suggestions for low budget?

[peanuts]

If you had $1500 to spend on an e-ring, what would you pick to get the most for your money?

 

[Kaleigh]

Is that for the stone and the setting????

 

[peanuts]

yep--altogether!

 

[strmrdr]

Gold or white gold tiffany setting $100-$200
spend the rest on the center stone.
I-J si1/si2 ideal cut.

 

[strmrdr]

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=AGS-6205907#

That one with the PS discount should be under $1200 with setting.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I agree with storm, get a simple setting so you can get a great stone. You can always upgrade the setting later.

 

[peanuts]

thanks for your replies/advice! i was also looking at the facets w-bands... some of those are very pretty and also in my budget.

 

[Mara]

hm mm that''s a tough one.

maybe I''d do a 7 stone ring or something and try to get bigger stones so it could stand alone.

but that depends on what your plans are for this ring. is this engagement or wedding or is it to be both? is this just for the engagement and then you can get a wedding band later with a new budget?

if this is just for e-ring and you can afford another $1k or something in a year or two...I''d do what the other said re: solitaire setting and spending the rest on a great stone. then get an eternity band or 7 stone in a year or two for the wedding to add additional bling.

but if this is meant to be both, maybe a nice 7 stone ring would fit the bill. my mom is really not into big rings and her wedding ring is a 5 stone about 1ctw and it looks great on her hand, she has small hands too, aka ring size is probably about a 4. if i wore that it would look lost on me but on her it looks perfect. So i think it depends on style of the wearer etc as well.

good luck!

 

[Kaleigh]

I love the facets rings. I have an eternity band by them and I love it.

 

[Mara]

Oooh what about this one?! It''s two rows of diamonds and would look substantial on the hand. $1675.

http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=2636

I''d surf around SignedPieces/Facets as well as www.faycullen.com and www.firenzejewels.com to see what other pre-set rings are available within your budget, you may see something unusual. Those sites are fun to look through.

Good luck!

 

[E B]

Peanuts,

How about a stone like this:
http://www.whiteflash.com/princess/Princess-cut-diamond-1332151.htm

in a setting like this:
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/4-Prong-Tiffany-Style-with-Princess_756.htm

Total: $1308.00

I thought I'd post a variation, since someone else posted a round brilliant stone.

 

[peanuts]

maybe I''d do a 7 stone ring or something and try to get bigger stones so it could stand alone.

but that depends on what your plans are for this ring. is this engagement or wedding or is it to be both? is this just for the engagement and then you can get a wedding band later with a new budget?

this might have to be both... if anything, the wedding band would probably be a very simple gold band.
thanks to everyone for your input... firenze and facets have some beautiful diamond bands that i think i would be very happy with!

 

[aeli]

Personally, I''d be thrilled with something similar to this Carl Blackburn band I saw on the Pearlman''s website for $995. I love the eternity ring suggestions too. Another idea would be to have a sapphire (in the recipient''s favorite color) mounted in a simple setting with some diamond accents...

 

[valeria101]

Date: 10/6/2005 2:29:47 PM
Author: peanuts

... the wedding band would probably be a very simple gold band.
... firenze and facets have some beautiful diamond bands that i think i would be very happy with!

Does this mean one 2-3mm gold band (round, knife edge...) and a diamond band next to it? If so, how about a graduated diamond band (i.e. with the largest stone in the middle and gradually smaller ones on the sides) so that the pair des not look like stacked bands.

I think Wink (at Winkjones.com0 had some like that.

 

[E B]

Peanuts,

I think the sapphire idea is a great one! Does your lady like pink?

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/(j4rync55tmyan145wfkhwer5)/nsc/products.aspx?StoneCategory=Pink

You could put the pink sapphire in a band with sidestones like these, and still be under budget!

http://www.bluenile.com/product_details.asp?oid=4779&catid=93&filter_id=0&nav1=settings_channel.asp&page=1&col=1&row=1&pos=1&set_shape=

eta: An 18-K white gold band, 2mm, for a size 5 finger (I guessed) from Facets is only $61.00. You could do a pink sapphire engagement ring AND a wedding band for under $1500.00.

http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=747

 

[peanuts]

great!
the Carl Blackburn is right up my alley in yellow gold... and i had never thought of doing a sapphire! maybe even a yellow sapphire if i want it set in yellow gold? hmmm... thanks for the beautiful food for thought!

