Help Me with Engagement Ring - Memoire vs White Flash

[dangsbianchi]

I've been on this site for over a year, and always thought i would go with White Flash.

My girlfriend has always wanted a Pave ring from WF with a cushion diamond. We visited a store last weekend, and saw the Memoire Diamond Bouquet. It's basically a center .75 diamond with 9 small diamonds around it to make it look like a 1.5ct. She liked it, the only thing that concerns me is that it is a special order item, it looked nice but i don't know if the White Flash will look better. I also don't want to have the hassle of returning the item since it's a special order.

The ring is $4900 for VS2 in Platinum, Color G

http://memoire.com/catalog/collections.aspx?products=2338

My budget is $5K, and want to go with White Flash, because i am expecting a nice raise and bonus at the end of the year, which i would like to upgrade the diamond to at least 1.25ct.

Here is is what I'm looking at WF.

Platinum ''Harmony" Diamond Engagement Ring
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/harmony-diamond-engagement-ring-890.htm

0.70 ct H VS2 Cushion Cut Loose Diamond
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut-loose-diamond-2788758.htm

Memoire or WF (If WF is this diamond okay?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Gypsy]

Memoire. Hands down no brainer.

 

[ame]

Memoire. Hands down no brainer.

I agree. The quality of workmanship alone would be unbeatable. IF that is what she loves.

You can always go with WF for another ring later when finances are stronger.

 

[mrssalvo]

Memoire. Hands down no brainer.

I agree. The quality of workmanship alone would be unbeatable. IF that is what she loves.

You can always go with WF for another ring later when finances are stronger.

Yes, I would agree. Pearlmans is a Pricescope vendor who carries Memoire so you might call them for a quote on the setting too...

 

[Enerchi]

My choice is based solely on visual presentation, because I can't speak to the quality of either, but memoire wins, IMHO.

 

[stargurl78]

I don't really care for the halo on the Memoire, but I like the look of that band better than the WF setting. Is there a Memoire setting that you would consider that is a solitaire with a pave band but doesn't have the "diamond bouquet"?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I have a Memoire ring and it is excellent quality. That said, did she say she absolutely LOVES the Memoire ring and now wants it instead? Because if that is what she really wants, then I'd go with that. But if she just said she likes it, then no, I wouldn't do it. And as someone has mentioned, contact Pearlman's for Memoire and tell them you are a PriceScope member and ask if they can give a discount on the Memoire ring(s). You'll want the matching wedding band, probably.

As far as the WhiteFlash diamond goes, you simply cannot choose a cushion diamond from a virtual inventory. There is no picture of the stone and it could be okay or it could be awful, and there are plenty of bad cushions out there. Plus, you don't want to buy a setting now for a .70 and then have to have the head replaced to fit a larger stone in a few months. That really doesn't make sense. If you went the WF route, I would get the cheapest solitaire setting for a temporary setting until you upgrade the stone to a 1.25. But I really feel that WF specializes in ideal cut rounds and princess cuts, and I would choose a round there over a cushion. Cushions face up smaller than rounds, so a .70 cushion might be pretty small (that one is about 5.3mm which is about the diameter of a .55-.60 round). It would look very small to her compared to the Memoire. Personally, I'd go with a round from WF in a simple setting with the option to upgrade to the 1.25 in the diamond setting later in the year.

 

[dangsbianchi]

Looks like if I want a cushion cut I need to go with James Allen or ERD since they have pictures.

I will take my gf this weekend to look at another store that has the Memoire to see if she really likes it.

Thanks for the help folks, you are the best!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think that is a very good idea. I recommend ERD and Good Old Gold for well cut cushions in-house. But it sounds like she might be interested in a round if she liked the Memoire!

 

[dangsbianchi]

The other options im looking at from JA and ERD are:

Isabella from ERD
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/isabella-4-prong-empress-micro-pave-engagement-ring-bpid-236-14.html

0.80 Carat G-VS2 Very Good Cushion Cut Diamond - $2994
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/0.80-carat-g-vs2-very-good-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-53563.html

Platinum Art-Nouveau 2.0mm Pave Set Diamond Engagement Ring -
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/Platinum-Art-Nouveau-2-0mm-Pave-Set-Ring.html

They have a lot of Cushion Diamonds here, not sure if i should go with:

0.92 Carat G-VS2 Ideal Cut Cushion Diamond - $3,250
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1494805.asp

0.80 Carat F-VVS2 Ideal Cut Cushion Diamond - $3,300
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1385993.asp

 

[diamondseeker2006]

My comments in red:

