sparkly and as such decided on perhaps a square radiant or square cushion cut stone? We also really like the princess of hearts, queen of hearts, quadex and lucere cuts but think the premium on them will push them out of my price range.

My total budget is around $13000-14000 (have had to factor in the ~25% tax i'll have to pay to get the ring to the UK!), and as such I'm really interested to see if anyone can help me find a nice stone!

The main information I've gained from these forums is that Cut is King! In layman's terms I would like an eye-clean, white diamond that sparkles!

Hopefully someone can help me, and even if you can't, thanks for taking the time to read the above

 

[slg47]

Re: Floundering UK Foreigner - Help with an E-Ring! Pleas

how do you plan to modify the setting? if it is to just have the split shank halo (no filigree/scalloping/etc) then that should be fairly simple. If you want to go with all of the little details I would stick with the designer setting.

As far as diamonds...have you considered going lower in size to get a square cushion H&A, quadex, or something similar? the halo will add a lot of size, so that is something to consider.

 

[Punto]

Re: Floundering UK Foreigner - Help with an E-Ring! Pleas

Thanks for replying slg.

Re: ring modications; I'd want to remove the milgrain effect from the sides of the ring and make the bottom half of the band (between those diamonds at about 4 & 8 o clock) into a plain platinum band, Would like to keep the intricacies around the setting.

It'd be really nice to have a nicely cut centre stone around 1.5ct (eye-clean & near-colourless) but if that's not feasible then I guess I'll have to consider a smaller sized diamond! - having said that it would depend how much more; hopefully could up budget a little

 

[farmer gal]

Re: Floundering UK Foreigner - Help with an E-Ring! Pleas

These settings are not exact, if you are interested in the diamond I would call and place it on hold

Diamond
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2230986.htm

You also get an extra 10% off a setting when you buy a A cut princess

http://www.whiteflash.com/promotions/aca-princess-diamond-discount-ring-setting.aspx

Make sure you get all the discounts including pricescope.

Diamond Settings

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/allegro-in-d-diamond-engagement-ring-159.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/diamond-braid-diamond-engagement-ring-120.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/amphora-for-princess-diamond-engagement-ring-1521.htm

Solitaire setting
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/santorini-solitaire-engagement-ring-285.htm


Here are some diamonds from GOG you would have to contact them about a setting

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6491/

This one is prob. out of budget

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4366/

If it were me I think I would go with the WF stone, and one of their settings, it's giving close to everything you wanted. You are going to have to figuire out what is more important to you, the size of the center stone, or getting the exact setting. For me I would go for the larger center stone since diamond prices keep rising, the settings aren't exact but they have some of the characteristics, you can always change the setting down the road.

 

[Punto]

Re: Floundering UK Foreigner - Help with an E-Ring! Pleas

Thanks for the info Farmer Gal; although I think because my initial post was so long-winded you missed the bit where I ruled a regular princess cut out of the equation!

I've sent emails to a few PS vendors regarding a custom ring setting in the style I'd like and shall wait for them to get back to me so I can give you guys a more accurate budget for the centre stone. Shall update the thread accordingly.

Also Slg, I just looked at those square hearts & arrows cushion cuts; they're amazing!

 

[TristanC]

Re: Floundering UK Foreigner - Help with an E-Ring! Pleas

If this is the style of ring you want, I would have zero hesitation in recommending you to speak with Victor Canera. Handforged everything with excellent workmanship by ps accounts. I can only speak of his professionalism and open communication and great email followup. you should check a recent thread with a title called "quotes for he wring. Leon vs steve, facets..." it mentions facets, leon meddle and Steve k. Victor Canera's thread where he shows a hand forged process is embedded as a link in that thread as well.

Also, the thread introduces facets - a new custom vendor which at least one PSer is over the moon with their workmanship and attitude. Sounds like they are cost efficient too.

As for the diamond, have you heard of Octavia Asschers? Might be right up your alley. Good old gold carries them. Kenny has some amazing threads on them. I would google "Kenny Pricescope World's first Octavia asscher" and read the links.

Good luck!

 

[farmer gal]

Re: Floundering UK Foreigner - Help with an E-Ring! Pleas

Indeed I missed that part

This looks like a nice radiant

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VVS1-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1356972.asp

Cushions

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1383546.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1362064.asp

I would also strongly recommend contacting ID, they make gorgeous rings for very reasonable prices, and I would trust them to find you an equally as beautiful diamond

https://www.idjewelryonline.com/contact_id.php?osCsid=8k60lno79c73tkra2gegp9o514

 

[Punto]

Re: Floundering UK Foreigner - Help with an E-Ring! Pleas

Thanks for the replies guys.

Tristan, that Octavia Asscher cut is lovely; is it only available from GOG? I've sent an email across to Victor Canera, thanks for the recommendation. Just read through that thread you recommended, she ended up with such a lovely ring! Have taken note of Facets also! Thanks a million :O)

Farmer Gal, those diamonds look lovely. Thanks for taking the time and effort in looking up some stones for me, I'm so grateful. I think, however, the sensible thing will be to wait to get a few quotes back from these PS vendors regarding the setting and how much of my budget I need to earmark.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[TristanC]

Re: Floundering UK Foreigner - Help with an E-Ring! Pleas

Oh what the heck happened to my post?? I reread it and realized autocorrect destroyed chunks of it. Glad you understood it!

As far as I know only good old gold carries Octavias. But they don't show all their inventory on hand, there is more somewhere. So speak with them if you are going this route. They are extraordinarily pleasant on email too. Cheers.

 

[pregcurious]

Re: Floundering UK Foreigner - Help with an E-Ring! Pleas

Quest Jewelers Verragio (http://www.questjewelers.com/index.php?page=engagement&action=list&category=20) and also does modifications and full custom settings. I had my ring modified with them, and I could not be happier. My story is here: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/thanks-to-quest-jewelers-for-my-reset.163316/#post-2974525#p2974525']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/thanks-to-quest-jewelers-for-my-reset.163316/#post-2974525#p2974525[/URL]

You can also do a search for "Quest Jewelers" on Pricescope to see more pictures of their work. If you go this route, you may have to pay a high fee for importing the ring when you declare it at customs.

 

[slg47]

Re: Floundering UK Foreigner - Help with an E-Ring! Pleas

a generic radiant or cushion will not have the same type of light return as a square cushion H&A, quadex, jubilee, etc.

also I am assuming the custom setting will be around 3000-4000 in the US also