Solitaire or 3 stone ring ? Help me decide

[dhimer]

I have a 8-10k budget and can’t decide if I want a solitaire diamond or a 3 stone ring. I love the look of the 3 stone but don’t know if my budget can get a nice size one. Or if better to go with a nice solitaire? Here is the things I will definitely need
1) color F
2) vvs1-vvs2
3) close to ideal cut.
4) as big of a stone as I can

which one would you do if you were me? I’m size 6.5. I attached some inspiration photos from PS which I love. Help plz !!!!!

 

[Kaycee2018]

If I were you, assuming you are talking about modern round brilliant cuts, I would drop down to G color, VS1-VS2 clarity (I don't see any tint in G and am perfectly happy with an eye clean VS in clarity) and go with the largest, best cut GIA or AGS diamond in my budget, set in a simple solitaire. You can always upgrade to a 3 stone (or other setting) later for an anniversary.

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

If you are open to upgrades, I would recommend going with Whiteflash. Depending on if you or your SO are color sensitive or have other reasons, you could expand color to G and clarity to VS. If you like both solitaires and 3 stones, the 3 stone will give you more finger coverage. If the side stones aren't too big, hopefully they won't be too expensive.

 

[dhimer]

If I were you, assuming you are talking about modern round brilliant cuts, I would drop down to G color, VS1-VS2 clarity (I don't see any tint in G and am perfectly happy with an eye clean VS in clarity) and go with the largest, best cut GIA or AGS diamond in my budget, set in a simple solitaire. You can always upgrade to a 3 stone (or other setting) later for an anniversary.

Thank you. You make a good point about being able to upgrade the setting later. I would like a modern round or cushion cut. With that being said, would going down to G give it a yellow tint ( eye visible)? How will the stone change to the eye when going down to vs1-vs2 ? There is so much is still need to learn

 

[dhimer]

If you are open to upgrades, I would recommend going with Whiteflash. Depending on if you or your SO are color sensitive or have other reasons, you could expand color to G and clarity to VS. If you like both solitaires and 3 stones, the 3 stone will give you more finger coverage. If the side stones aren't too big, hopefully they won't be too expensive.

I was looking at whiteflash for the setting and stone search or cvd designs for the setting ( seems to be highly recommended here). If I were to “lower” the stats, which one would make less of a difference in the fire/sparkle- the color or clarity ?

 

[LLJsmom]

Stuff that affects what you SEE:
1. Cut. Doesn’t matter if you have a D flawless. Bad cut means no sparkle. Ok cut means ok sparkle. Super ideal cut means crazy sparkle. Your eyes will see that. You need ASET AND IS to evaluate cut if you’re not looking in person.
2. Color. Completely personal. Figure out how color sensitive you are before buying. And buy from a place that lets you return with no issues.
3. Clarity usually not an issue as long as eye clean and vetted by trusted vendor. Or unless you have mental issues, like can’t go below VS. no big deal. Plenty of people feel this way. It will impact the price though so you gotta figure out where you want you money to go.
4. Oh. Duh. Size. That should have been second cause you notice size pretty easily. But if you have a big rock that is not sparkly that will just be a rock that annoys you more. Kwim?

Based on your requirements, VVS and F, you won’t be able to afford side stones if you want a larger center on a 3 stone. Stick with a solitaire.

If you end up being flexible, I would go with a company with great upgrade program that lets you get to your ideal stats over time. Whiteflash, HPD, Victor Canera, all with $1 upgrade. Some others require you spend 2x original. Not as great.

 

[mjea]

Hi @dhimer!
First, congratulations! What a fun (though admittedly somewhat stressful sometimes) predicament to be in!

My first question about your listed needs - how non negotiable are they and what are they based on? For color, it really depends on how sensitive/perceptive you are to color. If you are very sensitive, you might see the very slight warmth of a G stone, but once it's set, should face up very white.

For cut and clarity it would be ideal if you could see the stone first. The cert/plot can only tell you so much! With clarity at VS1/2 you typically shouldn't be able to see inclusions unless you're using a loupe so like posters have mentioned, if your priority is size, I'd also recommend going down to a G/VS12 or even lower if you're not color sensitive and the stone remains eye clean. Either way, I'd look to get the best cut you can and try not to compromise here because that's what determines performance -- sparkle/brilliance/fire whatever you want to call it.

Re: solitaire or 3-stone. I have a preference for solitaires but you have to love it and wear it! So if your priority is finger coverage, I might recommend a 3 stone (have you tried any on to see if you really love it?) Otherwise, I'd say get the best and largest stone you can with parameters that make you happy and set it as a solitaire

 

[MRBXXXFVVS1]

I was looking at whiteflash for the setting and stone search or cvd designs for the setting ( seems to be highly recommended here). If I were to “lower” the stats, which one would make less of a difference in the fire/sparkle- the color or clarity ?

Color and clarity shouldn't impact fire and sparkle. Going down to an eye clean VS will save you a lot of money, VVS is quite costly. You won't be able to notice any difference. Another alternative is to go with a lab diamond if you and your SO are OK with it. You can get a lot more bang for your buck!

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

Design-wise, I like the rose gold solitaire one best!

 

[tyty333]

Just FYI...cushion cut stones tend to face up smaller for their carat weight because they are usually cut deeper. They also dont tend to
have as good of light return as round brilliants (you can find some cushions that sparkle nicely though but, in general).

I say go for a solitaire and upgrade to a 3 stone later (if you still want to). G color will be white to most people. If you put it next
to a D/E you might be able to see the difference but if you are only looking at a G it will look white to most. (Some people are
super sensitive to color and prefer to stay in the DEF range.)

Drop down to eye-clean VS1/VS2 to save money and go larger. You wont be able to see a difference.

 

[yyc_la_signa]

I have a 8-10k budget and can’t decide if I want a solitaire diamond or a 3 stone ring. I love the look of the 3 stone but don’t know if my budget can get a nice size one. Or if better to go with a nice solitaire? Here is the things I will definitely need
1) color F
2) vvs1-vvs2
3) close to ideal cut.
4) as big of a stone as I can

which one would you do if you were me? I’m size 6.5. I attached some inspiration photos from PS which I love. Help plz !!!!!

So I use to absolutely detest 3-stone rings when I first got engaged. I just didn't want one at all, my husband loved them because of the finger coverage. Flash forward 6 years and I love them. I actually upgraded from a .91 solitaire to 1.5 solitaire with the idea that I will have it reset in the future with baguettes or possibly two rounds. I wanted to enjoy a solitaire for a bit but then spice it up later. DK made my solitaire and we was so wonderful to work with and I plan on having him do my 3-stone in the future.

Based on your goals and budget I would go with the biggest solitaire you can get and upgrade later with side stones. That's what I am planning to do. Why not have your cake and eat it too!

Also based on some of the other suggestions such as @tyty333 @LLJsmom (they know what they're talking about) I would look at:

1) Prioritizing your cut as number 1.
2) Explore how color sensitive you are. When I started my journey I wanted an F, I ended up getting an I because I wanted a bigger diamond. I'm color sensitive and can see tint at times but I can live with it because it mostly looks white and it very sparkly.
3) Look at VS2 - so I had to upgrade my ring with Blue Nile. The first diamond I ordered was H/VVS1/Perfect HCA score, it was a total dud. Yes it was more flawless but it lacked sparkle. I ended up exchanging it for a I/VS2/Perfect HCA score and it was stunning. Learn to see what type of imperfections you can live with bearing in mind you won't be able to see them. I'd also recommend Whiteflash as other have because you won't have to deal with duds, they provide all the information to help you select a stunning diamond compared to Blue Nile.