Just a lost and confused man in need of help

[ospina86]

I am deeply in love with my angel, we've been through so much these last 5 years. Now that the dust is starting to settle, I clearly know what needs to be done. I want to give her the most beautiful diamond to reflect her beauty, but financially I have to settle She's in a position where her coworkers are all getting engaged and displaying their 1.5 ct diamonds and it's putting a lot of pressure on me. I know whatever ring I get her she'll smile and love it, but I want to get her something that will make her not feel ashamed to show it to her coworkers. I've heard many great thing from a Canadian forum about PriceScope and I'm here begging for your help.

my budget is $4000. I'm in the market for a round diamond ring, pave style. similar to the "Elena" ring at whiteflash http://www.whiteflash.com/engagemen...amond-engagement-ring-1364.htm#divDescription

Would anybody care to help me in searching for the best looking Diamond for my budget and a ring style similar to the Elena. I will be forever grateful and thank you.

Chris

 

[farmer gal]

Not exact but some cheaper options for you

Settings:
http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=95_100&products_id=14492

http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=95_100&products_id=9487

I would contact ID and tell them you are a pricescope member and have them look for a stone within budget

 

[Lula]

Congratulations on your decision to become engaged! One thing to consider is getting the best cut quality you can find in a round brilliant. A smaller diamond that is cut well often outshines a poorly-cut larger diamond. ID Jewelry is a good place to start. You may also want to see what WF can find for your within your budget. Tell the vendors you are a Pricescope member; most of them have additional discounts for members of this forum. The vendors are also very good at working within all sorts of budgets, and will advise you on ways you can maximize your budget. Please post the links to any diamonds you find and ask for feedback and suggestions.

ETA: Here's a .61 carat round from Whiteflash that would allow you to stay in budget with the diamond and Elena setting http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2715423.htm. Ask WF if a .61 carat will fit in the Elena setting. This diamond is a J in color, which is at the low end of the near colorless range. You may want to ask WF to use H-I melee (the small diamonds) in the Elena setting to better match the color of the center diamond.

If you went with the less expensive ID Jewelry setting, you could consider something like this .74 carat from WF. http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2733336.htm I'm not sure if ID Jewelry sets diamonds from other companies; I think they do.

 

[pregcurious]

Brian Gavin Diamonds (Brian Gavin was one of the founders and Vice Presidents of Whiteflash from my understanding):
has the Valentine setting for $975:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/the-valentine-micro-pave-1-18k-white-gold-5688w18

You could pair it with this round 0.7 carat G SI1 round for $2660 (you should ask if it is eye clean, if that is an issue for you):
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.700-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-32762524

If you go with a stone that is not round, you can get a much larger size:

0.94 carat H VS2 radiant for $2774:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/Diamonds/diamond-details/0.940-H-VS2-Radiant-Diamond-GIA-28192890

You could also go for a beautiful solitaire setting, if you don't like the Valentine. My favorite solitare is Grace from Brian Gavin Diamonds (Brian Gavin was on the founders of Whiteflash). The Grace has beautiful pointed prongs, is set low so it is practical for every day wear, and has great proportions:

$1175 white gold
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/grace-18k-white-gold-5414w18

TOTAL: $3949 with the Grace and near 1 carat radiant

Is there a PS discount at BGD?

In general, you should buy the stone and setting form the same place. You could take the same approach as I wrote above with IDJewelery or WF. Later on, you can get your then wife a beautiful eternity band to add bling to the wedding set.

 

[Gypsy]

Ovals and Pears make VERY elegant solitaires. And are extremely flattering on the finger because they are elongated shapes.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Are you willing to go second hand?

 

[Gypsy]

Ovals and Pears make VERY elegant solitaires. And are extremely flattering on the finger because they are elongated shapes.

Ovals and Pears are very spready (look big for their carat weight) and cost less per carat than rounds. So you can get a one carat oval or pear-- or a 90 point oval or pear solitaire for your budget.

This is the path I would take.

 

[Gypsy]

Some pears for your consideration:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1422876.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1125744.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Premium-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1284423.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1303893.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1428503.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1383942.asp


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-SI1-Premium-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1185568.asp

 

[Gypsy]

Ovals:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-SI1-Premium-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1195082.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Good-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1195310.asp

 

[TristanC]

Congrats on the decision. Don't fret about the co workers, that's just background noise

You can consider the options available to explore fancy shapes if you want to make a different statement. The upside is if you are concerned about finger coverage, fancy shapes also give more appearance.

But ultimately please try to get a feel of what the beautiful lady wants. Good luck!

 

[LaraOnline]

But ultimately please try to get a feel of what the beautiful lady wants. Good luck!

