Help me find the best Round/Princess Halo with a $4k budget!

[Roccoco]

Hey all!

So I'm ready to pop the question. My girlfriend has tried a few on, and it is down to either a round OR princess cut halo with a simple white gold band. She went to Ben Bridge and LOVES this Ikuma Collection ~.65 ct / Ideal / G or H color / SI1 clarity.


http://www.benbridge.com/shop/product.php?productid=999002155&cat=59&page=1

She tried it on and really loves this particular style, but I feel its overpriced. So I'd like to get an even better e-ring for roughly the same price ($4-$4500). Note: She is a very simple woman and doesn't want anything fancy or too loud. She is a dancer and physical therapist who is very active, and doesn't want a large stone or something that could get snagged easily.

So, I've been reading the forums and web researching my options and am likely going with James Allen or equivalent.

Considering the Ben Bridge Ikuma is around .65 ct total (.55 stone and .10 in halo), I'd like to wow her and attempt to get the best value ~1ct total round or princess cut halo. Hence, I've been searching for F-I color, .85-.95 ct stone, VS2-SI1 clarity, Ideal Cuts in the $4k range and have found a few seemingly great options on JA. Some hearts and arrows and a handful of round / princess stones to go with either of these JA settings:




I want to do this right and get the best deal for my money. I have basic knowledge of what each "C" means and what I can expect for my budget, but not so much in terms of the best overall value. Do I go with a bigger stone with I clarity? Smaller stone with better color/clarity? I feel there are many directions to go in and just need some assistance in my big decision!

So, just had a few questions.. In advance, a HUGE THANK YOU for any opinions / advice / answers to the following questions:

1. Should I go for a round cut in the .85-.95ct size? Will it "just pop" more than an equivalent weight princess stone?

2. I've seen a few cushion cut halo settings with a round center stone that I think look amazing.



If I tried to customize with JA by doing a round stone in a cushion halo, should I expect the price to skyrocket? Would my stone size (~.85 ct) work with this setting? The one above has what looks like a much bigger stone...

3. The Ikuma at Ben Bridge I saw was G color / SI1 and looked awesome, just not sure how an H or I would look compared to that.. Can I get away with maybe an H or I color /SI1 clarity / ideal cut stone with this setting?? This is would would mean I'd likely sacrifice color for size...

4. Are there any other online retailers that have more options for this type of ring?

 

[Niel]

Re: Help me find the best Round/Princess Halo with a $4k bud

If you are choosing between a round and princess is choose round(don't go out of style). They are more classic. They face up bigger. And look better in halos.

I'm sure JA would be able to do that plain shank halo with a cushion for your round. I've done custom work with JA it was very reasonable and well done.

 

[Roccoco]

Re: Help me find the best Round/Princess Halo with a $4k bud

If you are choosing between a round and princess is choose round(don't go out of style). They are more classic. They face up bigger. And look better in halos.

I'm sure JA would be able to do that plain shank halo with a cushion for your round. I've done custom work with JA it was very reasonable and well done.

Yeah I agree, I think a round is a better option as well.

What do you think about going down to an SI1/H or I color with a plain 14k white gold shank? Just asking in terms of sacrificing the color/clarity so I can get a bigger stone.

Thanks!

 

[Niel]

Re: Help me find the best Round/Princess Halo with a $4k bud

At the size you're looking at I think an h/I stone will be just fine. Plus, si1 is often recommended as, as long as its eye clean, you're all set

 

[Niel]

Re: Help me find the best Round/Princess Halo with a $4k bud

I like these (this would be assume they are eye clean. A gemologist would have to review them to see if they are )

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.84-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-263486

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-263487

Both AGS 000, nice fat arrows, small tables which mean they will be fiery and they get to 6mm... my only concern is if they are eye clean.

The only thing I'd do with the setting is ask them to set it as low as possible so the culet is closer to the shank underneath. Ice heard people say it sits up too high, andif yyou're worried about snagging, its an idea.

There's an example of a cushion halo if you look at the 360 view. I think the round looks more polished.

