Head Spinning! I need HELP!

je355804 · Oct 22, 2011

Alright... so here is my situation. I am a medical student about to enter my third year of school, and I am ready to propose to my girl friend. She's also in school with me, and well... neither of us really have any money at this point. Thus my budget is very low, in fact I can only really afford about $1,200 at this point. I'd like to do something more than this, but given school and all the costs that come along with it that's all I can do. I'll certainly get her something nicer in the future when we have more money!

I started my search this week for a diamond, and there are so many different options out there it's crazy! I think I'd prefer a slightly more flawed diamond in exchange for a larger size and better cut. I am wondering what you guys think about this, and if any of you happen to have any good advice about finding an internet source.

I also think I prefer a more simple ring... I like the solitary white gold (I like platinum haha, but clearly can't afford that.) I'm so lost guys! I'm praying someone can help me and my tiny budget!

drad · Oct 23, 2011

A simple setting is a good idea so you can save on the setting and spend more on the diamond. I would go with someone that has a trade-in policy with their diamonds so when you are ready to get a bigger diamond you can put the cost of the old one to the new one.

What about one of these settings:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5351
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5342

With one of these diamonds?
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104054189063
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104054379058
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104054379022

je355804 · Oct 23, 2011

Those look so nice! Much nicer than the ones I've been looking at... Is .4 carrats microscopic???

Bella_mezzo · Oct 23, 2011

Congrats on your impending engagement!!!!

Diamond prices (and metal prices) are quite high right now, so it could be a fun challenge to get a ring you like, with the presence you want on your budget, but it is possible

Here's a few questions:

1. Do you want a diamond, or do you like colored stones (I have a sapphire engagement ring b/c I prefer them)
2. Do you like old cut diamonds/vintage rings or do you prefer new diamonds
3. How do you feel about the secondary market (I think it's the best option right now, but be sure that you get a return policy in writing and that you search for reviews of the sellers)
4. do you like any shapes besides round
6. do you want a solitaire or do you like a substantial band or five-stone type ring

Seeing as your budget is $1200 and you are in med school, if it were me I would worry less about trade-in policies and more about finding a ring I like now. Realistically, in about 5-6 years you are going to be in a very different financial position and if it were me, I would rather have a ring I really liked for the next 5-6 years than buy something with some kind of trade-in policy when the trade-in value probably wouldn't be that significant down the road...

Anyway, here are a few options on the secondary market (I went above your budget as you can sometimes negotiate, or maybe if there is something you really like you can have some flexibility on your end...). I think these first few links to diamond bistro are ok to post here, I'm not totally clear on the new rules (so mods, if I can't post them here please just delete, not trying to start any drama

You could also post your budget and what you are looking for on the preowned subforum and see if any PSer has a ring in their jewelry box that they might want to sell...:

.5 ct GIA cert diamond in a beautiful modern platinum setting: http://www.diamondbistro.com/category/216/Natural-Diamond-Center/listings/23826/GIA-certified-051-G-SI1-Diamond-Ring-Sz-5.html

light yellow oec diamond in halo setting: http://www.diamondbistro.com/category/216/Natural-Diamond-Center/listings/23736/55mm-light-yellow-OEC-diamond-halo-ring.html

radiant diamond in diamond setting (not sure if they'll come down close to your budget: http://www.diamondbistro.com/category/216/Natural-Diamond-Center/listings/23505/See-GIA-cert-and-appraisal!-704-VVS2-F-ring.html

princess cut three stone: http://www.diamondbistro.com/category/216/Natural-Diamond-Center/listings/22519/3-Stone-WG-Princess-cut-Engagement-Ring-1CT-VS-2-H.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-68CT-OLD-EUROPEAN-DIAMOND-SOLITAIRE-14K-WHITE-GOLD-ENGAGEMENT-RING-SALE-/370546745591?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56464ea0f7#ht_7056wt_1126 (I LOVE this one

for price and simple elegant look, this might be a great option for you. I would buy this in a heartbeat... )

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-60ctG-SI-Vintage-antique-art-deco-diamond-wedding-set-/200664399321?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb887bdd9#ht_9607wt_1396 (not totally my personal style, but awesome finger coverage)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Platinum-Diamond-1-17cts-ring-circa-1920-/290615124907?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43aa02e3ab#ht_500wt_907 (above your budget and I'm not sure if this seller will budge much on the price, but really pretty and lots of bling

you could also just call ID jewelry, tell Yekeutiel that you are a pricescoper and your budget, and see what he can do. Their prices tend to be really reasonable and he is great with working within budgets...

