Halo or no Halo... thought I had it all figured out

[dudeinlove]

if you like this put it on hold

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.73-carat-I-color-VS1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-44975

Its going to give you a better price if you have a wire PS discount
scores under a 2 and good clarity, and still considered near colorless. id pick this!

This whole thread you've been talking about going the smaller option and you post a 1.73??? I'm confused. I'm all for it though!

Dudeinlove - I was under the impression that you had a stone picked out...if not, here's another option:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.60-carat-I-color-VS2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-149868

no. I dont think he should get a smaller one. I think he should halo it. If he can afford a large stone with a halo that seems like the best. Ive just always thought you should get her the setting she wants, and if that sacrifices a little size then oh well. but i dont think he needs to sacrafice he can get both

Haha - she is the luckiest girl in the whole wide world haha. (I always tell her that)

 

[PintoBean]

Since you're not sure about the setting anymore, how about proposing with the diamond in a simple solitaire, and then designing a halo together or whatever style setting she ultimately loves.

 

[Niel]

if you like this put it on hold

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.73-carat-I-color-VS1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-44975

Its going to give you a better price if you have a wire PS discount
scores under a 2 and good clarity, and still considered near colorless. id pick this!

This whole thread you've been talking about going the smaller option and you post a 1.73??? I'm confused. I'm all for it though!

Dudeinlove - I was under the impression that you had a stone picked out...if not, here's another option:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.60-carat-I-color-VS2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-149868

no. I dont think he should get a smaller one. I think he should halo it. If he can afford a large stone with a halo that seems like the best. Ive just always thought you should get her the setting she wants, and if that sacrifices a little size then oh well. but i dont think he needs to sacrafice he can get both

Haha - she is the luckiest girl in the whole wide world haha. (I always tell her that)

Haha. If you like those I really think you should have both pulled and on hold asap. They can get you up to 3. Then we can get idealscopes on them

 

[04diamond<3]

if you like this put it on hold

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.73-carat-I-color-VS1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-44975

Its going to give you a better price if you have a wire PS discount
scores under a 2 and good clarity, and still considered near colorless. id pick this!

This whole thread you've been talking about going the smaller option and you post a 1.73??? I'm confused. I'm all for it though!

Dudeinlove - I was under the impression that you had a stone picked out...if not, here's another option:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.60-carat-I-color-VS2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-149868

Woah a 1.6 RB for 12ish NICE. Only problem is I am not ready to purchase until feb sometime (proposal not till march or april). I wanna buy that lol

Well, it won't be around then. So if you like it, maybe get it now? Or at least now you know you can get a 1.5+ center in a halo setting and still stay under your budget!

 

[ame]

Since you're not sure about the setting anymore, how about proposing with the diamond in a simple solitaire, and then designing a halo together or whatever style setting she ultimately loves.

This sounds to me like the best idea.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Despite the different shapes of the ring pictures she sent---both exhibit very similar themes.....diamond halo, multiple stones in shank and wedding band. It seems she is drawn to that style.

I suggest going ring shopping with her. Just because you are looking together doesn't mean you are buying at that moment...it can be a surprise for the future. If you shop together at least you'll have a better idea if she likes round halos or square halos or prong set or micro pave......so many variations.....KWIM?

cheers--Sharon

 

[dudeinlove]

if you like this put it on hold

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.73-carat-I-color-VS1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-44975

Its going to give you a better price if you have a wire PS discount
scores under a 2 and good clarity, and still considered near colorless. id pick this!

This whole thread you've been talking about going the smaller option and you post a 1.73??? I'm confused. I'm all for it though!

Dudeinlove - I was under the impression that you had a stone picked out...if not, here's another option:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.60-carat-I-color-VS2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-149868

Woah a 1.6 RB for 12ish NICE. Only problem is I am not ready to purchase until feb sometime (proposal not till march or april). I wanna buy that lol

Well, it won't be around then. So if you like it, maybe get it now? Or at least now you know you can get a 1.5+ center in a halo setting and still stay under your budget!

Should I be concerned I won't be able to find similar value in a month or so? Ideally I'd like to wait but if it's far too risky...

 

[dudeinlove]

Since you're not sure about the setting anymore, how about proposing with the diamond in a simple solitaire, and then designing a halo together or whatever style setting she ultimately loves.

