Bad news

[bookworm21]

A slimmer band will make your stone look larger, not your finger. I have an Asscher RHR that''s on a very slim platinum band, and a lot of people mistake it for larger than it really is. Hope that helps.

 

[E B]

Amber,

This diamond looks beautiful (it scored a 1 on the HCA!) and is $2082 with the PS discount:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=AGS-6633802

 

[AmberWaves]

Date: 12/12/2005 3:24:13 PM
Author: Cinderella
A slimmer band will make your stone look larger, not your finger. I have an Asscher RHR that''s on a very slim platinum band, and a lot of people mistake it for larger than it really is. Hope that helps.

Cinderella, that is GOOD news. I''d really like a slim band anyway, since I''ve got semi-large knuckles, and my pinky knuckle is bruised from bashing against the ring I''m wearing right now!

Matadora, Thanks for the link to that thread, It''s really helpful seeing what the consensus is. I''m going to sit down tonight and have a talk about how we''re going about this. Thanks.

 

[AmberWaves]

Date: 12/12/2005 3:43:30 PM
Author: EBree
Amber,

This diamond looks beautiful (it scored a 1 on the HCA!) and is $2082 with the PS discount:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=AGS-6633802

Ooh, I likey. What''s this PS discount? Also, how different is a J from an I? Like, is it a huge difference? Either way, I am a bit yellow-toned anyway, right? EBree, thanks!! I can''t wait to tell the BF. I''m still looking, too.

 

[Angel7]

I''m sorry Amber but I''m glad your bf is ok! Hang in there.

 

[E B]

Amber,

I have an I, many PSers have a J, and they're as white as can be! Would I pay more for a smaller, D, E, F or G colored diamond now that I have my I? No way! That J VS2 looks beeeeeautiful!

As for the "slimmer band"...my opinion differs from Cinderella's. I loved loved LOVED the Ritani Endless Love Halo setting, but when I tried it on (14 million times) I just couldn't figure out what was wrong. Then, it hit me. The band is so slim, it made my finger look like a sausage (and yes, while my fingers are a bit pudgy anyway, my ring finger is only a size 6!). My band is 2.5mm and it's much better suited to my finger size. Just a thought!

ETA: I know next to nothing about the PS discount. My boyfriend made payments on our diamond, so I don't think we qualified. Maybe you have to wire all the money at once? I'm not sure. Someone will clarify!

 

[MissAva]

Date: 12/12/2005 4:02:52 PM
Author: AmberWaves

Date: 12/12/2005 3:43:30 PM
Author: EBree
Amber,

This diamond looks beautiful (it scored a 1 on the HCA!) and is $2082 with the PS discount:

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/diamond_Details.aspx?itemcode=AGS-6633802

Ooh, I likey. What''s this PS discount? Also, how different is a J from an I? Like, is it a huge difference? Either way, I am a bit yellow-toned anyway, right? EBree, thanks!! I can''t wait to tell the BF. I''m still looking, too.

You will have to see colors in person to decide for your self. When I went to GOG and saw ideal cut stones I preferred the I to the J, the J just had a more visible tint to me, especially from the side.
I would not however say that either are yellow, yes there is a difference between an I and a J that is why they are separate on the color scale. I also think that a lower setting will make the stone look bigger.
It could have just been that J and maybe I would not have been able to tell in other lighting. I think that Js are great for earrings and necklaces but I would strongly suggest that you see the stones in person before making your final decision. I would also say that color preference is entirely personal.
I think some of it may also be affected by skin color I am very pale, ie you can see my vein through my skin easily even when tan, so I think that a medium color looks nice. The higher colors made my skin seem pinky/yellow, and the others less so.
The pricescope discount is usally about 2%, if you use the search by cut the price there is the PS discount vs the price you see on the vendors web page, for GOG the PS price and the Bank Wire are the same, and I think the same is true often for other companies as well.

 

[MissAva]

Date: 12/12/2005 4:22:41 PM
Author: EBree
Amber,

I have an I, many PSers have a J, and they''re as white as can be! Would I pay more for a smaller, D, E, F or G colored diamond now that I have my I? No way! That J VS2 looks beeeeeautiful!

As for the ''slimmer band''...my opinion differs from Cinderella''s. I loved loved LOVED the Ritani Endless Love Halo setting, but when I tried it on (14 million times) I just couldn''t figure out what was wrong. Then, it hit me. The band is so slim, it made my finger look like a sausage (and yes, while my fingers are a bit pudgy anyway, my ring finger is only a size 6!). I think the band I have currently is 2.5mm and it''s much better suited to my finger size. Just a thought!

ETA: I know next to nothing about the PS discount. My boyfriend made payments on our diamond, so I don''t think we qualified. Maybe you have to wire all the money at once? I''m not sure. Someone will clarify!

