Help me find a ring to layer my wedding band

[rockysalamander]

What about this one? You could ask if they would set it with an oval.

https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/e...e-gold-floral-halo-engagement-ring-item-53439

Why not a round in this setting? The minimum size will be 0.5 ct. Here's a few nice stones, but I had to bump the diamond budget to get to .5 carats.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4416904**
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-k-color-if-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3540941
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-k-color-if-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3834192
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4402202

 

[bossalover]

I think the option for me is to go with the original oval halo as pictured... Oval cut diamond is so pretty! I wonder if .50 carat makes it look fine...

 

[Krisking]

@bossalover, do you have a preference between a sunburst, floral, or micropave halo? All three have made an appearance in this thread but have different looks...

 

[bossalover]

@bossalover, do you have a preference between a sunburst, floral, or micropave halo? All three have made an appearance in this thread but have different looks...

My preferences will be microwave halo (oval) > starburst (round) > floral (round) It's interesting that in the end I come back to one of the early choices...

 

[bossalover]

Why not a round in this setting? The minimum size will be 0.5 ct. Here's a few nice stones, but I had to bump the diamond budget to get to .5 carats.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4416904**
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-k-color-if-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3540941
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-k-color-if-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3834192
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-4402202

Thanks for checking out the diamonds! They all look beautiful! Any reason why you suggest round over oval? For the settings (which we can afford), I am leaning toward these:

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ellis-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-item-53118

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...-halo-engagement-ring-round-center-item-41414

 

[Krisking]

Not speaking for Rocky, personally I think in the floral halo, a round will look more symmetric and organic. You have narrowed it down to two great pave halos that will compliment an oval!

 

[Krisking]

@bossalover, did JA say the trellis halo will also be a custom order for an oval?

 

[bossalover]

Not speaking for Rocky, personally I think in the floral halo, a round will look more symmetric and organic. You have narrowed it down to two great pave halos that will compliment an oval!

I agree -- for a floral halo, I think the round looks prettier, too! I do not think trallis halo needs custom order... I see some examples in WG version, which is also pretty!

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ellis-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-item-53050

 

[Krisking]

I do not think trallis halo needs custom order... I see some examples in WG version, which is also pretty!

Ah, yes. Great!

 

[bossalover]

@rockysalamander @Winks_Elf @tyty333 @Lookinagain @ac117 @Krisking @SimoneDi
Thank you for your input for choosing the right ring for me! It looks like this is the winning setting. I am glad that I came here and asked for your advice.

Now I know which setting I want, I need your suggestions for the diamond… To achieve the attached image, the diamond needs to be at least 0.50 carat, I think… What do you think? Is there any particular diamond that you recommend? I really appreciate everyone’s help!

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ellis-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-item-53118

 

[SimoneDi]

@rockysalamander @Winks_Elf @tyty333 @Lookinagain @ac117 @Krisking @SimoneDi
Thank you for your input for choosing the right ring for me! It looks like this is the winning setting. I am glad that I came here and asked for your advice.

Now I know which setting I want, I need your suggestions for the diamond… To achieve the attached image, the diamond needs to be at least 0.50 carat, I think… What do you think? Is there any particular diamond that you recommend? I really appreciate everyone’s help!

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...ellis-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-item-53118

Yay! I love that setting!

PS you can ask JA for their “advantage pricing”

 

[rockysalamander]

What is your thinking on the budget for a diamond? Ovals tends to show more color and it tends to concentrate in the ends. YMWV. So, folks here often recommend that you stick with higher colors (and thus will be a smaller stone). But, have a look and tell us your thinking about color and budget. Can you confirm with JA what actual dimensions in mm the oval needs to be to fit into the setting (length and width minimums)?

Here are some color examples, just note that the angle of the photo makes is hard to see that the color may be more intense in the ends that middle (or not).
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...iamond-engagement-ring-oval-center-item-17437.
Click on the .70 to see a K color and 0.8 is J color -- I'd say they were pretty similar i color. But, here you can really see the color zoning in the J exacerbated by the bad cut.

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...iamond-engagement-ring-oval-center-item-17457
Click on the .70 to see an H.

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...iamond-engagement-ring-pear-center-item-17441
0.81 is a K. Again, you can see the zoning of color.

 

[bossalover]

Yay! I love that setting!

PS you can ask JA for their “advantage pricing”

Thanks again for your suggestions for the setting! And, the information about the "advantage pricing" is helpful Thanks!

 

[bossalover]

Thanks for your detailed advice! I was not aware that oval shows more color compared to the round brilliant cut for example!

As for the budget... I am struggling most with this. My husband does not want to give me the exact price range that he is comfortable with... (I personally do prefer having the exact price range!) So, he said that I should choose what I want and then he can see if it's manageable or not. (I almost said that I would go for 1 carat diamond, then! Any advice how to approach this? Go with the comfortable price zone or go high first and then go lower in price?) I feel comfortable if the ring is under 2K. The setting itself is 840 (and I have a $100 discount code).