This sounds to me like the best idea.

Leaning toward this myself

 

[motownmama]

I prefer a solitaire, but I'm not your GF (obviously). 1.5 ct is a really nice size, I'd do what's being suggested here with a simple setting and ler her reset if she wants.

 

[Niel]

if you like this put it on hold

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.73-carat-I-color-VS1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-44975

Its going to give you a better price if you have a wire PS discount
scores under a 2 and good clarity, and still considered near colorless. id pick this!

This whole thread you've been talking about going the smaller option and you post a 1.73??? I'm confused. I'm all for it though!

Dudeinlove - I was under the impression that you had a stone picked out...if not, here's another option:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.60-carat-I-color-VS2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-149868

Woah a 1.6 RB for 12ish NICE. Only problem is I am not ready to purchase until feb sometime (proposal not till march or april). I wanna buy that lol

Well, it won't be around then. So if you like it, maybe get it now? Or at least now you know you can get a 1.5+ center in a halo setting and still stay under your budget!

Should I be concerned I won't be able to find similar value in a month or so? Ideally I'd like to wait but if it's far too risky...

Seems like diamond prices have calmed down recently. I cant say it will stay like that, but it has for this month.

I agree let her pick out the halo. dont put your money toward a setting one way or the other. shell have fun picking it out and if she wants to get a really blinged out one Im sure she would chip in (shared finances and all). Just as romantic if you pop the question witha $180 solitaire, as long as you let her know she can have it reset in whatever her little heart desires.

with that said. id probably opt for the largest one you can get. for around 14k. gives her the choice to decide if she likes the size on its own, or wants to really bling it out, also, give you still money to pay for whatever setting she wants.

 

[milton333]

Get the largest stone you can afford in a solitaire setting. You can always change the setting, maybe for the wedding or an anniversary. I'd rather, by far, start out with the best center stone possible and have options for settings down the road. The price of diamonds doesn't seem to go down. I kick myself all the time for not going bigger 5 years ago when I upgraded, even with a trade-in policy I'd have to pay four times what it would have cost back then to go to the size I wanted. Disclaimer: I am not generally a fan of halos, and think the one your GF sent looks gaudy, not timeless. IMO, I don't see halos being "forever settings." I think tastes and finger sizes change over the course of a lifetime, and it just seems like a very specific, very trendy look. If this is not a forever setting, then better to have a bigger stone for a reset down the line, kwim?

 

[04diamond<3]

if you like this put it on hold

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.73-carat-I-color-VS1-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-44975

Its going to give you a better price if you have a wire PS discount
scores under a 2 and good clarity, and still considered near colorless. id pick this!

This whole thread you've been talking about going the smaller option and you post a 1.73??? I'm confused. I'm all for it though!

Dudeinlove - I was under the impression that you had a stone picked out...if not, here's another option:
http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Round-cut/1.60-carat-I-color-VS2-clarity-Excellent-cut-sku-149868

Woah a 1.6 RB for 12ish NICE. Only problem is I am not ready to purchase until feb sometime (proposal not till march or april). I wanna buy that lol

Well, it won't be around then. So if you like it, maybe get it now? Or at least now you know you can get a 1.5+ center in a halo setting and still stay under your budget!

Should I be concerned I won't be able to find similar value in a month or so? Ideally I'd like to wait but if it's far too risky...

I wouldn't hold my breath! Diamond prices go up and down all the time. a 1.6 for 12k is a great find. I'd put it on hold, request an idealscope and sleep on it. If you love it then I'd buy it, if after sleeping on it you don't think it's worth it then let it go. I'm glad everyone's agreeing with me on putting it in a temp setting, and although I've shown you a few halo options I still think put it in a solitaire and let her choose since there are so many different types of halos.

 

[Laila619]

Seems like she really likes a halo, so I would get her one. If you find a stone just under 1.5 carats, you will save considerably. I don't think it will be too big, although it'll definitely be blingy! I'm sure she will be fine with it. It may take some getting used to though. I used to have a 1.8 carat round in a halo and it was a large look. So I would personally stick with a stone around 1.5 carats or maybe a little smaller.

