How Would You Budget ~$10,000?

[katrina_33]

Hello All,

This is somewhat similar to my first post today (re: weighing the importance of G vs H color, VS2 vs SI1 clarity and H&A vs. other cut qualities...)

I''d like cast an even wider net, and ask the open question: if you had a $10,000 - $11,000 budget for a round stone, what would you get?

Would love to hear different opinions!

 

[katrina_33]

I should add that I had a 1.5 ct stone in mind - but if people have different ideas about what size they'd get for that money too, that's great!

 

[squirerad]

My personal opinion only but if I had only 10-11K for an engagement ring, I would get a Hearts and Arrow idea diamond, which would maximize brilliance/fire/scintillation as well as make a stone whiter and less inclusive appearing.

To maximize size for the buck, some would say to go for G/H and stick with an eye-clean SI1 or even SI2 if you can get away with it. But personal, I wouldn't go lower than F and VS2 because I like the "colorless" designation and want it to be eye-clean to everyone. And to ensure that my purchase won't be a H&A dud, I would want accessory info like Brilliance Scope scores (at least 2 VH, triple VH is ideal), idealscope, sarin, etc etc.

 

[valeria101]

Well... I would say "ring" means more than the diamond, is this the entire budget? What do you have in mind for a setting

I am not entirely sure what the H&A pattern is good for - brilliant diamonds may show that pattern or not. Unless you care for the H&A symbol, is the ring going to incorporate a H&A viewer ?

Anyway, 1.5 carats sounds nice - but that means "7mm-7.3mm" to me. And while the size difference between the two is not great, the price difference between the 1.35 and 1.5 is. And I would be looking for a piece with "very good" or better symmetry on the cert (this has little to do with the "H&A symmetry" but more with the general execution of the cut) and the HCA nod of approval.

Something like....

THIS F-VS2

I wish the Sarin numbers or, even better, some test of light return would be in place at BlueNile... but at least Sarin data you can get from them.



There is one diamond in the "Expert Selection" at Whiteflash that caught my attention THIS G-SI1. But there is one more in the same set that looks like a nice bargain - the numbers seem scary, but the IdealScope tells a different story - the same hot red&black Iscope signature was achieved through some different route than exacting geometry. There may not be as much talk around here about non H&A's light return, but at least one long thread gave these pieces some attention, thanks to that stunner of a stone that Solange purchased (LINK).

As far as I can imagine, any of these stones could become the main ingredient for a great ring design.

Hope these do not make things more confusing...

 

[Patty]

Mara, I love it! You have a $10,000 imaginary budget and you have to bump it up to at least $10,600 or more!

I told my husband once that I figured out that if we won a million dollars, it would not be enough.

 

[bling]

haha..im with mara..max out on the stone! id actually like to spend a bit more on the stone though..and try to get as close to 1.5 cts or larger with an H SI1 range, not sacrificing cut of course. but thats just me..everyone has their own opinions..some want bigger stones and some want very nice settings..nothing wrong with either. good luck!

 

[moremoremore]

I'm so with you on that. Don't get me wrong, fancy settings are pretty...but I've never said to myself...wow, that's a great setting, I'm jealous....But I've certainly said wow, that's a great stone, I'm jealous. It's all about the rock for me. Later on, down the road, you can always reset...

 

[I wanna rock!]

I have a similar budget and have been looking for the past 4 months. In that time, I've done a lot of reading and scouring of these forums. Thanks to everyone and especially to Jonathan at GOG for all the info. I agree that you should spend at least 90% of your budget on the diamond and the remainder on the setting. You will probably also want to buy a matching band.

Here is what I've decided. As far as size goes, someone will always have a bigger diamond. So, go for a decent-sized rock and pay for quality in other areas. As far as color goes, you can't get better than a D. So, get the D. However, I would go as low as F. For clarity, I decided to go no lower than a VS1. Clarity rating is one of the most subjective, so I didn't want to get a VS2 and then have someone tell me it could be an SI1. Finally, I would not sacrifice on cut. You want to go with an "ideal" cut, H&A diamond, or better. I strongly considered the eightstar, but, because I haven't seen it and because of the additional cost, I probably won't get one.

