Read the primers.... now what?

[MilesHound]

Greetings PS! Please take it easy on this first time poster...

So I've read the tutorials on diamonds and e-ring shopping; I've read through a few threads comparing this diamond to that one, and such and tried to learn as much information as possible.

I feel like I now know enough to know if some salesman is blowing smoke up my [you know what], and I guess enough to distinguish the basic characteristics of one stone vs another, but I still don't really have a sense for how to begin actually shopping for the e-ring. I know how much I'd like to spend, obviously (under $15k all in).... but that's about it. What's the next step here?

 

[arkieb1]

Decide what shape you like. What colour you feel comfortable with what clarity of eye clean you want. What size you can afford. Then start comparing what you can get for the price you wish to pay.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Yes, tell us what you are looking for and we can show you some great examples. Then even if you shop elsewhere, you'll have something to go by.

 

[tweeter8177]

Hello - Have you asked your significant other what they want (diamond shape, ring style)? Or gotten any hints? You have a healthy budget and will be able to get something really nice, but you want to make sure she will like it! If you haven't yet, you may want to go shopping with her for ring styles or maybe ask her friends? This forum will certainly help you if you can narrow down your search first!

 

[teobdl]

When I first began looking for a diamond online, I didn't have a good sense for carat weight differences and color differences. Clarity tolerance (eye clean vs mind clean) can mostly be decided upon without seeing a stone in person. Cut is (should be) non-negotiably ideal/excellent.

I'd recommend that you go to a store, and ask to see different sizes and colors to determine what is tolerable.

 

[MilesHound]

I asked her to send me a few things she likes from the web and here's what she came up with:
http://www.tiffany.com/Engagement/I...s &utm_content=text_link&utm_term=&omcid=SGE3
http://www.debeers.com/products/j1dd13f07p/de-beers-aura-solitaire-ring
http://www.debeers.com/products/j1bw16f10b/de-beers-aura-solitaire

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I asked her to send me a few things she likes from the web and here's what she came up with:
http://www.tiffany.com/Engagement/I...s &utm_content=text_link&utm_term=&omcid=SGE3
http://www.debeers.com/products/j1dd13f07p/de-beers-aura-solitaire-ring
http://www.debeers.com/products/j1bw16f10b/de-beers-aura-solitaire

This is extemely helpful. So a Novo repro with a square cushion or a cushion halo ring. I'd stick with white diamonds, personally.

Vatche makes a Novo replica and Good Old Gold carries that brand setting and they find excellent modern cushions. So I'd have them find a cushion, but if you want the pave halo setting, I'd have them send the diamond over to Steven Kirsch to set it. You'll need to allow $4-5k for that setting. The Novo repro will be less. I'll find pics and come back and post for you.

 

[msop04]

I asked her to send me a few things she likes from the web and here's what she came up with:
http://www.tiffany.com/Engagement/I...s &utm_content=text_link&utm_term=&omcid=SGE3
http://www.debeers.com/products/j1dd13f07p/de-beers-aura-solitaire-ring
http://www.debeers.com/products/j1bw16f10b/de-beers-aura-solitaire

Looks like she wants a cushion in a HW-esque halo... There are lots of experts regarding this style on PS!! Hopefully, they will chime in... This is one of the more popular settings here, and many versions have been done on drastically different budgets, so I don't think you'll have a problem finding something she'll love!

Do you know how much you want to spend on the diamond vs. the setting? Personally, I would spend 85-90% on the stone and get the nicest you can find. Looking forward to following your journey!

 

[MilesHound]

Do you know how much you want to spend on the diamond vs. the setting? Personally, I would spend 85-90% on the stone and get the nicest you can find. Looking forward to following your journey!

