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Only Chance Custom? Diamond Thoughts? Engagement Ring!

chillingambitiously

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Aug 4, 2016
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Hey everyone,

Long time lurker, first time poster. As usual, like others here to get some input on the big purchase for the big question.

She's laid out the ring, which may be the hardest part unfortunately.
eng.png


I've scoured the internet and local shops with no luck. Thinking I may have to have something like it made. Anyone have any recommendations or what it may cost to do something like this?

I've also considered the below as I know she will like them just as much. Would ultimately like to give her something like the above though. I've found James Allen offers a decent assortment of antique/vintage style gold rings.

Ring Budget $800-1300


https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/vintage/14k-yellow-gold-beaded-open-span-diamond-engagement-ring-item-51168
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/vintage/14k-yellow-gold-floral-scroll-engagement-ring-item-51171
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/vintage/14k-yellow-gold-embossed-diamond-engagement-ring-item-41687
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/vintage/14k-yellow-gold-antique-bezel-and-pave-set-engagement-ring-item-51163

Now to the diamond. Below are the parameters I've decided to stay within. Will going with these selections and staying in my price range yield a decent diamond? there's so many choices from the online stores when I put these in and is starting to make my head spin when trying to decide on one. Any input or thoughts will help, let me know if you think I should change any of the parameters based on "no need" or "can't tell" for value.

Diamond budget: $3800-4500. $4500 tops would like to be in the middle.
Carat: .98-1.20
Cut: VG+
Color: i+
Clarity: si2+
Table: 53-64
Depth: 58-64
Flourescent: Faint-None
Polish: VG+


I appreciate all input and advice. Let me know if you have any questions!


Cheers,

Reed
 

tyty333

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Hi Reed,
David Klass may be able to make the one in the picture but I think it would be more than $1300. However, some of the rings you
provided links for are over $1300.

Unfortunately most of the links you have provided dont really capture the delicacy of the setting that she has picked out. Let
us take a look around and see if we can find something closer in your budget.

You are looking at an eye-clean SI1/2, I colored (maybe higher if its an SI2) to get you to 1 carat in your budget.

So let us look around and see if we can find a setting similar to what you posted.

tyty
 
Q

Queenie60

Guest
The setting is lovely. However, have you considered the wear and tear on the setting as it seems to be quite delicate? Also, looks as though all of those tiny swirls can catch on clothing and other things. You may want to consider the practicality of the setting she likes. It's a long term thing and you don't want it sitting in a box, not being worn.
 

mrs-b

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Hi Reed -

Unfortunately one can't just 'have something like' the ring your girlfriend likes made. That is a HUGELY intricate ring, and, unless made by a master craftsman, will turn out a morass of metal struts and prongs and indeterminate, lumpy detail. Personally - and I realize this is my opinion only - the JA rings to which you linked also all suffer from being pre-fab rings; looking at the rings in those styles that people actually bought, they lack delicacy, grace and flow. Your first ring is lovely - but as Queenie said, that is not a ring to wear every day (or anything close to it).

If you want to go with your first ring, I would recommend three jewelers; Greenlake Jewelry in Seattle, who do a far amount of that style (www.greenlakejewelry.com), tho not, perhaps, as delicate as you would like, Van Craeynest Jewelers in Redlands, CA (www.vancraeynest.com), or Seven Fingers Jewelry (www.sevenfingers.com). And yes, as another poster said, it's going to cost you waaaay move than $1300. Otherwise, buy a stock setting at your peril!

Good luck!
 

E B

Ideal_Rock
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Messages
9,490
David Klass has made this band before, which looks like a sturdier version of what your girlfriend likes. I have no doubt he could morph it into an engagement ring if you thought it's close enough, though I don't know if it's in budget:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/557531628843478606/
 

lovedogs

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I agree with others that the ring she likes is incredibly delicate, and only a few jewelers will be able to execute something as detailed without it looking bulky. I would agree with those who recommended Greenlake, and definitely seven fingers could do something like it as well--but it will be more in the 3K range (just a guess). You could certainly reach out to David Klass as well, but I'm not sure I've seen anything that delicate from him--but I think it's worth asking!


ETA: other vendors to consider are Caysie Van Bebber (CvB: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CVBinspiredDesign/items), and Love Affair Diamonds (http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com). These two vendors also work together, and tend to have an antique inspired feel, which is the sense I get from the ring you posted that GF likes.
 

SeeingSunshine

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farrahlyn

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DIdn't find anything so delicate but did find some options if you don't want to fully go custom. you WILL need to expect to spend more on the setting though. If she's more focused on the setting than the stone, please expand you setting budget. (many women place more focus on the setting even if it decreases the stone budget/size of the stone) The ones i posted below are over your $1800 setting limit. Like i said, i found nothing quite as delicate as what you posted but that setting is going to be really prone to getting damaged unless she really really babies it.

http://www.greenlakejewelry.com/gallery/gallery_detail.aspx?ImgID=109239

http://www.greenlakejewelry.com/gallery/gallery_detail.aspx?ImgID=107439

http://www.greenlakejewelry.com/gallery/gallery_detail.aspx?ImgID=84475

http://www.greenlakejewelry.com/gallery/gallery_detail.aspx?ImgID=103485
 

farrahlyn

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SeeingSunshine|1470421636|4062835 said:


SeeingSunshine, those are beautiful, that first one is CLOSE and in budget! :clap:
 

mrs-b

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Niel - i think that looks great! Do they do it in yellow gold?
 

