Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Need Help Finding an ER for my Mom from my Stepdad

gracieloufreebush

gracieloufreebush

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 16, 2012
Messages
92
Hi all,
I am looking for some assistance in finding a round diamond with a simple solitaire setting for my mom. My stepdad has enlisted my help in doing this because it is his and my mom's 10 year wedding anniversary (on April 12th - so need ring by then) and my mom never received an engagement ring.

We are on a pretty tight budget of $1300 total, for the diamond and setting. Also, if we order from somewhere in NY, we will have to pay sales tax so that needs to be counted as well in the total.

So, we are hoping for half a carat; something eye clean and I color or better I think. I've looked but haven't found anything great yet.

For my own engagement ring, I've researched tons about cushions so I'm not really a round expert. Would love some help finding a great diamond for my mom; she deserves it!

Thanks in advance :]
 
How would your step dad feel about something second hand? I don't see anything on DB right now but I get there are folks out there with a stone to fit your specs. All you would have to do is make a WTB listing on PSPLJ
 
Or contact http://idjewelryonline.com/index.php - many PS'ers have had amazing finds here with them on a tight budget. That would be my personal recommendation.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
 
two_little_birds|1364169729|3412570 said:
Or contact http://idjewelryonline.com/index.php - many PS'ers have had amazing finds here with them on a tight budget. That would be my personal recommendation.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
Click to expand...

Thats what i was thinking, i was just conserned because i think its in NY
 
Does IDJ give a PS discount? WIre discount?
 
Thank you for your replies. I think my stepdad would prefer to go with a new ring, rather than second hand but that was a great thought.

I do like the first diamond posted and the fact that it is in Texas would definitely help. I think it's going to a mind issue with being a half carat for my stepdad so I am keeping it as an option, but am going to look around some more.

I have heard about IDJ and will probably send them an email tomorrow; they are in NY so that would cut the budget a bit so that's concerning.

If anyone sees anything that would fit the criteria, please send a link my way. I'm going to keep looking often; I really want to help him find my mom a great ring.
 
blingymo|1364170440|3412585 said:
Does IDJ give a PS discount? WIre discount?
Click to expand...


Hmm good question
 
gracielou|1364170568|3412589 said:
blingymo|1364170440|3412585 said:
Does IDJ give a PS discount? WIre discount?
Click to expand...


Hmm good question
Click to expand...

I think they have a wire discount, BUT their prices are SO LOW, that I don't believe they do have an additional PS discount. If you call them though they also work with you on whatever your budget is....I would contact them about this.
 
Contact oesrlmsns too. See if there is anything they can do. They are in michigan
 
Clarity is I1 on that ebay one.
 
How do you feel about pre-loved and antique cuts? I love a few of these!

Rose cut $1375
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-Vintage/Rose-Cut-Bezeled-Rings/20390909_fhkzZ9#!i=1613517359&k=83VGTPV

Out of budget at $1800 but I bet they would cut you a deal plus they do layaway with 0% interest
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-Vintage/063ct-est-Early-Round/26445299_DGjHrT#!i=2206878684&k=vLc3C2m

Ok Edit I just noticed my 2nd option was an I1 diamond so that is probably no help to you :nono: Sorry!
 
You might check the local pawn shops and places that buy jewelry, too. Since you are looking for a stone under 1ct, it's easier to find some nice-looking diamonds like that secondhand. Then you put it into a new mounting, and viola, it's a new ring. It might not be an ideal-cut H&A but there are still some nice good-to-very-good-cut diamonds out there on the general market. Their prices can be very negotiable, too. They usually mark diamonds up 2x - 3x what they paid, so there much more negotiation room there. Also, sometimes if you walk out on them, then call back in 24-48 hours they might be more willing to deal.

With the superideal and ideal diamonds here, the price is not negotiable, because you are looking at the best of the best-cut.

In my area (small town), the average engagement ring was .75ct back in 2008-2009, down from 1ct a couple of years earlier. With most couples trying to hit the .75ct - .8ct mark (5.8mm - 6mm diameter), there might be less competition for a smaller diamond in the secondhand market.