Same here! I am a size six and I liked the endless love uber thin diamond band, but when I tried on...beh I had pudgy fat fingers instanly. For me I like between 2.1and 2.4 mm bands.

 

[MissAva]

.702 H SI2 $1945 5.64-5.67x3.53 2 on the HCA

 

[MissAva]

Or if you are good with a warmer stone I have a K ES diamond as a pendent and this one is similiar.
.78 K VS1 6.00-6.02x3.63 $1999 .6 on the HCA
/images/site/d_lost.jpg

 

[E B]

I like that setting by Le that you mentioned. The surprise diamond would be the perfect little flash from the side of your ring. I also really like this one (the "Simple Statement"), featured in their gallery:

http://www.whiteflash.com/jewelry_gallery/solitaire%20rings/i_0654-005.jpg.aspx

I don't know how much it is, but in white gold, it might fit nicely into your budget. I love the double claw prongs and the way it looks to be low-set.

 

[MissAva]

This is the largest one I could find under 3k.
.948 K SI1 6.27-6.30x3.88 $2681
/images/site/d_lost.jpg
Also you could call Whiteflash and and tell them you want an eye clean stone as large as possible with in your budget.

 

[E B]

Something else to consider would be some sparkle in the band. This setting is under $1000.00 for platinum (!) at Signed Pieces:

http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=2359

It'd be gorgeous with the .702 H that Mara listed (it might even look amazing with the .768 J I listed!).

 

[JDgirl]

Oh, I am so glad to hear that you guys are being open and honest with each other. My BF does the same thing -- he doesn''t tell me about his worries/problems because he doesn''t want to ass to my worries/problems. But I told him that, in marraige, it''s selfish NOT to ask for help and support. BTW, I would totally get a J or K if it looked pretty white, face up. I''m getting an I as it is, and I actually love the slightly warmer tone...

 

[AmberWaves]

Thank you guys, SO SO much. The more I think about it (and I''ve done nothing other than think about it), I really like the idea of a smaller stone. Also, I''m going to have to try on the bands for myself, huh? See what looks good at my size (6.5)The good thing coming from the accident is the BF is more likely to let me do it, than he would''ve been had he the money in the bank still.

I wish we could go to the Diamond District (in Downtown L.A), but i doubt he''d go for that one.

Thanks so much for your help, ladies. I''m honestly taking each and every word, IS and link to heart. And I''m going to talk to him tonight. You guys may not like how I''m doing this, but I''m going to say, "Now, I''m going to start saving money. I had my heart set on an engagement by March (I''ll even go April, to be able to save more money), and I want to make it happen. I understand you''re doing the best you can, and I both appreciate and love that. The money I am saving can either go towards the ring itself, or household bills and/or expenses. I am not doing this because I don''t think you can buy the ring, but I''m doing it because we had a date set, and I want to make it happen. You can save money, too, and we can put it together into one account. I''m looking, and have friends looking for stones under 3,000.00. I believe that with the help of both of us, I can get a ring that I love, but slightly less than we were going to spend before. It''s something I am very excited about, and something I am looking forward to. If we''re hoping on marrying, you have to let me do this, because we''re supposed to do things together, and help each other out. This is something I really really want to do, please let me do this." I''m going to just sit him down and let it out. Okay, maybe I won''t say the bit about saving for the ring, but something like that.

I just want him to know that we do things together now. If someone needs help, we give it!!

 

[caligal]

Amber- I''m so glad you two chatted!!! And- a 3/4 carat used to be on the large side... so it is totally great AND fits in your budget. I don''t think you are being silly at all worrying it will look tiny on your finger! Go try one on so you can see it and then make the decision. Try on different bands too, cause you won''t know until you see it. You can always go with a colored gem stone or a large pearl if you decide it is too small and want something larger? Just an idy! I know when it comes time and if mine hasn''t saved I''ll be pushing this route- there are some absolutely gorgeous colored gem stones and pearls on this website!! You can''t go wrong either way girl... keep helping with the budget. I''ve been doing the same- and we''ve been enjoying time at home.

 

[AmberWaves]

Tracy, Is that how I spell it? With or without an "E"? Anyway, I really am enjoying looking for a smaller stone, and I think he''ll be a lot more lenient if he knows how much work I put into it. I''m so excited now. I love this idea now. What is the consensus on the band? With diamonds or alone? If I can get a band with diamonds in it, and still keep the same size stone, should I do it? I like the solitaire look, but if I can get something shiny in the band I suppose that wouldn''t be bad either..

 

[AmberWaves]

Would you guys say this is low? (Since when did I become so slow-minded?) Platinum I really like it.

What about this one? It is the 18K surprise diamond from James Allen here

 

[caligal]

You got it right- no e! I think your plan is fabulous- and really shows how you two will work as partners in your life together. Nice choices for the solataires! Here''s a link to one of my favs http://www.mavilo.com/.... tons of fun settings for lower prices! I''ve never worked with them obviously, but I LOVE the settings. You could get a stone from some place else I''m assuming...

