Need some advice...

[jfmiii]

So I am in process of finding the right stone and setting for my gf. I thought I had a good contender in mind after visiting a jeweler on Saturday when my gf mentioned in passing on Sunday that she doesnt like stones in the band anymore (after seeing a few friends' rings at a wedding shower). So, the nice channel setting I had in mind is out and I'm now looking for a solitaire setting. A friend of mine bought his fiance a 1.1ct Tiffany setting ring and she doesnt like that (but I think it is bc she thinks it looks small, tbh).

Anyway, I'm looking in the 1.5-1.7ct range and would like a setting that really makes the stone pop. With that in mind, and the fact that I'd like to avoid a straight copy of the Tiffany setting, what do you guys think might be good for what I'm looking for?

 

[farmer gal]

What is your budget?

 

[Rhea]

Some of my favorites.

Very simple. http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/felicity-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1613.htm

A bit of bling on the sides, but not going down the band. http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/sisley-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1359.htm

Bling on sides - this one is in rose gold, but I'm sure they do it in yellow gold, white gold, and platinum. http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/eternal-grace-18k-rose-gold-5704r18

 

[Enerchi]

White flash, IDJ & Goodoldgold can get you the Vatche U113, which is, according to several people here, the best Tiffany replica going!

If you purchase a diamond thru either of these PS vendors, then can set it as well, so saves some hassle buying from A and setting thru B. Have you checked out these sites yet? Pricing will be more favourable using online vendors than direct via Tiffany, if you are comfortable with online.

 

[jfmiii]

my budget is around $12k. ill pay a little more if i find a stone im in love.

 

[jfmiii]

I dont want to use Tiffany. Additionally, I dont want the Tiffany setting or a copy of it. I am leaning more and more towards going online for the stone. I've been using a jeweler in Chicago that is very highly regarded by PS and I've found the SAME diamond (I googled the GIA cert #) online for 20% less. The B&M jeweler has to have room on his list price then right? I dont want to use him to view the diamond and then go online via Eternity or whatever, but I cant pay 20% over what Eternity has the stone for.

 

[Enerchi]

Great budget - now spend some time on the Knowledge tap (top right corner) and cruise thru the key lessons there. Check out the Show Me The Bling thread for some ideas, then I'd really suggest cruising some of the recommended PS vendors. If you link via the PS site, and check pricing, there is a slight PS discount via some vendors.

Find a vendor you feel comfortable with. Good things are posted about the ones I mentioned above, plus others. Check their diamond search engines to get a feel for what you want and works with your budget. Perhaps split it up with $2K setting / $10K diamond? As an idea....

 

[Enerchi]

I dont want to use Tiffany. Additionally, I dont want the Tiffany setting or a copy of it. I am leaning more and more towards going online for the stone. I've been using a jeweler in Chicago that is very highly regarded by PS and I've found the SAME diamond (I googled the GIA cert #) online for 20% less. The B&M jeweler has to have room on his list price then right? I dont want to use him to view the diamond and then go online via Eternity or whatever, but I cant pay 20% over what Eternity has the stone for.

Sorry, I misinterpreted from your initial post - I thought that was the style - my error!

 

[jfmiii]

no worries! thanks for the help!

 

[jfmiii]

I dont want to use Tiffany. Additionally, I dont want the Tiffany setting or a copy of it. I am leaning more and more towards going online for the stone. I've been using a jeweler in Chicago that is very highly regarded by PS and I've found the SAME diamond (I googled the GIA cert #) online for 20% less. The B&M jeweler has to have room on his list price then right? I dont want to use him to view the diamond and then go online via Eternity or whatever, but I cant pay 20% over what Eternity has the stone for.

anyone have any opinion on the mark-up i've discussed above? is this normal? does this mean the jeweler has a bunch of room to negotiate? etc.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

It doesn't mean he has a lot of room to negotiate. He runs a brick and mortar store and has greater overhead than an online drop shipper. I would not buy from a drop shipper, personally, but I would buy online through a vendor who provides me with information that helps me make an informed purchase...magnified images of the stone, idealscope or ASET images, and a real person who can look at the stone and tell me if it is eyeclean.

But as far as the most beautiful settings go, I really like this one:

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/legato-sleek-line-solitaire-engagement-ring-729.htm

and this one:

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/caroline-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-288.htm

If you went with one of these, I would get the diamond from WF, also. The second setting is also carried by Good Old Gold if you are interested in that one.

Budget is going to be tough to meet at 1.5 cts plus setting, though.

 

[webdiva]

So I am in process of finding the right stone and setting for my gf. I thought I had a good contender in mind after visiting a jeweler on Saturday when my gf mentioned in passing on Sunday that she doesnt like stones in the band anymore (after seeing a few friends' rings at a wedding shower). So, the nice channel setting I had in mind is out and I'm now looking for a solitaire setting. A friend of mine bought his fiance a 1.1ct Tiffany setting ring and she doesnt like that (but I think it is bc she thinks it looks small, tbh).

Anyway, I'm looking in the 1.5-1.7ct range and would like a setting that really makes the stone pop. With that in mind, and the fact that I'd like to avoid a straight copy of the Tiffany setting, what do you guys think might be good for what I'm looking for?

