It's time

[ballercaller]

So looks like its almost time to take the plunge. I've done high level research so far I'm leaning towards going with bluenile or jamesallen.
Budget is about 8K all in. Can be flexible. Want the best combination for this price.
Some factors I need to consider
- what is the best type of cut? This person kinda wants 3 stone princess cut, 1ct centre, with diamonds on side of band. Is this doable for 8K? Also heard round cut looks the biggest in the end. Is this true?
Is it better to get just diamond online and get band and setting somewhre else?
- what is the best combination of the 4 c's?

 

[Niel]

For hoW much you are paying i woukd not go with blue nile. You want tk be able to see pictures and aset images of the princesses you grt.
grt.have you considered whiteflash? They Have that type of setting and branded princess cuts for top light performance.

performance.also technically i think marquise face up largest, but rounds do face up larger than princess cuts . But grt her what she wants. let me take a look though some websites see what we find for that budget.

 

[cygnet]

Here are some three-stone princess settings from JA:
http://www.jamesallen.com/design-your-three-stone-ring/18k-White-Gold-3-Stone-Pave-Set-Diamond-Engagement-Ring.html
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/settings-with-sidestones/18kt-White-Gold-3-Stone-Pave-Set-Engagement-Ring.html

I'm not an expert on princesses, but I really like this one:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1539155.asp
I saw the video of it on JA beta and it was beautiful.
http://beta.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Princess-cut/1.07-carat-F-color-VS2-clarity-sku-176482

This one looks good too but it has no video yet
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Princess-Diamond-1529886.asp

Maybe someone here who knows more about princesses can tell you if one of these looks like a good choice.

 

[Niel]

its a litte over the top for clarity but
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.023-H-VVS1-Princess-Diamond-AGS-104061658001#!prettyPhoto[gallery2]/1/

here is my favorite three stone for a princess.


BG might be able to make that for you if you wanted
heres a nice simple one they could probably put trapazoids on the sides
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/princess-trellis-ii-platinum-5447p


but if its a three stone with pave down the side they have that
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/princess-dinah-3-stone-pave-18k-white-gold-5692w18

 

[cygnet]

Aw, that Leon ring is STUNNING

 

[Niel]

Aw, that Leon ring is STUNNING

and of course its with a 5 ct but the concept i still like

 

[cygnet]

Aw, that Leon ring is STUNNING

and of course its with a 5 ct but the concept i still like

Yeah, that whole carat weight disappointment thing happens to me every time I look at a beautiful Leon creation! I want a Leon ring so bad, but I don't think it'll quite be worth it until I have a 3+ ct diamond for him to set

One concern with that style he might have, though, is that there'd be less finger coverage if he goes with trapezoids instead of princesses as side stones. I personally like the traps better, but that is something to consider.

 

[ballercaller]

Thanks for the help so far
So I guess now my mind has switched to Whiteflash as my diamond provider...
Keeping with the 8k budget, I realized I would have to pay tax as I live in canada. So looks like my budget is 7k before the taxes. I guess one thing I overlooked is the side stones to go along with the centre stone... or does it already come with the setting?
Is it even possible to get a 1ct centre, with (i dunno what size the sides need to be) plus platinum setting with side stones for around 7k?
I would want the best cut, and it has to be really shiny lol

What do you guys think about something like this? Would it be better to go with maybe a round cut to make it look bigger? lol
she also has a size 5 finger, if that adds to anything..

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/3-stone-coeur-de-clara-ashley-diamond-engagement-ring-for-princess-cut-diamonds-1772.htm

 

[cygnet]

If she likes princesses, go with princesses. A princess and a round are two pretty different looks, and if she's specified that she prefers one, you should try to honor that.

Luckily for you, her finger size is a little bit smaller than average, which will make the diamond you choose appear a little bit larger.

The setting you've chosen is expensive, but pretty. I like the hearts in the gallery. If you're willing to expand your budget a little bit, you can choose this stone, which is really gorgeous:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2803933.htm

Be sure to factor in your PS discount.

