Novice in need of advice for (hopefully soon to be) fiancée's engagement ring! Total budget ~$40k

[Happy Hunter]

Hello all! This is a very unfamiliar part of the world for me, but you all seem so lovely and helpful - I hope I'm not being rude in asking for advice!

I'm looking to get an elegant, simple ring (I'm thinking side stones) with about a 2ct D-E vvs1/2 vintage cushion cut from rough by the lovely VC, who I'm very lucky to have agreed to help me. Ideally in time to propose abroad in the new year!

The issue is that there seem to be very few rough stones coming through meeting spec. I know D/E is very restrictive, but I'm pretty sure that'll be important to my partner, so don't think I can budge!

I've been presented with a 1.8ct D vvs2 option to cut from rough for a bit over $30k - I have complete faith this is a perfectly fair price, but would love to know how people think the current market is likely to shift? Do you all expect/are you seeing prices staying high for the forseeable? Is it in fact a bargain that I should accept immediately, or should I hold out?

Ideally I'd have an E and a little more weight, but I understand I am rather at the whims of the rock gods here!

Also, any more general advice very welcome, and much appreciated. Thank you so much for reading!

 

[ariaaaa]

I don't know much about pricing or custom cutting and won't presume to weigh in on that point, but one other thing about your post stuck out to me re: " I know D/E is very restrictive, but I'm pretty sure that'll be important to my partner, so don't think I can budge!"

Has your partner mentioned being particularly color sensitive? I'm certainly not suggesting going down to I-J, but even expanding your parameters to F and some G's would likely broaden what is available to you.

As a side note (not to threadjack), but this had me curious and maybe someone can answer -- if you bought a cushion cut stone (say, 2.5cts) and wanted it recut into a vintage cushion, is that possible? To my uneducated self, it seems like you'd lose more weight cutting to a vintage shape from a cushion brilliant since the facets are larger. If it is possible, how much weight would you expect to lose and how much would that typically run?

 

[tyty333]

You can look here to see what diamond prices have been doing since 2008. This is for round stones...not sure what effect shape
has on the graph presented.

Diamond Price Chart for round diamonds: Prices Update Monthly | PriceScope

Find out Diamonds Prices for Round Cut Diamonds with average and lowest per-carat prices taken from all the (1,000,000+) stones listed here with major 15 vendors.

www.pricescope.com

 

[Happy Hunter]

Has your partner mentioned being particularly color sensitive? I'm certainly not suggesting going down to I-J, but even expanding your parameters to F and some G's would likely broaden what is available to you.

Yes, very - and I think there's some significance to D/E beyond the purely visual, which makes it harder to argue with. Agreed in any other case, even just opening to F would really broaden the range!

You can look here to see what diamond prices have been doing since 2008. This is for round stones...not sure what effect shape
has on the graph presented.

Diamond Price Chart for round diamonds: Prices Update Monthly | PriceScope

Find out Diamonds Prices for Round Cut Diamonds with average and lowest per-carat prices taken from all the (1,000,000+) stones listed here with major 15 vendors.

www.pricescope.com

Thank you, that's really helpful! If only I'd gotten my act together two years ago...

 

[tyty333]

Believe me, there's a lot of us kicking ourselves!

 

[Double E]

A 1.8 D VVS2 custom cut by VC am I right? I'll simply take it

 

[Happy Hunter]

A 1.8 D VVS2 custom cut by VC am I right? I'll simply take it

Now he says he thinks he can get a 2ct out of the stone! Lord preserve me from this USD/GBP conversion and 25% import tax - it really bumps the price to impossible levels! But it's so very hard to say no...

 

[Double E]

Now he says he thinks he can get a 2ct out of the stone! Lord preserve me from this USD/GBP conversion and 25% import tax - it really bumps the price to impossible levels! But it's so very hard to say no...

I would be extremely curious about what’s the price difference if you are comfortable to share. Between a 1.8ct which is already a sweet spot for such ct. weight, and a stone passed the 2ct. Mark.

 

[Happy Hunter]

I would be extremely curious about what’s the price difference if you are comfortable to share. Between a 1.8ct which is already a sweet spot for such ct. weight, and a stone passed the 2ct. Mark.

1.8 v low 30s, 2 at 40. Really bumps it up! Doesn't include the setting, which really pushes me out of budget

What are your thoughts on that as a price bump? And could I ask more about what you mean on 1.8 as a sweet spot? Sorry, I'm very new!

