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Newbie need help price for size, brick and mortar store help

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ckate29

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 7, 2015
Messages
12
After looking at a brick and mortar store, I have decided on the style I like, round halo. We (BF and I) are going to look at rings in the coming weeks. He mentioned budget is around $6,000 including setting, diamond and band. He was looking at 1ct for center stone, I previously tried on a 1.5 round halo that I feel in love with (isn't this always the case :P ). After all the research I have done, IMHO $6000 budget seems tight, no? To my Knowledge he hasn't actually look at anything yet I think this is just the idea he has (maybe that will change once he gets to look at things IRL?). I have educated myself on the 4 c's and after looking I think this is what I'm interested:

cut: ideal (I know/have read this is very important)
color: G-I
clarity: SI1-VS2
caret: 1.5 (In my mind, remember)

Are my thoughts on track? Also, has anyone had luck negotiating online loose stone prices with a brick and mortar store? I know overhead is less online, but its still their competition. Additionally, I have read that having a custom made settling can be less expensive than a stock one. This is the setting I'm eyeing at https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/the-emilya-with-flush-fitting-stems.. Saw this on PS and feel in love (isn't that the reoccurring theme here!).


If anyone could give some insight it would be much appreciated. :D
 
Re: Newbie need help price for size, brick and mortar store

Where did you read a custom setting is less than stock? That is almost always untrue. Your link doesnt work, but that setting will eat up the majority if not all your budget. $6000 is going to be very tight for what you want - there aren't any stones on JA that fit your criteria within 6k. If you want to move down in colour and clarity there are a few K SI1s or 'good' cut stones.

I think you will either need to a) pitch in some money or b) reevaluate your expections. What kind of wedding band are you looking at? That is coming out of the $6k as well, so you need to account for the setting you like ($1k), the band you like (can range from a few hundred for a simple band up into the thousands) plus the diamond. Check out http://www.e-weddingbands.com/ for some band pricing. Also lots available on etsy and the like.

There are a few ways to get pricing down on a BM store - look for coupons, sales, use a cash back credit card. Or, if its more a mom & pop place, they might be more willing to negotiate vs a chain.
 
Re: Newbie need help price for size, brick and mortar store

telephone89|1441658287|3924687 said:
Where did you read a custom setting is less than stock? That is almost always untrue. Your link doesnt work, but that setting will eat up the majority if not all your budget. $6000 is going to be very tight for what you want - there aren't any stones on JA that fit your criteria within 6k. If you want to move down in colour and clarity there are a few K SI1s or 'good' cut stones.

I think you will either need to a) pitch in some money or b) reevaluate your expections. What kind of wedding band are you looking at? That is coming out of the $6k as well, so you need to account for the setting you like ($1k), the band you like (can range from a few hundred for a simple band up into the thousands) plus the diamond. Check out http://www.e-weddingbands.com/ for some band pricing. Also lots available on etsy and the like.

There are a few ways to get pricing down on a BM store - look for coupons, sales, use a cash back credit card. Or, if its more a mom & pop place, they might be more willing to negotiate vs a chain.
Click to expand...


Sorry, not sure why the link isn't working. Ill post the picture of the ring below. As far as wedding band, a diamond that is the same width as the band on the e-ring as I find I like that look best. I believe some of the bands I have looked at are around $1200. I was thinking if we offer to pay cash it might also be cheaper. I did quickly mention the offer to chip in which I don't think he was fond of, but in all reality, I think these things are a lot to ask one person to buy all on their own. If you are entering into a life together and all expenses would be shared anyway, why not help out? I think this regardless of what it each of our ideas were in regards to specs.

In regards the the custom setting being less than stock, I don't remember where I read it, but if I can find it I will post it.
 
Re: Newbie need help price for size, brick and mortar store

As telephone89 stated a custom ring is usually significantly more. I was looking at custom halos in platinum and quotes were starting at $3k. A Canera or Mege custom will pretty much be at least that if not more. I'd also be wary of custom rings that were cheaper than stock.

$6k for a 1.5ct I SI1 with an ideal cut also isn't going to happen, sorry. If you dropped down to a J or K then there are some pretty good cuts in the $6k range. I saw a couple nice ones in the $6-7k range but the tint was a bit much for me. If you went with an 1.5 I SI1 then you'd need $8k or more.

If you drop to a 1ct then it might be more feasible. Whether you really need an ideal H&A or super ideal cut 1ct is up for debate. If you do though then this will likely consume all your budget though.


It might help to figure out what setting you want and what wedding band. Once you get those out of the way you can see what remains of your budget and see what stones fit it. If you really want a 1.5ct then allocate your budget towards that with a simple 14k solitaire setting. Then in a couple years you could get the halo setting. The wedding band could also be purchased down the line as I'm sure there would be a gap between the proposal and the wedding date.
 
Re: Newbie need help price for size, brick and mortar store

Yes my thoughts exactly about the wedding band being purchased at a later date than the e-ring and I think that could be discussed at a later time also. I think he would go up to $8500 and that would be for the setting and diamond. As telephone89 mentioned above, we would get to this new number with cash back from cc. Do you think I would be able get a setting as the picture above for around $1600-1800 14k white gold and a diamond around 1.40-1.5 (I know when you get a diamond a little less than .00 .50 the savings is around 20%) with the difference using the specs I mentioned above?
 
 
Re: Newbie need help price for size, brick and mortar store

UrsTx|1441661857|3924709 said:
This Ritani is in the $1800 range for 14kt gold.

https://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/french-set-halo-diamond-band-engagement-ring-in-palladium/4775
Click to expand...