Isabella from ERD
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/isabella-4-prong-empress-micro-pave-engagement-ring-bpid-236-14.html Beautiful nice quality setting made for your stone

0.80 Carat G-VS2 Very Good Cushion Cut Diamond - $2994
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/0.80-carat-g-vs2-very-good-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-53563.html no picture, not a stone he has in-house so not enough info to consider it

Platinum Art-Nouveau 2.0mm Pave Set Diamond Engagement Ring -
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/Platinum-Art-Nouveau-2-0mm-Pave-Set-Ring.html (don't like the head on this one at all, bulky looking)

They have a lot of Cushion Diamonds here, not sure if i should go with:

0.92 Carat G-VS2 Ideal Cut Cushion Diamond - $3,250
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1494805.asp that is an awful diamond, to be honest

0.80 Carat F-VVS2 Ideal Cut Cushion Diamond - $3,300
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1385993.asp (better, but I'd want to see if there is one that faces up larger)

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Unfortunately this diamond is reserved, but it is a good example to use as a model of a beautiful modern cut cushion. You can call ERD and see if they have any smaller ones coming in.

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/this-x-factor-cushion-brilliant-has-been-reserved.-gid-84219.html

other style, also gorgeous:

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/this-cut-beyond-cushion-brilliant-has-been-sold.-gid-15231.html

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Okay, from Good Old Gold, this is the best option I see in a well cut modern cushion:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9506/

This is a beauty if eyeclean and you could handle K color in an antique style cushion:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9089/

 

[dangsbianchi]

Unfortunately this diamond is reserved, but it is a good example to use as a model of a beautiful modern cut cushion. You can call ERD and see if they have any smaller ones coming in.

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/this-x-factor-cushion-brilliant-has-been-reserved.-gid-84219.html

other style, also gorgeous:

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/this-cut-beyond-cushion-brilliant-has-been-sold.-gid-15231.html

Thanks, I just spoke to Chris if any smaller X-Factor's will be coming in soon.

 

[mandasand]

I would call GOG and see how much the modern cushion is. It looks beautiful. I don't recommend the .92 K antique cushion, just because I want it. Haha...

 

[webdiva]

I would call GOG and see how much the modern cushion is. It looks beautiful. I don't recommend the .92 K antique cushion, just because I want it. Haha...

It's showing at $3500-ish.

That antique cushion is STUNNING!

GOG can find you a comparable setting, too. Plus, you'll be able to upgrade the diamond later with them (or any other PS vendor). Can you do that with the memoire?

 

[dangsbianchi]

If you all had to choose, would you pick the GOG over the ERD?

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9506/


http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/this-x-factor-cushion-brilliant-has-been-reserved.-gid-84219.html

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The ERD stone is reserved. Do you have it on reserve?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would call GOG and see how much the modern cushion is. It looks beautiful. I don't recommend the .92 K antique cushion, just because I want it. Haha...

I have the same problem sometimes!

 

[dangsbianchi]

The ERD stone is reserved. Do you have it on reserve?

I do not just hoping ERD comes back with something similar.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Let's wait and see what they find. I like the one from GOG fine for a modern cushion, but I really love that one that is on reserve! My personal preference is for the antique stones, but all of these are superior cushions. There are SO many bad ones out there!

 

[dangsbianchi]

Here is the 0.80 carat G-VS1 X factor.

 

[ame]

Here is the 0.80 carat G-VS1 X factor.

I don't know what that patterning is but it does not appeal to me at all....

 

[dangsbianchi]

Thanks for you help all, looks like we are going to go with Memoire. She likes the way it looks and is a little different in comparison to what her friends have gotten.

 

[ame]

Thanks for you help all, looks like we are going to go with Memoire. She likes the way it looks and is a little different in comparison to what her friends have gotten.

Congrats! The fact that it's on budget is a good thing. You can get a new ring for an anniversary later on!

 

[mrssalvo]

Thanks for you help all, looks like we are going to go with Memoire. She likes the way it looks and is a little different in comparison to what her friends have gotten.

please come back with pictures. I'd love to see more of this ring!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I am sure that will be a beautiful ring! We would love to see pictures! Just be sure you don't pay full retail for that ring! I made that mistake once!

 

[dangsbianchi]

I popped the question on Saturday, we took the Heavenly Gondola up to have a beautiful view of Lake Tahoe. She was completely surprised!

This is actually the loaner ring, the one i ordered which should be here by the end of the month is in Platinum and has better diamonds.

 

[Gypsy]

YAY! Congratulations! Please post pics of your 'forever' ring when you get it. The loaner is pretty though.

 

[ame]

woohoo! Congrats, it looks amazing!