 

[ballercaller]

If she likes princesses, go with princesses. A princess and a round are two pretty different looks, and if she's specified that she prefers one, you should try to honor that.

Luckily for you, her finger size is a little bit smaller than average, which will make the diamond you choose appear a little bit larger.

The setting you've chosen is expensive, but pretty. I like the hearts in the gallery. If you're willing to expand your budget a little bit, you can choose this stone, which is really gorgeous:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2803933.htm

Be sure to factor in your PS discount.

I'm not familiar with how much the settig should cost. Is it possible to get something similar for cheaper? This one includes the side stones.
To be honost I dont even know how to differentiate the diamonds. They all look the same to me lol but obviously they are not. That will probably be my biggest problem figuring out why one is better than the other

Also what and how much is the ps discount? Price scope?

 

[cygnet]

I'm not familiar with how much the settig should cost. Is it possible to get something similar for cheaper? This one includes the side stones.
To be honost I dont even know how to differentiate the diamonds. They all look the same to me lol but obviously they are not. That will probably be my biggest problem figuring out why one is better than the other

Also what and how much is the ps discount? Price scope?

It will be cheaper if you don't get platinum (you'd save abouot $800, it looks like), but that really is a personal preference. White gold is a perfectly nice choice but it depends on what you and she prefer.

They all looked the same to me too before I started learning a lot about diamonds. The major factor is cut quality, though. While two diamonds may look pretty similar at a glance, you will see dramatically different results in real life between diamonds of varying cut qualities. It's ideal to purchase a stone with the best quality cut possible in order to maximize the beauty and sparkle she sees day-to-day in all different lighting environments.

The Pricescope discount should be listed in the price if you access the site through a link from PS, I think. You'll save a few hundred dollars usually.

I'd also recommend you take a look at this one-- wow! The stone is 0.8 carats, but it's only about .2mm smaller than the other WF stone I posted, it has an incredible ASET, and it's within budget:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2844385.htm

 

[Niel]

Heres a nice one. Close to a ct and without the price of one

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/0.918-i-si1-princess-diamond-ags-ags-104061366001

If they coykd set it in that setting i posted it would still be under budget

 

[ballercaller]

So as I do more and more research I find this stuff to be really overwhelming!
To be honest I dont know where to fully start.
After talking to the other half, it now looks like she's open to the idea to a round cut if it means a bigger shinier rock (siiighs).
Like I mentioned, budget is about 7k, with some buffer room incase, so 8K max all in. For sure the setting will need to be platinum with side stones. So for a round cut, what would be the best option? I would for sure go for the best cut, but what is the best combo of clarity and colour and highest carat? Why do some people go for a higher clarity when you can't see imperfections without a microscope?

Also, is it better to get the setting seperately or have it done altogether. I guess the one issue is the selection if having it done altogether?

 

[bunnycat]

So as I do more and more research I find this stuff to be really overwhelming!
To be honest I dont know where to fully start.
After talking to the other half, it now looks like she's open to the idea to a round cut if it means a bigger shinier rock (siiighs).
Like I mentioned, budget is about 7k, with some buffer room incase, so 8K max all in. For sure the setting will need to be platinum with side stones. So for a round cut, what would be the best option? I would for sure go for the best cut, but what is the best combo of clarity and colour and highest carat? Why do some people go for a higher clarity when you can't see imperfections without a microscope?

Also, is it better to get the setting seperately or have it done altogether. I guess the one issue is the selection if having it done altogether?

Going with a round and going with the "Blue" (fluorescent) line you could probably consider something like this. I'm color sensitive and recently went and looked at Brian's blue line in person and find I can go down to I with the added fluor.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.150-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-bl-104062571011

On the questions you have about color and clarity, I think it all comes down to both personal preference and what may be available at the time you are looking. For me, I couldn't find an inclusion unless you put a sticky on it with a big arrow pointing to it, so I am perfectly fine down to SI2 as long as it's nothing completely obvious. For color, that was my surprise. I am actually fairly color sensitive in modern stones and that was a struggle finding my "ok" zone. So for me, dropping too far in color was not good, but I was happy to let clarity slide.

