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wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, need he

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chris79ta

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 6, 2015
Messages
27
I want to surprise my wife by upgrading her ring. We have been married over 21 years. I've been researching for a couple months.
Originally, I was thinking of spending little on the setting, all on center diamond. So, I have a 1.21 carat, F color, VVS1 diamond with a platinum solitaire setting in my shopping cart on Blue Nile.
I recently came across Tacori while searching and found a beautifull
setting. Problem is, I would have to sacrifice diamond quality.
What I'm seeing is having to go with 1.25 G or H and SI1 OR SI2.
Is there a big difference visually and should I?
If the diamond was supposed to represent my wife, then it should be dang near the best.
Need help, I want to go by the 2 months salary rule, which I didn't before. Around 12k
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

What a nice husband you are! I would say that we could help you find other antique style settings that will run a lot less than Tacori, but I would like to see which setting you are interested in. However, unless you know she loves this style, I would not risk it. I'd buy a nice diamond as large as budget allows for the stone, G-H VS1 or VS2, and get a cheap temporary solitaire setting and then let her have the enjoyment of picking out a permanent setting. There are sooo many choices and PS is a good place to look!

I would not buy from Blue Nile due to them not offering magnified images of the diamond or idealscope images to show light return. There are many vendors who do offer it. The "best" begins with best cut quality, and you can definitely go lower than F VVS in color and clarity and still have an outstanding stone. I'll check and see what I see that would leave you some money for a reset.
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

Most of the superideal cut diamonds I see are very close to $10-12k for just the diamond. Examples:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3236273.htm?source=pricescope

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-28ct-h-vs1-superior-round-hearts-and-arrows-diamond.html

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.22-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-73772

This is the least expensive GIA Ex cut and probably eyeclean but it does have a tiny black inclusion:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/dd-6255104-1.22-carat-Round-diamond-H-color-VS2-Clarity.aspx?sku=6255104&utm_source=pricescope.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pricescope.com

Good Old Gold and WhiteFlash do carry Tacori, so I would recommend them if you do decide to go with a Tacori setting. I'd like to see which one you are looking at if you could post a link.
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

The setting #is 2502RD6
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

I first just wanted to say you are a very special husband! And you have some great advice from Diamondseeker. I'm sure you will do well, and surprise a very happy wife. I do agree with Diamondseeker's comment about the quality of the stone can come down a bit from your original thoughts and still be spectacular. I just upgraded to a Triple EX GIA and only went up about .30 carats. The cut made a huge difference though and was definitely worth it! And I learned all about that from this very site and its helpful members so you're in the right place for sure!

About the setting you selected, my personal opinion is that the height of the halo seems a bit high. I do think it's a gorgeous setting though. What about looking at James Allen rings that are similar but maybe not as high, and also lower in price. For example:

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...-halo-engagement-ring-round-center-item-18303

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...-edge-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-item-49997

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...es-allen-exclusive-engagement-ring-item-50014

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagemen...callop-diamond-halo-engagement-ring-item-9447

There are other vendors that PS'ers recommend, as well. I'm sure you'll hear about some of them.
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

Thanks so much! I'm not stuck on that setting, really seeing if I can balance the 2 objectives into a beautiful ring that is worthy
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

Well, to be truthful, you can get a Victor Canera handmade halo setting for that kind of price, and Victor's is just going to be more heirloom worthy. Many people here have his settings and I will post a thread with some of them for you. He sells some diamonds as well, but they are also going to be near the pricing of the superideal cuts I listed before. I would estimate his setting will be $4-5k in platinum but you'd of course have to call as it depends on center stone size and finger size.

Here is his Emilya halo setting:

https://www.victorcanera.com/rings/engagement/the-emilya-halo-solitaire

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/post-your-victor-canera-beauties-here.175281/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/post-your-victor-canera-beauties-here.175281/[/URL]

You're going to have to be at $8k max for the diamond if you want to do a nice pave halo setting and that may mean going under 1.20 cts.
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

What is your wife's ring size?
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

chris79ta|1423265569|3828490 said:
What I'm seeing is having to go with 1.25 G or H and SI1 OR SI2.
Is there a big difference visually and should I?
Click to expand...