I'm just throwing some ideas out there for consideration. If she likes bezel settings, a bezel-set .5 or .6 ct will look big. PS has this big long thread of diamonds under 1ct, too, for some ideas.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/under-1ct-diamonds.25028/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/under-1ct-diamonds.25028/[/URL]

If she likes vintage looks, Stuller.com makes an illusion head and also a complete ring. A .5ct in an illusion head looks larger due to the metal reflector around it, the "illusion." Could do a white gold head with a rose gold shank or white or yellow gold. I don't know if this ring is a Stuller or not, but the Stuller offerings are very similar in style.

illusn1.jpg
 
Niel,

That's a nice find and the setting is pretty.

liz
 
LibbyLA|1364237780|3413050 said:
Niel,

That's a nice find and the setting is pretty.

liz
Click to expand...
I think so too! I'd leave it that way, but I know her stepdad doesn't really want preowned. Sell that on loupe troop I bet someone would buy that for like 80-100. Leaving enough for a respectable new setting.
 
Wow thanks for all of the advice and suggestions! And thanks for searching for me :]

I really like the specs and price on the Solomon Brothers stone; am waiting to hear back if it's eye clean or not. However, I did a PS search and I saw a lot of bad reviews about SB so alittle worried about that. But its an AGS ideal for a good price so it's really tempting. Since it's ideal would I have to worry about getting an idealscope image?

I also love the ebay find from Niel (thanks!). However, I'm not sure how my mom feels about an old cut stone rather than a modern RB which I already know she loves. So I think I am going to stick with what I know just to be safe.

IDJ contacted me but they said they are closed until Thursday for Passover; baad timing.

So much to consider, this is tricky! My stepdad is counting on me, I'm feeling the pressure lol
 
Omgosh now apparently the Solomon Brothers diamond is sold. ughhhhhh; they hadn't even gotten back to me yet.
 
gracielou|1364250764|3413234 said:
Wow thanks for all of the advice and suggestions! And thanks for searching for me :]

I really like the specs and price on the Solomon Brothers stone; am waiting to hear back if it's eye clean or not. However, I did a PS search and I saw a lot of bad reviews about SB so alittle worried about that. But its an AGS ideal for a good price so it's really tempting. Since it's ideal would I have to worry about getting an idealscope image?

I also love the ebay find from Niel (thanks!). However, I'm not sure how my mom feels about an old cut stone rather than a modern RB which I already know she loves. So I think I am going to stick with what I know just to be safe.

IDJ contacted me but they said they are closed until Thursday for Passover; baad timing.

So much to consider, this is tricky! My stepdad is counting on me, I'm feeling the pressure lol
Click to expand...

I think at that size she wouldnt notice a different in faceting, just a difference in light performance, but i understand. Had you contacted pearlmans?
They have a J VS2 with good specs and a small table for under 1200, id cantact them say your a PS'er and would pay wire transfer if they could give you that plus a simple setting for 1300
i cant link you the stone but its this

picture_9.png
 
actually nevermind i didnt see the symm. hers another one, same thing though

picture_10.png
 
Hmm I wonder if I should go down to a J color. Those options look good but idk if my stepdad would go for it. My mom is pretty color sensitive as well.

Definitely going to ask him about that though. I remember my mom telling me once that she would rather have a smaller stone of better quality than a bigger one with lesser quality. It's my stepdad (and me too) that is stuck on half a carat.

Also Solomon brothers wrote back saying: "yes an AGS SI1 is eye clean". I don't even think they looked at it. I asked for more info (and questioned the stone's availability, its still on the website) and a picture. If I go with that stone should I send it out somewhere else for setting? Idk if I really like this company.
 
Well my stepdad said that he wants to increase the budget (as little as possible) to get a half carat. I still don't know if it's going to be possible. There's a big price difference from .45 to .50. From what I saw available, the price jumped $500 and I don't think he can increase it that much.

IDJ should be contacting me tomorrow. I'm really hoping they have something that could work.
 
whats has he increased it to?? even from 1300 to 1500 i feel like its doable
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top