 

[Niel]

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/Engagement-Rings/Pave-Rings/Platinum-Rounded-Pave-Engagement-Solitaire-item-8162


This is a nice setting in platinum that still leave you a lot of budget for the stone.

stone. If she is willing to sacrifice shape for ct weight i dont think round is a good idea. Rounds are the most expensive. How does she feel about ovals or pears or emerals, or even marquise? Those face up larger and also are cheaper per ct weight

 

[bunnycat]

Thanks for the help so far
So I guess now my mind has switched to Whiteflash as my diamond provider...
Keeping with the 8k budget, I realized I would have to pay tax as I live in canada. So looks like my budget is 7k before the taxes. I guess one thing I overlooked is the side stones to go along with the centre stone... or does it already come with the setting?
Is it even possible to get a 1ct centre, with (i dunno what size the sides need to be) plus platinum setting with side stones for around 7k?
I would want the best cut, and it has to be really shiny lol

What do you guys think about something like this? Would it be better to go with maybe a round cut to make it look bigger? lol
she also has a size 5 finger, if that adds to anything..

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/three-stone/3-stone-coeur-de-clara-ashley-diamond-engagement-ring-for-princess-cut-diamonds-1772.htm

That's a pretty ring. I don't know a thing about princess cuts, so I just picked these based on budget and that they are ACA:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2862799.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2835507.htm

One thing I do like about rounds though, is that even though they may not face up the largest a well cut one has got major sparkle and they do face up larger than a princess.

I had forgotten you need to do sidestones when I posted that BGD. Here's another one that leaves you a bit more room in the budget for sides:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.038-i-si1-round-diamond-ags-bl-104062571004

 

[bunnycat]

I think to get closer to the 1ct mark in the princess, it looks like you'd have to drop down to I color and I don't know how advisable that is on a fancy cut.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/princess-cut-loose-diamond-2790088.htm

I am getting the overall feeling something has to give somewhere. A 1ct stone with sidestone and pave setting in platinum seems like a pretty tall order for $8K or under....I think you could do it if you went with a 3 stone round ring with a plain shank. Whiteflash has some pretty trellis settings in that vein for under $2K in 18K, that would leave you a lot more room for a center stone. In platinum you are back up to $2500, leaving you about $4500-5000 for a center and you could still make just about a carat there. But if she'd give in on the platinum part, you could probably reach it without problem.

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

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2782653.htm

 

[Gypsy]

You should DEFFINTELY get her a princess if that's what she wants.

I think your budget is doable. If you did tweak things a bit I would go for trapazoids for the sidestones. But I wouldn't do more tweaking than that.

 

[Niel]

http://www.jamesallen.com/#!/Engagement-Rings/Three-Stone-Rings/Platinum-Three-Stone-Princess-and-Pave-Set-Diamond-Engagement-Ring-item-740

I wonder if they could just put traps on the side.
ive seen JA adjust a three stone to have ovals. they could probably do the same if you wanted traps.

its not perfectly square but i like this one
www.jamesallen.com/#!/loose-diamonds/Princess-cut/1.21-carat-I-color-VS1-clarity-sku-171982

 

[ballercaller]

thanks for the feedback.. the other half isn't too keen on the traps sides.. would also need to be princess...
from what i gather, the sidestones are always included in the setting? unless the ring is entirely custom, then i'd have to pick out the sides?

also, how often do stones get updated? could there possibly be better stones at a better value down the road than what is being offered right now?

 

[bunnycat]

thanks for the feedback.. the other half isn't too keen on the traps sides.. would also need to be princess...
from what i gather, the sidestones are always included in the setting? unless the ring is entirely custom, then i'd have to pick out the sides?

also, how often do stones get updated? could there possibly be better stones at a better value down the road than what is being offered right now?

Significantly size accent stones are not always included in the setting, though rings with small melee diamonds are. In the BGD rings, I think you need to choose all 3 stones (though they are super nice there and will be happy to help you). In the Whiteflash rings (at least some of them like the trellis), you can get it either way. Don't know if that was the case on the special princess 3 stone, I think it came with sidestones included in the price.