Hi all,
I posted on here a few months ago looking for help and advice re: selecting and designing an ER for my gf. Unfortunately "real life" intervened a bit and this project had to be put on hold for a little bit. Here's the original thread, I'll summarize it below and my new questions. ([URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/looking-for-some-help-designing-an-er.216295/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/looking-for-some-help-designing-an-er.216295/[/URL])
The advice I got here was fantastic, but sent me down a little bit different road. Here's where I stand:
-Originally was looking @ Princess cuts. Concerns were raised re: the edges of the princess cut getting chipped, caught etc. based on her job (see below). GF has not expressed any huge preferences either way. This is to be a surprise so involving her is not part of my idea plan. Have had some family members do a little recon so I have some idea what she likes (square > round, not "too big", must sit low)
-Given the above, she had relatively big hands - have looked at a bunch of smaller-ish diamonds in person and honestly I think they'd get lost on her hand. So I'm looking 1.5-2ish carats.
-She is an equine vet. Thus, the setting becomes a problem - has to sit low, most likely. As discussed in the other thread, pave probably presents risks for losing stones with gloves on and off, hands in places we shouldn't speak of, etc. She may very well wear it on a necklace anyway at work or something (not my preferred since I'm sinking a lot of money into this, but I'm a surgeon and many of my female colleagues do the same thing .... ) I'm not a huge bezel fan - I think you lose a lot of underneath the diamond with such a setting and I don't necessarily love the "chunky" look. I did like the split shank previously.
So I guess what I'm looking for would be:
-advice on the stone. I'd like eye-clean (I'm figuring VS2 or maybe SI1 if the price was right), color H or better, VG or better cut. I've been looking at cushion cuts. Other have suggested Brian Gaving square H&A. Couldn't find a ton about this (is this a princess cut?) I'd be willing to select a different cut with a squarish-appearance if it faces up well.
-Advice on a setting. I liked split-shank in the stores I looked at, but the issue was that many of them sit pretty high on the finger. As much as I like pave and a high-sitting stone, not gonna be practical if I want her to wear it (and I do!)
-Budget is in the range of 15k. Mildly high is OK, lower would be great too.
-Time frame is about 5 weeks - have a trip planned and would like to propose during that time. This could be adjusted .... but if i Don't set myself a deadline I'll keep being lazy about it because we're all "busy".... I know I'm pushing it!
ANY advice is appreciate. Have been reading a lot on this board lately and am very impressed with how much help you all provide to people like me. Please know it's appreciated.
-pghdomer
I posted on here a few months ago looking for help and advice re: selecting and designing an ER for my gf. Unfortunately "real life" intervened a bit and this project had to be put on hold for a little bit. Here's the original thread, I'll summarize it below and my new questions. ([URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/looking-for-some-help-designing-an-er.216295/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/looking-for-some-help-designing-an-er.216295/[/URL])
The advice I got here was fantastic, but sent me down a little bit different road. Here's where I stand:
-Originally was looking @ Princess cuts. Concerns were raised re: the edges of the princess cut getting chipped, caught etc. based on her job (see below). GF has not expressed any huge preferences either way. This is to be a surprise so involving her is not part of my idea plan. Have had some family members do a little recon so I have some idea what she likes (square > round, not "too big", must sit low)
-Given the above, she had relatively big hands - have looked at a bunch of smaller-ish diamonds in person and honestly I think they'd get lost on her hand. So I'm looking 1.5-2ish carats.
-She is an equine vet. Thus, the setting becomes a problem - has to sit low, most likely. As discussed in the other thread, pave probably presents risks for losing stones with gloves on and off, hands in places we shouldn't speak of, etc. She may very well wear it on a necklace anyway at work or something (not my preferred since I'm sinking a lot of money into this, but I'm a surgeon and many of my female colleagues do the same thing .... ) I'm not a huge bezel fan - I think you lose a lot of underneath the diamond with such a setting and I don't necessarily love the "chunky" look. I did like the split shank previously.
So I guess what I'm looking for would be:
-advice on the stone. I'd like eye-clean (I'm figuring VS2 or maybe SI1 if the price was right), color H or better, VG or better cut. I've been looking at cushion cuts. Other have suggested Brian Gaving square H&A. Couldn't find a ton about this (is this a princess cut?) I'd be willing to select a different cut with a squarish-appearance if it faces up well.
-Advice on a setting. I liked split-shank in the stores I looked at, but the issue was that many of them sit pretty high on the finger. As much as I like pave and a high-sitting stone, not gonna be practical if I want her to wear it (and I do!)
-Budget is in the range of 15k. Mildly high is OK, lower would be great too.
-Time frame is about 5 weeks - have a trip planned and would like to propose during that time. This could be adjusted .... but if i Don't set myself a deadline I'll keep being lazy about it because we're all "busy".... I know I'm pushing it!
ANY advice is appreciate. Have been reading a lot on this board lately and am very impressed with how much help you all provide to people like me. Please know it's appreciated.
-pghdomer