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Round vs. cushion engagement ring ... the tradeoff

binary_diamond

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 8, 2016
Messages
3
Hi all - long time lurker, first time poster! The site was hugely useful when picking up diamond studs for my girlfriend (and she was very happy!), but engagement ring shopping seems like a whole new ballgame! Budget is all-in $20k, if possible!

I'm looking at pricing out a ring similar to the Cushion-WR1045CPL at David Yurman (http://www.davidyurman.com/products/wedding/engagement-rings/dy-capri-engagement-ring-collection/dy-capri-engagement-ring-in-platinum-cushion-wr1045cpl.html). However, my understanding is that "size matters" when looking at cushion cut, and that ideally a ring like this warrants 3 ct, so going to push way past my budget.

The alternative is a design similar to the Round-WR1045CPL (http://www.davidyurman.com/products/wedding/engagement-rings/dy-capri-engagement-ring-collection/dy-capri-engagement-ring-in-platinum-round-wr1045rpl.html). I think a really nice 2ct diamond should be well within price range and will fit the design nicely. Is this a correct assumption?

Any help on figuring this out would be huge!!

Thanks
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Messages
58,547
Yes, you'll get more impact overall from a well cut round. BUT, you can also have a cushion shaped halo made for a round and have the best of both worlds! This is a different style of halo, but it gives you an idea of what I mean:

https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/the-emilya-with-petal-profile

You should be able to get the setting made for $4k, so that leaves about 16k for the diamond. I'll look and try to show you some options.
 

PintoBean

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 27, 2011
Messages
6,589
Any idea on what your gf prefers, shape Wise? Does she have a pinterest page?

Also, with her profession, is she ok with her center stone being on the larger size? For example, if she were a doctor or a nurse, she may prefer a 1 carat bezel set ring to prevent snagging on a glove.
 

binary_diamond

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 8, 2016
Messages
3
@diamondseeker - Thanks! That's an option that wasn't even on my radar, but looks really good! And the 1.9 ct diamond from whiteflash to go with it looks like an awesome selection! The impulse buyer in my is resisting the temptation to pull the trigger right away!

@PintoBean - no pintrest page, but she has a lot of jewelry from David Yurman, and below is a picture of a ring that a friend recently got that she thought was stunning. Which was good for me, because previously I was just planning on a solitaire! (http://i.imgur.com/mWV6psJ.jpg)
 

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
40,225
I'd probably still go for a cushion. Does your lady LIKE rounds? I love cushions, but do not appreciate round brilliants for center stones at all. Just make sure you talk to her if you are going for a round.

Let's set aside 6000 for your setting in platinum. That shank is thick and is going to cost SERIOUS money. I don't think 4k is necessarily going to cut it.

That leaves you with 13500 for a cushion. That's a nice cushion. So I'll post some for you just so you know what's out there, okay?

I would recommend these:

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.90-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-1781085 (you can get a lower price with a wire payment and there is a 100 off coupon of some sort too).
https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/Cushion/GIA-Certified-1-91-Carat-H-Color-SI1-Clarity-Diamond-SHNT82
 

binary_diamond

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 8, 2016
Messages
3
Thanks gypsy, very helpful information. For what it's worth, I ended up searching for a lot of your posts specifically and got a ton of info that was invaluable!

I think I had too high expectations for my budget (this was actually a direct quote from one of your posts!v :lol: ) and so ended up taking a different direction ...

After spending a lot of time looking at vintage cuts (which I'm pretty sure she'll love, vs. either a round in a cushion halo, or a crushed ice cushion), I ended up going with an AVC from GOG. Specs are 1.92 / H / VS1 @ ~$21k, and it really is amazing to look at.

For now I'm asking them for a basic setting for the proposal, and (if she says yes!!) then spend time with my girlfriend to design exactly what she wants. I've already planned the surprise, and don't want to spend non-refundable cash on a custom setting she doesn't love!

Will also be sure to post pics/link as soon as I can ... I think they took down the diamond's page as soon as I ordered, so can't actually link to it right now.

Again, thanks to pricescope and gypsy for the forums ... the wealth of advice here just blows me away!!!
 

tracylt

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jun 9, 2016
Messages
125
I have a 4.2 carat Round Brilliant set in a cushion halo setting. I took these pics in office and inside my house with my iPhone so it's not the best quality, and I'm no expert, but I personally love round in a cushion halo. Good luck deciding! image_862.jpg
image_863.jpg
 

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
40,225
I think that's a fabulous choice!! Great job.
 
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