Chris79ta,

Many people find the difference between diamonds in the D E F color range and the G H I color range, when placed next to each other in a sterile setting are reasonably easy to see, but when chosen by themselves as a featured center diamond the G H I's are a very popular choice (especially among the PriceScope members). The most influential reason for this is the CUT of the diamond.

Diamonds are graded in the lab and given their color grade in a face-down position - this is done intentionally. Why? Because the top-tier cut on a diamond gets the light in and out more efficiently so any color (warmth) is mitigated when put in the face up position. It makes sense - If the light goes in and, due to the proportions of the cut, is reflected back to the viewer quickly (rather than bouncing around inside the diamond before it returns to the viewer) the color inside the diamond will have less effect on the light itself.

I say all that to say this - a diamond that is cut very well (beyond even GIA XXX) can make an H or I diamond look brighter, and can appear comparable to a higher color grade face-up - which is the way everyone will view it in a ring. So moving to a G H or I color, provided it is eye-clean - (sometimes SI1 or higher - probably at VS2 or higher - the vendor's gemologist can verify this for you when you call them) - is certainly a viable option for someone in your circumstance. You can get a lower color grade (if it is well-cut) resulting in a bigger center diamond for the same money.

Which brings me to my next point. If you compare two diamonds - one has a top-tier cut and one does not - what will you see? The best cut diamonds will return light all the way to the edge of the diamond - so a 6 mm diamond will look like a 6 mm diamond. A diamond not cut well may not get the light all the way to the edge of the diamond - so a 6.2mm diamond may look like a 5.9mm diamond in many lighting conditions because the light simply does not get all the way to the edges - does that make sense?

So, in summary, as long as you get top-tier cut in your diamond you can move a bit in terms of size and color to get the same 'appearance' you might otherwise find in a not-as-well cut diamond that has a higher color grade and carat weight. Hopefully by moving a bit in color and carat you will save some money that can be used on the setting.
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

Diamondseeker2006, I don't know her size, she has very slender fingers. I'm not sure how I'm going to sneak around to find out yet. Maybe om a day that I know she will be home all day, I can swipe her ring and go to a jeweler. She doesn't wear her ring around the house.
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

PLEASE do not go down to SI2! Some SI1 stones would be ok, but if you want to be sure, I would stick with VS. Personally, I wouldn't buy a stone below VS1, but I know that most people are comfortable with VS2.
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

OP
You have gotten good advise from people on the forum. I just wanted to chime in on your original post. You mentioned the "twice the salary rule". That is a myth. It was developed by none other than the jewelers/diamond industry to get you to spend more money. But if $12K is comfortable than fine, but do note who made up these sayings. Best of luck.
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

You sound like a great hubby, Chris!!!! I'm one who LOVES surprises myself, although many ladies on here do not! BEST of luck with your project and be SURE to keep us informed and eventually post handshots etc. Don't let your excitement make you forget 'bout 'lil ole us!!!
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

chris79ta|1423318375|3828720 said:
Diamondseeker2006, I don't know her size, she has very slender fingers. I'm not sure how I'm going to sneak around to find out yet. Maybe om a day that I know she will be home all day, I can swipe her ring and go to a jeweler. She doesn't wear her ring around the house.
Click to expand...

There is a guy on another thread who is returning a Tacori ring like what you want. It will only take up to a 6.8mm diamond which is around a 1.15-1.19 ct stone. But it is a 6 or 6.5 and cannot be sized. So if you find out her ring size, it might be a great opportunity as the ring was a sample ring and is like a third of the original price.
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

Thanks diamondseeker2006 for the diamond links. I didn't know of those companies. I think my wife is going to be more around a 5 guessing. I am going to take her ring one day when she is going to be home all day as she only wears it when she leaves the house.
Have diamond prices continued to rise or have they been pretty level?
Wondering if I should get the diamond and rake my time on the setting.
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

I would try to do both at the same time due to it being best if the diamond vendor can also have the stone set. It is just the easiest way as they take responsibility for any damage or loss of the stone up until it is in your hands. You usually can't insure a loose stone unless it is through Jewelers Mutual right before the stone is going to be set.

