Sizing a cushion with half moons for $4K?"

[redhead02]

So, my boyfriend and I are in the phase of ring shopping. (Yay!) His plan for the past few was that I would help him pick the stone and then he would do the setting as a surprise.

However, yesterday he couldn't keep it a secret and told me that he wants to do a 3 stone, cushion center with half moon sides. I am ECSTATIC about this idea. I'm a huge fan of Kaleigh's oval with half moons from Leon.

However, my boyfriend's budget is $4000. Which is a very healthy budget in general for many rings, but I am wondering how small the diamonds will have to be and what proportions for it to look good. Thoughts?

We will probably be working with the excellent Pete at Quest Jewelers in VA. A few weeks ago he told me that he could work with us to get a 1 ct oval, F, SI-something for $3k.

So my question to you all is: lets say we go for a 0.8 or so center, and we need to leave about 1k for the cost of the setting. Is 3k going to be enough for a sub-1ct stone with appropriate half moon sides? Do you think half moons can come that small? And laslty, would this even look good that small? (I love delicate small bling rings, but if this wouldn't look right, that's what I want to know)

All of these are questions that I can ask Pete when we go, but I don't know when we're going and I'm dying to know the opinions of the experts!

 

[tyty333]

You can probably get in the .7+ range for around $2k for an oval. I found this one on James Allen.
It looks yellow in the picture but I think thats just how the picture looks (shouldnt be that yellow in real life).
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VVS2-Premium-Cut-Oval-Diamond-890953.asp

That stone is $1710 with discount wich leaves you $2290 for setting and half moons.

This is a .9 for about $2k
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Premium-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1133126.asp (would have to check for eye-clean)

These diamonds are not the best but just trying to give you some ideas.

 

[MustangGal]

You could also just get the center oval/cushion in a simple ring for now, then maybe a few years down the line add the half moons as an upgrade.

 

[redhead02]

Thanks very much both of you! tyty, thanks for pointing me to James Allen. I must say, I am a definite novice b/c I thought SIs were generally eye-clean, and those James Allen photos look like they have all kinds of blemishes! Would most of those really be invisible to the naked eye?

I did a search for cushions, and the prices are not quite as good....it''s struggle to find a 0.8 G/SI-ish cushion for $2K. Will have to try some more jewelers.

MustangGal, you definitely have a point, ...we''re just kinda sentimental and I want the ring he gives me to really be the "forever" ring. So we''re trying to get it right the first time.

Anybody else have an idea what size half-moons would go well with a 0.8 cushion?

 

[tyty333]

Doh! I dont know what I was thinking! Why was I linking you to ovals when you were looking at cushions???
Sorry about that one. GOG has beautiful cushions.

Here is a beautiful cushion .79 H/SI2 ($1580 - cant believe its so inexpensive)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5700/

Another one
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5699/

EDIT - cushions vary in width/length so the sizes of the moons are going to be more dependent on the
size of the cushion you pick out and not the weight (does that make sense?)

But...if I had to gander at a size I would think somewhere between .4 and .5 TCW.
I'm going to link you up to a pair just as an example. I think these may be too small for the size
stones you are looking at but not really sure.
http://rockdiamond.com/index.php/jewelry/matching-diamondsside-stones-37-total-weight-half-moons

EDIT - Oh, now I see why I was linking you to ovals...because that guy was looking for one for you. Are you MORE interested in
ovals or cushions?

 

[redhead02]

Awesome, thanks for those links. I do like the look of that first one for $1600!

Yeah, my first post was confusing, sorry Originally I told my boyfriend ovals or cushions, and I was leaning towards ovals so I asked Quest about pricing that shape. However, of the 2, my boyfriend likes cushions. And I think either shape would look great with half-moons.

I''m thinking I''d want a more elongated cushion than square so that half moons frame the shape rather than extend the whole look sideways. So if I did a cushion about 6mm on the long side, then I wonder if 4.5mm long half-moons would be the right proportions. Lol, I need to find that Leon ring and comparatively measure the lengths in Photoshop!

 

[tyty333]

If you look at this website they have several 3 stone rings with moons. Might help you to figure something out.
http://rockdiamond.com/index.php/jewelry/three-stone-diamond-ring-509ct-light-yellow-radiant-diamond-half-moon-gia

 

[Bella_mezzo]

what size half moons are you looking for? that''s what will really impact your setting price. it sounds like you are looking for like .3 on each side, that could be pushing your budget...

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

This setting from whiteflash will leave you with about 2300 for a center stone with a 4k total budget, maybe they would be able to find something for you?

 

[redhead02]

what size half moons are you looking for? that''s what will really impact your setting price. it sounds like you are looking for like .3 on each side, that could be pushing your budget...

To be honest - I''m not aiming for a particular size on it''s own - whatever size will look good against the cushion I end up with, all for under $4K. So I''ve been trying to toy with an affordable cushion and see what half moons that look good will cost.

Trouble is, I don''t really know how big the half-moons *should* be I like the proportions on Kaleigh''s, and I''ve seen a cushion of Leon''s that seemed the right size. I''ll have to attach it, in just a little bit.

 

[CharmyPoo]

Since you are working on a budget, I suggest you contact ERD as well. They have very competitive prices.