WOMEN HELP (and men for fun) - Which do YOU like??

[phiberoptik]

Ok - So for the past few weeks I have started to delve into this ring search. As I have said before, I am not really buying until Oct/Nov, but its never too early to start looking and seeing what is out there.

So in this time I have really had my heart set on a 3 stone engagemet ring with a .70-.75ish ct center princess. Something very similar to these: (JUST design, not these rings exactly)

http://www.tacori.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/HT2329_multi.jpg
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/horizonwholesale_1955_108456561

Then I realized how important brilliance is to me and when I say me, to us (we think alike)and started to get turned on by beautiful round diamonds. So I was just looking through solitares on exceldiamonds.com when I saw this and really like it:

http://www.exceldiamonds.com/show_large.php?id=1323&width=450&height=450#

So with this ring, I could put another $1000+ of the setting from the 3 stone setting into my solitare diamond. This allows me to buy a .90-1.00ct round.

So ladies do you prefer the 3 stone idea where it will be 1.5ct total weight or the solitare with a total weight of 1.05-1.15?

Both are assuming very well cut center diamonds with G+ color and SI2+ clarity.

THANKS

 

[Skippy123]

linking for you
easier to see

http://www.tacori.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/HT2329_multi.jpg
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/horizonwholesale_1955_108456561
http://www.exceldiamonds.com/show_large.php?id=1323&width=450&height=450#

 

[kcoursolle]

I personally rather have the round solitaire with the bigger stone. A well cut round with out perform a princess and this is a very classic look. Rounds also look bigger than pricesses for their carat weight.

Of all the settings you listed, I liked number 1 and number 3, number 2 looked very chunky and not very elegant. You might want to check out knoxjewelers.biz. They have some similar settings as number three that are very affordable and well-made.

Here''s one: http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=200&rn=306&action=show_detail

 

[Skippy123]

I love rounds but I am a little biased.

Maybe this setting so you can get the biggest diamond
http://www.exceldiamonds.com/-Engagement-Rings-5/Passion-Ideal-Cut-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-1095.html

 

[Skippy123]

oooh, Kcoursolle, beautiful!!!

 

[neatfreak]

I really don't like princesses, but I do like the first setting.

I would probably go the classic solitaire route myself if I were you unless you know she wants a three stone.

ETA: PLEASE PLEASE don't get her the second setting. It's so masculine!

 

[Skippy123]

This one I like. http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=266&rn=920&action=show_detail

 

[sugarplum]

I''d prefer a RB solitaire over 3 stone princesses.

 

[somethingshiny]

I prefer the solitaire because the three stone don''t look like an engagement ring to me. And, I''d rather have the one large stone, than the three smaller ones (of which the center stone will probably only look like a half carat round size) I love the ring skippy posted. That is B E A utiful!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 7/25/2007 8:12:30 PM
Author: sugarplum
I''d prefer a RB solitaire over 3 stone princesses.

Ditto, the round is more timeless. It could always be made into a 3 stone ring later. But go for the biggest solitaire you can afford now.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 7/25/2007 8:17:32 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Date: 7/25/2007 8:12:30 PM
Author: sugarplum
I''d prefer a RB solitaire over 3 stone princesses.

Ditto, the round is more timeless. It could always be made into a 3 stone ring later. But go for the biggest solitaire you can afford now.

Double ditto!!

 

[dtnyc]

I am with almost everyone else-
go for the nicest, biggest round you can. More classic and timeless than a princess 3-stone and the round will face up larger than a princess.

Also as mentioned you can always add side stones down the road for an anniversary, birth of a child, etc.

 

[SpldRotten]

i''d definately go with a bigger center stone...

 

[fleur-de-lis]

Though I might be in the minority here in that I normally prefer fancy cuts over rounds for the main stone, among those options I would *definitely* go for the larger round solitaire. A one carat+ round will definitely deliver more of a "wow!" factor than 3 smaller princesses, IMO.

 

[jstarfireb]

I prefer princesses over rounds, and what I would go with is a well-cut princess solitaire of about 0.9-1ct...similar to your last option, but with princess instead of round.

However, it''s all about what SHE wants, not us! Can you somehow figure out whether she likes round or square stones without giving anything away? I''m sure she would accept either (as I would have), but it''s even better if you can give her exactly what she wants.

 

[Kay]

I would prefer a 1 carat solitaire to 3 smaller diamonds. It looks more like an engagement ring and will have more wow factor IMHO. If you find out later she really likes 3-stone rings, you can always add sidestones later for an anniversary upgrade.

 

[angeline]

Another vote for the 1ct round plus the setting from Excel - the Passion something or other. That would be a knockout!

a

 

[Haven]

I definitely prefer a solitaire to a three-stone ring, especially for an e-ring.

The Knox ring Skippy linked to is beautiful.

Everyone is right when they say you MUST know what your future fiancee likes, though. Everyone has their own taste, and it''s especially important to know what she wants when she will be wearing this for-ev-er.

Good luck!

