Please help, ring for mom

[Aresan]

Hi friends!

I would love to be able to gift my mom with a ring this year. She is in her mid 80s and have been feeling low lately. I know material things are not important, however she has mentioned in the past she would love to have one nice ring. She gets plenty of love from family

She likes them big and sparkly lol however my budget is $2K - so I understand if quality may suffer. I think something with a decent "fire" would make her so happy. I am looking at these ones. They look fine, but I have no clue.

If anyone could be so kind and help me narrow down my search, I would be eternally grateful!

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.03-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-12045292
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/0.91-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-10990087
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.90-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-1002604

 

[tyty333]

Ok...so, I dont think any of those are going to be all that sparkly. Give us a minute and let us see what we can find.
Very sweet of you to treat your Mom with a lovely ring!

Edit...you do know that rounds are the most sparkly? Unfortunately, they tend to cost more than other shapes.
Do you care what shape it is or do you just want big and sparkly?

 

[tyty333]

So, none of these are perfect...one of them is not even GIA graded which we usually stick with because it is a stricter lab. Have you
considered lab diamonds? You could get her a nice size in your budget and it would be beautiful. Anyway, if you are interested
in them we have a lab-created Forum here:

Lab-Grown Diamonds/Man-Made Diamonds (MMD)

Learn about and discuss everything on lab-grown diamonds here! No simulants (CZ, Moissanite, YAG, etc), please.

www.pricescope.com

Lab diamonds at JA

Lab Grown Diamonds | JamesAllen.com

Lab grown diamonds from a chemical perspective exactly the same as natural diamonds. The fact that the diamonds are created in a lab allows for excellent value. Lab diamonds are created in controlled laboratory environments using cutting edge technology to duplicate the conditions in which...

www.jamesallen.com

This is what I found at JA that might be worth a look. As I said, none of them are perfect. I tried to stretch your budget but
I may have gone a little too far.

1.01 Carat cushion diamond

This cushion cut 1.01 carat K color si2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.04 Carat cushion diamond

This cushion cut 1.04 carat K color i1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

1.01 Carat cushion modified diamond

This cushion modified cut 1.01 carat K color si1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

This is my favorite and it faces up the biggest.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-k-color-si1-clarity-sku-11497126

IGI graded
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.01-carat-k-color-vs2-clarity-sku-10965160

 

[tyty333]

Does it have to be JA? There is BlueNile and Adiamor too. JA does have the 25% off settings right now though.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

What a lovelly idea
good luck and best wishes

 

[Aresan]

Tyty333, thank you so much for the suggestions! It does not have to be from James Allen. I am definitely open to anything. My goal is to find the best option for her with the budget that I have. I have about $500 to spare to set it.

I think I prefer to give her a regular diamond, just because it's what she would want. I have heard rounds give the best sparkle, but I wouldn't be able to get a "bigger" one for her. Size also matters to her lol

Thanks to you and Daisys and Diamonds for the kind words.

 

[lovedogs]

Tyty333, thank you so much for the suggestions! It does not have to be from James Allen. I am definitely open to anything. My goal is to find the best option for her with the budget that I have. I have about $500 to spare to set it.

I think I prefer to give her a regular diamond, just because it's what she would want. I have heard rounds give the best sparkle, but I wouldn't be able to get a "bigger" one for her. Size also matters to her lol

Thanks to you and Daisys and Diamonds for the kind words.

In trms of size, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. That is, make sure that the mm dimensions are what you are looking at (the length and width are what gives a stone its "face up" size). Square cuts will often "face up" much smaller than rounds. You can find many round stones that are smaller in ct weight, but that will "face up" the same size as the square cuts you posted (because rounds are cut less deep than cushions/radiants).

 

[lovedogs]

Example:

This .86 from JA (which I like, FWIW) faces up BIGGER than this 1.03 cushion. So make sure you look at mm size rather than ct weight.

Round:

0.86 Carat round diamond

This 0.86 carat round diamond M color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Cushion:

1.03 Carat cushion diamond

This cushion cut 1.03 carat I color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

 

[lovedogs]

Another excellent option IMHO (if she doesn't mind "warm" stones)

0.90 Carat round diamond

This 0.9 carat round diamond M color si1 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[tyty333]

And to add on to @lovedogs Ovals tend to face up the largest for their carat weight. Would she like an oval shape?

