Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Small engagement ring budget. Want most bang for buck!

ElleElle

ElleElle

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Apr 10, 2014
Messages
265
Hi all! I'm helping a clueless co-worker find his girlfriend her dream ring on a small budget.
Here's his criteria:
Budget: $2,500 for everything
Stone: Princess or Round 1+ carat preferred
Setting: White gold with pave design (see pic attached)
Timeline: needs in 2 months of less

Is this possible?
Thanks!

_336.jpeg
 
Here's another ring he sent me that she said she liked

_337.jpeg
 
Your friend's expectations are not realistic, but - he might be able to get a nice princess cut stone in the .7-.75 ct range, and pair it with a very simple pave band, for about that amount (excluding taxes etc.). IMHO his best bet would be to maximize the stone and put it in a plain setting for now, with the goal of upgrading the setting for a future anniversary.

For example: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut/0.71-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-472691 ($1690 wire price), with:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/james-allen-exclusive-engagement-ring-item-49519 (pave, $775 in 14k)
or
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...white-gold-etched-profile-solitaire-item-9201 (plain engraved, $390 in 14k)

Is a pre-owned ring an option?

(I hope others will chime in with stone recommendations)
 
You might try contacting ID jewelry online. The get decent stones at decent prices. They also carry Gabriel settings.
(your friends expectation of a 1 carat are unrealistic). With that setting below you might be able to get a .6ish size stone.
May be a tad larger depend on what ID Jewelry can find.

https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER8129W44JJ
 
Unfortunately, the budget is not realistic for the 1 carat diamond size and the settings posted will also blow just about the entire budget as well. I'd go for a round since it is easiest to shop for and put it in a plain solitaire to put the bulk of the budget in the diamond. They can upgrade the setting later. This will also allow them to be able to meet the 2 month dateline easily.
 
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-303330

hell have to ask if its eye clean. (make sure he also asks them to apply any James Allen discounts that are available, its a few % but every bit helps )

settings he could afford

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-pave-halo-and-shank-diamond-engagement-ring-round-center-item-17445

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/vintage/14k-white-gold-embossed-diamond-engagement-ring-item-41049

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/14k-white-gold-vintage-fluted-pear-engagement-ring-item-9216

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/side-stones/14k-white-gold-wispy-nature-diamond-engagement-ring-item-50668

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/james-allen-exclusive-engagement-ring-item-49519
(love this next one,though i would inquire about H color melee in this, as the stones are a bit larger )
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/14k-white-gold-tailored-diamond-engagement-ring-item-41042

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/james-allen-exclusive-engagement-ring-item-49520
 
Thanks so much everyone! I was expecting to hear his budget for the diamond and setting were not enough especially when he'll have to pour a lot of it into the setting. He said he's found a 1 carat in the first setting in his budget but we all know the diamond was most likely crap. I don't think he or his fiancé are interested in ExExEx like most of us on here. I'm sure they'd both be thrilled with a decent princess out there close to a carat that has a VG cut? He also said he'd spend $3,000 if there was a payment plan offered.

Thanks!!!
 
ElleElle|1426773006|3849492 said:
Thanks so much everyone! I was expecting to hear his budget for the diamond and setting were not enough especially when he'll have to pour a lot of it into the setting. He said he's found a 1 carat in the first setting in his budget but we all know the diamond was most likely crap. I don't think he or his fiancé are interested in ExExEx like most of us on here. I'm sure they'd both be thrilled with a decent princess out there close to a carat that has a VG cut? He also said he'd spend $3,000 if there was a payment plan offered.

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...

he should stil lget a well cut diamond... the size wont be impressive if there isnt sparkle to match. triple X, i agree, he can probably skipa little, but he really wont be getting that much of a size increase by dropping down, so it may not even really be worth it.

if he can bump his budget a tad, JA does have financing, and this setting would go with the stone i posted earlier. Also, again, ask them to match the side stones to the center

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/14k-white-gold-three-stone-micro-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-50670
 
Niel|1426773817|3849500 said:
aks if this is eye clean
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD05457449

with this
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/twist-halo-diamond-14k-white-gold-engagement-ring_42402?elem=img&track=product


I would have have him do this to get a discount
http://www.bluenile.com/email_friend.jsp

should put him around 3k if they offer financing there too
Click to expand...

Thanks so much Niel! This combo could be the winner if they have financing as the setting is almost exactly the same as what she had given him for ideas!
 
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top