How Best to Allocate $4500 Between Stone and Setting?

[supersnailman]

I have a firm budget of $4500 and I''m trying to decide between two general options.
In either case, the stone will be a princess cut AGS0/I+/SI2+(eye-clean).

1) a larger stone (near 1ct) for $3500-$4000 in a simple white gold solitaire setting for $500-$1000
2) a smaller stone (.75-.85ct) for $2500-$3000 in a more ornate and/or platinum setting for $1500-$2000

I know that she would appreciate both a larger stone and a more interesting looking setting, so I was curious to get some other opinions on what would be the most sensible distribution of dollars. I''m planning to buy the stone online and the setting at a B&M, and the prices I''ve mentioned reflect actual stones/settings I''ve seen, so I''d prefer that you make suggestions based on these specific prices rather than others you might have seen elsewhere.

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[NewEnglandLady]

If it were ME, I''d go for the larger stone in a more simple setting for two reasons: 1.) Unless you know exactly what setting she likes, getting an ornate setting can be risky and 2.) If you are open to upgrading, it is much easier to upgrade a setting. If you propose and she wants a more ornate setting, you could think about getting one as an upgrade for an anniversary. if you get her an ornate setting, however, and buy a stone to fit that setting and she later decides to upgrade the stone, not only would you have to buy a new stone, but you''d most likely have to buy a new setting for the larger stone (unless you could just chnage the head).

 

[Cravin My Emerald cut]

I think many people will recommend you get the larger stone and upgrade the setting later. However, also keep in mind you are paying a premium for anything at the 0.75 mark and especially at the 1 ct mark. Doesn''t really answer your question, but in my mind I''m not sure how big the visual size difference in a 0.75 and 1 carat is and if that''s worth sacrificing a more intricate setting.

Have you thought about taxes? factored that into your budget?

 

[Cleo]

I vote for the larger stone and the simple setting.

New England Lady explained it perfectly (possibility of upgrading the setting at a later date, with no need to upgrade the stone too).

A larger stone initially will (IMHO) give a fantastic WOW factor to start with - and a reset into a new, more ornate setting further down the line will allow your future fiancee to enjoy yet another round of admiring glances!

x x x

 

[mandielee]

I'd say get a nice 0.8-0.9 carat stone in a simple setting, especially if you're going to totally surprise her. The simpler the setting, the less likely it's going to look dated later (just think about all that jewelry that screams "The Eighties!!!") If there's a setting you know she really likes, that changes things a bit, and you might want to consider your second path. If you really want to leave the setting up to her, just present her the stone.

I opted for my fiance to spend over 80% of the total on the stone itself, and opted for a plain cathedral-like setting. Of course, he did not even attempt to surprise me with a proposal; we just kept talking about marriage until we came to the conclusion that we were engaged... and he left my engagement ring totally up to me (and I chose to spend about 1/3 of what he'd offered).

 

[CarbonCrew]

I had a similar budget and put about 75% of my budget towards the diamond. I figured that the emphasis should be on the diamond itself since that it was attracts people to the ring. So it seems that option #1 would be your best bet.

 

[supersnailman]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I was leaning toward the larger stone, and this helps me feel more confident about doing that. It''s pretty scary to me to spend so much money on one thing, so it''s nice to have a little reassurance

 

[surfgirl]

Option #1, hands down. You can always upgrade the setting another time, if she wants to do so and a simple plat prong setting is timeless, elegant and classic. It certainly wont look like you cheaped out or anything like that, only that you went old school...and got her the biggest stone you could afford.

 

[kcgunesq]

Date: 4/28/2008 2:25:35 PM
Author:supersnailman
I have a firm budget of $4500 and I''m trying to decide between two general options.

In either case, the stone will be a princess cut AGS0/I+/SI2+(eye-clean).

How about this GOG diamond in say the plat knife edge setting below. Puts your total at less than $4100.

But to actually address your question, I''d put every dollar available in the stone. But then, I don''t really like many of the expensive settings as for me they are too busy and distracting.

 

[kcgunesq]

Ooops. forgot to add the picture referenced above.

 

[fabcrab]

If it were me, I''ll take the smaller stone and put it in a halo, but that''s what I currently have

.

 

[Hera]

1. just under one carat (.9) in a simpler setting. She might like choosing her own setting or pairing it with an eternity band as the wedding band.

 

[iheartscience]

I''d go for a 1 carat in the most inexpensive setting possible. She can always upgrade the setting later, but a lot of women want to hit that 1 carat mark. Just something to keep in mind!

 

[motownmama]

Personally I say option #1. Your GF can individualize her look via her choice of wedding band - the choices as endless! Good luck!

 

[Babyblue033]

My BF and I had initially planned on getting the biggest stone within our limited budget and simple inexpensive setting. Then I fell in love with an antique inspired designer setting and realized I would personally rather have the RING I love even if that meant sacrificing on the size of the stone. But I think I''m in the minority

For most people though, I''d say go for the bigger stone and a simple elegant setting.

On a side note, in the end my BF oh so generously decided to stretch his budget to get me both the setting I love and the full carat stone. Happy ending for everyone, except his pocket