help and advice needed for a 3 stone engagement ring :)

[Katba1ou]

sorry for the repost- I put it in the wrong folder!

So yet again I am calling upon the expertise of this wonderful forum...

So... my husband is buying me a new engagement ring whoop! I've had some major issue with the others that I had made and he decided that we should just start from scratch.

I would like a 3 stone, with a 1ct Round centre stone with a 0.15/0.20 pear either side. The setting won't be a problem. The issue is budget and although my husband hasn't set one I mentioned £5k ($8400) and he isn't willing to spend that much. So... I have to be creative here with the diamond purchasing. I have currently a 0.49 G/H (uncertified) diamond I1 (due to a large feather). I'm not bothered about clarity as long as it appears eye clean to me. I have to accept that I am going to have to compromise on something and I think colour is going to have to be it. I want a triple excellent diamond and one that has good specs to sparkle like a little fireball and it must must be certified as I made that mistake the first time around. I suppose I'm asking for info about potentially purchasing an I coloured diamond and what are the tricks to have it face up as white as possible? Is it worth getting one with some fluorescence to counteract some of the potential warmth of the stone or is it not as effective in the near colourless range? I'm thinking if I can get a diamond for £3.5k ($5900) and allow up to £1000 ($1700) for the setting, then I could probably twist my husbands arm.... Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Katba1ou

 

[Ally T]

Sounds like a lovely idea for your new ring! Hooray that you got the go-ahead!

Have you ever been to the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham? I am in Cheshire but i bought my pear cut diamond from there that is in my avatar (1.02 carat D VS2). The prices for loose stones are fantastic as they are trade, but you need to go down & really hunt their stock. Mine was from a vendor called Diamond Heaven, who had lots of loose stones, all certified, of varying colour, clarity & cut. I had my diamond appraised at £4,200 MORE than we paid, which was several thousand but no where near high street prices. Worth a trip

 

[Katba1ou]

Sounds like a lovely idea for your new ring! Hooray that you got the go-ahead!

Have you ever been to the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham? I am in Cheshire but i bought my pear cut diamond from there that is in my avatar (1.02 carat D VS2). The prices for loose stones are fantastic as they are trade, but you need to go down & really hunt their stock. Mine was from a vendor called Diamond Heaven, who had lots of loose stones, all certified, of varying colour, clarity & cut. I had my diamond appraised at £4,200 MORE than we paid, which was several thousand but no where near high street prices. Worth a trip

I was there just today!!! how weird is that! we weren't there long as we don't have the budget sorted yet but will keep an eye on the websites. We're in Newcastle Upon Tyne so is quite a distance for us. I tried a few on so I know that a centre round and side pears are defo what i want

 

[Gypsy]

My advise is to look at 90 point stones. They will have a 6.2 ish spread. Compared to a full carat stone which are 6.4-6.5 but they will either allow you to get higher color OR HUGE cost savings.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-350804 What I'd buy, at the top of your budget. Ask for an idealscope.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-330046 This one will make your husband happy and if the idealscope is good might be the best value. Ask for an idealscope.

If you have to have a full carat: http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-5162316-1.03-carat-Round-diamond-I-color-VS2-Clarity.aspx?sku=5162316&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com if eyeclean. Get an idealscope. Great spread on this one.