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Confused and fustrated - finding the perfect ring

G

gunmetal5

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 13, 2013
Messages
4
Hi All,

I've gone in to a few B&M locations, the larger chain such as Robbins Brothers and Ben Bridge and I was unhappy with the price of the diamonds but loved the settings. A friend has taken me to a small jewelry mart she buys all her jewelry from and the guy offered me a good price on the diamonds but his settings stunk, and I did not feel comfortable buying a diamond from the guy.
Where are people buying their settings from if they buy the diamond online?

I'm willing to look at diamonds online as long as the seller has a 100% refundable return policy. Here is what I am looking for:
Center diamond price $6,500.00
Round brilliant diamond
size - 1 carat
color - d to g
clarity - vvs 1 or vvs 2
cut - GOOD to EXCELLENT
GIA Certified

Setting: White gold three diamond style with small diamonds going down the side.
Total cost $10,000.

Timeline: I would like to propose as in April or May.

My goal is to buy the best ring that $10k can buy me. My fear is to buy an over priced diamond and have to look at it for the rest of my life. I've been reading up posts on this form and it seems almost impossible to buy the perfect ring now that I know this much about diamonds. How I hate the internet sometimes... It is really a love-hate relationship..
 
You cant' get a 1 ct with those specs.

Even F/G VS2 it would help to increase your budget.

White gold, diamond rings usually don't cost $3500... $2500 is usually sufficient for a very nice gold setting, unless you are looking at designer.
 
JulieN|1360790449|3379422 said:
You cant' get a 1 ct with those specs.

Even F/G VS2 it would help to increase your budget.

White gold, diamond rings usually don't cost $3500... $2500 is usually sufficient for a very nice gold setting, unless you are looking at designer.
Click to expand...

I went to Jareds yesterday and checked out their options, and their pricing is definitely better than Robbins Brothers. They have a setting that I like and its around the same pricing you said, $2350. They showed me a nice diamond - VS2 G or H color 1 carat round brilliant for $6800. They were willing to knock of about $800 from the total bill which after taxes comes down to about $9k out the door.
 
Cut is most important. Because of that i would not biy from a place like jared. Most stones are not cut well and the omes that are are overpriced.
Keep in mind. A woman is not wearing the gia cert. So though you think a smaller stone With higher clarity looks better on paper, its not going to make a visable difference. also, color isnt really noticable until I, so again, on paper it looks better but your payi.g for sometbing she cant really notice So I woould suggest putting your money toward something you can see. Size. .
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.027-H-VS2-Round-Diamond-AGS-BL-104061006007

Thry have lots of diamond settings in that range, and they use a very well cut melee

This one is nice too but leaves less for a setting
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.013-f-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104061006001
 
nielseel|1360864349|3380034 said:
Cut is most important. Because of that i would not biy from a place like jared. Most stones are not cut well and the omes that are are overpriced.
Keep in mind. A woman is not wearing the gia cert. So though you think a smaller stone With higher clarity looks better on paper, its not going to make a visable difference. also, color isnt really noticable until I, so again, on paper it looks better but your payi.g for sometbing she cant really notice So I woould suggest putting your money toward something you can see. Size. .
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.027-H-VS2-Round-Diamond-AGS-BL-104061006007

Thry have lots of diamond settings in that range, and they use a very well cut melee

This one is nice too but leaves less for a setting
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.013-f-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104061006001
Click to expand...

http://www.robbinsbrothers.com/Engagement-Rings/3-Stone/Robbins-Brothers-i34275.ring
To give you an idea, this is my ideal setting. I saw a nice one at Jareds almost exactly like this one. What I am trying to go for is something that sparkles very nicely so when the sun its it people will go blind. haha not literally, figuratively. She is important to me, and it is important to me that she can show off a ring with great sparkles!

When we've seen rings, she points out the smaller rocks, .50 carats and she has even told me on a few occasions how much she likes a 3/4 carat. I think I'm hitting a ceiling of the size of the diamond, based off what she has expressed to me in multiple occasions.
 
Oh lovely. Ok. This is what i would do. Contact pearlmans. Thry have some settings that are very well made and expensive that they are discounting, a lot. Tell them you are a ps er and need an ags000 eye clean h+ to fit tbis setting, see if they can do it for 10K. I would imagine its doable. Just depends on what stone this is set for. But most of these are for 1ct. Tbese are the best aettings at that budget
http://pearlmansjewelers.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pearlmansjewelers.com%2Fjewelry-specials%2Fcloseout-jewelry%2F#3052
 
If that link doesnt work just go to pearlmans website and look at there closeout boudry. Soery it wont stop being the mobile site for me haha. I believe they give ps discounts too
 
Nice looking ring. I like the stones bead set down the shank. I have someone looking into it. They are a great custom jeweler and should be able to come up with a model that is close and fit your budget. The craftsmanship will far exceed your expectations. I will post the details as soon as they get back to me...
 
Buy this. Put it on hold.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/queen-dinah-3-stone-pave-18k-white-gold-5679w18 Setting 2310
and
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.027-h-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104061006007 7,140

________ Total
9,450

It will knock her socks off.

You don't need VVS. It is a waste of money for something you can't see. VS2 is a MUCH better choice as it balances safety with budget.
And H in an ideal cut AGS stone is going to SUPER WHITE. I have seen 2 carat J's from BGD and when set you CANNOT TELL that they are not white. And H will be perfectly safe. Especially in that setting.

An H with ideal light return from GIA or AGS will out white anything from any other lab. YOU WILL NOT FIND a LAB GRADED F-G VVS stone GIA or AGS stone at any Jareds or other chain like that for less than you will pay online at BGD or other vendor. That's just the way it is. You may find EGL but that's not worth the down grade. You are MUCH better off with an AGS 0 H VS2 than a G VVS from EGL with dubious grading.
 
