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Generally speaking if I have a budget of $2500-3000

hathalove

hathalove

Brilliant_Rock
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Aug 1, 2012
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Generally speaking. If I have a budget of $2500-3000 am I going to get more in a solitaire or in a 5 or 7 stone ring?

I'm curious if it is more expensive to have one bigger stone or 5 smaller stones?

Please don't be annoyed master PSers!
 
That's not a bad budget at all... before I answer I wonder, how low in color are you willing to go?
 
Niel|1379949265|3525668 said:
That's not a bad budget at all... before I answer I wonder, how low in color are you willing to go?
Click to expand...

Well my current diamond is H. I hear people on here saying I, J, K can still face up white. In terms of clarity I'm cool with SI if its truly eye clean. I don't walk around with a loop in my pocket.

Just wondering if the stones are the same color cut and clarity. Do i get more going with solitaire or smaller multiple stones?
 
Well the reason I ask is you could probably get K color 85 points + for your budget. Which is NOTHING to sneeze at. And this is assuming you want n ideal round.

If you wanted other shapes you could do the same and stay higher in color. Marquise pears and ovals face up larger too. So you can get a sizable stone.

No what has more impact is debatable. I went graduated 5 stone over larger solitaire as I felt my 7.25 finger would benefit more from vertical finger coverage.
 
Is that the budget for the whole ring or just the diamonds?
Because the setting price can be significantly different depending on if you're doing custom or not. And while it's pretty easy to find a stock solitaire setting, finding a stock 5 or 7 stone to fit your stones can be tricky and going custom can eat up the budget fast.

You can always go try on rings and see what look you think has the most impact :)

I've had a solitaire, 5 stone, and 7 stone, lol and in my experience the multi-stone rings seem to draw more notice.
 
Small stones which add up to n carats will always be cheaper than one big stone of n carats, all other things (cut, clarity, color) equal of course.

Mounting seven stones is more than mounting one stone though. The costs of settings vary an awful lot depending on metal, design, brand name, and workmanship. This makes it really hard to compare different settings of completely different styles. But assuming you are getting the most generic solitaire and comparing it to the most generic seven stone, at .5 carat the savings from getting the small stones is already much more than enough to make up for the more expensive setting.

With a $2500 budget you will definitely get more total carats from the seven or five stones.
 
MakingTheGrade|1379962234|3525776 said:
Is that the budget for the whole ring or just the diamonds?
Because the setting price can be significantly different depending on if you're doing custom or not. And while it's pretty easy to find a stock solitaire setting, finding a stock 5 or 7 stone to fit your stones can be tricky and going custom can eat up the budget fast.

You can always go try on rings and see what look you think has the most impact :)

I've had a solitaire, 5 stone, and 7 stone, lol and in my experience the multi-stone rings seem to draw more notice.
Click to expand...


The cheapest I've ever found someone to do a 5 stone setting was 700. Custom, which is a good price. But hundreds more than a nice simple solitaire would be. And you have to pay to ship it to that guy. So I agree the setting will eat up a lot...so is one 0.8-0.9 ct stone more impressive than 5 30-40 pointers? I'd say probably. But that's just my opinion. I don't know what's best for your finger, or lifestyle. Or what your finger size if. :))
 
I agree with Neil and you can also go to diamondbistro and preloved psjewelry for preloved ideal cut ring...I'll loook
 
This is only ritani, as they are the easiest to search with my phone, but you can get quite a ring on that budget especially if you can appreciate stones in a softer range. They had loads of ideal cut (including goof angles!) 0.8-1 ct stones in the k-l range. This in particular I love.

http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-0-91-Carat-K-color-GIA-certified/D-VNHFHP
I have a k about this size and I've never regretted going this color. Especially considering the size of gave. I love the color

Or this one could have potential but I'd want a pic.

http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-0-91-Carat-L-color-GIA-certified/D-VRHSRB


pop either of those in 14 k rose gold setting and you'd have a show stopper.
 
