Help! Looking for assistance with an engagement ring

[Brodacious]

Hello, Thanks for clicking.

I am looking for an engagement ring and have around $5,000 US to spend.

My Girlfriend sent me this picture last summer, and while i'm fairly certain its way out of budget, the style is more what I'm after.
I have no idea what cut that diamond is or what the setting is called if anything.



She seems to like rings with diamonds or designs on them, instead of plain.
I also think she would like a 2 stone setting possibly.
I have a pair of diamond studs that I was going to sell to help off-set some of the cost, but I was told its not really worth it.
They are 3/4 Carat (total), SI2/G-I, Very Good Cut. Is it possible to use them in a ring?

Is it better to get the setting with the stone? Does that matter?

There is soooo much out there its hard to sift through all the garbage.
Any recommendations on quality online stores would be most welcome.

Thanks if you made it this far!!!

 

[chrono]

It is most likely a cushion cut stone. Based on the ring design shown, your spare stud earrings are too large to be incorporated proportionately into the ring.

 

[Brodacious]

The studs I was thinking could be used in a 3 stone setting?
Something more like this:

 

[chrono]

Personally, I am not fond of a cushion center stone paired with round sidestones due to the clashing of shapes (round and rectangular do not flow well to me). If she sent you a picture of a cushion, I would not shop for a round center stone. A 3 stone ring is very different from the type she sent to you, which has a row of small round melees running down the shank.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Please don't use earring stones for side stones in a ring. Those usually are not the cut quality one wants in a ring unless they just happen to be ideal cuts. Use them for studs again!

If the Cartier ring is her favorite. then I'd buy a modern cushion and have Casey van Bebber make you a setting similar to that. The only downside is that a setting like that is not going to be cheap and at least half your budget will have to go toward the setting. Then that means a really small cushion center. I honestly think she needs a reality check because that ring in the picture is probably 2 or 3 carats for the center stone and a less than one carat diamond is not going to have the same effect.

But someone here not too long ago made a cushion ring with a Bev K setting. Finding the thread might be a challenge, but here is the setting which is only $1325 in 18k white gold (more for platinum):

http://www.greenwichjewelers.com/shop/designers/beverley-k/products/beverley-k-deco-inspired-diamond-engagement-ring-with-filigree

Good Old Gold carries Beverley K settings and they have well cut cushions. Here is an example:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12298/

It is a beautiful stone and honestly, this combo will come pretty close to what you are looking for within your budget. If you are interested in that diamond, I would recommend putting it on hold.

 

[tyty333]

Are you sure your GF didnt send that as a joke? If she didnt, does she know approximately what your budget would be and
what you can get with that budget?

I just think its hard to take a $50k+(its actually probably a $100k+) ring and translate it to a $5k ring. Your budget is fine.
I'm a little worried about her expectation.

Can you ask her to send you something that would be closer your budget?

 

[tyty333]

I'll post some settings from Gabriel & Co that I think might give the feel of that setting. Mind you, they aren't going to
have as may stones in the setting...

https://bridal.gabrielny.com/product/ER8867W44JJ

https://bridal.gabrielny.com/product/ER8793W44JJ

https://bridal.gabrielny.com/product/ER9039W44JJ

Something like this maybe
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-tailored-diamond-engagement-ring-item-41042

Actually if you could get this setting without the milgrain...
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/vintage/vintage-inspired-open-row-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-49486

Go look at the last 2 settings with square stones in them. (Radiant or Princess...I dont think they have any examples with cushions).

 

[tyty333]

If its eye-clean (it may not be), this would be a lovely stone.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.00-carat-g-color-si2-clarity-sku-348601

with the previously posted settings (minus the milgrain)
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/vintage/vintage-inspired-open-row-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-49486

Would bring you in around $5k and make a lovely ring. You might look at radiant cuts also if she didn't specify.

Edit - here is a radiant. Its looks like its got leakage but just wanted to show you one so you knew what they looked like.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.01-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-sku-329991

 

[heididdl]

a iittle over budget however ....http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/1-03ct-antique-cushion-cut-diamond-gia-h-si1/

another this is a little over budget http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00/1-02ct-antique-cushion-cut-diamond-gia-h-vs2.html#.VDRWrdq9KSM

Hey all I didn't know Erica Grace divided their businesses in two

 

[Brodacious]

Thanks you all for your input.

Chrono - I'm going stick with the Cushion thanks!

diamondseeker2006 - I'm going to stick with a single stone, I can trade in the studs for an upgrade and get credit for what I paid for them so that will be a future xmas gift or something!

DS2006+ tyty333 - I think she was half joking with that giant ring. I told her she was nuts and she said it was more to give me an idea of what she was looking for. I get it doesn't translate down to my budget, she just has no idea what she was looking at. She isn't expecting anything over 1 carat...

Heididdl - Those are really nice as well!


I live pretty close to good old gold so I'm going to head over there on Sat. and check out what they have.

 

[RockyRacoon]

I live pretty close to good old gold so I'm going to head over there on Sat. and check out what they have.

This is your best bet.

Be sure to reach out to them before the weekend to let them know your budget and the type of stones you're interested in.

That way, they can be ready for you and make the process as painless as possible!

 

[FancyIntense]

Diamonds by Lauren- check out their rings for $5,000 an under, they are stunning and look like a million bucks in person!

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/diamond-ring-51ct-d-vs2-cushion-cut-gia-split-shank-double-halo-ring-r5817

 

[FancyIntense]

Take a look at this ring on the hand- similar presentation, gorgeous!

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/diamond-ring-53ct-j-vvs2-cushion-cut-gia-split-shank-double-halo-ring-r5090

 

[Brodacious]

Went into GoG today and learned a lot.

I looked at the diamond that Diamondseeker2006 recommended and I really liked it.
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12298/

I also looked at a round with the same specs:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/12528/

The circular was a good bit more but I really liked it so ended up going with that one.
There is a small inclusion but I couldn't see it

I also recruited one of her friends to help pick the setting.
I think I'm decided on this setting:
https://bridal.gabrielny.com/product/ER12003R4W44JJ

Its not all that close to the ring she sent me originally, but I really like and I think she will also.
Its also totaling to be a bit more than I intended but GoG has 6 months 0% financing which I'm going to use for the setting and wire transfer for the diamond.

Over all I think I'm happy and going to find out her ring size and pull the trigger in the next few days.
Please stop me if you think that diamond is a POS or see something I'm not!

Thanks folks!!!

 

[Magpie4426]

Here's a setting with a cushion shape, and shanks a bit closer to what she sent you, if you are concerned about what you have being quite different to the ring she sent you

https://bridal.gabrielny.com/product/ER11897R0W44JJ#sthash.oDq1qrlo.dpbs