oh no, gf doesn''t like setting

[Quash]

Atenay, I read another thread you started and make some comments there. To be honest, at 2000k, I think your girlfriend is going to have to compromise in one of the following areas:
1) setting quality
2) diamond size / quality
3) metal type

She is SET on platinum and a classic Tiffany setting style. Reading your other thread, this is clear. But, that basically kills your whole budget, leaving you with a tiny diamond. If she's okay with that, get the SuperCert setting or the setting from Tiffany and a small diamond.

But, if she wants a bigger diamond, something is going to have to give: setting or metal.

As a start, can she list her priorities in order and maybe you can post them here? Otherwise, our advice is really based on our priorities, not hers.

Not an easy place for you to be in. I feel for you.

Quash

 

[Atenay]

Thanks for all the responses. I think my problem here is that my girlfriend has said that she is willing to sacrifice size but niether of us has a clear picture in our head about the diffence between the .33 and .5 and how it will look on her hand. I think we need to go out and look at some diamonds and I can get back to you guys. Maybe a visit to tiffany''s will help her make some decisions.

 

[Quash]

Okay, Atenay, I just went to the Excel Diamonds site. If I put on my stubborn hat and insist on sticking with their handmade replica in platinum, it''s $1250, which is most of your budget.

If I then stick with your specs I can add a .51 (5.1x5.0mm) diamond that is an SI1, J, very good cut. Barry calls in all his diamonds, so he would confirm it being eye-clean. That diamond is $738.

Total: $1988 if purchased by wire.

Atenay, this is doable. If you play around more, you may even be able to bump up the size a bit beyond that. Dropping to SI2 might be a way, as long as it is confirmed as eye-clean.

Why don''t you call Barry at Excel and explore options. Or, call White Flash and discuss options with their setting that your girlfriend likes.

At 2000k, it''s not an ideal solution, but it seems to meet all your minimum requirements and you''ll end up with a setting your girlfriend loves and a diamond you can both live with. My hunch from reading your threads is that this may be your solution.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

If it were me, I''d spend everything on the diamond and get a $200 white gold tiffany setting. You can always get the Tiffany platinum repro setting in a year or so when you save the extra money. I think the setting itself is going to look better with at least a half carat stone.

 

[Sparkalicious]

Atenay,

I have to say that, in your particular circumstance, I have to agree with the argument to go with the larger stone.

Having recently undergone this process myself, I have come to understand that the setting is the "manservant" to the diamond, so to speak, thus, the diamond takes precedence. The majority of your budget is likely most wisely dedicated towards the diamond and the setting is something that can be more of a work in progress.

Forgive me if you have already mentioned this, however, I am fairly certain that a reputable jewelry in your area would likely be able to replicate something similar to the Tiffany setting while taking your girlfriend''s preferences into account at a lesser cost??
Why pay for the branding on a setting and have to end up with a stone that ends up being "upstaged" by it. It kind of defeats the purpose, right? It''s like having a back up singer center stage with the "star" singing somewhere at the back of the stage.

Just my 2 cents as I do agree that an argument could be built for either side.

 

[snuggles1]

Date: 12/5/2007 10:04:16 PM
Author: Atenay
I think we need to go out and look at some diamonds and I can get back to you guys. Maybe a visit to tiffany''s will help her make some decisions.

Good luck. Whatever you do, don''t make an impulsive buy. If anything after reading this thread, you really should wait 6 months and save some money and make a clear decision then.

 

[betternotbiggerdiamond]

Date: 12/5/2007 10:04:16 PM
Author: Atenay
Thanks for all the responses. I think my problem here is that my girlfriend has said that she is willing to sacrifice size but niether of us has a clear picture in our head about the diffence between the .33 and .5 and how it will look on her hand. I think we need to go out and look at some diamonds and I can get back to you guys. Maybe a visit to tiffany's will help her make some decisions.

Sounds like a very good idea...

To me.. I'm a simple person so I would have been happy with a .3ct if that's all we could afford... Does it look smaller than a .50ct on my size 6 finger? Yeah, it's noticible, but I would have still been happy. Luckily, we were able to afford the .50ct and I'm really happy we were able to. I also wanted platinum originally, but when I saw how much of our budget it would eat up, I quickly changed to wg. I have many wg pieces and they are all beautiful. Have her try both on and see what she prefers.

One more thing to consider, since she likes the 6 prong tiffany look... most .3ct diamonds are going to be dwarfed by the prongs moreso than a .50ct.