Sorry I had to temporarily abandon my post! Work was getting in the way ;(

I was wondering how close I could get to a carat. This really helps. Part of me really feels like I want a solitaire although I wear my bands the most.

To be honest I wasn't even thinking setting. Forgot about that cost duh! I guess because I would want the biggest stone I could get I would buy the most inexpensive setting and actually I really love the look of plain solitaire settings.

I like the idea of a five stone too. I'm wondering if that is an easier ring to wear? I am hard on my rings.

Am I clear? If a simple solitaire setting is $300 and a simple 5 stone setting $700. 5 smaller stones will be more carats then one large stone when comparing the same cut color and clarity and maxing my budget?

Does K really look white? Or should I stay J and above?

Where should I search for diamonds. Whitflash? bluenile? Should I consider Ritini?

Thank you so much Niel, MakingtheGrade, ChristineRose, heididdl for the help. If I decide to do this "upgrade" which I know for some on here seems more like starter I just want to get it super right with a superb stone:). Settings can always be changed later and that is very clear on PS
 
And I've ordered rings from BGD before and love the quality but I feel like I have read more than once that you are paying more with them for same quality elsewhere?
 
Sorry one more... Will I get more spread for my budget going with new RB vs OEC?
 
If I wanted a new piece this is is what I'd buy:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-241410 6mm J SI1 with twining wisps. Beautiful stone. Great HCA. Put on hold and ask for an Idealscope image.

And then I'd put it in this: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-cabled-diamond-engagement-ring-item-17996 for the size boost.

2570
650
----------
3220
And there is a JA discount for Pricescopers that can help with the overage. You just have to ask for it.

If you are comparing to OECs do not compare carats. Compare spread.
 
Gypsy|1379980134|3525920 said:
If I wanted a new piece this is is what I'd buy:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-241410 6mm J SI1 with twining wisps. Beautiful stone. Great HCA. Put on hold and ask for an Idealscope image.

And then I'd put it in this: http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-cabled-diamond-engagement-ring-item-17996 for the size boost.

2570
650
----------
3220
And there is a JA discount for Pricescopers that can help with the overage. You just have to ask for it.

If you are comparing to OECs do not compare carats. Compare spread.
Click to expand...

Thanks Gypsy. I requested a hold but she suggested that they usually suggest to ask for three different ideal scopes. I know I would want a simpler setting. Any other stone suggestions with a simpler solitaire setting? Do I get a little more size? Also I wear rose gold wedding bands now. I'm fine with white gold but also have been curious about a rose gold setting. Will that bring out color in a lower colored stone though? Not sure I would like that. I'll try to post a pic of my current rings. Running off to work again for a few hours
 
Niel|1379980923|3525927 said:
Here are my ks for reference. Do I think they are bright enough? Absolutely. Do you? I couldn't say.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-ja-size-7-25-1-78tcw-graduated-5-stone-in-wg.190181/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-ja-size-7-25-1-78tcw-graduated-5-stone-in-wg.190181/[/URL]
Click to expand...


Yes they look white to me. But I have also seen some stones on here that are Ks and look white on top and yellowish from side? Do you just run that risk when picking Ks online or is there a way to tell?

Do you have any suggestions from bluenile. I have one diamond on hold but they suggested that I request 3 idealscope images at a time to compare?

Also will rose gold make the diamond look less white? You know I have been wearing rose gold bands. White gold setting doesn't bother me it's what I have now but I want what is going to look fantastic!

This is probably going to runabout my Dh just a bit cause I didn't just do this a year ago instead of resetting my current and buying all these preloved rings and bands that I will probably end up selling anyway.
 
*rub
 
There's no 'run the risk'... you will see color from the side of K. That's just a fact. It is a K. But they do face up white when they have ideal light return. All of them will do this. It's just the way it is.

