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please help this newbie!

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igloo

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 5, 2007
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Hi,

Can someone please help me out? I''m looking for an engagement ring in the 7K range. Firmly decided on a Niessing tension setting, 3K. Unfortunately, no clue about diamonds. Here is the dilemma: the remaining 4K can either get me (on Blue Nile) the best 0.5 carat diamond or the worst 1.0 carat one, or something in the middle. There are other considerations. A tension setting for 1.0 carat is 6mm wide, and I''m afraid it''ll look bulky on her elegant hand. The setting for 0.5 carats is 5mm, same as the diameter of the diamond. There is no way to check, because this is a surprise (hopefully pleasant...)

I guess my questions to you, the experts, are these:

1. How much bigger and more presentable does a 1.0 look over a 0.5? The shape, I believe, is round.
2. How much visibly clearer is a diamond with the highest specs compared to one with the lowest?
3. We both like simple, clean design, and are not really into "bling". However, I don''t want her to keep explaining and justifying a smaller stone to her co-workers and family, every time they ask. Are there certain guidelines on how large the diamond should be?

Thank you for reading through this pile of nonsense... opinions are warmly welcome!
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Welcome!

Firstly, when you say " best" and " worst" diamond, you can drop the colour and clarity considerably and if the cut is great, have a gorgeous rock!! So an I or J SI clarity with a fab cut can be a great way to go to get size and beauty! I see my Ellen is around so we can have a look for some options for you. Also are you absolutely sure about the setting? It seems to be a lot of money, just wondering what you would think about getting a less costly setting and upping the diamond budget, that way we could probably get you a carat....Also not everyone is a fan of tension settings, would maybe a simple solitaire be the best way to go initially, then let her choose the setting of her choice later, if you don't know her preferences?

Here you go, a chart so you can get an idea of how different carat weights face up.

http://images.amazon.com/media/i3d/01/actual-diamond-size.pdf

Check this one out!!

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-29595.htm#
 
Date: 8/5/2007 12:37:39 PM
Author: Lorelei
Welcome!


Firstly, when you say '' best'' and '' worst'' diamond, you can drop the colour and clarity considerably and if the cut is great, have a gorgeous rock!! So an I or J SI clarity with a fab cut can be a great way to go to get size and beauty! I see my Ellen is around so we can have a look for some options for you. Also are you absolutely sure about the setting? It seems to be a lot of money, just wondering what you would think about getting a less costly setting and upping the diamond budget, that way we could probably get you a carat....Also not everyone is a fan of tension settings, would maybe a simple solitaire be the best way to go initially, then let her choose the setting of her choice later, if you don''t know her preferences?

I agree. Did YOU choose the tension setting or her? It''s our experience that many men choose them but women don''t always like them. Unless she has chosen that setting specifically, I think you are much better off with a classic solitaire.
 
Hi igloo,

There is a noticable difference in size between the two.

With a tension setting, you are going to want to stay at probably VS2 and up, because of the type of setting. It allows much more of the diamond to show. I would also stay at G or above. Same reason.

No guidelines on size, it''s whatever you want.


Can the setting only accomodate .50 or 1.0?
 
Date: 8/5/2007 12:43:03 PM
Author: neatfreak


I agree. Did YOU choose the tension setting or her? It's our experience that many men choose them but women don't always like them. Unless she has chosen that setting specifically, I think you are much better off with a classic solitaire.
Yep, I'd have to second Neatfreak on this one, *especially* since the one you've picked out is $3K. You can always get a temporary solitaire setting and then pick out the final engagement ring together.

I would definetly get as large of a diamond as you can afford. Would a .75 range stone work in the setting or in your budget (with a temporary ring)?
 
Date: 8/5/2007 12:48:43 PM
Author: MC

Date: 8/5/2007 12:43:03 PM
Author: neatfreak


I agree. Did YOU choose the tension setting or her? It''s our experience that many men choose them but women don''t always like them. Unless she has chosen that setting specifically, I think you are much better off with a classic solitaire.
Yep, I''d have to second Neatfreak on this one, *especially* since the one you''ve picked out is $3K. You can always get a temporary solitaire setting and then pick out the final engagement ring together.

I would definetly get as large of a diamond as you can afford. Would a .75 range stone work in the setting or in your budget (with a temporary ring)?
Yep that is an excellent point, the rock I picked may not work for that type of setting, but it would be glorious in a solitaire!!!! igloo, many women naturally assume that their e-ring is going to be the Tiffany style solitaire, so I wouldn''t deviate from that unless you are absolutely sure that she wants the tension setting, especially a costly one like that.
 
Wow,

Thank you all so much! I''m sure glad I asked first.

Looking at the chart, the 1.0 carat is definitely in a different league.

Very good point about the setting, too. I personally think it''s a design masterpiece, but then the ring is not for me. Will have to do some covert investigating on that one. She does seem to enjoy her Niessing earrings, as well as some more unusual pieces of jewelry/art by Kiwon Wang and other non-traditional designers.

What do you guys think about this one with a 1.0 carat? Sorry, its a Niessing again, but I just love the clean lines:

http://www.affinitystyle.com/Images/Niessing/LOTUS.jpg

Thank you so much again!
 
igloo, is there any way you could post a clickable link, or the picture itself? For some reason my computer has stopped allowing me to copy and paste a link. It won''t ever come up.
 
