Steps to buying an engagement ring

[simpleton]

I've been lurking on this forum for a while and am finally serious in looking for an e-ring. I'm thinking of going online since most of the B&M stores do not appeal to me.

My question is how I should go about buying a ring. I have my eye on a Leon Mege Micropave style ring and haven't decided on the diamond yet. Do you normally buy the diamond first before you go around searching for a setting or do you do both? I've read that Leon does not like to deal with people who doesn't have the diamond in hand. But this is not just specific to Leon but just as a general question to most custom jewelers.

I do not know how much these custom settings cost so I'm thinking of getting quotes for the ring and setting before I do the actual purchase. But it seems like a lot of people here just buy the diamond first and than find a setting that suits it.

Thoughts?

 

[slg47]

Leon can source diamonds but I think he typically sources cushions cut in the more vintage style so if you are interested in a different type of center stone then you can source that elsewhere and go to Leon for the setting. What type of center stone are you looking for and what is your budget?

 

[HopeDream]

Hi Simpleton,

As far as I know, Leon crafts each ring directly in proportion to the dimentions of the center stone, so I imagine that it could be hard to get an accurate quote without knowing how big of a diamond will be involved. A setting for a larger diamond will need more metal and more melee diamonds than a setting for a smaller diamond so giving a ballpark could be difficult.

I've heard that each star on leon's site is roughly equivalent to 2k, if that gives you a rough idea.

good luck!

 

[simpleton]

THanks for the rough idea. $2k is so of what I was expecting for a custom ring.

I'm eyeing a round brilliant diamond. It will probably be just under 1 caret. I have a hard time determining what my budget should be. I'm not sure what I should base it on. I AM able to spend upwards of $10k, but I would rather save some of that towards a downpayment on a house or a wedding. So at this time, I'm going to say around $5k and upwards of $7k if it's worth it.

Would I be able to get a <1 caret RB, excellent cut with a Leon mege micropave?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Leon Micropave will be much more than 2k I think.

 

[slg47]

yes some of his settings are 5k! Are you set on having a Leon? There are many pave settings out there that are not as fine as the handmade Leon settings but are very nice. Ultimately it is up to you to decide what is most important-having a larger diamond, a handmade setting, or saving $$

 

[simpleton]

I like the fact that it is a very thin ring. I've tried looking around for other rings without much luck. Any suggestions where I can find a similarly sized pave ring that is about 1.5mm or less thick?

 

[yssie]

I like the fact that it is a very thin ring. I've tried looking around for other rings without much luck. Any suggestions where I can find a similarly sized pave ring that is about 1.5mm or less thick?

a ring of that thickness with pave will be a very, very delicate piece - she'll have to baby it, it would be wholly unsuitable for everyday wear if her job/hobbies require that she use her hands in any demanding capacity, and I'm honestly quite sure that even with the best of care it would warp over time.

 

[Amys Bling]

Pave is a delicate type setting. You have to take care when doing activities- as banging the ring could know a stone loose. Cleaning it with an ultrasonic coud also loosen a stone. I think 1.5mm is very delicate and beautiful for a shank... mine is rihgt around that number. (13 or 1.5mm can't remember exactly) BUT have you considered prong set or bead set? These types of setting are more secure for the stone. Also can be very daintly and delicate, but you have less worry about the stones.

Also, Leon can be 2-3-4-5 or more thousand for a settingl. I am thinking when you said your budget is 5,000 - 7,000 you are intending for that to be for the whole ring...??? That leaves 3,000-5,000 for the stone on the very high end- if you have a Leon with pave/stones that could could 3,000-4,000 and then that leaves you 2,000-4,000 for the stone.

Consider what color range and clarity range you are targetting- and how big you want the stone to be. Go to B&M stores initally just for some education and concept on size...color....clarity in person so that you can have a set guideline as to what you are looking for in a stone. Then you will be able to search the "In-House" search feature on here and see what is out there in you paramters and budget and determine if that if possible with the Leon setting you desire.