If you had $3200...

[kristy_lyn]

And wanted a round stone around or above .75 carats - what would you buy?


I know that''s not very detailed... at this point I''m flexible on the specs - from reading the tutorials and posting, I''ve *definately* learned that cut is the most important factor (sparkle, sparkle, sparkle)! The only reason I specify .75 or above, is because I think that something around 6mm looks good on my finger.

Here''s the deal - I have a $4000 budget (total - setting and any stones that are in it) for my engagement ring. And, I''m studying up

trying to decide

....

Mara gave me some good ideas for center stones in the $3500-$4000 range the other night, and, now, I''m trying to decide if I want one of the more expensive stones in a simple cheap setting, or, a less expensive stone in a more elaborate setting. From reading threads, I know that you all have very good ideas! hmmp. Decisions, decisions!

Thanks!!!!!!!

 

[ladykemma]

get the better stone in a plain tiffany setting, settings wear out and look crap in a few years anyway. then she can pick out what she wants.

 

[Lorelei]

I would definitely go for the better diamond and inexpensive simple setting, but I prefer plain anyway - the diamond is what matters to me! Also it is cheaper to upgrade the setting later if you want, rather than the diamond.

 

[allycat0303]

For me anyways, it would depend on whether or not I was planning to ever upgrade..and when

. If I was, then I would buy the most simple setting and spend more money on the stone....just because your upgrade may not fit in the setting etc. If I was planning on keeping the stone for a long time (maybe 10 years or forever) I would buy a more elaborate setting, and get a good balance between stone and setting.

 

[KristyDarling]

Date: 6/20/2006 9:43:04 AM
Author: allycat0303
For me anyways, it would depend on whether or not I was planning to ever upgrade..and when

. If I was, then I would buy the most simple setting and spend more money on the stone....just because your upgrade may not fit in the setting etc. If I was planning on keeping the stone for a long time (maybe 10 years or forever) I would buy a more elaborate setting, and get a good balance between stone and setting.

Yup!

 

[kenny]

I just bought a diamond from Whiteflash of that size in that price range.

Here is a .782 carat I VS1 with a HCA of 1.0.
A real super AGS Ideal 0 cut.

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-2410929.htm#

Oh, and you can subtract 5% from the price if you tell them you want the pricescope discount, and get it for $2959.

Whiteflash was a joy to deal with.
Stunning diamonds, prices and service.
(No, I don't work for them.)

 

[kristy_lyn]

You make an interesting point about the setting wearing out & looking like crap! I never really thought about the fact that it''s not going to look as shiny & new in 20 years as it does now.

Hmm... I think I''m leaning towards the nicer diamond, with the really simple setting.

Since he already proposed with some heirloom jewelry "the ring" itself is not going to have as much sentimental value as my "engagement bracelet" and my wedding band itself. That means the opportunity to change the setting and/or upgrade down the road is a possibility for me

 

[kristy_lyn]

Kenny - that looks like a nice diamond!

I need to go looking at some brick & mortar stores this weekend, to see how much of a difference I can see between, say a G, and H, or an I.

You mentioned the PS discount... was that off of the price that''s listed when you put in the search bar in PS? I''m confused about the whole PS discount at these places.

 

[kenny]

If you found the diamond by doing a search on pricescope then the discount is already factored into the price you see on the pricescope list.
When you look on Whiteflash's website - even if you go there by linking from pricescope, you will see their "list" price like everyone else does.

I found out the discount is not always 5%; it depends on the diamond.
To get the pricescope price you must wire the payment, using a credit card will cost you more because it costs Whiteflash more.

Also when you contact Whiteflash tell them you want the pricescope price.
They are not psychic.

 

[Lorelei]

Great pick Kenny with that diamond!

 

[luvsdiamonds]

you want the stone to be perfect ,,, settings come and go, as some diamonds do,,, but the diamond that you have is what you want to stand out the most!

 

[Mara]

i say put the chunk of the $ towards the diamond and get a simple setting...to me the diamond is what is the real showstopper. if i didn''t have that much money for a fancy setting i''d put more towards the stone. we overspent on my setting IMO as well. also you may want to change the setting later and it may be less sentimental than switching the stone.

good luck and keep us posted!!

 

[kristy_lyn]

You''ve all convinced me - go better with the diamond!

I''m going to go shop around at some local jewelry stores this weekend... see what looks best on the finger.

Does anyone know if the Fine Line Platinum setting on WF is available in yellow gold? Do you guys think there is a disadvantage to getting yellow gold? Does anyone know of a setting that is similar than that, but with 6-prongs? I''d like to get something more in the $500 range if possible, and, I''m OK with just prongs - no basket type thing. I''m more interested in the height, and the way the shank curves up, but doesn''t necessarily cover the sides of the diamond.