The only 2 things most women notice about a diamond are its size and how much it sparkles. So, that may be the only 2 things that matter. However, it matters that I know what she is wearing on her finger is superb quality.

With your budget, you can expect to get an "ideal" cut, H&A 1.1 - 1.3 ct diamond, D-F color, and VS1 to VVS2 clarity. It will be big enough, no one will have a better color if you get D, clarity will be great, and it will sparkle better than most, if not all, of her friends diamonds that were bought from a mall.

I hope this helps.

Bill

 

[moremoremore]

well, the sparkle factor is really the cut, not the color...so I wouldn't do a D. I think it's a total waste of money, still- with much respect to those who like Ds!!! :0

 

[HollyGo-Lightly]

Well, I'll beg to be a bit different than everyone so far. I would get a nice size stone (1.25ct+), get that H color, SI1 or SI2, and get a custom made setting, something really special. After all, the diamond is great, but imagine it housed in a beautiful platinum shell that focuses your eye on it. No offense to those wanting bigger rocks, but sometimes the presentation and the details can make a ring.




I have friends with "larger" rocks and their settings are AWFUL! One has a solitaire setting that looks cheap and dinky, the other has a thick heavy setting that practically is the same width as the diamond! From the looks of it, I would likely get a Mark Morrell custome design, as he had the neatest and most elegant lines i have ever seen on a ring design.




So that's me. A nice stone (H&A) all the bells and whistles, BUT with a fabulous plain custom setting to make it a one-of-a-kind showpiece, and not just a great rock on a dinky setting....




MAN I WISH I HAD $10,000!!!

 

[Superidealist]

I agree with Holly. I would find a great setting first and get the best diamond I could with what remains. Personally, I'd go with something like the Kretchmer Omega (about $2500 - $3000) and use the remaining $7000 - $7500 to get a well-cut colorless diamond to go with it. I think the Omega looks better with a somewhat smaller diamond anyway.

 

[Superidealist]

Of course, if you want to spend half on the diamond and half on the setting, you could go with this Kretchmer setting.

 

[aljdewey]

Katrina, I agree that the setting is equally important in making a gorgeous ring, but I personally don't think that means you have to get your final setting now. In fact, I can think of a few good reasons not to do so.




If you invest in your final setting now, it means you'll have less to put into the diamond. Fine, but what happens when you want to upgrade? Will the larger diamond fit the setting? One of the other women here found her upgraded stone wouldn't fit and had to get a whole new setting!




When Rich and I became engaged in December, we considered the same issue, too, because I wanted a custom setting. We decided to put most of the money into the stone so that I'd get what I wanted on the stone. We selected an inexpensive Tiff style setting for $80 to put it in at the time. Now, six months later, we've designed the custom setting and added a few side stones, and I have a beautiful custom ring that includes the diamond he proposed to me with. To me, that's significant.




I also found in wearing my stone in the Tiff style setting caused me to rethink what I really wanted in a custom setting. I changed my mind completely over the six months I wore my diamond. I think that wearing a diamond in a temp setting takes away the anxiousness of wanting to *get* and wear your diamond, and lets you be more contemplative on what you really want to live in for a custom setting.




If you *do* decide to invest in your dream setting now, you have to consider what will reside in that setting ultimately. It has been recommended that people who plan to upgrade into the same setting should compromise not in size but in color/clarity to keep their *starter* stones close in diameter to their *final* stones. So, if you ultimately want a 1.5 H, VS2, but you want your custom setting now, then purchase a 1.5 J, SI2 stone. Then when you upgrade the stone, it will still fit the custom setting. If you go with a 1.15 or 1.2 H stone for now, the new stone may not fit.




Good luck, and let us know what you decide.

