Help me find the perfect engagement ring for me!

[JulietteFR]

hi, my bf wanted me to be involved buying my soon to be engagement ring, so we looked at possible rings and we finally decided that we love the Harry Winston classic round cut with pear shapes to the sides. Our budget is up to 90k... the dilemma is should I go for size or color? The ring I can get with almost 90k is a 2.01 carat F color vs1, personally I wanted a D color... but they are over 120k... way over our budget, and if I keep my D color they will have to custom make it it will be still two carats but less clarity (vs2) or should I just stay with a 1.52 carat Color vs1 for 53k- because they don’t make them bigger that 1.5 in D colors, they jump straight to 2 , please help me make a decision! My soon to be husband said we can upgrade later- I love it no matter the size but should I go for the size or quality? I don’t know a lot about diamonds so I need help!

 

[Matthews1127]

hi, my bf wanted me to be involved buying my soon to be engagement ring, so we looked at possible rings and we finally decided that we love the Harry Winston classic round cut with pear shapes to the sides. Our budget is up to 90k... the dilemma is should I go for size or color? The ring I can get with almost 90k is a 2.01 carat F color vs1, personally I wanted a D color... but they are over 120k... way over our budget, and if I keep my D color they will have to custom make it it will be still two carats but less clarity (vs2) or should I just stay with a 1.52 carat Color vs1 for 53k- because they don’t make them bigger that 1.5 in D colors, they jump straight to 2 , please help me make a decision! My soon to be husband said we can upgrade later- I love it no matter the size but should I go for the size or quality? I don’t know a lot about diamonds so I need help!

Quality over quantity, is my motto. You're sinking a lot of money into something you'll look at every day. Why wouldn't you want something that is the best it can be for the money you spent? There is nothing "small" about 1.5ct, esp since it's going to be set in a three stone setting.
Harry Winston is a fine designer, and jeweler. Your ring will look amazing! Just keep in mind that any nearly-colorless diamond you find is going to face up white, and the slight tint likely will never show in that setting...even against higher color diamonds....
Sorry: I can't cast my vote without seeing each of the three options, above. D-F colored stones are all colorless; you won't notice a difference...at all. The clarity would heavily weigh my decision...

 

[Dancing Fire]

Hard to comment w/o a GIA report. what are the proportions of these stones?

 

[rockysalamander]

Does it need to be Harry Winston branded? For the budget you have, you can get a fantastic super-ideal with a custom setting and go bigger with performance documented by the images they offer online. Steven Kirsch makes a gorgeous version of the that ring.

Ring: https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ch-3-stone-ring-with-pear-side-stones.189157/

Although this oval is really a dream. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ovals.109900/#post-1852007

Super-Ideal Options
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD9159
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD8885
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3811435.htm
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3872126.htm

 

[JulietteFR]

Hard to comment w/o a GIA report. what are the proportions of these stones?

Hi, 7.33 vs 8.1 mm face (1.52-D vs1 56k vs 2.01 F vs1 89k, both of xcellent cut excellent polish, fluorescence none

 

[Matthews1127]

Hi, 7.33 vs 8.1 mm face (1.52-D vs1 56k vs 2.01 F vs1 89k, both of xcellent cut excellent polish, fluorescence none

Table%?
Depth%?
Pavilion?
Crown?

 

[tyty333]

Size...if I had 90k I would be getting a very large super ideal cut stone like the 3 carat Whiteflash diamond.

Does HW have a good trade up policy?

 

[Matthews1127]

@rockysalamander,
Any opinions on any of these?

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/search.aspx

 

[Matthews1127]

@rockysalamander,
Any opinions on any of these?

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/search.aspx

I like these:

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3802914.htm

https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3824316.htm

 

[HappyNewLife]

Wow, for 90K I'd personally buy a 3 carat center and have the ring made by a reputable PS vendor. But since that's not what you asked, I'd go biggest that HW can get you for 90k. HW only does D-E-F stones, and honestly you won't see color before you go down to H (and even that isn't guaranteed), so get an F and go big.

 

[HappyNewLife]

I went to HW last week, just for fun to see what size upgrade I want (and then will use a PS vendor). They have very nice rings/diamonds and you will be happy with whatever you end up with. But again, go BIG

 

[Niel]

I'm shocked by the size, or lack of size, you get for your money. But I shouldn't be it's HW.

I am not sure what I'd want with that price. Something that says "this is a hw!"

 

[rockysalamander]

Unless things have have changed at HW, hey don't cut their own stones...at least at these smaller sizes. Back in the day, HW cut and recut some famous stones. They still may do so for the amazing rare ones. They select stones using specific criteria from the GIA pool. From my visits, they seem to fall within ideal parameters and no longer favor 60/60 stones as much as in the past. The ones I saw were H&A. The ovals were on the nicer end in terms of performance, but there were plenty of bowties to be found. They will offer GIA certifications. Like Tiffany's, their settings are unique and several are (were? patented). So, buying from HW is selecting among the top eschelon of ideal and they do a lot, but not all, the screening for you. But, they are not super-ideal. I've had my mom's 3.0 tcw superideal earrings in hand to compare and you can see the difference. The sales people were very interested in my mom's earrings and comparing to their stones that had less fire and perfection of cutting than my mom's earrings. No ASET or Idealscope images were available from HW, that may have changed in the last 3 years.

