Looking for non-traditional ideas/advice

[Fluffhead10]

I'm a grad student with limited budget looking for potential engagement ring ideas for my girlfriend. We have discussed options and agreed that a non-traditional option may be best for us at this time, with the understanding that we will likely upgrade sometime down the line when our financial situation is improved She has expressed interest in everything from "salt & pepper" stones to moissanite, and in all likelihood will love whatever I end up choosing. She likes the idea of having something different, but I also don't want to stray too far.

I'm looking for any input on non-traditional stone ideas and hoping to educate myself so that I can make the right choice. My girlfriend is drawn to size and finger coverage (including band) than anything. I'm open to spending a significant portion of the budget on a band if it is something that will work down the line with an upgraded stone, but, again, this is not a necessity. I have a maximum budget of $6k.

Thanks in advance!

 

[BlingDreams]

Welcome!

You might want to check out/repost on the "Lab Grown Diamonds" and "Fabulous Fashion Jewelry" sub-forums for more input on this question, as we're supposed to keep Rocky Talk to just diamonds.

That being said, take a look at this link - https://august-vintage-inc.myshopify.com/collections/august-vintage-moissanite. The August Vintage line is very beautiful and executed well and could definitely fit your budget!

You might want to also contact Wink or Melissa @ HPDiamonds to see what might be left of their CZ inventory (http://winkcz.com/)

 

[princessandthepear]

Non traditional can run the gamut from colored stones to antler/metiorite/bone to moi et toi rings to cluster rings. Does she have a pinterest board that she would let you look at to narrow down what she likes? A great place to look at unique engagement rings is Green Lake Jewelry. Check out their website.

 

[bludiva]

just want to say 6k is a very healthy budget. depending on your GF's taste, you could get a lot of finger coverage in natural stones (there's a thread on e-rings under 5k), moissanite (look at the fashion jewelry forum - the avc moissys seem to be a favorite around here), non-traditional options like the salt/pepper stones (there was a thread on these recently), preloved ...you really have a lot of options

 

[Gussie]

A large 5 stone would be an awesome alternative!

 

[Lookinagain]

I think even a very warm colored diamond would be unconventional for most.
https://www.augustvintageinc.net/co...i1-august-vintage-cushion-brilliant-74182688#

https://www.augustvintageinc.net/co...vs2-august-vintage-cushion-brilliant-74180407

I know you say size is important but you don’t mention her finger size.

 

[bmfang]

I would also suggest August Vintage as their non-natural stones are cut to the same level of “perfection” as their natural stones. Plus they offer a different look to the plethora of standard round brilliant shape stones on the market today.

 

[the_mother_thing]

@Fluffhead10 The challenge with ‘repurposing’ a band/ring setting down the road is that in many cases, the ‘replacement/upgrade’ stone will need to be almost the exact same size & shape, unless you go with a setting that has a peg head. That sounds easier than it is, but depending on the ring setting, even a .15mm difference can be too big/small, and may require skilled modification/customization to make it fit (translation: more money). This may mean your ‘upgrade budget’ down the road will need to allow for maximum flexibility.

Your current budget isn’t anything to sneeze at, and it is quite doable to get her a very nice diamond (unless she is adamantly opposed to them for some reason, of course), with a great upgrade policy (since you mentioned it). The nice thing for you is, it sounds like she isn’t overly particular if her preferences are as wide-reaching as you noted above.

For instance, this diamond: https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3955180.htm
In this setting: https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...half-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-1105.htm

Gets you a great performing, ideal cut diamond over the 1 carat mark in a slightly wider ring (you mentioned above she likes band-finger coverage as well) just under your max budget if paid via wire. It has strong blue fluorescence which some (myself included) view as a pretty cool attribute, and it has the benefit of being more budget friendly. And since you mentioned upgrading down the road, WF has a terrific upgrade policy should you decide to do so, whereby they will buy their stone (if ACA, ES or PS) back for what you paid, and apply it to a new diamond. Just be sure to review the upgrade policy at the time of purchase, as these can change. If it were me/my money, and a diamond is ‘the end goal’, I would rather ‘invest’ my money now on something that can for sure be applied to an upgrade diamond down the road vs potentially losing money on a stone that does not (unless you go with a higher-end colored stone of value - e.g. a quality sapphire, ruby, etc.).

