Throwing down the gauntlet!

[rfath]

Hello! It's been AGES, but I remember many of you fondly as I was searching for my stone and setting and wishing and hoping

I'm back, with a challenge! I have a friend who is madly in love with his girlfriend and cannot wait to propose. He stumbled across a setting that she loves... from Shane Co. With an uncertified stone, I1, I color. I'm attaching a picture of the setting here. The stone proper is ~0.8 carat.

Can I ask for some help to find the perfect stone and setting to replicate this set, only better? I've promised wonderful things.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

What is his total budget, and are there any other settings that she loves besides that one? We absolutely can find him a better diamond, but it would be helpful to know if that is her only dream setting.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I found the setting so at least we can see the rest of it. I like some of the elements on the shank, but honestly, that head could be totally redesigned to be better. In addition, I'd remove some of the pave from the sides. Even if the ring was perfect, it is overpriced at $3995 for 14k white gold. You'd want platinum for a ring like that.

http://www.shaneco.com/detail/vintage-round-diamond-engagement-ring-with-engraving/41071327

The problem is, it will be difficult for him to have that custom made without understanding the changes it needs to make it better. That's why I asked if there were other rings that she loves, because maybe there is another ring that we can find similar or that would be easier to have custom made.

This is a ring that is related in style, designer brand, high quality, in platinum at $2500:

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/simon-g-tr523-passion-diamond-engagement-ring-3420.htm

I like this ring SO much better, but it is hard to know if she would love it unless he shows us more rings that she likes. The thing is, it is important to allow more money for the diamond rather than spending too much for the setting.

 

[rfath]

The set he sent a picture of is $5k, in white gold. That's not a hard budget, especially if I can convince him that it's worth the extra for better quality. The sales guy of course told him that the (very visible) inclusion is at the edge, so it's nearly buried by the setting! *sigh*

She really really loves *that* setting, but I can send some other settings to see if she might also like them.

 

[tyty333]

I am posting some Gabriel and Co rings that sort of have the same feel...

https://www.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/ER12579R4W44JJ
https://www.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/ER12580R4W44JJ
https://www.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/ER12581R4W44JJ
https://www.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/ER12582R4W44SA like this one if they can replace the blue sapphires with diamonds
https://www.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/ER12583R4W44SA same here but I like the other one better
https://www.gabrielny.com/engagement-ring/ER8790W44JJ

If he likes any of these he can talk to Yekutiel at ID Jewelry. Yekutiel can also help him get a nice stone in his budget.

 

[tyty333]

The set he sent a picture of is $5k, in white gold. That's not a hard budget, especially if I can convince him that it's worth the extra for better quality. The sales guy of course told him that the (very visible) inclusion is at the edge, so it's nearly buried by the setting! *sigh*

She really really loves *that* setting, but I can send some other settings to see if she might also like them.

If she likes "that" setting then having it made is about the only way to get something like it. This would be a job for David Klass.
I would also rework the head area some. I do think it's a pretty setting though.

This would be right up CVBs alley but the cost would be prohibitive.

 

[tyty333]

If we say like $2500 for that setting he would probably have to bump his budget slightly to get a nice .8 stone.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.80-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-1801446

 

[rfath]

These are great, guys.. any more stone ideas? I've been seeing some reports that DK hasn't been replying to messages/phone calls. Any word if he's available?

 

[MollyMalone]

I'm glad your friend solicited your willing assistance! Although Shane's $3995 price tag is for a complete ring with ~.70 ct center stone, what it calls I1 stones seems to be a charitable characterization & I saw an unfortunate number of "frozen spit" diamonds in the mountings at the Shane's closest to me.

Does the $5000 budget target have to include a diamond wedding band too, or could the purchase of the band wait until additional money is available for that?

P.S. I'd also look at Beverley K settings for this kind of vintage-y look. Beverley K settings in gold can be priced lower (but not always) than comparable Gabriel & Co. ones, and the ones I've seen in real life are quite lovely, well made. E.g., here are some good, real life photos
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pics-from-gog.203043/#post-3693923']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pics-from-gog.203043/#post-3693923[/URL]
of this one:
http://www.beverleyk.com/r9227-a-d-d-m.html
which Greenwich Jewelers in NYC is showing at $1500 for 18K white gold.

Good Old Gold's new web site no longer indicates they are a Beverley K retailer, but I'd contact them to find out if they are willing-able to order from Beverley K & what kind of discount GOG might offer were he to purchase the center stone from them too.

 

[rfath]

Does the $5000 budget target have to include a diamond wedding band too, or could the purchase of the band wait until additional money is available for that?

I think I could convince him to save up for the wedding band. He sent me a picture of the ring and band on his for-now-girlfriend's finger on Sunday, and I was so sad to see the stone on that setting. It look some fast talking to convince him to wait at least few days for me to come up with an alternative. *sigh* I don't think he's ever really seen a GOOD stone - it's been 95 degrees here, so I haven't been able to wear my own rings to show him what the difference looks like in person, although my very sweet co-worker was kind enough to tell him that my stone is far prettier than hers

 

[Gypsy]

That setting reminds me of Whitehouse Brother's designs. Look on there and see if see something close.

Shane Co. copies a lot of designer rings, cheaply, in China and so they can sell them for much less than those same designs elsewhere. But the quality is not anywhere near as high as the original designer they copy.

I agree with DS that at 3000 that is SEVERELY overpriced for Shane Co's quality.

 

[Gypsy]

Well, this is a potentially good deal: http://www.ebay.com/itm/121732470011?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[rfath]

Gypsy - definitely! Not sure I could convince him to go for a pre-loved ring, though...