Where to get this type of ring?

[McGinnis]

Hi Psers,

My friend is ready to pop the question! He has a picture of the ring that she saved and would like to have something like it.
He would like a diamond instead of the morganite shown. He would like it to look pretty big on her 4.5 finger but would like to keep it under 4 grand.
Ideally, he'd like an old cut stone in a deeper color (similar to the shade of the morganite) so it looks vintage (They are both avid antique-ers) but cushion shaped. I told him it would be a bit easier to find a round and he's open to it but we are both hoping that he'll be able to find a cushion. He doesn't care if its newly cut or previously owned. He is also fine with modern cushion cuts with a deeper color

I am also going to refer him to David Klass for the setting unless anyone else knows a reputable jeweler that can do great work for a bit less. He would also prefer to pay with financing.

If anyone has a stone they'd like to sell or know anyone with one, or even where to find one for a decent price, please help us out. How deep in color should he go? Is 1 carat going to look big enough on her finger? I suggested a halo at some point but he's afraid she will not like it.

Thanks so much in advance

 

[MollyMalone]

Hi, McGinnis
You're a good friend to offer him help with this. Could you clarify a couple of things: is $4000 the budget for the diamond alone or is he hoping that he could put together the complete ring for that price -- and is he running up against a deadline, e.g., is he planning to give her the ring on or before New Year's Eve?

 

[tyty333]

Does he have to have the diamonds on the basket? The thinner rose gold pave band wont be hard to find but I think the diamonds
on the basket are going to make it difficult (especially at a price that he can work with). Plus, that ring with the huge morganite
is going to look very different with an old mine cushion in his price range. I hope he can picture it with a much smaller stone.
Big is relative but given the example you have posted there is no way its going to look that big unless he wants to go with a halo.

If he wants an antique look what about something like this...

https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER7999K44JJ
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER4122K44JJ
https://eshop.gabrielny.com/product/ER7227K44JJ

JA has some lovely rose gold settings that would suite his price range but then we would have to make sure we could find him
a stone there that would work for him (colors only go to k).
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/?MetalType=rg

The other option is to find a stone at jewels by grace or love affair diamonds then see if David Klass can make the band.
Actually, talk to David Klass first and find out the cost then go looking for a stone.

Edit - the other place that he/you might want to call and talk to is Old World Diamonds. Not sure about any financing. Also,
you might want to start with mydiamondzone on ebay. He sells antique stones and also makes settings. I think his prices tend
to be lower. Here is a link for him.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORG-VINTAGE-OLD-EUROPEAN-CUT-DIAMOND-ENGAGEMENT-RING-COCKTAIL-FILIGREE-18K-OEC-/171975831222?hash=item280a8eeeb6:g:XOEAAOSwEetWAu1M

Here is a 1 carat low L but its an OEC and not a cushion...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1ct-OLD-EUROPEAN-CUT-6-5MM-DIAMOND-EGL-USA-L-VS1-LOOSE-ROUND-ENGAGEMENT-ANTIQUE-/401012966573?hash=item5d5e3c44ad:g:LRAAAOSwN81WEXyI

 

[Rockinruby]

I agree with tyty regarding getting a quote from David Klass first if you want to go that route. However, here are some various links if you want to browse LAd or Jbg in the meantime.

http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/loose-diamonds/under-1-ct
http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/0-90ct-est-old-european-cut-diamond-ring-l-m-vs/
http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/loose-diamonds/
http://www.loveaffairdiamonds.com/0-94ct-antique-cushion-cut-diamond-ags-n-vs1/

Fwiw, I have had very good luck with Gabriel & Co.

 

[McGinnis]

Hi, McGinnis
You're a good friend to offer him help with this. Could you clarify a couple of things: is $4000 the budget for the diamond alone or is he hoping that he could put together the complete ring for that price -- and is he running up against a deadline, e.g., is he planning to give her the ring on or before New Year's Eve?

THanks MollyMalone. I'd like to help when I can. I remember my FI telling me how lost he felt when he was ready to ask. Also, being on here, learning about stones made me realize how vast the amount of information is and feel bad that my friend would have to start where I started months and months ago. To answer your questions, I don't believe he has a deadline. All I know is that he's ready and he's sure lol I asked him to just let me know when he's ready to go through with the ring and he said he's been ready but just needed to save up to purchase. After we discussed money, he said he'd be more open to spending more if he could finance. As of now, he wants to to at 4,000 for the whole thing. If he can finance, probably more. Thanks

 

[McGinnis]

Rockinruby and tyty333, thank you so much! I am currently browsing olworld, jewelsbygrace, and messaged the seller on ebay.
I sent him the gabriel links and he'd really like to stick to the original setting. I guess she really likes the basket?
Anyway, I haven't heard back from David or Etsy yet but it's Saturday
I'm having so much fun with this. I'm doing this with a mindset of creating my own ring-which I never got to do.
Looking at stones with a purpose is so much fun! Bigger plus because it's not coming out of my pocket
Thanks again. I will be back soon with updates!