 

[Double E]

1.8 v low 30s, 2 at 40. Really bumps it up! Doesn't include the setting, which really pushes me out of budget

What are your thoughts on that as a price bump? And could I ask more about what you mean on 1.8 as a sweet spot? Sorry, I'm very new!

I mean the face up visual size of the cut stone, 1.8 and slightly passed 2 can be very close.

I agree you need to justify the price difference though.

 

[Happy Hunter]

I mean the face up visual size of the cut stone, 1.8 and slightly passed 2 can be very close.

I agree you need to justify the price difference though.

Thank you very much for your wisdom! I've explained (perfectly honestly) that $40k for the stone + setting is absolutely everything I have, so can't quite make it - but the 1.8ct will be beautiful, I know!

 

[SandyK]

Just chiming in to say that $40k is a great budget, and that 1.8 ct + a VC setting is going to be TO DIE FOR. Seriously - you will be proposing with what is many people's dream upgrade ring! You've done a truly fantastic job, can't wait to see the end result.

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

I can't comment on the prices either, but want to say that having VC cut and make the setting is what my dreams are made of! Your honey is a lucky woman

 

[Happy Hunter]

Just chiming in to say that $40k is a great budget, and that 1.8 ct + a VC setting is going to be TO DIE FOR. Seriously - you will be proposing with what is many people's dream upgrade ring! You've done a truly fantastic job, can't wait to see the end result.

Thank you so much! I'm very lucky

I'm now thinking about how to set the stone - I'm thinking a 1.8 platinum band (no tapering) with two side stones (not pear, I think they make my SO think of tears!), which I think had also better be vintage style so there's not a harsh contrast. Wondering how best to set the cathedral so it's elegant, personalised, and can fit a wedding band comfortably beside it... I never dreamed before diving in there would be so much more to all this than they tell you (well, me - clueless looking man) on the high street!

 

[Happy Hunter]

I can't comment on the prices either, but want to say that having VC cut and make the setting is what my dreams are made of! Your honey is a lucky woman

Thank you so much! I'm very lucky and so excited!

 

[emmy12]

I'm thinking a 1.8 platinum band (no tapering) with two side stones (not pear, I think they make my SO think of tears!), which I think had also better be vintage style so there's not a harsh contrast.

Tapered bullets or tapered baguettes are classic and work beautifully with a cathedral style. There's step cut, brilliant cut, and french cut versions (the french cut baguette at 1:09 in this video from GOG set with the antique cushion/old mine is so pretty!!!!!!)

Or if it's in your budget, VC does lovely work with French Cuts on the band: examples are Sophia (tapering) or Anya (straight) or as shoulder accents.

 

[Happy Hunter]

Tapered bullets or tapered baguettes are classic and work beautifully with a cathedral style. There's step cut, brilliant cut, and french cut versions (the french cut baguette at 1:09 in this video from GOG set with the antique cushion/old mine is so pretty!!!!!!)

Or if it's in your budget, VC does lovely work with French Cuts on the band: examples are Sophia (tapering) or Anya (straight) or as shoulder accents.

Thank you so much for your suggestions! Those would be beautiful. I'm currently thinking either vintage cushion or OECs as the side, but need to have a good look at these other wonderful options! Ahh, so much choice...

 

[mjea]

Congratulations!! This sounds wonderful so far.

Is your significant other set on a 3-stone ring? Do you know if she prefers prongs or likes bezel set? Adding side stones might add significantly to the cost of the setting so I would keep that in mind - though additional vintage cushion side stones would be beautiful!
Have you looked at pave halfway down the band perhaps?

 

[Happy Hunter]

Update: I accidentally went over budget slightly, just peeking over 40 for the 2ct D vvs2 vintage cushion custom cut and setting.

Congratulations!! This sounds wonderful so far.

Is your significant other set on a 3-stone ring? Do you know if she prefers prongs or likes bezel set? Adding side stones might add significantly to the cost of the setting so I would keep that in mind - though additional vintage cushion side stones would be beautiful!
Have you looked at pave halfway down the band perhaps?

Not set! It's part what I think she would want, part my own personal taste. The setting will cost 4-5000 - I've sort of lost sight of what normal prices are so I'm not sure if that's lots or not much for a setting! Probably somewhere in between.

I'm pretty sure delicate prongs are my preference. Pave is less my personal taste - did consider it, and might look at it for other pieces, but I think I really like the look of the side stones. Though I think it can be done really elegantly!

