Lets help my friend's son find an engagement ring! 4K all in... c'mon bang for buck prosumers

[apacherose]

Hello my pricescope friends!

My workfriends' son is looking for a ring to propose with and he asked for her input! EEeee- exciting!

Her dream ring:

 

[diamondsR4eVR]

This is so exciting! I’m sure there are a lot of folks here that can help assist. I’m no expert so I’m just here to look at the beauties posted. Is the inspiration ring you posted- asscher or cushion cut? I can’t tell on my phone.

 

[apacherose]

He is open to second hand, he sent him Mom this as an idea... I think we can do better with all the deal hunters here.

https://www.idonowidont.com/diamond...ng-custom-made-18kt-white-gold-deal-wont-last

 

[apacherose]

This is so exciting! I’m sure there are a lot of folks here that can help assist. I’m no expert so I’m just here to look at the beauties posted. Is the inspiration ring you posted- asscher or cushion cut? I can’t tell on my phone.

Hi- it is a "Tiffany True" diamond-

https://www.tiffany.com/engagement/...-a-tiffany-true-diamond-in-platinum-GRP10878/

It looks like a square cushion brillant to me?

 

[apacherose]

hello @Niel , @diamondseeker2006 , @mrs-b @whitewave and all the friends

 

[diamondsR4eVR]

Hi- it is a "Tiffany True" diamond-

https://www.tiffany.com/engagement/...-a-tiffany-true-diamond-in-platinum-GRP10878/

It looks like a square cushion brillant to me?

That’s beautiful as expected from Tiffany’s. It also looks like he sent his mom a radiant cut diamond. So between the inspiration ring and the secondhand website his gf likes square shaped diamonds I’m assuming.

 

[OoohShiny]

The Tiffany cuts are protected by Trademark or Patent or something like that IIRC, so it may be hard to find, but I am sure this cut has been posted recently...

I think the 'True' might be very similar to a Lucida cut??

https://jewelsbygrace.smugmug.com/S...eces-Rings-and-Bands/101ct-Tiffany-Co-Lucida/
(Not sure if this is sold)

Tiffany and Co patented cuts ?

Hi, I thought it was just the Lucida ?

www.pricescope.com

Tiffany Lucida Questions

So I'm on the market for a (pre-owned) Tiffany Lucida solitaire. I'm a total newbie but learning fast about diamonds and rings. The reason I'm looking at pre-owned is because from what I can tell these rings depreciate faster and much worse than the purchase of a new car. The questions I have...

www.pricescope.com

Lucida patent expired?

The patent on the tiffany lucida possibly being expired was mentioned in a post recently and I decided to do a little digging. Here is the information I collected, am I wrong in concluding that it is? Here is an article from the gia that describes the length of these patents...

www.pricescope.com

 

[sonnyjane]

I'll leave the stone to everyone else, but I'll just say that if her "dream" is a plain band, he can probably save some $ and apply that to the center stone by avoiding the diamonds on the band like the one he suggested to his mom.

 

[apacherose]

Carlee's son ring ideas!

Feb 12, 2020 - Explore laura mcgara's board "Carlee's son ring ideas!" on Pinterest. See more ideas about sons rings, diamond cuts, fancy shape diamond.

www.pinterest.com

So I think it looks like a cushion brilliant.

I made a pintrest board with some ideas from James Allen.

I also suggested Rhino's concierge service. I tried finding something on whiteflash and brian gavin but my search did not yield any options? Hmmm.

Next I was going to look at blue nile. I was hoping Mrs B would help me there she is a really good blue nile shopper.

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

The Tiffany True is a hybrid step-cut and brilliant cut. Does she have any preferences on size, color, clarity, etc? For cut would she prefer asscher or princess? I would look at James Allen and Blue Nile to start!

 

[stonewell]

Oooh, can I play?

I’m not a fan of the pre-loved he is considering, primarily because it’s an I1 and there’s some notation of a drilled imperfection?

Haven’t searched for other pre-loved options yet, but since the center stone on his is essentially 1ct, I went that route and found the below to start. Any of them should allow for a plain solitaire setting.

Radiants

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.96-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-7750886

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.00-carat-d-color-si1-clarity-sku-8526849 - this radiant is

https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/17764452/1-01-carat-radiant-diamond-h-color-vs2-clarity - nicely sized face-up

Cushions

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-f-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-8552702 - appears to be a H&A cushion on a tilt

https://www.b2cjewels.com/dd/12505677/1-03-carat-cushion-diamond-h-color-si1-clarity - possible criss cut cushion?

It would be helpful to understand her color, size, etc. preferences to better hone in on the right searches, especially on pre-loved opportunities.

 

[distracts]

Do you know how important it is that it is a Tiffany? Looking for a secondhand True or Lucida (probably easier to find) ring would be the way to go in that case. $4k might get around .9ct for the center diamond that way.

If it's just the style, of course that is easier.

 

[whitewave]

$500 over

Fancy Colored Diamond Jewelry

Featuring Yellow, Pink, Colorless, Champagne, Blue, Green Diamonds. Custom made rings, stud earrings, Canary Necklaces, from New York City

www.diamondsbylauren.com

 

[distracts]

I suspect the draw is that it is a square, so a cushion wouldn't fit the bill. I've seen a lot of people in my peer group getting engaged with radiants lately. I also sincerely doubt she's aware of the faceting pattern so I don't know that we really have to worry about that.

 

[whitewave]

I get why people love square shapes. I LOVE square shapes. I wonder if she understands how small they face up and for 4K, she’s going to get a small face up ring.

My 1.52c asscher faces up like a .85c round. It’s depressing and I’m not sure one can appreciate it until you see it.

