Help me decide on a ring

[dus10]

This is my first time (and hopefully only time

) picking out an engagement ring and i need help!!

I''ve been giving thought to proposing to my g/f of 7+ years possibly during Christmas or New Years. My only problem is that I cannot decide on a ring. I know she wants white gold or platinum, something unique but still somewhat traditional, she likes the diamond to be the highest point/main focus (no bezel mount, or 3 stone), and she likes sapphires but not as side stones.
I''ve asked her to pick out a few that she likes, but she changes her mind a lot & they all seem to be vastly different.
Her choices (in the order she placed them):
Reflexxions by Jem Braggik:
http://www.wdcgroup.com/jewelry_reflexions.html
This Pave style platinum ring here:
http://www.diamondsonweb.com/shopping/sdetail.mhtml?c_gid=6;cat=12;sku=1390
The channel set/cathedral here:
http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=5848&page=1&show_all_pages=1&col=3&row=3&pos=9&set_shape=

I''ve been looking for one that will surprise her and somewhat mix the styles & types that she picked out. I''ve looked through hundreds (probably thousands) of rings, but cannot make up my mind. I''m afraid of picking out something that she will pretend to love but really would have preferred something else. My budget is unfortunately only around 5-6k total.
A couple that I''ve seen and liked but have slight issues with (she has not seen these):
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/beverley-k-jewelry/rings/27PP1 I really like this ring, but question whether the sapphires maybe to much like side stones to her? The band is higher priced than most of the others, it wouldn''t leave as much budget for a diamond. Also, I doubt this one could be delivered in time for Christmas or New Years..?
http://www.abazias.com/database/NewEngagementInfo.asp?stock=ENG-SS-12-7505 Don''t like the fact that it can only accommodate a 1/2 carat, I was hoping for something a little larger. Also, their terms don''t seem to be quite as good as some of the other sites.
http://diamondsonweb.com/shopping/sdetail.mhtml?sku=1281&cat=12&x=45&y=63 Doesn''t really match any of the ones she picked out but I think it is nice.
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/spark-jewelry/rings/51MM1 Again doesn''t really match any that she picked out but very nice - a higher priced band though it wouldn''t leave too much for a diamond.

I apologize for such a long post, but would really appreciate everyone’s thoughts & opinions.
If I’ve posted in the wrong section or was not supposed to provide links, please delete and I will repost appropriately.

Thanks in advance.

 

[wen104]

I personally would get her the first one on her list then if that is the one she like the best. It is very different and unique, I haven''t ever seen one like it. My only thought on that ring is that the diamond sits very high because it is suspended over the sapphire and therefore can be damaged easier. If you plan on getting insurance and she doesn''t mind it sitting up that high then get her that one. We have had many people on this site write about there diamond chipping or cracking from being hit on something just right. There do break so that may be something to think about. I do very much like the Beverly K setting you posted about from Pearlmans but she didn''t pick that one. Get her what she wants and she will be happy. Ow and Christmas is coming quick so you better get on it soon! Good luck!

 

[milton333]

I have the same thoughts that the first one is set awfully high. Has she tried on anything that high-set? I''ve worn a moderately high setting, and it annoyed me no end. It is very unique and pretty, though.

Where are you getting your diamond from? If not from the same vendor as the setting, you know you''ll have the additional step (and delay) of getting the stone set. There are options for how to do this, with varying pros and cons. If you''re in a time crunch, though, it might make sense to get the diamond and setting in one place. Or, possibly, get the diamond set into a very basic temporary-type setting and tell her that she can pick out a setting she wants, since her tastes seem to be all over the place (and you can save up a bit more for a setting in the interim). Also, I noticed that you linked a Blue Nile setting. Is that where you''re getting the diamond? Officially, their policy is that they will not sell just their settings. My husband had spoken to customer service and gotten a different message, that they would sell just the setting, or a 3-stone without the center (we''re trying to re-set my existing engagement diamond) but when he went to buy, they said no deal without their stones.

