Sorry about the poor title but I'm really looking for some advice from basically start to finish here. I know I am looking for a three stone ring, preferably with either pave or channel set diamonds as well. I think that I want to go with princess cut diamonds, however, I am also considering cushion and emeralds (she said she likes both of these as well). I don't have very strong feelings on the material but I am leaning towards a yellow gold setting. My girlfriend and I went to look at some stones in person and checked out a few settings online to help me get a feel for what she likes, but she doesn't want to be involved past that. I'd very much appreciate some help with determining who I should contact for vendors given my total budget of $4500. Closer to $4000 would be even better, but $4500 already seems like a pretty low budget around here!
Assuming I select a princess cut stone I would like to stay in the G-H color range, but would be ok with I color based on positive feedback here. Neither one of us is very sensitive to color from the small amount of time we spent looking at (GIA graded) diamonds in person. I'm also not hung up on clarity so long as it is eye clean from all angles visible within the setting. As far as weight, I'd like to be around 0.75 carats and would be fine at slightly under to avoid the magical 3/4 carat price bump. Based on my reading here I am not looking to compromise on the cut and would like to find an AGS ideal cut. I know that some vendors do not carry AGS graded diamonds, but will provide ASET photos to evaluate optical performance.
If I find some stunning emerald or cushion cut diamonds I would be looking for advice on color and clarity. I recall reading that certain shapes will show color or inclusions more clearly due to their optics. Given my situation (and my girlfriends preferences) I don't see any reason to pay for very high clarity or color. Any advice on these aspects would be great
I'm certainly no expert so if something I said doesn't make sense, is wrong, or seems like something I should be careful with please let me know!
I like the setting from James Allen below and it certainly falls within my budget.
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...and-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-559
I was originally considering this setting from BlueNile, but the diamonds I selected disappeared before I pulled the trigger.
http://www.bluenile.com/three-stone-pave-diamond-ring-18k-yellow-gold_5928
I think the Princess Pinah Petite setting below is also beautiful. I'm a little concerned that the side stones would be too small (0.18 ctw)though .
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/e...s-dinah-3-stone-petite-18k-white-gold-5691w18
Although it is pretty far out of my budget I always thought the Vatche Swan design was stunning as well.
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...an-diamond-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1464.htm
Initially, I was planning on buying the ring from BlueNile without too much consideration of other vendors. WhiteFlash and Brian Gavin have some stunning settings and a fantastic reputation, but they are also considerably more expensive than my budget allows for. I think my concerns regarding BlueNile are similar to many in that they don't provide actual photos of the diamonds or ASET photos to determine optical performance. Given that all of the diamonds I have looked at on BlueNile are GIA graded I am hesitant to purchase without checking with other vendors first.
I'm very open to suggestions on other vendors, settings, and recommendations on stones! Thanks in advance for helping me sort some of these things out
Assuming I select a princess cut stone I would like to stay in the G-H color range, but would be ok with I color based on positive feedback here. Neither one of us is very sensitive to color from the small amount of time we spent looking at (GIA graded) diamonds in person. I'm also not hung up on clarity so long as it is eye clean from all angles visible within the setting. As far as weight, I'd like to be around 0.75 carats and would be fine at slightly under to avoid the magical 3/4 carat price bump. Based on my reading here I am not looking to compromise on the cut and would like to find an AGS ideal cut. I know that some vendors do not carry AGS graded diamonds, but will provide ASET photos to evaluate optical performance.
If I find some stunning emerald or cushion cut diamonds I would be looking for advice on color and clarity. I recall reading that certain shapes will show color or inclusions more clearly due to their optics. Given my situation (and my girlfriends preferences) I don't see any reason to pay for very high clarity or color. Any advice on these aspects would be great
I'm certainly no expert so if something I said doesn't make sense, is wrong, or seems like something I should be careful with please let me know!
I like the setting from James Allen below and it certainly falls within my budget.
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...and-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-559
I was originally considering this setting from BlueNile, but the diamonds I selected disappeared before I pulled the trigger.
http://www.bluenile.com/three-stone-pave-diamond-ring-18k-yellow-gold_5928
I think the Princess Pinah Petite setting below is also beautiful. I'm a little concerned that the side stones would be too small (0.18 ctw)though .
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/e...s-dinah-3-stone-petite-18k-white-gold-5691w18
Although it is pretty far out of my budget I always thought the Vatche Swan design was stunning as well.
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...an-diamond-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1464.htm
Initially, I was planning on buying the ring from BlueNile without too much consideration of other vendors. WhiteFlash and Brian Gavin have some stunning settings and a fantastic reputation, but they are also considerably more expensive than my budget allows for. I think my concerns regarding BlueNile are similar to many in that they don't provide actual photos of the diamonds or ASET photos to determine optical performance. Given that all of the diamonds I have looked at on BlueNile are GIA graded I am hesitant to purchase without checking with other vendors first.
I'm very open to suggestions on other vendors, settings, and recommendations on stones! Thanks in advance for helping me sort some of these things out