Engagment Ring Help

[ALBAN-METHODIOS]

Hey all,

I am looking to design an engagement/wedding ring and after talking with my girlfriend, jewelers, and researching here I am getting myself fairly confused. What we want is fairly specific and it looks like we are going to end up with a custom ring but I can't decide who to get the ring and diamond through.

I am currently debating between white gold and platinum. We don't have a lot of money to put into the ring so price is important. Basically what we want is a tapered 3 stone ring where the side stones are rubies. We also want a few channel diamonds in the band. price needs to be under $4,000. I am thinking a .45-.7 ct stone is about what I can afford with decent quality (eye clean/ >SI2 clarity, color >I, and very good-Excellent/Ideal cut). I am a little worried because I have a vendor that offered to make the band for ~$2,700 using platinum and synthetic rubies (3.5mm) or ~$1,800 for 14kt white gold.

Is this price to good to be true or is it simply a good deal?

I was also wondering about the center stone. Is EGL-USA still a decent report or is GIA/AGS better to stick with if I can look at the stones in store?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Stick with GIA Excellent cut only (or AGS Ideal cut). EGL is not a reliable grading lab and you are at risk of overpaying for an inferior stone to what is stated on the report. I would be very cautious and get recommendations of reliable custom ring makers. I personally wouldn't want simulated rubies on my engagement ring, but real high quality rubies are expensive. I don't really think $1800 is a good price for a white gold three stone setting with simulated rubies, though.

Example...$1095 for 18k wg setting only:

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/3-stone-trois-brillant-diamond-engagement-ring-1426.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/3-stone-trellis-diamond-engagement-ring-1025.htm ($1275)

and sim. rubies the size of .25 ct. diamonds should be very inexpensive (about $50 each for a 4mm stone...Avarra is one brand)

 

[ALBAN-METHODIOS]

Thanks for the advice I have looked at white flash and James Allen but we didn't find any settings that we liked. From what I have seen in the stores the white gold price doesn't seems pretty close.

This is a custom ring because we are a little specific with what we want. Online vendors come in at $1,800-$2,200 14kw-18kw (vender specific) with real rubies due to the channel set stones.There are two local stores I am looking at going through, the more expensive one has a manufacture warranty and has made some custom earrings for me before. Both stores have been in this town for ~100 years and have been producing custom jewelery.

 

[rbscompilation]

I would say just go for simple and descent ring since it gives attractive look comparative other fashionable ring. Simple ring with a heart shape diamond inside it.