Got A CHALLENGE For All You PSer's!

[NurseMike]

Hello and greetings!!!

PC lurker here moving to California from Iowa to change my girlfriend's last name in 2.5 weeks and need help finding this ring or very similar at a budget of ~$5,000!



I was hoping some of you guys could give a quote on how much a Platinum ring like this would cost with the most affordable eye-clean diamond at 0.95-1.00 carat?

The closest to resemblance of this setting in Platinum I could scour is this one from James Allen at $2,490:


http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...-twisted-pave-halo-engagement-ring-item-41149

My budget on the engagement ring as stated above is around $5,000 and that setting has already met 50% of that budget, which would leave me only $2500 left to find a 0.95-1.00 diamond to top this beauty!

In short: I would like a ring like the first picture posted with a 0.95-1.00 carat diamond on there at a budget of $5,000 for my lovely future wifey
OR
Help finding an eye-clean 0.95-1.00 carat diamond at ~$2,500-2,800 to go with the setting from James Allen... Thank-you in advance to all you PSer's!!!

 

[Snowdrop13]

Is that a setting she has said she likes or wants? Will it fit with her style and tastes? I'm only asking because it is going to take a huge chunk of your budget. A very quick search on the JA site at that price point shows plenty of diamonds but they are J/K colour, don't look eye clean and not great cuts. Is there anything you're willing to compromise on, maybe size?

 

[NurseMike]

This was one of two settings she liked. Unfortunately, she is not a typical t-shirt and shorts kinda woman, and I believe this one suits her style the best. She has mentioned she wanted a 1 carat diamond, but I did a search using these parameters:

https://www.pricescope.com/diamond-search-results/UhpwgSXs

I'd be willing to go down to color: I and clarity: SI1

Could anybody help on determining which of these diamonds would be the best candidate or if I'm just better off compromising on the carat weight? I am considering looking at ~$3,000 for a round diamond.

 

[Niel]

This was one of two settings she liked. Unfortunately, she is not a typical t-shirt and shorts kinda woman, and I believe this one suits her style the best. She has mentioned she wanted a 1 carat diamond, but I did a search using these parameters:

https://www.pricescope.com/diamond-search-results/UhpwgSXs

I'd be willing to go down to color: I and clarity: SI1

Could anybody help on determining which of these diamonds would be the best candidate or if I'm just better off compromising on the carat weight? I am considering looking at ~$3,000 for a round diamond.

What was the other setting

 

[NurseMike]

This was the second one she picked out.

 

[Niel]

Have you told her she won't get a 1ct diamond if she wants those settings?

Eta and you need the WHOLE RING in 2.5 weeks?

 

[Niel]

Also, it has to be platinum because?

 

[NurseMike]

Have you told her she won't get a 1ct diamond if she wants those settings?

Eta and you need the WHOLE RING in 2.5 weeks?

I have not. I'm guessing finding a 1 carat around $3,000 was a long shot. I wanted to propose in Mid-Late April if I had a ring picked out by that time.

 

[NurseMike]

Also, it has to be platinum because?

She mentioned early on in our relationship she has always wanted Platinum.

 

[Snowdrop13]

She sounds like she might be disappointed if she doesn't receive a 1ct diamond. How about doing this a different way- spend your budget on the diamond now ($5000 will get you a nicely cut, sparkly I Si1 of over a carat) and save up for the setting?

Please, please do a bit more research about diamond quality on here, there are absolutely tons of great threads which will help you. This is a big purchase, get yourself informed before you spend $$$$$$!

 

[Niel]

Ok!
Now I don't want you to be disappointed because we can find her something lovely just understand something may have to give.

Now if she wants THAT halo setting, in platinum, with a one carat round.... You'll not get that.

However. A unique halo in platinum with (about) a 1ct diamond (notice I didn't say necessarily round) is closer to double.

Is she open to the later? Or does it have to be the former?

 

[NurseMike]

She sounds like she might be disappointed if she doesn't receive a 1ct diamond. How about doing this a different way- spend your budget on the diamond now ($5000 will get you a nicely cut, sparkly I Si1 of over a carat) and save up for the setting?

Please, please do a bit more research about diamond quality on here, there are absolutely tons of great threads which will help you. This is a big purchase, get yourself informed before you spend $$$$$$!