Ok - she thinks the tiffany setting looks small on a 1.1 ct? that's about 6.8 mm

For 12k, you're not getting a 1.5 incl. setting unless you compromise on the diamond (which is your choice, if you choose to do so - no judgement here!). Even if you did get a 1.5 ct (whiteflash 12k - http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2763505.htm_ - you're looking at 7.3 mm - not a huuuuge change from 6.8. Yes, it does look different - but if she is expecting something much larger you can consider a halo around the stone to make the entire thing appear larger:
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/guinevere-solitaire-engagement-ring-180.htm

However, her descriptions are so incredibly vague that it may make sense to involve her in the setting decision unless you're prepared to eat the cost of the setting in case she hates it. Presumably she knows you're getting married, right?

 

[jfmiii]

Well, like I said, I am willing to spend a little more if need be. I was offered a GIA 1.7ct EX/EX/EX SI1/I today from a wholesaler for $12,600. The stone had virtually no inclusions (completely eye-clean) but when I plugged in the #s on HCA, it was 5.2, so I passed on the stone. If it was around 2, I would have bought it. They also had a 1.50 H/SI2 for $9,900 but it was out with a retailer so they dont know if that one would be available.

Basically I'm on my own in terms of feedback from my gf. I dont want her to know I'm looking. We've vaguely talked about rings before and she changes her mind every time and the conversation ends in "I know I'll like whatever you get me."

And re: the 1.1ct Tiffany ring, I am starting to doubt it is that big. My buddy who bought it told me he paid around $10k for it and it is an SI1/G. The more I look, the more I doubt he got that much ring at Tiffanys. I think my gf was more saying that the setting (Tiffany solitaire) made the stone look small vs it actually being small.

 

[stargurl78]

If she doesn't like stones in the band of the ring and she thinks a solitaire makes the stone look small, what about a halo ring with a plain shank, like this?
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7265W44JJ

Good Old Gold and ID Jewelry both sell Gabriel rings so you could purchase the stone through one of them. I would suggest working with IDJ if you want to get the best pricing for your ring.

 

[jfmiii]

If she doesn't like stones in the band of the ring and she thinks a solitaire makes the stone look small, what about a halo ring with a plain shank, like this?
http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER7265W44JJ

Good Old Gold and ID Jewelry both sell Gabriel rings so you could purchase the stone through one of them. I would suggest working with IDJ if you want to get the best pricing for your ring.

she doesnt like halo and goes like the solitaire setting, just not the tiffany ring my buddy bought. tbh, it might be due to the fact she doesnt really like my friend's fiance....who know!

 

[webdiva]

Kudos to you for looking for GIA stones and plugging in the HCA! So glad to see that!

Did you like the solitaires Diamondseeker posted? Whiteflash also has some very nice expert selection diamonds that would maximize size and budget...

 

[jfmiii]

Kudos to you for looking for GIA stones and plugging in the HCA! So glad to see that!

Did you like the solitaires Diamondseeker posted? Whiteflash also has some very nice expert selection diamonds that would maximize size and budget...

i really liked the caroline vatche. that may be the one! i need to find a stone though! and id prefer to find one locally vs online.

 

[webdiva]

Kudos to you for looking for GIA stones and plugging in the HCA! So glad to see that!

Did you like the solitaires Diamondseeker posted? Whiteflash also has some very nice expert selection diamonds that would maximize size and budget...

i really liked the caroline vatche. that may be the one! i need to find a stone though! and id prefer to find one locally vs online.

Where do you live? If you are worried about not being able to see the diamond in person, many vendors have a great return policy and you can return the stone before setting. Or have it sent to an appraiser for review prior to purchase (usually with a deposit). Unless you are prepared to take that local stone to an appraiser for a full appraisal incl. ASET and idealscope, etc - you will find a much better stone online with less hassle. Especially in a round, which is are much easier to purchase sight unseen as long as the specs and images work out.

 

[jfmiii]

Kudos to you for looking for GIA stones and plugging in the HCA! So glad to see that!

Did you like the solitaires Diamondseeker posted? Whiteflash also has some very nice expert selection diamonds that would maximize size and budget...

i really liked the caroline vatche. that may be the one! i need to find a stone though! and id prefer to find one locally vs online.

Where do you live? If you are worried about not being able to see the diamond in person, many vendors have a great return policy and you can return the stone before setting. Or have it sent to an appraiser for review prior to purchase (usually with a deposit). Unless you are prepared to take that local stone to an appraiser for a full appraisal incl. ASET and idealscope, etc - you will find a much better stone online with less hassle. Especially in a round, which is are much easier to purchase sight unseen as long as the specs and images work out.

i am in chicago. im just worried about sending someone $10k+ for a stone sight unseen, even with GIA certs, an iron-clad return policy, etc. just paranoia. and funny bc i buy literally everything else online.

 

[webdiva]

Kudos to you for looking for GIA stones and plugging in the HCA! So glad to see that!

Did you like the solitaires Diamondseeker posted? Whiteflash also has some very nice expert selection diamonds that would maximize size and budget...

i really liked the caroline vatche. that may be the one! i need to find a stone though! and id prefer to find one locally vs online.

Where do you live? If you are worried about not being able to see the diamond in person, many vendors have a great return policy and you can return the stone before setting. Or have it sent to an appraiser for review prior to purchase (usually with a deposit). Unless you are prepared to take that local stone to an appraiser for a full appraisal incl. ASET and idealscope, etc - you will find a much better stone online with less hassle. Especially in a round, which is are much easier to purchase sight unseen as long as the specs and images work out.

i am in chicago. im just worried about sending someone $10k+ for a stone sight unseen, even with GIA certs, an iron-clad return policy, etc. just paranoia. and funny bc i buy literally everything else online.

How about a "business trip" to NY for a day to see stones in person?