 

[LaraOnline]

Heheh you are getting plenty of advice, so I will weigh in too! lol
imo she is sending you hints she wants finger coverage.
Halos are GREAT for finger coverage.

I don't think she is concerned about a 1.5 being 'too big'.
You'll be surprised how quickly you can adjust to what you originally think is a large centre stone!
After all, it is all a question of percentages of mms.

She is going to be wearing that stone every day, for years.
I would go as large as I could afford, whilst still keeping the quality that I need.

If you have a great stone, settings can be changed over time as tastes change.
But I would still consider getting her a halo for that ultimate 'wow' moment.

I don't think halos will ever go out of style.
They dress a stone beautifully, add plenty of sparkle and design interest - and carats of weight in appearance / finger coverage too!
And no, I don't have a halo ring!

 

[missy]

Heheh you are getting plenty of advice, so I will weigh in too! lol
imo she is sending you hints she wants finger coverage.
Halos are GREAT for finger coverage.

I don't think she is concerned about a 1.5 being 'too big'.
You'll be surprised how quickly you can adjust to what you originally think is a large centre stone!
After all, it is all a question of percentages of mms.

She is going to be wearing that stone every day, for years.
I would go as large as I could afford, whilst still keeping the quality that I need.

If you have a great stone, settings can be changed over time as tastes change.
But I would still consider getting her a halo for that ultimate 'wow' moment.

I don't think halos will ever go out of style.
They dress a stone beautifully, add plenty of sparkle and design interest - and carats of weight in appearance / finger coverage too!
And no, I don't have a halo ring!

Everything Lara said I second! Believe me diamond size shrinkage syndrome is real. Very real. Go as large as you can afford without sacrificing cut/quality and settings are not difficult to change down the road should she change her mind. But get her what she wants now for now. It might save a lot of energy in the future. Good luck and congratulations on finding the person you want to spend the rest of your life with!

 

[LaraOnline]

Seems like she really likes a halo, so I would get her one. If you find a stone just under 1.5 carats, you will save considerably. I don't think it will be too big, although it'll definitely be blingy! I'm sure she will be fine with it. It may take some getting used to though. I used to have a 1.8 carat round in a halo and it was a large look. So I would personally stick with a stone around 1.5 carats or maybe a little smaller.

Hi there Laila, do you have a photo of your 1.8 in a halo?
Still can't get over that you got rid of that 1.8 girl ....

 

[04diamond<3]

Heheh you are getting plenty of advice, so I will weigh in too! lol
imo she is sending you hints she wants finger coverage.
Halos are GREAT for finger coverage.

I don't think she is concerned about a 1.5 being 'too big'.
You'll be surprised how quickly you can adjust to what you originally think is a large centre stone!
After all, it is all a question of percentages of mms.

She is going to be wearing that stone every day, for years.
I would go as large as I could afford, whilst still keeping the quality that I need.

If you have a great stone, settings can be changed over time as tastes change.
But I would still consider getting her a halo for that ultimate 'wow' moment.

I don't think halos will ever go out of style.
They dress a stone beautifully, add plenty of sparkle and design interest - and carats of weight in appearance / finger coverage too!
And no, I don't have a halo ring!

Everything Lara said I second! Believe me diamond size shrinkage syndrome is real. Very real. Go as large as you can afford without sacrificing cut/quality and settings are not difficult to change down the road should she change her mind. But get her what she wants now for now. It might save a lot of energy in the future. Good luck and congratulations on finding the person you want to spend the rest of your life with!

+2 Perfectly said Lara!!

 

[Laila619]

Seems like she really likes a halo, so I would get her one. If you find a stone just under 1.5 carats, you will save considerably. I don't think it will be too big, although it'll definitely be blingy! I'm sure she will be fine with it. It may take some getting used to though. I used to have a 1.8 carat round in a halo and it was a large look. So I would personally stick with a stone around 1.5 carats or maybe a little smaller.

Hi there Laila, do you have a photo of your 1.8 in a halo?
Still can't get over that you got rid of that 1.8 girl ....

Hi Lara!

Here's a pic.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-setting-for-1-8-ct-round-finger-coverage-galore.166116/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-setting-for-1-8-ct-round-finger-coverage-galore.166116/[/URL]

Sorry for the threadjack, OP. My picture might be of use to you though, since you can see what a larger stone in a halo would loo like. Good luck with your decision!

