Help with Engagement Ring Upgrade

[DejaWiz]

First off just want to reiterate how much I appreciate both of your help!!

Is the price difference between this and the 2.56 due to the difference in clarity? I'm a little confused about that part. Its kind of a big price difference for that jump in size!

Wondering if I should just flat out order the 3.5 so I can compare them side by side... I'm super unfamiliar with the terms and all of the things to look for in a diamond so I might just need to go by what it looks like to my naked eye. Feeling a little ignorant not knowing all of the terms and how everything relates while spending so much. I'm googling as I see your replies and feedback!

D VVS1 to E VS1...1 color grade and 2 clarity grades difference will have a very measurable difference in pricing, then the pricing difference for the carat weight factored in.
Bang for the buck factor is strong for this 3.50, in my opinion.

 

[blingbae]

THE 2.56 IS HERE!!!!!!
I'm horrible at taking pics. Let me know what angles you would like to see!
Officially put in my order for the 3.50 and waiting for the confirmation it has been secured. I'm so ecstatic! I feel like Golem with my new precious, lol!
Too scared to take it out of the casing but I will if anyone would like to see!



next to my current ring

 

[momofive]

It’s difficult to see in The case.

 

[Txborn79]

I think you’ll definitely like the size bump to the 3.5 since your current ring gives the illusion that it’s close in size to the 2.5

 

[blingbae]

Sorry the pictures aren't the best!

https://imgur.com/a/T3RpnA4

 

[DejaWiz]

Great looking diamond!
Wow!

Now I'm *really* looking forward to pics and vids of the 3.50!

 

[Sparkledrops]

Kim is awesome at picking stones. They are all beautiful choices.

Kim N really helped me. I picked out my own diamond the first time, and PSers directed me to a better cut/larger diamond and a few hundred dollars cheaper.

 

[momofive]

It looks beautiful. Lots of life. Can't wait to see the 3.5

 

[Kim N]

I think you’ll definitely like the size bump to the 3.5 since your current ring gives the illusion that it’s close in size to the 2.5

I agree with this!

@bling, your pictures are terrific! The diamond is awesome, and I too can't wait to see it with the 3.50!

 

[blingbae]

Thank you all!! I’m so stoked to get the 3.5

I’ve noticed this little circle that shows on the bottom of some diamonds. Is there a term for this and is it on all round diamonds?

 

[Kim N]

Thank you all!! I’m so stoked to get the 3.5

I’ve noticed this little circle that shows on the bottom of some diamonds. Is there a term for this and is it on all round diamonds?

Do you mean the circle in the very middle, before the arrows begin?

 

[blingbae]

Do you mean the circle in the very middle, before the arrows begin?

Yes!

 

[blingbae]

Okay I thought the photos were bad but turns out the diamond was super dirty and smudgy. SMH. I cleaned it and the pics are way better! Took photos in different areas of my house. Need to find a higher res camera.

Living room



Bathroom lighting (my favorite!!!)

https://imgur.com/a/EDBNngD

 

[momofive]

Just a word of advice. I love bathroom lighting too, but close the drain before you take out a loose stone.

 

[blingbae]

Just a word of advice. I love bathroom lighting too, but close the drain before you take out a loose stone.

LOL! You’re totally right. I’m horrified thinking what would’ve happened if I dropped it

 

[Kim N]

Yes!

That is called the table reflection and completely normal!

 

[Sparkledrops]

LOL! You’re totally right. I’m horrified thinking what would’ve happened if I dropped it

I laid a towel over the whole sink! But I did lose the little thing down in the sofa one night. It was awful!

 

[Inked]

Okay I thought the photos were bad but turns out the diamond was super dirty and smudgy. SMH. I cleaned it and the pics are way better! Took photos in different areas of my house. Need to find a higher res camera.

Living room



Bathroom lighting (my favorite!!!)

https://imgur.com/a/EDBNngD

Gorgeous! Wait until you see the 3.5, you’re going to be soooo blown away by the size

 

[blingbae]

I laid a towel over the whole sink! But I did lose the little thing down in the sofa one night. It was awful!

I bought this bright pink spinel, chased down the delivery driver for it and then dropped it in the couch, LOL. It was the worst!!!!
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/what-would-you-do-with-this-neon-pink-stone.265240/

 

[blingbae]

While we’re all waiting for the 3.5 to get here, would love to hear everyone’s thoughts on settings. I trust PSers more than anything so your advice is super helpful in this process! Since the stones are rather large I don’t feel like simple Google information on engagement rings is applicable. Don’t want anyone to think I didn’t try to research these questions before I asked lol.

Here are my preferences:

• Super minimalistic prongs for both the center stone and pave band
• Pointed claws for the center stone, like the ones in the hope style below
• 4 prongs
• Wedding band and engagement rings to be flush

Debating on doing prongs or a basket. I’m kinda leaning toward prongs only because it’ll annoy me if I can see the basket from the top.

