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My taste is exceeding our budget... help!

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*RubyRN*

*RubyRN*

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 3, 2007
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111
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Sorry about the hugeness of the pictures.. this didn''t quite turn out the way I meant
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I love the look of this Scott Kay 5-stone e-ring.. however, the setting alone is over $5k.. and our budget for the whole e-ring is $6k MAX. Does anybody know of a similar style setting for less (this ring shown has a .88 center with .68 ctw in side stones for the e-ring)? We are FINALLY seriously looking to buy and now I''m really overwhelmed with trying to find the styles I like within our budget, so I could really use your help!
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I also really like this Scott Kay solitaire.. but it seems way overpriced at nearly $2k for the setting. Again, any suggestions for something similar? I love the prongs and cathedral style.

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Sorry I don''t know how to make them smaller!!!

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The Scott Kay choice could be duplicated by a jeweler in white gold, and that would certainly decrease the price! Have you gone to local jewelers? Or checked with any of the Pricescope vendors? Anything name brand setting is going to be way more.

If you want a setting with side stones, its obv. going to take away from the budget of your center stone. Are you okay with a plain setting, and a bigger center stone, with upgrading the band later? I think thats a great option!
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Platinum is SO high now, that plain solitaires of good quality (designer) cost around $1500. So diamond settings are really going to take a chunk out of your budget. Try looking through these. They use great quality diamonds and are also a great place to buy your center stone! You are paying a lot for the name when you buy designer brand rings.

http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/1.htm
 
Good ideas, Supersash! There aren''t many reputable jewelers in my area, so I probably will contact a few PS vendors about doing the setting in WG. I really love the solitaire setting, and I think it would look great with a 5-stone band (that way I could still get that look).. I just think it''s overpriced coming from SK and haven''t found another solitaire that I really like for less.

My only other problem is that I really don''t want to "upgrade" or change my e-ring in the future. I would like to get something I really like and keep it forever. That''s why this is so hard!
 
I''d go custom through whiteflash. I have a five stone band made through them that was much less expensive than the 5k setting and has much bigger sidestones (.30''s), but in the lower color range. I wold also try whitegold to cut down on cost.

Have you considered getting a plain solitaire (cheapo $150) for now and pairing it a rockin center stone and a blingy wedding band and upgrading to a bigger setting more of the style you want later on?
 
Have you looked at Knox? Their "Legacy" setting is similar to the second setting you posted.
 
Diamondseeker: You''re right- the price of precious metals is going through the roof! The WF settings are very pretty, I like the Baguette and Round setting WF Baguette and Round

I really prefer the look of a few slightly larger stones as compared to the pave/micropave styles.. which obviously costs more. I''m afraid it may be unrealistic to get the styles I like within my budget, maybe I should just try to find a middle-of-the-road solitaire?
 
RUby -

Did you say your were from Saskatchewan, or does SK mean somewhere else also?

I am from Saask. also! (if you are), and desperately looking for an e-ring also. If you are from Sask, where have you looked so far, so I don''t just follow you around, to meet the same retailers and get the same disappointing answers that you did?

BTW, I think $6000 is plenty to find a great ring with. You just need to be serious in your search, and diligent. I don''t know whre these jewellers think I am going to get $10,000 or $12,000 from. Yesterday, the sales lady told me not to worry about spending $10,000, cause my BF probably has spent that on a snowmobile without thinking twice. Trust me, we have old snowmobiles, and I would not allow him to spend $12,000 on a new one unnless we won the lottery. If I have a budget of $5000 (that is my budget, and I think it''s a generous one), then that is what I want to spend!
 
Kcoursolle: I saw your 5-stone ring- It was one of my inspirations
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. Actually I prefer the look of slightly lower color stones and would like to find a J or K for my center, so it would make sense to get lower color side stones so that everything matches. I will ask WF about a custom piece. It will likely still be out of my budget because I want my center stone to be at least .85-ish but preferably around 1 ct. I''m sure it would be much easier to get the size I want with a cheap solitaire setting. My mind is spinning
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!

