100k budget for e-ring+wedding band and gifts. Any suggestion please!

[glitterbomb]

I wonder how much a 4ct at Cartier costs.

I don't recall the price

 

[xxxxxx]

I don't recall the price

I just walked past a Cartier. There was a 1.7Mio. radiant in their window. Looks like a DEF color and about 10 carats.

 

[clcat120]

Hi - I was in the same boat as you end of last year, and I saw prob 50 stones / rings before I settled on an estate ring that got a make-over to look modern. Happy to send you all the posts I had if you cannot find them. I was debating an emerald and antique cushion and ended up with an oval. I have finger size 3.5, and I cannot find any emerald in the 4ct range that I consider big enough (so I clearly like big stones!). And I ended up with a 14mm x 9mm oval that’s 4.6ct. Def look at multiple ovals and see which one speaks to you more. Three-stone design gives you a bit more finger coverage if you pick a more elongated shape. Here is my oval (G, VS, the whole ring is $96k with a friends and family discount at a boutique in Greenwich CT). Antique oval is not easy to find. I opted for a Cartier Trinity ring (no diamond to match my husband’s band too) as my wedding band (or bands). I figure after we have our first kid, I will then go for an eternity ring on my other hand. I heard going through preg may result your finger size to change…if you go with oval, I don’t personally think a radiant band will match too well… maybe round or cushion if your oval has a more crushed ice look to it?

The two places with good inventory catalogs online are:

Hancocks Jewellers Est. 1849 (@hancocks_london) • Instagram photos and videos

instagram.com

https://www.1stdibs.com/dealers/j-birnbach/shop/

I think reach out to a few NYC based e-ring influencer businesses such as Ring Concierge and Clearcut is not a bad idea. RC actually showed me a bunch of beautiful stones….you can find both of them on Instagram easily.

Lastly, two things to think about.

1. If you buy from NY while you don’t live here, you want to make sure you have someone in your local area who can repair your ring (or if it needs resize later for example). For a ring in the high 5 figures, a lot of stores won’t touch it because if they damage the stone, the liability is very high. You don’t want to ship a ring back and forth btw countries either. Big brands don’t have this issue as it seems they are locally present in your area.

2. I still haven’t gotten my ring insured! It’s crazy I know but there are very few carriers who would insure one piece at that value (my appraisal came out at $120k). Premium will be high, and it’s a hassle to get the paper work done! I am still sorting it out. Just FYI.

 

[Cerulean]

If you like vintage cuts and designs and are going to be in NYC I would check out Victor Barbone.

Not an oval, but vintage Tiffany with a pavé band and it's stunning.

Vintage Tiffany & Co Diamond Engagement Ring

The Siranda ring is an absolutely gorgeous Vintage Tiffany & Co Diamond Engagement Ring. Shop this exclusive ring now at Victor Barbone Jewelry!

www.victorbarbone.com

And this one (over budget, 4+CT) is also signed antique Tiffany from 1915. They make their own replicas of this setting too called the Alyse but they won't be the original Tiffany so lower budget.

4.05 ct Old Mine Cut Tiffany & Co Diamond Ring

The Alyse ring is a vintage Tiffany & Co diamond ring from the Art Deco Era circa 1915. The ring centers a GIA-certified 4.05-carat old mine cut diamond of J color, VS1 clarity. The stone is set in an 8 prong platinum setting. Fourteen old cut diamonds are set in rows of two on each shoulder.

www.victorbarbone.com

Salivating over these!!!

 

[glitterbomb]

I just walked past a Cartier. There was a 1.7Mio. radiant in their window. Looks like a DEF color and about 10 carats.

Cartier is extremely overpriced for diamonds, especially for larger ones. I tried on a 10ct fancy yellow radiant that was 700k, and 6ctw emerald cut earrings that were 400k.

That diamond in the storefront window is probably D or E color & FL or IF clarity which is also adding a lot to the price. You could go down to a F & VVS2 and save a lot of money for the same look, even at Cartier.

 

[glitterbomb]

Hi - I was in the same boat as you end of last year, and I saw prob 50 stones / rings before I settled on an estate ring that got a make-over to look modern. Happy to send you all the posts I had if you cannot find them. I was debating an emerald and antique cushion and ended up with an oval. I have finger size 3.5, and I cannot find any emerald in the 4ct range that I consider big enough (so I clearly like big stones!). And I ended up with a 14mm x 9mm oval that’s 4.6ct. Def look at multiple ovals and see which one speaks to you more. Three-stone design gives you a bit more finger coverage if you pick a more elongated shape. Here is my oval (G, VS, the whole ring is $96k with a friends and family discount at a boutique in Greenwich CT). Antique oval is not easy to find. I opted for a Cartier Trinity ring (no diamond to match my husband’s band too) as my wedding band (or bands). I figure after we have our first kid, I will then go for an eternity ring on my other hand. I heard going through preg may result your finger size to change…if you go with oval, I don’t personally think a radiant band will match too well… maybe round or cushion if your oval has a more crushed ice look to it?