 

[JulieN]

Re: Help me find the best Round/Princess Halo with a $4k bud

If she loves that, it is not a princess. It is a square hearts and arrows. You'll want to duplicate the Ikuma with one of these:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.76-carat-h-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-256155
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.77-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-256156

And then the next best shape would be a square H&A cushion. http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/signature-diamonds/cushion
Or a round in a square halo.

 

[thediamondshopper]

Re: Help me find the best Round/Princess Halo with a $4k bud

+1 with Neils advice regarding an H/I SI1, provided it is eye clean you will not notice the difference over higher grades without magnification. For that matter staying under a carat there will be lots of SI2's that will be totally eye clean as well.

I personally prefer rounds over princesses for a number of reasons already mentioned, especially that they tend to have better light return and face up larger. That being said there are hearts and arrows cushion cuts that rival the performance of some rounds, though H&A cushions tend to be pricey, as they usually shed more weight in cutting that a typical cushion.

AGS 000 is the way to go IMO especially since you will be purchasing based on specs on the net. AGS offers considerably more and less rounded information than GIA and their top grade is alot more exclusive.

 

[secretagentlaura]

Re: Help me find the best Round/Princess Halo with a $4k bud

I'm not sure if you've noticed this one, but Whiteflash's Guinevere is a very lovely setting for a round stone in a square halo: http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/guinevere-solitaire-engagement-ring-180.htm

 

[Roccoco]

Re: Help me find the best Round/Princess Halo with a $4k bud

Wow, thank you all so so much for the extremely informative replies!

Can I trust JA to let me know if a particular stone I'm looking at is eye clean? Or are they just gonna tell me what I wanna hear? I know they're pretty reputable but just curious what y'all thought!

And at this point, I'm still up in the air in terms of princess vs round. The only reason princess/square is an option at this point is because she liked the ben bridge Ikuma, but she really hasn't looked at many other ones either.

It's obvious now that a round is a better option overall, so I need to figure out how to find out if she's really set on a princess/square without suggesting the fact that I'm in the hunt, because I'm trying to go for a surprise rather than "just tell me what you want and I'll get it" which the thought of that just ruins it for me. I plan on taking her to the mall this week to look for shoes and other stuff, and we'll pop in to BB and I plan to find out the few things left I need to know, like her ring size and to see her reaction to a round vs princess cut halos.

I like these (this would be assume they are eye clean. A gemologist would have to review them to see if they are )

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.84-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-263486

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-263487

Both AGS 000, nice fat arrows, small tables which mean they will be fiery and they get to 6mm... my only concern is if they are eye clean.

The only thing I'd do with the setting is ask them to set it as low as possible so the culet is closer to the shank underneath. Ice heard people say it sits up too high, andif yyou're worried about snagging, its an idea.

There's an example of a cushion halo if you look at the 360 view. I think the round looks more polished.

Wow, that first one is awesome! Thank you for the links and corresponding info!

So I should just tell JA that I want the lowest setting possible to the shank underneath? The stone definitely sits pretty high on the pictures of the round and princess halos settings I posted ..

Also, where is the example of cushion halo on the 360 view you mentioned? Not seeing it on the round/princess settings I posted.

+1 with Neils advice regarding an H/I SI1, provided it is eye clean you will not notice the difference over higher grades without magnification. For that matter staying under a carat there will be lots of SI2's that will be totally eye clean as well.

I personally prefer rounds over princesses for a number of reasons already mentioned, especially that they tend to have better light return and face up larger. That being said there are hearts and arrows cushion cuts that rival the performance of some rounds, though H&A cushions tend to be pricey, as they usually shed more weight in cutting that a typical cushion.

AGS 000 is the way to go IMO especially since you will be purchasing based on specs on the net. AGS offers considerably more and less rounded information than GIA and their top grade is alot more exclusive.

Very useful info, thank you.

I'm not sure if you've noticed this one, but Whiteflash's Guinevere is a very lovely setting for a round stone in a square halo: http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/guinevere-solitaire-engagement-ring-180.htm

I LOVE that setting, although it is out of my price range

I wonder if they'd do that in 14k white gold, could be worth looking into..

 

[Niel]

Re: Help me find the best Round/Princess Halo with a $4k bud

well first, let me say about JA that they are very honest. I would reserve 3 stones though. If you reserve 1 all they can say is yay or nay. If you reserve 3 they can tell you which is best.