I saw the design, and to be quite honest, I don't love it - sorry! I wonder if you are considering that one, to go with the traditional solitaire as the safest choice, then get her the tension setting later if she wants. I know you love the tension settings, but I really would advise being cautious here and think about the safe option unless you are positive that she wants the expensive tension setting. A solitaire is beautiful and not too costly, so you can always reset later.

Ellen, try this and see if it works.

http://www.affinitystyle.com/Images/Niessing/LOTUS.jpg
 
Date: 8/5/2007 1:14:50 PM
Author: Lorelei
I saw the design, and to be quite honest, I don''t love it - sorry! I wonder if you are considering that one, to go with the traditional solitaire as the safest choice, then get her the tension setting later if she wants. I know you love the tension settings, but I really would advise being cautious here and think about the safe option unless you are positive that she wants the expensive tension setting. A solitaire is beautiful and not too costly, so you can always reset later.

Ellen, try this and see if it works.

http://www.affinitystyle.com/Images/Niessing/LOTUS.jpg
It did, many thankies!


I will have to agree with Miss Lorelei, it''s not my cup of tea. That said, it''s not for me.
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IF you KNOW she''d love it, and only then, I''d say go for it. If not, I would definitely put it in the least expensive, yet secure, simple setting, and give her the option of choosing afterwards.
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TR_196.jpg

Have you seen this one? Not the same designer, but......
Remember that not "all" diamonds can be set in tension setting--one must take care with the location/position and nature of inclusions and well as size of the girdle.....

cheers--Sharon
 
imgnotfound.jpg

will it show up?

i''m kinda hoping to get something she likes right away, and not have to change things later. but then again, i may be very naive.
 
no, it didn''t, sorry.

you guys gave me some great ideas, i''ll definitely look into them.
 
Date: 8/5/2007 1:24:29 PM
Author: igloo
imgnotfound.jpg

will it show up?

i'm kinda hoping to get something she likes right away, and not have to change things later. but then again, i may be very naive.
I know what you mean, but my opinion is that this type of setting is a love it or hate it type of thing, plus it is expensive. I really think it might be best to go for a plain solitaire setting first, as this is more likely to be what she would appreciate - then give her the option of changing the setting later. Personally I think it is risky to get that setting unless you are 100% sure it is what she wants, especially for 3k.

Sharon also brings up some good points about not all diamonds being suitable for tension setting.
 
Not to sound like a broken record, but I would definitely NOT drop $3000 on a setting she might not like! I don''t like the other setting you like by the same designer, either. The big thick prong things look very awkward...I know you want it to be a surprise, which is why an inexpensive, but still well-designed solitaire setting is the way to go.

There have been many threads on here by women who HATE the e-ring their boyfriends picked out and don''t know what to do about it. Not to be dramatic, but you definitely don''t want the e-ring to be a source of anxiety and upset for your girlfriend!

Have you seen any of Etienne Perret''s settings? They are still modern and clean and very well designed, but they are much more reasonably priced, in my opinion. His website is www.etienneperret.com. If you definitely have your heart set on giving her a unique and modern setting instead of a temporary plain one, go for it-but just don''t spend half your e-ring budget on it!
 
Just wanted to add that I''m pretty sure most tension settings can not be sized at all. So if you get the size wrong, you''re pretty much out of luck! A guy on here, I think Kenny, ordered one for himself without being sized by the designer and the size wasn''t right so he had to wear it on another finger or hand.
 
Date: 8/5/2007 1:09:45 PM
Author: igloo


Very good point about the setting, too. I personally think it''s a design masterpiece, but then the ring is not for me. Will have to do some covert investigating on that one. She does seem to enjoy her Niessing earrings, as well as some more unusual pieces of jewelry/art by Kiwon Wang and other non-traditional designers.
If your Girlfriend does love other designs by Niessing then you may be okay, but as was pointed out, tension settings cannot be sized so you want to be sure the sizing is perfect.

I''m not sure why non of us gals seem to be "into" the tension settings, lol, but maybe we''re just overly picky.
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Either way, good luck with your decision. (and FWIW, you can get an inexpensive temporary setting for under $150, if that is what you decide to do.)
 
Well I LOVE NIessing tension rings. Is the Lotus the one you are set on? Or is it another one. Here's a good site that lists the dimensions of each ring for each range of stone sizes. What metal are you going with?



NIessing at Duo

I think they are wonderfu rings. If she likes their design already she might just LOVE a Niessing e-ring. Do some investigation and let us know.

Edited to add: I found Hamilton Hill Jewelry to have very good prices on Niessing. hamiltonhiljewelry.com
 
Just to let you know, in case you are getting the tension ring that cannot be sized-- Everybodies fingers/knuckles get bigger over time(that I know of---anyobody with the same size ring after many years of marriage feel free to contradict me), so you would have to change rings after that happens. I think I had to re-size after maybe 10+ years into the marriage, so you might be upgrading anyway. And how in the heck can those settings be safe--looks like that diamond is just hanging in space waiting to be flung out into the world! I personally would prefer the 3K to be put into a bigger/better diamond than the setting, and spring for an upgrade setting later but that''s just me. And--I absolutely wanted to pick out my own setting and DH complied. Good luck on finding the perfect ring--you''re in good hands here at pricescope.
 
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