If you do decide to go with an alternative stone (colored stone, sim, etc.), and the goal is to repurpose the same ring setting, just be sure that - if a diamond IS the plan for future upgrade - that you get a ring & stone size now that would likely fit whatever your future stone budget may be. In other words, don’t get a ring setting now that holds (for example) a 3ct equivalent/9mm round stone, but your future budget may only allow for a diamond purchase that is in the 1.5 ct/7mm range. I’d just hate to see you/her have your heart set on repurposing the setting, only to find out in a couple years it isn’t feasible because the size diamond to fit it is not in your budget. I hope that makes sense!

 

[rockysalamander]

There are loads of non-traditional options that are still natural stones. It's helpful to know her favorite color and what color metal she wears on a daily basis. Have a look and see what appeals. One note that while I adore color, I tend to something I'd wear daily to be more neutrals like white, cream, champagne, tan, grey, etc. I don't love pure black gemstones, but I like deep grey. You just have to focus down on what about the ring makes it her kind of unique.

Digby & Iona - Nico Ring
https://www.instagram.com/digbyandiona/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhKlQ5Pj1pY/?hl=en&taken-by=digbyandiona {sapphire)
https://digbyandiona.com/mine-cut-nico
https://digbyandiona.com/oval-nico
https://digbyandiona.com/marquis-nico

Precision Gem - Precision cut gems. Stick with sapphire for durability.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/PristineGemstones
https://www.etsy.com/shop/PristineJewelry?section_id=11340170

Yvonne Raley - Unique gemstone ring.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/yvonneraley?ref=l2-shopheader-name
https://www.etsy.com/listing/506702...ne-ring-blue-gem-ring?ref=shop_home_active_13
https://www.etsy.com/listing/499860...ne-ring-sapphire-ring?ref=shop_home_active_60

Minereralogy
https://www.mineralogydesign.com/ri...gagement-ring-14k-recycled-gold-one-of-a-kind
https://www.mineralogydesign.com/ri...gagement-ring-14k-recycled-gold-one-of-a-kind

Anna Sheffield
https://www.annasheffield.com/products/hazeline-three-stone-ring-champagne-diamond
https://www.annasheffield.com/colle...ise-bea-ring-rose-gold-champagne-diamond-76ct
https://www.annasheffield.com/colle...eline-three-stone-ring-rose-gold-grey-diamond

Antique/Vintage Rings
https://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-18ctw-art-deco-princess-halo-ring
https://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-35ctw-vintage-antique-cushion-filigree-engagement-ring
https://www.jewelsbygrace.com/1-32ctw-old-european-cut-diamond-floral-halo-ring

Colored Diamond
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/113ct-y-z-cushion-diamond-ring-gia-r6505
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/ind...light-yellow-si1-gia-sparkling-lemonade-r3970
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/113ct-y-z-cushion-diamond-ring-gia-r6505

 

[rockysalamander]

Sorry for typos. Typing on my phone.

 

[ChristineRose]

Well, Moissanite, salt & pepper, colored stones, an August Vintage cushion, or a small ideal cut diamond, will all have very different optical properties. It sounds like she is more into over artistic presentation than sparkle. You can look at everything from Victorian half-hoop to treated dinosaur bones.

You will certainly get more bang for your buck with simulants, synthetics, colored stones, antiques, and art jewelry than you will with a well-cut diamond. @the_mother_thing is right about upgrading, but a lot of settings are put together from a head with a post and a band with a little hole. But these tend to be the most generic rings, and it won't really look all that similar after anyhow.

 

[farrahlyn]

Couple ideas. You could do a more tinted diamond(James Allen has up to M color) in yellow or rose gold which will really get you more size. like this: https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...m-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-3524547 in a halo for finger coverage

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...spired-floral-halo-engagement-ring-item-61848

https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...tline-falling-edge-engagement-ring-item-53107

or a maevona setting, they have very unique settings and their pairings with wedding bands are really inventive, offering plenty of finger coverage. I would suggest taking a look at their instagram page for real life pictures of their settings and bands paired with them.

http://www.maevona.com/shop-by-style/halo
https://www.instagram.com/maevona/?hl=en

you might also want to take a look at these settings, they are very organic in appeal and i kinda get the feeling she would appreciate these. Paired with a gemstone, i think they are gorgeous! (my favorite personally are sapphires, particulary Padparadscha [peachy pink] or blue. but see the colored stone forum for help if you go that route)
https://shop.kenanddanadesign.com/collections/engagement-rings

 

[Fluffhead10]

Wow, thank you all so much for all of the wonderful and informative advice. I will do some research on these options over the next day or two and try to narrow down my criteria. So many great options here!