Main questions/concerns:

• Definitely securing the diamond properly. I work at an office job so won’t be doing anything crazy, but I’ll be wearing these as much as I can so want it to be somewhat durable so I don’t have to baby it.
• Will the basket/rail make a huge difference in the way the stone looks? I read that it blocks light from getting into the stone.
• Does the rail part of the basket have to sit in a certain area of the diamond? Can it sit lower so I won’t see it from the top? The heart ring in my profile pic shows the basket a lot unless it’s perfectly positioned and over time it’s started to bother me.
• Any structural pros/cons about the ring connecting from the bottom of the prongs vs higher on the diamond (shoulder)?
• Does the diamond sitting higher or lower impact the way the it looks?
• I think I look better in yellow gold jewelry but don’t want to take away from the sparkle factor. Would you stick to platinum?
• The local jeweler I would use doesn’t do cad drawings or have a showroom where I can try on the ring styles. I believe he can customize the settings but I have to know exactly what I want.
• Also considering reaching out to David Klass or open to recommendations!

Attaching pics with the ring style names.
Please let me know your favorite(s) and why!

My top pick as of right now based purely on aesthetics.


Pre-designed settings from my local jeweler:


Random other ones I like


Idk why but these are giving me football helmet vibes lol. Just wanted to include.

 

[Kim N]

• Will the basket/rail make a huge difference in the way the stone looks? I read that it blocks light from getting into the stone.

No, light enters and exits from the top, so the basket won't make any difference.

• Does the rail part of the basket have to sit in a certain area of the diamond? Can it sit lower so I won’t see it from the top? The heart ring in my profile pic shows the basket a lot unless it’s perfectly positioned and over time it’s started to bother me.

You can definitely ask to have the basket sit lower so you won't see it from a top. If you use a CAD/cast jeweler like David Klass (who'd be able to do these types of settings beautifully), you can ask for a plastic model to make sure the basket sits in the right place.

• Any structural pros/cons about the ring connecting from the bottom of the prongs vs higher on the diamond (shoulder)?

I believe a cathedral setting like Hope, Ritani, or Lissome is more structurally sound because the head is attached in two locations (the bottom of the prongs and the basket) instead of only one.

• Does the diamond sitting higher or lower impact the way the it looks?

A diamond sitting higher may look just a tad bigger, but also has some security risk in being easier to get knocked around.

• I think I look better in yellow gold jewelry but don’t want to take away from the sparkle factor. Would you stick to platinum?

The gold color shouldn't impact the sparkle factor at all. Get what you really want!

The biggest issue I see is having the wedding band sit flush. I think none of these settings allow for that except for Vivianna *if* you have a low-set wedding band. I would also recommend not having diamonds near the base like Demi and Ritani because the diamonds will scratch up any adjacent bands. My favorite of the settings you posted is Lissome, but I would make the prongs more concave to allow for a flush-fitting band.

 

[luckygreen317]

Thank you @Kim N !
Whewww I just got a quote from the local jeweler. I used the hope as my reference and asked for the rail lower and the bottom of the basket like the lissette. $4,500 for the engagement ring and $3,000 for a matching pave band. I’m shocked.. I was expecting $3,000 total… Plus need to pay $250 to sit down with him for a design meeting... Is that unrealistic? Lol.

I paid less than $3,000 to set my heart ring at the same place and that was way more custom work. It was about 2 years ago. Also emailed DK.

I would definitely recommend working with DK. The pricing is very reasonable for the quality and workmanship. My recent solitaire reset with a completely custom design, detailed platinum bezel and 14kt rose gold shank cost me $1,700. There is no “sit down” fee either.

 

[blingbae]

I would definitely recommend working with DK. The pricing is very reasonable for the quality and workmanship. My recent solitaire reset with a completely custom design, detailed platinum bezel and 14kt rose gold shank cost me $1,700. There is no “sit down” fee either.

Thank you! I hope to hear back from him soon!

 

[blingbae]

Just got the 3.5 ct in! Need to take pics with the 2.56 when I get home, and then decide which to keep! Let me know what you all think!
I feel it looks a little dark, but that might be the lighting im in.

https://imgur.com/a/Ye9fq1F

https://imgur.com/a/H4d5XF4

 

[howlucky]

That looks like a great size on you! Looking forward to what you think of the side-by-side comparison.

 

[DejaWiz]

The 3.50 looks great, to me!
It will favor more fire, so put it under as intense as direct lighting (with multiple sources) as you possibly can to bring out its performance potential.

 

[Kim N]

That looks like a great size on you! Looking forward to what you think of the side-by-side comparison.

I agree, can't wait for the comparison!

 

[momofive]

I like the size also and it dances really well in your hand shots

 

[blingbae]

Here are the comparison shots! Let me know if anyone wants to see additional angles. My fingers are extra swollen and poofy today . ‍

https://imgur.com/a/hfQwVnY

https://imgur.com/a/xzo99Tm

 

[DejaWiz]

I would love to see ASET images of both... because I'm thinking there might be some digging that was applied to the 3.50