Need Assistance with ER Planning/Purchase

Lycopene · Mar 5, 2014

Hello Pricescope! New member here but I guess you have to start somewhere.

I am in the market for an engagement ring and have started the process of educating myself. My girlfriend and I have not been ring shopping and I don't plan to do so in the future. I want this to be a legitimate surprise. As such, it should be obvious that I don't want to jump into this unprepared. I will be using her mom as a resource in this endeavor.

I have been to one local jeweler store which is widely regarded as expensive for the area. Coincidentally, it is also where her mother got her ER. Initially I did not know for what I was looking, so I just looked at multiple settings/diamonds. Since that time, I have potentially narrowed my search down. In an unrelated conversation, I heard my girlfriend talk about how much she liked one of our friends rings. She is very picky, and has not liked any of the rings that our friends have received, so my ears perked up. See below, a picture of said ring.

I'm relatively certain that this is some type of chunky halo setting with a fairly large stone. For the untrained eye, though, I find it hard to determine much else. I have looked around online for a similar setting, but have come up empty. The closest I have come is a Christopher Designs setting G52EC100. I also REALLY like the Henri Daussi H12. I've posted some quotes underneath.

My price range is fairly flexible. I'd like to be in the $6,000-8,000 range and would like to have as large a stone as possible. I am heavily leaning towards buying a stone from the internet and using it in a setting from my LJS. Their prices are just too much when compared to those of online shops that are recommended by Pricescope's regular members. The quotes for a few diamonds from them are as follows:

1. .75ctw VVS2/G $3485
2. .76ctw VS2/F $3500
3. .90ctw VS1/E $5200

The quotes for the two settings:

Christopher Designs

14kwg $3500/discounted price when purchasing diamond and mounting $2800.
18kwg $3700/ $2960
platinum $4500/$3600

Henri Daussi H12

in 14k white gold $3300
18k white gold $3500
platinum $4500

Reading back through my post, it seems disjointed, but to summarize it all. I am heavily leaning towards a halo setting with a cushion cut stone that will not be dwarfed by the settings and will be the absolute best stone I can get while still staying within my budget.
Any help or guidance would be appreciated!

heididdl · Mar 5, 2014

Welcome and glad to hear that you will use your future mother in law as she if anyone will have an idea I hope on what her daughter has discussed for her dream ring.

The halo that you show up above has larger sttones than her friends ring. If that is what you are interested in as she said she loves I have included a page from Victor Canera 's page http://www.victorcanera.com/jewelry/engagement-rings/type-of-ring/halo/shape/round

However PS Vendors such as ERD, and GOG both can do MICRO PAVE Halos' You can do a cushion halo around a round stone or a round halo around a round stone.

That being said for your budget I believ you are in the right ball park with .75 -.80 . Range

What you should look for as AN IDEAL CUT stone first and formost then G-I Color and "EYE" clean si1 stone.

I will find an example but if you decide to use GOG or ERD they can also help you with stone as can Victor Canera.

Just a personal opinion my nephew just went through this process and his now FI showed him a similar ring and he translated as you did with a halo with larger stones and I know she is happy but it was the MICRO PAVEEEE halo thaaaat she really wanted. Just because the stones are larger around the diamond doesn't mean that is the right thing. I think the stones should show of the center stone and not overwhelm it.

Lycopene · Mar 5, 2014

heididdl|1394065963|3628298 said:
Welcome and glad to hear that you will use your future mother in law as she if anyone will have an idea I hope on what her daughter has discussed for her dream ring.

The halo that you show up above has larger sttones than her friends ring. If that is what you are interested in as she said she loves I have included a page from Victor Canera 's page http://www.victorcanera.com/jewelry/engagement-rings/type-of-ring/halo/shape/round

However PS Vendors such as ERD, and GOG both can do MICRO PAVE Halos' You can do a cushion halo around a round stone or a round halo around a round stone.

That being said for your budget I believ you are in the right ball park with .75 -.80 . Range

What you should look for as AN IDEAL CUT stone first and formost then G-I Color and "EYE" clean si1 stone.

I will find an example but if you decide to use GOG or ERD they can also help you with stone as can Victor Canera.

Just a personal opinion my nephew just went through this process and his now FI showed him a similar ring and he translated as you did with a halo with larger stones and I know she is happy but it was the MICRO PAVEEEE halo thaaaat she really wanted. Just because the stones are larger around the diamond doesn't mean that is the right thing. I think the stones should show of the center stone and not overwhelm it.

Thank you so much for the response, Heidi. The examples I gave are settings which I think look similar. Being a novice, my eye is probably misleading me. I'm completely open to suggestions from those more experienced than I. I want what will make her happy, not what I think looks best!

I'll take a look at Victor Canera. Are there any other options that you can think of? Bonus points if it is a setting that I can get at the local jeweler store here. It is important to her that she follows in her mother's footsteps and I also think it will be important to her mother. The images below show the brands that they carry.