I actually saw that this morning. Funny that you posted that! I was actually at a jewelry store over the weekend and look at the Ritani's, but I don't believe they had that one. The store where I came across this designer is rather expensive so I think I would have to buy a diamond elsewhere to make it the most cost effective. Do you know of any other settings similar to the picture I posted. I have been looking myself, but I find it so hard to tell with the stock pictures and much easier to see the same ring in a "real life" picture.
 
Re: Newbie need help price for size, brick and mortar store

telephone89|1441663032|3924715 said:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.50-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-612780 faces up a bit small

with

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-round-center-item-17445

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-round-center-item-17445
Click to expand...



@Telephone89 thanks for the links! What is your take on buying loose diamonds online? The James Allen prices seem to be the best bang for your buck from what I have seen. This is compared to Blue Nile, Since1910 and the last one has escapes me ...
 
Re: Newbie need help price for size, brick and mortar store

@telephone89 below is where I saw it (on PS) which is actually what I would consider doing, taking a look from a more expensive designer and replicating it with a local jeweler.



Post by elle_chris » 14 Apr 2009 06:18

Date: 4/14/2009 12:13:21 PM
Author:justinislooking
Just wondering if I can even venture down the custom ring route. I have lots of ideas for what I want and nothing seems to be perfect. I''m trying to keep my budget around $2,000, but I imagine I will end up going over that.

I just want to know how much more it would cost to custom make a ring vs buying an already manufactured ring. Some actual examples would be beneficial.

If you''re trying to achieve a particular look that already exists from a designer line, but with modifications. it might actually cost less.

Other things like the metal used, are there stones and if so what quality, as well as the intricacy of the design all come into play.

In other words, it might cost a little, alot or just might be worth it to get the original piece if your design is based off of one.
 
Re: Newbie need help price for size, brick and mortar store

ckate29|1441663167|3924718 said:
UrsTx|1441661857|3924709 said:
This Ritani is in the $1800 range for 14kt gold.

https://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/french-set-halo-diamond-band-engagement-ring-in-palladium/4775
Click to expand...


I actually saw that this morning. Funny that you posted that! I was actually at a jewelry store over the weekend and look at the Ritani's, but I don't believe they had that one. The store where I came across this designer is rather expensive so I think I would have to buy a diamond elsewhere to make it the most cost effective. Do you know of any other settings similar to the picture I posted. I have been looking myself, but I find it so hard to tell with the stock pictures and much easier to see the same ring in a "real life" picture.
Click to expand...

Ritani also sets its own stones so you can go through them or buy your stone first and then set it.

If you don't want to go the Ritani route (and a lot of B&M stores carry that line so hopefully one will have the model I posted if you want to see it in person), then I second the James Allen site. It's a trusted online vendor that has beautiful products and nice prices.

I'll see if Whitflash has something that'll work for you and post back if I find something.
 
Re: Newbie need help price for size, brick and mortar store

UrsTx|1441667078|3924744 said:
ckate29|1441663167|3924718 said:
UrsTx|1441661857|3924709 said:
This Ritani is in the $1800 range for 14kt gold.

https://www.ritani.com/engagement-rings/french-set-halo-diamond-band-engagement-ring-in-palladium/4775
Click to expand...


I actually saw that this morning. Funny that you posted that! I was actually at a jewelry store over the weekend and look at the Ritani's, but I don't believe they had that one. The store where I came across this designer is rather expensive so I think I would have to buy a diamond elsewhere to make it the most cost effective. Do you know of any other settings similar to the picture I posted. I have been looking myself, but I find it so hard to tell with the stock pictures and much easier to see the same ring in a "real life" picture.
Click to expand...

Ritani also sets its own stones so you can go through them or buy your stone first and then set it.

If you don't want to go the Ritani route (and a lot of B&M stores carry that line so hopefully one will have the model I posted if you want to see it in person), then I second the James Allen site. It's a trusted online vendor that has beautiful products and nice prices.

I'll see if Whitflash has something that'll work for you and post back if I find something.
Click to expand...


Thanks for all your help! I don't know how convinced he will be about buying online sight unseen, but hopefully I can do come convincing. Maybe after visiting a B&M store he will entertain the idea.
 
Re: Newbie need help price for size, brick and mortar store

Cut should be top priority. Color is an individual preference. Clarity is what I can easily compromise on. I don't want all-over haze of scattered crystals, and I don't want a big black blob that jumps out. But I can easily live with a good SI2 or I1 that is not completely eyeclean yet you have to study it a bit to find the inclusion. Giving up clarity can really get you a nicely cut stone of high color on a tight budget. If you like pale yellow tints, you could even look at L and M colors, but those are a pale yellow. I like them. Not everyone does.

Blue Nile is a drop shipper. To some extent, so is James Allen because not all of those diamonds listed on the web site are in their possession. Some are with the cutters and JA has to order them in. A really great SI2 or I1 will almost assuredly be snatched up as an in-house stone, not left on the virtual stone listings.

I.D. Jewelry and B2CJewels have found some nice stones for people on a budget.

Look at surface area of the diamond because that is the face-up size. Some diamonds are deep, and some are spready. A 1.3something or 1.4 ct may be in the 7.3mm diameter range, which might be close enough to the size you were looking for in the 1.5 ct weights. Carat is a weight. Surface are is size. To get to the 7.5mm diameter, you'd probably need to be in the 1.6ct range. But something 7.2-7,3mm might be more affordable because it's still under the magic 1.5ct mark, yet looks essentially as big.

There are no give-aways in this business. Vendors know what they have and will be pricing it accordingly. Some have a higher markup than others, but they might also offer more testing services, more data to aid your purchase, more personal attention, and possibly very liberal buyback or upgrade policies, too. You get what you pay for.

Those are just some random thoughts.
 
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