Amen to that, brother! heheh
The big problem is...how does one find out, without ruining the surprise?
I've picked up from these boards that there is a HUGE cultural imperative in the US for the 'big proposal' and presentation...
but...

is it possible to simply buy the BEST quality diamond one can possibly buy - from a vendor with a fantastic upgrade policy - and then present it to her, perhaps on a very basic setting (or by itself, if you're game), with the view to selecting the setting together?

That gives you some breathing time while you BOTH decide the set of the ring...?

It is quite likely that she also has no idea what she would really like...took me several months to decide what kind of set I preferred...

 

[ospina86]

Brian Gavin Diamonds (Brian Gavin was one of the founders and Vice Presidents of Whiteflash from my understanding):
has the Valentine setting for $975:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/the-valentine-micro-pave-1-18k-white-gold-5688w18

You could pair it with this round 0.7 carat G SI1 round for $2660 (you should ask if it is eye clean, if that is an issue for you):
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.700-g-si1-round-diamond-ags-32762524

If you go with a stone that is not round, you can get a much larger size:

0.94 carat H VS2 radiant for $2774:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/Diamonds/diamond-details/0.940-H-VS2-Radiant-Diamond-GIA-28192890

You could also go for a beautiful solitaire setting, if you don't like the Valentine. My favorite solitare is Grace from Brian Gavin Diamonds (Brian Gavin was on the founders of Whiteflash). The Grace has beautiful pointed prongs, is set low so it is practical for every day wear, and has great proportions:

$1175 white gold
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/grace-18k-white-gold-5414w18

TOTAL: $3949 with the Grace and near 1 carat radiant

Is there a PS discount at BGD?

In general, you should buy the stone and setting form the same place. You could take the same approach as I wrote above with IDJewelery or WF. Later on, you can get your then wife a beautiful eternity band to add bling to the wedding set.

WOW Thank you very much for your thorough response.I'll be looking into the Grace setting THANK YOU

 

[ospina86]

Are you willing to go second hand?

I would go second hand if it matches what I'm looking for and it isn't inscribed of course

 

[ospina86]

Congrats on the decision. Don't fret about the co workers, that's just background noise

You can consider the options available to explore fancy shapes if you want to make a different statement. The upside is if you are concerned about finger coverage, fancy shapes also give more appearance.

But ultimately please try to get a feel of what the beautiful lady wants. Good luck!

Thank you for the information and the support... I'll keep everyone updated!

 

[ospina86]

Ovals:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-SI1-Premium-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1195082.asp

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Good-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1195310.asp

Gypsy thank you so much for your posts. Very informative and thorough. I'll let everyone know what my final decision is!

 

[galeteia]

Are you willing to go second hand?

I would go second hand if it matches what I'm looking for and it isn't inscribed of course

Then you can get a LOT of diamond for your dollar. Secondhand is usually between 30% to 50% off retail.

 

[ospina86]

Are you willing to go second hand?

I would go second hand if it matches what I'm looking for and it isn't inscribed of course

Then you can get a LOT of diamond for your dollar. Secondhand is usually between 30% to 50% off retail.

Where would I find these second hand diamonds you speak of

 

[LibbyLA]

Even if the ring has an inscription, your jeweler should be able to remove it, so don't necessarily dismiss rings with inscriptions.

If you opt for a fancy shape, you can find information on the specs you'll want to look at here:

https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/fancy-shape-diamonds (there are links for detailed info on each shape on this page)

and here: http://diamondarticles.com/diamond-proportions.php

I recently got an oval, chose one that was about 60% depth. The JA stones linked here may be a little on the deep side, which will make them face up smaller than shallower stones of the same weight. You don't want to get too shallow, though.

Good luck with your search!

liz

 

[slg47]

Are you willing to go second hand?

I would go second hand if it matches what I'm looking for and it isn't inscribed of course

Then you can get a LOT of diamond for your dollar. Secondhand is usually between 30% to 50% off retail.

Where would I find these second hand diamonds you speak of

some jewelers have rings on consignment. however it can be hard to find *exactly* what you want and you may have to do more digging

 

[Amys Bling]

some second hand options

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...l-Cut/18182075_MCSP3h#!i=1398658227&k=rRLQTtr
here is a pave set- underbudget...

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...liant/20392970_VVnDrV#!i=1613674709&k=r9zf4wG

scroll down page #1 to see the pricing
http://www.jewelsbyericagrace.com/modern_and_estate_rings

a 1 carat with halo on sale! it's 5,000-
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...amond/17832376_km4FXs#!i=1363372936&k=WMFhQzD

scroll down this page to see the pricing
http://www.jewelsbyericagrace.com/modern_and_estate_rings_page_2

 

[purplesilk]

What about a diamond band instead of a traditional solitaire?
You can have a good finger coverage without going into debt.

 

[purplesilk]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-5-stone-ring-thread.134007/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-5-stone-ring-thread.134007/[/URL]