Lots and lots of questions.. need advice!

[stacyreeves]

First of all, I want to say that I have been reading this forum for years and absorbing all sorts of interesting information (but mostly looking at pretty photos!). This is my first time to post but I already feel like I know so many of you from your posts

So, a little background info.. I am a full-time wedding photographer here in Dallas, TX. I shoot around 30 weddings a year. Most of my brides are well off but not insanely rich, so most of my clients'' rings are around 1.5-3 carats. In the wedding industry, we are constantly looking at rings, talking about rings, photographing rings, comparing rings, etc., so when it comes to my ring, there''s a lot of pressure, and it''s starting to stress me out. I see the same rings over and over, and I really want mine to be unique and to stand out and not end up boring me over time. I have lots of questions and I''m hoping that some of you wise sages maybe able to offer me some advice.

The future-FI and I have not discussed budget (he prefers to keep this whole thing as much of a surprise as possible), but I am guessing in the 8-10k range, or perhaps slightly higher. I would really like an approximately 1.7-2 carat stone, either colorless (G/H) or fancy yellow. Do you ladies think those are realistic expectations for that budget?

I looooove asscher, but the boyfriend is obsessed with radiant, and we both like-but-not-love cushion. I''m most interested in what will make the diamond sparkle most, and what will look the largest. Of those three cuts, is there one in particular that will give me more bang for my buck?

As for settings, I am very torn. As I mentioned, I want something unique, and I want to incorporate color into the ring in some way. So far I''m in love with these: here, here, and here. I have very long, thin fingers and I want something dainty, delicate, and feminine with a bit of a vintage flair (as opposed to something chunky or metal-heavy). Any recommendations/thoughts?

I''m also somewhat considering a pink sapphire because I adore pink center, but as there is so much judging in my industry, I''m worried about 1) what people will say, and 2) becoming ashamed of my ring. I love the thought of having a pink center stone ring, but I''m afraid that I would eventually be embarrassed by it because it wasn''t a diamond.

Okay, I will save the rest of my questions for later.. So nice to finally speak up after watching the forum for so long! Look forward to showing off a sparkly of my own soon

 

[Phoenix]

I LOVE all the rings you posted but the first one is my fave.

Personally, I'd choose an asscher over radiant in a heartbeat and put a pave halo around it like the one you've posted.

I gather RB is not to your liking then, or a pear or oval? Those, esp. a pear or oval would face up the largest. But RB is the most sparkly/ firey.

I'd do a surprise pink sapphire perhaps on the side of the ring or on the inside of the band. And/ or you could do an eternity band later on as yr wedding ring, alternating diamonds and pink sapphires. That'd be fabulous IMO and would allow you to incorporate pink sapphire that you'd like without being worried abt not having a diamond ering.

Finally, check out these sites for fab ideas on antique settings, or even an old cut stone:

http://www.langantiques.com/type/5/

http://www.jewelsbyericagrace.com/diamond_ringsengagement_rings

 

[yssie]

Not an expert by any means, new here, and offering the humble opinion of a recent buyer:

A radiant is perhaps not the best option, considering that you are looking for a colourless stone (fancy colours are cut in the radiant shape because it retains colour so well) - no idea on pricing for a yellow but I''m guessing it''s out of the posted budget. I think most cushions and radiants are deep, too, so you''re losing out on some spread here, a consideration.

If you''re looking for sparkle factor, lI''m with Phoenix, there''s nothing to beat the RB. For that budget, I''d say you''re looking at 1.5ish G/H SIs - or 1.7ish Js. A great cut in an RB does a good job of hiding colour face up...

Oval/Pear/Marquise for looking big for the carat.

Someone posted this chart in another thread some time ago (no idea whom to credit it to

). Very cool!

The last bit of your post... well, I think, if you''re like most women waiting for their SOs to propose, you''ll be so thrilled with whatever size/stone/colour you wind up with that there won''t be any room left for shame! In any case, as I''ve found, there are always people with bigger and better than you, and there are always some people with bigger and better who will look down on you and yours, and they''re never worth troubling yourself over.

My final vote? That pink sapphire centre that you love the thought of! With a delicate antiquey vintagey halo...

 

[Lauren Q]

I like the first as well. Since you mentioned you have long fingers and are looking for something delicate I think you should consider an oval. This cut will give you the sparkle and size you are looking for and looks great with long fingers. With an oval I would stay with a G or greater in color.

 

[John P]

Ovals and pears look nice on long fingers. As for attractiveness, the square emerald (aka Asscher) has its own distinctive look and charm, separate from the other mixed cuts you''re considering. In terms of performance there are some dynamite new approaches to cushions among some of the cut-focused PS sellers which are not often seen in the mainstream.