I truly appreciate your guy's recommendations!!! The 1 carat diamond was one specification I didn't want to compromise on, but I will have to go over my game plan especially because that Twisted Pave Halo setting from James Allen really matches that ring she wanted. I only have been researching about diamonds 4 days ago (learned the 4 C's, basic stuff), but it looks like I have a lot more to research!!! Thank-you for replying, Snowdrop!

 

[tyty333]

She sounds like she might be disappointed if she doesn't receive a 1ct diamond. How about doing this a different way- spend your budget on the diamond now ($5000 will get you a nicely cut, sparkly I Si1 of over a carat) and save up for the setting?

Please, please do a bit more research about diamond quality on here, there are absolutely tons of great threads which will help you. This is a big purchase, get yourself informed before you spend $$$$$$!

I truly appreciate your guy's recommendations!!! The 1 carat diamond was one specification I didn't want to compromise on, but I will have to go over my game plan especially because that Twisted Pave Halo setting from James Allen really matches that ring she wanted. I only have been researching about diamonds 4 days ago (learned the 4 C's, basic stuff), but it looks like I have a lot more to research!!! Thank-you for replying, Snowdrop!

Its hard to find a nice 1 carat for $5k. Your/her wants and your budget are not meshing. Something has to give. $5k is nothing to
sneeze at and you can get a lovely ring for $5k just need to reconsider the platinum/carat size/expensive halo etc. Let us know your
priorities and in what order.

 

[NurseMike]

Ok!
Now I don't want you to be disappointed because we can find her something lovely just understand something may have to give.

Now if she wants THAT halo setting, in platinum, with a one carat round.... You'll not get that.

However. A unique halo in platinum with (about) a 1ct diamond (notice I didn't say necessarily round) is closer to double.

Is she open to the later? Or does it have to be the former?

No way, I welcome any advice I can get! I've appreciated itI!!!

That halo setting in Platinum will be a hard one to depart from, but I am talking with Martin Sheffield to see what we can work out! He has been very pleasant in our conversation so far! Thank-you so much Niel for the prompt replies!!!

 

[Niel]

What's her finger size?

 

[NurseMike]

She sounds like she might be disappointed if she doesn't receive a 1ct diamond. How about doing this a different way- spend your budget on the diamond now ($5000 will get you a nicely cut, sparkly I Si1 of over a carat) and save up for the setting?

Please, please do a bit more research about diamond quality on here, there are absolutely tons of great threads which will help you. This is a big purchase, get yourself informed before you spend $$$$$$!

I truly appreciate your guy's recommendations!!! The 1 carat diamond was one specification I didn't want to compromise on, but I will have to go over my game plan especially because that Twisted Pave Halo setting from James Allen really matches that ring she wanted. I only have been researching about diamonds 4 days ago (learned the 4 C's, basic stuff), but it looks like I have a lot more to research!!! Thank-you for replying, Snowdrop!

Its hard to find a nice 1 carat for $5k. Your/her wants and your budget are not meshing. Something has to give. $5k is nothing to
sneeze at and you can get a lovely ring for $5k just need to reconsider the platinum/carat size/expensive halo etc. Let us know your
priorities and in what order.

I am definitely starting to figure that out for sure! We have had conversations over her engagement ring, and I just remembered her being adamant about a 1 carat, Platinum ring. I let her search for rings, and she singled out two photos (posted above) describing she liked the "halo and pave" detailing for the setting. I underestimated how much that would truly cost trying to meet all those ramifications, and I really wanted to get her "dream ring."

My priorities would be:

1. Cut (Excellent-Very Good)
2. Carat (0.95-1.00)
3. Clarity (SI1-SI2)
4. Color (H-I)

 

[NurseMike]

What's her finger size?

Her finger size is a 4.

 

[PintoBean]

It's not a bad idea to make the dream ring a two part gift. How about the dream diamond first in a simple solitaire, then on the anniversary of your engagement or as a wedding gift, you give her the reset in the dream setting?

 

[Gem Queen]

What part of California are you moving to? I have a great jeweler in Orange County. If you're interested, let me know. I will get you her phone number and name.

 

[gr8leo87]

May be look into fluorescent diamonds.