Lycopene · Mar 5, 2014

I really like the Emilya Round Center in cushion shape halo from Victor Canera. What a great suggestion.

Gypsy · Mar 5, 2014

OK so Victor Canera is out of budget for you. A HW halo by him is going to cost 4500.

And you should NOT get a round in a cushion halo if your lady wants a cushion.

People who like fancies are not happy to get rounds.

Gypsy · Mar 5, 2014

Your best bet is to called Engagement rings direct. Their CAD bench can make you a HW style halo for 3500.

And they are also experts at sourcing cushions.

I would ask them for the nicest LARGEST H-I_J color MODERN CUSHION (no crushed ice faceting), since that's the style of cushion in the inspiration image. Eyeclean. They can find for you for under 4500. And then make it into a HW style halo ring in platinum.

You want platinum for pave. ERD makes the nicest CAD HW style halos. And they are amazing at sourcing cushions.

This is what I would do if I were looking for a cushion in a HW style halo.

You will be fine with even a J color. And it will let you eek out as much size as possible for that halo setting.

Gypsy · Mar 5, 2014

Alternative if you want to stay at H or above in color (I personally would go as low as J and get as much size as possible though ERD):
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11725/This diamond and then send to ERD for the setting. Or ask GOG for a quote for a platinum HW style halo custom (apparently they are making them now).

Make sure you compare MEASUREMENTS not CARAT WEIGHT with cushions.

Lycopene · Mar 6, 2014

Gypsy|1394081343|3628440 said:
Your best bet is to called Engagement rings direct. Their CAD bench can make you a HW style halo for 3500.

And they are also experts at sourcing cushions.

I would ask them for the nicest LARGEST H-I_J color MODERN CUSHION (no crushed ice faceting), since that's the style of cushion in the inspiration image. Eyeclean. They can find for you for under 4500. And then make it into a HW style halo ring in platinum.

You want platinum for pave. ERD makes the nicest CAD HW style halos. And they are amazing at sourcing cushions.

This is what I would do if I were looking for a cushion in a HW style halo.

You will be fine with even a J color. And it will let you eek out as much size as possible for that halo setting.

Gypsy. Thank you for your recommendations. I have seen you posting around pricescope and was secretly hoping you would grace my thread with your presence. I'll follow up with ERD and see what they have to say.

What kind of information will I need to give for them to start work on a CAD styled ring? Just the picture of the ER she likes?

Also, would you recommend finding the diamond on ERD and then taking it to my local jeweler to be set? I worry about my girlfriend not being happy that the ring is from some random online store(obviously not warranted, but we all know that ERs are a status symbol, like it or not)

Gypsy · Mar 7, 2014

Engagement Rings Direct is a physical store in New York. And they are masters at custom work.

And engagement rings might be a status symbol. But unless she SPECIFICALLY asked for "Tiffany only" or something like that... I believe that if you get your lady the best quality ring in your budget that fits her design request, she will be happy. Especially when you tell her the setting was custom made so that it would be exactly what she wants.

All you have to do is call them and tell them you want this setting: http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/grace-classic-micro-pave-halo-enagement-ring-bpid-60-14.html since it is exactly what she wants. 3k in platinum.

And that your total budget is $7,500, and you want the largest center stone they can find you within the below guidelines:

I would ask them for the nicest largest and best performing H-I-J color MODERN CUSHION (no crushed ice faceting), that is eyeclean. And you will want an ASET of the diamonds they find for you.

Remember that with cushions you buy according to dimensions not carat weight (a 90 point cushion could face up smaller than a 70 point one). And that faceting and light return are what matters. ERD is one of the best at finding amazing cushions.

Lycopene · Mar 8, 2014

Thanks again for the advice, Gypsy. I feel so much more informed.

To clarify. I should be looking for a diamond of color H, I, or J? Is there a particular reason why I should be looking for a cushion cut diamond at that color level as opposed to higher? Is there a specific clarity range that I should be staying within?

What should I be looking for in a ASET image? Should I bring it back to this thread for you to analyze?

Gypsy · Mar 8, 2014

Reading an ASET: http://www.ideal-scope.com/1.using_ASET_scope.asp

As for H-I-J because with great performance they are white. And they will give you the largest size, and your lady wants a large diamond.

JulieN · Mar 8, 2014

I hope she does not like that one because of how big it is, because it is quite substantial.

Lycopene · Mar 11, 2014

I am currently working with ERD and have a few questions. The salesperson I am in contact with asked for the following information:

1- Ratio
2- Color
3- Clarity
4- Carat

I believe I have answers to most, but wanted to double check what I should be asking for.

I should be looking for a table of 54-62% and depth of 59-64%?
H-I-J color
SI2-VVS2
I should be more worried about dimensions than carat weight, correct? Is that fulfilled by the answer to question 1 and by what fits within my budget given the other constraints?

