If you had a $25,000 e-ring & wedding ring budget?

[Bravissimo]

For fun (and to help me decide) , please post how you would spend $25,000 if that was your budget for a wedding set.

Pictures and prices/examples/links are very welcome provided this comports w/PS rules.
My parameters are
1. Mined & certed stones only
2. Wearable daily for an office job in a big eastern city.
3. Durable. I chipped my last diamond and

We are both over 50 so not going to use this money for anything else but $25,000 is the limit.

Thanks in advance for your ideas!!!

 

[Cerulean]

I think it’ll help if you narrow it a little bit.

Do you generally like modern or antique styles?

Simple or elaborate?

 

[Bravissimo]

I like both but nothing too fussy or futuristic. But mainly I want to know what others would pick within those parameters and why.

I think I am having a hard time choosing because I had my dream set before with someone else who sadly did not turn out to be Mr Right.

 

[bludiva]

i could think of multiple dream sets ... but you can't go wrong with a round or emerald cut solitaire and thin eternity band to match.

what was your first dream set? maybe play around with the basic parameters - one vs. multiple stones, modern vs. antique, shape of the center stone. so if you had a modern round stone in a halo, maybe an antique step cut this time. good luck with the search!

 

[Tartansparkles]

I think I am having a hard time choosing because I had my dream set before with someone else who sadly did not turn out to be Mr Right.

In that case, I would choose no set at all because I would always be comparing. But that's probably just me.

 

[Cerulean]

I like both but nothing too fussy or futuristic. But mainly I want to know what others would pick within those parameters and why.

I think I am having a hard time choosing because I had my dream set before with someone else who sadly did not turn out to be Mr Right.

What was your dream set? There are sooooooo many styles and choices...

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Last diamond chipped--perhaps a bezel this time?

cheers--Sharon

 

[MissGotRocks]

I would choose this diamond in a six prong setting with a matching plain band. Great size, color and clarity in a beautifully cut diamond. Diamond and setting and band should not exceed your 25k. The focus on this is the diamond not the ‘set’ - far enough away from what you once loved but gorgeous enough to fall in love with all over again!

Diamond | 1.754 ct G VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4402597

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.754 carat G color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4402597

www.whiteflash.com

 

[DejaWiz]

If I had $25K to spend on a ring, then I'd buy my wife something gargantuan along these lines:

Diamond:
3.36 D VS1 LGD $22,710

Lab-Created 3.36 Carat round diamond

This 3.36 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Setting:
Platinum tapered pave with claw prongs $937

Platinum Petite Tapered Pavé Adorned Crown Engagement Ring

Simplicity with a hint of that little something extra! This design has a classic tapering up to the center diamond with added sparkle of diamonds on the side profile.

www.jamesallen.com

Matching Band:
Platinum (dual - one soldered to each side) $1260

Platinum Petite Pavé Curved Matching Wedding Ring-15349p

The perfect complement to the Petite Tapered Engagement Ring. This diamond band matches beautifully and creates the perfect set!

www.jamesallen.com

Grand Total: $24,907

 

[Bravissimo]

What was your dream set? There are sooooooo many styles and choices...

It was a GIA SI1 G color excellent cut center three stone. 1.5 center and .4 same cut, color, clarity on each side with a small platinum eternity. I put a lab sapphire in it and am trying to decide what to do w/the chipped center stone. Make an insurance claim or recut. Contacted Sako about a recut.

 

[Bravissimo]

Y

If I had $25K to spend on a ring, then I'd buy my wife something gargantuan along these lines:

Diamond:
3.36 D VS1 LGD $22,710

Lab-Created 3.36 Carat round diamond

This 3.36 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color vs1 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Setting:
Platinum tapered pave with claw prongs $937

Platinum Petite Tapered Pavé Adorned Crown Engagement Ring

Simplicity with a hint of that little something extra! This design has a classic tapering up to the center diamond with added sparkle of diamonds on the side profile.

www.jamesallen.com

Matching Band:
Platinum (dual - one soldered to each side) $1260

Platinum Petite Pavé Curved Matching Wedding Ring-15349p

The perfect complement to the Petite Tapered Engagement Ring. This diamond band matches beautifully and creates the perfect set!

www.jamesallen.com

Grand Total: $24,907

You are a sweetie.

 

[Bravissimo]

HI:

Last diamond chipped--perhaps a bezel this time?

cheers--Sharon

Yes thinking about that. How much of the diamond does the bezel cover?

 

[Bravissimo]

i could think of multiple dream sets ... but you can't go wrong with a round or emerald cut solitaire and thin eternity band to match.

what was your first dream set? maybe play around with the basic parameters - one vs. multiple stones, modern vs. antique, shape of the center stone. so if you had a modern round stone in a halo, maybe an antique step cut this time. good luck with the search!

This is so pretty. Looks well beyond my budget though.

 

[Cerulean]

Yes thinking about that. How much of the diamond does the bezel cover?

A well-cut stone won't be negatively impacted by a bezel! Bezels vary, some are totally enclosed (including underneath) which i don't recommend because they impossible to clean...

If I liked simple and classic and preferred modern cut stones, I would get an ACA from Whiteflash, and get a mount like this, and probably a channel set baguette wedding ring

The Cameron Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring | 585

Embrace the journey of love with the Cameron Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring, an emblem of eternal commitment. | 585

www.whiteflash.com

 

[bludiva]

This is so pretty. Looks well beyond my budget though.

i plucked a random photo off the web, here's one with a price tag k color though.
bezel to boot

 

[vintageinjune]

https://www.jewelsbygrace.com/colle...tw-old-european-rose-cut-diamond-trilogy-ring

Pair the above with a 5-7 stone cushion cut band.