Bella_mezzo · Oct 23, 2011

As far as size, you can download a chart like this and cut out the shapes very carefully and tape them to your/her finger...(don't laugh too hard, Psers like me do this ALL THE TIME

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.gemnation.com/images/actual-diamond-size-preview.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.gemnation.com/base%3Fprocessor%3DgetPage%26pageName%3Dcarat&h=255&w=191&sz=16&tbnid=2T3Am-orfdWPWM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=67&prev=/search%3Fq%3Ddiamond%2Bsize%2Bchart%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=diamond+size+chart&docid=8flVxrY0Y8RwzM&sa=X&ei=xaWjTvahCYHs0gGLv_iqCg&ved=0CEIQ9QEwAw&dur=108

be sure to check the mm of the stone rather than just the carat weight as if a stone is deeper it will "face up" smaller...

.4 carat is on the smaller side, but my mom's ring (which she had happily worn for 34 years) is a .35 old european cut diamond and it definitely is not microscopic...she has it set in a simple yellow gold basket setting but with a wire around the diamond as it's an old family stone and the girdle is really thin. The wire helps add a little more size to the stone's look.

slg47 · Oct 23, 2011

.4 carats is definitely not microscopic.

Gypsy · Oct 23, 2011

I'd snap this up if they will negotiate with you. http://www.diamondbistro.com/category/216/Natural-Diamond-Center/listings/23826/GIA-certified-051-G-SI1-Diamond-Ring-Sz-5.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-68CT-OLD-EUROPEAN-DIAMOND-SOLITAIRE-14K-WHITE-GOLD-ENGAGEMENT-RING-SALE-/370546745591?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56464ea0f7#ht_7056wt_1126 LOVELY but does have a feather and it may be a little visible so you should keep it in this setting. Great for your budget and will be gorgeous on her.

If she likes yellow gold this one has just a fabulous setting and the illusion head will make it look much bigger than 30 points: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-30ct-DIAMOND-Engagement-RING-14k-18k-Gold-/370533277097?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item5645811da9

Also yellow gold and has a gorgeous large center stone, and at that price you can REMOVE the stone (resell the setting on diamondbistro) and afford a lovely simple tiffany four prong setting IN BUDGET: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1700-ANTIQUE-VINTAGE-SOLITAIRE-DIAMOND-RING-0-65CT-/320731751436?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aad1a240c

BEAUTIFUL. http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-CARAT-ROUND-DIAMOND-ANTIQUE-FILAGREE-14K-WHITE-GOLD-ENGAGEMENT-RING-77-OFF-/130590839084?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e67d2112c PROBABLY PERFECT. Snap it up. 14 day return policy if it doesn't work out.

je355804 · Oct 23, 2011

Wow thanks for those links! I checked out every one of them, and I especially liked:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-68CT-OLD-EUROPEAN-DIAMOND-SOLITAIRE-14K-WHITE-GOLD-ENGAGEMENT-RING-SALE-/370546745591?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56464ea0f7#ht_7056wt_1126

Will it be obvious that it's a used ring???

Gypsy · Oct 23, 2011

je355804|1319350364|3045799 said:
Wow thanks for those links! I checked out every one of them, and I especially liked:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-68CT-OLD-EUROPEAN-DIAMOND-SOLITAIRE-14K-WHITE-GOLD-ENGAGEMENT-RING-SALE-/370546745591?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56464ea0f7#ht_7056wt_1126

Will it be obvious that it's a used ring???

That one is NOT used. It's an antique.

And it's stood the test of time. I would appreciate it for the age, not disparage it.