Legacygirl: I have seen that setting. It''s very pretty, but not quite what I want although I can''t put my finger on why. I really appreciate everyone''s suggestions!
 
If it were me, I would get the stone as a solitaire for now with the intent to updgrade the setting in five years.
 
LOL- A Day Late: When I said SK, I meant Scott Kay
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I sadly do not live in Saskatchewan. I''m sorry to hear your search has been difficult.. I can''t believe someone trying to sell you something would say anything as dumb as that $10,000 snowmobile comment. I can understand them trying to milk a little bit more out of your budget, but telling you you should more than double it? Bad sales strategy if you ask me.. That''s why pricescope is so helpful!

DesignChica: I am trying to be more realistic with my expectations and am very seriously considering getting the best stone I can get with a solitaire setting. I don''t know if I will ever upgrade the e-ring setting, but I could still pair it with a really blingy band. Even though I''m doing all the research and basically choosing the ring, I think it would hurt BF''s feelings if I didn''t keep the original e-ring.
 
I agree with design chica...You have a nice budget to get a really kickin stone...I wouldn't dilute that budget for say ...the curtains that flank it. Buy I have been where you are and sorta tunnel visioned and that is all your heart desires. I have some links below that may get you close to that look, but it will diminish your stone budget.

That first set your posted...is BLINGA LICIOUS and it is going to be hard to duplicate in that budget to get you to that size. Here are a few that are similar lines...

James Allen option

Lower price in white gold

And yet another than may be closer, but I think this one is platinum

Here is a band that may compliment that may get you where you want to be on the set.

As design chica suggested...and others you can get a solitaire setting and upgrade later...or a custom look that solitaire can be made less expensive and you can add a detail that YOU want...that suprise diamond can be say one of yours from another piece of jewelry/something sentimental perhaps/your first diamond from your father?...or a colored stone for added detail. The options are vast, and not necessarily settling...you may find you have more interest in building a custom piece...that ordering a designer one such as the one you posted.

Hope that helped.
 
DKS: That first James Allen ring looks pretty good.. maybe I can get them to send me some real life pics for a better look. The price seems really reasonable at $1550 and would still leave me a pretty decent budget for the center stone. I''m working on getting a couple e-mails out to PS vendors for some quotes on getting either setting custom made. I think the question now is: will roughly $1000 make a big enough difference in the center stone for it to make a kickin solitaire or will the difference be small enough that I''ll wish I had put the $ towards a different setting. I feel like I have multiple personalities right now
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and they''re not agreeing! LOL!

You guys are awesome!
 
RubyRn~I just wanted to compliment you on your choice of settings. My rings look almost the same. I think you have been given some great alternatives to the SK. I hope you are able to get this wedding set style. It looks wonderful on your hand
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RisingSun: Thank You! I assume that''s your ring in your avatar, it''s beautiful! I just e-mailed WF and ERD about custom quotes, I''m interested to see what they say. Now I''m off to get my taxes done (bleh), but I''m sure I''ll be back later for more ideas!
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Thanks to all!
 
You should totally buy the $5K SK setting and wear it around without a center stone.
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Ruby- I tried on some lovely Scott Kay settings at Jared''s, but was shocked by the prices! At a different jeweler, I found a setting very similar to the one that I loved from Scott Kay, but the new setting was by Art Carved. The Scott Kay setting that I liked was $3,000.00. The very similar setting (and I liked it more!) by Art Carved is $795.00. The SK was platinum, the AC is palladium. My two wedding rings are platinum, and there was not a wite of difference between the palladium and the platinum together!

www.artcarvedbridal has two rings that are similar to the Scott Kay solitare you posted. Look at Baroness and Dahlia (I really dislike the names! Mine is Desiree, lol).

