Need input on my dilemma.

[IceExplorer]

Thanks a lot for the pics. That ring looks very nice, i really like the thickness of the prongs and the design.

The prongs and the basket were inspired by The Cartier Declaration D'amour. They are very solid but don't look industrial.

A few questions, why is the ring flatter on the bottom, is this actually a design so that's more practical if she is holding something in that hand?

The flatter spot on the bottom is called: Euro or European Shank. It has a practical purpose, not so much esthetic. It prevents her ring from spinning on her finger. Her diamond always sits on top of her finger. The sizing beads also aid in this.


How much is that setting minus the diamonds on it?

I don't know for sure. You can call Brian Gavin Diamonds and ask them. Also, if you like the basket but not the band, I'm certain they would be happy to let you design your own band or put that basket on the top of an existing band. Just remember, it is set in a "cathedral setting" which means the band is thicker where the diamond sits (at the top). The diamond actually sits somewhat below the band. I did this so she could wear her ring without it getting caught on gloves, pockets etc... Higher settings, although pretty, aren't always as practical for day-to-day wearing

Lastly, that rock is ideal, what are the exact specs and how much did you pay (if you don't mind) and from where?

I'll attach a pic of the cert that shows all the specs (see below)
I got the diamond form
www.briangavindiamonds.com
Check out their Brian Gavin *Signature* and *Select* diamonds. They specialize in Heart and Arrows diamonds.
Their diamonds are top notch and Brian is a 5th generation diamond cutter. Brian was one of the founders or WhiteFlash and went off on his own. He knows the business. I trust him implicitly with both diamonds and design.
They have a great upgrade and return policy as well (limited to his signature diamonds and possibly his select diamonds but you'd have to ask to confirm. Mine was part of his signature collection)

The diamond alone cost me between 7-8k and it performs like no other diamond I've seen since putting it on my lovely fiance's finger.

The setting can be found here:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5508
(we named the ring after my fiance)
I'm sure they could work with you to come up with something that you wanted to create.


Also, i know this is a lot to ask, but do you have a pic of it on her finger, that would be easier to visualize?

Ask and you shall receive...

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finger-shots-custom-bgd-round-micro-pave.139453/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finger-shots-custom-bgd-round-micro-pave.139453/[/URL]

Her fingers are 4.25 but I made the ring to 4.75 (because she told me she had the same finger size as her best friend) we ended up putting the sizing beads in it.



Thanks a lot man, I really appreciate it.

Good luck with your search. If you have anymore questions, I'd be happy to help out.
Trust me, it wasn't long ago, I sat at my computer wondering... where do I start?!?!? Many people helped me build my knowledge base and assisted in getting me so much ring and diamond then I could have ever expected!

I can't thank them enough, the least I can do is help out when someone has questions

 

[slg47]

not all SI1s are eye-clean, you would need to check with the vendor.

other shapes like oval will look larger for the carat weight but will also have a different nature of light return. you should be able to get a 1.2 carat top quality round in your budget, if you think she would like a round then I wouldn't look for other shapes. the ring you posted is an OEC, old european cut round, different look than modern round brilliant.

 

[risingsun]

Excuse me if I'm repeating advice you have already been given. I suggest a three stone ring, with a diamond with two sapphires as side stones or a sapphire with two diamonds as side stones. You can source some beautiful sapphires, which would make you proud. I am going to attach a RHR, which started out as a three stone ring, but now has been reset. It's just another option. I like the sidestones to be large in this type of setting, but this is a matter to taste

 

[risingsun]

A better pic...

 

[Siamese Kitty]

Wait! Rising sun, is this your former HOF setting? If so, I didn't realize you kept it, but I'm glad you did. It's gorgeous and the sapphire looks great.

I like the sapphire sidestone idea, too. She loved sapphires enough to suggest one initially as a center stone. I think this would be a beautiful compromise.

 

[Gypsy]

I agree that a multistone ring with a combination of sapphires and diamonds would be lovely.

Personally, I'd get a set of these: http://www.simplysapphires.com/html/imagesblue2005/bluerno451-sm.html (30% off everything on SS though the 6th!) and put a lovely round center of 1.25 carats with it like this: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=BLAGS-104047808007... In a three stone setting like this one: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5450

And call it a day and wait for your ring to arrive.

