Help... Lost in the Engagement Hoopla

[Cornfused_Martian]

I know this probably gets brought up quite a bit, but I am completely new to this site and the Diamond Market. I have browsed through several posts regarding online diamonds vs B&M and for lack of a better description, my head is spinning.

Here's the deal... I'm looking at asking the woman of my dreams to be the face I wake up to everyday. We have talked about rings and she is green to the topic. We have spent the past several days looking at settings, diamonds and the whole B&M experience. She has found a setting style that she likes but after that I'm not sure where to go.

This is the setting that she really likes. She likes the 3 stone look (I know it's not a true 3 stone) with the details down the shank. (Not looking to start a Jared war but it was the B&M that was nearby with a large selection for 2 newbies)
http://design.jared-diamonds.com/engagement-rings/neil-lane-bridal-settings/ring/item_476-6094.asp

or something like this also caught my eye.
https://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/files/Final2.jpg

In terms of center stone, she really likes Radiant Cut, and I was looking at 1.25 carat for size. With an 8-9K budget is this feasible.

Should I do a designer piece or is it better to go custom-made like the second link?

Please help... Thanks.

I may have to start eating quite a few Cracker Jacks

 

[webdiva]

Congrats on this new step in your life!

Ok 1. You can save money by going with a ring that looks similar and vintage-y instead of going custom. I milgrain detailing, a square radiant center stone with two diamond accents and pave down the side. The more you save on the setting, the more you can spend on the center stone. For eg. if you spend $2500 on the setting, you have $5500-6500 to spend on the stone. On James Allen, 1 carats average around $5k. $6.5 bumps you up to 1.2.

Here are some beautiful stock settings that can be customized to your stone size and shape:
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/styles/8?collection=Vintage - budget about 20% off the MSRP.

However, here is where it gets tricky - and I looked at Radiants - so this part is going to be tough. There are different types of radiants. Many of the ones you will see online have the "crushed ice" effect - which is tiny pinpoints of light. It's a beautiful look, but very different. What was the radiant that you saw in person? We can help you find the look you're looking for,.

As well, did you look at carat size in person? I was a little disappointed when I saw what I could afford and decided to put a "halo" around my stone to give it some oomph.

 

[webdiva]

Imagine this with a square stone:
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER3700W44JJ

I see that setting is $2899 and while I think it's a little overpriced, it's worth it if she loooooves it. Otherwise, have her take a look at other settings she may love just as much.

 

[Cornfused_Martian]

Thanks for your help WebDiva.

In terms of what we saw in the store, we had a chance to see both the crushed ice as well as a more ideal (not sure if this is the correct usage of ideal) cut. She liked both but was less attracted to the crushed ice look.

In terms of carat size, we looked at quite a few. We saw some that were 0.9 as well as 1.3 and (thankfully) she felt the 1.5 was too large. I think that 1.2 -1.3 would be the goal size. With the shape, she is more drawn towards a rectangular than square ratio. She would like to do something similar to the second link with the stone in a vertical setting.

Thanks again...

 

[Cornfused_Martian]

And I forgot to mention after your first response... She absolutely is NOT a fan of Halos.

 

[webdiva]

Great! You've narrowed it down - a more facted radiant than a crushed ice radiant, in the 1.2 carat range, rectangular shape, no halo, in a vintage style something like #1 or 2.

More questions - is she color sensitive? It's hard to know if you've only seen stones in those crazy jewelry lights - but what colors were the stones you saw?

 

[webdiva]

And is this too long in length? She may have preferences for "ratios". This is one is 1.30 ratio.
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1429983.asp

Oh - and the bad news is that this is one of the hardest cuts to evaluate without advanced images like ASETs. However, it's one of the most unusual and beautiful cuts, so hang in there. The Pricescope collective will help you!

 

[Christina...]

I don't think that you will need to go custom with this ring. You will be able to find similar settings available even if you decide not to go with the NL at Jared. I have heard that they are nicely made and I see that the price includes the wedding band so I don't think it's terribly overpriced, though you may be able to do better.


I love the quadex by BGD. They have fantasic light performance. If you found a setting for around 2k you could do something like this.
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.150-j-vs2-quadex-diamond-ags-104049415010

 

[Gypsy]

I really love just a simple three stone. A Quadex with beautiful step cut trapezoid sidestones like the second link you posted, no pave, but with hand engraving down the shank for interest would be just plain breathtaking and elegant and classic. AND it would be able to withstand everyday wear and tear much better than those pave settings you are looking at. Or even a standard radiant. BGD can help you find a lovely radiant, the sidestones and can make you a lovely setting for it all.