Hope this helps!!
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LOL Gwendolyn!!!
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What about just plain old scaling? The pic has .68c in side diamonds, why not make .45 or something? White gold, color down, etc. If that''s what you love and don''t want to upgrade later, I say scale that puppy down! (I''m in the same boat. it sucks.
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Date: 2/12/2008 4:34:52 PM
Author: gwendolyn
You should totally buy the $5K SK setting and wear it around without a center stone.
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Gwen funny! She should! But the first time she scratches her nose...with those empty prongs...she is going to need a plastic surgeon. Ouch!
 
Ruby, I own the Scott Kay solitaire with the cathedral and surprise diamonds, but I bought it in palladium, which was the most affordable option of the three metals Scott Kay offers. It was just a little over $700. I think palladium is a great alternative.
 
Aaaaahhh! You guys are killing me! Too many good suggestions.. If you''re trying to make my brain explode, you''re succeeding. Oh, and BTW I just got back from getting my taxes done and I just want to say that the Government and I are no longer friends.

Gwendolyn: I''m pretty sure I could rock that ring without a center stone. LOL.
Feb2003: The Dahlia is pretty similar... but there''s no prices listed and no profile. Hmm.
I did see the Jeff Cooper, only thing is I could get the JA ring with larger stones for
the same price.
SunnyD: That''s what I''m working on with WF and ERD.. they both just e-mailed me back and are going to give me some ideas for price, etc.
DKS: That nose scratching would be the perfect excuse to get a nose job... something else to consider
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... LOL
Sevens and Mrssalvo: Very good deals.. something to consider, although I think the clarity on that stone does make me a little nervous. HArd to tell from the pics though.
Kim: Where did you get your setting? I wonder if Pearlman''s would be able to get it in Palladium. There''s only 1 Scott Kay dealer anywhere near me and I don''t really want to shop there from previous experience.

Keep em'' coming! You guys rule!
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Ruby~you will have your rings!! There really are a lot of options...well not the empty setting, Gwendolyn!!. To see my wedding set, click on my avi and then click on gallery images and there they are.
 
Date: 2/12/2008 7:18:24 PM
Author: *RubyRN*
Aaaaahhh! You guys are killing me! Too many good suggestions.. If you''re trying to make my brain explode, you''re succeeding. Oh, and BTW I just got back from getting my taxes done and I just want to say that the Government and I are no longer friends.

Gwendolyn: I''m pretty sure I could rock that ring without a center stone. LOL.
Feb2003: The Dahlia is pretty similar... but there''s no prices listed and no profile. Hmm.
I did see the Jeff Cooper, only thing is I could get the JA ring with larger stones for
the same price.
SunnyD: That''s what I''m working on with WF and ERD.. they both just e-mailed me back and are going to give me some ideas for price, etc.
DKS: That nose scratching would be the perfect excuse to get a nose job... something else to consider
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... LOL
Sevens and Mrssalvo: Very good deals.. something to consider, although I think the clarity on that stone does make me a little nervous. HArd to tell from the pics though.
Kim: Where did you get your setting? I wonder if Pearlman''s would be able to get it in Palladium. There''s only 1 Scott Kay dealer anywhere near me and I don''t really want to shop there from previous experience.

Keep em'' coming! You guys rule!
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Click to expand...
You would have to go to an authorized AC dealer, but mine (which is a 4.5mm wide palladium setting) was $795.00. I believe their settings start at $500.00.
 
There''s only 1 Scott Kay dealer anywhere near me and I don''t really want to shop there from previous experience.

Key word...SHOP not buy. Scoot in there and try them on...if you have had a bad experience, they owe you a free try on session! You won''t know until you mark SK off your list...or better yet put that designer on top of your list. You really must try some on. Once you find your sweet spot...then come back and dig for a deal.

Wear a big floppy hat and that disguise of a plastic nose thing, glasses and a mustache if you have too.
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Pearlman''s can order anything Scott Kay makes. But you need to buy your center stone first!
 
Ruby, I got my palladium Scott Kay from Pearlman''s, and it was a great experience. I highly recommend it!
 
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