Doesnt it say side stones not included for that? I could be reading wrong but i think they arent
 
nielseel|1360871332|3380127 said:
Doesnt it say side stones not included for that? I could be reading wrong but i think they arent
Click to expand...


Pretty sure that's an error. I think that one comes with the sidestones. I'd call BGD to verify.
 
Okay so... that one doesn't come with the sidestones. So... back to the drawing board. You could also call BGD and tell them, I want this setting, but with a one carat diamond-- out the door 10k. Can you please put something fabulous together for me and recommend it back to me. H or better, Vs2 or better GIA or AGS lab report, ideal light return with great idealscope images.

And see what they suggest back to you. They are full service so you can ask this.
 
I still think that baudry at Pearlmans is the best value, and it has side stone included
 
This is a VERY helpful forum! Thank you EVERYONE for your input and comments :D

If I order from online, who will set the diamond? and Warranty? Am I going to be a fool to think a warranty will protect anything? Do diamonds actually fall out of a ring? I know I am bringing up the B&Ms again, but they offer great warranties on paper, at a premium of course. But does it mean anything in the end? I've heard you can insure the ring on your house insurance, but only again theft, not loss.
 
So say you buy from pearlmans, which i hhope thats a 1ct semimout so you can because it would really be the best deal also i am from west mich and so are they. Represent :lol:


lbut anyways say you biy feom them, you would want to get the stone their too. They would set it then just ship you the whole finished ring.
They are a b&m store too, just in someone elses neighborhood. Insurance is more important than a warrenty, but say a pave little stone pops, theu should be able to repair it
 
Buy the stone and setting from the same place. The setting you want is a classic style many will carry.

If you prefer the one from BGD that I linked to, you will have to get your own sidestones, but they will probably be happy to work with you to make it 10k our the door.

If you work with Pearlmans, call them ask for Julien ask him what size centers those two rings take. Then ask him to "source" or to "suggest" stones to go in it for you. Make sure you specify that your budget is no more than 10K out the door. They can get you images and idealscopes of the diamonds. And will be honest with you about the clarity and performance.

Here's another option as well: http://www.jamesallen.com/?gclid=CJT4l_nWubUCFQLZQgodbCQABg#!/engagement-rings/three-stone/18k-white-gold-three-stone-round-and-pave-set-diamond-engagement-ring-item-1914 plus: http://www.jamesallen.com/?gclid=CJT4l_nWubUCFQLZQgodbCQABg#!/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.01-carat-H-color-VS2-clarity-sku-196292 (put on hold and get idealscope image, but it is an AGS 0 already and the stats are good, so I'm not worried about the light return). Honestly if you buy that you could probably just do it today. I wouldn't even bother with the idealscope image, personally.

I would ask James Allen if there are any promotions you qualify for, since you are buying a complete ring. BECAUSE: I'm pretty sure that there is EITHER a PRICESCOPE discount OR a COMPLETE RING discount that will bring that price down even further. If the sales person says there is no promotion: tell them to ask JIM SCHULTZ DIRECTLY.
 
I wouldn't be concerned about warranty if you are buying from a vendor recommended here. Plus, got a problem like missing melee or sizing, just get a good local bench.
 
CharmyPoo|1360978787|3381366 said:
I wouldn't be concerned about warranty if you are buying from a vendor recommended here. Plus, got a problem like missing melee or sizing, just get a good local bench.
Click to expand...

But make sure you aren't voiding your warranty if you do. Sometimes, depending on the setting, you may want to work with the vendor depending on the problem.

No matter how good the vendor, mistakes and errors occur. What separates a good vendor from a poor one is how they HANDLE that mistake when it happens. Cause it will. Our vendors will promptly handle any issues that is caused by them, or by the manufacturing flaws of anything they sell, unless it is a used piece.
 
Very good point Gypsy.
 
I have purchased 3 Beaudry settings from Pearlman's and I will tell you, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You could not have these rings made by a non-brand maker at these prices. They aren't even in the same category as the one from Robbins Bros. They can certainly find you a center stone, and I think both of those rings take about 1 ct. Julian and Bill have been wonderful to work with, and I highly recommend them!

Incidentally, I also like the Scott Kay Crown setting for a more contemporary style, and Pearlman's also carries Scott Kay and gives a PriceScope member discount if you ask!
 
diamondseeker2006|1360980813|3381393 said:
I have purchased 3 Beaudry settings from Pearlman's and I will tell you, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You could not have these rings made by a non-brand maker at these prices. They aren't even in the same category as the one from Robbins Bros. They can certainly find you a center stone, and I think both of those rings take about 1 ct. Julian and Bill have been wonderful to work with, and I highly recommend them!

Incidentally, I also like the Scott Kay Crown setting for a more contemporary style, and Pearlman's also carries Scott Kay and gives a PriceScope member discount if you ask!
Click to expand...

I tend to agree - I've only seen one Beaudry setting in my life and it was rather memorable. Top, top, top of the line stuff. You couldn't possibly get a better setting. I mean, look at the original prices! TWELVE THOUSAND DOLLARS for a setting -- and you have the opportunity to purchase it for $2500? I'd take that straight to the bank! Call Pearlman's, check what size the center stone is, tell them your guidelines, and ask them to source the main diamond for you. They have impeccable customer service and beautiful products. This will ultimately result in the MOST superior product for your money -- I mean, if you paid full price, you'd be looking at an $18-20k ring that you're going to walk away with for sub-$10k. If something were to go wrong in the future, ship the ring back to them and have their bench repair it, just as you would do with a local bench. The cost to replace a lost stone is miniscule, sub $100 (think the last person I know who paid of pocket said it was like $40?) - don't let that 'warranty' convince you to use a rubbish local business.
 
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