Like many others here I am in the midst of the exciting (but stressful!) process of buying an engagement ring. However, my situation is somewhat unusual in that my soon-to-be fiancee wants an emerald cut eternity band set in platinum as an engagement ring rather than the typical single big stone.
What makes this particularly challenging is the following:
1. Since eternity bands aren't normally engagement rings, there isn't a lot to choose from in large sizes (my budget is $40K)
2. Despite the jewelry being quite valuable, the individual stones are quite small, so they don't normally come with certifications
3. All of the vendors I've talked to say that in this type of ring it's important that the stones be matched very carefully (though inevitably there are differences between them since there are ~16-18 in total). But every vendor says their stones match "perfectly," and as far as I can tell there is no objective grading criteria for match.
4. I have never seen a cut grading for this type of ring, though I don't know why.
Right now I'm looking at a few different options.
1. Buying direct from a local manufacturer in southern California, Ninacci. I've been referred to them by a friend. I've seen the ring I would be buying and an appraisal from EGL-LA and a separate appraiser. I've gotten them down to $40K for a 8.71 ctw, E-G color, VVS2-VS2 clarity (grading varies slightly by appraiser). I think I'll be able to get them to agree to a 30-day return policy.
2. ID Jewelry. Just contacted them after seeing lots of references on Pricescope. They quoted me just under $38K for a custom-made ring with 16 0.6-0.65 ct stones (so 9.6-10.4 ctw by my math), G color, VS1 clarity. This seems like a very good option, but I am a little concerned with needing to have the ring shipped across the country, and I wonder whether it will be possible for me to have this independently appraised before I buy since it would be made to order.
3. Whiteflash. Same situation as ID Jewelry, but I haven't yet received a quote from them.
4. Local brick&mortar store has a 8.90 ctw, E-F, VS2+ ring manufactured by Kwiat that I've gotten them to come down to $45K on. I think this is the most unlikely of the options but it's the only one my girlfriend has seen and I know she loved it.
I would love some advice! At the end of the day I think she will love any of these rings but with such a large purchase I really want to get the best value for my money.
What makes this particularly challenging is the following:
1. Since eternity bands aren't normally engagement rings, there isn't a lot to choose from in large sizes (my budget is $40K)
2. Despite the jewelry being quite valuable, the individual stones are quite small, so they don't normally come with certifications
3. All of the vendors I've talked to say that in this type of ring it's important that the stones be matched very carefully (though inevitably there are differences between them since there are ~16-18 in total). But every vendor says their stones match "perfectly," and as far as I can tell there is no objective grading criteria for match.
4. I have never seen a cut grading for this type of ring, though I don't know why.
Right now I'm looking at a few different options.
1. Buying direct from a local manufacturer in southern California, Ninacci. I've been referred to them by a friend. I've seen the ring I would be buying and an appraisal from EGL-LA and a separate appraiser. I've gotten them down to $40K for a 8.71 ctw, E-G color, VVS2-VS2 clarity (grading varies slightly by appraiser). I think I'll be able to get them to agree to a 30-day return policy.
2. ID Jewelry. Just contacted them after seeing lots of references on Pricescope. They quoted me just under $38K for a custom-made ring with 16 0.6-0.65 ct stones (so 9.6-10.4 ctw by my math), G color, VS1 clarity. This seems like a very good option, but I am a little concerned with needing to have the ring shipped across the country, and I wonder whether it will be possible for me to have this independently appraised before I buy since it would be made to order.
3. Whiteflash. Same situation as ID Jewelry, but I haven't yet received a quote from them.
4. Local brick&mortar store has a 8.90 ctw, E-F, VS2+ ring manufactured by Kwiat that I've gotten them to come down to $45K on. I think this is the most unlikely of the options but it's the only one my girlfriend has seen and I know she loved it.
I would love some advice! At the end of the day I think she will love any of these rings but with such a large purchase I really want to get the best value for my money.
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