 

[Aresan]

Example:

This .86 from JA (which I like, FWIW) faces up BIGGER than this 1.03 cushion. So make sure you look at mm size rather than ct weight.

Round:

0.86 Carat round diamond

This 0.86 carat round diamond M color vs2 clarity has Excellent proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Cushion:

1.03 Carat cushion diamond

This cushion cut 1.03 carat I color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from IGI

www.jamesallen.com

Thank you so much for helping me understand more on what to look for. Unfortunately I feel the M color might be too warm for her liking.

 

[Aresan]

And to add on to @lovedogs Ovals tend to face up the largest for their carat weight. Would she like an oval shape?

Yes, I believe she would. This would be a surprise for her so I am just trying to figure out which is best from the ones you all have shown me.

 

[MollyMalone]

What a wonderfully thoughtful daughter you are, @Aresan

Would you consider a multli-stone ring? E.g., you could get a 14K white gold ring, with 7 F-G, VS1-VS2 diamonds totaling 1.5 cts for $2385 from James Allen:

14K White Gold Seven Stone Low Dome Basket Diamond Ring (1.50 CTW - F-G / VS1-VS2)-16023w1406a

Seven round brilliant cut diamonds are exquisitely displayed in a common prong setting that features low profile, rounded baskets for maximum comfort and elegance.

www.jamesallen.com

Scroll down the page & you'll see that the first (most recent - June 30) review includes videos and photographs of the lab diamond version of the same style-carat weight on a woman's hand.

Is pre-loved a possibility? If so, it would be helpful for us to know her ring size.

 

[DejaWiz]

I'll echo what @tyty333 stated earlier: I humbly suggest that you also jump over to the MMD/LGD subforum and make a thread there...you will get tons of amazing help, advice, and suggestions in order to make comparisons and weigh everything to determine if it's a viable route to take. The more options you have, the better.

There are some beautiful examples of rings (including my wife's most recent), bracelets, pendants, and earrings in there to view, as well!

Lab-Grown Diamonds/Man-Made Diamonds (MMD)

Learn about and discuss everything on lab-grown diamonds here! No simulants (CZ, Moissanite, YAG, etc), please.

www.pricescope.com

 

[Lookinagain]

@Aresan what color metal do you plan to use for the setting? White metal or yellow? or even rose? that may impact the color of the diamond you can feel comfortable with.

​

 

[Aresan]

Thanks for the suggestion @DejaWiz I will browse around. If not for her then maybe for myself one day lol Im unsure with pre-loved as I am kind of winging her ring size. She should be about a 8.5 - 9 now. I figured it is easier to resize if I get it brand new lol

I ended up putting one of the oval on hold that was suggested by @tyty333. It's definitely a little overwhelming trying to learn what to look for and what not.

My mom had a few of the cluster rings in the past, but always end up lusting over a solitaire. She will be happy to finally own one.

 

[Aresan]

@Aresan what color metal do you plan to use for the setting? White metal or yellow? or even rose? that may impact the color of the diamond you can feel comfortable with.

​

She prefers white gold. It should look ok if I do end up purchasing this one
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-k-color-si1-clarity-sku-11497126

 

[Lookinagain]

She prefers white gold. It should look ok if I do end up purchasing this one
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-k-color-si1-clarity-sku-11497126

It's a nicely cut oval. It will show some color so for me, since I am one who prefers warmer stones set in yellow gold, I would put it in a yellow gold, or for her, a yellow gold head and maybe a white metal shank if she likes white. But others could probably comment on putting it in an all white setting. I can't help with that as that isn't something I have, or would choose for a lower colored stone.

 

[DejaWiz]

It's a little smaller, but here's one that appears to lean grayish...may be a good fit for a white or rose gold setting.

0.80 Carat oval diamond

This oval cut 0.8 carat J color vs1 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Might want to put this one on hold if you want to ponder things a bit.

