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mobius8

mobius8

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jul 22, 2007
Messages
154
Need your help to make the "perfect" ring.
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Any advice that you fine people could offer would be GREATLY appreciated.
Please bear with me if this is long.
I purchased a setting about 21 months ago.
I am likely going to purchase the center stone by the end of this year.

Setting has 2 round sidestones @ 0.40 carats each
And has a total of 20 small accent stones adorning the top/front and back of the band. These stones total 0.40 carats. This gives the setting a total of 1.2 carats.
The empty main stone setting is a 4-prong. And it is white gold.

I bought the setting from a local jeweler that was closing because they lost the lease on their building but ended up relocating a few months later in the same town.
The stones are not certified but seem to be a very good quality. They "listed" the price of the band at somewhere around $6,000. I purchased for $3,000 + tax. Thought I got a great deal.
Took it to another local jeweler last year to get their opinion of my purchase and price center stones and he said it was a decent deal but not great. And that he probably could have done something similar in the $2k range. But I am pleased as it is a unique setting and not everyone will have one like hers. She likes princess but from what I have read I don't think I will get her a princess because you get more fire from round and you visually get a larger stone with round than princess at the same carat weight. Plus with the size of the ring I will be getting I know she will be happy.

What I want to find is a good quality. Near colorless. "Eye clean" stone with a lot of fire and brilliance. I would like 1.80 carats so that the ring would total an even 3.00 carats.
I do not want so spend any more than $10,000 for the center stone. Tax/tag & title.
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This means that I will probably have to purchase online I believe.
I need your advice on what to look for. Where to look. Any creative financing tips. How to get the stone set and trust that what I get back is what I gave the jeweler.
Anything you can offer would be great.
I am a VERY frugal man. This will be the most expensive purchase of my life. 3 times the cost of my car. 1/10 the cost of my home. I need my money to go a long way.

THANKS in advance.
 
Hi mobius,

First, before I make suggestions, I have to ask this. You said she likes Princess, but you don''t think that''s the way to go, for the reasons you listed. My question is, would she agree? Some women don''t care as much about size. And while rounds do have the best sparkle, a well cut Princess is nothing to sneeze at.

Are you SURE she won''t mind a round?
 
If she wants a princess don''t get her a round. It doesn''t matter what you think. She''ll be wearing it. Get the princess.
 
I feel 98% sure that she will be very happy with a round.
I think the princess is just kind of a fad. Am I wrong to think this?
I also can''t see paying more for a less brilliant cut (princess vs round)

I appreciate your opinions. Keep ''em coming.
Anyone ever seen a princess center stone with round accents?? Is that ever done?
 
Date: 7/24/2007 7:56:26 PM
Author: mobius8
I feel 98% sure that she will be very happy with a round.
I think the princess is just kind of a fad. Am I wrong to think this?
I also can''t see paying more for a less brilliant cut (princess vs round)

I appreciate your opinions. Keep ''em coming.
Anyone ever seen a princess center stone with round accents?? Is that ever done?
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No, there are others who would agree. A round is definitely timeless.

Yes, it''s done. Not my favorite look, but that''s personal preference. There is no right and wrong.
 
Thanks Ellen!
As far as a 1.8ct, round brilliant, approx H color, approx SI1 or SI2 stone one thing really confuses me.
I have tried to learn about the cuts and the percentages.
Is there more to a good cut than percentages??
If I find those magical numbers on a website and purchase based on that, does that ensure a brilliant stone? Or, is there more to the story that I am missing.
 
Date: 7/24/2007 8:18:58 PM
Author: mobius8
Thanks Ellen!
As far as a 1.8ct, round brilliant, approx H color, approx SI1 or SI2 stone one thing really confuses me.
I have tried to learn about the cuts and the percentages.
Is there more to a good cut than percentages??
If I find those magical numbers on a website and purchase based on that, does that ensure a brilliant stone? Or, is there more to the story that I am missing.
Click to expand...
You''re welcome.

Yes, there is more to it than just numbers. I think you would do well to contact a reputable vender and tell them what it is you''re looking for, how much your budget is, and let them be your eyes.
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Just a few:

http://204.17.89.15/Home/

http://www.jamesallen.com/ (you might try him first, he has a large inventory of non H&A''s)

http://www.whiteflash.com/
 
Does my budget seem reasonable?
I had initially thought 7k but I think that 10k for what I really want, while low, is more realistic.

Are H&A more expensive? Should I consider them if the .40ct sidestones aren't H&A?
 