What Carat size is her dream ring?

 

[SimoneDi]

Is she open to secondhand? While the style can be replicated, he need to have a conversation with her about what is important to her - the style, the shape, the brand, the entire true ring? If she just cares about the True design and the T&Co brand, then he will be better off getting her the real thing.

 

[distracts]

Here are a few radiants:

1.20-Carat Radiant Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

(my fave - looks to sparkle well, high crown, 5.7x5.7 so largish for the budget - tradeoff is an inclusion in the table but I really doubt it can be noticed)

1.01-Carat Radiant Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

1.01-Carat Radiant Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

0.83-Carat Radiant Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

(stunner in terms of facet pattern but tiiiiny)

With one of these settings:

Petite Solitaire Engagement Ring in 14k White Gold | Blue Nile

Elegant in simplicity, this petite solitaire engagement ring is crafted in polished 14k white gold to create a classic frame for your center diamond.

www.bluenile.com

Petite Nouveau Four Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring in 14k White Gold | Blue Nile

Elegant in simplicity, this petite nouveau solitaire engagement ring is crafted in polished 14k white gold to create a classic frame for your center diamond.

www.bluenile.com

Some Tiffany Lucida options - unfortunately both bulkier settings:

Platinum Diamond Lucida Engagement Ring

950 platinum Tiffany & Co. engagement ring with a 0.82 carat lucida diamond. Includes designer pouch, laboratory report, valuation report and copy of receipt.

www.therealreal.com

Platinum Lucida Diamond Engagement Ring

950 platinum Tiffany & Co. Lucida engagement ring featuring a 0.65 carat Lucida diamond. Includes designer box, laboratory report and copy of valuation report.

www.therealreal.com

 

[Niel]

I mean I hate to say it but I’d probably lay get her a princess cut!
That looks the same to me ‍
does he think used is acceptable?

 

[Niel]

Lol that was supposed to be a shrug emoji!

 

[ccuheartnurse]

How exciting but a lot of pressure. LOL I've looked at the True & I to me, it has an identity crisis. LOL Find out from him if a round in a square setting would be an option? DK is relatively cheap for simple settings & he can get one custom made. I realize her dream ring has 4 prongs but a faux bezel of a round in a square/cushion shape might be an option. There doesn't seem to be many good radiants for him to pick from. Maybe a princess cut like Niel suggested would be good.
Here is a thread discussing faux bezels...

Looking for Examples of MRB in Cushion Bezel (true or faux)

If you happen to currently have or previously owned, or have perhaps saved examples of MRBs set in a cushion-shaped head, can you please post pictures or a link to your thread with pictures if you have/had one? I’m looking for visual examples and potential inspiration ideas in my quest to decide...

www.pricescope.com

 

[bludiva]

1.20-Carat Radiant Cut Diamond | Blue Nile

www.bluenile.com

(my fave - looks to sparkle well, high crown, 5.7x5.7 so largish for the budget - tradeoff is an inclusion in the table but I really doubt it can be noticed)

That is a great find if she's happy with a similar looking ring that is not from Tiffany. I hope the OP puts that on hold.

 

[AV_]

There must be more like this around - www

 

[whitewave]

That is a great find if she's happy with a similar looking ring that is not from Tiffany. I hope the OP puts that on hold.

It’s gorgeous but it’s only 5.71x 5.70!

That is face up size like a .75 round

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

Looks like the radiant cut is the most similar. Another option if your friend's son and his girlfriend are open to lab diamonds is Lightbox. I'm still not sure how I feel about their diamonds after browsing their smaller ones, but some PSers have the larger ones and they look amazing! You can get a 1.125ct princess cut for $1000 and have it reset into a simple setting. if she is open to a princess cut, would just need to find the right setting with prongs to cover the corners to get more of the Tiffany True shape. That would leave $3500 for wedding or savings!

Lab-Grown Diamond 1-1/8ct. Princess Cut Pendant | White

Gift yourself this beautiful white princess cut laboratory-grown diamond pendant for sparkling, just-because moments.

lightboxjewelry.com

 

[partgypsy]

Has he looked at what is at Good Old Gold? I thought he was the standard for non-round cuts. eta here is a1.6 carat assher cut for 4K https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamonds/id/3771451 https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamonds/id/3632430 I don't know the cut quality of these but this would be something to ask the GOG folks about.

 

[partgypsy]

I also think the 1.20 radiant cut looks nice, pretty faceting.

 

[bludiva]

It’s gorgeous but it’s only 5.71x 5.70!

That is face up size like a .75 round

i love the look of emerald and mixed square cuts but this is the #1 downside

 

[whitewave]

i love the look of emerald and mixed square cuts but this is the #1 downside

I know. It’s the reason why I’m building up a CBI alternate engagement ring. My asscher is wonderful and I love it, but sometimes a gal just needs size large lol

 

[diamondsR4eVR]

I love square shapes and I’m a sucker for a gorgeous emerald but they need to be substantial in carat size imo to not get lost on the finger. I like finger real estate! Lol

 

[AV_]

I was looking for anything up to 3K with a clear pattern of brilliance / reflections, if not necessarily a step/brilliant cut, a couple of smaller 'cushions with arrows' came up first [above]. I would rather have any of these in the lightest, simplest solitaire setting, in this order:

1 ct G/VS1 - a brilliant cushion WWW I assume this was a very good new cut lost on the lists, it seems to have an extra tier of pavilion facets, and a small open culet - 6 X 5.7 mm

.8 cts G/VS - an old style brilliant with a prominent open culet, and the same size as the above, despite the smaller weight & price WWW

There are interesting things at the blue nile, but smaller - www etc.

2c