Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Please help! I''m looking for an engagement ring

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
J

jmo546

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 16, 2010
Messages
11

Its been 23 days since I started my journey to find a perfect engagement ring for my gf. I am trying so hard to locate the same ring that she found on a cruise last year and even had to steal the photos from her computer. attached is the photo of the ring. I spoke to a few jewelers who said it is impossible to custom make the ring even with the photo. So I would like to ask the forum for help. Here is my info:


budget: $9000 total for ring, sidestones, and diamond


platinum band
sidestones around .30 total weight or within the budget
diamond: round and hoping for something in the 1.5ct range which I doubt if the band and sidestones cost more than $2k.
color: G-H-I
clarity: VS2-SI2



ringupload.JPG
 
Have you contacted the PS vendors - like Whiteflash, Brian Gavin, Quest, etc?

Have they said it is "impossible" as they do not want to copy someone's design or because they just can't do it? Most jewelers should be able to use that as inspiration to make something new - it does not seem that complicated and there is a good view of the side (and if you have other pics, even better). Very few will do an exact copy but they will make something close.
 
if you want it exactly like that, it would be a custom job.

I think Brian Gavin will be able to hook you up pretty well.
 
thanks for the input! I''ll ask Whiteflash and the other vendors immediately.
 
Good news and bad news. I ran into some financial problems and now I have to reduce my budget to about $6000. I just received a custom order from Whiteflash for the ring and its $2600. The sidestone total carat weight is 0.40, H VS2.

My remaining budget is now about $3400. Would a diamond under 1 carat look small with the two sidestones? Should I forget about the custom ring and just spend the money on a diamond and a plain band?
 
is that quote for platinum or white gold? maybe go with white gold to save $ on the setting and get a larger center stone?
 
Perhaps get another quote as well? I don''t think the side stones would look bad with a stone under 1 carat. What about this stone? It is just a bit over budget

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-1040399040001

I have seen his H&A in colors G-J and I personally couldn''t tell a difference. A well cut stone makes such a difference. Also consider using a vendor with a good upgrade policy and perhaps in the future you can get that 1.5 c you were hoping for
 
the quote is for platinum.
 
Date: 4/5/2010 2:00:36 PM
Author: jmo546
Good news and bad news. I ran into some financial problems and now I have to reduce my budget to about $6000. I just received a custom order from Whiteflash for the ring and its $2600. The sidestone total carat weight is 0.40, H VS2.

My remaining budget is now about $3400. Would a diamond under 1 carat look small with the two sidestones? Should I forget about the custom ring and just spend the money on a diamond and a plain band?
Click to expand...
I would skip the fancy setting for now and just get a really nice solitaire (as big as you can)...then have the setting made later when more $$$
is available.
 
Date: 4/5/2010 2:00:36 PM
Author: jmo546
Good news and bad news. I ran into some financial problems and now I have to reduce my budget to about $6000. I just received a custom order from Whiteflash for the ring and its $2600. The sidestone total carat weight is 0.40, H VS2.

My remaining budget is now about $3400. Would a diamond under 1 carat look small with the two sidestones? Should I forget about the custom ring and just spend the money on a diamond and a plain band?
Click to expand...

Since you're going with a smaller center, you could probably go smaller on the side stones too, which should save a little cash. I'd ask BGD for a quote and if they come within budget, pair it with that .90 ct I, SI1 Christie posted above.

ETA: Is platinum a must for your girlfriend?
 
Thanks, I''ll ask Brian Gavin for a quote first. EB, I rather have platinum if I plan to keep the ring setting for a long time.

Christie, that diamond looks very nice.

Is it easier to upgrade the ring setting or a diamond in the future?

Thanks again for all your help. I''ll be back when I need help searching for a diamond.
 
Spend the money on the rock. I believe Good Old Gold and Brian Gavin Diamonds have pretty good trade up plans.
 
I have decided to pick this ring setting from Brian Gavins.

Now my next step is to find a diamond around $3400. I''m looking for a round brilliant around a carat. The one that christie recommended is no longer available. Can anyone help?

pearsides1ctcenter20sonside[1]a.JPG
 
that is a beautiful setting! there are lots of rounds in your budget around 0.9 carat if you search on BGD...I am not that sure about what all of the numbers mean so I''m not going to recommend a specific one...
 
Thanks slg! It was easier to decide on the ring setting when I overheard the gf tell her friends that she absolutely loves side diamonds.

Brian Gavin also has a lifetime upgrade policy but only on their signature hearts and arrows.
 
oh, are you looking for upgrade policy? i think to get a BG signature hearts and arrows in your budget youd have to go to like 0.7 carat or so. i''m not sure what vendors have upgrade policies for all of their stones but i''m sure someone on PS knows :)
 
Here is the info I have collected on upgrades....someone let me know if they know otherwise...

