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Newby, Looking for engagement ring, low budget.

J

juanmedina

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 30, 2011
Messages
6
I am looking to propose to my girlfriend of one year very soon :D .

I am looking for an engagement ring and my budget is really low 1.5K max. I went to the mall and looked at some rings, I liked the following and here are the specs:

Certified By: GIA Certificate
Shape: Marquise Cut
Size: 0.37
Clarity: I1
Color: F
with a 14kt white gold for $1000 :|

and for a:
Certified By: GIA Certificate
Shape: Marquise Cut
Size: 0.51
Clarity: I1
Color: E
with a 14kt white gold for $1799 :|

Extremely expensive for bad diamonds from my understanding. I been looking for rings at diamondsafe.com and found very good prices. I am looking at this diamond for $754 and the setting for $268 for 14kt.

http://www.diamondsafe.com/SingleStoneDetail.aspx?Id=st8285585
GIA Certificate
2105203540
Shape: Marquise Cut Weight: 0.47
Color: F Clarity: VS2
Cut: Good Cut Dimensions: 7.03-4.13*2.92mm
Symmetry: Fair Polish: Good
Table Width: 49% Girdle: Very Thin-Very Thick
Total Depth: 71.2% Flour: Medium
Culet: None Cert Type: GIA Certificate
Cert #: 2105203540
Product ID: st8285585

What do you guys think? Can you guys please help me find something better? any recommendations? I been looking at costco as well but their selection is limited.

Thanks
 
hi juanmedina,

im no expert but i recently purchased my fiancees engagement ring from whiteflash. I must say i was really impressed with their service and also their price.

with regards to your ring... what kind of setting are you looking for? and from what i can see it must be a marquise cut? knowing what type of setting you want and getting the price will allow you to know hw much you will be able to spend on the diamond.

from what i learnt when i was searching for my diamond, CUT is the most important factor that you should consider, as this will give the diamond the sparkle, brilliance and fire. Eye clean would be good enough for most and color is really dependent on your fiancee and getting a lower color diamond does not mean that it will be yellow. The diamond i got was a J color... and it looks white.

personally i dont know what the ideal dimensions are for a marquise cut diamond so i wont recommend anything. But i would say go on whiteflash (www.whiteflash.com) or goodoldgold (www.goodoldgold.com) and ask them to find you a diamond, compare the prices with what you have been quoted with.

Good luck!!
 
What shape do you want? Marquise? Is that what your FI wants for sure?
 
Thanks a lot, yeah I like the marquise cut the best and I think she would like it too.

The setting that I am looking from diamondshape is:
Setting Shape: Marquise Cut
Setting Style: Knife
Setting Metal: 14kt White Gold
 
I know nothing about marquise, but here are a few I found from James Allen.
.62 G VS2 w/ PS discount $1260
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Marquise-Diamond-1363496.asp

.70 H SI1 w/PS discount $1580
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Marquise-Diamond-1348098.asp

.64 H SI1 w/ps discount $1030
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Marquise-Diamond-1348080.asp

Edited to Add: I know nothing about the website you are referring to, so I can't recommend it. Perhaps other posters will have information about it.
 
Juan, glad you kept researching after seeing those mall rings! The stone you found is very deep at >70%, plus it's pretty high in color and clarity. You can easily go over the .5 carat mark within your budget if you drop the color down to an H and clarity down to SI. Here is a 0.63 at Whiteflash for ~1.2K. It is on the shallow side, but fancies are hard to judge by the numbers and WF could probably tell you if the depth causes a bowtie effect. The knife-edge setting would probably be $350.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut-loose-diamond-2594687.htm
 
NewEnglandLady|1301518008|2883715 said:
Juan, glad you kept researching after seeing those mall rings! The stone you found is very deep at >70%, plus it's pretty high in color and clarity. You can easily go over the .5 carat mark within your budget if you drop the color down to an H and clarity down to SI. Here is a 0.63 at Whiteflash for ~1.2K. It is on the shallow side, but fancies are hard to judge by the numbers and WF could probably tell you if the depth causes a bowtie effect. The knife-edge setting would probably be $350.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut-loose-diamond-2594687.htm
Click to expand...