ETA: Danforth Diamonds has a feature on their pages that allows you to see what different size diamonds "look" like on different settings... just go to http://www.danforthdiamond.com/engagement_rings/50/129/ and you can select .25, .50, 1.0, etc and see the differences. Rough estimate of course but might be helpful to you.

But with your budget.. I'm afraid to say... Something's gotta give.

 

[rainydaze]

right now on signedpieces.com there is a genuine tiffany solitaire in platinum, .45ct, F-VS1 for $3350. just another option to throw out there; if that is what she truly wants it may be worth waiting and saving a little more and going this route, or continuing to check their site to see if one with lower color/clarity comes on closer to your price range.

originally i was thinking go with the tiffany in 1/3 carat if that is what she decides she wants. however, now i am leaning towards getting the larger diamond and the less expensive setting and she can look forward to replacing the setting with one of her dreams in the future. i didn't see if you indicated if either of you are opposed to upgrading the diamond down the road, so one benefit to the ACA is you will have unlimited trade up potential so that when time and finances allow......

ETA: have you CALLED bill pearlman? he truly is wonderful to deal with, i would highly recommend you call him and talk to him about your situation. only a portion of what he offers is shown on his site (from what i understand). he understands the importance of high quality settings and i just have a feeling he'd be able to help you. it's worth a shot anyway!

 

[rainydaze]

ok, i just checked pearlman''s closeout deals and found this http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/previously-owned-jewelry/rings/063PO1/8/

it''s a 6 prong tiffany style setting (size 4, those can be sized easily if i am not mistaken) for $500. you can call and speak to him about it, learn more, see if he has more pics (side views) and he has a return policy on these items. oh wait, it''s sized for a 1ct. stone, never mind. sorry! but there again, just shows you he might have something up his sleeve if you''re willing to talk to him. he''s no pressure, btw!

 

[Rhea]

Date: 12/5/2007 10:10:18 PM
Author: Quash
Okay, Atenay, I just went to the Excel Diamonds site. If I put on my stubborn hat and insist on sticking with their handmade replica in platinum, it''s $1250, which is most of your budget.


If I then stick with your specs I can add a .51 (5.1x5.0mm) diamond that is an SI1, J, very good cut. Barry calls in all his diamonds, so he would confirm it being eye-clean. That diamond is $738.


Total: $1988 if purchased by wire.


Atenay, this is doable. If you play around more, you may even be able to bump up the size a bit beyond that. Dropping to SI2 might be a way, as long as it is confirmed as eye-clean.


Why don''t you call Barry at Excel and explore options. Or, call White Flash and discuss options with their setting that your girlfriend likes.


At 2000k, it''s not an ideal solution, but it seems to meet all your minimum requirements and you''ll end up with a setting your girlfriend loves and a diamond you can both live with. My hunch from reading your threads is that this may be your solution.

This sounds like a good idea and doesn''t really require any compromising on either size of the stone or the plat setting.

 

[FacetFire]

Don't know if you saw this, but the actual tiffany ring (.45 carat) is on sale now for $1975 at Signed Pieces!!! So it's within budget now!. Sounds like the perfect solution!

http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=7005

 

[kellyfish]

F, VH1 too!! Wow!

 

[Atenay]

Thank everyone so much for all your advice! I already posted in rainydaze''s thread, but I wanted to make sure to thank those of you who might not have read/noticed that thread and let you all know that ... i bought the .45 tiffany from signed pieces! i checked with my gf about used rings and with our budget she agreed that it probably wouldn''t have any effect on her long term happiness about the ring, so i went for it.

i am feeling GREAT about this decision and i wanted to thank everyone on pricescope who has helped me make what was a really tough decision. i think i got a once in a lifetime deal and i am positive my girlfriend will be absolutely thrilled. the proposal may not be for a while still, but afterward i will be sure to post pics and let you know how it all turned out.

 

[milton333]

Great! Congratulations. Make sure that ring is polished up, and no one will know that it was pre-owned. It sounds like an incredible deal for a 1/2 carat genuine Tiffany!

 

[Quash]

Atenay, that''s great!!! It''s been a bit of a process for you so I''m glad you came out at a place you''re pleased with. Good to see your gf reconsidered going with an estate ring. She''ll be really happy, as she loved the idea of a platinum ring and loved the Tiffany solitaire and you''ve gotten a diamond at your preferred size. Excellent choice!

Unfortunately, since you''ve bought it, the page at Signed Pieces is pulled down. What were the specs? Have a pic you can post? Please post pics once you get it!

Congrats! And nicely done! Very happy for you!

Quash