 

[kenny]

To me, the setting's job is just to be a stage for the movie star.
Less is better.


A diamond is a little box of windows mirrors and prisms.
It will pick up the color of anything around it, including the yellow of gold.
That is fine if you like it.
Others don't like seeing that color in their diamond so they go with white gold.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 6/20/2006 1:41:15 PM
Author: kristy_lyn

You''ve all convinced me - go better with the diamond!

I''m going to go shop around at some local jewelry stores this weekend... see what looks best on the finger.

while you''re there. try to decide on the color grade.

 

[kristy_lyn]

Good point Dancing Fire...

When I went with my fiancee a few months ago, I was able to see the differences in color from the side between say an E and a G while it was sitting in their grey tray.

I am wondering if I will be able to see as much of a difference when it''s in a setting? Especially if it''s facing up, and I''m not looking at the profile.

I might be willing to pay more for an F... but, probably wouldn''t be able to make a distinction between a G versus an H...

What do you think?

 

[kristy_lyn]

PLus, the stuff I looked at in the jewelry store was probably not cut as well... because I was having no problem finding .85-.9 stones in the $3300-$3500 range, for color grades as high as F, and clarity in the V''s. With the B&M mark-up, I''m sure they were crappier stones.

 

[luvsdiamonds]

I sure hope you get a great looking stone...

 

[kristy_lyn]

I will keep everyone posted!!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Kristy, I''ll have to forewarn you that jewelry store lighting is sort of unlike anywhere else, and I was unable to tell much difference in a D and an I! So while I encourage you to go look, just know that the color issue may not be resolved easlily. It hasn''t been easy for me to figure out! Good luck!

 

[kristy_lyn]

Diamondseeker - what did you find was the best lighting to look for color differences? Natural sunlight?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Kristy, the very best lighting to me is outside but not in the sunlight..I guess you''d say natural daylight...just not in the sun.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Incidentally, I have pretty much settled on G-H color. H will save me a lot if I can find the right stone!

 

[ladykemma]

Date: 6/20/2006 10:59:47 AM
Author: kristy_lyn

You make an interesting point about the setting wearing out & looking like crap! I never really thought about the fact that it's not going to look as shiny & new in 20 years as it does now.

Hmm... I think I'm leaning towards the nicer diamond, with the really simple setting.

Since he already proposed with some heirloom jewelry 'the ring' itself is not going to have as much sentimental value as my 'engagement bracelet' and my wedding band itself. That means the opportunity to change the setting and/or upgrade down the road is a possibility for me

yeah and pssst.....they go out of style too.

it seems you want yellow gold. classy elegant, can't go wrong.
i would encourage a yellow gold plain four or six prongs tiffany with a platinum head. it will be about $350 total - 100 for the shank and 220 for the platinum head.

Like judge judy - ask me why a platinum head ? - because in 11 years i have worn out three rhodium plated yellow gold heads.

edited to add - get real clear if you want your wedding band to sit flush or not. some people care some don't.

i personally don't care for custom wedding band jobs that nestle weird shaped rings - due to thier strange shape you can't wear them alone if you are going to be in a bad neighborhood or cleaning the toilet. i prefer a plain old band for daily wear. my two cents.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 6/20/2006 2:47:36 PM
Author: kristy_lyn

Good point Dancing Fire...

When I went with my fiancee a few months ago, I was able to see the differences in color from the side between say an E and a G while it was sitting in their grey tray.

I am wondering if I will be able to see as much of a difference when it''s in a setting? Especially if it''s facing up, and I''m not looking at the profile.

I might be willing to pay more for an F... but, probably wouldn''t be able to make a distinction between a G versus an H...

What do you think?

i think you''re the only one that can answer the Q.

 

[kristy_lyn]

Yes, you''re right dancingfire - only I can answer that.

Ladykemma - do you know of a good place to get the type of setting you''re talking about? simple yellow gold shank with a platinum head? A place like GOG? WF? Buy the setting somewhere else and ship it to them?

 

[ladykemma]

Date: 6/20/2006 9:23:33 PM
Author: kristy_lyn

Yes, you''re right dancingfire - only I can answer that.

Ladykemma - do you know of a good place to get the type of setting you''re talking about? simple yellow gold shank with a platinum head? A place like GOG? WF? Buy the setting somewhere else and ship it to them?

all jewelers can do this. they carry the shank, and they carry the heads. let your vendor do this.

 

[Dancing Fire]

if i had $4000...

i would spent $3500 on a well cut AGS/GIA G-H VS2-SI1 stone and $500 on a Tiff & Co style setting.