 

[wen104]

I agree I would definitely call WF, ERD, or GOG and get a nice stone put in a nice simple solitare setting and let her pick out the setting later. That would leave you time to save more money and let her ponder a bit. She may also see the diamond in person and change her mind later again. She seems to be undecided about her choice and on top of that non of those settings are anything alike. You can get a nice diamond and a simple setting for cheap. It might also be able to get to you by Christmas that way. WF has a simple 6 prong I believe for $195 and then you can choose your diamond from there. Do you know what size stone you are looking for???? This might be the way to go and proposing at the holidays is soooo romantic at least to me anyways

 

[dus10]

The reflexions ring is the only one she has tried on and didn''t she say anything about it''s height. I haven''t thought about it before, but she is a nurse and the height would probably be an issue.
I haven''t decided where to get the diamond, but was thinking it would probably be the same place I get the ring. The reflexions ring I''ve only seen in a local store (Carlyle & Co.) and it had the diamond already set.

 

[wen104]

Was that within your budget??? Have you asked them what the stats on the diamond are?? I would say getting her what she wants would be your best bet. If that isn''t in your budget you could go with a setting similar to that with out the sapphire in it and maybe slurge on a bigger diamond. What size diamond is set in that ring??? We can help you get a good deal on a ring but you seem to really not know what you are looking for. Give me a size and I will look for something that might work for you!

 

[jacknfletch]

I would agree that the settings you linked are all very different. I noticed that the ones you picked - very pretty by the way - have what I would consider a vintage-y feel to them.
The ones she picked seemed more modern to me. So perhaps the best thing to do is what was suggested - mount a stone and have her do the setting later.

I personally would love that option. Surprise engagement/proposal but no surprises about the ring!

Or - get to work on the picking out the stone and at the same time see if you can refine her choice with her by looking at more pics, etc.

 

[Kay]

Welcome to Pricescope, Dus10! If you want a dazzling engagement ring, you''ll want to make sure you get a center diamond with an excellent cut. Check out the tutorials in the knowledge section of this website. An ideal cut will make the diamond sparkly and lively, and will help mask body color (if you want to go into the "near-white" category of G-J) and inclusions. I personally won''t pay for higher than VS1 clarity, and have bought and seen eye-clean SI1 and SI2 stones that are stunning and let you get a larger stone for the budget (I don''t like paying for clarity differences I can''t see without magnification).

Whiteflash has wonderful ideal cut, hearts-and-arrows diamonds for less than you will find in local stores. Check out their A Cut Above and Expert Selection lines. You might want to show your girlfriend the settings available at Whiteflash and see if any catch her eye. Until the end of the year, they are offering 10% off on settings with the purchase of an ACA or ES diamond.

This platinum cathedral pave ring incorporates elements of the rings your girl picked and has beautiful lines: http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Platinum-Cathedral-Pave-Ring_929.htm# I like it as it is, but WF may be able to switch or modify the head to incorporate sapphire surprise stones under the diamond like the first one your girlfriend picked, which would also be beautiful.

Three-sided pave: http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Three-Sided-Pave_1115.htm# This one may also have the option of switching/modifying the head.

Whiteflash may be able to switch the surprise diamonds in this setting to sapphires: http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/U-Prong-Half-Round-by-WF_743.htm#

Here are a couple of ideal cut diamonds that should be stunning and within your budget if you pick one of the rings I listed:
0.761 ct F SI1 A Cut Above H&A $3,432.00: http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-283268.htm
1.03 ct H SI2 Round Ideal Cut $4,697.00: http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-358374.htm# (this one could be a great bargain on a 1 carat stones if WF verifies it is eye clean)

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I think that the U-prong (from Whieflash) that Kay posted is a good choice in keeping with what your GF likes. I agree that it would be ideal to go with her first choice, but I am a nurse as well and I can see where the height may be an issue...especially with gloves.

 

[milton333]

My opinion - I would ask Whiteflash for a quote on a custom ring that incorporates the sapphire element from your gf's preferred ring, but set much lower to be practical. If you can get a reasonable estimate that would be within your budget in, say 2-3 months' time (to save up a bit for the setting), I'd get the diamond from WF, set it in a very basic setting now (the $195-type), propose on New Year's Eve , and tell her that you have an idea for the permanent setting, and see if she likes it or wants to go a different way.

ETA: And hurry up, the clock's a-ticking, here. Not much time to get all of this accomplished. I think your budget will stretch to a better, bigger diamond online than at the brick & mortar store where your gf tried on the ring she liked, but you want to confirm this by searching for diamonds before you worry too much about the setting.

 

[MustangGal]

The U-prong with sapphires instead of diamonds would be yummy! And it''s much lower than the original, and not as expensive as the other ones either.