Help my buddy find an antique-style ring for $1000-1500

[pearaffair]

Hey folks! I had a huge thread of inspiration for my best bud who is searching for his gal ([URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-bff-is-getting-engaged-can-we-help-him-find-a-ring.217235/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-bff-is-getting-engaged-can-we-help-him-find-a-ring.217235/[/URL]). He's ready to propose and I am ecstatic! But the ring is the thing, and the budget is set in stone (pun intended).

Can it be done? Her ring size is 7, and she leans towards the white metals. My buddy doesn't prefer the super blingy diamonds everywhere options. This is her Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/serenity89/vena-amoris/

If you can find anything within budget, I would be super grateful! Thanks in advance

Wish list:

• White Gold
  Antique/vintage style
  Size 7 (or re-size possible)
  Halo is nice but not necessary
  Side stones are nice but not necessary
  Round or oval centre diamond

 

[Niel]

Blue Nile has the coolest new setting. And it's cheap to boot. Get the referral discount going he would have over 1k for the stone. I think the proportions are great for about a half ct stone

 

[telephone89]

I love that one niel. It looks very similar to the one she recently pinned too!

 

[Niel]

this H sig ideal with the referral discount should put him just a bit over 1500 (like 13 bucks)

LD04344483

 

[alamana]

Blue Nile has the coolest new setting. And it's cheap to boot. Get the referral discount going he would have over 1k for the stone. I think the proportions are great for about a half ct stone

That setting is clearly a winner. Looks very much like what is all over her Pinterest board, and I've been looking but I'm not finding any estate stuff that would work well in that budget (I think inventory must be low b/c folks have bought up the good stuff for the holidays?).

 

[MollyMalone]

Blue Nile has the coolest new setting. And it's cheap to boot. Get the referral discount going he would have over 1k for the stone. I think the proportions are great for about a half ct stone

Definitely a great addition to BN's selection of settings -- thanks for drawing attention to it, Niel!

 

[mrs-b]

I love the setting Niel referenced for you.

Just to add, however, you can find stones on BN with stats which are just as good as their Signature cuts, but without the premium. The stones which aren't Signature cuts are NOT necessarily lesser quality. They're just not cut by BN cutters. There's plenty of excellent cutters in Asia, Scandinavia and Europe, which is where the majority of the non-Signature cut stones are cut.

Try *this* stone....

LD06511736

It's an I SI1 - same color as the side stones in the ring, so it should look just fine. It's also a little larger (.2mm, which is the size difference at which most people can perceive a difference in diameter in diamonds), and it scores .9 on the HCA. Its stats are lovely and it should sparkle like the clappers! It's also half a carat exactly, which is a significant cut off for a lot of people.

Good luck!

 

[Niel]

I love the setting Niel referenced for you.

Just to add, however, you can find stones on BN with stats which are just as good as their Signature cuts, but without the premium. The stones which aren't Signature cuts are NOT necessarily lesser quality. They're just not cut by BN cutters. There's plenty of excellent cutters in Asia, Scandinavia and Europe, which is where the majority of the non-Signature cut stones are cut.

Try *this* stone....

LD06511736

It's an I SI1 - same color as the side stones in the ring, so it should look just fine. It's also a little larger (.2mm, which is the size difference at which most people can perceive a difference in diameter in diamonds), and it scores .9 on the HCA. Its stats are lovely and it should sparkle like the clappers! It's also half a carat exactly, which is a significant cut off for a lot of people.

Good luck!

The reason I suggested that stone is not because it was a signature, but because it was the best looking stone in her budget, in my opinion. Some of their stones show video and pictures, and a lot of the SI stones in my opinion where too included. Not that this may not be lovely, just makes me nervous to buy one you can't see a pic of.

 

[Gypsy]

That's a fabulous setting!

 

[mrs-b]

I love the setting Niel referenced for you.

Just to add, however, you can find stones on BN with stats which are just as good as their Signature cuts, but without the premium. The stones which aren't Signature cuts are NOT necessarily lesser quality. They're just not cut by BN cutters. There's plenty of excellent cutters in Asia, Scandinavia and Europe, which is where the majority of the non-Signature cut stones are cut.

Try *this* stone....

