Let's go shopping!!! What would you buy with 100K???

[arkieb1]

Niel, if the budget was unlimited I could be talked into an antique chubby chunky cut marquise or an antique Roval as well

 

[Niel]

Niel, if the budget was unlimited I could be talked into an antique chubby chunky cut marquise or an antique Roval as well

And I suppose you could twist my arm into an antique EC....
I think I'd buy every shape, even a heart, but the rest would be in the 2 ct range.

 

[LuvTheGlitter]

OK. That's easy.

100K. Coming right up!

http://mc2jewels.com/item/1152/emerald-cut-diamond-flora-ring-303-cts-18-kt-platinum This is what I'd buy. You have to buy a complete ring from them. You can't source your own stone. But a 3 carat Emerald plus this setting should be around 100k.

That ring is incredible! Rarely do I literally gasp at a picture of a ring, but this did it.

Edited for pre-coffee grammar.

 

[baby monster]

Other picks:
https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/three-stone-engagement-ring-559-carats/id-j_136346/

This one would be at the top of my list!

 

[IceQueen2014]

Oh my gosh, you guys are amazing!!! And I must first say, you all have exquisite taste!!!

This post was meant to have multiple purposes! I thought it would be fun to see what you "experts" would pick (own personal tastes), but also selfishly as I AM actually looking to buy a ring in the next several months (with approximately a 100,000 budget). I've been looking for a really long time, and am now getting serious about a purchase but cannot for the life of me make up my mind as to what I want (can't I have them all???).

My journey (I'll try to keep it short but that will be tough)...I'm apologizing in advance!!!! Photo overload too!

About 5 years ago I started casually looking for a diamond and setting. Back then I was in LOVE with the antique/chunky cushions and was seriously considering a few 4-5 carat stones...and was going to have Leon Mege make me a setting (see photos below). I've honestly never really been a halo fan (I really like letting the stone be the STAR) and now with how popular they've become I am 99.9% certain I do NOT want any sort of halo (with one caveat...I'll get to that in a bit).

Over the past 3-4 years I've my tastes have evolved/changed and I've been all over the place....here are my current obsessions.

-Round: have always been a fan. Classic and beautiful! Would either do a cathedral setting or maybe even 2 baguettes (see photos).

-Cushions: still a fan. Definitely prefer chunky vs. "crushed ice" look. Still love the LM settings! Would also consider two side stones (baguettes or bullets like Jen Garner or Gisele Bunchen's rings).

-Emerald: prefer more of a square (vs. rectangular) and would definitely want to do 2 step-cut traps or emeralds with it.

-Oval: probably what I would pick at this exact second, but I don't know if it's just a phase!! I'm obsessed with Blake Lively's ring but also Leann Rimes (I honestly can't get a great close up shot but this ring REALLY speaks to me. I love the large oval but I also love the setting...which is weird. It appears to have a halo (this is one of the only halos I have ever really loved)...but it also in some pictures appears to have a bezel around the halo??? The halo seems really delicate and almost looks like a continuation of the stone, and I'm in love with the mixed metals and delicate design of the band).

It's so hard because I'm not somewhere where I have access to large stones and settings like I'm desiring...so I'm going off photos and of course PRICESCOPE. I think I need to take a trip to NYC and just try on a million rings to find out EXACTLY what shape/setting style I like best and then go from there! Anyone have any other ideas or suggestions???

Ok....so here are photos of my all-time favorite rings (just so you can get a sense of what I like). And next I'll respond to some of your suggestions, because to be honestly I've been eyeing a few of them!!!

Bottom line:
*I do not want to overpay for a stone (I don't need to pay a premium to have a Tiffany, Cartier, etc)!
*I want something classic that is not trendy and I can wear for the next 50 years (god willing, while at the same time I want something unique that not everyone else has!
*I want a delicate setting that lets the stone/s shine!

So...please keep going picking what stones you'd buy, but any help you can give a stressed and indecisive gal I'd GREATLY appreciate it!!

 

[IceQueen2014]

More of my favs! Promise this will be it!

 

[IceQueen2014]

If you really mean $100k I would consider this http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/asscher-cut/5.01-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-97637

Only $5270.00 over budget

Wow, this is a stunner!! I've never really been an asscher fan (I can't put my finger on exactly why because I tend to like more round/square-ish stones and I LOVE EMERALDS but I if I'm being honest I think it may be because of how small they face up.....that probably sounds really shallow, but I do want to "get my money's worth." This one may make me reconsider though...although with it slightly over budget already, I wouldn't have much for a setting!! Definitely bookmarked it though!! THANKS!!!