 

[FrekeChild]

Speaking as a Colored Stoner who just happened to wander into Rocky Talky I have to tell you I am really dismayed to see you pish tosh her desire for a sapphire engagement ring with the attitude that diamonds are better/more acceptable/more expensive. If you compare your post here with SteveNeedsARing, and his threads, for instance this one: https://www.pricescope.com/communit...apphire-lets-find-the-perfect-setting.151890/ you can see that colored stones are not taking the easy (or cheap) way out. SteveNeedsARing is an amazing fellow because he is going to such great lengths to get an amazing ring for his soon to be fiancee--and it will fit her as perfectly as he can get it. How cool is that?

Sure, in America the popular choice is the biggest diamond someone can afford. Whatever. Perhaps it's just easier to go with the flow and follow the norm?

Speaking personally, I was told that anything but a diamond is "cheap". I've been told that anything but a diamond "doesn't look like an engagement ring". Blah blah blah blah blah. I got a colored engagement ring. I figure I'll get a diamond by my 20th anniversary. Perhaps I'll be bored enough with colored stones between now and 19 years from now. For the record, if my husband had listened to those people, and ignored my request for a blue spinel, I probably would have cried. And I didn't have sentimental reasoning behind my desire for a spinel. I wanted it because I love the properties of the stone variety and the color.

Basically I wouldn't say that she's trying to save you money by wanting a sapphire. I'm pretty sure that the sapphires you've seen in person are dark navy blue light traps and not worth the paper tag the price is printed on. Try checking out some of this stuff and you'll find out that sapphires--really fine sapphires--can actually cost much more than diamonds.

Oh, and on the off chance that you actually do look into sapphires, you'll be looking for around a 6.5mm round or bigger. 6.5mm is about the size of a 1ct diamond.

For the record, Richard Wise doesn't usually post the price if it's over $5k.
http://www.rwwise.com/products/id|1082
http://www.rwwise.com/products/id|1260
http://www.rwwise.com/products/id|1539
http://www.rwwise.com/products/id|1650

http://www.webgraphicsengineering.com/Gemstones/detail.cfm?zNum=5987
http://www.webgraphicsengineering.com/Gemstones/detail.cfm?zNum=5975

http://www.whitesgems.com/gallery/corundum.htm

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/B4068/Round/stoneid=B4068
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/B4067/Round/stoneid=B4067

http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=17711
http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=18728
http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=13688
http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=7255

Should you change your mind, the good people in Colored Stones would probably jump at the chance to help you out. They certainly have helped Steve.

Oh, and sapphires are more rare. Once you pick out some diamond specs you like, you can find at least half a dozen to fit those specs perfectly. Sapphires? Every single one is different. And wading through them takes time and effort. Ah, if only I had wanted a diamond, I could have saved myself (and my then-fiance) two months of searching for a colored stone...and that search was short compared to some.

 

[Amys Bling]

I agree that a multistone ring with a combination of sapphires and diamonds would be lovely.

Personally, I'd get a set of these: http://www.simplysapphires.com/html/imagesblue2005/bluerno451-sm.html (30% off everything on SS though the 6th!) and put a lovely round center of 1.25 carats with it like this: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=BLAGS-104047808007.... In a three stone setting like this one: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5450

And call it a day and wait for your ring to arrive.

ditto this post exactly. If you feel her heart desires a sapphire and you want to get her a traditional diamond- you could go with a nice 1.0-1.2carat diamond center stone (satisfying what you want to get her) and then get a pair of small nice sapphires to flank that stone and create a gorgeous three stone ring. She will have great finger coverage....the main nice LARGE diamond you want and the sapphires she wants.

 

[luv2sparkle]

0carat, you have some good options here. I just want to say that if you liked softlysoftly's ring, which is gorgeous, it is by Mark
Morrell and is a bit more expensive than most plain solitaires. Worth the price, as he does amazing work.

Also, you mentioned that your girlfriend gave you the WTF look, but later said she thought the diamond route was a good idea.
I would like to encourage you, that whatever setting you decide on that in the very least you add the sapphire on the inside of the
ring. It would be a great idea for you to show her that you hear her and really care about what she wants and likes. If her first
wish was for a sapphire, but she does agree now, her heart may still be a little tied to what she had in mind initially.

