Modest Budget for Double Halo and Pave Shank - Seeking Help from PSers!

[FireMonkey]

Hi, all! I've read through many threads over the years wherein PSers were successful in helping to find the perfect engagement ring for budget-sensitive members.
Now it's me that's hoping to tap into your resourcefulness and knowledge. I'm assisting someone very close to me who is planning a June proposal. The bride-to-be wants a square/cushion double halo, double pave shank, in white metal. Ring size is 7 and desired spend is under $2k. Rings of this style can be bought on the cheap, for sure, and I hate the idea of the couple ending up with ring that's 80% lifeless, glassy, grey melee. Hence, seems the setting will be the real challenge here.

I've attached some example photos showing the desired style; leftmost was provided by bride-to-be and the other two are a close (out of budget) match I found online. So...who can help me wow this incredibly sweet couple? Thanks in advance to all that take time to read and jump in!

 

[tyty333]

Are you asking for just the setting for $2k or the setting AND center stone for $2k?

 

[FireMonkey]

Are you asking for just the setting for $2k or the setting AND center stone for $2k?

Ideally, setting and center stone under $2k. And lab grown is acceptable for center stone if it saves some money and works with whatever setting we can find. I'm just so concerned about that style setting ending up looking like a hunk of 'blah'. KWIM?

Thank you!

 

[WDWDiamond]

Something like this? If the center diamond could be lab grown this might work.

Cushion Double Halo Split Shank Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold

Cushion Double Halo Split Shank Diamond Ring

www.adiamor.com

0.66 Carat E SI1 Round Brilliant Lab Grown Diamond IGI Certified 515216422 Affinity Cut - D49851231

0.66 carat, Round, E Color, SI1 clarity, IGI Certified Diamond, Affinity Cut Lab Grown Diamond, D49851231

www.adiamor.com

 

[FireMonkey]

Something like this? If the center diamond could be lab grown this might work.

Cushion Double Halo Split Shank Diamond Ring in 14K White Gold

Cushion Double Halo Split Shank Diamond Ring

www.adiamor.com

0.66 Carat E SI1 Round Brilliant Lab Grown Diamond IGI Certified 515216422 Affinity Cut - D49851231

0.66 carat, Round, E Color, SI1 clarity, IGI Certified Diamond, Affinity Cut Lab Grown Diamond, D49851231

www.adiamor.com

Hi, WDW - thanks for the links! The recipient has said that she wants the "double band", so I'm not sure that a split shank works. That's super close, though, so we can't count it out.

Do you happen know anything about Adiamor's melee cut quality? The VS2 and H are a nice sweet spot. It would be great if the cut was decent, as well.

 

[tyty333]

Adimor is a Pricescope vetted vendor so I think their melee should be fairly nice.

JA has a double shank but its a single halo. Personally, I feel like the double halo is more "visible" than the double
shank and therefore more important (like the one @WDWDiamond pointed out).

She can get a pave wedding band to go with her ering that will look like two pave bands together.

14K White Gold Double Shank Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

This striking ring features a lavish halo of sparkling diamonds and a double shank for double glamour. This engagement ring is bold, elegant and unforgettable.

www.jamesallen.com

*dont forget that you can get $100 off on your first purchase from JA.

A lab stone is the only option in this budget with this type of setting. These are lab stones even though
this is not the lab forum

Lab-Created 0.61 Carat round diamond

This 0.61 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color vs2 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 0.61 Carat round diamond

This 0.61 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color vs2 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

I applaud you for helping him/them out and trying to make sure she doesn't end up with a dull, lifeless ering.

Edit...you might try posting on the Lab-created forum. They may have some other vendors that might be worth check-in out.

 

[FireMonkey]

Adimor is a Pricescope vetted vendor so I think their melee should be fairly nice.

JA has a double shank but its a single halo. Personally, I feel like the double halo is more "visible" than the double
shank and therefore more important (like the one @WDWDiamond pointed out).

She can get a pave wedding band to go with her ering that will look like two pave bands together.

14K White Gold Double Shank Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

This striking ring features a lavish halo of sparkling diamonds and a double shank for double glamour. This engagement ring is bold, elegant and unforgettable.

www.jamesallen.com

*dont forget that you can get $100 off on your first purchase from JA.

A lab stone is the only option in this budget with this type of setting. These are lab stones even though
this is not the lab forum

Lab-Created 0.61 Carat round diamond

This 0.61 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color vs2 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Lab-Created 0.61 Carat round diamond

This 0.61 carat Lab-Created round diamond D color vs2 clarity has Ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

I applaud you for helping him/them out and trying to make sure she doesn't end up with a dull, lifeless ering.

