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Help me help my BFF! (Please)

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Miscka

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Hi all! I've been a member here a long time but I feel pretty out of the loop on the current diamond landscape!

My BFF is about to get engaged and I have offered to help her boyfriend. But I am feeling lost myself!

They are looking for a simple princess cut, solitaire or super thin setting with pave or the like.

Here is the kicker - budget is $1000. She likes smaller stones, and we looked at maul stores today. They had a few options that seemed ok, and I was thinking surely I could find a better price, etc online but I've looked around a bit and am shocked at how high metal/simple tiffany settings are!!

Would any of you be able to help? Any good ideas I am missing? Current site people are loving?

Also - I seem to remember there being a "why buy online" thread, etc but can't seem to find them now, I wanted to link him so he doesn't think I am nuts for steering him away from the maul.

TIA!!! :wavey: :wavey:
 
hi! I would compare the online options with the local options and see what is the best fit for the situation. You can often find better pricing online, and many of the online vendors provide a lot of information about the diamonds. However, there are also good local vendors and reasons to shop locally.

Here are some options..

setting $450
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/2mm-Knife-Edge-18k-White-Gold-Solitaire-Ring.html
setting $500
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/2mm-Comfort-Fit-White-Gold-Solitaire-Ring.html

diamonds
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1419512.asp ($540)
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1347313.asp ($560)
 
Would be be okay with a vintage or antique ring? You can get something beautiful, unique and breathtaking for the budget if you go that route.

You need to be careful with ebay, and pick vendors with good pictures and good vendor scores and return policies.


This one is GORGEOUS and platinum. And I can't imagine any woman not loving it! http://www.ebay.com/itm/PLATINUM-DIAMOND-RING-VS-H-I-30-CTS-ART-DECO-ESTATE-VINTAGE-ANTIQUE-/270848650068?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item3f0fd66b54 Totally sizable too.

Beautiful and great coverage: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-EDWARDIAN-14K-GOLD-DIAMOND-SOLITAIRE-ENGAGEMENT-RING-/110770603355?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item19ca71455b

Looks like a Van Crayenest: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-30ct-DIAMOND-Engagement-RING-14k-18k-Gold-/370533277097?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item5645811da9

http://www.ebay.com/itm/40ct-European-Cut-DIAMOND-Antique-Engagement-RING-Platinum-VS-H-I-C-1910s-/310355155709?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_with_Accents&hash=item48429bdafd

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-75ct-Diamond-Sapphire-18k-Gold-Filigree-Ring-/230688153219?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item35b615de83

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ladys-1-3ct-PLATINUM-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-Free-Ship-/220522331573?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item335827bdb5

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Estate-Genuine-Diamond-Ruby-Solid-14k-Gold-Ring-/130528798535?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item1e641f6747

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-60ct-F-SI1-Estate-Diamond-princess-cut-wedding-set-14k-/110758201608?pt=Wedding_Sets&hash=item19c9b40908
 
Yikes! M color?? ^^^
 
Thank you guys!!! I am looking at the James Allen stones, their pricing seems really good!

Gypsy I totally appreciate all the links! But she is set on princess cut, so antique is basically out. Pre-owned, maybe, but not sure they would want that. My own personal ring is an antique low-color but I have to remind myself that its not for me! Heehee.

So is 450 the lowest of the PS vendors for tiffany solitaire? Or has anyone seen one lower somewhere reputable? I just hate for 1/2 his budget to go there, but if it must it must!

Thanks again.
 
Daniel B|1320849330|3057716 said:
Yikes! M color?? ^^^

Did you see the stone and the price? That's a steal! Nicely done, Gypsy.

If the rest are out, that last link on Gypsy's first post looks like it might be a strong contender - with w-band included, that's a fine price. Definitely worth checking how they feel about pre-owned!
 
Miscka|1320854324|3057770 said:
Thank you guys!!! I am looking at the James Allen stones, their pricing seems really good!

Gypsy I totally appreciate all the links! But she is set on princess cut, so antique is basically out. Pre-owned, maybe, but not sure they would want that. My own personal ring is an antique low-color but I have to remind myself that its not for me! Heehee.

