Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth it

[Confused_LOLO]

Hi everyone, me and my boyfriend was thinking about getting engaged next year, I did some research on pricescope, and was looking at diamond prices on blue Nile, white flash, james Allen, Brian , and good old gold.

So today we had some time shopping at our local jewellery shop to get a feeling of which kind of setting I would prefer. I tried one one that I love, but my boyfriend thought it looks toyish and messy.....
Instead he loves the hearts on fire ring I tried on later.
http://www.heartsonfire.com/shop-jewelry/rings/engagement-rings/belovedsolitaire.aspx

I do think the hearts on fire is pretty, I still love the previous ring more.
This previous ring's centre stone is made up of 4 trillions, hence a cheaper price tag. and that s what my bf hates ! He would prefer to pay more for a single stone.

I am using iPad currently, not sure how to upload photos, but this is the link I post the photo of me wearing the ring I love on another forum
http://forum.purseblog.com/the-jewelry-box/help-e-ring-setting-boyfriend-thinks-not-worth-772071.html
So what do you think ? Is the ring pretty and worth 5k AUD ?
Or should I go somewhere else , like white flash ?


Hope you guys will not mind my bad English and fail uploading method ..

 

[MsP]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

I agree with your boyfriend about getting a single stone... but I understand you want the "biggest look" for your money. I bet that Hearts on Fire ring will out-sparkle the other any day though-- it gets my vote between those two.

What are your constraints... maybe we can help locate other options.

 

[Enerchi]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

I have to agree w your bf that it's worth it for a single tone as opposed to a cluster like you are drawn to. I would suggest contacting one or more of the vendors you listed with pics of what you like as well as your budget and see what they suggest. Give them diamond parameters you'd prefer (G, VS2- SI1) AGS/GIA cert in .6-.8 range for $XXXX and these pics for setting ideas. Mind you, your 2options are nothing alike! You may have to narrow down a style that you really prefer over the other.

IDJ is another vendor that has done wonderful things for PSers on a budget.

 

[Confused_LOLO]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

I agree with your boyfriend about getting a single stone... but I understand you want the "biggest look" for your money. I bet that Hearts on Fire ring will out-sparkle the other any day though-- it gets my vote between those two.

What are your constraints... maybe we can help locate other options.

Hello ! Thank you so much for the reply I think the hearts on fire sparkle more as well ~
I do not know my constraints actually, bf say around 6k if i want it middle of next year. just if I want a more exp ring, I need to wait a bit longer, like end of next year instead of middle of next year.

I actually didn't think about the getting the biggest look for my money, I wanted a solitaire from the start , or a 3 stones. but when I try it on in the store, they seems pretty boring to look at and tried solitaire with side stones. They still look very boring ..... Then I tried solitaire with halo, looks slightly lovely to me. But still ..... Maybe I am looking too much of them in one go ? So the solitaire is more difficult to stand out ?

 

[Confused_LOLO]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

I have to agree w your bf that it's worth it for a single tone as opposed to a cluster like you are drawn to. I would suggest contacting one or more of the vendors you listed with pics of what you like as well as your budget and see what they suggest. Give them diamond parameters you'd prefer (G, VS2- SI1) AGS/GIA cert in .6-.8 range for $XXXX and these pics for setting ideas. Mind you, your 2options are nothing alike! You may have to narrow down a style that you really prefer over the other.

IDJ is another vendor that has done wonderful things for PSers on a budget.

I actually love the bulky one, it looks very cute and fun to me. But i think it can look tacky one day .
Thanks for your idea , I really have no idea when it comes to jewellery ..

 

[VRBeauty]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

I agree with your boyfriend that a setting with a single stone is a better investment. Did you try on any rings with a "crushed ice" look cushion cut? They have lots of life and lots to look at - no getting bored there! Better yet, check out the vintage cushion cuts at Good Old Gold. Most PS'ers who have them love them! Maybe you can find a setting that's a compromise between your favorite and what your boyfriend is looking at...

 

[Confused_LOLO]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

I agree with your boyfriend that a setting with a single stone is a better investment. Did you try on any rings with a "crushed ice" look cushion cut? They have lots of life and lots to look at - no getting bored there! Maybe you can find a setting that's a compromise between your favorite and what your boyfriend is looking at...

Oh I quite love cushion cut. Is there any pictures on the crushed ice look ? I love gold band with a cushion cut on blue Nile. But halfway I think white flash is a better choice

 

[Enerchi]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

Diamondsbylauren.com have a lot of crushed ice cushions. Browse thru that website and feast your eyes!! Some amazing eye candy on that site!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

Yes, a single center stone is a much better option. You can still get a setting that would add interest. I personally don't think crushed ice cushions are desirable unless you are looking for perhaps a yellow stone, because they use that cut to help enhance the color. But there are better cut cushions than that. The downside of cushions is that they are usually cut a little deeper and have a smaller face-up appearance. So if you want the most size for the money, go with round or oval.

