Need help finding an engagement ring

[MikeyD]

I'm in the market for an engagement ring but I'm very overwhelmed by the process. I have visited Spence Diamond (located in Canada) and know a few designs that my girlfriend likes.

https://www.spencediamonds.com/product/style-7504/
https://www.spencediamonds.com/product/style-7521/
https://www.spencediamonds.com/product/style-2145/
https://www.spencediamonds.com/product/style-7627/

I have a limited budget. I would like to keep it around $1000 or less but am willing to go as high as $2000 for a high quality ring. I've looked around online and I seem to be only more confused as to the best place to purchase a ring. I would like to get the most bang for my buck. If anyone could offer me some advice or options for engagement rings that match my search criteria it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

In most cases when the budget is $2k or less, we usually recommend putting most of the money into the diamond and then get a plain solitaire setting. So the choice is, get a diamond setting and a smaller diamond, or get a larger diamond in a plain setting. Which do you think she would prefer?

 

[MikeyD]

She would definitely want me to get the best value I can for my budget so I think I should take your advice and get a bigger diamond with a plain setting.

 

[Niel]

Is 1-2 k in CAD or USD?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Okay, I am going to list some diamonds for you to consider.

First, there is a low priced halo at James Allen which might work, but I will show you the plain ones, too.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-round-center-item-17445

This diamond is $1190 USD.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-round-center-item-17445

That would put you right at $2000, so that is one combination. Will list more in another post. Let me know if your limit is different in USD.

 

[MikeyD]

Is 1-2 k in CAD or USD?

CAD

 

[MikeyD]

Okay, I am going to list some diamonds for you to consider.

First, there is a low priced halo at James Allen which might work, but I will show you the plain ones, too.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-round-center-item-17445

This diamond is $1190 USD.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-round-center-item-17445

That would put you right at $2000, so that is one combination. Will list more in another post. Let me know if your limit is different in USD.

You may have posted the wrong link. I think both links are for the setting only. I don't see the diamond.

 

[flyingpig]

Simple Pave set
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-7092
Diamonds for the budget
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.43-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-687079
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.43-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-690714

 

[MikeyD]

Simple Pave set
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-7092
Diamonds for the budget
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.43-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-687079
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.43-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-690714

I really like that setting but they don't have it in her ring size. 5.5

 

[flyingpig]

Simple Solitaire
A simple solitaire
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-item-7115
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/14k-white-gold-2mm-knife-edge-solitaire-engagement-ring-six-prong-item-7990
Diamonds for the budget
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.53-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-550376 (I suspect the appearance is due to poor photography. It is AGS Ideal with good idealscope images. It is true heart)
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.52-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-550439
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.51-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-825725

If you are doing your own search,
Table 53-58
Depth 60-62.3
Crown Angle 34-35
Pav Angle 40.6-41

https://www.pricescope.com/tools/hca
Check HCA score. Should be 2.0 or less.

PS. whatever you do. don't do Spence. Terrible

 

[flyingpig]

Simple Pave set
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-7092
Diamonds for the budget
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.43-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-687079
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.43-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-690714

I really like that setting but they don't have it in her ring size. 5.5

??? they do. just scroll down to select 5.5 size..

 

[MikeyD]

Simple Pave set
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-7092
Diamonds for the budget
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.43-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-687079
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.43-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-690714

I really like that setting but they don't have it in her ring size. 5.5

??? they do...

I may be wrong but I can only select up to size 5.

 

[flyingpig]

 

[MikeyD]

Sorry my mistake

 

[flyingpig]

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/?OrderBy=Price%20asc
more Pave sets

If you decide to go for $1000 for the setting.

$1000 CAD will get you, something like....
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.38-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-882502

Lastly diamonds at ~$800 CAD, if you want that halos diamondseeker suggested.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.35-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-874283 (not the most well cut, but should be still beautiful. Just to give you a reference)

I recommend JA, and they have 15% off sale until Feb 01.

 

[E B]

Simple Pave set
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-7092
Diamonds for the budget
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.43-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-687079
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.43-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-690714

Nice finds! I'd personally go with a pave setting and the second diamond (the vs1). James Allen can get you an IS image if you aren't in a rush, but it looks pretty.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Oh, that is true that their settings are on sale now. But flyingpig, I do not recommend this setting because it is too thin at 1.6-1.7mm. The absolute minimum we recommend is 1.8mm and I think 2mm is even safer. Plus you probably can hardly see the diamonds on this one.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-7092 (too thin)

Sorry, this was the diamond I meant to post:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.46-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-325721

I was working on another post and my cursor accidentally closed the window!!!

This is a sweet setting:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-petite-diamond-accent-engagement-ring-item-50124

This is the slightly wider (1.6-1.9mm) version of the one I said was too thin:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-pave-set-four-prong-diamond-engagement-ring-item-22612

But I'd rather see you go with the halo setting because it costs less and will make the diamond look larger. This is a deal for a halo setting. The reviews on it are really good, too.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-round-center-item-17445

So if you went for the halo setting at $824 USD, how much would you feel comfortable spending on the diamond in USD?

 

[flyingpig]

Oh, that is true that their settings are on sale now. But flyingpig, I do not recommend this setting because it is too thin at 1.6-1.7mm. The absolute minimum we recommend is 1.8mm and I think 2mm is even safer. Plus you probably can hardly see the diamonds on this one.
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-7092 (too thin)

Well. I have to agree, but for a different reason. That setting does not look good (especially from side) with ~0.4 carat stones

Those settings you suggested are certainly more beautiful even with 0.3~0.4 carat stones. Always learn something.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

It does help a lot to have pictures with the actual stones. I look at those, too, to see what a particular size stone will look like!

I am not always a halo fan, but I just think when the stone is a half carat or under, a halo can really give a boost to the overall size appearance. Usually a halo is too expensive for this budget, but it is a huge help that these settings are on sale right now! Great time to buy from JA.

 

[MikeyD]

Oh, that is true that their settings are on sale now. But flyingpig, I do not recommend this setting because it is too thin at 1.6-1.7mm. The absolute minimum we recommend is 1.8mm and I think 2mm is even safer. Plus you probably can hardly see the diamonds on this one.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-thin-french-cut-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-7092 (too thin)

Sorry, this was the diamond I meant to post:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.46-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-325721

I was working on another post and my cursor accidentally closed the window!!!

This is a sweet setting:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-petite-diamond-accent-engagement-ring-item-50124

This is the slightly wider (1.6-1.9mm) version of the one I said was too thin:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-white-gold-pave-set-four-prong-diamond-engagement-ring-item-22612

But I'd rather see you go with the halo setting because it costs less and will make the diamond look larger. This is a deal for a halo setting. The reviews on it are really good, too.

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-round-center-item-17445

So if you went for the halo setting at $824 USD, how much would you feel comfortable spending on the diamond in USD?

I really like this setting http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-petite-diamond-accent-engagement-ring-item-50124 but the halo setting is nice too. I think I would be comfortable spending between $800-900 USD for the diamond. The Canadian dollar isn't helping.

 

[flyingpig]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.43-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-690714

This stone is beautiful within your budget

 

[E B]

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.43-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-690714

This stone is beautiful within your budget

Great find! I'd put this on hold and get an IS image from James Allen. If it looks great, halo setting all the way.