Edit...you might try posting on the Lab-created forum. They may have some other vendors that might be worth check-in out.

Thank you for linking the JA items. That's a nice setting! I agree 100%, though, about the double halo being the priority element over a double row of pave on the band. And, yes - a pave wedding band gets the desired look.

Good news about Adiamor! I should have thought to look at the PS vendor list. That gives me the mental green light to further explore the setting sourced by @WDWDiamond - yay!

I'm so appreciative, and will be back with progress/questions.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Apologies if this has already been considered, but is it feasible to get the stone from something like Lightbox, which would be approx 1ct at $800 and from what I've heard, reasonably well cut, and then get it set somewhere else? Either custom (don't know how expensive that would be) or sent to Adiamor or JA?

 

[tyty333]

I know JA charges $100 (reasonable in my mind) to set an outside stone (well, it did when I had them set a stone of mine).
Unfortunately, the budget is pretty darn tight for the type of setting she wants. $800 for a 1 carat from lightbox is a good
deal though if he can swing it!

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I know JA charges $100 (reasonable in my mind) to set an outside stone (well, it did when I had them set a stone of mine).
Unfortunately, the budget is pretty darn tight for the type of setting she wants. $800 for a 1 carat from lightbox is a good
deal though if he can swing it!

Lightbox also does 0.75ct at $600 I believe, though at that point it may make sense to just buy a LG from JA/Adiamor instead and get them to set it.

Edit: is checking for a nearby jeweler who can set it in a Stuller setting a viable idea? Stuller has some double halo with double shank options, though I can’t see the prices.

 

[FireMonkey]

Apologies if this has already been considered, but is it feasible to get the stone from something like Lightbox, which would be approx 1ct at $800 and from what I've heard, reasonably well cut, and then get it set somewhere else? Either custom (don't know how expensive that would be) or sent to Adiamor or JA?

I did consider looking at Lightbox, since I'd seen the name pop up all over PS. Just didn't get that far since I was most worried about the setting. It looks like we'll end up with something between .5 and .6 to stay w/in budget. With a nicely cut double halo, it should be very pretty and have good finger coverage. That's what I'm hoping for, anyway...

 

[FireMonkey]

Lightbox also does 0.75ct at $600 I believe, though at that point it may make sense to just buy a LG from JA/Adiamor instead and get them to set it.

Edit: is checking for a nearby jeweler who can set it in a Stuller setting a viable idea? Stuller has some double halo with double shank options, though I can’t see the prices.

Since it's me choosing the actual setting, I'm happier going the internet route. I'm working with someone that truly is flying blind. Not sure I want to send him to a jeweler. Yikes. (we live across the country from each other)

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I did consider looking at Lightbox, since I'd seen the name pop up all over PS. Just didn't get that far since I was most worried about the setting. It looks like we'll end up with something between .5 and .6 to stay w/in budget. With a nicely cut double halo, it should be very pretty and have good finger coverage. That's what I'm hoping for, anyway...

I think since the setting is paramount, definitely nail down a setting first! Once you find the right vendor for your setting, start thinking of how you’ll source the centre stone. If the vendor for the setting can provide a nice LGD that works, great! If not, and they can set an outside stone, and the Lightbox is in budget, have that shipped directly to them! 0.5-0.6 is a nice size for sure

 

[FireMonkey]

I think since the setting is paramount, definitely nail down a setting first! Once you find the right vendor for your setting, start thinking of how you’ll source the centre stone. If the vendor for the setting can provide a nice LGD that works, great! If not, and they can set an outside stone, and the Lightbox is in budget, have that shipped directly to them! 0.5-0.6 is a nice size for sure

Thanks for the feedback and encouragement. I feel good about the direction we're headed so far.

 

[FireMonkey]

Update for everyone:

I found a beautiful round brilliant .60 lab stone (solid HCA and PS-recommended specs) at Adiamor to go along with the double halo setting. I was excited and just knew it would sparkle like mad!

Turns out the bride-to-be found a ring at a chain jeweler that she loved, and it cost a few hundred dollars less than the Adiamor package. So, the couple went that direction.

Thank you all for your suggestions and comments! I hope this thread may be of help to some readers in the future.

 

[tyty333]

Update for everyone:

I found a beautiful round brilliant .60 lab stone (solid HCA and PS-recommended specs) at Adiamor to go along with the double halo setting. I was excited and just knew it would sparkle like mad!

Turns out the bride-to-be found a ring at a chain jeweler that she loved, and it cost a few hundred dollars less than the Adiamor package. So, the couple went that direction.

Thank you all for your suggestions and comments! I hope this thread may be of help to some readers in the future.

Hope it's as nice as what you picked out for them! Congrats to the couple!