THIS is another option: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hearts-Fire-IDEAL-AGS-Certified-Round-Cut-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-G-VS2-/170714454158?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item27bf5fd88e

Hearts on Fire-- ideal cut, GREAT color and clarity. And a platinum setting. This one is new. If you want it, snap it up before the lurkers get it.

We have viscous lurkers here. They will steal your finds.

je355804 · Oct 23, 2011

Do you think these are nice?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GREAT-ROUND-DIAMOND-CHANNEL-18K-WG-ENGAGEMENT-RING-85C-/370530366802?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_with_Accents&hash=item564554b552#ht_7236wt_1141

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STUNNING-80CT-PEAR-DIAMOND-14K-W-GOLD-ENGAGEMENT-RING-/230666253564?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_with_Accents&hash=item35b4c7b4fc#ht_4530wt_1186

If you go with an antique diamond, will the setting have visible wear and tear on it? If so, can it be fixed by a jeweler?

BTW, thank you SO MUCH for the help!

je355804 · Oct 23, 2011

Also, is this a rip-off?

http://www.mcqueenjewelry.com/vmchk/Round-Solitaire/0.85-Ct.-Round-Diamond-Solitaire-Ring-D-SI3-I1.html

slg47 · Oct 23, 2011

je355804|1319351874|3045806 said:
Also, is this a rip-off?

http://www.mcqueenjewelry.com/vmchk/Round-Solitaire/0.85-Ct.-Round-Diamond-Solitaire-Ring-D-SI3-I1.html

I would not go with a SI3/I1...no lab report...way too many unknowns here. the Hearts on Fire looks really nice, as well as any of the options from BGD, and the antique stone you posted about (0.68 ct). The last 2 links you posted are not my favorite, the first one the setting looks too clunky to me and the second one (the pear) is set SUPER high and is a SI3...

most settings can be repolished but you want to make sure the shank is not worn super thin.

Gypsy · Oct 23, 2011

je355804|1319351874|3045806 said:
Also, is this a rip-off?

http://www.mcqueenjewelry.com/vmchk/Round-Solitaire/0.85-Ct.-Round-Diamond-Solitaire-Ring-D-SI3-I1.html

Yes.

Gypsy · Oct 23, 2011

je355804|1319351744|3045805 said:
Do you think these are nice?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GREAT-ROUND-DIAMOND-CHANNEL-18K-WG-ENGAGEMENT-RING-85C-/370530366802?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_with_Accents&hash=item564554b552#ht_7236wt_1141

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STUNNING-80CT-PEAR-DIAMOND-14K-W-GOLD-ENGAGEMENT-RING-/230666253564?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_with_Accents&hash=item35b4c7b4fc#ht_4530wt_1186

If you go with an antique diamond, will the setting have visible wear and tear on it? If so, can it be fixed by a jeweler?

BTW, thank you SO MUCH for the help!

No, both are crappy.

EBay is a skill. Takes time to develop the ability to find decent buys on ebay. I wouldn't suggest trying it on your own.

The few people on PS that recommend from ebay have a lot of experience doing it and still get burned (myself included).

I would buy the Hearts on Fire or one of the other's I posted. I can keep looking for you as well.

Gypsy · Oct 23, 2011

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-02CT-F-VS-Diamond-Bridal-Set-Engagement-Ring-band-18k-WG-8-7g-/200660283406?pt=Wedding_Sets&hash=item2eb848f00e Diamonds look pretty good.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/47F-VS1-Yales-Diamond-Platinum-Emerald-Engagement-Ring-sz7-25-4-8g-/190577017144?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item2c5f468138 I like it. I don't think it's a standard emerald cut, and the setting is gorgeous.

Gypsy · Oct 23, 2011

A LOT of women HATE marquise, but this one is kinda nice: http://www.ebay.com/itm/75ct-H-Si1-Marquise-diamond-solitaire-ring-14k-WG-/200660283755?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item2eb848f16b not my favorite setting, but you can get it re-set later. Marquise face up large so it is a good sized stone. BUT check to make sure she doesn't hate marquise.

MissGotRocks · Oct 23, 2011

I must say I am so impressed with the things these ladies have found for you - wow! They should go to the head of the searching class!