So, should I stay away from a deep marquise diamond? why? I rather have something for her with better clarity and color instead of higher weight. Am I mistaken?
 
If you like the marquise, have you considered an oval diamond? Or a pear? They face up quite large for their carat size and I feel are a bit more modern looking, but that's just my opinion...
 
juanmedina|1301517532|2883705 said:
Thanks a lot, yeah I like the marquise cut the best and I think she would like it too.
Click to expand...

Obviously you know her better than I do, but I would strongly suggest that you find out whether or not she would like a marquis cut. They aren't for everyone and most women tend to go for more traditional shapes like round or princess (square) cuts. I wouldn't purchase such an expensive item until I was at least sure that she would be okay with a marquis.
 
sonnyjane|1301545486|2884002 said:
juanmedina|1301517532|2883705 said:
Thanks a lot, yeah I like the marquise cut the best and I think she would like it too.
Click to expand...

Obviously you know her better than I do, but I would strongly suggest that you find out whether or not she would like a marquis cut. They aren't for everyone and most women tend to go for more traditional shapes like round or princess (square) cuts. I wouldn't purchase such an expensive item until I was at least sure that she would be okay with a marquis.
Click to expand...

Ditto! Marquise is a unique shape that is not as popular as the oh-so-common rounds and princesses. I don't love marquise, princess, or asscher shaped diamonds , I would not have been happy to be surprised with any of those. I like ovals, pears, and others, but I wanted a round. I would have been disappointed with anything other than a round, to be honest.

If you KNOW she does like it, then great! :D Sorry, I don't mean to be pushy, but I want you AND her (she will be wearing it) to be happy. Especially her, as she is the one who will be wearing it for the rest of her life.
 
yeah I would second the other posters advice and find out if she wants a marquise as they are less common nowadays. If she does want a marquise I would look for one that is better in clarity, I1 may have visible inclusions. you can definitely find something nice for your budget though!
 
haha you guys made me change my mine and cancel my order just now :nono: , :lol: .

I am going to go with a round one.
 
would you consider an estate or antique ring, you would get a lot more for your money.
 
What 4Cs and what size should look for a good round diamond?

GraceAva|1301581609|2884202 said:
would you consider an estate or antique ring, you would get a lot more for your money.
Click to expand...

Where can I get them?
 
Hi!
I'm not sure what style your searching for so I'm throwing quite a few out there. A couple are slightly more than your budget but most sellers are usually willing to work with you on the price, even if it's listed as firm. Be careful on ebay bc marquise are really difficult stones to find nice looking ones of. The good news is they were really popular and while they are on the come back currently, it really hasn't hit the market so you should be able to find something nice with your budget. I found a really beautiful one but it's 1900.00 but I'll link you to it. It's VERY unique and I wish I could get it for my e-ring but I already have mine!

Here are a few I found on rubylane

This is the wedding band and e-ring in a set for right at your budget

http://www.rubylane.com/item/494298-12311B/18K-White-Gold-Diamond-Engagement

Here is one that's unique but not sure what band you'd use (perhaps none, some women only wear an ering)

http://www.rubylane.com/item/514555-rl-460/Marquise-Diamond-Cocktail-Ring

Another one, not my taste but right price:

http://www.rubylane.com/item/546437-9468004Sx2a/Estate-14K-Gold-75ct-Marquise
FYI: Same ring on ebay 100.00 cheaper
http://cgi.ebay.com/Estate-14K-White-Gold-75ct-Marquise-Round-Diamond-Ring-/120575225364?pt=Vintage_Fine_Jewelry&hash=item1c12d7ee14



If your browse pages 13-17 on here these estate rings are all in your budget
http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopdisplayproducts.asp?page=13

This one is the one I'm in love with
http://cgi.ebay.com/ESTATE-ART-DECO-5ct-OLD-MARQUISE-DIAMOND-SAPPHIRE-RING-/150471367677?pt=Vintage_Fine_Jewelry&hash=item2308cadbfd

This has a very nice center stone
http://cgi.ebay.com/Estate-0-55ct-Diamonds-Marquise-Cut-14k-Gold-Ring-/250681742917?pt=Vintage_Fine_Jewelry&hash=item3a5dcbd645


Please keep in mind yellow gold can be rhodium plated for about 30.00 to make it WG (it's not WG but WG has alloys that make it more "white" in color and then are plated to finish it off).

