helping with $4-5k budget e-ring: what would you do?

[msop04]

I also think that "intricate" should also not come at the expense of quality. I think she's rather have a somewhat simpler (but still somewhat intricate and somewhat blingy) setting than one that's highly intricate but isn't going to hold up over time. I also mentioned to her that pave needs to be maintained and can fall out, and she said that she'd want something she didn't have to baby too much. I wish Van Craeynest were a little more affordable, because think some of their more intricate settings would be a really great option.

OP, the setting that was mentioned by Niel has been "holding up" for many many years, so I don't think that would be an issue. It sounds like she really doesn't know what she wants... with the exception of not wanting a plain solitaire. You've been given some really good ideas on this thread, so at this point, I'd just have him pick one... since she said she'd be happy with a lot of different styles.

To "baby" a ring is subjective. Personally, I never wear mine to shower, clean house, work in the yard, wash my hands, or anything that involves water... I also never wear it to bed, and I take them off immediately after getting home from work. I am very careful, so I think I baby my rings. Others say, "Oh, I sleep and shower in my rings, but I baby my rings because I take them off before I work in the dirt..." KWIM? Nothing will be as durable as a thick banded solitaire -- and everything is prone to damage and will need maintenance at some point...

Really, as long as it's not a solitaire, it sounds like she's all over the board (which can be a good thing -- she's not super picky!). Maybe the best thing would be to tell her to pick out three or four settings and surprise her with one of those. Given the budget, I think the best bet would be the Gabriel or Ritani settings. They are both good quality and a great value. Can't beat that!

 

[JulieN]

Aaaaah http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/30-1-5092

 

[Niel]

i know he wanted diamond center, but i mean this is a beauty, and you could do so much wit the remaining budget

http://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-colored-gemstone/reduced-royal-blue-sapphire

so i had an idea.... say you took this...

and these

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond_pair_comparisions/compared_diamond_details/CAGS-104064608015/BLAGS-104067041024

and then asked ERD to make a ring like this (they do great engraving, and the budget would be, what 2k for the setting? )

http://www.singlestone.com/index.php?page=collections&catID=14&pID=619&startRow=31
or
http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/10-1-4918

i think that would fit both all parties... a three stone with 5mm sides is very blingy, yet subtle, as no single stone is too large....

detailed, unique, and would fit the BFs vintage style (seems like he leans that way)

 

[msop04]

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/10-1-4918

i think that would fit both all parties... a three stone with 5mm sides is very blingy, yet subtle, as no single stone is too large....

detailed, unique, and would fit the BFs vintage style (seems like he leans that way)

I love the Lang Antiques setting...

 

[velouriaL]

I (personally) die for the Lang Antiques setting.

Just wanted to give you all an update that I have passed all of these suggestions on to my friend. He has a MASSIVE and well-organized (if I do say so myself) google doc with all this in it.

I haven't talked to him in a few day, though... I think he IS overwhelmed and also busy (work + MBA program).

So, I think I/we have given him a lot of options. When he narrows it down more or has more specific questions, I'll let you know. In the meantime, if you come across anything you have to share, please feel free!

Thanks again for all the wonderful help! And OF COURSE I promise to try and update you, hopefully with pictures, when he makes the final choices and purchases.

 

[msop04]

I (personally) die for the Lang Antiques setting.

Just wanted to give you all an update that I have passed all of these suggestions on to my friend. He has a MASSIVE and well-organized (if I do say so myself) google doc with all this in it.

I haven't talked to him in a few day, though... I think he IS overwhelmed and also busy (work + MBA program).

So, I think I/we have given him a lot of options. When he narrows it down more or has more specific questions, I'll let you know. In the meantime, if you come across anything you have to share, please feel free!

Thanks again for all the wonderful help! And OF COURSE I promise to try and update you, hopefully with pictures, when he makes the final choices and purchases.

GREAT!! Can't wait to see what he picks!

 

[velouriaL]

So, my friend hasn't really made any progress on this. I feel like a LIW except I'm just the friendly consultant! Boyfriends! What can you do?

One thing we did learn is that when he GF says "intricate," she has a pretty broad definition, mostly meaning antique-style and a preference for some details like pave, engraving, filigree and NOT a basic solitaire or three-stone. She also said that actual antique would be preferred, but certainly not necessary.

That said, I noticed JBEG sale was on now... What do you think about these:

$3,550
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...ant-D/23220844_ztmx79#!i=1872118335&k=zDqf7X2

$3,795
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...amond/29859223_6jX2sG#!i=2562729904&k=JBwvXdC

$4,100
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...htail/30519344_krphhS#!i=2632435898&k=BNH87bh

$4,195
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...tique/29510859_m87LX8#!i=2522156982&k=2jpMrz4

$5,075
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...n-Cut/27852564_Ngj6kj#!i=2349579495&k=gbvCv6W

$5,250
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...n-Cut/27852418_QKm7Vs#!i=2349564961&k=zvbsCCW

In addition, she has some loose diamonds on sale. So he could also pop in a Gabby or a Bella and stay in his price range.