Niel

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mrs-blop|1470426051|4062856 said:
Niel - i think that looks great! Do they do it in yellow gold?
Their website says they do plat, and 14,18k gold in yellow white or rose
 

msop04

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E B said:
David Klass has made this band before, which looks like a sturdier version of what your girlfriend likes. I have no doubt he could morph it into an engagement ring if you thought it's close enough, though I don't know if it's in budget:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/557531628843478606/

This is the closest by far... I'd contact DK.
c462cf7276664faf05a44c75e4be8b72.png
 

msop04

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Actually, I'd just show DK the inspiration ring and have him do his thing... that way you can get the gallery and head right. I suspect that may be a major feature she likes. 8)
 

sparkle45

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Niel

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sparkle45|1470428128|4062868 said:
This is a Steven Kirsch creation that looks like a sturdier version of the ring she likes. I'd reach out to him for a quote - minus the opals, obviously. But everyone else is right, to get anything CLOSE to the intricacy and delicacy of the model ring will cost multiple thousands, I believe.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/first-glimpse-of-custom-setting.221589/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/first-glimpse-of-custom-setting.221589/[/URL]

sk.jpg

This won't be anywhere near his budget. I wouldn't reach out as I'm not sure that really looks enough like the inspiration
 

Niel

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msop04|1470427404|4062866 said:
Actually, I'd just show DK the inspiration ring and have him do his thing... that way you can get the gallery and head right. I suspect that may be a major feature she likes. 8)


I don't think he needs to go custom there are many options like what he's after in his budget.
 

msop04

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Niel|1470428275|4062869 said:
sparkle45|1470428128|4062868 said:
This is a Steven Kirsch creation that looks like a sturdier version of the ring she likes. I'd reach out to him for a quote - minus the opals, obviously. But everyone else is right, to get anything CLOSE to the intricacy and delicacy of the model ring will cost multiple thousands, I believe.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/first-glimpse-of-custom-setting.221589/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/first-glimpse-of-custom-setting.221589/[/URL]

sk.jpg

This won't be anywhere near his budget. I wouldn't reach out as I'm not sure that really looks enough like the inspiration

I'm with Niel on this one... it looks nothing like the inspiration ring, and even if it did, it would likely be well out of budget. Pretty ring though! :halo:

I'd still contact DK... I feel like he's the only one who could get super close to the inspiration ring and do quality work, while staying within (or very close to) budget.
 

msop04

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Niel|1470428315|4062870 said:
msop04|1470427404|4062866 said:
Actually, I'd just show DK the inspiration ring and have him do his thing... that way you can get the gallery and head right. I suspect that may be a major feature she likes. 8)


I don't think he needs to go custom there are many options like what he's after in his budget.

Custom can be a pain, but if she's stuck on that setting... only that one (or one extremely close) will do, KWIM? I just wonder what aspects she likes. If it's the design of the band, then yes, there are several that will be super close... But if it's the band design with the intricate gallery and the swoopy prongs of the head, then that's a tall order. ::)
 

Niel

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msop04|1470428953|4062876 said:
Niel|1470428315|4062870 said:
msop04|1470427404|4062866 said:
Actually, I'd just show DK the inspiration ring and have him do his thing... that way you can get the gallery and head right. I suspect that may be a major feature she likes. 8)


I don't think he needs to go custom there are many options like what he's after in his budget.

Custom can be a pain, but if she's stuck on that setting... only that one (or one extremely close) will do, KWIM? I just wonder what aspects she likes. If it's the design of the band, then yes, there are several that will be super close... But if it's the band design with the intricate gallery and the swoopy prongs of the head, then that's a tall order. ::)

I just hate constantly telling everyone "use this one vendor do a custom job"

His cads can be hard to read. This is a very intricate and someone who's very good at reading cads still could miss something, not necessarily something to go onto of you've never done it before. plus he doesn't insure the stones while set so that's more of a hassle. He seems to be contend with "very similar to the inspiration" which many already made settings in his budget can deliver. Hes said he just wants something similar, and she would like other options very much as well. I don't think you have to give up on already made settings so quickly

I don't know, I just don't see why this forum is constantly sending people right to custom work.

But I get what you're saying if it HAS TO BE EXACTLY THIS, then that's youre only option
 

msop04

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Niel|1470429750|4062881 said:
I just hate constantly telling everyone "use this one vendor do a custom job"

His cads can be hard to read. This is a very intricate and someone who's very good at reading cads still could miss something, not necessarily something to go onto of you've never done it before. plus he doesn't insure the stones while set so that's more of a hassle. He seems to be contend with "very similar to the inspiration" which many already made settings in his budget can deliver. Hes said he just wants something similar, and she would like other options very much as well. I don't think you have to give up on already made settings so quickly

I don't know, I just don't see why this forum is constantly sending people right to custom work.

But I get what you're saying if it HAS TO BE EXACTLY THIS, then that's youre only option

Yeah, that's what I meant... I wish I knew who the designer was on the inspiration ring.
 

Niel

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msop04|1470430176|4062882 said:
Niel|1470429750|4062881 said:
I just hate constantly telling everyone "use this one vendor do a custom job"

His cads can be hard to read. This is a very intricate and someone who's very good at reading cads still could miss something, not necessarily something to go onto of you've never done it before. plus he doesn't insure the stones while set so that's more of a hassle. He seems to be contend with "very similar to the inspiration" which many already made settings in his budget can deliver. Hes said he just wants something similar, and she would like other options very much as well. I don't think you have to give up on already made settings so quickly

I don't know, I just don't see why this forum is constantly sending people right to custom work.

But I get what you're saying if it HAS TO BE EXACTLY THIS, then that's youre only option

Yeah, that's what I meant... I wish I knew who the designer was on the inspiration ring.

Yes it's all over the Internets!
 
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