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Help me figure out how much to save for an engagement ring

marieni84

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 7, 2014
Messages
34
I have found the right girl, now I need to start saving for the right ring. That's where I need your expertise. She is pretty traditional, so I'm thinking a simple solitaire in a white gold setting. How do I get the most bang for my buck? I have budgeted about $4,000-$4,200 for the ring, including diamond and setting. I want excellent/ideal cut, but the largest diamond I can afford on my budget. What size diamond do you think I can afford to purchase? Is 1 carat out of the question on my budget? Are there any cuts of diamonds that are less expensive, round vs oval or square? I don't know how much to put toward the diamond and still be able to afford the setting too. I won't be proposing until next year, so I have time to research my options.
 

msop04

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 3, 2011
Messages
10,051
What does your lady like? Is she color sensitive? Does her culture value high color/clarity?

I think the best bang for your buck is an eye clean SI clarity, I color for rounds, or for a larger look, fancy shapes such as pear, MQ, or ovals. Fancies Will show more tint, so I would not go below H color if you go with one of those.

You can also find amazing deals if you're willing to buy pre-loved.
 

ac117

Ideal_Rock
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Apr 28, 2014
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4,060
Re: Help me figure out how much to save for an engagement ri

I personally wouldn't go with certain fancy cuts unless she has specifically asked for one. They are hard top shop for since most of them are poorly cut and they can be less money per carat but they also face up a LOT smaller than other cuts. Round is classic, gets you great size and sparkle and you can compromise in other areas other than cut and still have an amazing stone! Ovals are nice but hard to find a great one.

I'd conservatively say you could get a .8-.85 carat round that has very safe parameters (G/H color; VS2/SI1 clarity):

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8428596-0.86-carat-Round-diamond-H-color-VS2-Clarity.aspx?sku=8428596&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.84-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1881928

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8378943-0.87-carat-Round-diamond-G-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?sku=8378943&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

You may get closer to a full carat by sacrificing on color. I color is still plenty white, but below that we don't really recommend unless the wearer is okay with a warmer stone:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-7188836-0.93-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=7188836&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8496013-1.01-carat-Round-diamond-J-color-VS2-Clarity.aspx?sku=8496013&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

These would still need ASET/IS imaging but gives you an idea of what you can get, while still leaving room for a solitaire.

I also agree with msop that you could look for preloved to get a great deal!
 

derbygal

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Oct 15, 2010
Messages
2,182
Re: Help me figure out how much to save for an engagement ri

Before anything else if I were you I would try to find out what she likes in a ring. She needs to love the shape and design. Shapes other than round might not be pleasing to her. If she has a pinterest page, you might be able to nose around there and see if she has pinned any ring pictures. Or ask friends if they know what she likes. Or casually look at rings together to see what she prefers. There are great people on here who can find you whatever you want in your budget, so that won't be a problem. You can always look at a vintage ring, too if your girl wouldn't mind that sort of thing. There are many sites recommended on here with vintage or estate rings and many on here wear "preloved" rings. These and others on this site are examples of what you can get for your price range:

I really love this ring:
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/rings/estate-modern/1-09ctw-round-brilliant-cut-diamond-3-stone-ring-by-ritani#.V45yr_krLGI

This one is a little over your budget:
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/rings/estate-modern/95ct-old-european-cut-diamond-solitaire-egl-h-vs1#.V450FvkrLGI

I'd wear this one in a heartbeat:
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/rings/vintage-antique/1-07ct-antique-transitional-cut-diamond-solitaire#.V450VvkrLGI
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2008
Messages
27,198
Re: Help me figure out how much to save for an engagement ri

Best to know/find out what shapes she likes. A 1 carat I/eye-clean SI1 is probably going to run close to $5k.
I couldnt even find a low priced 1 carat I/Si1 at JA (or enchanted diamonds).
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1796424
An amazing looking SI2 but you would need to ask if the feathers are a durability issue.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-si2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1914828

If she likes fancy cuts like ovals you can find them for less. Oval/pears and marquise face up bigger than round brilliants for their
weight but tend to not sparkle as much and are a little harder to find. Cushions, asschers, emeralds (more square shapes) tend to
face up smaller for their weight.

For an example, here is a nice looking oval...
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.02-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-1142338
This one is not too bad either if eye-clean
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-1137559

The above are just examples. Find out what your GF likes and we can help you a little more!
 

marieni84

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 7, 2014
Messages
34
Re: Help me figure out how much to save for an engagement ri

I know she likes vintage looking rings or just plain solitaires, so a pre-loved ring would definitely be worth considering. I like the last one you posted, Derbygal. Where do I look for pre-loved rings? Are there certain vendors where I could look at some?
 

derbygal

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Oct 15, 2010
Messages
2,182
Re: Help me figure out how much to save for an engagement ri

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/ Many people buy from here and that is where the three I posted were from. I will add some others that I frequently look online at:

https://www.doyledoyle.com/

This one also does a lot of vintage reproductions as well as real vintage: http://www.trumpetandhorn.com/

Here is a Pricscope page with many, many recommendations. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/vendor-list-for-antique-vintage-and-repo-jewelry.193984/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/vendor-list-for-antique-vintage-and-repo-jewelry.193984/[/URL]

Also, Adam at Old World Diamonds could likely find you a very nice vintage stone with a plain setting to fit your price range:
http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com/
 

kellte2

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 28, 2016
Messages
15
Re: Help me figure out how much to save for an engagement ri

After a great (and recent) experience purchasing an engagement ring, I would suggest you contact Yekutiel at I.D. Jewelry in NYC. He's very budget conscious, so if you go in and tell him what you want to spend, I am extremely confident that he will work with you to maximize your dollar.
 
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