 

[dollyanjuli]

re: financing, Grace of Jewels by Grace offers layaway. For more expensive pieces she is open to a longer period than her standard 90 days. So that could be a good option- plus she has lots of antique cushions and could probably help him find something. How much in price could he go up if he has a bit longer to pay it?

 

[tyty333]

Adiamor has settings like he is looking for but they are extremely thin (1.5mm with pave). I'm not sure I would even recommend them
to him for a ring that will be worn a lot. Not sure if they will mount outside stones or sell just the setting either.

http://www.adiamor.com/Engagement-Rings/Diamond-Accented/French-Cut-Basket-Setting-Diamonds-1-2-way/14KRoseGold/1703

 

[kb1gra]

I really hate to share this stone because I have been trying to decide if I can afford it for myself for a pendant but:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/0-7ct-k-vs1-premium-vintage-cushion-diamond.html

and ask them for a quote with this setting in rose gold:

http://www.beverleyk.com/engagement-rings/r9016-a-d-d-cz.html

Betting it would come in solidly under 4k.

If he's open to a modern:

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-diamond-108ct-l-vs2-cushion-cut-diamond-gia-r6548 for a david klass setting

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.02-carat-k-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-636196 with this setting in rose gold (which they claim can only fit a round but if it can take a round it can take a cushion) http://www.jamesallen.com/wedding-rings/hidden/14k-white-gold-petite-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-53057

 

[McGinnis]

Kb1gra,
My GOSH that one from GOG is stunning. I really appreciate yous sharing it by the way...i'm actually really touched. A personal diamond I love is well, really personal. I want to get it for myself! I think he'd like to go a bit larger though.
The one from Lauren is so pretty and sweetly priced! I am definitely adding it to his list along with the one from JA.
The JA setting is pretty perfect but it doesn't seem to come in rose gold. They probably won't have a problem making it though, right?

Still on the search for some old stones for this kid. He's pretty keen on a big honker. Champagne taste on a beer budget I tell ya (like myself)

Thanks so much again!!!!

 

[kb1gra]

Kb1gra,
My GOSH that one from GOG is stunning. I really appreciate yous sharing it by the way...i'm actually really touched. A personal diamond I love is well, really personal. I want to get it for myself! I think he'd like to go a bit larger though.
The one from Lauren is so pretty and sweetly priced! I am definitely adding it to his list along with the one from JA.
The JA setting is pretty perfect but it doesn't seem to come in rose gold. They probably won't have a problem making it though, right?

Still on the search for some old stones for this kid. He's pretty keen on a big honker. Champagne taste on a beer budget I tell ya (like myself)

Thanks so much again!!!!

It's in the listing as 14k rose being available but it's one of their new settings and the site is being stupid about it - pretty sure rose gold is an option.

We're mostly all keen on a big honker, if money were free. But I think if we're realistic, unless he happens to find a perfect completed piece on the secondhand market, he's looking at around a carat, maybe 1.2ct if he finds a real sleeper of a stone out there in a low color with a nice cut. He might maybe find a bigger stone in a vintage ring, but by the time you add in the labor to pull the stone, an appraisal to make sure he got what he paid for, and then the cost for new ring + setting fee - well, it may not be such a deal.

 

[_lovesvintage_]

Here is a semi mount setting similar to the one you posted.
He has five star rating on etsy and is in Sri Lanka. He also does payment plans. I remember asking if he would modify the setting and he was very willing to do so for the size stone you would need. Or even take out some of the stones because 3 sided pave, I hear, is not easy to maintain if you are hard on your jewelry and wear it most of the time. Please read his policies,reviews, and e-mail him with any questions if interested.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/228395012/semi-mount-gold-ring-here-rose-gold?ref=cat_gallery_12

The prior advise given, I agree with. I also wear size 4.5 and my current official ER size round stone is 5.9 mm, putting it in the 0.75 ct range and is an adequate sized stone. But if you can reach that 1 ct size, it is probably ideal. Good luck helping out your friend!

 

[mrs-b]

If he likes a warm, vintage look, and if he's even vaguely open to the idea of a round, I'd show him this:

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-diamond-104ct-n-si2-old-european-brilliant-gia-phenomenal-stone-r5849

If hand presence is an issue, he'd be way better off going with a round with his budget. This stone would make a seriously kick-ass ring.