As for JA and putting that stone on hold. I wouldn't just pick two others. They allow you only 3 total, so you would be wasting them all.
Their gemologist should be able to just evaluate how nice this one is based on their experience. I didn't see anything else worth your time on there anyway at 80 points or larger.

You can get a rose gold shank and a white metal head. That's what I'd advise.
 
My ks are in a basket setting where the metal covers the side view. So I don't see tint.
 
If you go up to 3k for the stone you can eek out a little size. But it's not much if you want something well cut. And you do want something well cut, because you want the light return to mask body color and you want the light return to maximize edge to edge brilliance.


If eyeclean: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-k-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-231630

If eyeclean: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-k-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-236230

If eyeclean: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-k-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-255165 (it hits a carat, gets a good hca score but is only facing up at 6.3)


So you can try two of those (not all are going to be eyeclean, so just ask them which two are cleaner and pick those for the idealscope) with the 80 pointer J. That one will be eyeclean, and whiter by a hair.
 
i think it would be a good idea to use a setting with a basket, that way you can hide the side of the stone, but also, it will have the white metal reflect in the stone, helping with the face up color. heres a lovely one

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.84-carat-k-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-243493

pair it with this to cover the sides and sit nice and high

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/18k-white-gold-double-claw-prong-engagement-ring-item-22604



Also, you could keep the prongs white and the shank could be whatever color you want. the shank i do think would benefit from being yellow or rose gold. The white prongs would help the stone look white, but the shank would help match the softer color of the diamond
 
Cluless|1379985881|3526005 said:
For the price I would consider putting this baby in a solitaire setting for the time being. You can try selling the emeralds to help fund for the setting or keep them and make a band lol
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CRAZY-UNIQUE-TOP-QUALITY-ANTIQUE-ESTATE-2-81CT-LARGE-DIAMOND-EMERALD-18K-RING-/161111105792?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2582f86100
Click to expand...

Take it from someone who has spent a lot of time (and money) on ebay. I would not buy anything from a seller with less than 99.7 feedback at over 1000 sales. That just tells me it's not a good seller. 99.1% and 6000 sales? No.

That stone is not going to be a J. It's going to be an M-N. If not lower. When a seller says I-J without a certificate on an old cut you can assume M-N at best. And with that seller rating and those pics... you can take M-N as a sure bet.
It doesn't state the spread. So it is likely to have a spread of 6.1 ish mm. So ask about the spread. And get it in writing in an email.

There is no extra large pictures of the stone. So you can't tell faceting. And you can't tell what the girdle is like. And you can't tell is that VVS rating is even close to accurate. All the VVS tells you is that it is eyeclean. That's it. It could be an eyeclean SI and an ebay seller would still call it VS or VVS.

If you want that stone here's what you'd need at a minimum:
Review ALL the negative feedback and see what other buyers have had issues with in the past, that is a safe predictor of problems you can encounter in your transaction.
Close up mug shots of that stone. Several would be better.
The measurements of the stone.
An email through ebay that confirms that the 14 day return policy is "no questions asked, for any reason what so ever."
That setting, just at scrap, is worth about 400 bucks. So tell them you want only the center stone and save yourself 400 bucks. I'd offer them 2,300 for just the center. That leaves you enough for a simple setting in budget.

Then when you get it you will need to go to a GOOD independent appraiser and ask them to do an eval, just oral, and have them tell you on the GIA scale what color they think the stone is. What they put the clarity at, etc. Do that within 7 days of purchase.


The stone I linked you to on Diamondbistro is a GIA K. For an old cut, that's pretty fantastic. Plus the pictures show great faceting. And the spread on it hits 6.5. That is an exceptional stone. It does have girdle issues. But so might this ebay stone you are considering. It's just a fact of life with OECs. The GIA K is NO RISK in that transaction. So they can ask 3,000. And that's a very fair price.

The Ebay stone, from a seller with only 99.1% feedback, no close up pictures, no lab report is a HIGH RISK transaction. And honestly those rarely work out in the favor of the buyer from large sellers like this. Even 2,300 is more than I'd pay.
 
