Newb with a Few Questions about e-ring!!

[mdrivera]

Hello everyone, I have been reading up on as much as possible and I have a few questions that I would love any possible assistance with...

I am looking to get an e-ring for my GF of almost 7yrs (started dating when we were 16) and I obviously would love to get her something beautiful but I am currently in a Masters program and think that I can only afford about $3000-$3500 (total). I would like to get in the 1ct range for the diamond and get a nice simple solitaire setting--possibly a little paved.

1. Is my budget enough for what I am looking for? (If it isn't enough should I look for financing? I obviously want to get her something great and that we would both be proud of but don't want to be stupid about it!!)

2. My GF and I have spoken about it a little and she outrightly offered for us to buy it together but I would like it to be a surprise and a little old fashioned and want to pay for it myself...am I being stupid in wanting to take charge myself? (I know her taste fairly well and think I could do a good job picking out something she would like so the only concern is cost)

3. I think the most important part would be the shine/fire so from reading a few threads I think that the cut would be what to look for? Am i correct in this? (We went into Zales to see what we liked (NOT TO BUY!!) and the celebration diamonds gave off the most shine/fire and the lady told us it was because of the special celebration cut)

4. I saw this setting and like it but the pave and cost might be a little too much...does anyone know the name or other setting like this one?

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You''re going to have to look under a carat with a budget of $3500. My advice to you is to choose a plain solitaire setting for now which will only cost a couple hundred dollars so you can put almost all the money in the diamond. I will say that many here would be happy to chip in to get the ring of their dreams. But it is certainly up to you since you are the one proposing! You are correct that you need to get the best cut quality stone. If you do get a plain setting now, then she could help chip in on a more elaborate setting later if you wanted.

Here are some examples:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5359/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5229/

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1848253.htm ($2770 with wire/pricescope discount)

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/12/2009 9:32:01 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
You''re going to have to look under a carat with a budget of $3500. My advice to you is to choose a plain solitaire setting for now which will only cost a couple hundred dollars so you can put almost all the money in the diamond. I will say that many here would be happy to chip in to get the ring of their dreams. But it is certainly up to you since you are the one proposing! You are correct that you need to get the best cut quality stone. If you do get a plain setting now, then she could help chip in on a more elaborate setting later if you wanted.

Here are some examples:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5359/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5229/

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1848253.htm ($2770 with wire/pricescope discount)

Ditto DiamondSeeker, lovely examples she found for you too!

 

[geckodani]

Date: 1/13/2009 5:16:36 AM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 1/12/2009 9:32:01 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
You're going to have to look under a carat with a budget of $3500. My advice to you is to choose a plain solitaire setting for now which will only cost a couple hundred dollars so you can put almost all the money in the diamond. I will say that many here would be happy to chip in to get the ring of their dreams. But it is certainly up to you since you are the one proposing! You are correct that you need to get the best cut quality stone. If you do get a plain setting now, then she could help chip in on a more elaborate setting later if you wanted.

Here are some examples:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5359/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5229/

http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1848253.htm ($2770 with wire/pricescope discount)

Ditto DiamondSeeker, lovely examples she found for you too!

Thritto!

My husband dumped all the money into my diamond, and had it set in a simple 6 prong. I was told to pick my own setting, and it took me 3 years to change it, LOL. I think that the best thing you can do by far is spend as much of your budget as possible on the stone, and then pick the setting out together down the road, or let her chip in for it.

I have an inexpensive but lovely band from danforthdiamond.com. I've not purchased a setting from them, but I was happy with the quality of my band and it might be an affordable option for settings.

ETA: You can always upgrade the diamond down the road if you get it somewhere with an upgrade policy, like good old gold or whiteflash.

 

[Dancing Fire]

yes, buy her a nice 3/4 ct.

 

[mdrivera]

Thanks for the great suggestions. I think that I will take everyones advice and go in gekodani''s direction and let my GF buy the setting she would love. In looking at the suggestions diamondseeker2006 gave, would I be right in saying that the ACA/Heart and Arrows cut is the way I would want to go for best shine/fire factor in a round? Any other suggestions?

And thank you again for all the help!! And these are beautiful choices diamondseeker!!

Any comments on this diamond? http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1848238.htm

 

[JulieN]

Date: 1/14/2009 12:41:40 AM
Author: mdrivera
Thanks for the great suggestions. I think that I will take everyones advice and go in gekodani''s direction and let my GF buy the setting she would love. In looking at the suggestions diamondseeker2006 gave, would I be right in saying that the ACA/Heart and Arrows cut is the way I would want to go for best shine/fire factor in a round? Any other suggestions?


And thank you again for all the help!! And these are beautiful choices diamondseeker!!


Any comments on this diamond? http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/Whiteflash-ACA-cut-diamond-1848238.htm

H&A vs non H&A: in top cut stones, people won''t notice a difference in performance.

Shoot for something in the .75-.95 range and get something nice, rather than try really hard to find something over a carat.

The stone from WF is very nice.