Help! Information on choosing/buying engagement ring

[jramy278]

Hello PS-ers!

Much like most first time posters, I'm a long time lurker here at PS! My boy and I have learnt soooo much from these pages, we are so grateful for your knowledge and generous advice! Now that we're ready for our next steps, I was hoping to get some guidance and information from you all.

We went to a local store Tappers (who are also authorized dealers/preview store for designers like Ritani) to get a general feel for what I like (we are based in Michigan). I went in thinking "yes, six prong solitaires and noooo halos". Of course that completely changed and I'm glad I got a chance to look in person! I tried on a lot of things and the setting we are currently favoring is this Ritani round halo setting: http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/french-set-halo-diamond-band-engagement-ring-in-14kt-white-gold/6115 It has a really nice balance of prettiness/delicateness without being tooo blingy. Oh and our budget is ~$4000 for the complete ring. Diamond requirements: G-H, VS1-VS2, 0.6-0.7ct, excellent/ideal cuts. Does this sound do-able?

So I've scoured the PS pages and here is what I have learnt about Ritani rings. I'm hoping that you guys can tell me if we are going in the right direction and any other suggestions:

1) We can buy directly from Ritani.com: in this case we HAVE to buy the diamond from them as well? Is this a good idea? Are they going to be overpriced coz of the Ritani brand?

2) We buy the diamond and setting from authorized Ritani dealers (that are PS-approved vendors): Whiteflash/Pearlmans seem to be the options, although neither of them carries this particular setting. Are they able to order other Ritani rings that are not listed on their websites too?

3) We buy the diamond online and buy the setting locally from an authorized jeweler and have them set it: I think I read that Ritani warranties only cover diamonds set by them and so this might not be the best option? If so, can WF or Pearlmans work with me to send my diamond in to Ritani and get the ring set (irrespective of whom I buy the diamond from)?

We are only an hour or so away from Pearlmans and they seem to be highly recommended here on PS. Do you think it's a good idea to get an appointment with them over the weekend and go talk to them in person? Would you recommend that we ask Pearlmans to help us find the diamond vs. us looking on WF and other sites?

I know these are a lot of q's!! It's all so exciting and confusing at the same time, so I'm hoping you will indulge me and help me out. Thanks for your consideration!

 

[AprilBaby]

I wish I could answer your questions but I don't know. WF certainly has gorgeous ACA diamonds! I would call them direct and ask your questions, they have fabulous customer service! Good luck with your dream ring and come back with photos!!!

 

[jramy278]

Thank you, no worries it's the thought that counts. I will try contacting WF directly. I have also been in email contact with Bill Pearlman since posting here so I'm hoping to get some help from him. I'll definitely post pictures once I get it!
Anybody else out there with some helpful thoughts? Pretty please.

 

[ecf8503]

I'm in Michigan too -

I *think* Tapper's sets the stones themselves - at least they do have a shop in the Orchard Lake store. I asked them about resetting a stone into a Ritani, and they told me they would do it there.

Pearlman's is awesome - if you've never been there, you should go just for the experience. I've never seen such beautiful jewelry all in one place before! I saw Bill Pearlman when I was there, and he was so nice and extremely knowledgeable. I know Julian is also very good, and much of the interaction I've had with them via email has been with him. They can get ideal cut stones - Bill knows what standards PS'rs have, and he knows how to find good ones. He will also set outside stones. But I don't know if they do it in house or send it to Ritani to keep the warranty valid. I'd call and make an appt (ask if they have that particular setting in stock, and if not can they get one for you to see again), let them know you are a PS'r and what kind of stone you expect to get. They will work with you on price.

 

[jramy278]

Thanks ecf! I went to the Novi Tappers but I'm sure they all have the same policies.

No I've never been to Pearlmans before. My only problem is that we can only go during the weekend (since we can't get from AA to Battle Creek before they close on a working day). Bill is giving us an appointment this Sat, but he says he can only have limited things out for us to see since he can't put out all his jewelry with a limited weekend staff It's understandable, just unfortunate that we can't make it during their regular hours. I've given him the info above on diamonds and settings so hopefully it will be a good visit! In the meantime we're going to try to go to a local Lewis store to look at the Ritani setting again today. Fingers crossed! Thanks again!

 

[jramy278]

Oh also, would either of you be able to tell me if our diamond criteria are ok given our budget? (assuming we pay the retail price of $1770 for the setting right now)

 

[ecf8503]

Don't compromise on cut quality whatever you do. I think a nice stone is very attainable - keep your eyes open for eye-clean SI1's as well. And you may want to just look at some ideal cut I-J range stones just to see how you like them. I have a D, 2 G's, and a J - and I like them all. I think the J color adds a little personality to the stone, but it is a solitaire - you may not want to go that low depending on what color melee Ritani uses. But look at some before you discount them. There was a poll on here not long ago, and most people would take an I color no problem. But yes I think your budget for the stone is reasonable. Here's one I like: http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2978577.htm

 

[jramy278]

The Ritani melee is supposed to be a minimum H so I think a J stone might be too yellow next to it? I'll definitely take a look anyway. Thanks for the stone recommendation, it looks great and fits our budget nicely. As I'm still learning, I hope you don't mind helping me understand a bit better - the "hearts" diagram on the AGS cert. looks rather skewed/smushed. Is this is a not-so-good thing/does it not matter since all the specs and the ASET look great otherwise? Thanks!