I know there has been a rash of recommending these Gabriel and Company as the best thing since sliced bread. But so many of them have pave and with pave you really get what you pay for, I'm not saying they aren't good quality, they are... but I think that some of the designs that are more ornate and have a lot of pave are just ASKING for trouble. Especially considering how HARD most non-pricescope women are on their rings. These settings are great for RHR but for engagement rings-- some of them are just foolish choices in my experience. And non-PS women don't change out settings like we do and they get heartbroken if damage happens. Heck some of them don't even insure their rings properly thinking their homeowners covers them.

 

[Cornfused_Martian]

With regards to the 2899, in the store, I was quoted 2699 and that covers both band and setting. Didn't know if that made the deal seem any more reasonable. What are your thoughts on that?

I know that she likes it, but it wasn't a OMG I MUST have that.

With regards to color, we have seen pretty much from D-H or I. I think that I would like to stay in the F or G range.

 

[backwardsandinheels]

Number 2 is so beautiful and classic. Love that one...

 

[Cornfused_Martian]

I appreciate the recommendation about the Pave Settings. The difficult thing is that at all of the stores we have looked at, she is really drawn to the pave setting look with side stones. She (as do I) appreciates the vintage/classy look that it gives.

I believe that the second ring that I initially posted is approx. 3 carat. I'm really looking in the 1.2 or 1.3 range. As far as ratio's, I really liked that 1.3 ratio and I know that she is looking more for a rectangular look with a brilliant cut.

Thank you guys so much for your continued help. In terms of making a sacrifice (color vs clarity) with a radiant stone to keep it closer to the 1.2 to 1.3 range any recommendations there?

 

[webdiva]

I know there has been a rash of recommending these Gabriel and Company as the best thing since sliced bread. But so many of them have pave and with pave you really get what you pay for, I'm not saying they aren't good quality, they are... but I think that some of the designs that are more ornate and have a lot of pave are just ASKING for trouble. Especially considering how HARD most non-pricescope women are on their rings. These settings are great for RHR but for engagement rings-- some of them are just foolish choices in my experience. And non-PS women don't change out settings like we do and they get heartbroken if damage happens. Heck some of them don't even insure their rings properly thinking their homeowners covers them.

They are recommended because 1. they have great prices for ornate designs that are priced much more in B&M stores, plus many extole the great quality 2. they are available through numerous PS approved vendors at a discount and 3. Because their designs are online, easy for people to browse. For folks shopping on the internet, it's a great resource.

Confused_martian, definitely talk to your GF about how hard she would be on the ring. If she would be hard on the ring, focus on designs that have minimal diamonds going down the side of the shank, avoiding diamonds on areas where you would grab something with your hands. If not, go with what she likes from a quality vendor. Worse comes to worse, you'll need to replace some diamonds down the road.

 

[Cornfused_Martian]

She doesn't plan on being terribly hard on the ring. I was back on the hunt again today at B&M stores with pricing.

Radiant Cut
1.24
I
VS2
VG/VG

For $6,000

Seemed pretty high, but I don't know.

I will admit, I have cold feet about doing the online shopping thing. Seems scary/difficult to pay so much for something that I haven't held in my hand.

 

[webdiva]

She doesn't plan on being terribly hard on the ring. I was back on the hunt again today at B&M stores with pricing.

Radiant Cut
1.24
I
VS2
VG/VG

For $6,000

Seemed pretty high, but I don't know.

I will admit, I have cold feet about doing the online shopping thing. Seems scary/difficult to pay so much for something that I haven't held in my hand.

You can #1 go visit one of the preferred vendors in person. #2 get them to send some stones to a local appraiser with a deposit or #3 you can purchase your final choice with a good refund policy. If you get a good evaluation of a radiant cut, that is worth way more than seeing a stone in person in a store with super twinkly lights and getting it home only to find out it's a dud. Invest in an ASET if you want to review the stones in person, and read up in the knowledge section on what to look for in a radiant cut.

 

[Gypsy]

They are recommended because 1. they have great prices for ornate designs that are priced much more in B&M stores, plus many extole the great quality 2. they are available through numerous PS approved vendors at a discount and 3. Because their designs are online, easy for people to browse. For folks shopping on the internet, it's a great resource.

And that's valid 100% for the brand and the line. And I know my post was confusing so to clarify what I mean was that I just feel that when posters are recommending individual designs within that line they should consider ones that are sturdier and have less pave and are generally not overly ornate in a way that would incur damage through daily wear. That's all. Just that the line has 100s of settings and some are great recommendations but some are REALLY poor picks for an engagement ring and when we are recommending settings we consider the wearer, not just how pretty the ring looks. Not all designs are created equal, even when they are by the same manufacturer. Sorry if I sounded like I was picking on Gabriel and Co. I wasn't, it was more the design recommendations within that line that had me concerned.

 

[Cornfused_Martian]

Now I feel more confused than ever... Is it just me, or is anyone else having a spinning head?

I've talked to some jewelers regarding setting a stone from another retailer. They tell me that they will not cover any damage to the stone. That being said, if during the setting process, the diamond chips, what happens?