Here's a good site with TONS of settings:

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

If you like a setting like that, go for it and find something similarly ornate and flashy.

But don't waste money on that type of "cluster" ring. That is WAY overpriced for what it is anyways, and in the future if you ever want to change the setting style you will regret that you do not have a key stone worth resetting.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

If you like a setting like that, go for it and find something similarly ornate and flashy.

But don't waste money on that type of "cluster" ring. That is WAY overpriced for what it is anyways, and in the future if you ever want to change the setting style you will regret that you do not have a key stone worth resetting.

Agree 100%. You do not want a ring that uses four stones to appear as one larger one - that just looks like a tacky wannabe. Buy whatever single stone you can afford - much prettier and much more cost effective.

 

[VRBeauty]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

BTW I really like the ring you picked out - huge surprise to me, because I'm very much a classic solitaire kind of gal. However, you're getting all that "look" for the money by compromising on the center stone. I'd much rather get a decent center stone, even if it isn't huge, and compromise on the setting.

 

[milton333]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

No, a cluster/illusion ring is not worth it.

Sounds like you want big in a flashy setting.

Any squarish shape is going to face up small for the carat weight, so I'd rule out cushions, princesses, asschers, etc.

I'd focus on marquise shapes, pears, and ovals, which face up large for their carat weights, set in halos. The Gabriel site linked above has some good options, including halos with side stones (some with all 3 stones haloed) which will give a lot of bling.

Here are some other thoughts:
A 1 ct marquise 10.3mm x 5.2mm. http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Very-Good-Cut-Marquise-Diamond-1511491.asp For reference, an ideal cut 1 ct round has a 6.4mm diameter, so the long end on this is quite big. And one of these settings adds bling factor, within budget. http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-8966.asp http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-8969.asp

Or a pear, 8.4mm x 5.4mm. http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1515253.asp In a halo http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-8981.asp

Or an oval, 7.5 x 5.7. http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Very-Good-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1511598.asp in a halo. North-south http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-8972.asp or east-west http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-8975.asp

 

[junebug17]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

If you like a setting like that, go for it and find something similarly ornate and flashy.

But don't waste money on that type of "cluster" ring. That is WAY overpriced for what it is anyways, and in the future if you ever want to change the setting style you will regret that you do not have a key stone worth resetting.

Agree 100%. You do not want a ring that uses four stones to appear as one larger one - that just looks like a tacky wannabe. Buy whatever single stone you can afford - much prettier and much more cost effective.

I agree that the OP should get an ornate ring if that's what she likes, but find one of better quality...I'm a little confused though - I've looked at the pic several times and I'm pretty sure the center stone is a single stone, not a cluster of four Sorry in advance if I'm missing something!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

If you like a setting like that, go for it and find something similarly ornate and flashy.

But don't waste money on that type of "cluster" ring. That is WAY overpriced for what it is anyways, and in the future if you ever want to change the setting style you will regret that you do not have a key stone worth resetting.

Agree 100%. You do not want a ring that uses four stones to appear as one larger one - that just looks like a tacky wannabe. Buy whatever single stone you can afford - much prettier and much more cost effective.

I agree that the OP should get an ornate ring if that's what she likes, but find one of better quality...I'm a little confused though - I've looked at the pic several times and I'm pretty sure the center stone is a single stone, not a cluster of four Sorry in advance if I'm missing something!

June the center is four trillians, so four triangles put together to look like one stone. The illusions apparently works very well

 

[milton333]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

I agree that the OP should get an ornate ring if that's what she likes, but find one of better quality...I'm a little confused though - I've looked at the pic several times and I'm pretty sure the center stone is a single stone, not a cluster of four Sorry in advance if I'm missing something!

I the original post, she says it's 4 stones set to look like one, her BF wants to buy a single center stone instead.

 

[junebug17]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

If you like a setting like that, go for it and find something similarly ornate and flashy.

But don't waste money on that type of "cluster" ring. That is WAY overpriced for what it is anyways, and in the future if you ever want to change the setting style you will regret that you do not have a key stone worth resetting.

Agree 100%. You do not want a ring that uses four stones to appear as one larger one - that just looks like a tacky wannabe. Buy whatever single stone you can afford - much prettier and much more cost effective.