 

[phiberoptik]

Thanks so much everyone. Opnions are always appreciated and keep them coming.

The solitare is really growing on me and as much as I like the setting Skippy posted, the one I posted is over $500 less which means a little bit more diamond in the center!! haha.

 

[jdneal22]

This one I like. http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=266&rn=920&action=show_detail


Skippy posted this one. I really like this one, a lot! Good pick!

 

[april diamonds]

Date: 7/25/2007 7:14:49 PM
Author: kcoursolle

Here''s one: http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=200&rn=306&action=show_detail

I also prefer rounds to princesses! Love the fire and brillance of them...not to mention the classic look of them for engagement rings. (i have a round ) My vote goes to this one kcoursolle posted! But of the ones you listed I also like the first and third one!

 

[iheartscience]

I vote for the biggest round you can get in a solitaire setting! And if you think you''d ever want to upgrade the diamond, I''d go with a diamond from a place with a good upgrade policy, like Whiteflash or GoodOldGold.

 

[katiedid]

Absolutely the round solitaire. I''ve had both a princess and rounds and I like rounds much better. I also love that Legacy that skippy posted. Gorgeous!

 

[Jenn5504]

My vote would be for a bigger solitaire than a 3 stone. I really like the round setting you showed us. Like Katiedid, I have had both princess and round and I do prefer round also. But it''s a big difference so you need to be sure which cut your girlfriend prefers.

 

[rocks&purses]

I also vote for a bigger solitaire than 3 smaller stones

 

[blingergrrrl]

I also like RBs over Princess stones, and I think the idea of spending more money on a solitaire stone makes more sense. That being said I am leaning towards a multiple stone setting for myself as larger stones are REALLY uncommon here (0.5-0.75ct is common, with 0.25ct more common than 1ct!)...

ETAI forgot to say that I liked the first of the three settings you posted the best.

 

[phiberoptik]

There are two reasons I like the 3rd one better than the one skippy picked out.

The MAIN reason is the engraving. That to me stands out more than the side diamonds included in either ring.

The second reason is because its very affordable which allows me to put more money into the center diamond. All of this is in a $4000ish budget, so spending <$500 on the ring allows for $3500+ for a diamond... A verey decent .9ish ct round!

 

[somethingshiny]

The bottom line is you should get whatever your GF will LOVE! If you think she''d really like the engraving, great. I suggest you go to a jewelry store and look at settings in your hand. You''ll have a better chance of either really liking it or it not turning out to be what you imagined. Examine the milgrain and other metal work. See how it looks in various lights. (Don''t limit yourself to looking at solitaires, just ask them to show you detailed metalwork on any ring, it may even be a gemstone ring that you can see the metal best.) I like metal work myself, however I wouldn''t be able to buy it without having seen something similar first. Sometimes the metal shines beautifully, sometimes it falls flat. Also, keep in mind that there will be a band with it. I''d make sure you can find something that will match or coordinate before purchasing something with such detail. You really don''t want to end up with a detailed engagement ring and then a mismatched band. Also keep in mind if you agree with the idea of trading up someday. IF you don''t like the thought of any other ring, you may want to go simpler so she doesn''t tire of it.

Good Luck!

BTW- if you''re going with something detailed-definitely do white gold. It will shine more and allow the metal work to stay visible.

 

[somethingshiny]

Okay, I am in NO way telling you to buy something like this on ebay. However, I found a matching set with the metal work so you have an idea of what the matching band may look like.

http://cgi.ebay.com/White-Gold-Pave-Milgrain-Engagement-Semi-Mount-Ring-Set_W0QQitemZ300042636080QQcmdZViewItem

hope this helps!

 

[Gypsy]

I like three stones. But I (SORRY!) don''t particularly care for the ones you chose. And as princesses face up smaller than rounds... AND you would have to get .7 princess. My vote is for a round solitare.
I would include H colors in your search.

STUNNING round solitare (look at the side view of this baby!) This is my favorite at Knox

http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=203&rn=366&action=show_detail

Pretty split shank:

http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=203&rn=991&action=show_detail

Inexpensive with a nice side view (you can ask them to add engraving to the sides to dress it up further)

http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=203&rn=708&action=show_detail


Affordable with a nice taper to set of stone size

http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=203&rn=305&action=show_detail

Petite shank to make stone POP, they can set the stone lower than that.

http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=203&rn=809&action=show_detail

Here''s a round three stone that''s lovely and affordable with sidestones included. You''d just have to buy the center. And rounds face up larger than

http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=202&rn=740&action=show_detail

Antique style three stone round even MORE affordable:

http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=202&rn=332&action=show_detail

Others (they can adjust those prongs)

http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=203&rn=455&action=show_detail

http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=203&rn=367&action=show_detail



Threestone princess: I would jst ask them if they could make the shank more like the countour threestone setting.

http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=202&rn=352&action=show_detail


And a LOVELY and SUPER affordable Princess Solitare. You could get a great Princess or x-factor for this setting. Especially if SHE prefers princesses to rounds.

http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=203&rn=710&action=show_detail