I think you'd get a larger size with OECs just because ideal rounds with certificates demand a bit of a premium.

If you go really stock setting, you can get a super simple solitaire for 150$ even. :D

I think a 5 stone vs a solitaire have different sorts of visual impact. I do think you could find a better "bang for your buck" with a solitaire though since it just involves finding one well priced diamond, instead of 5 diamonds AND a setting, lol. There's a possibility someone might sell their high quality 5 stone soon as an intact piece, but I wouldn't hold my breath (hence me making my own, lol)

As far as color goes, I"m setting an F diamond next to a pair of I's, and personally, I can tell a subtle difference face up, it's not glaring but it's there. I think it's cool though lol. I can also tell the difference between my F and my emerald cut D's in my 7 stone band. So I guess the moral of the story is that if you go with a lower cut solitaire, you probably don't want to wear lower colored diamonds near it unless you're trying to highlight the tint!
 
Ahhh.. Just getting back home. I want to thank everyone for your input.

First I don't know why I was mentioning bluenile in the earlier posts. I think I was just trying to multitask a bit too much got the names comfused. I meant James Allen since Gypsy suggested I hold that one stone.

Anyway update... They are holding the stone however, the diamond dealer of that particular stone is on vacation until after the 30th. Only then can I request an idealscope so I have to wait for that. The customer service rep was making it seem like I had to put all three potential requests in at once. So I am asking for clarification because that doesn't make much sense to me. I am also clarifying if that means they will hold the stone until the 30th sense usually they only hold for 24-48 hrs.

I completely understand Gypsy. I don't think I have the guts to make such a big purchase over ebay. ebay is a whole other nother even from 5 years ago. I have seen people walk away with great steals and also get burned. I don't have the heart nor brain time to make it right for me for this purchase.

I understand the suggestion of the OEC K. I actually love the faceting but I don't want to have to work hard on this ring. The pictures don't look the greatest to me. I understand that it can just be a pic. The fact that I may have to do some rehab doesn't sound fun and also costs. It is already at the top end and I still would need a setting.

I was stumbling around on JBEG and even though I keep hearing I can get more for an OEC all her stones around .80 .90 are more expensive. There is a beautiful looking .75 but the spread looks .20 smaller I will see that difference wont I? There is also an .81 transistional"on sale" but still measures smaller. Everything else is over 3k

Makingthegrade~ I agree that it seems simpler to look for one fantastic stone than a few and a setting. I just want it to feel like a significant upgrade. Remember I am coming from a .43 elongated princess that I ended up haloing last year. It did bring some presence and it is actually probably bigger than the .80 round stone I am considering. However when I look at it I see the distinction of the smaller in the larger vs the one whole stone that sparkles and shines like crazy!

Gypsy I am going to look at those K suggestions and the one Neil suggested tomorrow or maybe in bed tonight if my eyes can stand it. Although I am not sure I want to see color from the sides. And those stones are at the top of my budget with no room left for a setting.
 
Gypsy & ChristieRose are giving excellent advise. I only posted this because I have bought from them and was more than pleased with my purchase. The stats were accurate everything was as described (I found my dream ring, my holy grail lol) I guess I got lucky. I did phone them and speak to them on several occasions before hand though and asked lots of questions. They're not very negotiable and the brother is more receptive than the sister. If I would have checked out the negative feed back or worse shown my husband well there's no way I would have gotten the ring of my dreams.
 
Thank you cluless! I totally understand and love that you have your dream ring. My dream ring is way out of my budget. Lol. However I am looking for something absolutely fantastic with the budget I have. Just can't do eBay.

For everyone else is there a noticeable difference between .80 and .90? Just curious what you pros think. I don't need the ring to say 1 carat I just want it to look fantastic on my finger.

I wear a 5.75 er now but like my rings at size 6 and all my bands are that size. They first sized my er at 5.5 but that was too tight in the summer for me.
 
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