LD06511736

It's an I SI1 - same color as the side stones in the ring, so it should look just fine. It's also a little larger (.2mm, which is the size difference at which most people can perceive a difference in diameter in diamonds), and it scores .9 on the HCA. Its stats are lovely and it should sparkle like the clappers! It's also half a carat exactly, which is a significant cut off for a lot of people.

Good luck!

The reason I suggested that stone is not because it was a signature, but because it was the best looking stone in her budget, in my opinion. Some of their stones show video and pictures, and a lot of the SI stones in my opinion where too included. Not that this may not be lovely, just makes me nervous to buy one you can't see a pic of.

Niel -

My suggestion of a non-Sig cut stone wasn't a response to your suggestion. I thought the stone you recommended looks lovely. But I have a lot of experience buying from BN, and at sizes of half a ct, I'm happy to buy based on stats alone and on the recommendation of the BN sales assistants, who, in my experience, always give very honest and clear recommendations. When a budget is tight, it's important to squeeze out every dollar, and that's one way to get a sliiiightly larger stone without sacrificing the look of the stone. And I'd be trying to get to the 1/2 ct cut off mark, which a lot of people find as significant as the 1ct mark.

 

[Niel]

I love the setting Niel referenced for you.

Just to add, however, you can find stones on BN with stats which are just as good as their Signature cuts, but without the premium. The stones which aren't Signature cuts are NOT necessarily lesser quality. They're just not cut by BN cutters. There's plenty of excellent cutters in Asia, Scandinavia and Europe, which is where the majority of the non-Signature cut stones are cut.

Try *this* stone....

LD06511736

It's an I SI1 - same color as the side stones in the ring, so it should look just fine. It's also a little larger (.2mm, which is the size difference at which most people can perceive a difference in diameter in diamonds), and it scores .9 on the HCA. Its stats are lovely and it should sparkle like the clappers! It's also half a carat exactly, which is a significant cut off for a lot of people.

Good luck!

The reason I suggested that stone is not because it was a signature, but because it was the best looking stone in her budget, in my opinion. Some of their stones show video and pictures, and a lot of the SI stones in my opinion where too included. Not that this may not be lovely, just makes me nervous to buy one you can't see a pic of.

Niel -

My suggestion of a non-Sig cut stone wasn't a response to your suggestion. I thought the stone you recommended looks lovely. But I have a lot of experience buying from BN, and at sizes of half a ct, I'm happy to buy based on stats alone and on the recommendation of the BN sales assistants, who, in my experience, always give very honest and clear recommendations. When a budget is tight, it's important to squeeze out every dollar, and that's one way to get a sliiiightly larger stone without sacrificing the look of the stone. And I'd be trying to get to the 1/2 ct cut off mark, which a lot of people find as significant as the 1ct mark.

Ok. I'm sure that stones lovely if its eye clean. As I said, its no guarantee it is, and that is why I didn't suggest one that wasn't accompanied by a photo.

It would be awesome to get the .5c mark

 

[mrs-b]

I love the setting Niel referenced for you.

Just to add, however, you can find stones on BN with stats which are just as good as their Signature cuts, but without the premium. The stones which aren't Signature cuts are NOT necessarily lesser quality. They're just not cut by BN cutters. There's plenty of excellent cutters in Asia, Scandinavia and Europe, which is where the majority of the non-Signature cut stones are cut.

Try *this* stone....

LD06511736

It's an I SI1 - same color as the side stones in the ring, so it should look just fine. It's also a little larger (.2mm, which is the size difference at which most people can perceive a difference in diameter in diamonds), and it scores .9 on the HCA. Its stats are lovely and it should sparkle like the clappers! It's also half a carat exactly, which is a significant cut off for a lot of people.

Good luck!

The reason I suggested that stone is not because it was a signature, but because it was the best looking stone in her budget, in my opinion. Some of their stones show video and pictures, and a lot of the SI stones in my opinion where too included. Not that this may not be lovely, just makes me nervous to buy one you can't see a pic of.

Niel -

My suggestion of a non-Sig cut stone wasn't a response to your suggestion. I thought the stone you recommended looks lovely. But I have a lot of experience buying from BN, and at sizes of half a ct, I'm happy to buy based on stats alone and on the recommendation of the BN sales assistants, who, in my experience, always give very honest and clear recommendations. When a budget is tight, it's important to squeeze out every dollar, and that's one way to get a sliiiightly larger stone without sacrificing the look of the stone. And I'd be trying to get to the 1/2 ct cut off mark, which a lot of people find as significant as the 1ct mark.