Additionally, he gave me this example of a diamond within my budget. I think it looks pretty good. Thoughts?
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.20-carat-g-vs1-x-factor-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-172878.html

marymm · Mar 11, 2014

I think "ratio" is referring to the shape, length-to-width - i.e., do you prefer an absolute square, or close to square, or a rectangle (fat or skinny?), etc.

Lycopene · Mar 11, 2014

Ah, that makes more sense. I don't like a perfect square, but I don't want a super oblong diamond either. I'd say closer to square than oblong. Is this really just preference?

Gypsy · Mar 11, 2014

Lycopene|1394585167|3632093 said:
I am currently working with ERD and have a few questions. The salesperson I am in contact with asked for the following information:

1- Ratio
2- Color
3- Clarity
4- Carat

I believe I have answers to most, but wanted to double check what I should be asking for.

I should be looking for a table of 54-62% and depth of 59-64%?
H-I-J color
SI2-VVS2
I should be more worried about dimensions than carat weight, correct? Is that fulfilled by the answer to question 1 and by what fits within my budget given the other constraints?

Additionally, he gave me this example of a diamond within my budget. I think it looks pretty good. Thoughts?
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.20-carat-g-vs1-x-factor-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-172878.html

No. Don't restrict table and depth. That's a very bad idea with cushions.

1. Ratio means do you want a square stone (ratio or 1.0-1.05) or a rectangular one (1.2 ish). I would tell them ratio doesn't really matter to you but you have a preference for rectangular stones (since that was what the picture shows).
2. Color: Colorless or Near Colorless. J or better.
3. Clarity. Eyeclean is non-negotiable, otherwise Si2 or better.
4. LARGEST for your budget that has great performance.

Make sure you specify that you want images and an ASET of the ones they recommend for you.

Yes, this is a gorgeous diamond: http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/1.20-carat-g-vs1-x-factor-cushion-cut-diamond-gid-172878.html And I would buy it in a heartbeat. But since it is a G VS1 I would want to see what they can find you in I-SI1 range to maximize SIZE.

I would tell them that performance and size are what matters most to you.

Lycopene · Mar 12, 2014

I've gotten some options. Definitely steering me towards ERD!

Option 1:
F
VVS2
1.17 Carats
$8,500

I think this is very overpriced, but it is the best that my local jeweler was able to do. I sent them to look for more, but it is looking less than likely that I will end up remotely considering them.

Option 2(ERD):
I
VS2
ERD X cut
1.52ct
$8350

Option 3(ERD):
I
VS1
ERD not quite X cut
1.59ct
$8,200
See the attached pictures. Should I consider this one? The GIA report looks very clean.

JulieN · Mar 12, 2014

Did your budget go up?

heididdl · Mar 12, 2014

Did you ask ERD if they had stones for you?

Lycopene · Mar 12, 2014

JulieN|1394678066|3633070 said:
Did your budget go up?

It did indeed

I was told earlier this week that I was getting a nice bonus. Perfect timing!

Lycopene · Mar 12, 2014

heididdl|1394678328|3633074 said:
Did you ask ERD if they had stones for you?

Option 2 and 3 are from ERD. I updated the post to reflect this. It wasn't very clear.

JulieN · Mar 12, 2014

How about http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4722463-1.50-carat-Cushion-diamond-I-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=4722463&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

Lycopene · Mar 12, 2014

JulieN|1394679115|3633085 said:
How about http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4722463-1.50-carat-Cushion-diamond-I-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=4722463&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

That does look very nice. You guys have a way with finding these things! Is that ASET acceptable?

Gypsy · Mar 12, 2014

Lycopene|1394679522|3633089 said:
JulieN|1394679115|3633085 said:

How about http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-4722463-1.50-carat-Cushion-diamond-I-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=4722463&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

Click to expand...

That does look very nice. You guys have a way with finding these things! Is that ASET acceptable?

Send that link to ERD an see if they can get the diamond for you so you can still do one stop shopping.

But yeah, that's a great ASET and a NICE STONE. 6.93x6.45x4.50 is a great size to stick into the ERD halo as well.

I think that one is a great find Julie.

Gypsy · Mar 12, 2014

Lycopene|1394676419|3633052 said:
Option 2(ERD):
I
VS2
ERD X cut
1.52ct
$8350

Option 3(ERD):
I
VS1
ERD not quite X cut
1.59ct
$8,200
See the attached pictures. Should I consider this one? The GIA report looks very clean.

We need an ASETs and measurements on both. But both are extremely nice options. Can you post ASETs?

The X cut would be the one I would leaning toward. But ASETs are needed for both. SO are dimensions.

Lycopene · Mar 15, 2014

I sent a message to ERD with the link to the diamond that Julie found. We'll see what he says!

I'm definitely ruling out my local jeweler. The settings seem reasonably priced, but they are sandbagging me with the price of the diamonds.