Needing help with a gift for mum

[firebunny]

Hello diamond brains trust! I am hoping for some help on getting the best bang for buck within our budget and parameters for my mum who is having a birthday soon. She has been very sick and has done it pretty tough over the years and my brother and I want to do something special for her.

Here are the range of stats we're looking at:

Shape: round
Colour: down to H
Carat: 1+, hopefully ~1.2
Clarity: vs2 eye clean
Budget: $aud 9000. So more like a bit over $usd 6000

We are thinking set in a plain six prong platinum ring size K1/2 (this is an estimate)

Is this a realistic budget? Obviously we are after an ideal cut but we can't afford the mindcleanness of absolute precision!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gypsy]

No, the budget is not realistic.

You are not likely to get a top cut H one carat round in a platinum setting for 6k. Platinum settings cost about 800-1400.

Sorry.

BUT, there are some compromises you can make. First, I color in a top cut round is really white. It REALLY will not make a huge difference to drop to I color.

Second, we can go for a less expensive platinum setting, like a Stuller setting, to make the budget work, but even then you may be over buy as much as 500. So if you can do a 6500 budget that would be more realistic. Even with the drop to I color.

Let's see what we can find you. Stuller 6 prong platinum setting is going to be around 800-1000. So keep 1000 in mind to add to the diamond prices for your price including setting.

FYI you are aware there will be taxes on your purchase right? You need to account for those too.

 

[Gypsy]

Good news! Plenty of selection. In lower colors, FYI, higher clarity stones are discounted so often you will find in lower colors that the best deals (and where the most selction is) are with higher clarity due to decreased demand for higher clarity stones at lower colors.

Top choices:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8590758-1.05-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-VS1-Clarity.aspx?sku=8590758&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.04-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1944721 leaves you with just the right budget for a platinum solitaire.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1912306

This one is an H: https://www.solomonbrothers.com/diamonddetail/181337/shop?affiliate=9318613A-AD0C-4530-A456-0409DFEFB8DE&utm_source=PriceScope but you would have to ask for a picture of the stone.

And this one could end up being a steal: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8481029-1.02-carat-Round-diamond-G-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?sku=8481029&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com It will be eyeclean, it's just a matter of transparency. If the wisps are not impacting transparency it would be a steal.

And this one is another bargain: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-8514045-1.01-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-SI1-Clarity.aspx?sku=8514045&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com because the one inclusion that may be slightly visible can be hidden under a prong. And at that price you can get a killer setting.

 

[Gypsy]

So if you went for either of the JA stones (both are nice stones) you can get this setting: https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-tapered-six-prong-diamond-engagement-ring-item-50011 And it is the nicest 6 prong at a 'budget' price point offered by JA. MAKE SURE YOU SPECIFY THAT THE WORK ORDER MUST SAY "DELICATE CLAW PRONGS". Otherwise you'll end up with bulky blobby prongs.

JA and one of those I color stones is going to be the fastest purchase. You can buy them tonight and call it done.

If you went with one of the other stones at 5k or more then a Stuller setting is your best bet. And I would see if they can be called in and (if they are SI1) vetted by IDJ before buying.

If you went for the 4500 stone from B2C with the prongable inclusion, then you might be able to get a custom setting at IDJ, who would probably be able to call the stone for you so you can do 'one stop shopping' though them. Or maybe even a simple three stone with two .10 point sidestones. Which would be nice.

 

[Bron357]

Hi from a fellow Australia, yes, there will be GST of 10% plus the customs fees (about $80 if you do it yourself through the PO, or like $250 extra if Fed Ex or Similiar do the import paperwork) as well. Plus allow another $80 for insured and tracked shipping or courier from the US. So a $10,000 AUD ring is actually closer to $11,200 AUD when it arrives at your front door. It's a bummer for sure

 

[Gypsy]

Just an editorial note though.

I PERSONALLY wouldn't get a six prong solitiare for my mom. It's such an 'engagement' thing.

If I were buying a ring for my mom, I would go for a three stone.


So, just because it may be something to consider, here is what I would buy MY mom with your budget if I wanted to get her a ring.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.866-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104088433017
Plus this setting: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/diana-platinum-5981p And I would ask BGD for 10 or 15 point sidestones for it for $400 each, to match the center stone.

That is what I would get my mother, personally. That gets you an 85+ center. Super ideal cut. Two lovely sidestones. And a gorgeous setting.

The center stone is "mom" and the sides are you and your brother.

It's just, IMO, a little more fitting for a mother.

 

[firebunny]

Thanks so much Gypsy - we're visiting her at the hospital at the moment but when I get home I will have a good look at the options you've provided.

I also agree with the three stone setting as more appropriate and it would be lovely symbolism. Mums engagement ring (bought after 20 years or so of marriage) was given away and never replaced and my brother wants her to have a big rock. I'll have a chat to him and show him the Brian Gavin diamonds combo you've posted there, as I agree with you!

Bron, thank you for the details on the fees - I did take about 10% off my budget after exchange rate so hopefully it won't be a huge difference


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gypsy]

I understand the big rock thing. But the fact is, without a huge sacrifice to color you aren't going to be able to get a 'huge' rock on a 6k budget and you might still have to 500 (US) over to afford a setting.

The biggest rock within a color range that would look white most of the time is going to be K color. And with K/L range we generally recommend going with a European cut because they face up whiter in lower colors (I personally feel in OEC's that K is the perfect color). http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/1-ct-to-2-00/1-41ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-k-vs1#.V7f3uDXFFS0 That maxes out your budget. But it really is one heck of a pretty stone.

I mean you could get a really inexpensive setting for it. Just a 14kt stuller setting (which Grace could probably just order for you) for 500 or so. http://www.stuller.com/products/123169/12650019/?groupId=194905&categoryId=11040 This is pretty, unique and suits the old cut look very much for example. Honestly even for the Modern Round Brilliants I prefer this setting as it is more unique than a standard 6 prong and less engagementy. And Stuller has many settings that are affordable and lovely.


Or if you can do this. Get the $4500 stone above, the one with the prongable inclusion. But purchase it through IDJ (you would just call them or send them an email with the link to the stone, ask them if they can call it in for you). And ask them to have it put in this setting http://www.stuller.com/products/123163/?groupId=194486&categoryId=10999 and have them use "PS quality" sidestones for it. That would be in your budget too, give you a full carat stone for the center and 6.5mm. And still have the three stones. That would probably be the most 'bang for buck' in terms of carat weight. You may have to go down to 14kt (X1 from Stuller doesn't need plating in 14kt) instead of platinum. But that's not a huge thing.

 

[Gypsy]

These would all fit a 7mm stone affordably:
http://www.stuller.com/products/build/122004/3637889/?groupId=113775#/mounting-options
http://www.stuller.com/products/build/123060/12585644/?groupId=194064#/mounting-options
http://www.stuller.com/products/build/122089/10315527/?groupId=120319#/mounting-options

 

[firebunny]

Gypsy, we love that three stone Stuller setting. I'll get in touch with IDJ and see how we go with your recommended set up.

Do you suggest .1 - .15 side stones for this three stone setting also?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gypsy]

That setting takes a set size sidestone. It doesn't list what that size IS anywhere however. IDJ will, have to find out and then tell you what that is. It looks nice whatever it is, so you'll be okay no matter what. For once stock photos are helpful!

Make sure you specify PS quality stones!!

 

[firebunny]

Just an update, have heard back from IDJ and they're not convinced the stone is eye clean due to notes on other clouds. And as its non refundable they don't want to take the chance with the clarity. I think we might just have to look at less than 1 carat as we're pretty convinced on the three stone ring idea!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hounddog]

Just wanted to say I think the three stone idea is great, it sounds just perfect for the situation you describe, for your Mum from the two of you.
I'm sure she will adore it, what a lovely idea

Sorry I can't help with any other aspects.
I have no expert knowledge, I'm just loving being here and learning.

 

[Gypsy]

Just an update, have heard back from IDJ and they're not convinced the stone is eye clean due to notes on other clouds. And as its non refundable they don't want to take the chance with the clarity. I think we might just have to look at less than 1 carat as we're pretty convinced on the three stone ring idea!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You are in good hands. Truly. Tell them you want a stone Gypsy would approve of as the center stone. And they will find it for you.

Go from there.

Post the stone when you have a contender.