Ok. I'm sure that stones lovely if its eye clean. As I said, its no guarantee it is, and that is why I didn't suggest one that wasn't accompanied by a photo.

It would be awesome to get the .5c mark

Agreed.

Just as an FYI - BN will inspect the stone for you and give you an honest opinion. I've done this with them many times, and on occasion have had them say to me "This probably won't meet your requirements." They're very reliable that way and they give an honest opinion.

At .5ct, I would expect an SI1 to be eye clean, but either way, BN will contact the person holding the stone and tell you promptly if it is or it isn't. They're good that way.

 

[Gypsy]

Good information to know Mrs.B.

I really do like that setting an awful lot.

 

[Polished]

I really like that setting too.

 

[pearaffair]

Hey Niel, I really like that setting! That being said, my buddy has narrowed it down to two options: one from stuller, and one from blue nile. Also he has to decide between oval or round. Please, I'd love to hear pros and cons! He will likely decide within the week, as he hopes to propose on Valentine's Day

Blue Nile:

 

[pearaffair]

 

[pearaffair]

 

[Gypsy]

Blue Nile, with round, IMO .

 

[Niel]

Blue Nile round

 

[RissaLou]

My personal favorite is the oval from blue Nile, just a little more unique and appealing to me. The oval might make wedding band shopping slightly more difficult though, since rounds are more common.

 

[pearaffair]

Great feedback! What if I were to add that we can get the Stuller setting for far cheaper? I can get wholesale price for that because I know a jeweller... But the blue Nile one is really gorgeous, and also shows up on his gf's Pinterest.

Question: I like how the Stuller mount tapers in. I feel like the tapering in makes the centre stone look bigger, no? But then maybe I'm just biased because it's more affordable... Ack!

 

[Gypsy]

It looks cheaper too.

I really don't see what the issue is at this point. You have a gorgeous setting. In budget. That is on her pinterest page. Stop agonizing and get her what she wants.

 

[pearaffair]

It looks cheaper too.

I really don't see what the issue is at this point. You have a gorgeous setting. In budget. That is on her pinterest page. Stop agonizing and get her what she wants.

Bluntly put, but I have to agree! Thanks for the input! I'll definitely post pics when he gives it to her.

Also, I wouldn't mind if people posted their fave half carat rounds off of blue Nile! You guys are such an invaluable resource, and I appreciate all the help.

 

[pearaffair]

Also, I think someone mentioned a referral code discount for Blue Nile. How does that work?

 

[pearaffair]

Sorry - just realized there were some stone suggestions up above. Thank you!

 

[Sphene]

IMO tapering in to the stone gives a ring a very old fashioned spin

 

[Niel]

It looks cheaper too.

I really don't see what the issue is at this point. You have a gorgeous setting. In budget. That is on her pinterest page. Stop agonizing and get her what she wants.

Bluntly put, but I have to agree! Thanks for the input! I'll definitely post pics when he gives it to her.

Also, I wouldn't mind if people posted their fave half carat rounds off of blue Nile! You guys are such an invaluable resource, and I appreciate all the help.

Now that he's paying 700 for the setting in not sure he can afford a half ct

 

[pearaffair]

It looks cheaper too.

I really don't see what the issue is at this point. You have a gorgeous setting. In budget. That is on her pinterest page. Stop agonizing and get her what she wants.

Bluntly put, but I have to agree! Thanks for the input! I'll definitely post pics when he gives it to her.

Also, I wouldn't mind if people posted their fave half carat rounds off of blue Nile! You guys are such an invaluable resource, and I appreciate all the help.

Now that he's paying 700 for the setting in not sure he can afford a half ct

I think he can get a 0.40-0.44... We'll see

 

[pearaffair]

It looks cheaper too.

I really don't see what the issue is at this point. You have a gorgeous setting. In budget. That is on her pinterest page. Stop agonizing and get her what she wants.

Gypsy, I am still learning. So that I can get better at shopping for pretty sparklies, can you tell me what it is about the Stuller setting that makes it look cheaper? Thank you in advance for furthering my education in pretty sparklies

 

[MollyMalone]

Could you share the number of that Stuller semi-mount or the link to the online catalog page for it; although I found a somewhat similar (more expensive ) one, I wasn't able to quickly retrieve the right page from the Stuller web site.