So is 450 the lowest of the PS vendors for tiffany solitaire? Or has anyone seen one lower somewhere reputable? I just hate for 1/2 his budget to go there, but if it must it must!

Thanks again.

yeah...the settings are high...maybe check with local jewelers on stock settings (and mounting fees...) and see if you can get it for less? metal prices are really high...
but on the other hand...I don't think you can get over the 0.5 ct mark in budget because of the price/carat jump so this might be about as good as you can do (without looking at secondary market?)
 
Miscka|1320854324|3057770 said:
Thank you guys!!! I am looking at the James Allen stones, their pricing seems really good!

Gypsy I totally appreciate all the links! But she is set on princess cut, so antique is basically out. Pre-owned, maybe, but not sure they would want that. My own personal ring is an antique low-color but I have to remind myself that its not for me! Heehee.

So is 450 the lowest of the PS vendors for tiffany solitaire? Or has anyone seen one lower somewhere reputable? I just hate for 1/2 his budget to go there, but if it must it must!

Thanks again.

if you are going to buy from James Allen best to just get the setting there, you can't find anything much cheaper else where and the shipping stone to a different place, setting the stone will pretty much evens the money out if not going to cost you more.
You can also do this james allen referral to your friend so they can look into the $1100 range for the $100 they save.
http://www.jamesallen.com/refer-a-friend.asp
Do it only when they are ready to buy since the code is time sensitive.
good luck
 
Circe|1320855830|3057790 said:
Daniel B|1320849330|3057716 said:
Yikes! M color?? ^^^

Did you see the stone and the price? That's a steal! Nicely done, Gypsy.

If the rest are out, that last link on Gypsy's first post looks like it might be a strong contender - with w-band included, that's a fine price. Definitely worth checking how they feel about pre-owned!

wow! an old stone with a GIA report!!!
 
Miscka|1320854324|3057770 said:
Thank you guys!!! I am looking at the James Allen stones, their pricing seems really good!

Gypsy I totally appreciate all the links! But she is set on princess cut, so antique is basically out. Pre-owned, maybe, but not sure they would want that. My own personal ring is an antique low-color but I have to remind myself that its not for me! Heehee.

So is 450 the lowest of the PS vendors for tiffany solitaire? Or has anyone seen one lower somewhere reputable? I just hate for 1/2 his budget to go there, but if it must it must!

Thanks again.

Not a PS vendor, but if upgrading the setting later is an option, maybe going as cheap as possible would be good, like this from LOGR on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-6mm-PRINCESS-CUT-14K-WHITE-GOLD-RING-SETTING-2-36g-/370558253472?

ETA: stone from Eternity Diamonds, .53 I SI1 (check if eye-clean) and $810: http://www.eternitydiamonds.com/diamond_detail.php?id=497756
 
here is a long shot but worth a try. If you friends have FB account they can try to win this gorgeous halo setting WF is giving out on FB. I was the winner of their last give away and got something really gorgeous from them so it's worth a try.
http://www.whiteflash.com/promotions/vote-yes-and-win.aspx
 
Ruby Beth thats a great option!! Both of them, really! I think the first is a tad small, since they can afford more.

I will try to sell him on the other, but not sure if he will go for it.

Thanks a ton!
 
Thanks again, Gypsy! I did see that one, and I like it (as much as I like any princess set) but she is SUPER into thin settings.

I sent him the one eBay set, as well as a good option from James Allen. Anxiously awaiting his reactions! I am afraid I am terrifying him ;))

I noticed BGD has a solitaire for 325 but doesnt seem to have any smaller princess cuts? Does anyone know if I contact them if they would source that kind of thing?
 
Also - Gypsy - so you have purchased from them before? And it was a good experience?
 
Miscka|1320879816|3058126 said:
Thanks again, Gypsy! I did see that one, and I like it (as much as I like any princess set) but she is SUPER into thin settings.

I sent him the one eBay set, as well as a good option from James Allen. Anxiously awaiting his reactions! I am afraid I am terrifying him ;))

I noticed BGD has a solitaire for 325 but doesnt seem to have any smaller princess cuts? Does anyone know if I contact them if they would source that kind of thing?

It wouldn't hurt to ask?
 
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