 

[Sunstorm]

Wow, this has been and will be a very exciting journey OP! I agree with you that you should take a trip and try on a lot of different ring, perhaps visit some vendors in the NYC area and get ideas, get to know vendors, see whom you can trust or alternatively you can also just search here, order with a great return policy, etc.

I have to say that my personal taste agrees with yours a lot, I do not own a cushion yet but a great cushion is my HG stone. I too love the chunky faceted ones and not the crushed ice looking cushions, hence what I was saying about AVCs. Where we differ is that I love FCDs whereas you seem to be pretty sure you want a colorless diamond, which makes it a bit easier.

I own an oval FCD, ovals can be stunning stones agreed, I still think I prefer pears (the chunky, wide ones there too) and cushions but ovals can be very unique as well as very flattering on the finger (I wear mine in a collier though). I still think that cushions are perhaps the most timeless classics and lend themselves very well to most designs, modern or with a vintage vibe.

Rounds are of course what most would consider the most classic but albeit I find them a bit boring unless of course they are one of the super ideals, then I am not sure anything can beat their light return, well this is subjective somewhere. Many love the clean, understated look of emerald but I am not a fan, if I want a step cut, I will take something like an Octavia but again we are all individuals with unique tastes. It is hard to pick just one stone. If I personally had to pick one 5 carater, it would be a cushion for me but it will be interesting to see what others will say. Have a lot of fun and enjoy the ride picking your dream stone and ring!

 

[m-2-b]

I would say go for the large antique cushion (looking at your inspiration rings) since that seems to be what makes your heart sing!

 

[IceQueen2014]

Other picks:

https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/tiffany-co-309-carat-oval-cut-diamond-engagement-ring/id-j_199280/
https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/three-stone-engagement-ring-559-carats/id-j_136346/
https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/rings/three-stone-rings/1004-carat-oval-cut-sapphire-diamond-ring/id-j_108123/
https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/486-carat-european-cut-diamond-platinum-engagement-ring-gia-i-si2/id-j_187778/ IF eyeclean.

Gypsy! Thank you for chiming in....I was hoping you'd join the fun!

All four of these rings are gorgeous!! For me personally, I am very intrigued by the 3-stone emerald (its actually one I bookmarked recently on 1stdibs...and I emailed them on Friday asking to see the GIA certs). I think the ring looks AMAZING, but how would you recommend going about buying from a site/vendor like this?? This ring cannot be returned (returning is not something I'd hope to do but it makes me very nervous that I couldn't if I absolutely needed to) and therefore I'm super hesitant to even inquire about it

I know you all recommend seeing a stone in person (especially for fancy cuts) so if that's not an option and it can't be returned, would you still proceed?? Would you feel comfortable pulling the trigger based on what you are seeing online....just a few photos (no ASETS, idealscope images, etc)???

Any guidance you could give me would be great...as I can definitely see myself going with a "pre-loved" stone (in hopes of saving some $$$). I'm just not very familiar about how to go about it!!

 

[Sunstorm]

If I remember right and please correct me if I am wrong, there was that super unique YG and PLAT design Gypsy posted that also featured emerald, if I chose and emerald, that would be it, even if you dislike YG, perhaps they could do in white metal, IF you like the design. It is not my hesitation about emeralds with this three stone but if you really wanted an emerald, I would suggest to go higher in color, a large center stone like this 4.42 would really show yellow tint in my opinion. An ideal RB would still be nice in I but emeralds show all flaws, tint, inclusions, etc, not to say a tint really is a flaw, it is subjective but most who go with emeralds pick very high color and clarity. Just my suggestion of course.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yes, if you are into chunky cushions, I'd definitely recommend an AVC from Good Old Gold. Looks at m-2-b's gorgeous ring!

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/show-me-the-ring/my-5-ct-august-vintage-cushion-in-steven-kirsch-halo-setting-t200231.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/show-me-the-ring/my-5-ct-august-vintage-cushion-in-steven-kirsch-halo-setting-t200231.html[/URL]

Of the rings you posted, I love the emerald cut three stone the best.

 

[IceQueen2014]

Oh, I love this thread! The first ring that comes to mind is the Cartier OEC with bezeled baguettes recently purchased by RandG. It is just perfection. My other two loves would be a 3+ ct emerald cut and an AVC/antique cushion.

Something like these (probably could find better ones, but these were easily searched!):

https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/three-stone-engagement-ring-559-carats/id-j_136346/

https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/tiffany-co-legacy-platinum-433ctw-diamond-engagement-ring/id-j_102969/

Thank you Diamondseeker....