 

[hearts-arrows_girl]

Since you're not sure about the setting anymore, how about proposing with the diamond in a simple solitaire, and then designing a halo together or whatever style setting she ultimately loves.

That's what I would suggest too. For sure, go 1.5ct+, don't go smaller. It will look gorgeous whether she halos it or not. Picking out our setting is fun for us gals.

 

[lknvrb4]

I would propose with the diamond a d let her pick the setting.

 

[LaraOnline]

Omg Laila it does look huge! I hope we don't put our dudeinlove in the mind to downsize his stone due to your stunning thread jack photo lol
His ff will kill me!

Dudeinlove, seriously, 1.5 is a lovely stone and a generous and sexy size for a proposal.
In my view, choosing to downsize the stone for the sake of the setting is a serious proposition, please consider carefully!
There are also many ways to halo....micropave, for example, can provide a very delicate style of halo that will not add so much weight to the look of the ring...although these settings may be out of your budget at this immediate time....it need not be a chunky ring....

Ultimately though of course it's all up to you and your ff - feeling worried my thread jack might throw you off course! So my apologies!

 

[bunnycat]

I'd agree with some of the others. There are so many kinds of halos and she may or may not know exactly what kind she wants. There's also some online possibilities that she probably doesn't know about. B/M stores have some selection but there's a lot more out there. I personally love halos (as you can see in my avatar) and think it will look great, but AFTER she decides what she really wants in a halo. So I'd get a very simple inexpensive temp ring (the under $200 kind) and propose with that, then shop for the setting together. That way there'll be no skulking around and the online world will open to both of you for possibilities.

I also get the impression she is looking for finger coverage. The first one seems ok, because she looks like she has tried a band on with it (???) but the second one I'm not sure she's keeping in mind there will be a wedding band also. It's a little chunky.

But I totally understand wanting finger coverage. I don;t think any girl wants to look like her fingers are swallowing up the ring. Stackers are great for that too. Around 1.5 looks like it will be a nice proportion for her hand. Halos also come in different melee sizes too. So perhaps once she see the size of the stone, she might prefer smaller melee, like 1/2 or 1 pointers. Or she might think it's big enough and prefer a pave band instead of a halo.

 

[orbaya]

It only becomes a question of price if I am too halo a 1.5. I can halo a 1-1.2 and it'd actually be less expensive. I don't think I'd want to halo a 1.5 (that thing would be GIANT).

I guess the reason I am hesitating is cause she is not seriously shopping and I feel that if we went and looked carefully she would lean towards the non-halo but I don't want to ask her because I want it all to be big a giant surprise. She is just out drinking martinis, looking at jewerly and having fun with her girlfriends.

Here is the pic she sent (it is very nice).

I haven't read the rest of the thread yet so I don't know if you've made a decision yet.

My feeling is that if she tried on one ring, she tried on several. The fact that she took the time to take a picture of that specific set and send it to you over any of the others is a big hint as to what she is looking for, IMO.

 

[mdmc]

I have to say I agree with others here. I recently had the chance to upgrade my e ring. At first I wanted a halo but after I had time to think about it I decided on getting the biggest and best solitaire I could afford. My reason? I don't think I will upgrade again. That being the case if I have the biggest stone I can afford right now if I want to halo it ( which will be much cheaper than getting a bigger center stone) in the future I can. I also think that would be the best combination. You can buy the stone and propose and she gets to put in the setting of her choice. The best of both worlds.

 

[bunnycat]

It only becomes a question of price if I am too halo a 1.5. I can halo a 1-1.2 and it'd actually be less expensive. I don't think I'd want to halo a 1.5 (that thing would be GIANT).

I guess the reason I am hesitating is cause she is not seriously shopping and I feel that if we went and looked carefully she would lean towards the non-halo but I don't want to ask her because I want it all to be big a giant surprise. She is just out drinking martinis, looking at jewerly and having fun with her girlfriends.

Here is the pic she sent (it is very nice).

I haven't read the rest of the thread yet so I don't know if you've made a decision yet.

My feeling is that if she tried on one ring, she tried on several. The fact that she took the time to take a picture of that specific set and send it to you over any of the others is a big hint as to what she is looking for, IMO.