 

[E B]

Where in L.A. do you live? Find a Robbins Bros., go inside (with or without your fiance...I went in alone several times

), and try on every ring in the store that catches your eye. That'll be the only way to determine if you want sparkle in your band or not. I LOVE the sparkle in mine. If I had to do it again, I wouldn't change a thing. It's a very personal decision, however. Just don't fall in love with any of the settings they have...they're pretty expensive.

The "Fine Line" isn't low-set (from what I've seen on PS), but they can alter it so it sits lower. I don't know about the James Allen setting, but it doesn't look too high.

 

[Mara]

HEY get away from my .94 K SI1 ES!!! That's my future pendant!! Very future.

It will probably be sold by the time I get around to it actually!!

I hope at least a PS'er gets it!

I like the idea of spending most on the diamond and not much on the setting personally. A setting you can always change but for me the diamond is what people see first really. Esp with a smaller budget. And of course the better cut the stone the more people will notice it.

I love that .94 K for a budget e-ring actually, I'd pair with a super simple Tiffany style or something for $500 or less and call it a day. The sleek line soliaire you posted is great. I also like their Fine Line by Le but I think it's a little more. If necessary I'd stick with WG vs platinum if you have to, for a shorter term setting. Oh and if you get something that is a little bit higher, it usually makes the diamond look bigger. aka the cathedral settings like the sleek lines and fine line. They don't sit THAT high, but it does help the stone, my GF has a small ~.40c stone in a simple cathedral on a small hand and it looks alot bigger!

Then you almost have a 1c solitaire, classic ring and you can always get a blingy wedding band or something. And then maybe on year 5 upgrade or switch out the setting or the like. There are so many options.

Good luck and glad you talked!! It definitely is a teamwork thing once you get engaged/married so it's good to start thinking that way now!!

 

[AmberWaves]

Thanks everyone for your advice, and help (and counseling). I can''t wait to go home and talk this out with him. The sooner the better, that way I can stop worrying so much about everything.

I''ll be back tomorrow with an update.

Wish me luck!!

 

[SeattleSparkle]

Good Luck!! I wish you well!

 

[snuga]

Hey Amber, I am so sorry to hear about your disappointment, but glad to know that options are opening up for you. I think that you are definitely on the right track with the advice that has been given here. Please keep us posted... and know that we are all here to lend support and links to diamonds (what else does a girl really need?)

 

[snuga]

Date: 12/12/2005 4:22:41 PM
Author: EBree
As for the ''slimmer band''...my opinion differs from Cinderella''s. I loved loved LOVED the Ritani Endless Love Halo setting, but when I tried it on (14 million times) I just couldn''t figure out what was wrong. Then, it hit me. The band is so slim, it made my finger look like a sausage (and yes, while my fingers are a bit pudgy anyway, my ring finger is only a size 6!). My band is 2.5mm and it''s much better suited to my finger size. Just a thought!

I also wanted to add, that I agree with what EBree said. I have a 6.5 ring size, and while I LOVE LOVE LOVE the look of slim bands and really wanted one for myself (and still do).... on my finger they made my fingers appear much bigger. I tried on thicker bands and thought they looked more proportioned to my finger. I will probably get a band a little thicker just because it looked better on me. I would suggest trying them on yourself and deciding what you think.

 

[JDgirl]

It''s funny...I have a size 6 finger, and I think it looks slimmer with a narrow band. Especiially when they swell from working out or warm weather. I''d try some different ones on to get a sense of what you like best on yourself...

 

[MissAva]

Amber since we about the same size fingers (6 vs a 6.5) and I have a stone about the size you are looking for I thought perhaps it would help to have a picture. I hope these help!

 

[MissAva]

I hope these help! I think that would be a great size for an e-ring!

 

[larussel03]

Date: 12/12/2005 6:34:12 PM
Author: AmberWaves
Thanks everyone for your advice, and help (and counseling). I can''t wait to go home and talk this out with him. The sooner the better, that way I can stop worrying so much about everything.

I''ll be back tomorrow with an update.

Wish me luck!!

Keep us posted on what you guys decide! Good luck!

 

[MissAva]

Date: 12/12/2005 5:50:33 PM
Author: AmberWaves
Would you guys say this is low? (Since when did I become so slow-minded?) Platinum I really like it.

What about this one? It is the 18K surprise diamond from James Allen here

I like the James Allen setting except that you will have a sizable gap between your ering and wedding band with those surprise diamonds.

What about a nice low four prong setting? Platinum Four Prong Solitaire $393 also avible in Gold for 80$.
The band on that one is not thin (thin to me means less then 2mm) or wide (over 3mm).