Date: 7/24/2007 8:39:02 PM
Author: mobius8
Does my budget seem reasonable?
I had initially thought 7k but I think that 10k for what I really want, while low, is more realistic.

Are H&A more expensive? Should I consider them if the .40ct sidestones aren''t H&A?
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Yes, it''s more realistic, I think you could possibly find what you''re looking for...One thing that could help is if you find a stone with med-strong fluorescence, that would not only help a lower color appear whiter/brighter, but will help lower the price, as they are discounted.

Yes, H&A''s are more expensive. I don''t think it''s necessary to get one, you can get really pretty stones that aren''t.
 
Awesome. You are really helping me learn Ellen.
Just read an article that indicates medium florescence would be recommended for the color grade I am interested in. I didn''t really know what florescence was a few minutes ago.
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Date: 7/24/2007 8:54:51 PM
Author: mobius8
Awesome. You are really helping me learn Ellen.
Just read an article that indicates medium florescence would be recommended for the color grade I am interested in. I didn''t really know what florescence was a few minutes ago.
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No problem!

There are many who actually seek it out. (flo)

Keep reading, there''s a wealth of info here!
 
Mobius, one thing I am not seeing here is whether you know that the size head in this ring will fit a 1.8 ct. diamond. (People really do not say a ring is 3 cts. and include all the tiny stones. So don''t get too hooked on that 3 ct. idea, because it is the center stone size most people are interested in).

Anyway, what I am saying is that you bought a setting that is meant for a specific size stone. They come in sizes for around a carat to 1.25, around 1.5 cts., around 1.75 perhaps, and around 2 cts. You need to know what size head the ring has or else you may be paying for some custom work to remake the ring to fit your diamond. Wirh sidestones, this could be major. So I would not shop for a diamond until you go to a jeweler to have the head of that ring measured to see the stone size it needs. And is the ring her size?
 
I would be very careful about buying an SI2 online. I''d really stick with your H SI1 idea and go down in size a little. Are you sure she''d feel comfortable wearing a diamond that large anyway?
 
She tried the ring on and it did fit. I think it should still.
I didn''t realize modifications to the head can be so major. Thank you for pointing that out.
I don''t know what size the head was intended for, so finding out will certainly be my next step.

THANK YOU
 
You''re welcome! The reason I said that is that sample rings very often come in sizes such as a carat. Once you see the size of the head, you''ll be better able to narrow down a range of stones to look at. I think you can get a nice I SI1 over 1.5 carats if it will fit the setting. If it was a solitaire setting, it might not be hard to change out the head for a larger size. But in this case with sidestones, the diamond needs to fit the current head, probably.
 
Date: 7/24/2007 9:02:58 PM
Author: mobius8
Okay.
So based on what I''ve learned so far, if I were to purchase today (which I won''t)
I would get this:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=1072635

Seems a good value to me. What else should I be looking for?
Click to expand...
That one has potential.

First question is if it''s eyeclean. AND, what does that mean to you vs. them. Make sure you tell them what you want.

i.e.

No visable inclusions at any angle at any distance

No visable inclusions at any distance face up

No visable inclussions from so many (put your number in here) inches face up


If you like what you hear, then ask Jim what he thinks of it.
 
Good news!
Found out that my setting will accept the size that I am wanting (I have decided more along the lines of 1.75ct instead of 1.8ct)
I am very pleased and relieved to learn this. And a 1.75ct is just the right size for this setting.
Now I just need to find the deal.
The local jeweler I took it to took my name and phone #. So I''ll see what he can come up with.
I''d love to do business locally, but not if it will cost me thousands more.

Thanks to everyone that''s helped so far. Keep the advice coming.
 
Mobius,
Before you get further with the diamond search, here''s a few things you MUST have an answer to. Show your setting to a jeweller and ask him/her if you don''t know the answer:

1. What type of stone will your setting fit?
Settings are MADE for certain shapes only. You cannot fit a square stone in a round setting. Likewise, you cannot fit a round in a square setting. What do YOU have?

2. What size of stone will fit in your setting?
Settings are MADE for certain sizes only. You cannot fit a 1.5 carat stone into a 1 carat setting. Likewise, you cannot fit a 1 carat stone into a 1.5 carat stone setting. What size stone is your stone made to fit?
 
Hey says it''s made for around 1.5 to 1.75 so I am pleased. 1.75 is what I have decided I want unless something changes.
I know she likes the setting because she tried it on once and liked it. But today looking at rings in Sam''s Club she kept commenting on other shapes like princess and emerald.
I know she''ll like whatever I give her but I''m slightly worried.
 
You should be worried.

She's TOLD you she likes Princesses and square stones.

