What Would YOU Do?

[maddyloum14]

Hello, all!! I have loved following along your threads and learning from you. This is my first post of my own!

My boyfriend and I are going engagement ring shopping for the first time this weekend. My hunch is that this will be more of a learning experience than a shopping trip, as we are in NC and are mostly surrounded by retail jewelers. I have long wanted a ring from a pawn shop, online, or the diamond district in NYC, because I could care less about designers or whether a stone has been pre-owned.

My questions are, what are your thoughts on this, what would be your advice on where to go, and what should we be looking for?

To give a bit more info: Would not want to spend $30,000 on a ring, but close to that is okay. I have stumpy fingers and haven't felt "wowed" by anything less than pretty darn close to 10mm (...am I insane? My married friends say I may need an expectation adjustment, but I figure they may just not be as savvy as the PS ladies). Fine with some carbon inclusions that aren't too noticeable or that could be covered by a prong, but don't want anything murky looking, and would like a stone that faces up white. I have no clue what to say when speaking with a jeweler, because I had this "list" of color and clarity, etc, I would go to, but then I come here and see amazing L-colored rings that blow my mind (in the best way!).

Any input or guidance would be much appreciated! Oh, and round brilliant or old european cut are my favorites : )

 

[arkieb1]

I'd say go with a well cut really sparkly stone around 8.50+mms and halo it, same result for less money. This has been sold now but something like this would have been perfect for you;

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/4-80ct...gia-i-si2-anne-marie-setting-by-victor-canera

Something like this which I believe is still for sale will give you max bling for your $$$$s and you can possibly haggle on price;

https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-natural-diamond-center/steven-kirsch-and-gog-oval-halo

 

[Begonia]

Congrats on your engagement!

 

[tyty333]

I think you will find a bigger variety on-line vs at a pawn shop. Have you considered older cuts? They look lovely in lower colors.

Edit...here is a 9.4mm stone. Super Ideal branded stone. Says its eye-clean.
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3893624.htm

Tell us what size fingers you have and we can do a mock up of this size stone on your size finger
so you can sort of get a feel for if its bit enough or if you want to go bigger.

 

[Tekate]

I think if you fingers are 'stumpy' then an elongated cushion would be better, just my thoughts..

 

[lalala]

Something like this which I believe is still for sale will give you max bling for your $$$$s and you can possibly haggle on price;

https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-natural-diamond-center/steven-kirsch-and-gog-oval-halo

I love this oval! I can't believe it's still available.

 

[totallyfree]

Big, bold and beautiful:
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/6-01ct-fancy-light-yellow-radiant-cut-diamond-halo-solitaire
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/5-34ctw-emerald-and-old-mine-cut-diamond-cluster-ring
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/515ctw-old-european-cut-diamond-toi-et-moi-ring (love this for finger coverage!)
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/4-71ct-antique-light-yellow-emerald-cut-diamond-ring-gia-wx-vs

I don't know if these appeal to you, but their spread made me think maybe you'd want to have a look at them for inspo!

 

[rockysalamander]

In terms of size, everyone's preference differs. I'm a size 10 ring and have a limit to about 8.5 mm stones as I dislike tall stones. So, to gain spread, I add side stones, halos or would seek a shallower but more elongate cut. My mom, on the other hand, is a 6.5 and rocks a 7 carat antique diamond. She has no issues with the size. But, if you've never worn rings with large stone, I'd recommend you get a few CZ ring of various sizes an wear them around to determine your actual size/height tolerance.

Some options are below. In NY area, I'd visit ID Jewelry (modern cut diamonds) or GoodOldGold (modern and new vintage cuts).

Here are a few antique diamonds that might suit and include both OEC and cushions. There are also a number vendors cutting old cuts, but with ideal light return (GoodOldGold, Victor Canera, etc.).
http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/2...t-diamond-in-cvb-casablanca-halo-gia-q-r-vs1/
http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/2...ut-diamond-in-lad-amanda-solitaire-ags-o-vs2/
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/3-02ct-old-european-cut-diamond-gia-q-r-vs1
http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/2-36ct-antique-cushion-cut-diamond-gia-k-si1/
https://loupetroop.com/listings/rin...tage-antique-diamond-platinum-engagement-ring
https://loupetroop.com/listings/rin...d-august-vintage-cushion-and-cvb-diamond-ring

Another option would be to buy from one of the vendors with really generous trade-up policies, so that you can start a bit smaller and go up if you find it too small. WF and HPD have very generous policies (HPD has a better buyback option).
https://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3891966.htm
https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/diamonddetail/HPD7908

 

[GearGirly]

If I did it all over again I would buy with Whiteflash, when I first started buying I thought I would go for the best I could find from some of the other pricescope vendors, but when it’s all said and done I think I would have been happier with Whiteflash and the customer service and quality. Or if you like old cuts, August vintage or jewels by grace, live affair diamonds, and CVB designs. You really can’t go
Wrong/ and I would also put a halo on for more coverage!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

If you are looking for size then stick with Ideal +/- "Super Ideal" and then buy a J SI 1-2. The best cut....first. And a vendor with a solid trade in policy

I have no experience in old cuts--so I'll leave that opinion to the experts here.

cheers--Sharon

 

[foxinsox]

Were it my $30,000 budget (oh I wish!!) and since you like old cuts, I would buy this fantastic warm Q/R OEC in a Casablanca halo. Or if you don't want a halo, I'd look at this delightfully huge M OEC or slightly less huge J OEC and put it in a solitaire like the Alexandria, Lily or Sherry. And then I think I would die of happiness and because I would be too distracted by looking at sparkles to ever do anything as mundane as eat or sleep

 

[whitewave]

With your budget, I would look at:

Victor Canera
August Vintage
White Flash
High Performance Diamonds
CVB Inspired Design
Love Affair Diamonds
Old World Diamonds

Start looking around and see what appeals to you

 

[whitewave]

Tlfiore is selling this one: http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/2...t-diamond-in-cvb-casablanca-halo-gia-q-r-vs1/
@tlfiore what is the total mm diameter with the setting?

 

[Bron357]

Congratulations. I too have larger size fingers and wanted decent coverage. I found that larger size rounds (4 carat) were sitting too high on my finger for me to safely wear (because I’m a klutz and a ring wrecker) so I went for an emerald cut. As you can see in the photo, the rings side profile is low and flat which is perfect for me.