 

[Robyn12]

Hello,

I agree with the people who have suggested putting a good chunck of that money into the setting... With a large budget like yours, I think you can probably get everything the way you want it now, and not end up wanting/needing to upgrade later.

If it were me, I would probably spend $7 to $8K on the best g/h/VS2 diamond I could find, and use the rest of the money for a dream setting.

Good luck to you!

 

[researcher]

I agree with getting a 1.2-1.5 ct "a cut above"/ideal round from WF, but think the setting should fall somewhere in the middle of a cheaper setting and a really expensive setting. I think the "Fine Line" platinum solitaire by Le is absolutely gorgeous, and runs $650. Here's the link:

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/Fine-Line-Platinum-Solitaire-by-Le_691.htm#

Oh, and if you're willing to spend a little more, I like the u-prong by WF:

http://www.whiteflash.com/golden-wardrobe/Gold_Details.aspx?ItemCode=WFR-UHRpt#

 

[derekinla]

I think a G to H color grade, and a VS2 to (eyeclean) SI clarity grade would allow you to maximize your dollar on the stone. Focus on cut and you can't go wrong! As for the setting, how much to spend must be individualized. If a simple Tiffany setting will do, that just means more $$$ for you to spend on the stone! If it were me, I would aim for a "superideal" 1.4 to 1.5 carat stone, with the G-H, VS2-SI2 clarity grade in a simple Tiffany setting.

 

[jewelsngifts]

hi
if you have a budget of 10k-11k ,I would recommend a GIA certified of 1.5 carats F SI1 or G VS2.

 

[HollyGo-Lightly]

I suppose getting a permanent and costlier setting is if you know what you like and want. Also, i have never heard of "upgrading" until I came to this forum. Frankly, I have never met anyone who "upgraded" a sentimental piece of jewelery like an engagement ring. I HAVE heard of wraps, and other jewelery, so I guess that's why i chose setting. I would keep this ring and stone. Just me, as i am very sentimental.




Actually my fiance suggested that we upgrade later, and I disagreed with him on a few counts. We won't ever be wealthy, so money will always find a way to pay off bills, save for kids, little vacations, medical savings, buying a home, etc. I doubt we will truly have the money to buy another diamond for no real reason...I accept that. Also, it's the senitmentality of it. I still have the t-shirt he won me on our first date at a carnival! I still wear it...So, I just suppose getting a permanent setting is based on if you will keep the stone, and if you are happy with what you have now and what you get, or later need an upgrade.




Either way, i really do think you should get what calls to you, and if the setting is something you want to keep (as well as the stone) get a setting you fall in love with and you can really stare at all day long! All the best and good luck to you!!!

 

[NewShiny]

Hi There,
This was the same budget that I had, and yes, Mara, we did go over it by a couple of hundred dollars. We justifed it by making sure that the wedding band was included.

I'm a bit hesitant to post because even though we have the ring, BF hasn't proposed yet. I'm just weeks away from finishing grad school - my pesky thesis isn't quite finished yet. I know that's what he's waiting for . . we wouldn't want to start planning a wedding without having my schooling out of the way now would we?? On second thought, that would be great! Then again, I'm not the practical one in the relationship! But I digress . . .

BF and I agreed upon a 1.34 F VS2, almost ideal cut. I say almost because even though it scored a 0 on the AGS chart, it only scored a 2.4 on the HCA. Because it was in our price range and BF and I really liked the way it looked, we went for it. Though many say to look at G or H SI1 or SI2, I really like the fact that my soon-to-be diamond is in the colorless range and there is no questions as to whether it is eye clean or not. I could really tell the difference between the F and H, and immediately turned into a color snob.

If you have 10K and want size, go for the 1.5, lower your color and clarity a bit (but not cut!), and get a simple setting. If you want more quality or a more substantial band, go a bit smaller 1.2 - 1.4 (1.3-1.4 stones are VERY hard to find, so act quickly when you find your perfect stone) and take a lot of time to design or pick out your band. Good luck, and let us know what you've decided upon!