What sounds nearly impossible becomes a thing of beauty. . . I truly am impressed and hope that one of these will suit your special lady!

smc7277 · Oct 23, 2011

Chiming in on that oec solitaire.. I personally LOVE it and would want it for myself even. and if down the road you get her a new ring she could make that into a pendant or one stud for a pair of earrings.
or sell it to me : )

Bella_mezzo · Oct 23, 2011

Honestly, I would get the .68 OEC solitaire in a heartbeat, truly if had spare funds at the moment I would have bought it already...and since the links are up here there's a good chance that someone else will buy one of these rings (happens all the time on PS). So if there is one that you like, I'd snap it up ASAP.

I totally agree with Gypsy and the rings you posted from ebay aren't great.

IMO, the best of the bunch (if you want a round classic engagement ring) that are in or close to budget are:

the .68 OEC
the .51 modern Canadian diamond ring from the bistro
the hearts on fire that gypsy posted
the .5 filigree that gypsy posted

Blue-Seeker · Oct 23, 2011

Bella_mezzo|1319377450|3045857 said:
Honestly, I would get the .68 OEC solitaire in a heartbeat, truly if had spare funds at the moment I would have bought it already...and since the links are up here there's a good chance that someone else will buy one of these rings (happens all the time on PS). So if there is one that you like, I'd snap it up ASAP.

I totally agree with Gypsy and the rings you posted from ebay aren't great.

IMO, the best of the bunch (if you want a round classic engagement ring) that are in or close to budget are:

the .68 OEC
the .51 modern Canadian diamond ring from the bistro
the hearts on fire that gypsy posted
the .5 filigree that gypsy posted

Agree with Bella_mezzo. The .68 OEC would be my choice, and you'd have money left over for a nice wedding band. I recommend you take the advice of the people here who have a lot of experience with diamonds, both antique and new, and with ebay and other pre-owned, estate and vintage venues, like Diamond Bistro. Gypsy has been giving me great advice on an antique diamond I am considering. And the people in the colored stones forum are a great resource, too, if you decide to go with a colored gemstone for a ring. I've lurked here a while, and I've seen people get some wonderful deals on some great pieces because of advice from the members on this forum. I know it may seem strange to you to buy a "used" ring, but, really, many "new" diamonds purchased in a store have probably belonged to someone else. Antique rings and colored gemstone rings are timeless.

PositivelyPeanut · Oct 23, 2011

Bella_mezzo|1319377450|3045857 said:
IMO, the best of the bunch (if you want a round classic engagement ring) that are in or close to budget are:

the .68 OEC
the .51 modern Canadian diamond ring from the bistro
the hearts on fire that gypsy posted
the .5 filigree that gypsy posted

For what it's worth, I agree...especially about the first two. They are lovely, and I think they would appeal to almost any woman.
http://www.diamondbistro.com/category/216/Natural-Diamond-Center/listings/23826/GIA-certified-051-G-SI1-Diamond-Ring-Sz-5.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-68CT-OLD-EUROPEAN-DIAMOND-SOLITAIRE-14K-WHITE-GOLD-ENGAGEMENT-RING-SALE-/370546745591?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56464ea0f7#ht_7056wt_1126

mjertl · Oct 23, 2011

wow, I love the 0.68 OEC... Such a simple and elegant setting, and a beautiful stone with nice chunky facets. Gorgeous. And under budget!

motownmama · Oct 23, 2011

I like the GIA cert one from Diamond Bistro. That setting looks good for a doctor - not sharp prongs.

Rhea · Oct 24, 2011

I've been considering the 0.51 round on the diamondbistro for myself! It's stunning! Some great choices have been found for you. Do you like any of them? Or are you looking for something else?

tyty333 · Oct 24, 2011

I would go for that oval that gypsy found and put it in a simple white gold 4 prong setting (around $350 + setting fee).
(you would need to ask them about any visible flaws)

I also like the .51 in the modern setting (diamond bistro). That setting looks like it would work well for someone
in the medical profession.

That .68 OEC flaw is just a tad too much for me.

Head Spinning! I need HELP!

Rough_Rock

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