Brian Gavin - 100% on H&As, spend more than what original stone cost
James Allen - all stones but must spend 2X original cost
GoodOldGold - stones that say they have life time warranty, 100% trade in, only have to spend more than what the stone cost
BlueNile - none
Whiteflash - 100% on ACAs and ES, only have to spend more than what the stone cost you
Exceldiamonds - must spend 50% more than what original stone cost
diamondScassi - full upgradeable...not sure on the details
 
Here is a Whiteflash expert selection that would be nice (upgradable too)
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2252149.htm

Actually Whiteflash has quite a few in your price range but they are all in the .7-.79 range.

You would have to check the eye-cleanliness of this stone (.8 F/SI1)
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2262617.htm

This looks to be a very nice stone but it says it has been sent for inspection
.81 G/SI1 only $3k
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2275634.htm

EDIT - these are ALL Whiteflash stones (not JA like I said).

This is a JA...remember you have to spend 2X there to upgrade. Would need to
ask for an Idealscope image and whether it is eye-clean or not. $2970 .81 F/Si1
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1284521.asp
 
thanks tyty!

what does it mean when a diamond is sent for inspection?

what is eye-clean?
 
Date: 4/16/2010 1:53:07 PM
Author: tyty333
Here is the info I have collected on upgrades....someone let me know if they know otherwise...


Brian Gavin - 100% on H&As, spend more than what original stone cost

James Allen - all stones but must spend 2X original cost

GoodOldGold - stones that say they have life time warranty, 100% trade in, only have to spend more than what the stone cost

BlueNile - none

Whiteflash - 100% on ACAs and ES, only have to spend more than what the stone cost you

Exceldiamonds - must spend 50% more than what original stone cost

diamondScassi - full upgradeable...not sure on the details
Click to expand...

When I met with Mr. Gavin a few weeks ago, he told me that in order to upgrade a H&A you must go up on 2 of 3 (or was it 2 of 4) attributes. Color, clarity, or carat (not sure what the fourth could have been). However, the policy is flexible. If for example you are jumping from an I color to a E, an upgrade will be allowed. The bottom line is that it has to make economic sense for the company so that they don''t lose money.
 
I dont know if that means that a gemologist at WF has the stone or what. You would have to ask them. Someone may already be
looking at it.

Eye-clean - eye-clean SI1 stones offer you a good value for your money. However, for an engagment ring most people dont want
to be able to see any flaws in them. That is why you ask if they are eye-clean. Specify that you dont want to see anything from
6 inches away, 8 inches away or nothing at all from 2 inches.

You can check out this thread for more info on eye-clean
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/clarity-eye-clean-definition-interpretation-and-taste.30483/

How low are you willing to drop on color? I''m trying to find the largest stone I can that is well cut and still a G/H or better color. You might
be able to get a larger stone in the I/J range.
 
I hope to upgrade to a larger diamond in the future. maybe from <1 carat to 1.5+ carat.

thanks for the eye-clean link. I''ll read it and ask if I have more questions.

I think I would go somewhere in the I, S1/S2 range and hope for a bigger diamond.

If I buy the ring setting from Brian Gavin and find a loose diamond from WhiteFlash, would be there a weird conflict of interest? like who would I ask to put the ring together??
23.gif
 
Date: 4/16/2010 1:53:07 PM
Author: tyty333
Here is the info I have collected on upgrades....someone let me know if they know otherwise...


Brian Gavin - 100% on H&As, spend more than what original stone cost

James Allen - all stones but must spend 2X original cost

GoodOldGold - stones that say they have life time warranty, 100% trade in, only have to spend more than what the stone cost

BlueNile - none

Whiteflash - 100% on ACAs and ES, only have to spend more than what the stone cost you

Exceldiamonds - must spend 50% more than what original stone cost

diamondScassi - full upgradeable...not sure on the details
Click to expand...


Good list, tyty.

I''ll add High Performance Diamonds link (100% upgrade on Crafted by Infinity round and princes cuts; no requirement that the new stone be a certain dollar amount or percentage above what you spent, just has to cost more than what you''re trading in).

Dimend Scaasi as an Infinity dealer should have the same policy on the Infinity diamonds he carries. I don''t know if he carries diamonds other than Infinity; his policies on those stones may be different.
 
Date: 4/16/2010 12:29:25 PM
Author: jmo546
Thanks slg! It was easier to decide on the ring setting when I overheard the gf tell her friends that she absolutely loves side diamonds.


Brian Gavin also has a lifetime upgrade policy but only on their signature hearts and arrows.
Click to expand...


I just wanted to say that the setting you chose is beautiful!

ETA: Here's a .82 I SI1 Infinity for $3089 available at High Performance Diamonds link

Also available through Dimend Scaasi or any of the other Crafted by Infinity vendors.

I own an I color Crafted by Infinity diamond (1.00 carat) and it is white in color. No tint of color, even from the side.
 
that''s a gorgeous setting from Brian Gavin Diamonds.I hope you find a great centre stone - I think anything in the range you''re looking at would look great :)
 
Just on looks alone- I liek the second one better- I can see the inclusion ion the SI2 diamond-
 
I think it''s beautiful- if it''s more in your budget for the lower color then go for it. Gl!
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top