-NS

 

[I wanna rock!]

Superidealist, I just wanted to say that I really like those settings that you posted. Are those tension settings?

 

[Shay37]

Jmo, but I would put $9100 in the stone. (whatever parameters I wanted) Then $900 into the platinum tiffany setting from SC. Big rock, really good but not ostentatious setting, works for me.

Shay

 

[Superidealist]

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On 6/9/2004 10:17:04 PM I wanna rock! wrote:

Are those tension settings?
----------------

Yes.

 

[Rank Amateur]

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On 6/9/2004 12:58:27 AM squirerad wrote:

if I had only 10-11K for an engagement ring

Only?

You must have chosen your parents more carefully than I did!

 

[katrina_33]

Thanks, everyone. This advice makes a lot of sense. I am HUGE on settings. To me, the setting IS the ring, the specific diamond in it is secondary. That said, I want a nice diamond, and I don't plan on upgrading the stone, so I do think it makes sense to spend most of the *initial* budget on the stone.

I like the idea of spending a long time searching for *the* setting, or even custom designing one, so that if we do spend thousands of dollars on one, I'm not sick of it in a year ; ) !!!

I'm going to attach pictures of some of the settings I love so far - would love feedback about which would show off the diamond best, hold it most securely, etc.

I'm into really detailed settings with lots of little side diamonds, engraving, etc. I know that for a lot of you serious diamond lovers, it's all about the diamond and a simple setting that places all of the attention on the diamond. The kind of settings I am drawn to might take some of the focus off of the center stone upon first glance, but that's ok with me...I'll still know to constantly be staring into it, I'm sure!

Here are the pics...

Thanks again, everyone!

 

[katrina_33]

Here's another setting - I'll post my other top 2 choices as well to see what people think...

 

[katrina_33]

Numero 3...

 

[katrina_33]

And the final (and perhaps most favorite) favorite.

This pic is actually from the ziamond.com site, so I'd have to find the original (I think most of their settings are similar to specific designer pieces, no?) or have someone custom re-create it for me.

Has anyone seen similar settings to this one? I think it may be "inspired by" a Jack Kelege design, but the image on his site is so tiny I can't tell...

 

[Shay37]

Katrina, like the first one. The second one reminds me of a class ring. (jmho)

RA, LMAO re: "You must have chosen your parents more carefully than I did." I was thinking the same thing. If I ever told my DH I wanted a ring that was going to cost 10-11 grand, he would either kill or divorce me. LOL

Shay

 

[chialea]

----------------
On 6/10/2004 10:46:06 AM Shay37 wrote:


RA, LMAO re: 'You must have chosen your parents more carefully than I did.' I was thinking the same thing. If I ever told my DH I wanted a ring that was going to cost 10-11 grand, he would either kill or divorce me. LOL
----------------

I think mine might start thinking something of the sort, but more because it's not logical to spend that much on jewelery!

And about the settings, I'm very much with you on that. The setting is really what makes me happy, it's the "style" of the ring. I want a nice shiny diamond, but I chose the shape of the diamond to fit the setting, not the other way around.

I'm not planning to upgrade either, but I'm also much happier with a sub-1ct stone for everyday wear. (small hands, active hands

)For me at least, it was worth spending a lot of time looking for the setting, THEN making the final decision about what kind of stone I wanted. I'm not exactly limited by a budget, just by what he and I think is "reasonable", which might make this easier. So if you're coming at it from that perspective, it's just a question of how long you want to look at settings, and whether you're that patient. Me, I would have gotten a "placeholder" ring, which I could use as a "I'm going hiking and rockclimbing, I don't want to bash up my real ring" ring.

 

[Robyn12]

Hello,

Pretty settings! I like the last one the best too...

I think tacori makes similar looking settings. Look through their bridal collection, maybe they'll have your dream setting.

Good luck!