Possible better 3 stone ring under $1000?

[Verrater]

Hello. I am looking for an engagement ring for my lady. She prefers any three stone setting, round or princess cut, and white gold. Unfortunately due to my age (22), income, and state of economy my budget is pretty low (preferably under $1000) I found this site after deciding to be educated about diamonds instead of walking into JC Pennys or Zales and getting junk. I''m now very familiar with carat, cut, clarity, and color. I''ve found two rings so far that appeal to me but I want to know if anyone can help me find a better one (I realize better is subjective so lets just say of equal or better carat, cut, color, clarity, and quality within the budget).

The rings are:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/three-stone-settings/ring/item_60-461.asp?a=31&b=317&c=133%22

http://www.idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_79&products_id=5608

Is there anything wrong with either of these rings or the jewelers? They are both acceptable color and clarity though it surprises me that that there is a .75 carat difference with only a $100 difference and similar color and clarity. Is it possible to find a better ring for the budget? I''ve looked at most all the vendors listed on this site. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Hi Verrater,

I would definitely pick the ID jewelry ring over the james allen. IMO three stone rings the size of the James Allen don''t look so good on the finger, BUT I would call id jewelry and/or try to see the ring first. Ask them for info on the diamonds (especially the center stone) so you can determine if you are comfortable with how they look.

The ID jewelry sounds like it could be a GREAT buy for you, and congrats on your impending engagement and your desire to get a great ring in your budget.

You could also look into buying a center stone from James Allen or White Flash or another great diamond vendor and then having a jeweler put that into a setting from http://www.uniquesettings.com/product/view/20249?from_style=1 or stuller. Your jeweler would need to confirm the price for that.

Also, here are some pre-owned options. They are priced a little higher but you could see if there is negotiating room

Again, you''ll need to see them in person to see what you think about the diamonds ( or at least get some more details on the stones). If you aren''t in the NYC area, check your local estate jewelry stores, pawn shops, etc. you can sometimes find gorgeous, majorly underpriced rings there...

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/wedding-rings/1.10ct-platinum-anniversary-diamond-ring/10883/15/item

http://www.faycullen.com/engagement_rings/800/fl1121r8d.html (if she likes vintage jewelry--be sure that you''ll like it though b/c I think their return policy is not very good.)

But really, if the diamonds look sparkly and white in person, the ID jewelry ring is a great deal IMO.

 

[D&T]

are you sure, you don''t want to get a solitaire of a nice size, and then add two sidestones possibly for a 1 year anniversary perhaps? just a suggestion if you want more bang for your buck.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

This is a smidge over but pretty unique, I would ask David about this one...

Three Stone Oval

 

[Bella_mezzo]

That oval is gorgeous!

Are you sure your GF wants a three stone? If so does she have a strong preference as to shape of stones (round, princess, oval, etc) and does she have opinions re the setting? trellis, basket, plain band, diamonds in the band, yellow gold, white gold...?

 

[setell]

Well one thing I can think of to explain the difference in price is that JA has a higher carrying cost. They got way more staff than ID Jewelry does and will most likely expect a higher profit margin. I''ll give Luann or Yekutiel a call to get more info. Both are amazing people to deal with. I don''t know about your shopping preferences but I really liked the service I received from Luann as they are more the mom & pop store vs the bigger box store JA.

 

[AprilBaby]

Of the choices above, I would take the 3 stone oval David has for sale.

 

[tyty333]

That oval ring is pretty sweet just from looking at the pics!

 

[D&T]

Date: 12/30/2009 3:51:16 PM
Author: Asscherhalo_lover
This is a smidge over but pretty unique, I would ask David about this one...

Three Stone Oval

this seems pretty nice. I would inquire as well about it, also Ovals do face up appear larger than round to me, so you could be getting nice finger coverage from ovals than rounds

 

[Verrater]

Date: 12/30/2009 3:32:47 PM
Author: D&T
are you sure, you don''t want to get a solitaire of a nice size, and then add two sidestones possibly for a 1 year anniversary perhaps? just a suggestion if you want more bang for your buck.

I never thought about that. I''ll have to feel her out some more to find out if she isn''t totally against a solitaire. She really prefers three stone though, but this could be a nice way around that.

Date: 12/30/2009 3:54:09 PM
Author: Bella_mezzo
That oval is gorgeous!

Are you sure your GF wants a three stone? If so does she have a strong preference as to shape of stones (round, princess, oval, etc) and does she have opinions re the setting? trellis, basket, plain band, diamonds in the band, yellow gold, white gold...?