In terms of color, I think K is tolerable. The setting will be RG, so I feel I can be more lenient about the color. Preferably up to J but K is ok, too. I was surprised to see, though, that when the stone is larger, the color is less noticeable.

I chatted with JA about the setting and I was told that the oval will be custom made, so there is no specific size limit. (And, also there is no additional fee!)

I am reading up how to spot a good oval cut diamond now... It says avoid the ones with bowtie effect. Is this right?

What is your thinking on the budget for a diamond? Ovals tends to show more color and it tends to concentrate in the ends. YMWV. So, folks here often recommend that you stick with higher colors (and thus will be a smaller stone). But, have a look and tell us your thinking about color and budget. Can you confirm with JA what actual dimensions in mm the oval needs to be to fit into the setting (length and width minimums)?

Here are some color examples, just note that the angle of the photo makes is hard to see that the color may be more intense in the ends that middle (or not).
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...iamond-engagement-ring-oval-center-item-17437.
Click on the .70 to see a K color and 0.8 is J color -- I'd say they were pretty similar i color. But, here you can really see the color zoning in the J exacerbated by the bad cut.

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...iamond-engagement-ring-oval-center-item-17457
Click on the .70 to see an H.

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...iamond-engagement-ring-pear-center-item-17441
0.81 is a K. Again, you can see the zoning of color.

 

[SimoneDi]

@bossalover it is great that your husband is being generous and wants you to have a ring that you will be happy with. I feel like you will be able to get a ring even with the budget that ty have in mind.

Ok, I am sorry, but I will say it - I don’t like ovals that are lower than H in color considering that you will be wearing it with your Tiffany ring which has a bright F/G melee. My personal oval favorites are in the colorless range. Even though your ring will be set in rose gold, I would still prefer to avoid such a drastic color difference, but that is my personal opinion, maybe you wouldn’t cares

However, well-cut round diamonds I find to be very forgiving color-wise and I think that you can drop down to a J/K no problemo.

@rockysalamander @tyty333 and @ac117 are great about finding well-cut fancies.

If you want to look for a round as well, we can help with that too.

 

[SimoneDi]

I noticed this one that seems to have a nice facet play, but I will let the others comment: https://www.jamesallen.com/mobile/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.50-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-4475614

 

[rockysalamander]

As to DH, I would take him at his word. I would give him two options. (1) your ideal around 1 carat and (2) your second choice with more modest budget. I'm with @SimoneDi and would be hesitant with a K color oval unless it is sold by a vendor with a good eye for color and performance who can specifically look at the color zoning question. DiamondsbyLauren and GOG come to mind, I'm sure there are others. Nothing jumps off their website, but you might give them a call. We'll keep looking from other vendors and see if we can get you a higher color for your ~$1200 diamond budget.

 

[ac117]

These are the only ones that I like from a quick search. Should hit the 2k budget with 100 off and a PS advantage discount hopefully. The I looks more tinted but could be the video:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.58-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-3461543
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.60-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-2788713
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.60-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-4463460

 

[bossalover]

As to DH, I would take him at his word. I would give him two options. (1) your ideal around 1 carat and (2) your second choice with more modest budget. I'm with @SimoneDi and would be hesitant with a K color oval unless it is sold by a vendor with a good eye for color and performance who can specifically look at the color zoning question. DiamondsbyLauren and GOG come to mind, I'm sure there are others. Nothing jumps off their website, but you might give them a call. We'll keep looking from other vendors and see if we can get you a higher color for your ~$1200 diamond budget.

Thanks, @rockysalamander! It's a shame that JA currently does not seem to carry a good looking diamond... It would make the process easier if we could order a diamond from JA, though!

 

[bossalover]

These are the only ones that I like from a quick search. Should hit the 2k budget with 100 off and a PS advantage discount hopefully. The I looks more tinted but could be the video:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.58-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-3461543
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.60-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-2788713
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.60-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-4463460

Wow, they are beautiful...! I really like the first and the third one! Do you by any chance see something reasonable around 0.50 carat? I am wondering f that saves $$$...

 

[bossalover]

@SimoneDi
Thank you again for your help and I really appreciate your honest opinion!! It sounds like staying ~H is good. I do not have diamonds to compare but I certainly do not want a diamond with stronger color contrasts to my wedding band

I think round cut has more stones to choose from but after viewing oval setting for hours, I am kind of set for the oval look... (plus it can make my finger elongated, I think!)

@bossalover it is great that your husband is being generous and wants you to have a ring that you will be happy with. I feel like you will be able to get a ring even with the budget that ty have in mind.