Wow! RandG both of those rings are perfection!! I remember seeing the original post with your Cartier OEC and my jaw literally hit the ground!! You certainly hit the jackpot with that one!!!

 

[Missy]

Yes, I love this stone posted by a few of you.
https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/three-stone-engagement-ring-559-carats/id-j_136346/

Or if not this the biggest whitest cleanest emerald cut diamond solitaire I can find for 100K. That would be my second choice ER to OEC. If I could have 2 this would be my second ER.

 

[IceQueen2014]

Alternately with cushions:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11625/ 75K center stone.
In this setting: http://www.victorcanera.com/jewelry/engagement-rings/the-vine-trilogy (I adore this setting) About 5k for the setting.
With two 1 carat sidestones that match in H color. Those are about 7,000 each. So that's 14k for the sidestones.

Under budget. And GORGEOUS.

WOW! I have not come across this stone, but this one is gorgeous!! Would you purchase this stone (I'm not the best judge at reading ASETs but it looks promising to me).

I've loved the two emerald options you mentioned (I commented on them above), but if I had to pick with this one in the mix....I think I'd go for this! Not quite as "chunky" as I'd like but definitely not "crushed ice" either! Any concerns or flags with this one??

 

[Sunstorm]

That AVC in the SK setting is just about pure perfection!

 

[IceQueen2014]

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/9600/

Yes, it's over the budget, but I can wait until he gets his next bonus.

Settings:

Blingtastic - https://leonmege.com/index.php/portfolio/rings/solitaires/true-antique-omc-cushion-diamond-ring-5-carat-detail

Sweet and simple: https://leonmege.com/index.php/portfolio/rings/solitaires/solitaire-antique-cushion-ring-detail

How much do you suppose this baby costs? https://leonmege.com/index.php/portfolio/rings/solitaires/big-diamond-engagement-rings-detail

AMAZING!! Wish I could afford this stone! Great taste!

 

[IceQueen2014]

If this is a real exercise, I would encourage the poster to attend/register for some of the big auctions on the calendar through year end, starting with the Bonhams auction this week. These are excellent places to find an exceptional, possibly even signed piece, for less than typical retail, if you know what you're buying and buy well.

This is something I would absolutely be interested in. Is there a site that lists them?? Any advice you can give would be awesome!!

 

[IceQueen2014]

Do we have to stop at 100K. With 100K I'd buy a number of things, a variety..... But I probably have to win lotto to buy either one of my dream stones;

Diamonds by Lauren 5.36 D VVS1 unfortunately for me 3.5 times 100K;



11.88 Fancy Intense Yellow Asscher Ring. Just over a cool half a mill;

WE CAN ALL DREAM RIGHT?!?! UNREAL!!

 

[IceQueen2014]

I would say go for the large antique cushion (looking at your inspiration rings) since that seems to be what makes your heart sing!

Thanks M-2-B....when I truly listen to my gut and my heart I think my first choice would be a cushion (although I think I could be happy with any of the stones I mentioned initially). As the owner of one of the most gorgeous cushions I've seen on here, is there any advice you would give me going forward trying to find a cushion?? This process is SO hard. I've been looking for so long thinking THE ONE will show up, but I worry I'm being ridiculous and I'm going to miss on something spectacular while waiting...such a tricky thing!!

 

[RandG]

If this is a real exercise, I would encourage the poster to attend/register for some of the big auctions on the calendar through year end, starting with the Bonhams auction this week. These are excellent places to find an exceptional, possibly even signed piece, for less than typical retail, if you know what you're buying and buy well.

This is something I would absolutely be interested in. Is there a site that lists them?? Any advice you can give would be awesome!!

There are big and small ones. I would start with Bonhams, Christies, Sotheby's, Skinner, and Doyle. Each has a website, some better than others or even a diamond salon which can be visited year round. Within each, you can contact a jewelry specialist who can do a search for items in your budget. I have a couple pieces in this weeks Bonhams auction because the end of year auctions are usually filled with some of the best items all year. Given your budget, you have the capacity to get something really special, and I wouldn't rule out a pre-loved signed piece. Every pre-loved signed piece I've ever owned has held its value and then some. If you ever look to upgrade or seek liquidity in your pieces, its nice to get back at least what you paid, if not more. If you're unsure about what you like, think about attending one of the major jewelry shows open to the public where you can see lot's of things in one place, and try them on. If you have an estate jewelry hub in your city, that could be fruitful too. Of course, NY is the best place to look for old cuts, in my opinion. And with your dollars, the Fred Leighton on Madison Ave. is great for seeing a wide variety of pieces. No better time to visit than the fall

You are in the drivers seat. Have fun with it and go after exactly what you want. I know it will be incredible!

