Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Help - Planning a Surprise from the Beginning

B

breakaway_speed

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 30, 2014
Messages
6
I am in need of some major help. I don't know if this is the right place to post this. I hope it is.

Here is the scoop. I am a typical Canadian man and know nothing about diamonds/rings. Ask me about hockey... "I shoot puck at net".

I have however been going over this website the last few weeks and learned A LOT.

Here's the dilemma. I want to completely surprise her. I think she would like something simple and elegant (as that is what her current jewellery is like).

I have been going through the forums, and Mike Morrell's stuff really shines out. But if I go brick & mortar though, she can exchange and/or return.

What should I do? I am thinking I should get the diamond online either way as it seems to be more economical . As for a ring type, I am thinking about the " Fancy Torchiere " setting from Mike Morrell and getting it with four prongs (http://www.mwmjewelry.com/FancyTorchiere_2ct_sz5.5_/index.html).

Was thinking four prongs as my budget is not that high and hopefully four prongs will show off a lower caret diamond more.

I am working with GOG in getting a diamond. So far I have been recommended this one but it may be a little out of my price range: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10796/

Any advise on either the diamond or the setting? Is it a bad idea to get such a nice setting with a not so good/smaller diamond? Or should I get something not custom, so I have more options for returns/exchange? Too many questions...
 
I love Mark Morrell's settings; I think they exemplify "simple and elegant " for e-rings. I'm also not in the "bigger is always better" when it comes to e-ring diamonds.

But I have to ask - what size range are you looking at for the center stone, and what size range is the norm amongst your friends?
 
Because I'd like to keep it under 10k, I was 0.75 - 1.1. The range is big because I'm not sure what would look best on that type of setting. I'd rather have it be bright as possible verse size. Friends and family is over 1.5 for most, but they're more of a bling crowd.
 
I know you want to surprise her, but if her friends and family are wearing 1.5, even a bright .7 is going to look small. In this situation, I would try to max out size unless she's specifically told you she wants a smaller stone than her friends have. Women compare rings - it's just a fact. Yes, a well cut stone is going to sparkle like crazy, but the first comment I always receive on my ring is about the size. I would get a simple solitaire and the biggest, best cut 1ct+ you can find. MM settings are beautiful, but I wouldn't spend that much of your budget on a solitaire setting and sacrifice size for it.
 
I agree with liaerfbv. Max out the stone size (there will be a noticeable size difference between .7 to .9 to 1.1) unless you really know she would be OK with a smaller stone. You could also save some money and/or increase size if you get a lower color (I/J) stone. If you absolutely know her style, you can pick out a setting. You can always ask friends/family about what they think she'd like. I think you have good taste based on the setting you posted. However, I caution you...some ladies (including myself) are very picky and really like selecting jewelry themselves - she has to wear it forever! If you have any doubts on a setting, perhaps you just propose with the stone? It might sound silly, but I would have preferred it...
 
Make sure that stone is 100% eye clean. I would sink as much of your budget into the stone as possible, and get a very simple and inexpensive platinum setting for it to be presented in. When you guys are looking at wedding bands, offer the option for a reset at that time, so that she can get the setting she wants, to go with the band she wants. You can offer the Mark Morrell option as well, but give her the final choice then. For now I'd just get yourself the best stone possible.
 
How about if you get a "Classic Torchierre" rather than a fancy? That will give you a bit more money to sink into the stone.

Another consideration - is she likely to want to hang on to her original engagement ring for a long time, or might she want to upgrade the stone or setting or both in the future? If this is likely to be her ring for life (or at least for the next ten years or more) I'd pay as much attention to the setting as to the stone - again, possibly going for a less expensive MM setting.
 
I'm in that camp too.....
 
HI:

I agree on maxing out on the stone, although MM is really gorgeous. Too bad there wasn't an estate MM for sale on our pre-loved forum.

Sorry the Can $$ is so horrible....makes buying across border more painful...

Have you looked locally? Blue Nile Canadian site?

cheers--Sharon
 
After asking around, most of her friends rings are around 1. My family members tend to have bigger, more bling rings, but she's not like that. She would hate a super big, halo ring. She has very simple jewellery. Her watch, while very nice, is very plain. She does prefer higher build quality. Her tendency is to cry once, and spend more on a quality product. Rather than buy for less and have it break and/or regret it later.

That is why I am leaning towards MM. I think you are all right though, and should likely look into increasing my budget for her. I just don't think you can beat quality... as you can see this is what I am leaning towards.

EDIT: Sorry didn't really explain... I was basically thinking of customizing the Petite Torchier to have diamonds in the ring body with only 4 prongs. I would try to make the prongs a little less prominent. This would hopefully allow a smaller, better cut diamond to show while keeping it low profile.... but I really don't know what I am talking about here.

4_prong_custom_0.jpg

4_prong_custom1.jpg
 
Here are a couple of top-notch stones in current budget:

1.113ct, H, SI1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.113-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104066186026

1.2ct, H, SI1
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11729/


You mentioned increasing your budget. If you upped the budget a bit, here are some options:

1.183ct, G, VS1
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.183-g-vs1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104067973050

1.2ct, G, VS2
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11493/
 
That is a gorgeous setting.

That is a gorgeous! stone. Just perfect.

I do not know what MM settings cost, is it more than 2K? If it is around that, then you are done! I also agree, 4 prong is more classic than 6 prong, for a regular size diamond.

I would just talk to GOG and tell them your budget, that you like that stone, and that setting, how much would it be. If you can't make that budget ask if there another setting with similar quality and design that would work? But I think you are doing good.
 
The GOG stone you picked says "CERTIFIED GOG EYE CLEAN" so I would believe it's eye clean.. I think it's a nice stone.. and a good price for over 1 carat.
 
That's a gorgeous setting, and :appl: for upping the budget a bit. Best of both worlds!
 
Tekate|1391211404|3605392 said:
The GOG stone you picked says "CERTIFIED GOG EYE CLEAN" so I would believe it's eye clean.. I think it's a nice stone.. and a good price for over 1 carat.
Click to expand...

You might want to reserve it before it gets poached.
 
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top