Ok, I am sorry, but I will say it - I don’t like ovals that are lower than H in color considering that you will be wearing it with your Tiffany ring which has a bright F/G melee. My personal oval favorites are in the colorless range. Even though your ring will be set in rose gold, I would still prefer to avoid such a drastic color difference, but that is my personal opinion, maybe you wouldn’t cares

However, well-cut round diamonds I find to be very forgiving color-wise and I think that you can drop down to a J/K no problemo.

@rockysalamander @tyty333 and @ac117 are great about finding well-cut fancies.

If you want to look for a round as well, we can help with that too.

 

[ac117]

Wow, they are beautiful...! I really like the first and the third one! Do you by any chance see something reasonable around 0.50 carat? I am wondering f that saves $$$...

Not sure how tolerant you are to inclusions although at this size I think it would still be difficult to spot unless you're really looking for it...but the faceting on this stone is STUNNING: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.52-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-3844282

A few other very pretty stones that are also high in color:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.50-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3813766
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.50-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2330777
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.50-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-4324534
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.50-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3672500

 

[SimoneDi]

These are the only ones that I like from a quick search. Should hit the 2k budget with 100 off and a PS advantage discount hopefully. The I looks more tinted but could be the video:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.58-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-3461543
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.60-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-2788713
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.60-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-4463460

Love the E!

 

[ringo865]

Note: Having JA customize a setting renders it NON-returnable. So just a thought.

Color on a round, you can go down to a I, J even and maybe K with some eyes on the stone. Ovals will tend to concentrate color more because they're generally deeper, so floor at H, maybe I with eyes on the stone.

 

[bossalover]

Not sure how tolerant you are to inclusions although at this size I think it would still be difficult to spot unless you're really looking for it...but the faceting on this stone is STUNNING: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.52-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-3844282

A few other very pretty stones that are also high in color:
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.50-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3813766
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.50-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2330777
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.50-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-4324534
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.50-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3672500

Wow, I love the E, too! Do you think that G is a better cut than E, @ac117 ? I am still not trained how to distinguish a better cut for oval...

 

[bossalover]

Note: Having JA customize a setting renders it NON-returnable. So just a thought.

Color on a round, you can go down to a I, J even and maybe K with some eyes on the stone. Ovals will tend to concentrate color more because they're generally deeper, so floor at H, maybe I with eyes on the stone.

Thanks for your explanation, @ringo865 ! I didn't know that the color becomes more visible for the ovals... I will stick to above H!

 

[bossalover]

@ac117 DH and I came to the agreement on budget. As I predicted, it was 2K. With the setting and the $100 off discount, the budget for the stone is 1270...

So, it will actually allow us to have these two as options on top of what you have suggested. Does any of them stand out over the other? I truly think they are all pretty but I am not sure what I should base my decision on...

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.58-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-3461543
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.60-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-4463460
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.52-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-3844282
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.50-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3813766
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.50-carat-d-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2330777
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.50-carat-e-color-si1-clarity-sku-4324534
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/0.50-carat-d-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3672500

@SimoneDi and @rockysalamander, please share your opinions as well, if possible. We might be ordering it soon!

 

[SimoneDi]

@bossalover my vote is still for the 0.58 E SI1, there is something about the stone that I really love and it may be the high color and elongated oval shape. The 0.52ct G SI1 has a lovely faceting, but I am noticing a slightly brownish undertone, which is not necessarily bad. I am just not sure how it will display IRL. Can you order both stones and pick the one you like better? You can then return one and send the other one back to be set. I feel like this is an important decision and you might want to take advantage of JAs generous return policy in order to be sure that you are making the right choice.

 

[bossalover]

@bossalover my vote is still for the 0.58 E SI1, there is something about the stone that I really love and it may be the high color and elongated oval shape. The 0.52ct G SI1 has a lovely faceting, but I am noticing a slightly brownish undertone, which is not necessarily bad. I am just not sure how it will display IRL. Can you order both stones and pick the one you like better? You can then return one and send the other one back to be set. I feel like this is an important decision and you might want to take advantage of JAs generous return policy in order to be sure that you are making the right choice.

@SimoneDi between the two, I am learning toward .58 E SI1, too! I am surprised that I can barely see the inclusion although it is SI1... It says it has a Medium to Very Thick Girdle... Do you think it's ok? I read somewhere that it's better if it is thinner but I am not sure how critical it is.

 

[SimoneDi]

@SimoneDi between the two, I am learning toward .58 E SI1, too! I am surprised that I can barely see the inclusion although it is SI1... It says it has a Medium to Very Thick Girdle... Do you think it's ok? I read somewhere that it's better if it is thinner but I am not sure how critical it is.

Some of the best ovals have very thick girdles, so.I don’t see med/thick to be a problem. The stone has lovely faceting and I love, love the E color in an oval.
Would you please make sure that your setting will be returnable before you proceed with the purchase? In the meantime, please put the E oval on hold.