But, at the end of he day, if HW is your thing, then the process of selecting a fine round diamond is much easier than oval. Ovals are hard even when you have hundreds to look at up close. So, I'd stick with round. Here's very tight parameters to use assuming they don't offer IS or better yet ASET (borrowed from @Dancing Fire and slightly adjusted). Others can chime in on this. But, I would ask them to show you stone that only fit within these parameters.

table 54-56%,
total depth 60.8-61%
crown angle 34.2-34.4
pavil angle 40.7-40.8
pavil depth 42.8-43%
girdle thin-med faceted
Hearts&Arrows
giaXXX
HCA score 1.0-1.5
AGA 1A cut

If they don't offer you a IS or ASET, you can buy your own. The SA was amused by my dad's and they had a good time looking at stones along with him.

Here's a relevent thread. https://www.pricescope.com/communit...nston-or-larger-2-5-non-designer-ring.148490/

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

You've established your budget.

Provide HW your cut parameters because you want a very well performing stone.

See what unfolds in terms of color and clarity once they've found some well cut candidates.

Have patience!

cheers--Sharon

 

[KKJohnson]

For 90k I would definitely buy a nice 3 carat and replicate the setting, I think size would trump bragging rights on owning a HW. It's just too much of a price tag for name brand, but with that being said HW is pretty fantastic

 

[JulietteFR]

Thanks for your help, for my BF is important that I get it from a fine retailer. And he said that later in life as long as our finances are good he will upgrade it to a better diamond. So here I am- not knowing a lot about diamonds lol... the 2.01carat - F VS1 is 8.18x 8.03x4.97mm ($89,100), I don’t have idea about table and depth or pavilion . The 1.52 D VS1 is 7.33x7.15x4.46mm (almost57k)

Table%?
Depth%?
Pavilion?
Crown?

 

[bmfang]

With that budget you’d be better off at Whiteflash, Brian Gavin Diamonds or heck, maybe even getting a custom cut Crafted By Infinity stonie. That’s JMHO.

 

[bmfang]

Thanks for your help, for my BF is important that I get it from a fine retailer. And he said that later in life as long as our finances are good he will upgrade it to a better diamond. So here I am- not knowing a lot about diamonds lol... the 2.01carat - F VS1 is 8.18x 8.03x4.97mm ($89,100), I don’t have idea about table and depth or pavilion . The 1.52 D VS1 is 7.33x7.15x4.46mm (almost57k)

Given that we on PS are cut tragics, these four parameters are must have pieces of info. See if you can get that info from the HW sales associate you have been dealing with.

 

[JulietteFR]

Thanks for the info, I will contact her ASAP and f/u the details with you!

 

[JulietteFR]

Thanks , it has been more difficult than I thought - specially when you don’t know anything about diamonds. I’m learning right now because I have to lol... thanks for making this easier

HI:

You've established your budget.

Provide HW your cut parameters because you want a very well performing stone.

See what unfolds in terms of color and clarity once they've found some well cut candidates.

Have patience!

cheers--Sharon

 

[canuk-gal]

Thanks for your help, for my BF is important that I get it from a fine retailer. And he said that later in life as long as our finances are good he will upgrade it to a better diamond. So here I am- not knowing a lot about diamonds lol... the 2.01carat - F VS1 is 8.18x 8.03x4.97mm ($89,100), I don’t have idea about table and depth or pavilion . The 1.52 D VS1 is 7.33x7.15x4.46mm (almost57k)

HI:

Of course. And as such, "fine retailers" accommodate their customers needs and requests. Because it is WHAT (and the only) thing they do. I think HW can shop the world for you. Just ASK.

That said, there are a lot of remarkable brands out there.

Take your time. Take your time!

cheers--Sharon

 

[nyquestioner]

A few questions and comments:

Why do you prefer D color? Have you looked at D vs F colors in person at HW or is this a mind clean thing for you? F is still plenty colorless for most people. I also think the proportions of this setting look different with a 1.5 and 2 carat stone. So it's important for you to decide which you prefer.

Did you know that sometimes you can bargain at HW? The prices you were quoted might be a bit inflated.

Finally, I think HW makes gorgeous rings, and they are really nice (at least in the NYC store) but for this particular ring, you might want to also look at Leon Mege. leonmege.com. He might meet your boyfriend's standards and I really love the proportions in his version of the ring. The only issue is that he doesn't always accept outside stones, which would limit you from getting a super-ideal (although HW also has this issue), plus I don't know if he has an upgrade policy. I think that's why someone above recommended Steven Kirsch as he is easy about outside stones, so you could get a super-ideal from another vendor like whiteflash (and a good upgrade policy), and Steven used to work for Leon, but I personally find his sense of proportion a little different.

Your budget is generous, so between color, cut, clarity, size, and vendor "fanciness," you just have to decide what your personal priorities are and you will surely end up with a beautiful ring.