 

[emmy12]

Update: I accidentally went over budget slightly, just peeking over 40 for the 2ct D vvs2 vintage cushion custom cut and setting.

you're going for the bigger stone?! Wowwwwwww. Does that mean he is giving you a small discount to cut the larger stone from the same rough? Sounds like a big win for you!

 

[Double E]

Just chiming in to say that $40k is a great budget, and that 1.8 ct + a VC setting is going to be TO DIE FOR. Seriously - you will be proposing with what is many people's dream upgrade ring! You've done a truly fantastic job, can't wait to see the end result.

Truly a dream stone and a dream combo with VC setting! What more can we ask for^^

 

[Double E]

Update: I accidentally went over budget slightly, just peeking over 40 for the 2ct D vvs2 vintage cushion custom cut and setting.



Not set! It's part what I think she would want, part my own personal taste. The setting will cost 4-5000 - I've sort of lost sight of what normal prices are so I'm not sure if that's lots or not much for a setting! Probably somewhere in between.

I'm pretty sure delicate prongs are my preference. Pave is less my personal taste - did consider it, and might look at it for other pieces, but I think I really like the look of the side stones. Though I think it can be done really elegantly!

If the total cost becomes just “slightly (to you)” higher than original budget, I can’t think of any reason to look else where for the setting than VC. That kind of work is art imo.

And I too prefer 3 stone than pave. Is $4 - 5k includes side stones? Some ways to ever slightly lower the setting cost could be using smaller side stones, which is my personal preference, or using coloured stones instead of diamonds.

And 3 vintage cushions set on 3 crown shape prong heads is one of my favourite setting style~

 

[Happy Hunter]

you're going for the bigger stone?! Wowwwwwww. Does that mean he is giving you a small discount to cut the larger stone from the same rough? Sounds like a big win for you!

Yes! I explained (truthfully) how $40k was already a stretch, so he was very kind and gave me a few discounts to help me get there

Truly a dream stone and a dream combo with VC setting! What more can we ask for^^

Thank you so much! I'll be sure to post updates on the setting, with pictures when I have them!

If the total cost becomes just “slightly (to you)” higher than original budget, I can’t think of any reason to look else where for the setting than VC. That kind of work is art imo.

And I too prefer 3 stone than pave. Is $4 - 5k includes side stones? Some ways to ever slightly lower the setting cost could be using smaller side stones, which is my personal preference, or using coloured stones instead of diamonds.

And 3 vintage cushions set on 3 crown shape prong heads is one of my favourite setting style~

Yes, includes side stones! We've talked about 0.3ct side stones, vintage cut. I really like the idea of coloured stones for future work! Something like a diamond centre and sapphire sides, or a ruby centre and diamond sides. Just for the engagement I think all white diamond is my ideal - certainly helps when matching an outfit!

I'll be sure to update! In the mean time any and all further setting suggestions/inspirations are very welcome... Thank you so much all! Very excited

 

[Phoenix]

Oooh, I can't wait to see. A stone AND setting by VC!

 

[kgizo]

The diamond and setting you have in mind sound beautiful! Excited for you!

 

[molecule]

Here are some of my favorite side stone/3 stone vintage inspired rings:


Credit to: The gemstone project


Vintage inspiration

 

[Double E]

Some more~





My wife does have a beautiful 3 stone with small pear sides, but I do understand that recalls “tears” to you~

 

[clcat120]

Really like the appearance of this ring... very elegant and balanced profile. Depending on the shape of your cushion and the ring size, you should see a few different side stone options.

OLD WORLD DIAMONDS on Instagram: "One of my favorite stones I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with (and couples too). An extremely rare Old Mine set with subtle baguettes in Platinum. (Swipe for a closeup)"

763 likes, 52 comments - oldworlddiamonds on August 30, 2022: "One of my favorite stones I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with (and couples too). An extremely rare Old Mine set with subtle baguettes in Platinum. (Swipe for a closeup)".

www.instagram.com

 

[emmy12]

Victor Barbone inspiration pieces:
Daffodil with small round side stones


The ultra classic 3 stone Marielle with crown settings.







EDITED because i hit the post button by accident before adding photos so went back and added them in

 

[Happy Hunter]

Disaster has struck! The rough has an inclusion that would bump the clarity down to a vs1 (which tragically won't work). We can cut around it but will drop to 1.75 (presumably with a corresponding price drop). I'm waiting to hear back...

In other news absolutely gorgeous inspirations, thank you so much. I think definitely a platinum band (she's a winter). VC sent me an inspiration piece that I like the simplicity of the setting for: