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New here, Need some Ring Help Please!

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Marissa1986

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 7, 2010
Messages
3
Hi everyone! Need some ring advice...

My original engagement ring is an hierloom from my fiance's family, he wanted to propose to me with it, but also wants to get me my own of my choosing one when he graduates and starts his new job in a couple months! So I think I will just wear my original e-ring on my right hand to represent our past, present, and future since it is a 3 stone ring. We went ring shopping the other day, and we decided to try to look for sets since we will need to get a wedding ring for me soon anyways.

I had previously always thought I wanted a classic Tiffany style solitaire engagement ring, and Chanel setting wedding band like this one: http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz117/drcinderella/Tiffanystylerings.jpg

However, when we went shopping I just absolutely fell in love with this Neil Lane Vintage style set! It is from his new line with Kay Jewelers. It is very different from what I had thought I wanted, but it is just so sparkly and glamorous. It also has a matching band. My only concerns are if it is set a bit too high (My mom thought this when I showed it to her) and if my fiance would be paying a lot more for the ring just because of the name of the designer than what it is actually worth? I could also get a larger center stone if I went with the soliataire though, since the rest of it is so much simpler. This set is about 7K and is 2 carats total, but the center stone is only 0.75C, and I really wanted at least 1C. However, the halo setting does make it look larger. Here are some photos of it! I love it! http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz117/drcinderella/NeilLaneRing.jpg

http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz117/drcinderella/NeilLane1.jpg

http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz117/drcinderella/NeilLane2.jpg

Or, we could also order a set from somewhere you can design your own rings like the Zales website or Blue Nile to look similiar, but with a larger center diamond (at least 1C) for the same price. I would be a little concerned that the band wouldnt match perfectly though because they dont seem to come in exact sets this way. Here are some photos of one I designed on the Zales website. It is similar except the setting is a bit lower, and it is much less intricate in its design. I wouldnt be able to see it in person first, but they are returnable. http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz117/drcinderella/ZalesBuildYourOwn1.jpg

http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz117/drcinderella/ZalesBuildYourOwn2.jpg

http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz117/drcinderella/ZalesBuildYourOwn3.jpg

Who knew I would like the Halo settings so much! Any advice or opinions? They would be much appreciated! I am confusing myself!

Thanks for your help!
 
Sorry here are the photos that didnt work:

Tiffany Style I previously liked-
Tiffanystylerings.jpg


Neil Lane Ring-
NeilLaneRing.jpg
NeilLane1.jpg
NeilLane2.jpg


Zales Design Your Own Ring-
ZalesBuildYourOwn1.jpg
ZalesBuildYourOwn2.jpg
ZalesBuildYourOwn3.jpg
 
Marissa,
Those settings are really pretty. I think that you can do much better for center stone and quality using a Pricescope vendor. I believe that many on here would not recommend going with Zales or Kay.
Once you know what setting you really like, contact some of the vendors here, like BrianGavinDiamonds.com, Leon Mege, Whiteflash, and Good Old Gold and see what they can do for you.
 
Can anyone else help me out? Thanks!
 
Anne had the best advice. Round Brilliant micorpave halo settings with or without milgrain and engraving are very popular and just about every vendor has some variation of this style. Personally I don't think the Niel Lane incarnation is my favorite version of this style. The vendors listed all have this style, sometimes multiple versions of this style and sell amazing beautifully cut stones.

Cut quality is the most important of the 4 C's when it comes to diamonds.

My favorite affordable high quality versions of this style are from Beverly K who has like 10 versions of round halos and Pearlmans carries this line and also can source ideal rounds as well.

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/beverley-k-jewelry/rings/104PP1/ Is my favorite halo with milgrain and engraving (has matching bands). The price is great and the quality is exceptional.

Brian Gavin has the Sarah which is another lovely round halo (no milgrain on this one, which is my preference). http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5493
 
OHHHH I love the Beverly K ring. I also think that it looks like it isn't set quite as high as the Neil Lane ring. I also LOVE LOVE beverly K bands the are so thin and delicate.

Can not wait to see what you choose.
:bigsmile:
 
I agree with everything that was said by Anne and others about designing your own ring. It's actually pretty fun with the CADs (as long as you don't have to draw them yourself). :shock: Also, you would be surprised how much it costs to design your own ring vs buying something precast. In the case of halos, I think the prices are comparable (as long as you avoid LM).

On your choices, I really don't like the Kay design just because it looks like the halo was glued on because it was set so low (and I am the queen of set it low low low).

On buying rings online, I would avoid BN (you don't get to see the center stone, they won't send you pix or anything at all) and I would also avoid Kay (their setting fee is proportional to carat weight and gets ridiculous fast). Most places will charge you like $100-$150 (ballpark) but Kay is like 3x that for a "normal" size diamond.
 
 
 
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