The two places with good inventory catalogs online are:

Hancocks Jewellers Est. 1849 (@hancocks_london) • Instagram photos and videos

instagram.com

https://www.1stdibs.com/dealers/j-birnbach/shop/

I think reach out to a few NYC based e-ring influencer businesses such as Ring Concierge and Clearcut is not a bad idea. RC actually showed me a bunch of beautiful stones….you can find both of them on Instagram easily.

Lastly, two things to think about.

1. If you buy from NY while you don’t live here, you want to make sure you have someone in your local area who can repair your ring (or if it needs resize later for example). For a ring in the high 5 figures, a lot of stores won’t touch it because if they damage the stone, the liability is very high. You don’t want to ship a ring back and forth btw countries either. Big brands don’t have this issue as it seems they are locally present in your area.

2. I still haven’t gotten my ring insured! It’s crazy I know but there are very few carriers who would insure one piece at that value (my appraisal came out at $120k). Premium will be high, and it’s a hassle to get the paper work done! I am still sorting it out. Just FYI.

I have the same finger size (3.5) and I also like big stones!

Your ring is beautiful, oh my gosh. That oval diamond is stunning.

Love your pave trinity band too

 

[glitterbomb]

The only thing I'd add ATM is consider if you want pave all around the shank. If you are planning on wearing this on a day to day basis I found that even 3/4 with no diamonds (I have millgrain going 3/4 around) is going to potentially be more prone to damage when you lift or grab things and I imagine diamonds down the bottom may take a beating depending on wear and what your occupation is.

I have worn 3/4 & full eternity pave rings on a daily basis for years and have never damaged them or had a stone fall out. That doesn't mean it can't happen of course.

 

[xxxxxx]

Cartier is extremely overpriced for diamonds, especially for larger ones. I tried on a 10ct fancy yellow radiant that was 700k, and 6ctw emerald cut earrings that were 400k.

That diamond in the storefront window is probably D or E color & FL or IF clarity which is also adding a lot to the price. You could go down to a F & VVS2 and save a lot of money for the same look, even at Cartier.

I totally agree. I also don't find any of their settings appealing. There just so plain and boring.

 

[lulu_ma]

Since you lives overseas, why don't you hire a concierge like @Rhino to find you the very best oval for your money?

He has successfully found many PSers gorgeous diamonds within their budgets. He just found a 3 carat colorless oval for a PSer in Asia. But I can't find the thread...

 

[Micina]

Since you lives overseas, why don't you hire a concierge like @Rhino to find you the very best oval for your money?

He has successfully found many PSers gorgeous diamonds within their budgets. He just found a 3 carat colorless oval for a PSer in Asia. But I can't find the thread...

Many congratulations! This would be very fun project to search set of jewelry for marriage!

@lulu_ma , most probably it’s me! Here is post I shared my experience with DG.
I love jewelry and often go to GRAFF(I have one design jewelry) and HW and got so much compliments on my 3+ oval.
The amazing things for @Rhino is not only the ability to source best oval for you but also he has the best master bench. Their craftsmanship is absolutely beyond my expectations and nothing different from branded high jewelry.

I bought only with virtual communications but I truly satisfied with my choice.

Good luck to find THE ONE for you!!!

3+Oval no bow-tie G VVS1 ex/ex Distinctive Gems

***Marvelous ring under daylight*** https://www.instagram.com/reel/CULs4u6BL-9/?utm_medium=copy_link My over six month journey wasn’t so easy as I couldn’t find huge diamond in my country. (e.g. Tiffany has nearly 70 store but largest they have is 2ct, GRAFF has 3ct D IF but price is above...

www.pricescope.com

 

[lulu_ma]

Many congratulations! This would be very fun project to search set of jewelry for marriage!

@lulu_ma , most probably it’s me! Here is post I shared my experience with DG.
I love jewelry and often go to GRAFF(I have one design jewelry) and HW and got so much compliments on my 3+ oval.
The amazing things for @Rhino is not only the ability to source best oval for you but also he has the best master bench. Their craftsmanship is absolutely beyond my expectations and nothing different from branded high jewelry.

I bought only with virtual communications but I truly satisfied with my choice.

Good luck to find THE ONE for you!!!

3+Oval no bow-tie G VVS1 ex/ex Distinctive Gems

***Marvelous ring under daylight*** https://www.instagram.com/reel/CULs4u6BL-9/?utm_medium=copy_link My over six month journey wasn’t so easy as I couldn’t find huge diamond in my country. (e.g. Tiffany has nearly 70 store but largest they have is 2ct, GRAFF has 3ct D IF but price is above...

www.pricescope.com

[/

Yes @Micina your thread is exactly the one I was thinking of-I just couldn't remember your user name. Your ring is gorgeous. Rhino did a fabulous job!