Seeking Advice on Buying an Engagement Ring

[Hunter Cole]

Hi everyone,

I’m new to the world of diamonds and currently shopping for an engagement ring. I’ve visited stores like Tiffany, Cartier, and Harry Winston, but I feel their prices include a significant brand markup. As a result, I’m considering purchasing a ring from Blue Nile or James Allen, with a budget around $30K (about a 1.8 carat stone plus setting).

However, I’ve read that the settings from these retailers might not always be ideal. Since this will likely be my fiancée’s first and only diamond ring, I want it to be perfect—not just the stone, but also the setting and craftsmanship.

I’m thinking of purchasing the stone from James Allen and then working with a craftsman like Leon Mege for a custom setting. I’m hoping for something simple, like a classic 6-prong or 4-prong Tiffany-style setting. That said, I’ve seen mixed reviews about Leon Mege. Has anyone worked with him, or with other jewelers like Victor Canera or Steven Kirsch, for custom settings? Or do you think it’s better to stick with a big brand?

Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Oh definitely buy your diamond and have a custom setting made. But I'm not sure I would recommend these masters for a simple tiffany style setting. A cast mounting is probably just fine for that style. The best replica people have mentioned on this board is made by Vatche. A number of vendors carry that brand. I would probably only pony up for one of the people you mentioned if you want a special design that they make, or something with pave. Otherwise choosing a good brand that casts mounts is probably sufficient.

If you go that route, all three of the people you mentioned are well-known on PS. Search their names for many threads. There are mixed reviews of LM. I have seen only good feedback about the other two.

Be aware that if you plan to use one of these masters you will need to put more towards the setting. You might also reach out to them to see whether they will set a customer's diamonds at all. I know VC may only set stones he has sold. Maybe that is worth it if you love a design that only he can make. I know VC can source ideal cut diamonds.

 

[Kim N]

+1 on Dreamer_D's recommendation of the Vatche.

i would pair one of these diamonds...

Diamond | 1.87 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond GIA Certified | 4739311

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.87 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). | 4739311

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 1.92 ct H VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond GIA Certified | 4739314

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.92 carat H color VS1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). | 4739314

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 1.82 ct F VVS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond GIA Certified | 4613137

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.82 carat F color VVS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). | 4613137

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 2.27 ct H VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond GIA Certified | 4686459

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.27 carat H color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). | 4686459

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 2.02 ct G VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond GIA Certified | 4739308

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.02 carat G color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). | 4739308

www.whiteflash.com

...with this setting.

6 Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring by Vatche | 1778

6 Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring by Vatche. Experience classic elegance with the timeless beauty of the 6 prong solitaire engagement ring by Vatche. | 1778

www.whiteflash.com

 

[autumngems]

Diamond | 2.512 ct I VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4422319

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 2.512 carat I color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4422319

www.whiteflash.com

Leaves you a nice amount for a setting

 

[MissGotRocks]

You definitely want the diamond to be the star of the ring and not be as particular about the setting. For the setting you are wanting, the Vatche six prong as referenced about by @Kim N is perfect! Definitely consider some of the diamonds she has recommended. They are super ideal cut diamonds and you may not find that level of cut quality and performance at James Allen or Blue Nile. If you think this will be her forever ring, make it really special from the start!

 

[lovedogs]

Advice i came to give has already been given

 

[Hunter Cole]

Oh definitely buy your diamond and have a custom setting made. But I'm not sure I would recommend these masters for a simple tiffany style setting. A cast mounting is probably just fine for that style. The best replica people have mentioned on this board is made by Vatche. A number of vendors carry that brand. I would probably only pony up for one of the people you mentioned if you want a special design that they make, or something with pave. Otherwise choosing a good brand that casts mounts is probably sufficient.

If you go that route, all three of the people you mentioned are well-known on PS. Search their names for many threads. There are mixed reviews of LM. I have seen only good feedback about the other two.

Be aware that if you plan to use one of these masters you will need to put more towards the setting. You might also reach out to them to see whether they will set a customer's diamonds at all. I know VC may only set stones he has sold. Maybe that is worth it if you love a design that only he can make. I know VC can source ideal cut diamonds.

Thanks for the advice! I’ll definitely check out Vatche for the setting.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Thanks for the advice! I’ll definitely check out Vatche for the setting.

6 Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring by Vatche | 6998

6 Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring by Vatche. Experience classic elegance with the timeless beauty of the 6 prong solitaire engagement ring by Vatche. | 6998

www.whiteflash.com

Here is the setting - Whiteflash sells it too. Take a look at their diamonds as you won’t be disappointed. You can call and ask them for videos or side by side comparisons of any diamonds you might consider. They are so friendly and happy to discuss the diamonds or the setting.

Check out this thread - many happy Whiteflash A Cut Above diamonds!

Thread 'Show Me Your Whiteflash ACAs!'

Feb 5, 2017

I was looking through my pictures today and realized that today is the one year anniversary of the wonderful trip several PSers and I won last year to visit Whiteflash when they had the Esperanza Diamond visiting! We had such a great time! It made me think about the fact that I don't believe we have a thread for Whiteflash A Cut Above Diamonds like we do for some others. So I thought today was the perfect day to start one!

I wanted to first post the largest H&A stone I have ever tried on! It was 5.59 cts and was purchased not long after our visit by our...

• diamondseeker2006
• Replies: 211
• Forum: Show Me the Bling! (Rings, Earrings, Jewelry)

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[Lschneids01]

Thanks for the advice! I’ll definitely check out Vatche for the setting.

Hi Hunter! If you’re looking for a dupe of the original Tiffany Lucida setting, I have the AJAFFE ME-1280-100 setting on my original E Ring that is absolutely stunning! And looks almost identical to the Tiffany Lucida setting. I bought my setting at my local jeweler’s with my diamond. But I just entered into Google the name of my setting and so many hits came up. Here is a picture of my setting that came up in the search.