What''s the better value/investment? Stone Vs. Setting

[jennyt]

Hi!

I''ve lurked here long enough that I know a diamond isn''t a financial investment as such, but I wanted to know everyone''s opinion on what I should do. Because my BF and I are 24 and in graduate school, budget is a concern. We won''t be financing the ring, so no need to caution against earning poor credit.

With a budget of around $4000 (originally 5k, but again, budget is a concern), I am trying to determine whether to get the best stone for our money (looking at RBs), or whether to get a smaller stone in the setting I really like (the Vatche half-pave...around 1700). I feel like if I get the band I like, I will be sacrificing a lot on the stone. I am leaning toward buying the best stone for around $3800 and getting an 18k simple "Tiffany style" ring to use for a year or two until I can easily afford the setting I like.

BUT-I really, REALLY love the pave setting.

What would you guys do? Please advise!!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Do you want a bigger diamond? If so, I'd put the entire amount into the diamond and then upgrade the setting later after you and your BF graduate and can afford to spend more. If you purchase the setting you like right now, you're diamond may be lost in the pave diamonds. I think bigger diamonds look better with these sorts of settings (jmo - of course), so with the additional 1700 to spend on a stone right now, you'll have a substantial enough stone to later set into the Vatche one.

Another option would be to hunt around for a jeweler to replicate the Vatche ring for a more affordable price so when you do upgrade the setting you can do so without spending almost 2K more.

 

[valeria101]

Got this bad habit... it takes a couple of weeks for me to get tired of just about any piece of jewelry.

Pave has been hot and trendy since not too long. Are you that sure ?

From another side: what would you like to make into a keepsake of the engagement: a loose diamond, or a ring ? I bet in a couple of years, no matter what size of stone you can buy now will not seem as big versus your grown up upgrades

Can this ring have a chance at staying in one piece for the sake of special status ?

 

[jennyt]

The funny thing is that I''m not at all sentimental about "stuff". I wouldn''t really care if the ring OR the diamond was upgraded. I''m also the kind of person who wouldn''t freak about losing a ring (insurance assumed, of course). So...the purchase is more rational for me. What I will get the most enjoyment out of...I am leaning toward the bigger stone now, since that is a great point about pave being trendy. Who knows...maybe in another year I''ll want something else!

p.s. I don''t mean to suggest that a proposal wouldn''t be sentimental or emotional, just that I don''t really attach those feelings to the ring itself.

 

[fortheloveofdiamonds]

I was concerned about Pave being "trendy" as well. However, now that I have my ring, it is the most beautiful, classic looking ring that I have ever seen. I don''t see myself ever getting tired of this setting b/c it is so perfect. However, i did get tired of my plain solitaire.

That said though, have you seen the vatche half pave in person? I think if you do you will be able to make your decision more easily...

 

[Mara]

pave has been around for years...so I don't think of it as trendy necessarily, plus it's all about what floats your boat.

I think that you should focus on the center stone. Settings are easily interchangeable and you may find that in 5 or 10 years you want a new setting anyway! Since you aren't sentimental then honestly you can do whatever you want and not be affected. I want a bigger stone later but I plan to keep this setting for a long time. Doesn't mean I won't ever have another one though! It's really hard to say what you will like 5 or 20 years from now. But at least a diamond always sparkles the same way in your eyes (maybe?!).

I think settings are VERY important to the ring, but the heart of the piece is the stone itself! I would always focus the most of my money there and if you have to wait to get the setting you really want later, it will make that purchase all the sweeter later. Or think of it as an anniversary gift, or a wedding gift or whatever.

My two cents! Not sure what you are looking for in terms of stones but for $4k you could probably get something like an extremely well-cut 1c I SI2 that is eye-clean and sparkles like the dickens! That would look smashing in a pave setting later.

I saw one of these on the GOG brokered search engine....maybe ask J to check it out.

 

[pearcrazy]

I would get the biggest diamond you''re budget will allow and set it in a simple 4 or 6 prong solitaire setting. As your wedding approaches you can look into some wraps or jacket for the ring that will add sidestones or perhaps there will be something in a pave style in a wrap or jacket. Trust me, you''ll never be satisfied with a small diamond in a big expensive setting. I''ve been there and done that. I finally got frustrated enough that we ended up buying a bigger diamond to go in my expensive setting so that my original small center stone wouldn''t look lost anymore.

 

[chantal990]

Stone definately the stone. Mt FI and I were in the same situation we ended up spending the cash on the stone and have a possible upgrade of the setting at a later date which is fantastic cause since finding this site I have altered my original setting wish oh about 1000 times

 

[qtiekiki]

I would spend money on a bigger stone since you says that purchase is more rational and the ring would not be such a sentimental object. I don''t think pave setting is "trendy" either, they actually look very classic to me and I think they have staying powers. Since you and your fiance are in grad school, I am sure an upgrade is in the future. Also when don''t you consider a pave wedding band to go with the solitaire ering, I think that''s very pretty.

 

[belle]

you are certainly starting off well by not financing you ring and staying within a budget!!!

.............and by researching about diamonds BEFORE you buy one

all that said, put your $$$ into the stone, you''ll be so amazed at the beauty of it, you''ll forget about that pave setting!!

good luck!! can''t wait to see what you decide!

 

[jennyt]

Thanks everyone!! You all gave GREAT advice. I think investing in the stone now is the best option. If, at a later date, I want to switch to the pave, I can always have that option. It would be MUCH more costly to do the other way around and upgrade the stone itself. I also like the suggestion of a simple solitaire engagement ring with a pave wedding band. I''m sure that would be beautiful!

Thanks again...I will definitely keep you all updated!!

Jen

 

[Daniela]

Jenny,

One thing to consider is whether or not you would possibly upgrade the diamond later on. In that case, you''d probably have to change the setting anyway, because it would not longer fit your new diamond.

For this reason, I agree with the others and say, go with the diamond. I''m not always of that opinion, but based on what you''ve told us, I think you would be happiest this way.

 

[fire&ice]

Pave *is* very trendy now. It comes in fashion then goes out like most jewelry fashions. I have a bad taste in my mouth from the bad pave settings of the 80''s. At least the settings today have a central focus.

That being said, there is nothing wrong with getting something trendy. But, a solitaire is indeed the classic that will never be totally out of favor. A simple solitaire can always be "dressed up" w/ other bands. Personally, the stone is the main event. That is where I would spend my money. You could always go for a pave wedding band if you desire the extra bling. Vatche settings tend to be very pricy for what they are.

Ultimately, it up to you & what you desire. Settings seem to be more important these days. And, I think it''s just a brilliant form of marketing as I see these staggering price fixed prices.