She actually prefers princess, but it is seemingly harder to find them with the similar carat, cut, color, and clarity for the price of the round stones I''ve come across. Best I can tell her preference lies with princess and round cut stones. As for setting there is no preference other than white gold so that gives a lot of appreciated flexibility.

Thanks for the suggestions thus far. Looks like I have some more poking around to do.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

You could probably fit an inexpensive centerstone into
http://www.danforthdiamond.com/three-stone-engagement-rings/ (one of the $400-$500 semi mounts)

with an inexpensive center stone you''d be in budget (it''s going to be tough to find a reasonable size and quality for $500 through):


Or as a solitare you could probably get this in a simple setting pretty close to your budget (these would be gorgeous!):
https://www.whiteflash.com/aca_princess/Whiteflash-ACA-Princess-cut-diamond-11971.htm
or
https://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-360245.htm

ID jewelry has premade three stones in princess cut for similar price and quality to the one that you posted.

Alternately, would she like a diamond and gem stone three stone ring? That might give your more princess cut options in your budget...

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

If she prefers the princess...again this one a little more than the last but here ya go

DBL Princess 3-stone

I like these because the ring is made, you know what it looks like, you can get handshots if you want and upgrade later on if you need. If none of these work for you I would suggest you actually contact a few vendors with your price range and basic requirements and see what they can do!

 

[yssie]

Date: 12/30/2009 9:45:33 PM
Author: Asscherhalo_lover
If she prefers the princess...again this one a little more than the last but here ya go

DBL Princess 3-stone

I like these because the ring is made, you know what it looks like, you can get handshots if you want and upgrade later on if you need. If none of these work for you I would suggest you actually contact a few vendors with your price range and basic requirements and see what they can do!

LOVE this choice!!


It''s got everything you wanted

 

[Dreamer_D]

The JA is in 18k wg, and the diamons are F-G color and minimum VS2-SI1 clarity. The Id jewelry is 14k gold and the diamonds are G SI2s. I think that is the main difference in cost. I *suspect* as well that the cut will be better on the JA diamonds, but you would need to check.

With your budget, I think your best bet is to get her a nice princess or round cut in a very inexpensive solitaire (they can be as little as $250) for the proposal so that she has a nice sized diamond on her finger when she goes around showing off her ring

. And after you propose and she says yes and the emotions calm down, tell her that you know she wants a three stone and you will get her what she wants in a few years when finances allow. What woman wouldn''t love that? As long as she knows she will have her dream ring one day I cannot imagine her being upset about not having it today.

The DBL option could be good, but I would want to see more pictures and hand shots to be sure it is what you like.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

A solitaire could be gorgeous if she likes that.

I really preferred the three-stone look and would rather have gotten that when we got engaged (which I did but some of my friends really wanted solitaires.

I just saw this...If you like Old European Cut (and want to venture into ebay territory for this purchase--if so, be sure to get a written return policy before you bid) this three stone ring would fit in your budget.

http://cgi.ebay.com/84-ct-Old-European-Cut-VS2-G-DIAMOND-3-Stone-Ring-14k_W0QQitemZ380189026646QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDiamond_Three_Stone_Rings?hash=item5885082956#ht_2807wt_1027

 

[Mrs W]

Let me just tell you there are hardley any 3stone settings in your range but I looked and found:
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=429471&pCatg=2877

$465: http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Mountings/Rings/MultiStone/stoneid=JS387W14 Not sure what size center this will hold, you might have to get a sapphire or another color gem...?

You''d have to find all diamonds for this but it might be able to be done or you can contact them to change dimentions to something smaller?: http://cgi.ebay.com/DIAMOND-14K-WHITE-GOLD-SEMI-MOUNT-ENGAGEMENT-RING_W0QQitemZ220530908815QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDiamond_Solitaire_with_Accents?hash=item3358aa9e8f

Not a 3stone but thought it was at a glance:
http://cgi.ebay.com/DIAMOND-SEMI-MOUNT-14K-WHITE-GOLD-RING-ROUND-3-5mm_W0QQitemZ390135991773QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDiamond_Solitaire_with_Accents?hash=item5ad5eacddd


and if you go for that solitaire I found the most budget friendly one:
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=113072&pCatg=2877

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Not sure if you''re still looking for a three stone , or are going the solitaire route. this is a little over your budget, but I thought you might bge interested. It has a really pretty profile, and incorporates round and princess in the three stone design. I''d want to see it in person, but it might be an option.
http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/wedding-rings/14k-white-gold-diamond-anniversary-ring-/6716/15/item#