 

[Niel]

I love the marquise in the first. But I love love the faceting in the 3rd

 

[Gypsy]

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-Vintage/90ct-Old-European-Cut-Fishtail/30519344_krphhS#!i=2632438212&k=4LhHSzr

and
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-Vintage/120ct-est-Old-European-Cut/27852418_QKm7Vs#!i=2380014024&k=xbs7Mjd&lb=1&s=A

would be my choice among those.

 

[Gypsy]

Tell him to get one of these settings:

http://www.beverleyk.com/engagement-rings/halo/r1181-c-d-d-m-halo.html
or this one:
http://www.beverleyk.com/r9412-a-d-d-cz.html

Whichever is cheaper. You can get it through Pearlmans or GOG as both are dealers. Ask for hand engraving to be added. Pearlmans tends to have lower pricing if you tell them you are from PS.

With this stone: http://www.ebay.com/itm/GIA-certified-95-ct-VS1-Round-old-European-cut-diamond-loose-stone-for-ring-/130786120040?pt=Loose_Diamonds&hash=item1e7375d168

 

[missymoo]

I had an idea.... you'll have to answer part of this, as I don't know how hard this'll be, but as she doesn't seem to care too much about the center stone, I wonder if you could find a nice treated Montana yellow sapphire or spinel or something that could fit this.

http://loupetroop.com/listings/settings/vintage-platinum-setting-size-5

Absolutely stunning, and she may even take offers!

I was trolling this thread to specifically recommend this setting. It is TDF!! And a true antique... I bet you could find a gorgeous spinel or sapphire to fit and it would be out of this world! I've had my eyes on this baby!

http://img1.loupetroop.com/photos/imgs/000/004/716/full/IMG_1981.jpg

 

[missymoo]

Regarding the setting mentioned above, it's halo-esque without being an obvious halo, so it would be more unique.

Right personally in obsessed with it and want it myself. Oh of only.....


But As a person who wanted a LOT of intricate detail. I feel like this would be very pleasing! IF you think you could find a sapphire for the remaining budget.

Honestly, I wanted it too!! But I'm not in the market... Damn, that setting is the BUSINESS!!! PS is dangerous to my bank account.
I truly hope a PS member buys it so we can all be like

Should have read the rest of this thread!! Seems I'm not the only girl with greedy eyes on this beauty!

 

[velouriaL]

I know that setting on LT is insane. I really think she'll think it's too much, though, particularly for her line of work.

Niel and Gypsy: the three you picked out where my favorites as well. I'm not totally sure about her color sensitivity, so this one, if truly eye-clean, might be a good bet: http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-Vintage/80ct-est-Round-Brilliant-D/23220844_ztmx79#!i=1872117237&k=qQbF97n
The three of us seem to have consensus on this one: http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-Vintage/90ct-Old-European-Cut-Fishtail/30519344_krphhS#!i=2632450490&k=vJRHDXL

Gypsy, awesome find on the ebay stone, and I think BK + Pearlmans is a great option. Like I said, although he asked me for help and seems to want to pull the trigger, he's been dragging his feet, and I was hoping that the sale on the completed rings would be less overwhelming for him. We'll see! It's so funny: being in this role has given me some insight into how weirdly paralyzed some dudes can get about e-rings despite being very enthusiastic about the idea! Take note, LIWs!

 

[JulieN]

the second one seems much better than the first. If she is too color sensitive for the .9, I would get a modern cut .8 J/K around $2500 and put it in a halo around $2500.

 

[Niel]

saw these and though they might be helpful. Ive only bought a wedding band from these guys, so dont know how true the color is, but the stone size is nice and from the pics the faceting pattern looks good, id ask for strait on ones of both though

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/1920s-1.00ct----diamond-platinum-engagement-ring/20741/3/item

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/antique-0.95ct-diamond-engagement-ring/22754/3/item

 

[msop04]

I know that setting on LT is insane. I really think she'll think it's too much, though, particularly for her line of work.

Niel and Gypsy: the three you picked out where my favorites as well. I'm not totally sure about her color sensitivity, so this one, if truly eye-clean, might be a good bet: http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-Vintage/80ct-est-Round-Brilliant-D/23220844_ztmx79#!i=1872117237&k=qQbF97n
The three of us seem to have consensus on this one: http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-Vintage/90ct-Old-European-Cut-Fishtail/30519344_krphhS#!i=2632450490&k=vJRHDXL

Gypsy, awesome find on the ebay stone, and I think BK + Pearlmans is a great option. Like I said, although he asked me for help and seems to want to pull the trigger, he's been dragging his feet, and I was hoping that the sale on the completed rings would be less overwhelming for him. We'll see! It's so funny: being in this role has given me some insight into how weirdly paralyzed some dudes can get about e-rings despite being very enthusiastic about the idea! Take note, LIWs!

If you think the INSANELY GORGEOUS setting from LT is a bit much, then I would go with the second one you listed. The faceting is really pretty, and it's dainty and feminine.

 

[msop04]

I know that setting on LT is insane. I really think she'll think it's too much, though, particularly for her line of work.

Just a word of caution... better to think it's a little "too much" now, because in a few years (or less if she discovers PS!! ), something simpler will likely turn into "not enough." Cue: upgrade!!