And they realize youre willing to spend money, and all your stones will be within a few hundred of each other, so they dont benefit much from up selling you. so thats nice. Any time ive dealt with them they are pretty reputable. They are where i got my ring done.

In regards to what she likes. did she say what she liked ABOUT that ring. was it the plain shank? the halo? the shape? Was that the only plain shank halo you looked at? or were there more?

Would you consider any other shape? maybe a emerald cut or a asscher? both are more square, but a bit more timeless than a princess, which i still say is becoming a bit dated.

Those flanders ones that Julie posted are nice options too. Too bad they are not the size you want.

As for the setting. Yeah, I would bring it up with JA and say, is there any chance that setting doesnt need to sit up so high? Have it as low as possible, as you said that was important to her.
heres a pic of it profile, its not low set normally, well, at least, it used to be. They may have lowered it sense, but worth asking


and hers an example of their cushion one. its not terrible of course, but the round just seems more tight.

 

[JulieN]

Re: Help me find the best Round/Princess Halo with a $4k bud

If you're interested in a bigger square, this needs a picture: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-3823299-1.01-carat-Radiant-diamond-H-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?sku=3823299&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

 

[Roccoco]

Re: Help me find the best Round/Princess Halo with a $4k bud

I'm sure JA would be able to do that plain shank halo with a cushion for your round. I've done custom work with JA it was very reasonable and well done.

Just talked to someone at JA via chat, and they said doing a cushion halo with a round stone would be a custom job, and would "eat up a considerable portion of my budget."

No thanks.

I'll probably just figure out which shape she REALLY wants more when I take her to the mall this week or next to "just look" at rings.

well first, let me say about JA that they are very honest. I would reserve 3 stones though. If you reserve 1 all they can say is yay or nay. If you reserve 3 they can tell you which is best.

And they realize youre willing to spend money, and all your stones will be within a few hundred of each other, so they dont benefit much from up selling you. so thats nice. Any time ive dealt with them they are pretty reputable. They are where i got my ring done.

In regards to what she likes. did she say what she liked ABOUT that ring. was it the plain shank? the halo? the shape? Was that the only plain shank halo you looked at? or were there more?

Would you consider any other shape? maybe a emerald cut or a asscher? both are more square, but a bit more timeless than a princess, which i still say is becoming a bit dated.

Those flanders ones that Julie posted are nice options too. Too bad they are not the size you want.

As for the setting. Yeah, I would bring it up with JA and say, is there any chance that setting doesnt need to sit up so high? Have it as low as possible, as you said that was important to her.
heres a pic of it profile, its not low set normally, well, at least, it used to be. They may have lowered it sense, but worth asking


and hers an example of their cushion one. its not terrible of course, but the round just seems more tight.

Great info and advice for dealing with JA, I'll definitely go that route, thanks!

And like I said, she hasn't tried many on nor looked that much. I think the square/princess halo Ben Bridge Ikuma she found was the first style she got really stoked about, and that thing is barely a .5 carat! I feel she isn't well informed about whats really out there, but I do know she loves the plain shank halos, now I just gotta decide ultimately if she's die hard square or will love the round I'd rather get her. Ideally I hope she sees a round halo when we visit some shops and she gives me a sign like its the one she is meant to have.

And thank you for suggesting I tell them to work on the setting, in that pic you posted, the stone for sure is set too high. I hope they can get it as low as possible but still have it pop!

 

[Roccoco]

Re: Help me find the best Round/Princess Halo with a $4k bud

Update! A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who helped!

I just ordered this Hearts and Arrows .91 / H / VS2 from JA:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.91-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-251849

With this setting!

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...nd-engagement-ring-princess-center-item-17453

$4500 out the door.. I feel I made a pretty good decision here, yes?

 

[Niel]

Re: Help me find the best Round/Princess Halo with a $4k bud

Update! A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who helped!

I just ordered this Hearts and Arrows .91 / H / VS2 from JA:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.91-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-251849

With this setting!

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...nd-engagement-ring-princess-center-item-17453

$4500 out the door.. I feel I made a pretty good decision here, yes?

so she liked the square

thatll be just beautiful