Not necessarily. I took multiple dozens of pictures of halos we looked at, texted pictures when I was on my own looking, and though they were all the same general idea, I do wish I'd taken more time to really get things figured out (stone size, halo size) before getting the halo. I do love my ring, but I'd have done a few things differently had I known all the things I know now.

It's hard when you are excited to be engaged to be patient and want it all right now, but patience would have been a better choice (in my case) and it kind of seems to me that patience might be better in the long run here also since there seems to be some indecision on stone sizes and halo sizes.

OP- If you DO get the simple solitaire, please make sure she knows she can halo it if that's what she likes and that you just wanted her to be able to take her time shopping rather than be rushed to a decision. I think it'd be fun to get to do it in 2 parts. But I'd also try not to influence her and make her feel like you think a halo would be too large overall. She needs to wear what makes her comfortable and just because you may think something looks large, she may not.

 

[dudeinlove]

Thank you so much for all you help everyone. I have decided what I am going to do.

1) Get the largest highest quality stone I can afford within my budget.
2) Put on a solitare setting with a pave on the band
3) Let her know that she can halo it, change the setting, change the stone or do whatever she wants.

Justification
I was already leaning towards getting the best stone and most of you agreed that was a good idea. As far as not going with the temp setting goes - there is a decent chance she loves it as is and if so I want it a setting she will love. If she decides she wants to halo it or wants a different setting we will send the setting back or I will sell it or I will eat the cost. It's worth it to me to have it in a setting she will want to show it off in on day 1 . Many of you mentioned making sure that she realizes she can change it suit her... I always makes sure to treat her that way and this will be no different - as long as she is happy I am happy.

I am going to have JA pull as few stones for me today. What do should I ask for? ASET and IDEAL Scopes?

I know buyers normally avoid whiteflash diamonds that are not in-stock - does the same apply for JA?

Finally does anyone know what the average discount on JA is for PS+Wire?

 

[Niel]

Thank you so much for all you help everyone. I have decided what I am going to do.

1) Get the largest highest quality stone I can afford within my budget.
2) Put on a solitare setting with a pave on the band
3) Let her know that she can halo it, change the setting, change the stone or do whatever she wants.

Justification
I was already leaning towards getting the best stone and most of you agreed that was a good idea. As far as not going with the temp setting goes - there is a decent chance she loves it as is and if so I want it a setting she will love. If she decides she wants to halo it or wants a different setting we will send the setting back or I will sell it or I will eat the cost. It's worth it to me to have it in a setting she will want to show it off in on day 1 . Many of you mentioned making sure that she realizes she can change it suit her... I always makes sure to treat her that way and this will be no different - as long as she is happy I am happy.

I am going to have JA pull as few stones for me today. What do should I ask for? ASET and IDEAL Scopes?

I know buyers normally avoid whiteflash diamonds that are not in-stock - does the same apply for JA?

Finally does anyone know what the average discount on JA is for PS+Wire?

We at least now you have a plan
to answer a few of your questions.
I think the ps wire discount ends up being about 5.5 percent, ive heard
You would want to get idealscopes for rounds
you want to avoid non in stock ones from WF because its cost money to pull them, not the case for JA, dont worry about if its in stock or whatnot, if its on the site, they should be able to pull you it for free (up to three)

 

[ame]

I think this plan sounds PERFECT.

 

[Jereni]

It's worth it to me to have it in a setting she will want to show it off in on day 1

I agree with this. I'm all for best stone possible and letting the girl pick out the setting (others weren't kidding, it is FUN for us), but I also think it's nice to give it a go that you get the perfect setting right off the bat. Who knows, once she sees it maybe she'll decide it's perfect!

 

[04diamond<3]

It's worth it to me to have it in a setting she will want to show it off in on day 1

I agree with this. I'm all for best stone possible and letting the girl pick out the setting (others weren't kidding, it is FUN for us), but I also think it's nice to give it a go that you get the perfect setting right off the bat. Who knows, once she sees it maybe she'll decide it's perfect!

+1 Maybe with a larger round she'll decide that the pave setting you have it looks perfect? Either way, I'm glad you've come to the conclusion that you have. There's a lot (on both sides) of sentiment that's attached to whatever ring you propose with! Any idea when you'll be getting it?