I honestly don't know. I know she wants platinum, so that will obviously necessitate spending more on the metal itself, I know, but that's about it. Thanks!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

First setting on second row is Novo replica:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/SettingsGallery/

Steven Kirsch for a halo setting:

http://www.stevenkirsch.com/engagement/halo.html

Examples of stones but they can get others in.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11053/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11044/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10321/

or you could consider their antique style cushions:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/10809/ (for the Novo)

 

[diamondseeker2006]

My guess is that a nice Novo repro will be around $2500-3000 and the pave halo $4-5k.

 

[msop04]

Do you know how much you want to spend on the diamond vs. the setting? Personally, I would spend 85-90% on the stone and get the nicest you can find. Looking forward to following your journey!

I honestly don't know. I know she wants platinum, so that will obviously necessitate spending more on the metal itself, I know, but that's about it. Thanks!

Don't feel too bad about the platinum price difference! With gold being so dang high now, it's not gonna be that big of a difference (at least not like it was several years ago)!

Is there any way you can find out which setting she prefers? Or has she indicated she'd be okay with either? A solitaire is timeless; a halo is equally beautiful, but a little more blingy and will give added "presence" on her hand. Which sounds more like her?

 

[MilesHound]

Is there any way you can find out which setting she prefers? Or has she indicated she'd be okay with either? A solitaire is timeless; a halo is equally beautiful, but a little more blingy and will give added "presence" on her hand. Which sounds more like her?

Classic over "blingy" without a doubt. She was looking outside in the sun, so I think the general theme of square diamond with pave on platinum is basically what she was going for.

 

[MilesHound]

My guess is that a nice Novo repro will be around $2500-3000 and the pave halo $4-5k.

So, forgive what may be a very basic question, but just to make sure I'm clear on what you mean, do you mean the main stone would then be limited to around $7-8k based upon a total budget of $15k?

 

[teobdl]

You will likely be able to spend between 10-13K on the diamond: about 10K if you buy the pave halo (HW style), about 13K if you buy the Novo (Tiffany style)

 

[msop04]

Is there any way you can find out which setting she prefers? Or has she indicated she'd be okay with either? A solitaire is timeless; a halo is equally beautiful, but a little more blingy and will give added "presence" on her hand. Which sounds more like her?

Classic over "blingy" without a doubt. She was looking outside in the sun, so I think the general theme of square diamond with pave on platinum is basically what she was going for.

Okay... Well, I guess you need to find out what she considers "classic." Most would consider a solitaire to be more classic, while the HW halo is a little more blingy. Maybe she wants the sparkle factor, just not some ginormo halo or big stones on the band?? Each of the rings you posted look very classic to me, personally. But, of the two, the Novo is more understated. I don't think you could go wrong with either.

These are my thoughts:

Novo repro PROS: less expensive setting, more money to put toward stone, more understated
Novo repro CONS: less finger coverage, a little less "sparkle factor"

HW halo PROS: more finger coverage, slightly more "sparkle factor"
HW halo CONS: potentially more expensive setting, maybe less money for stone

I like the whole "look" of a ring... but everyone is different. If it were me, I would want to get the biggest diamond my BF could afford. A larger solitaire is going to "look" smaller on the finger than a halo, but it's still a larger diamond. #firstworldproblems

In the end, she is the one wearing the ring, so I would have a trusted friend find out which option would make her happier.

 

[msop04]

My guess is that a nice Novo repro will be around $2500-3000 and the pave halo $4-5k.

So, forgive what may be a very basic question, but just to make sure I'm clear on what you mean, do you mean the main stone would then be limited to around $7-8k based upon a total budget of $15k?

Yes... if you go with Vatche (for the Novo replica @ $2500-3000) or SK, VC, or LM for a custom hand forged setting (usually runs $4-5K). They are beautiful, but I don't think it's necessary to have a really nice halo setting.

I really think you can get a good quality halo from vendors like IDJ and ERD. They are recommended by a lot of PS'ers for those on a budget. ERD is highly recommended (contact Mark T), and countless amazing HW halo replicas have been posted here. Let him know your budget and see what he can do.