Help with my budget for Engagement ring - $10K all-in

[mockingboy]

Hey everyone-

Been reading a lot and learning a lot. I am located in New York City so I can get around city but have been lurking online for a bit trying to get a grasp on what I am doing.

I would like to get a "tiffany"-like setting on a 1.2 - 1.4C Round stone. I am willing to give on clarity and I don't think size is end all be all. Would like to have a simple setting in white gold or platinum.

Looking for people's advice. My (future fiance) is simple and doesn't want anything too big. Just want to find something nice in my budget and having trouble making decisions.

Thanks in advance and look forward to hearing from everyone!

Mike

 

[RockyRacoon]

I'll let other folks chime in with setting suggestions, as there are many experts out there.


Here's some good stones to start your search from (each still leaves over $2k for a very nice setting) -

1.1ct, H, eye-clean:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.113-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104066186026

1.3ct, G, eye-clean:
http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-infinity-new&id=903

1.25, G, eye-clean:
http://www.highperformancediamonds.com/index.php?page=view-id-diamond-default&id=33

 

[ecf8503]

You'll want to get the stone and setting from the same vendor for the best deals. One setting that is similar to the proverbial Tiffany solitaire is the Vatche U-113. Whiteflash, Good Old Gold, and I believe IDJ all carry Vatche, so they can get it for you even if it isn't on their site. James Allen also has a lot of nice stones and they have several Tiffany type solitaires as well.

Does it have to be a 6-prong? This is a setting I've always adored:

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...-sleek-line-solitaire-engagement-ring-728.htm

With a top of the line stone like this:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2930366.htm

 

[ecf8503]

Here's JA's version of the Tiffany 6-prong in platinum:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...-solitaire-engagement-ring-handmade-item-2426

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-dia...-h-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-257554

ETA: I see you are in NYC - you can go visit JA, ERD, GOG (on Long Island, but worth the trip), etc. But if you buy in-state you have to pay sales tax I believe.

 

[mockingboy]

Thanks for the responses.

Any recommendations for $8,000 maximum budget?

Thanks so much!

Mike

 

[kb1gra]

I guess my question would be, what do you mean by "not too big?"

I ask, because my wonderful fiance got me a 1.3ct stone. I have a size 4 3/4 or 5 finger. I wore it for a few weeks and felt it was just too large for me and traded down to a .90 in a more elaborate setting. I know we hear a lot on here about diamond shrinkage syndrome but I'm not sure it's a universal phenomenon.

 

[mockingboy]

I was thinking in the 1.2C range? Also, how do I know if something online is eye-clean?

Thanks for the help!

 

[JulieN]

Why don't you make an appt with IDJ? They carry the Vatche line and you will be able to see the diamonds. I think you should be able to get a nice 1.2 for your budget.