Help with 10-12k budget for engagement ring.

[dec]

Hello all! I''m a newbie here and this is my first post! Pleae be gentle!

I''ve never purchased a diamond before so I''m a bit confused and am learning a lot in a short period of time! I have a budget of 10-12k USD and am looking for some suggestions.

My girlfriend does have some preferences on rings, but I''m trying to keep this as much of a surprise as possible.

Here are the details:

1. She prefers Princess Cut
2. She would prefer a 3 stone setting, but also likes solitaire
3. Ring size 6
4. Overall appearance is more important than individual characteristics (color, clarity, etc) so a good balance is desired.
5. She prefers a platinum setting
6. I do not have a problem buying online from a reputable site

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[slg47]

if 3 stone, do you know what shape she would want the side stones to be? (also princess?)

 

[dec]

Wow. I hadn''t even thought of that! I assumed princess as well.

 

[yssie]

bigger sidestones in relation to the centre, or smaller?


what size do you want for the centrestone?


what style of threestone setting - basket, trellis...



ETA: here's a nice stone

http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity&id=232

 

[slg47]

3 princess will look really good but princess can also look good with trapezoid side stones, trillion, pear...

maybe someone can tell you what to look for in terms of the best princess cut, cut is really important in how the diamond sparkles but i think with your budget you can get a really nice size and a nice setting too

 

[CharmyPoo]

I always ask this question - are you sure she wants a princess relative to all the other beautiful square shapes available? The reason is that most people only think of princesses if they want a square. However, there are some beautiful options out there such as cushions and asschers.

I found cushions look amazing with a variety of side stones such as the half moons. Asschers also look amazing with stones like trapezoids or something amazing like Hot Ice's Erica Grace Leon Mege ring (see below).

 

[dec]

I''m pretty sure that she wants princess, based on things she''s said in the past.

 

[stone-cold11]

You will have to do a bit of budgeting and see what kind of setting you like.

 

[Gypsy]

I think it is great that your lady knows what she wants. You can get a great ring for that budget. I personally am a HUGE fan of princess center stones with pear sidestones, but three princesses is a classic look as well.

I would set aside 3,500-4,000 for the setting and sidestones in platinum. And concentrate on a center stone for about 8K. You can get a fabulous princess +/- 1.5 carats for 8K. My personal preference would be for an eyeclean VS2-SI1 and G-H color for a princess of this size. Your sidestones can be G-H and (again, personal preference) I'd go for a large center and some smaller sidestones.

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-details/?product_id=26440573

This one is great. H VS and an AGS0. Leaves you with a nice amount for the setting. And BGD makes lovely three stones. http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5447 is 1,700 for the setting itself in platinum. Which again, leaves a great budget for sidestones.

BGD also has a PS discount... I'm not sure what it is or what method of payment you have to use (usually with PS vendors wire transfers give you the best bang for buck) but it is worth asking about.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Do you know if she has a size preference for the diamond? I ask because I personally would prefer all of the money put towards the biggest center stone you can get, and she may agree, or she may prefer the option that Gypsy suggests, with a significant portion of the budget put towards the setting.

I second the notion of trying to stick in the G/H VS2/SI1 range.

 

[slg47]

if she prefers 3-stone then you should go 3-stone (in my opinion)

also 1.5 carat center is a really nice size...I think your girlfriend will love it but going with a larger center as dreamer suggested is a consideration...maybe look at what you can get with your budget and see what your options are