Fun one for experts :) - NEED HELP/ADVICE - only have 3k to spend

[don02453]

OK, do I have one for you people:

I have 3k to spend on entire ring - diamond plus setting.(on budget - I am professional recently layed off)

Would love to hear your suggestions, no wrong answers here..

Found some good deals online, BUT, she lives in Europe, I have no idea what her ringsize is! She is 5'6" 120, thin to average fingers. (want it to be a surprise when she returns to visit) All websites ask for exact ringsize.

Want to get the most beautiful ring for the most beautiful girl. I have until October 6th.

Not ineterested in priness cut.

Would greatly appreciate ANY help, or thoughts, anything

I have been reading months of posts and you people realy seem to know what you are talking about. Looking for most bang for buck. She will love anything. Here is what I am thinking:

Oval, pear, possibly marquise diamond

si2 - vs2 (clean to eye)

G - I color

.75 - .90 carat

standard 18k yellow gold tiffany setting

So here it is:

What to buy? cut, clarity, carat etc.

Where to buy? Online, local dealer?

Ringsize? Do NOT have it, makes online purchase tough, no?

WOW what a mess! sorry! Welcome to my dilemna.....

 

[NewYorker]

We could help more if you told us what city or state are you in?

 

[don02453]

VERY sorry Tanya, I wish I had more specific questions as well!

I am from Boston area. (MA)

 

[futique]

Hi there!

You may wish to check out Leigh's selection at http://www.antiqueengagementrings.com

Here is a link to some of his rings in your price range:
http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?page=3

Leigh is great- my finace and I got our setting from him, and are getting our stone from Jonathan at Good Old Gold.

It's really been the best of both worlds....

If you do talk to Leigh, be sure to tell him David & Sage sent you.

 

[jenibear]

Hi don02453!
My first advice: relax, your making this too hard for yourself. You already have a budget and great ideas, your ahead of the game in many ways.
You may want to do what I did - and plug in your desires into pricescope where it says "search for quality." That will give you an idea of whether you can get a .75 ct. or .90 ct. it helped me figure out I just couldn't afford a 1.5 ct. princess with the qualities I wanted, so I went down to a 1 ct.
A simple solitare setting shoold cost you $500 or less (of course there are ones way more expensive, but something simple and less expensive should be easy to find.) That would leave you with $2,500 for the stone - not including shipping and tax, etc. You may want to see what falls in the $2,000 to $2,500 category for stones and work from there. Again, what I did with my budget.
Also you need to decide what's more important to you: size, color, clarity, cut.
I decided as follows in list of importance: color, cut, carat, clarity. Everyone has a different opinion. I have girlfriends that care about nothing but size.
I am sure you can find something gorgeous for her.
You should be able to search some past threads for help with selecting an online vendor. They would be willing to help you find something in your price range. I used Diamond Brokers of Florida for both my stone and setting, and contemplated Good Old Gold and SuperbCert. They are all really well regarded on this forum.
The ring size issue doesn't seem like it should be a problem. I say guess higher than you think she is. You can always get is resized at a local jewler for a small fee. I am two inches taller than your girl with thin fingers and wear a 5.75. Try a 5.5 to a 6.5 - better to be too big than too small. Or you can be sneaky and try to ask her parents or friends. They may be able to help. Most guys have no clue on their girl's finger size so don't fret.
I am in the Boston area too. Feel free to PM me and I would love to help you more. I just went through the whole process (I picked the ring out with my boyfriend) so I know what you are feeling.
Best of luck
Jenibear

 

[NewYorker]

Shame you aren't in NY. I could get you a setting for less than $100 and in the DD (diamond district) a diamond for so much less too. I wish I could help someone out there save some money. I just hate it when people pay such high prices for gold - it's just gold.

 

[don02453]

THANKS Futique and Jenibear!

I checked out the antique rings, very nice, but looking for yellow gold

Jenibear good advice, I have to relax

So, the one hurdle to buying online, besides seeing the stone, although you can get real good look at Jonathons site, is ringsize.

So maybe I guess 6.5 . I can't really ask her parents as they don't even speak english

I saw some possiblities on Jonathon's site as far as stones, but there were no prices with regards to settings. I have a LOT of posts praising him in particular.

 

[don02453]

Well Tanya, a 4 hour ride to NY isn't out of the question, but I can't go back and forth

I went to "The Jewelry Exchange" a few days ago, and it was nice, but it just seemed a little pricey with regards to the stones, seem as though like gems were less online.

 

[don02453]

By the way, thank to all of you who have replied so far, and if you haven't replied yet, please do!

I am following closely, and will investigate ALL suggestions!