 

[aeli]

Well then, here you go!

 

[MissAva]

I was unsure of what shape you would like so I am going to post a few from the Expert Selection from WF.... prices listed are if you use a credit card, not a bank transfer which will allow you 2%
.52 E/SI2 1299$ Round
.61 G/SI1 Princess 1360$
.53 E/VS2 Radiant 1355$
.50 H/VVS2 Emerald 1155$
.50 1124 Pear 1124
WF has a few settings for less then 100$
I hope this helps you!

 

[LadyluvsLuxury]

I''d jump in but you have some excellent suggestions! Goodluck with your search and let us know which route you decide to go!

 

[lumpkin]

I''d go for the largest ideal cut round in a GHIJ color depending on how important color is to you, SI - I1 (but only a REALLY GOOD I1 -- I have seen a few that were absolutely amazing and I wouldn''t settle for one that was not). Rounds sparkle big even if the stone is not huge, so that''s why I''d go with round. For now I''d put it in a simple tiffany setting. I''d spend the entire budget on that, unless the wedding is very soon. Bands are not that expensive to buy alone, and diamond prices keep going up, so I''d get the most diamond I could get at this time and leave the wedding band to buy until later.

 

[cluelessL]

i love all the suggestions you already got..but i figured i'd throw one more out there


http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=844

good luck & let us know what you decide

eta: found another very nice ring on antiqueengagementrings.com for slightly more
http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=788

 

[glitterata]

I would call Dirt Cheap Diamonds and ask if either of these is eye clean or close to eye clean:

.8 ct, I color, $1361
.61 ct, H color, $1143

That first one will look close to 1 carat in size.

I mention DCD because they have a good search engine that includes I1 stones. I was picking out large ones in your budget, but you can search yourself and see if any catch your eye. I bought a lovely, well-cut .29 ct F color I1 from them for less than $200. I can't see its flaw with my (admittedly middle-aged) eyes.

You could also ask one of the other trusted vendors to look for a nice looking, well-cut I1 for you.

Another way to go is to look for a lovely antique ring at vintage jewelers, flea markets, police auctions, or even ebay. It's a bit tricky, but you can find great deals that way.

And if you don't need to buy a diamond, there are lots of lovely options in colored stones. Sapphires are just one great option. Check out the colored stone board here for ideas.

 

[phoenixgirl]

I would get an ideal cut half carat or so stone with a simple gold setting. There are lots to be had out there. Check out the search by cut feature on this site.

 

[peanuts]

thanks to everyone--the antique rings and colored stone rings are something i hadn''t thought of yet... i think we''ll do a little shopping this weekend!

 

[Regular Guy]

Leave it to Glitterata and DCD...

Date: 10/6/2005 9:16:17 PM
Author: glitterata
I would call Dirt Cheap Diamonds and ask if either of these is eye clean or close to eye clean:

.8 ct, I color, $1361
.61 ct, H color, $1143

I only went to look at the first one, it doesn''t seem to be certed, but I hear this is not so unusual, generally, in diamonds under 1 carat. If that .8 option is nice, it could be a real find, and Jim can set you up with a modest ring to keep you in budget. I can''t find anything above .5 anywhere else worth touring for options; otherwise, the others reviewed here seem like good options, too.

Regards,

 

[phoenixgirl]

Are you still looking at ovals? Here are some ideas:

0.60 J SI2 for $721

0.52 G SI1 for $1090

0.58 H SI1 for $888

 

[ame]

How about a pear or Marquise? Bigger bang for the buck!

I am liking the sound of a really nice antiquey looking band, or an eternity now and a plain band for the wedding. I wear a set like that most of the time.