I''ve got 6 months!

[Mitch B]

I''ve been with my girl for almost 2 years now and it''s past time. I''ve found the perfect setting at Blue Nile and was going to pull the trigger on a stone as well until I stumbled on Pricescope from a FatWallet forum this morning. I''ve been reading all day and you guys are great!

I''m definitely getting this platinum setting from BN because I can''t find it anywhere else http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-setting-platinum_7827

I have 6 months before I need the diamond, after buying the setting I have about $4400 left in cash/bank transfer funds. I''d like to find an SI1 F-H at over a carat. Once I find that, how do I go about getting the diamond mounted? Should I buy everything from BN? Also, is there a noticeable difference in size once mounted from a 1.02 to a 1.15? I could come up with another $1000 I think.

I''d also like to get some feedback on my proposal idea, just not sure where to post it.

Thanks in advance for your patience and valuable information.

 

[nkarma]

Blue nile does not sell some or all of their settings separately. Confirm with them that you can buy a setting without a diamond and go from there. Hopefully others will help you with the actual diamond selection.

 

[Mitch B]

Thanks for that info! I was just advised they will sell this setting separately, however, they won''t size it or include the mounting. Does anyone have any idea what a jeweler normally charges to mount and size?

 

[Lula]

Congratulations on making the decision to propose and welcome to Pricescope!

My advice to you would be to find the diamond first; then get the setting.

You have a great budget; you should be able to get nice size stone for that amount of $$, especially if you are willing to be flexible on color and clarity. There have been several threads recently where someone has purchased a setting before the diamond, and then had to buy a new setting because the diamond would not work in the setting they chose. Just a heads up, to hopefully save you some grief!

Jewelers will charge a setting fee to set your stone (around $100 or so). Sizing will be an additional charge.

That's why if you can buy the stone and the setting from the same place, it is a little easier and cheaper.

There are many people here who can help you find a well-cut stone from Blue Nile, if you want to buy the setting and stone from them.

There are also several vendors who sell well-cut stones, who would be more than happy to work with you on finding a setting you like (either setting the stone in the Blue Nile setting) or finding you/custom designing you a setting similar to the Blue Nile setting.

Have you looked at any stones from the online vendors' sites?

 

[Mitch B]

I don''t have a problem buying both stone and setting from BN, especially if there''s just a few hundred dollars difference in a separate purchase. As always, quality of stone is my chief concern. I''ve only briefly checked other vendors, I''m sure I''ll spend tomorrow checking everyone out. I''m flexible on color and clarity in a round cut. I just want it to take her breath away. I''ve got one shot at this and she deserves my best.

 

[Lula]

That''s a great attitude to have, Mitch! Very sweet of you to want to take her breath away, and if you focus on getting the best cut, you will do just that!

I think you would be wise to take some time to compare what the different vendors have to offer. Think about how much customer service you want -- Blue Nile and some of the other vendors offer a great price, but not much in personal service.

For example, since you have six months to find a diamond, if you don''t find what you''re looking for right away, some of the vendors on PS will work with you to find just the right stone for you. I know Brian Gavin Diamonds, Wink from High Performance Diamonds, Jonathan from Good Old Gold, Todd from NiceIce, Whiteflash, and some of the other vendors you''ll see mentioned on this forum, will all work with you individually to find just the right stone if you e-mail them with your budget, size, color, and clarity preferences, and will also work with you on your setting.

I am a big fan of personal service, especially with something as personal, expensive, and emotional as engagement/wedding jewelry!

If personal service is not that important to you, you can also post the links to stones from different vendors'' websites and get feedback from the people on this forum, who are very good at helping you weed through the hundreds of listings to find the best price and best quality. Many people have purchased beautiful stones/settings from Blue Nile and the other vendors with the help of the folks on this forum. It''s a great resource!

 

[Mitch B]

Thanks so much for your valuable insight. I''ll spend some time looking in the coming days and I"m sure I''ll have a few more questions. I''m definitely pointed in the right direction now!

 

[Lula]

You''re welcome, Mitch! Have fun browsing the listings!