 

[loriken214]

IMHO, it sounds like your soon to be fiance would really like a sapphire engagement ring. My original ER was a heart shaped blue sapphire and it was exactly what I wanted....DH wanted me to have a heart shaped ruby and we had quite the discussion about it. Good thing we agreed on the sapphire, before he purchased something else, because it was what I wanted...not what HE wanted me to have. There is a difference.

PLEASE reconsider her wishes and think about the sapphire in the center and diamonds on the side? You can always get her a HUGE diamond pendant or a giant diamond anniversary ring, but this is her one and only engagement ring!

Lori

 

[risingsun]

Wait! Rising sun, is this your former HOF setting? If so, I didn't realize you kept it, but I'm glad you did. It's gorgeous and the sapphire looks great.

I like the sapphire sidestone idea, too. She loved sapphires enough to suggest one initially as a center stone. I think this would be a beautiful compromise.

Yes it is, Siamese Kitty! I also kept the five stone wedding band, which I wear when I want a more simple look than my halo setting.
My sapphire was due for a change and I'm very pleased with the way it turned out

 

[risingsun]

duplicate post

 

[risingsun]

duplicate post

 

[risingsun]

Duplicate post

 

[risingsun]

Duplicate post

 

[risingsun]

The last of the duplicate posts!

 

[0carat]

A better pic...

That's very nice looking piece.

 

[0carat]

Speaking as a Colored Stoner who just happened to wander into Rocky Talky I have to tell you I am really dismayed to see you pish tosh her desire for a sapphire engagement ring with the attitude that diamonds are better/more acceptable/more expensive. If you compare your post here with SteveNeedsARing, and his threads, for instance this one: https://www.pricescope.com/communit...apphire-lets-find-the-perfect-setting.151890/ you can see that colored stones are not taking the easy (or cheap) way out. SteveNeedsARing is an amazing fellow because he is going to such great lengths to get an amazing ring for his soon to be fiancee--and it will fit her as perfectly as he can get it. How cool is that?

Sure, in America the popular choice is the biggest diamond someone can afford. Whatever. Perhaps it's just easier to go with the flow and follow the norm?

Speaking personally, I was told that anything but a diamond is "cheap". I've been told that anything but a diamond "doesn't look like an engagement ring". Blah blah blah blah blah. I got a colored engagement ring. I figure I'll get a diamond by my 20th anniversary. Perhaps I'll be bored enough with colored stones between now and 19 years from now. For the record, if my husband had listened to those people, and ignored my request for a blue spinel, I probably would have cried. And I didn't have sentimental reasoning behind my desire for a spinel. I wanted it because I love the properties of the stone variety and the color.

Basically I wouldn't say that she's trying to save you money by wanting a sapphire. I'm pretty sure that the sapphires you've seen in person are dark navy blue light traps and not worth the paper tag the price is printed on. Try checking out some of this stuff and you'll find out that sapphires--really fine sapphires--can actually cost much more than diamonds.

Oh, and on the off chance that you actually do look into sapphires, you'll be looking for around a 6.5mm round or bigger. 6.5mm is about the size of a 1ct diamond.

For the record, Richard Wise doesn't usually post the price if it's over $5k.
http://www.rwwise.com/products/id|1082
http://www.rwwise.com/products/id|1260
http://www.rwwise.com/products/id|1539
http://www.rwwise.com/products/id|1650

http://www.webgraphicsengineering.com/Gemstones/detail.cfm?zNum=5987
http://www.webgraphicsengineering.com/Gemstones/detail.cfm?zNum=5975

http://www.whitesgems.com/gallery/corundum.htm

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/B4068/Round/stoneid=B4068
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/B4067/Round/stoneid=B4067

http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=17711
http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=18728
http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=13688
http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=7255

Should you change your mind, the good people in Colored Stones would probably jump at the chance to help you out. They certainly have helped Steve.

