Harry Winston Style Micro Pave Cushion Cut On a tight Budget

[hoosier28]

Hi Everybody!

As an uninformed ring shopping newbie I have to say, this forum is awesome. I'm hoping you guys can give me some much needed advice as I try to find the perfect ring for my girlfriend.

I've spent the past few weeks shopping around for engagement rings, both in stores and online, and I stumbled upon the Micro Pave Halo Cushion cut. I keep coming back to it because I think it's exactly my girlfriend's style and she'll love it. The only problem is most of them are out of my budget. I'm a medical student and can really on swing about $3,500 for a ring. She's not expecting a massive diamond ring, in fact she's told me the only thing she cares about is what it stands for. That being said, I still want to surprise her with something that's beautiful, classy, and well-made.

So, is it even possible to find this style on my budget without it looking "off" or for lack of a better term cheap?

If so, who do I work with/how do I go about getting the ring?

If it's not, what are some other options?

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Harry Winston Style Micro Pave Cushion Cut On a tight Bu

Well I think the best option is to get her a lovely sapphire center and a nice HW style setting in this case.

What with Kate and Diana's sapphire ring, they are popular right now so it doesn't look 'budget' it looks elegant, but still uncommon enough that not everyone will have one. Especially if you go for a really nice quality set.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Harry Winston Style Micro Pave Cushion Cut On a tight Bu

http://www.simplysapphires.com/blue/blue-round-ceylon-sapphire-2.52-cts-8.5mm

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/d9/c8/f3/d9c8f3a65dc7e8ba4df808733293fa2f.jpg this one is available through here: http://jefferydavies.com/gemstones/sapphire

Anyway, point is, we can help you find a nice sapphire under 1500. Which leaves you 2k for the setting.

Setting recommendation: http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/french-set-halo-diamond-band-engagement-ring-in-14kt-white-gold/6115 1770 and they make it for cushions, oval and rounds... so no matter what shape sapphire you want and end up with, they can do the setting for you.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Harry Winston Style Micro Pave Cushion Cut On a tight Bu

Another options is that instead of a cushion you consider this oval: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.50-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-240498 Ovals face up big and this one has a lot of potential.

Or this one: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.60-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-254904 I don't like is as much as the other but it is larger and is still very lovely.


Ovals are a much better choice than cushions when you are on a tight budget and want to make a bigger impression as they face up larger than cushions of the same carat weight.

You can put those on hold and ask for an ASET image of each, then post them here for us and tell us what the gemologist said about them.

And then you can send it to Ritani for setting. Their customer service reviews on here have been very good.

 

[hoosier28]

Re: Harry Winston Style Micro Pave Cushion Cut On a tight Bu

Wow, thank you so much for your help. The oval cut diamonds you posted are a great idea.

I'd really like to try and stick with diamond as opposed to sapphire.

I've also reached out to the people at Old World Diamonds about finding an antique cushion cut that doesn't show the "yellowish" tinge. But now I'm thinking an oval cut might be my best option.

What do you think about the east-west setting on the Ritani French-Set Halo that you posted?

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Harry Winston Style Micro Pave Cushion Cut On a tight Bu

I'm not sure what you mean about East West?

Do you mean the profile of the setting? I like the profile. It looks nice, elegant and has the wires underneath for structural support.

Or are you asking me what I think of setting the oval east/west instead of north/south in that setting? Cause if that's what you are asking North south is more flattering on a larger number of hands. And with this size stone I think you'll get the bigger look by setting it north south.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Harry Winston Style Micro Pave Cushion Cut On a tight Bu

Compare dimensions, not carat weight, of the stones you are looking at. Try to go for the best possible performance. And I would suggest staying at or above an EGL USA (LA or NY ok) H or GIA J for old cuts. I would not consider EGL for anything but old cuts, and I'd stay above GIA J for anything else.

 

[hoosier28]

Re: Harry Winston Style Micro Pave Cushion Cut On a tight Bu

I've been working with the people at Ritani and they've been great in working within my budget. I think I'm going to try the cushion cut. We came up with this setting, which is very thin/petite pave and almost exactly what I'm looking for. Basically the same one you sent me.

http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/french-set-halo-diamond-band-engagement-ring-in-14kt-white-gold/10620

For the center stone I've narrowed it down to 2 diamonds. We're going to have a phone consultation next week to look at pictures and choose which one. I'd be a little leery of doing all of this over the phone if they didn't offer the free in store viewing before buying.

http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/cushion-diamond-0-61-Carat-G-color-GIA-certified/D-Z29HPJ?search_key=d-z29hpj

http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/cushion-diamond-0-58-Carat-E-color-GIA-certified/D-CPFPF1?search_key=d-cpfpf1

I'm leaning toward 0.58 carat due to its color. But I think they are both pretty solid diamonds for the money. What are your thoughts?

 

[Niel]

Re: Harry Winston Style Micro Pave Cushion Cut On a tight Bu

I'd strongly consider this one

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-cushion-center-item-17429

If you look st the 360 view the stones under a ct look really nice in that betting. And that leaves you a lot for the stone!

Eta I'm having a todo trying to look them up on my phone. But here's one they could do. Easy west would be cool!

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.71-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-183940

 

[Niel]

Re: Harry Winston Style Micro Pave Cushion Cut On a tight Bu

also, if you look at the 360 view of that ring, they have an example of a round in a cushion halo. Might also be an option for you.

Ths stone has an aset between 203, and is si2.

but i feel like it faces up very white and i think could be eye clean, so i would get an idealscope of this if you'd be interested in a round. But I think a cushion is lovely in that setting too. And that F is of course going to be whiter (JA lights seem to bring out the brown in stones more than the yellow. But and f is an f)

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-j-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-255926

 

[Niel]

Re: Harry Winston Style Micro Pave Cushion Cut On a tight Bu

Love this combo.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/18k-white-gold-pave-set-engagement-ring-cushion-center-item-31888
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.60-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-247898


Here's an example of that setting for a round. Really well done

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/18k-white-gold-hand-made-pave-halo-engagement-ring-round-center-item-22654