She LOOKS at them in stores and is drawn to them.

And yet you refuse to accept that she knows her own mind and style, and instead are forcing your own requirements and wants onto this ring.

It is NOT YOUR RING. You are PURCHASING IT, but it will be HERS and she will WEAR IT.

Fad or not. Facing up smaller or not. It's doesn't matter. She wants a square stone. NOT A ROUND.

Do you know HOW many fiance's we get on here complaining that their fiance's did LISTEN, consult, or care to find out what they wanted and that they HATE the perfectly-lovely-for-another-person ring they received.

Please stop being so stubborn and listen to your lady. It's good training for marriage.

You said you are frugal. You want to get more bang for buck.

BUT here's the thing. You buy a round and you get a stone with more fire and more spread. So you think you got a good deal.

But it's NOT a good deal if all it shows her is:

a) You let your frugality blind you to her tastes and desires.

That's a very bad deal. It's not all about $$ and cents. It's also about listening to the woman you hope to marry, and putting HER desires above your own inclinations of frugality.
 
If you are going for princess cuts... it would be tough to find a good one in your price range at the size you want. The only ones I could even find are:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=1085216
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=1016862
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=1069065
http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?__fun_frm=i&pid=LD01095851&filter_id=0

I''m not great with princess cuts so maybe someone else could jump in and also give you some suggestions
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Oh boy, Mobius, I just had to jump in and agree with Gypsy''s last post here. If your GF has TOLD you she likes princess cuts, and then she lingers on the princess and emerald stones when you''re out shopping, this is a VERY CLEAR SIGN THAT SHE WILL NOT BE HAPPY WITH A ROUND! I understand everything you are saying about getting the most spread for your buck, and being frugal, et cetera, but as someone''s signature on PS says:

"A deal is only a deal if you are getting exactly what you want."

I can''t remember who''s sig this is, sorry! But I do love it!

Anyway, as a very particular girl myself, I would be heartbroken if my BF ignored all of the things I''ve said about the stones I love and went out and got a different shape just to satisfy his own requirements. And besides, if she is obviously looking at these fancy shapes when you''re around you can pretty much bet that she is trying to drop an enormous hint about what she wants. Don''t start ignoring her now before the marriage is even final!

Do not get her a round, it won''t be worth it, even if you get the best deal in the world. She is a princess gal, and since you have a nice budget, get her a nice princess. PLEASE!

As for the three stone mounting with the round sidestones, I''m not so sure how that would look with a princess. Maybe you could get some clue from your GF about her ideal setting, as well.

Good luck!
 
I''m just confused because the reason I bought the frakkin setting in the first place was because she liked it. And the setting has all ROUND stones.

Yikes.
I''m just gonna write her a check and let her pick it out.
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Date: 7/28/2007 11:10:33 AM
Author: mobius8
I''m just confused because the reason I bought the frakkin setting in the first place was because she liked it. And the setting has all ROUND stones.

Yikes.
I''m just gonna write her a check and let her pick it out.
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Click to expand...
Aw, it''ll be ok.
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Now, I''ve been thinking. You said you were willing to spend around 10,000 for the stone, what about this? Scrap the setting. (I know, but you can try and sell it to get back some money)

Then, get her a princess and a new setting. Just start over. Pick out a simple setting, and then get her the biggest, best cut stone you can find, from a vendor that upgrades. Then down the line, you can get a bigger stone.

Just a thought.
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It would be a shame to have a $3000 setting that you can''t use. I would possibly try seeing if you could get the head changed to fit a princess and have the side stones switched out to princesses as well and see how much that would cost. Something like this.

princess7585.jpg
 
Date: 7/28/2007 4:16:54 PM
Author: DMBsGirl
It would be a shame to have a $3000 setting that you can't use. I would possibly try seeing if you could get the head changed to fit a princess and have the side stones switched out to princesses as well and see how much that would cost. Something like this.
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True, but, if he switches the side stones, that eats into the center stones budget....I'd rather have one larger stone, but that's just me.
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So, does anyone have any clever ideas as to how I can find out if she still likes this setting, without letting her know I have the setting??????
 
Date: 7/31/2007 1:02:22 AM
Author: mobius8
So, does anyone have any clever ideas as to how I can find out if she still likes this setting, without letting her know I have the setting??????
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I can''t really think of how to do that. The best I can come up with, is to enlist the help of one of her friends to ask her to go looking at rings while they''re shopping one day. The friend could then maybe get an idea of what exactly she does like, and you could go from there. It''s not ideal, but better than nothing.

But only if you can trust her friend not to let the cat out of the bag.
 
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