Setting Advice, Buying Soon!

[rmvfc32513]

Hi all,

I'm trying to decide where to purchase the setting for my girlfriend's engagement ring. The center stone will be an emerald cut around 2.5 ct, most likely from James Allen. However, James Allen doesn't have the the setting I'm looking for. So my three options are as follows:

1. Custom setting from James Allen
2. Custom setting from different online jeweler
3. Get setting in person from a local jeweler. I'm in the NYC/Long island area so maybe someone can recommend a local jeweler.

The setting I wanted is below:

http://www.laurenbjewelry.com/diamonds-engagement/lepozzi/lepozzi-2-12-ct-emerald-cut-engagement-ring.html

Thanks so much!

 

[MollyMalone]

I'd like to suggest that you call Brilliantly Engaged in NYC's Diamond District to schedule an appointment to talk with them about creating a setting and sourcing the center stone.
http://www.brilliantlyengaged.com

It's so much easier to do "one-stop shopping", and you won't be compromising on anything in order to have the convenience & greater peace of mind, less risk. BE will supply ASET images; both Mark and Chris have "good eyes" (they are one of the retail vendors that my late father-in-law, who was "in the trade", would recommend to friends and neighbors); the kind of setting you want is right up their alley; and based on numerous photos posted here on PS, their benches are doing lovely work with both CAD-cast settings & hand-forged ones. Plus, they are really nice guys; think you would enjoy working with them.

 

[Niel]

Does it have to be exactly that?

I ask because James Allen can get you, last I checked, any Danhov setting. They have delicate micropave, some with diamonds in the head.

(Pave with diamonds in the head)
http://www.danhov.com/view-all-374/danhov-classico-single-shank-engagement-ring-cl120

(My favorite pave from them but no none in the head)
http://www.danhov.com/view-all-374/danhov-classico-single-shank-engagement-ring-cl120

(Diamonds in the head and shank but different pave style, in my mind a more attractive pave style for the hard lines of the emerald cut, and a more sturdy style )
http://www.danhov.com/view-all-374/cl121

 

[MollyMalone]

Since there won't be any sales tax savings with JA in this case, there doesn't seem to be a downside to a meeting with BE instead of immediately making an online purchase from JA's current inventory (which isn't offering right now a cornucopia of great choices within the OP's specs). Even if rmvfc then decides not to go forward with BE, he-his SO will have been able to see some loose ECs in real life, which should be really helpful to a renewed online search.

 

[rmvfc32513]

Since there won't be any sales tax savings with JA in this case, there doesn't seem to be a downside to a meeting with BE instead of immediately making an online purchase from JA's current inventory (which isn't offering right now a cornucopia of great choices within the OP's specs). Even if rmvfc then decides not to go forward with BE, he-his SO will have been able to see some loose ECs in real life, which should be really helpful to a renewed online search.

I think my issue is that I don't think I'm capable of picking out a well cut emerald in person by myself, as I've been told that it's difficult to pick out a well cut EC without experience. I've been recommended by others here the EC below and am awaiting a ASET image on it:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/2.51-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-757463