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This is all really overwhelming. Any advice?

J

JJarrett

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 22, 2015
Messages
20
Hello everyone. Planning on getting engaged soon and I stumbled across this site during my ring research. My gf likes this ring but I'm worried that for 3500 that I'm overpaying or that the diamond will be junk. Any advice? I really don't have time to become a diamond expert for this one purchase. She loves the way it looks in the pictures.
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Don't do it. You can do much better via price scope recommended vendors. Call on the experts for help.
 
Vendors cannot contact you. We aren't that kind oc site.

Tbat said the ring is junk.
 
Does she have a pinterest board? If ao pleaae link. Along with information like her ring size and your budget?
 
This one purchase is the symbol of your commitment to her and short of a car or house purchase one of the most expensive that you will makw. So how about you take the time and care it takes to get it right??? :nono:
 
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3500 is a very nice budget. Too nice for that piece of junk. She seems to like the vintage style with a taper toward the head of the stone.


One of these two settings:
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/petite-tapered-milgrain-diamond-engagement-ring_52867?elem=img&track=product
http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamond-engagement-ring-14k-white-gold_20305?elem=img&track=product

And one of these center stones (confirm the one you chose is eyeclean):
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD06432226
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD06461298

There. Now I've narrowed it down for you to two settings and two stones.

You can't go wrong with any combination of the above. And the quality in comparison to the Zales ring is incomparable. All in budget. And fully returnable as long as you are smart and propose in your return window.

Doesn't get easier than that. I've already pre-screened everything except whether or not the stones are eyeclean. And if you are old enough to propose to a woman, you can handle asking that of the vendor yourself.

I would ask for an image of the stone before you purchase, as well.
 
If you have additional room in the budget then I'd stick the the same settings but get a larger stone.

One of these two. Again, I've narrowed it down to two for you. Again, check to see if you can get a picture of it before you buy.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD05768187 confirm it is eyeclean
http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD06058119 Will definitely be eyeclean. Don't even have to ask.


Okay?

All done. Personally, if you can afford it that last stone, the 90 point J VS1 in the Petite setting would be a knock out combination and will give a full carat TOTAL (including setting) weight with a killer center stone.


With any these she can pick her own wedding band later on down the line, closer the wedding. Or if the wedding is imminent. Then you can go for this one: http://www.bluenile.com/petite-milgrain-diamond-ring-14k-white-gold_53018?elem=title&track=product And it will work with either setting.
 
Does your lady want a round diamond from looking at the inspiration picture she may want a cushion.

Has she been to any jewelers and tried on any rings to see what they look like on the hand - often what you think you want isn't what you like after trying them on.
 
You are lucky to have some of the seasoned jewelry lovers (gypsy) on here to help you.

I would listen to gypsy. She knows her stuff....

following from sphene... do go shopping into a store to try a few designs on. DO NOT commit to anything the store tells you. you are there on a research... find out the shapes that she likes and then the settings that she likes.
Note that jewelry stores have lighting that showcases their stones...

Cut of the diamond is king.... it will make a small stone sparkle lots and make it appear looking bigger.

I see the inspiration pic and it looks like a round stone i a cushion halo.

Good luck with the process and of course post pictures of the ring and when she has it on her hand! we love hand shots..
 
I really like that second setting Gypsy posted.

Zales :hand: Not really the quality you want for a lifelong ring (and overpriced to boot).
 
I just had a super long post typed up and then it vanished. Grrr. Anyways, thanks for all of the replies. We have been trying on rings at a bunch of local stores. She really likes one from Helzeburg (first pic below). They want 4K. The setting is really nice but the diamond is junk. We haven't found any settings online that she likes but we might have found one at Shane company (2nd pic). We are going to go look at it tomorrow.
I'm sure it's over priced but if we go this route we will hopefully have a similar ring to the Helzeburg one but with a much better diamond and all for around the same price... My question to you guys is, what stone should we put in this setting? In they recommend 1 caret. She likes round, princess, or cushion. Whatever would look best. I'd like to keep the price around $1500-$2000ish for the stone. Any opinions/advice would be greatly appreciated!

https://www.helzberg.com/product/ring+2126890.do?sortby=bestSellersAscend&page=5&catId=5656&from=fn

http://www.shaneco.com/Catalog/product-detail.html?ST=Vintage%20halo%20wedding%20set&X=41054188

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That is the easiest yet!!

Any of the stones I found for you at Blue Nile, and this setting: http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/halo-diamond-engagement-ring-18k-white-gold_33363?action=18kWhiteGoldSelect&track=alternate-metalsCustomizer



Or this setting:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-cushion-outline-pave-engagement-ring-item-49493

With any of these stones:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-724706
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-715624
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.71-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-632717


Or this combo, if she doesn't want a round stone:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/18k-white-gold-pave-set-engagement-ring-cushion-center-item-31888
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.70-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-605334
 
I missed budget on the round stones, sorry.