 

[stacyreeves]

Wow, fast responses, thank you guys so much! What a fun thing to wake up to

A bit more information: We''ve got access to a great canary diamond for around $8k, so that''s part of the factor. I really appreciate that chart yssie posted.. The 1.7 ct looks virtually identical to the 2 ct, which is interesting. I''ve actually been looking mostly at 1.8s.

I know that RB is the best choice but I simply hate RB stones. I don''t know why, probably because I see them so often, but I am just not a fan at all. I''m also not in love with a pear or marquis (my two best friends have a pear and a marquis e-ring, and they are somewhat possessive of them). I don''t really like the oval alone, without any side stones, but it seems like a great option for this setting, which I love, especially with a pink diamond halo. In something like that I could go down to a 1.7 ct oval to allow for the setting.

Also, I don''t plan on wearing a wedding band, at least not at the same time as the e-ring.

Another thing that worries me about pink sapphires is the color.. I''ve never actually seen a pink sapphire that is the color I want (pale pink) set in a ring. I saw a few options on thenaturalsapphirecompany.com, but they looked like they had some zoning or weird internal color things going on. Most sapphires are too intense and too purple-ish for my tastes.

Thanks so much for the feedback, I appreciate all of it!

 

[climbman]

Just a thought as a total non-expert: for the size you want and your budget, you are going to have to seriously trade down on color and clarity. While your friends may not notice upon quick glance any inclusions or warmth, you are very likely to (especially over time, especially at that larger size). I only mention because as I''ve been looking, I can see such things with my amateur eyes pretty consistently for colors I or lower and clarity SI2 or lower. If you are comfortable with this, it''s a moot point. Just a little smaller and you may manage a strong H SI1, which might be much harder to notice such things. However, bear in mind my bias: I will purchase a colorless VS stone. Anyway, feel free to ignore and best of luck!

 

[stacyreeves]

Do you really think I'm going to have to sacrifice that much? I've found some 1.82 ct diamonds in my price range that seem to be pretty nice.. G-H, VS1-VS2, very good or excellent ratings on symmetry, polish, cut, etc.. I wasn't willing to go below H or VS2, but now I'm rethinking it. Do you think I'm delusional for my budget, or is it possible?

 

[climbman]

I don''t know what you are looking at, and I pretty quickly decided to go RB, so slightly different price ranges. Nonetheless, I''m surprised you can find a G/H VS2 with Ex cut and 1.8 carats. That should really cost a lot more, I''d say. Maybe the other cuts have prices that scale much differently than what I was seeing. Anyway, I have come to realize that color/clarity tradeoff against size is probably the most personal decision to make (most ppl are going to agree that better cut is worth it, b/c you can see it most of the time, at least up to a certain point). I know my gf is uncomfortable with any SI, and is lukewarm on H color at best (she believes that with time to stare at the diamond, she will probably eventually find the inclusions). I understand that, but also can understand wanting more size. I''m just saying, my eyes told me that I color was pushing it, and so was SI2. If you can find what you are saying, and you are comfortable that you may eventually find the inclusions (you also may not), then more power to you! I''m really not trying to tell you what to do, only share my recent experience in this regard.

 

[climbman]

Just checked, and I did see Asscher for about 10K (for just the diamond, so allow quite a bit more for some of the more involved settings you seem to like) that is 1.75 G VS2. I cannot comment at all on cut for those, since I know absolutely nothing about them. Someone who is an expert can probably help you.

 

[glitterata]

Asschers are beautiful, but they face up much smaller than rounds of the same carat weight.

I think if you like the canary you should go for that. It won''t be a cookie-cutter ring, that''s for sure!

 

[Gayletmom]

If you are the least bit open to a cushion, you should take a look at Good Old Gold''s signature cushions. They are cut in a style similar to antique cushions with modern improvements that make them sparkle like crazy. I don''t know all of the details but have seen videos and photos and they are stunning (and reasonably priced IMHO). The website there is very good and has pics and videos. You can also search on the forum and get pics of some of the GOG cushions that have been snapped up by PS''ers. They are not always on the website b/c they go fast but Jonathan seems to get them in from his cutter in batches and I am sure he can tell you what''s coming. I am wild about them and am saving my pennies for one!

My advice is to go with what you love. Good luck to you.

 

[Engagement Ring Expert]

A great retailer for engagement rings in Dallas is Eiseman Jewels in Northpark Center. They have a nice selection of high quality engagement rings and we''ve been working with them for many years.

In terms of the diamond, if you love asscher then you should try for asscher. In terms of brilliance, the radiant will give off more facets, and the asscher is a step-cut design, but again if you love it, that''s really what you should get.

In terms of size, if there is pressure in your industry, a 2.00 ct. carries a lot of respect with it, and yes I recommend a diamond over a pink sapphire for the engagement ring. If you love pink sapphires, consider getting a pair of thin sidebands, one on either side of the engagement ring, set with pink sapphires. You can even get pink sapphires micro pave set on a halo around the center stone.