I agree that the OP should get an ornate ring if that's what she likes, but find one of better quality...I'm a little confused though - I've looked at the pic several times and I'm pretty sure the center stone is a single stone, not a cluster of four Sorry in advance if I'm missing something!

June the center is four trillians, so four triangles put together to look like one stone. The illusions apparently works very well

Oh, that's too funny, what a dolt I am!!! I totally missed the description in the post, and I just didn't see it in the pics! Sorry about that!

 

[Confused_LOLO]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

Yes, a single center stone is a much better option. You can still get a setting that would add interest. I personally don't think crushed ice cushions are desirable unless you are looking for perhaps a yellow stone, because they use that cut to help enhance the color. But there are better cut cushions than that. The downside of cushions is that they are usually cut a little deeper and have a smaller face-up appearance. So if you want the most size for the money, go with round or oval.

Here's a good site with TONS of settings:

http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged

Oh thank you ! This site indeed has a lot of nice settings, I love round brilliant and cushion cut diamonds, others not so much. I love how the cushion looks on a solitaire ring, and not so much for round brilliant ~

 

[Confused_LOLO]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

BTW I really like the ring you picked out - huge surprise to me, because I'm very much a classic solitaire kind of gal. However, you're getting all that "look" for the money by compromising on the center stone. I'd much rather get a decent center stone, even if it isn't huge, and compromise on the setting.

Oh thank you ! Yeh thats probably the best plan, since bf really wants a nice centre stone, just in case I change my mind I still have a stone worth resetting . And compromise on the setting ....

 

[Confused_LOLO]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

If you like a setting like that, go for it and find something similarly ornate and flashy.

But don't waste money on that type of "cluster" ring. That is WAY overpriced for what it is anyways, and in the future if you ever want to change the setting style you will regret that you do not have a key stone worth resetting.

Agree 100%. You do not want a ring that uses four stones to appear as one larger one - that just looks like a tacky wannabe. Buy whatever single stone you can afford - much prettier and much more cost effective.

Yeah, I tried to ask if they can change the centre stone into a single stone, they say they can do it. The thing is that single stone looks quite boring to me , maybe I should look at a more fun design

 

[Confused_LOLO]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

No, a cluster/illusion ring is not worth it.

Sounds like you want big in a flashy setting.

Any squarish shape is going to face up small for the carat weight, so I'd rule out cushions, princesses, asschers, etc.

I'd focus on marquise shapes, pears, and ovals, which face up large for their carat weights, set in halos. The Gabriel site linked above has some good options, including halos with side stones (some with all 3 stones haloed) which will give a lot of bling.

Here are some other thoughts:
A 1 ct marquise 10.3mm x 5.2mm. http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Very-Good-Cut-Marquise-Diamond-1511491.asp For reference, an ideal cut 1 ct round has a 6.4mm diameter, so the long end on this is quite big. And one of these settings adds bling factor, within budget. http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-8966.asp http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-8969.asp

Or a pear, 8.4mm x 5.4mm. http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Pear-Diamond-1515253.asp In a halo http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-8981.asp

Or an oval, 7.5 x 5.7. http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Very-Good-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1511598.asp in a halo. North-south http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-8972.asp or east-west http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-8975.asp

hi milton thank you so much for the link and suggestion, i will definitely look at them. in fact i never love the pear shape and marquise from the start, and oval is kinda no to me as well. however, big and bulky ring was never in the league until i tried it on yesterday. i used to hate chunky ring.

and funnily, i used to love 3 stones and solitaire. but yesterday i tried a few 3 stones and i dislike them. solitaire still remain boring (have yet to try a cushion solitaire) . i will definitely try out the pear,marquise and oval next time. i might love them!

 

[JulieN]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

Have you seen Beverly K rings? This one is similar: http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/beverley-k-jewelry/rings/77PP1/

 

[Venti25]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

and funnily, i used to love 3 stones and solitaire. but yesterday i tried a few 3 stones and i dislike them. solitaire still remain boring (have yet to try a cushion solitaire) . i will definitely try out the pear,marquise and oval next time. i might love them!

3 stone halo with maybe an AVC/AVR/Old cut of choice/cushion as a center? ... I'm not sure if that would be way over the top but it would sure not be boring!

 

[farmer gal]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

What about something like this? It would give you a much larger centerstone.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS1-Excellent-Cut-Round-Diamond-1514541.asp

Setting:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/-18k-White-Gold-Pave-Set-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-17155w14.html

Or
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-twisted-shank-solitaire-11194w14.html

 

[Niel]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

if you like the look of a three stone id say go for it. Maybe he just doesnt like that particular setting. I always like this setting, it might be a bit out of your price point right now but if it was set with a .5 carat it still would pack a lot of punch i think

http://www.ritani.com/diamond_engagement_rings/item/511

 

[CharmyPoo]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

I also like the one your bf picked out more. The thing is .. you should pick what you love because you are the only one who will be wearing it and staring at it. I very rarely see my hubby's ring nor does he look at mine.