Here are some around 2k:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.63-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-604157
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.63-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-581610
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.62-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-700578
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.61-carat-i-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-607254
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.61-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-754577
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.62-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-687601

Get an idealscope image on the rounds.

If available, get an ASET image on the cushion.
 
Nooooo, not Zales!
 
You will vastly overpay at Helzberg and Zales for something that is not good quality compared to what you can get elsewhere. Please look at the choices Gypsy has posted for you. You'll end up with a much higher quality diamond and ring.
 
Here's a setting that I love much more than the Helzberg one. It comes in a smaller size, too, if the diamond is smaller than this one takes.

https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER9360W44JJ

You can contact ID Jewelry and tell them you want an excellent cut diamond for the center and your total budget and they can make you a very nice ring! This ring also has the matching wedding band which you can order later.
 
Gypsy|1448346164|3953475 said:
That is the easiest yet!!

Any of the stones I found for you at Blue Nile, and this setting: http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/halo-diamond-engagement-ring-18k-white-gold_33363?action=18kWhiteGoldSelect&track=alternate-metalsCustomizer



Or this setting:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-cushion-outline-pave-engagement-ring-item-49493

With any of these stones:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-724706
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.70-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-715624
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.71-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-632717


Or this combo, if she doesn't want a round stone:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/18k-white-gold-pave-set-engagement-ring-cushion-center-item-31888
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.70-carat-f-color-vs1-clarity-sku-605334
Click to expand...

I have no doubt that she'll love these settings. They're Gorgeous!
 
In general, cushions face up smaller than RB for the same carat weight. Cushions are harder to buy online, because you have to go by ASET image and eyes to pick then. With RBs, we have the cut pretty standardized by now. For a quick read, go to NiceIce.con, under Diamond Education, at the bottom, read "The Fast Track" and that will summarize the round brilliant cut. There is no comparable "recipe" for cushion, princess, or other shapes.

Brian Gavin and Good Old Gold both offer a square hearts & arrows diamond.

Take a good look at each vendor's upgrade and return policy before you buy. Some also offer buyback. Some upgrade/tradein policies are MUCH more liberal than others.
 
JJarrett|1449088800|3956524 said:
No, I'm having a hard time finding what I'm looking for. A square cushion approx 5.4x5.4 to 5.9x5.9. Vs2+, H+. Clean w/ good performance.
Here are a few that caught my eye.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/?Color=K,J,I,H,G,F,E,D&ViewsOptions=Images&TabSelected=3&DiamondID=770609,686230,750799,60002,683276,684520
Click to expand...
Good news? you picked the best one of the bunch.
Bad news: Bad bunch of picks.

That's okay though, cushions are hard. THat's why I am here.

I'm expanding your clarity to eyeclean SI1.
 
Okay so here are some stones to consider and my comments on each one. Put at least the first two on hold ASAP before a lurker steals them.

Top choice:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-718146 This is a stone that faces up very big for its carat weight, has very good performance, and is EXTREMELY budget friendly. Plus it's a 6 main with a nice crown. IF the stone is not over-blue (ask the gemologist about this) honestly, it's a fantastic value and you should jump on it. You will be getting a LOT of bang for your buck with this stone.

Second choice:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.90-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-775193 Very pretty stone with lovely faceting and a great value as well. At 5.5 square it has nice spread for it's weight and beautiful high crown.

Third choice tie:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-683259 High color, high clarity and facing up at 5.4 square. It's a nice stone, with a pretty pattern.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-684520 Another nice stone with a pretty pattern facing up at 5.4 square.
 
I really like the 2nd one... do you think the first one is that much better? The first one says "strong blue" and it looks like it has some visible inclusions.
 
You are the one buying it. So it matters what you like. If you prefer the second one, by all means get that.

That said, the first one will be completely eyeclean. Please remember you are looking at a hugely magnified picture of a stone that is smaller than a pencil eraser.

The biggest issue is size. That first stone is BIG. And lovely. If you had them side by side they would both be clean, both be bright and lively, but that first stone would be significantly larger than the other one.

As for the fluorescence: the strong blue will help the body color, and it is unlikely to be over blue (but you do need to ask). Put them both on hold. See which one the gemologist, after a visual exam, picks. If for some reason they are not in the same place and can't be seen by a gemologist, then the second one is a safer choice.
 
Dang, they have their gemologist inspections suspended until January. I'm worried about it being too blue. I think I might buy both and then just return one.
 
I just pulled the trigger on both of them... that way I will be able to see what they look like in the setting. Thank you SOOOOO much for all of your help. Couldn't have done it without you. I'll post pics!
 
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