Please! Wanted that part to be first because the quality of help here is really amazing. Thank you for such an awesome resource!
Question: How do I buy this theoretical ring?
I've lurked and researched for a while and know exactly what I (she) want(s) for an engagement ring, but now I need some help with how to do it, particularly with selecting a fancy cut. She wants a 3 stone trapezoid style with a square/rectangular center stone, first choice is radiant but second choice tied between cushion and asscher cut in white gold or platinum. Kinda like this:
http://www.bluenile.com/trapezoid-diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_27483
except she prefers a smoother, rounder ring that tapers near the stone instead of the boxy one shown.
Ranges and notes:
My budget is $12-$13k, but asking her to contribute towards the setting isn't out of the question. We will pay cash.
She's a small Asian woman with a size 4.5 finger, but diamond size is important to her. I can't compete with the monster rocks from friends working in finance, but I know she'll compare hers to theirs a bit.
I work in finance, she's in startup marketing. She makes more than I do FYI. (hence willing to contribute). We're 30 and 32 renting an apartment in San Francisco. California has a very laid back dress code and she wears jeans to work every day.
Ive been searching radiants, 1.40-1.7 ct, SI1, F-G with preference given to a better cut
Notes from homework:
- From reading PS it seems you really can't evaluate radiants with numbers and that the ASET is an OK measurement, but it all comes down to looking at it. The only issue is I don't have an eye for this stuff and will be totally taken at a B&M based on looks alone - I breathe numbers and other quantifiable metrics.
- I'd prefer to buy at least the stone online. The B&M shops I've visited in San Francisco have astronomical diamond prices and won't tell you about cut. Last one I benchmarked had a 25% markup.
- My friends have all reccomended "their guy" and they're all the same (expensive, silent on cut, limited fancy selection but will call around for you) and I'm done with it, but I'd respect a reccomendation from a favorably reviewed PS spot.
- I can't find the ring style anywhere. Custom?
- the trapezoid size is almost impossible to judge on paper by carat weight. I've seen .38 ct stones that were cut so wide they made a center 1.55 look tiny. I'm hoping for a look of about half the width of the center at the widest trapezoid cut if that makes sense. So a 6mm long radiant would have trapezoids no longer than 3mm.
- I'm concerned that Gs look yellow, but it also looked to me like some Fs I saw were warm. Am I crazy? They're all washing together at this point anyway.
- she likes a more rectangular radiant but from reading here it seems like those have light return issues.
Thank you in advance for your help. I'm cool with buying an ASET if needed and am not sure if I should just pull the trigger on a stone then find a ringmaker, work with wf, goodoldgold etc to be on the lookout, sack up and deal with a PS reccomended B&M or if I should just buy a ring pop and some construction paper.
Question: How do I buy this theoretical ring?
I've lurked and researched for a while and know exactly what I (she) want(s) for an engagement ring, but now I need some help with how to do it, particularly with selecting a fancy cut. She wants a 3 stone trapezoid style with a square/rectangular center stone, first choice is radiant but second choice tied between cushion and asscher cut in white gold or platinum. Kinda like this:
http://www.bluenile.com/trapezoid-diamond-engagement-ring-platinum_27483
except she prefers a smoother, rounder ring that tapers near the stone instead of the boxy one shown.
Ranges and notes:
My budget is $12-$13k, but asking her to contribute towards the setting isn't out of the question. We will pay cash.
She's a small Asian woman with a size 4.5 finger, but diamond size is important to her. I can't compete with the monster rocks from friends working in finance, but I know she'll compare hers to theirs a bit.
I work in finance, she's in startup marketing. She makes more than I do FYI. (hence willing to contribute). We're 30 and 32 renting an apartment in San Francisco. California has a very laid back dress code and she wears jeans to work every day.
Ive been searching radiants, 1.40-1.7 ct, SI1, F-G with preference given to a better cut
Notes from homework:
- From reading PS it seems you really can't evaluate radiants with numbers and that the ASET is an OK measurement, but it all comes down to looking at it. The only issue is I don't have an eye for this stuff and will be totally taken at a B&M based on looks alone - I breathe numbers and other quantifiable metrics.
- I'd prefer to buy at least the stone online. The B&M shops I've visited in San Francisco have astronomical diamond prices and won't tell you about cut. Last one I benchmarked had a 25% markup.
- My friends have all reccomended "their guy" and they're all the same (expensive, silent on cut, limited fancy selection but will call around for you) and I'm done with it, but I'd respect a reccomendation from a favorably reviewed PS spot.
- I can't find the ring style anywhere. Custom?
- the trapezoid size is almost impossible to judge on paper by carat weight. I've seen .38 ct stones that were cut so wide they made a center 1.55 look tiny. I'm hoping for a look of about half the width of the center at the widest trapezoid cut if that makes sense. So a 6mm long radiant would have trapezoids no longer than 3mm.
- I'm concerned that Gs look yellow, but it also looked to me like some Fs I saw were warm. Am I crazy? They're all washing together at this point anyway.
- she likes a more rectangular radiant but from reading here it seems like those have light return issues.
Thank you in advance for your help. I'm cool with buying an ASET if needed and am not sure if I should just pull the trigger on a stone then find a ringmaker, work with wf, goodoldgold etc to be on the lookout, sack up and deal with a PS reccomended B&M or if I should just buy a ring pop and some construction paper.
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