And here are a couple more options

http://www.goantiques.com/scripts/images,id,2400623.html#

http://www.goantiques.com/detail,estate-18k-gold,2288641.html




If you are considering other shapes you'd have a lot of other options as well.

Good luck!

ETA: Here is an emerald cut diamond ring for 1400.00 from Jewelsbyericagrace that is beautiful!
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Rings-Antique-diamonds/40ct-Vintage-Emerald-Cut/11844213_vEgwc#837383828_PTFpF
 
I decided to hunt ebay for a few OEC (old european cut diamond) rings for you in your budget. I've found a few, the cuts are hard to see on a couple but the settings/style were good enough that I thought I'd share them. A couple are similar. Sorry for all the links!

I really like this first one
http://cgi.ebay.com/LADIES-VINTAGE-ART-DECO-DIAMOND-PLATINUM-RING-/120694784928?pt=Vintage_Fine_Jewelry&hash=item1c19f843a0

Here is a 5 stone ring
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fantastic-deco-18ct-platinum-five-stone-diamond-ring-/330520662390?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_VintageFineJewellery_CA&hash=item4cf4911176

I love the setting on this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Art-Deco-58CT-Plat-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-/330543525181?pt=Vintage_Fine_Jewelry&hash=item4cf5eded3d

Similar to the first link
http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Platinum-Old-European-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-/230589871396?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_with_Accents&hash=item35b03a3524

Another
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Antique-European-Cut-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-/200588782804?pt=Vintage_Fine_Jewelry&hash=item2eb405ecd4


Last one for now
http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Platinum-Old-European-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-/270711060010?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_with_Accents&hash=item3f07a2f62a
 
That ring by Jewels by Erica Grace suggested my a poster.. FABULOUS!!!! Love it....
 
hi juan, ive found 3 that would give you an idea of how much more you would get for your money going with an estate or antique piece off ebay. i dont know how you feel about ebay but ive bought about 8 pieces of expensive jewelery on there and have never had a problem. not sure how to put a link on but the ebay numbers are;
110636487992 .71ct round cut solitaire
320678205839 platinum solitaire 1.02ct, i think you could get a real bargain on that one!
200590.90ct european engagement ring. i bought my engagement ring off this seller and its stunning. its also a j.
 
Here is one that I found:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/J-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1362633.asp
Price: $1,050
Shape: Round
Carat weight: 0.51
Cut: Ideal
Color: J
Clarity: VS2
Certificate: AGS
Depth: 60.6%
Table: 55.8%
Polish: Ideal
Symmetry: Ideal
Girdle:
Culet: Pointed
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 5.17*5.21*3.14
HCA: 0.9 (Excellent Range)

Settings:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/18k-White-Gold-Thin-French-Cut-Engagement-Ring.html
Price: $550

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/-18k-White-Gold-Pave-Set-Diamond-Engagement-Ring.html
Price: $750

Of course I personally favor the setting for $750 if you can swing an extra $300. I personally have a halo around my 0.57ct round and it makes it look HUGE - in a good way. But the other with diamond accents along the shank is beautiful as well - just all depends what look you're going for. Mine is also a J VS2 so if you'd like color reference:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-shots-of-my-ring.142327/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-shots-of-my-ring.142327/[/URL]

Hope this helps!



***Edit***

Another option would be to get that center stone and just put it in a simpler setting that you can always upgrade later:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/2mm-Knife-Edge-18k-White-Gold-Solitaire-Ring.html
Price: $380
 
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