Forget the band and use the budget on this :
https://www.jewelsbygrace.com/colle...mine-cushion-cut-diamond-ring-by-single-stone

 

[blingmeupscotty]

Do you want perfection? Do you care about the 4 c's and the certification? Can it be used? So many factors when going into the new adventure I tell my husband every day "I want a porsche for $1 please" and I hunt until I find one..." so how flexible are you when it comes to the 4 c's?

Do tell

A little over the budget

6.56ctw Victorian Diamond & Ruby Ring

Truly an incredible piece of jewelry! The central hexagon cut diamond is a work of art in itself, with a generous face up and portrait cut diamond characteristics. In a surround of deep red natural rubies, the diamond literally just shines! Believed to have been a clasp in what must have been an...

www.jewelsbygrace.com

Mesmorizing with charm

2.64ct Art Deco Old Mine Cushion Cut Solitaire, GIA QR VS2

Super beautiful ring from the art deco era, centering a very light yellow old mine cushion cut diamond which goes from white to a soft, "antique lace" color with every movement and lighting change. A trio of chunky antique diamonds flank the shoulders for a wee bit of additional sparkle. The...

www.jewelsbygrace.com

Beyond unique with a buttery color

2.76ct Cushion Cut Diamond, GIA Fancy Light Brown Yellow, VS2

A most perfect shape for those looking for a diamond that is part conventional (the shape), part badass (the beautiful cognac color with flashes of peachy-pink in between). The diamond has a beautiful elongated shape, with crisp pavilion facets. She would make for a stunning, stunning piece of...

www.jewelsbygrace.com

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

The largest ACA that is G and VS.

 

[Tourmaline]

I’d get a simple solitaire and band, and put the vast majority of the budget into a large, low color, eye clean, well cut diamond center stone.

 

[Bravissimo]

Want an ideal cut. Will go to SI2 clarity if it’s eye clean. I don’t know if I should go worse color in gold but bigger or better color but smaller in platinum. I would like 8mm x 8mm at least in a round. My ring size is about 5.75. I care about the cert in that neither of us have kids and I would want him to get some $$$ back if he outlives me (a distinct possibility as I had a very bad form of cancer last year. Could always come back). I am fair with rosy skin and green eyes. Originally brunette. Now grey/bottle blonde.

 

[Bravissimo]

The largest ACA that is G and VS.

Curious: why VS?

 

[DejaWiz]

You can ask JA for the reports on these to see if they fall within ideal cut proportions:

2.06 Carat round diamond

This 2.06 carat round diamond F color si1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

2.03 Carat round diamond

This 2.03 carat round diamond E color si1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Looks like a camera/focus issue to me, so the report would need to be scrutinized very well:

2.02 Carat round diamond

This 2.02 carat round diamond D color si1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

2.01 Carat round diamond

This 2.01 carat round diamond G color si1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.90 Carat round diamond

This 1.9 carat round diamond D color si1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

Curious: why VS?

You'll need to verify that it's eye clean, but often VS can be the best balance of clarity and value. Same with G color.

 

[oakleaf]

Wedding set (Reminds me of a Tiffany ring I really like, I’m pretty basic.)

Vatche 1020 6 Prong Channel Diamond Diamond Wedding Set | 3730

Discover the timeless beauty of the Vatche 1020 6 Prong Channel Diamond Wedding Set. Shop now at Whiteflash and make your special day unforgettable. | 3730

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond (I prioritize color and clarity over size.)

Diamond | 1.302 ct D VVS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4397883

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.302 carat D color VVS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4397883

www.whiteflash.com

 

[bludiva]

Want an ideal cut. Will go to SI2 clarity if it’s eye clean. I don’t know if I should go worse color in gold but bigger or better color but smaller in platinum. I would like 8mm x 8mm at least in a round. My ring size is about 5.75. I care about the cert in that neither of us have kids and I would want him to get some $$$ back if he outlives me (a distinct possibility as I had a very bad form of cancer last year. Could always come back). I am fair with rosy skin and green eyes. Originally brunette. Now grey/bottle blonde.

I think CBI does/did buy back their stones at 80% of value no questions asked and they only sell ideal cuts. Wishing you many healthy & happy years together

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

I might be the only one here suggesting you spend $$$ on the band. That way if you don’t feel like wearing an e-ring with a big center stone on any particular day, you still have a bling option.

I searched WF ACA for G+ and SI1+. I would get a 2ctw-five-stone wedding band in white gold and a 1.4 ct solitaire in a 2mm white gold comfort fit setting. The center diamond would be less than 8mm. But if you are asking for personal preference then that is what I would recommend to most people who wanted to buy a forever set for $25k.

 

[FL_runner]

I’d probably go for a big, excellent emerald cut and a relatively simple band.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I’d probably go for a big, excellent emerald cut and a relatively simple band.

+1! I’d be putting all my budget into a large centre stone and going with a simple setting and band; personally I adore step cuts. For 25k you could get to the 2.5-3ct I VS2/SI1 ballpark, I think (for the stone. If this is including setting and band then perhaps a little smaller, in the 2.4-2.7ct range).

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

For step cuts (emerald), I'd recommend going no lower than F and VVS. Step cuts really highlight the color and clarity of the stone, compared to round or other brilliant cuts that show more sparkle (so you can get away with color and clarity). Everyone has their own preference, this is just my point of view with balancing the 4Cs!

 

[lucida818]

@MRBXXXFVVS1
I totally agree with you on this.
Again, it’s just our personal preferences