@the_mother_thing this is great to know, I’ll reconsider my plan about repurposing.

@rockysalamander I know my girlfriend would definitely agree and lean more towards the colorless end of the spectrum. She wears predominately black and grey.

 

[Luminous1]

A 6K budget is a decent budget and I think you can get a nice one carat diamond. (I'm in the south and most engagement rings I see cost well under that.) If I were her and you said limited budget, I'm thinking under 2K, possibly under 1K. She may not want you to spend 6K on one of the non-traditional options. I would make sure you both are on the same page about whether or not your budget is limited.

Let's just say that there was some budget confusion when I got engaged. We're redoing it now and it is costing way more than if I would have just gotten my first choice up front. It was an expensive lesson in communication.

 

[marymm]

OP, if you/GF are open to colored gemstones, what about something like this Edwardian-style Aqua & Diamond ring? It has a great face-up size, would accommodate a wedding band in the future (though you may have to select carefully to be sure it sits well with this ring). And, it is well within budget, from Lang Antiques https://www.langantiques.com/what-s-new/edwardian-style-aquamarine-and-diamond-ring.html

 

[Acinom]

If your gf loves colored stones, look into this thread for inspiration: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/fabulous-cs-rings-under-1250-dollar.211930/
These are all rings with coloured stones for less than 1250$
Please note that some stones are not suitable for everyday wear.

You have a healthy budget and a preloved diamond ring could work great for you.

 

[motownmama]

someone on here got a really large yellow sapphire for an engagement ring. People were raving about it.

 

[motownmama]

Also - what about Brian Gavin Cape series (lower colors) - they look yummy and you could get a LOT for your budget.

 

[SimoneDi]

6k is an awesome budget! OP would you and your GF consider a real diamond/colored stone? They just retain their value best over time. When you said limited budget, I was thinking $100, you have a great budget, please don’t settle for a temporary solution that might cost you more over time. Generally, when people know that over time they might want to upgrade, we recommend purchasing from a vendor with a generous upgrade policy, like WF. I would get something like this - https://www.white flash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3932396.htm and place is in the most affordable solitaire which you can then change in the future.

 

[Acinom]

You could check Jewels by Grace for preloved rings:

1ct Emerald cut diamond 4300$

Jadeite ring 3590$


Diamond ring 3600$

Fancy dark brown diamond ring 2820$
Wedding set, 2650$

 

[Acinom]

You can even opt for a Cartier set via Jewels by Grace: 4450$

 

[rockysalamander]

For grey, grey/silver spinel are lovely.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/244995..._search_query=spinel&ref=shop_items_search_14
https://www.etsy.com/listing/599039...a_search_query=spinel&ref=shop_items_search_8

The may look purple or blue in photos, but they are just hard to photograph. TGP is a reliable seller of these and can properly describe the colors.

 

[HappyNewLife]

A friend of mine purchased a 2 carat oval moissanite in a halo for $3500 from Brilliant Earth. It looks amazing, and I doubt anyone will ever think it isn't real. Just an idea (I'm not affiliated with BE).

If it were ME though, I'd go for the biggest WF ACA (or other superideal cut diamond) in my budget and upgrade it over time.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I haven't read through all the replies, but a couple of great suggestions come to mind. First would be to have Caysie van Bebber of CVB Inspired Design to source you a rose cut diamond and custom make a ring. She'll likely never in her life run across one. They are gorgeous and should be able to be done within your budget. Here are some of her rings. These are just examples. They can be done in platinum or gold.

She makes beautiful carved wedding bands to match these, as well.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CVBinspiredDesign?ref=listing-shop2-all-items-count#items

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The other idea is a beautiful 5 stone band, also by CVB, with custom cut Old European cut diamonds. She can wear this with a plain or engraved wedding band. These are both 7 stones, but it can also be done with 5 larger stones.

Just look at her IG. Some of the most unique and gorgeous rings, and you can do one with your budget.

https://www.instagram.com/cvb.inspired.design/?hl=en

And I left out one of my favorite rose cut rings off the other post.

 

[daneshpastry]

A $6000 budget for a temporary setting?

 

[AprilBaby]

For that money I would get a big carat eternity band.

 

[leukolenos]

I agree with @diamondseeker2006, you don’t really have to go too far “out there” to get something different and beautiful. I think an antique or a rose cut could be great options that will stand the test of time. As DS said, in the “real world” she’s not likely to see anything like that ever.
Congrats on your upcoming engagement!