Hi All,
So have finally decided it's time to start looking for an appropriate ER for the long-time girlfriend. Jewelry shopping has always intimidated me as I felt there was a real imbalance of information (i.e. the jewelers knew everything and I knew nothing!). So I started doing my "homework." Read a few books on selecting engagement rings, diamonds, etc. Perused the message boards here and all of the resources. Have visited some jewelers in person - from the "big box" national chains to a few local establishments and got my hands on some diamonds to compare. Most of the local jewlers I have been to don't stock a whole lot of what I was looking for, so I decided to look more online. Whiteflash and James Allen have been great, but there's just SO much to choose from .... wanted to get some input from the collective PS mind!
I have a few things in mind, am open to suggestions on the rest!
-Looking for a princess cut, would consider cushion cut as well.
-Something in the 1.7+ ct range, maybe up to 2 ct. I"d like it to look nice, but not overwhelming. She's a very down-to-earth and not particularly flashy girl, but I'd like her to have something very nice.
-From my research, seems like Cut is most important. Would emphasize this and compromise a bit on color/inclusions as long as it remains "eye clean" (and yes I realize this is subjective).
-Would obviously like something with a nice amount of brilliance/radiance (should be helped by a good cut, yes?)
-Girlfriend is a veterinarian and works with horses. You can imagine where the hands are many times. She has brought up before that she wants a "low profile" ring that does not sit up too high on her finger - obviously I worry about the risk of the stone becoming loose or damaged, etc. I have seen a few settings that I do like (pictures attached). I guess the other option would be a channel set, but I am a bit worried that this will decrease the light getting into the ring and perhaps make it less brilliant? Open to ideas here ....
-Not a huge fan of the halo, but willing to consider it in a situation where it doesn't detract too much from the main stone.
-I'd like to be in the 15k range max. Coming in slightly lower is OK as well.
-GF is not aware of the impending purchase, have gathered some intel via friends and my sister who did some recon, but I want to do this as a surprise and not have her involved in the decision at this point.
So with that in mind, I'm an open canvas here! My plan was to select the diamond first, then select the setting.
I've found a few diamonds on WF that I liked. Two examples:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3397081.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3435434.htm
Open to any thoughts, ideas, suggestions.
Appreciate any help!
-Ryan
So have finally decided it's time to start looking for an appropriate ER for the long-time girlfriend. Jewelry shopping has always intimidated me as I felt there was a real imbalance of information (i.e. the jewelers knew everything and I knew nothing!). So I started doing my "homework." Read a few books on selecting engagement rings, diamonds, etc. Perused the message boards here and all of the resources. Have visited some jewelers in person - from the "big box" national chains to a few local establishments and got my hands on some diamonds to compare. Most of the local jewlers I have been to don't stock a whole lot of what I was looking for, so I decided to look more online. Whiteflash and James Allen have been great, but there's just SO much to choose from .... wanted to get some input from the collective PS mind!
I have a few things in mind, am open to suggestions on the rest!
-Looking for a princess cut, would consider cushion cut as well.
-Something in the 1.7+ ct range, maybe up to 2 ct. I"d like it to look nice, but not overwhelming. She's a very down-to-earth and not particularly flashy girl, but I'd like her to have something very nice.
-From my research, seems like Cut is most important. Would emphasize this and compromise a bit on color/inclusions as long as it remains "eye clean" (and yes I realize this is subjective).
-Would obviously like something with a nice amount of brilliance/radiance (should be helped by a good cut, yes?)
-Girlfriend is a veterinarian and works with horses. You can imagine where the hands are many times. She has brought up before that she wants a "low profile" ring that does not sit up too high on her finger - obviously I worry about the risk of the stone becoming loose or damaged, etc. I have seen a few settings that I do like (pictures attached). I guess the other option would be a channel set, but I am a bit worried that this will decrease the light getting into the ring and perhaps make it less brilliant? Open to ideas here ....
-Not a huge fan of the halo, but willing to consider it in a situation where it doesn't detract too much from the main stone.
-I'd like to be in the 15k range max. Coming in slightly lower is OK as well.
-GF is not aware of the impending purchase, have gathered some intel via friends and my sister who did some recon, but I want to do this as a surprise and not have her involved in the decision at this point.
So with that in mind, I'm an open canvas here! My plan was to select the diamond first, then select the setting.
I've found a few diamonds on WF that I liked. Two examples:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3397081.htm
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-3435434.htm
Open to any thoughts, ideas, suggestions.
Appreciate any help!
-Ryan