Here's a (bit pricey at $1042) rose gold setting (the even smaller 0.53 F oval in it was the only example that I could screenshot) so you can compare and contrast to what you have in mind for the metal color:

14K Rose Gold Vintage Inspired Floral Bouquet Engagement Ring

Inspired by an antique floral ring with falling leaves and exquisite milgrain detailing, this modern version captures the sculptural movement that we fell in love with! Absolutely exquisite with an oval, marquise, or round shape center diamond or gemstone. Please allow additional time for oval...

www.jamesallen.com

 

[tyty333]

@Aresan

A K colored oval stone will show some tint. The one I posted (that you put on hold) is pretty decently cut and takes into
consideration that you are looking for a larger stone in your budget. We can find a less tinted stone but it will most likely be smaller.

The areas I've marked in red are the areas you will see the most color/tint. If you are expecting bright white, a K will probably not be
a good choice. If you're ok with a more "mellow" white then its a good choice. I'm going to give you a link to a K colored thread.
Remember, people usually post their stones when the stone is looking its best. Some of the pics are when the stones are showing
their tint.

Show me your "K" colored diamonds!

Hi All! I love all of your K stones and I’m also drooling over the K OEC studs. I would love OEC studs someday. I was looking for this thread and so glad I finally found it! Like some of you I never thought I would have a K! Nope! No way. Not gonna happen. And then I saw this stone and fell...

www.pricescope.com

Also, here is the relative size of the stone on a size 6 finger (compared to a 1 carat round stone).


I checked out BlueNile and Adiamor and did not see much. Hopefully, others will post anything they see that might fit the bill!

 

[glitterata]

Have you considered an I1 clarity excellent or ideal-cut round diamond? I know I1 sounds scary, but it’s possible to find eye-clean I1s, especially for older eyes. For many people, color is immediately noticeable, and clarity isn’t. A good I1 is actually my preferred clarity. JA has several in high colors in the .9 ct range.

 

[distracts]

Have you considered an I1 clarity excellent or ideal-cut round diamond? I know I1 sounds scary, but it’s possible to find eye-clean I1s, especially for older eyes. For many people, color is immediately noticeable, and clarity isn’t. A good I1 is actually my preferred clarity. JA has several in high colors in the .9 ct range.

Yeah, for a mid-80-year-old, I wouldn't be too worried about clarity, unless she has unusually good vision for someone her age.

As well, I would be sure to get this insured ASAP. That age is around when my grandmother started losing jewelry and between that and moving into a retirement center where there were all sorts of people around, much of her (uninsured) nice jewelry got lost or stolen.

 

[tyty333]

Agree with @distracts ...she's not in a nursing home is she? Some of my MIL's jewelry went missing. I don't advise something this
expensive if she is in a nursing home/retirement home.

I know a lot of 80-year-olds can be very "young" for their age. My Mom is 82 and is just fine!

 

[Aresan]

Thank you so much, you all have been so helpful! I decided to look into the lab created forum just to compare and gain more knowledge on both kinds.

I had a conversation with my sisters and they also worry of her possibly losing it or misplacing it. So yes, I would have to insure it. She is not in a nursing home so her interactions are mostly with family at this point.

 

[Aresan]

Agree with @distracts ...she's not in a nursing home is she? Some of my MIL's jewelry went missing. I don't advise something this
expensive if she is in a nursing home/retirement home.

I know a lot of 80-year-olds can be very "young" for their age. My Mom is 82 and is just fine!

Thats so great to hear about your mom! My mom is ok. She has her good and bad days. That is why I want to spoil her a bit, but I also want to make a wise decision considering her age.

 

[Jax172]

I wouldn’t go with a square cut if you want size. Look into Ovals

 

[ringo865]

this is over your budget (by only $400 if you had 2K + 500 fo setting). you‘d have to get it sized to fit your mom, but it’s a 7.5 now, so not too much. Great finger coverage. Not too warm, a J color. I’ve had my eye on it too, but like Niel says, i need another diamond ring like I need a hole in the head
1.54ct marquise solitaire diamond ring on Loupe Troop

 

[aisa901]

this is over your budget (by only $400 if you had 2K + 500 fo setting). you‘d have to get it sized to fit your mom, but it’s a 7.5 now, so not too much. Great finger coverage. Not too warm, a J color. I’ve had my eye on it too, but like Niel says, i need another diamond ring like I need a hole in the head
1.54ct marquise solitaire diamond ring on Loupe Troop

I was eyeing this one too, very pretty and well priced!