Prices shot up a lot in 2011 and then maybe softened at some point since then, and they seem to have been stable for awhile. I currently am looking to upgrade my diamond stud earrings and I am inclined to do it soon before there are new price increases. Even though there are pros who sometime predict rising prices, you never know 100% of the time. New wealth in countries such as China have driven up prices according to some, and that demand will continue.

I gave you several links from different vendors, but I have personally bought diamonds multiple times from Good Old Gold and WhiteFlash, and custom earrings and a necklace from Victor Canera. I may have said this earlier, but Victor is a master ring maker and does have a small but fine selection of diamonds as well.
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

diamondseeker2006|1423368168|3829174 said:
* * * I may have said this earlier, but Victor is a master ring maker and does have a small but fine selection of diamonds as well.
Click to expand...
And because of Victor Canera's Diamond Source service, you aren't limited to selecting a stone from his own inventory (although outside stones won't qualify for his upgrade & buyback programs)
https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/diamond-source

Plus, purchasing the centerpiece diamond from him means you will receive a 10% discount on the cost of the setting, i.e., what he calls "the base ring."
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

Diamondseeker2006, could you tell me which is a better diamomd?
They are James Allen, the one you pasted sku73772 1.22 carat, G color, VS2 true hearts ideal
The other is sku286944 1.50 carat I color VS1, EXCELLENT CUT
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

chris79ta|1423435564|3829482 said:
Diamondseeker2006, could you tell me which is a better diamomd?
They are James Allen, the one you pasted sku73772 1.22 carat, G color, VS2 true hearts ideal
The other is sku286944 1.50 carat I color VS1, EXCELLENT CUT
Click to expand...

The one I posted is better. The main problem off the bat on the second one is that it is too deep at 62.9%. That makes the stone face up smaller in diameter than it should. I like to see a 1.5 ct stone very close to 7.4mm. The limit we usually recommend is 62.3%.

I also think you might be happier limiting the search to no lower than H. I have had G-H-I and have an I color now. But you can see tint in them at times and I think H is a safer choice.
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

Thank you!
Been looking at the different vendors, kind of on the James Allen , band sku:17961p
Today anyway LOL, That diamond 1.22 look good in that you think
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

I am not wild about seeing inclusions but I am guessing you couldn't actually see them in real life. I personally prefer buying from a vendor with an upgrade policy just in case there is a later change of mind on color or size.

Here is one more to consider, but Victor's settings will be much higher than the one you like at JA. But it also will be handforged.

https://www.victorcanera.com/diamonds/tsm4vs
 
Re: wanting to surprise upgrade my wife's wedding ring, nee

Thanks all for the comments and suggestions, Brian and Diamondseeker for insight. I am just updating, still looking. I went into a well respected local jeweler just to look and get some ideas.
In my confusion of what setting to chose, I had forgot that my wife has a friend (her hair dresser) that has the exact taste as her. When she comes home from getting her hair done , she always comments on what she was wearing and they talk clothes, they shop at the same places LOL. SO, I took a picture of a nice halo, a solitaire round, with diamond eternity ring, and a Tacori to show her friend. I did this to see what her friend thought as I was thinking the halo would be too much bling for my wife. IMO the solitaire is classic, elegant, timeless and the eternity band adds bling but not to much and attention is really on the nice center stone. Her friend felt the same and said she would LOVE IT. Her words were "Need not look any further on setting style"
All that to say, I am still looking around. I have been working a bit with Jon from enchanted diamonds. He has picked a couple diamonds he feel will perform excellent and has suggested a 6 prong knife edged band.
Some progress I guess, enchanted diamonds seems to have very good prices on what seems to be very nice ones. Jon has been very helpful to. Any thoughts on enchanted diamonds?
 
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