Londoner seeking advice on a Split Shank Halo Setting

[momonga]

Dear all,

I've recently decided the time is right to propose to my dear girlfriend. I've spent the last few weeks digging through the internet and doing some research on diamond engagement rings. Being relatively young my budget is around £3500-£4000, maybe £4500 at a push if it's an astonishing ring. This is about $5500-$6250, maybe $7000 USD. I was expecting to obtain a round brilliant centre diamond of between 0.8 and 0.95ct H+ SI1+ GIA, I would have hoped this wouldn't cost me more than £2800 (4400USD). This leaves me between £700 and £1200 for the ring setting.

The type of setting I'm particularly interested in is a split-shank halo with diamond shoulders.

I'd appreciate any advice you may have to offer with regards to purchasing such a diamond ring from the US, or from anywhere else. I'm pretty confused as to what I should be doing at this moment and I don't want to make the wrong decision. Basically, how and where can I buy a beautiful split-shank halo with a round brilliant diamond centre that isn't coloured or have visible marks with the naked eye?

Here are some examples and why I haven't been able to go with them:

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7260W44JJ

This is my number one pick so far. Practically every single halo ring at Gabriel & Co looks astonishing in my opinion. This particular one is $2,100, with taxes (20%) that would work out about $2500. The problem is, living in London I don't think I can purchase any of their rings here as they don't have dealers. I would be more than happy with this ring or a similar ring from Gabriel & Co. I've written them an email asking how I might be able to purchase one but still waiting a response.

http://www.since1910.com/engagement/verragio/verragio-split-shank-halo-diamond-engagement-ring-d117cu-ps3947.aspx

This one is beautiful too, but the price (~3300USD after taxes) is a little prohibitive.

http://www.since1910.com/engagement/split-shank-pave-diamond-halo-setting-ad4800-ps2653.aspx?cm_sp=ODB-_-rings-_-viewwebsite&utm_source=The%2BKnot&utm_medium=Rings%2BGallery&utm_campaign=View%2BWebsite

Same as above.

http://www.bluenile.com/monique-lhuillier-split-shank-halo-engagement-ring-platinum_35406

The price, and have read reviews that Blue Nile isn't great with diamonds as they just act as a middleman.

http://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/french-set-halo-diamond--v--band-engagement-ring-in-14kt-white-gold/10613

It's lovely, but I feel as though the price is a little high (2700 USD after taxes) for what you get.

Any suggestions on how I should go about purchasing a ring as described above would be MUCH appreciated.

Kind regards

M

 

[momonga]

One more question: If I actually found a ring and diamond I was interested in on the same website, would it be wise of me to call them up and haggle? What should I expect in this regard?

Thank you again.

 

[marymm]

Both ID Jewelry and Good Old Gold offer Gabriel & Co. settings - and I believe ID Jewelry is able to provide Gabriel & Co. settings at a price decidedly less than that shown on the Gabriel & Co. website. ID Jewelry may also be your best bet for a diamond - if you contact Yuketiel at ID Jewelry and let him know your budget, your preferred Gabriel & Co. setting, and your diamond color/clarity preferences, and let him know you are a PS member, he should be able to find you a beautiful diamond with excellent performance that will come within budget.

Several of the online diamond vendors recommended by PSers offer slightly discounted diamond prices to PS members - Whiteflash and James Allen come to mind, but I think Brian Gavin Diamond and Engagement Rings Direct may also offer discounts - and you do have to let the vendor know you are a PS member prior to purchase - other than that, I do not think you will be successful in haggling for a reduced price.

ID Jewelry is already very, very well-priced for what they offer, and I do not think they offer a PS discount, per se. It is my understanding that Good Old Gold does not offer PS discounts and comparatively is priced above ID Jewelry, but offers expertise, diamond reports and evaluations, and upgrade/buy-back policies beyond that of ID Jewelry.

 

[Maisie]

If you do decide to purchase from the US I think duties etc is 22%. I still think you will get something far better than buying from the UK. I couldn't find anything as nice here as I did buying from the vendors I chose in the US.

 

[momonga]

If you do decide to purchase from the US I think duties etc is 22%. I still think you will get something far better than buying from the UK. I couldn't find anything as nice here as I did buying from the vendors I chose in the US.

Which vendors have you dealt with from abroad and how would you rate the experience?

 

[Enerchi]

I agree w Marymm's advice to contact IDJ. They have been known to work wonders on strict budgets- ive ordered from them and been very pleased that Luann and Yekutiel were able to find what I wanted at what I wanted to spend!

I also just learned they will only upgrade round diamonds not fancy cuts, so maybe you can upgrade later if you purchase now within this budget.

 

[Maisie]

I have purchased from Whiteflash, Wink Jones and Brian Gavin Diamonds. I was happy with all of them. I really like Wink Jones as he is such a lovely person. I now buy all my jewellery from Brian Gavin though. I work very well with Lesley there. I was her customer at Whiteflash and moved with her and Brian when they started their own company a few years ago