 

[katrinab]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

First off, if you're thinking of getting engaged next year then you still have months to make sure that you get something that you will love for many years to come. I think you should keep looking and also ask for quotes from lots of different jewellers to compare.

Secondly, I see from the photos in your link that the first ring that you really like is from Michael Hill? I'm from NZ and I personally wouldn't get anything from Michael Hill because they're hideously overpriced and very low quality a lot of the time. Put it this way, I went into a nearby Michael Hill store and tried on rings to get a feel for carat size on my finger, even the shop assistant told me to steer clear of the Evermore collection because they're very low quality and it's obvious. The stones that she showed me that she said were 'good' were crap too, they looked cloudy and like they'd been smashed with a hammer, not as bad as the Evermore ones but close. Also, a simple solitaire from them with a crappy stone in white gold will cost me more than getting a larger, beautiful stone set in platinum with side baguettes!

But at the end of the day you should get whatever YOU LOVE! If the first ring is something that you love then go for it! But it is also important to understand that your partner needs to have a say in it too, otherwise he might feel a bit bitter about paying for something he doesn't agree with. Maybe get some quotes to make up something similar to the one you love but with a single centre stone?

 

[Confused_LOLO]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

First off, if you're thinking of getting engaged next year then you still have months to make sure that you get something that you will love for many years to come. I think you should keep looking and also ask for quotes from lots of different jewellers to compare.

Secondly, I see from the photos in your link that the first ring that you really like is from Michael Hill? I'm from NZ and I personally wouldn't get anything from Michael Hill because they're hideously overpriced and very low quality a lot of the time. Put it this way, I went into a nearby Michael Hill store and tried on rings to get a feel for carat size on my finger, even the shop assistant told me to steer clear of the Evermore collection because they're very low quality and it's obvious. The stones that she showed me that she said were 'good' were crap too, they looked cloudy and like they'd been smashed with a hammer, not as bad as the Evermore ones but close. Also, a simple solitaire from them with a crappy stone in white gold will cost me more than getting a larger, beautiful stone set in platinum with side baguettes!

But at the end of the day you should get whatever YOU LOVE! If the first ring is something that you love then go for it! But it is also important to understand that your partner needs to have a say in it too, otherwise he might feel a bit bitter about paying for something he doesn't agree with. Maybe get some quotes to make up something similar to the one you love but with a single centre stone?

Yeah, in fact I was intended to just try on rings setting to see which one I love more on my hand, instead on seeing how pretty it is on pictures. And easier for me to visualise how big a carat is on my finger, I think my ring size is 3.25 to 3.5 ..... Then I walk into Michael hill , and get very nice service from them. But I kinda see the diamonds looks pretty dull. The thing is, i can never confirm it because both me and boyfriend never have any experience looking at diamonds. So I asked for permission to take photo. Then I start to think maybe, they can be one of my choice then. However, after reading so many bad comments I guess they are totally out of the league.

Thanks a lot katrina

 

[mandasand]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

You like bling! There's nothing wrong with that! For some reason, when I think blingy rings, I think Diamonds by Lauren. Here are some options to consider:
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/diamond-halo-ring-71ct-ivs1-daussi-emerald-cut-diamond-gia-work-of-art-r3624
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/three-stone-ring-100ct-mvs1-daussi-cushion-three-stone-halo-ring-r3916
http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/oval-diamond-ring-100ct-micro-halo-ring-bargain-for-sze-775-finger-r880

 

[ChristineRose]

Re: Opinion on this e-ring, boyfriend thinks it is not worth

I saw these too! Much nicer stones and about the same price. I don't think there the right way to go though, because they're M stones and they are cut and set emphasize the tint.

I don't think the three-stone halo is anything really extraordinary. It might be a branded setting, but if it were I think someone would have linked to it by now. I suspect it's some sort of piece-together of shank and shaft, center halo head and side halo piece. There are similar settings on e-bay for under $1000 although getting that exact combination may not be possible for $1000. I would call up one of the "cut specialist" vendors (Brian Gavin, Whiteflash, Good Old Gold), give them your budget, show them the piece, talk to them about what you like the best and what you might skip (millgrain, pave on the band, shape of the side stones, etc.), have them go over your stone options (H&A, square H&A, the various sorts of cushions, etc.) and see what they come up with. I bet you can get a first-rate center stone AND the blingy halo and stay within the budget.