Oh, and sapphires are more rare. Once you pick out some diamond specs you like, you can find at least half a dozen to fit those specs perfectly. Sapphires? Every single one is different. And wading through them takes time and effort. Ah, if only I had wanted a diamond, I could have saved myself (and my then-fiance) two months of searching for a colored stone...and that search was short compared to some.

Thanks for your post and I appreciate your input.

As far as the sapphire is concerned, I do like them, however I'd rather stick to something more traditional for an engagement ring. With IceExplorer's suggestion the embeded sapphire inside the band is a REALLY nice touch, which I am sure my gf will appreciate.

Sapphires are very difficult to find and I don't know enough about them to venture down that path. Like I mentioned, I WILL get her a sapphire a ring, but it will be for an anniversary and not an engagement. As much as this ring is for her, I'd like to have some input on it as well and I hope she trusts my judgement. In my 6 years of being with her, I know her taste and I know what she likes/doesn't like. A diamond ring will be a nice surprise, but I took it upon myself to call her again today and talk about it when I read your post at work, believe me you did leave me questioning my choice. She said that she likes the idea of getting the sapphire as an anniversary present and the diamond for the engagement.

 

[0carat]

I spoke with another jewler and he advised me to go with AT LEAST colour G if I go with a stone that's bigger than a carat. He said my best bet is to go for a 1.2 round cut that's tripple EX, SI1 eye clean, G.

Now I just need to understand what all the % mean and the depth/table, etc.

Thoughts on that?

 

[E B]

I agree that a multistone ring with a combination of sapphires and diamonds would be lovely.

Personally, I'd get a set of these: http://www.simplysapphires.com/html/imagesblue2005/bluerno451-sm.html (30% off everything on SS though the 6th!) and put a lovely round center of 1.25 carats with it like this: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=BLAGS-104047808007.... In a three stone setting like this one: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5450

And call it a day and wait for your ring to arrive.

I think this is a great idea. You get the traditional diamond center, and she gets sapphire accents she can see. A sapphire anniversary ring is a good idea, but she's going to be wearing her engagement ring every day.

 

[0carat]

I agree that a multistone ring with a combination of sapphires and diamonds would be lovely.

Personally, I'd get a set of these: http://www.simplysapphires.com/html/imagesblue2005/bluerno451-sm.html (30% off everything on SS though the 6th!) and put a lovely round center of 1.25 carats with it like this: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=BLAGS-104047808007...... In a three stone setting like this one: http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5450

And call it a day and wait for your ring to arrive.

ditto this post exactly. If you feel her heart desires a sapphire and you want to get her a traditional diamond- you could go with a nice 1.0-1.2carat diamond center stone (satisfying what you want to get her) and then get a pair of small nice sapphires to flank that stone and create a gorgeous three stone ring. She will have great finger coverage....the main nice LARGE diamond you want and the sapphires she wants.

I find that the three stone rings are far too cluttered for my liking and it's like a split personality that doesn't know what it is. I want elegant and clean, not cluttered as if I am trying to kill 2 birds with one stone. I'd rather just get another ring later with the sapphire. That's just *my* personal take on it.

 

[loriken214]

I spoke with another jewler and he advised me to go with AT LEAST colour G if I go with a stone that's bigger than a carat. He said my best bet is to go for a 1.2 round cut that's tripple EX, SI1 eye clean, G.

Now I just need to understand what all the % mean and the depth/table, etc.

Thoughts on that?

Glad to hear that you and your girlfriend talked it over. On to diamond shopping!

Where is Karl K? He's a diamond expert!

Lori

 

[Amys Bling]

I think it is best if you look for ideal cut RB stones on sites that provide pictures of the stones- aset- idealscope, etc. Once you find candidates, run the % numbers from ther cert. to ensure cut quality. I wouldn't start off the bat searching for specific %...

Do you mind posting your budget for the stone? That way we can help with the search.

 

[FrekeChild]

Ok. What about this 3 stone from Varna? From the top down it looks like a solitaire, and from the sides--it's a three stone! And they already make it with sapphires!

And I'm glad it made you think about a sapph if nothing else. Have you thought about a wedding band yet? Would you be open to an alternating sapphire and diamond eternity?

 

[MAC-W]

Freke,
you said everything I was thinking but a lot more eloquently than I could have.