 

[Niel]

i found a really beautiful marquise 1 ct, G si1 thats perfect for a stock setting (10x5mm), for 3550, which one would think you could get a stuller halo for around 1600, however, i dont know exactly the price of stuller settings, and i dont even know if she would like a marqiuse

 

[Niel]

ok. so.

this will not get to you by late march/early july

but id inquire about this stone, and ask them if they would be willing to get an gia or ags certificate

http://idjewelry.com/round-mw53553.html

 

[Queenie60]

It's not a bad idea to make the dream ring a two part gift. How about the dream diamond first in a simple solitaire, then on the anniversary of your engagement or as a wedding gift, you give her the reset in the dream setting?

This is how I feel you should do it. Get a beautiful diamond with a plain solitaire, reset as a special gift in the future.

 

[Niel]

Do you think she would like any of these settings?

http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-floral-halo-engagement-ring-item-53655

http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-trellis-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-item-53015

http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-pave-halo-and-twisted-shank-solitaire-item-17467

Personally I like the first one because it gives that flower look of the second halo, and would allow for her to get a "twisty" wedding band to get that criss cross look and not clash with the band.

 

[Tekate]

What if you started with something like this and told her that as you all pass the years and incomes increase you can upgrade both setting and stone? just a thought.

http://www.bluenile.com/engagement-rings/recently-purchased-engagement-ring-details?ring_id=1444319841

 

[Niel]

Do you think she would like any of these settings?

http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-floral-halo-engagement-ring-item-53655

http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-trellis-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-item-53015

http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-pave-halo-and-twisted-shank-solitaire-item-17467

Personally I like the first one because it gives that flower look of the second halo, and would allow for her to get a "twisty" wedding band to get that criss cross look and not clash with the band.

With one of these I would choose this diamond.

Yes it's a v good cut. With her very strict requirements, im recommending it

Her finger is itty bitty. On the hand, particularly hers, it will look like 1 ct.

With the diamonds in the halo, itl be 1tcw.


http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-very-good-cut-sku-974003

There's also this one I like, I like probably more, but there are only two settings I'd suggest for your budget with this stone

http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.91-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-810641

The settings would be, the first one listed, or this one
http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-trellis-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-item-53016

(If you Google James Allen referral discount youll find a way to save 100$)

 

[MollyMalone]

i found a really beautiful marquise 1 ct, G si1 thats perfect for a stock setting (10x5mm), for 3550, which one would think you could get a stuller halo for around 1600, however, i dont know exactly the price of stuller settings, and i dont even know if she would like a marqiuse

Niel, I think (based on a somewhat outdated Stuller catalog) this marquise halo semi-mount might fall within budget -- if ordered in WG, not platinum & if the local jeweler isn't one of those who quote customers prices that are higher than Stuller's suggested retail price:
http://www.stuller.com/products/68872/?groupId=110635

But I really like this idea of yours!

Do you think she would like any of these settings?
http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-floral-halo-engagement-ring-item-53655
http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-trellis-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-item-53015
http://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/engagement-rings/halo/platinum-pave-halo-and-twisted-shank-solitaire-item-17467

Personally I like the first one because it gives that flower look of the second halo, and would allow for her to get a "twisty" wedding band to get that criss cross look and not clash with the band.

 

[Niel]

To the idea of the floral halo, it really would take up a lot of get hand (I first put a .9 ct diamond on a 4size finger, then went to James Allen and did the "try on" function, and tried to put it on the stone with the stones the same size on the screen, it just happened that when the two stones where the same size, it also looked like it fit her hand)


Then you could have a band like this to get the same elements, just spread over her wedding and e ring rather just one whole ring.

And I know this isn't exactly what she wanted, but you can be honest with her you where trying to get her the look she wanted with your budget.

I really did spend a lot of my day combing through eBay, blue Nile, Ruby Lane, 1st dibs, brilliant earth, Pricescope diamond search and whatnot and this was the best I could do

 

[tyty333]

Gabriel and Co has some flowery ones...maybe a bit too flowery...you'll have to ask Id Jewelry for the platinum price
http://idjewelry.com/14k-white-gold-diamond-halo-engagement-ring-er7729w44jj.html
http://idjewelry.com/14k-white-gold-diamond-halo-engagement-ring-er11799r4w44jj.html

 

[E B]

Is this close enough to the first flower setting?

http://www.stuller.com/products/69818/?groupId=113995

I would ask Yekutiel at ID Jewelry (www.idjewelry.com- call, don't email, esp. if you're under a time crunch) if they can get this setting and if so, you need the nicest, closest to 1 ct diamond you can put in it in budget. Tell him you're a Pricescoper.