Starting Search for ERing

[cyclist]

Hi,
I found this forum as part of my first stage of research for an engagement ring for my girlfriend. I have started out as completely ignorant, but have spend a bit of time looking at the forums and rings online to learn more and would now like some more guidance. Keep in mind I am not quite ready to purchase now, but probably by the end of the year with a budget of 5-6K.

I had my GF go shopping with her mom to get some baseline information on her preferences. She really liked this ring: http://skeies.com/Product/Detail/a-jaffe-seasons-of-love-diamond-pave-engagement-ring-mounting/
She said she likes the tapered into the diamond pave with an ~1ct round diamond and platinum band. She does not like heavy 4 prong mounts that make the diamond look square and wants a diamond that "doesn't look yellow" for color. She is a size 5.75 and thought a 2ct ring she tried was too big. Her mom has an old european cut solitaire that she likes as well.
Upon some research the ring she likes is very overpriced compare to something like this:
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-setting-platinum_30611

I would like to have this ring be unique and not look like what everyone else has or is commonly found in stores.
With this in mind I have been looking at vintage rings, which seem to offer a great value and many styles I like including using OEC diamonds but often feature prongs that make the diamond look square. I have browsed a number of sites from the list in the antique forum, and have not yet seen anything that is quite right and will continue looking.
I have also been looking having a vintage stone in a modern setting like the blue nile above, or the possibility of a custom ring.

I would appreciate suggestions on rings that meet these criteria as well as help on how to evaluate options, especially older stones or vintage pieces.
thanks

 

[tyty333]

That setting your girlfriend picked is way more refined than that bluenile setting. I definitely not substitute that bluenile setting
for the setting she picked especially if she saw it in person. We may be ableto find another one that is nice but not as expensive as
the one she picked.

It will be difficult to get a 1 carat stone in a nice setting for 5 to 6k especially in a high color (d - g).
Your best bet might be to find a nice OEC and put it in a new setting. Ill take a look around to see
what I can find.

 

[tyty333]

Have you checked old world diamonds? They have some in your price range but the colors are lower. Do you know the
Color of your MILs stone?

Here is an example.
http://www.oldworlddiamonds.com/detail.php?ID=714&SHAPE=EU

You can call Adam at OWD and see what he has that fits your needs.

Here is a sample setting like your GF picked out (tapered) with some milgrain to give it an
antique feel. ---I cant get the link for this to work but check out the Gabriel settings at id jewelry.
They have a few settings like your GF picked out.

http://idjewelryonline.com/

 

[soxfan]

what about something like this??

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/thank-you-all-legato-sleek-line-pave-0-65ct-h-vs2.193050/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/thank-you-all-legato-sleek-line-pave-0-65ct-h-vs2.193050/[/URL]

 

[snowmom]

If you like the ring that Soxfan posted I saw one on e-bay that is the exact same ring but it has a .91 ctr. It is gorgeous and under 5k here is the link if you are interested. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vatche-18K-White-Gold-Pave-Ring-0-91-H-SI1-Round-Diamond-AGS-GIA-IDEAL-8-000-/171136624764?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item27d889a87c
Good luck on your search.

 

[tyty333]

If you like the ring that Soxfan posted I saw one on e-bay that is the exact same ring but it has a .91 ctr. It is gorgeous and under 5k here is the link if you are interested. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vatche-18K-White-Gold-Pave-Ring-0-91-H-SI1-Round-Diamond-AGS-GIA-IDEAL-8-000-/171136624764?pt=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item27d889a87c
Good luck on your search.

That's a great stone AGS000 ...and the setting is a brand name setting and similar to what your GF liked. Excellent price too!

You could also check out the bottom of this page for old stones.
http://www.jewelsbyericagrace.com/loose_antique_and_vintage_diamonds_-_under_1_carat

 

[cyclist]

To clarify, she liked the general style of the first ring I posted, I don't know how much of it was the shape and how much was the details. What is less refined about the blue nile ring I posted, it looks quite similar to me? The legato ring http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/legato-sleek-line-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-1120.htm and the gabriel rings http://www.gabrielny.com/engaged/style/ER8021PT4JJ look like good options at a similar price point to the blue nile.
The ebay ring looks like a good deal, but I am not a huge fan of MRB, they look to generic to my eye and I could buy the bottom stone on the JBEG page http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Loose-Diamonds/97ct-Loose-Old-European-Cut/21906187_6fk6J5#%21i=1759972030&k=z2k6gPF and the setting gabriel setting in platinum and still stay around 6.

Would it be a mistake to hold out for a bit to see what I can find in a vintage ring? The OEC in a pave setting seems like a common vintage combo, but it is harder to determine value. How do custom settings compare pricewise to these stock settings? Could I get a slightly more unique custom setting for under 2k?