 

[arkieb1]

I think going and trying lots of things on is an excellent idea, I know things I like in pictures sometimes look better in pictures than on me and other times I surprise myself liking things that I would not have first expected. You have a great budget, so definitely shop around, and look and try on lots of rings.

 

[heididdl]

I would select a viivid yellow stone with 3 stone and hallo http://www.leibish.com/design-your-own-jewelry/confirm/style/24722

or kelly clarkson's ring which was app $100,000 https://www.google.com/search?q=kelly+clarkson+engagement+ring+cost&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari#hl=en&q=kelly+clarkson+engagement+ring+&facrc=_&imgrc=GaX8OzK2N2jhQM%253A%3Bundefined%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.pricescope.com%252Ffiles%252Fblog%252Fkelly-clarkson-yellow-diamond-engagement-ring-celebrity-2012.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.pricescope.com%252Fblog%252Fkelly-clarkson-blake-lively-jennifer-aniston-and-more-12-celebrity-engagement-rings-2012%3B422%3B396

 

[Gypsy]

Other picks:

https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/tiffany-co-309-carat-oval-cut-diamond-engagement-ring/id-j_199280/
https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/three-stone-engagement-ring-559-carats/id-j_136346/
https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/rings/three-stone-rings/1004-carat-oval-cut-sapphire-diamond-ring/id-j_108123/
https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/486-carat-european-cut-diamond-platinum-engagement-ring-gia-i-si2/id-j_187778/ IF eyeclean.

Gypsy! Thank you for chiming in....I was hoping you'd join the fun!

All four of these rings are gorgeous!! For me personally, I am very intrigued by the 3-stone emerald (its actually one I bookmarked recently on 1stdibs...and I emailed them on Friday asking to see the GIA certs). I think the ring looks AMAZING, but how would you recommend going about buying from a site/vendor like this?? This ring cannot be returned (returning is not something I'd hope to do but it makes me very nervous that I couldn't if I absolutely needed to) and therefore I'm super hesitant to even inquire about it

I know you all recommend seeing a stone in person (especially for fancy cuts) so if that's not an option and it can't be returned, would you still proceed?? Would you feel comfortable pulling the trigger based on what you are seeing online....just a few photos (no ASETS, idealscope images, etc)???

Any guidance you could give me would be great...as I can definitely see myself going with a "pre-loved" stone (in hopes of saving some $$$). I'm just not very familiar about how to go about it!!

Depending on where you are, if there is a good appraiser by you, I'd have it sent to an appraiser (we can help you find one, where are you located)

Alternately, if there is appraiser near you that will work, I would call Neil Beaty and then I'd have the jeweler send the ring to him. But... honestly, the first thing I'd do is negotiate a 3-7 day return policy.

I wouldn't spend 100K without one.

Where is the ring in relation to you, geographically.

 

[packrat]

I would...shoot, probably I would just get my ring redone w/bigger AVC's. I'm boring, but I love my ring.

Or..I would do an AVC JM solitaire.

Or AVR three stone a la Coati's.

Or...this EC w/whatever kind of baguette sides those are, for whatever reason, it speaks to me. So, I'd maybe recreate that. But I don't know that I could get any of those three options to cost 100k.

 

[packrat]

And mine.

 

[Circe]

Packrat, I LOVE the baguettes on that EC! Not sure if I've ever seen a cut quite like that before ....

 

[Circe]

100k right on the nose, for a Fred Leighton ring of almost 5 carats (well, 4.61, but who's counting), J VS1 with a GIA cert ... though I wouldn't be able to resist luxuriating in the hunt & checking out the big auctions, frankly.

https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/rin...diamond-filigree-engagement-ring/id-j_221190/

 

[Sunstorm]

Yumm, that Fred Leighton is just delish. I also love this one though very different and not for everyone for sure:

https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/art-deco-yellow-diamond-ring/id-j_236348/

Ah and of course it is quite under budget.) but how often do you see a round yellow of this color and plus it is an OEC? Making it even rarer is that it is Art Deco, I almost never see yellow diamonds like this in jewelry from the era. Ok, I gotta admit I am a big fan of Art Deco and Art Noveau, me, I think I would pick this one but then I am known for sporting unusual things when it comes to wardrobe and jewelry.

 

[Niel]

I'd offer 100k
http://www.beladora.com/store/505362_harry_winston_3_57_carat_e_vs1_diamond_ring_in_platinum