Which vendor for 5 stone anniversary band style ring?

[mjg]

Anyone have any advice about where to purchase a 5 stone band? I've been looking at blue nile because its easy to choose your set of diamonds and their prices are good, but does anyone have experience with a vendor that they were very pleased with? Thanks!

 

[Enerchi]

Lots on the forum have used Whiteflash and Brian Gavin Diamonds with great success. I have a 8 stone band from IDJ and others have been thrilled with their pricing and products. I have seen and tried on several 5 stone bands at Diamonds by Lauren. I think there are quite a few PS vendors that you would have a fantastic experience with!

Do you have a set size stone you want to aim for? A setting style you prefer (trellis, "U", basket)? a price point to stick within? Are you set on H&A or would you be flexible? Do you want coloured diamonds or white?

 

[SB621]

Honestly I think you could get better pricing and overall quality (diamond and ring) by going through WF, BGD or IDJ. I would just email them for quotes if they don't have exactly what you want on their website.

 

[mjg]

Thanks for your responses!

I tried on a few at a local store yesterday, but sadly they don't have much selection and kept trying to talk me into channel because it would be more durable (is this a legit concern?). I really dislike channel settings so the only thing they had that I liked was shared prong (not sure if that's specific enough?) but I'm thinking either u or basket. I don't care for trellis much. The band I tried on that I liked the best was 1.5 ctw so I'm thinking something in that ballpark, maybe slightly bigger. This will be my engagement ring and probably wedding band all in one, until we can someday afford a LM 3 stone.

I would like at least vs2 clarity or higher and I would like colorless stones (well, I would really like pink but that's not in the budget!). As far as H&A I guess I'm not sure. I've done a lot of reading, lurking, and drooling online, but I live in a small town in the Midwest and high quality jewelry just doesn't exist. I also love AVR but since I've never seen them in person, I don't think I would be confident making such a big purchase with something I've never seen. We would like to spend around 5k total.

 

[Enerchi]

I'd suggest talking with Luann or Yekutiel at IDJ - they are very good with whatever your budget may be - and you have a reasonable budget! Have you checked out their site? this is a U band, $4690 and 4ctw!! PERFECT! http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=53_127&products_id=18947

My personal preference is the trellis or U settings because I like to see the sides of the stones.

OOPS!! BRain farT!!! Sorry - i linked to a eternity band... my bad!
These are 5 stones...
http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_27&products_id=11099
http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_27&products_id=15502
http://idjewelryonline.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_27&products_id=21458 (but ask for higher tcw)

Good luck!

 

[mjg]

Also, if I go ahead with blue nile, they have diamonds in a set of 5 to choose from. Should I be concerned with making sure all 5 score excellent HCA or is that unimportant at that size?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think diamond quality is important in that size. Did BN match the 5 stones or did you do it yourself? I honestly would rather have WhiteFlash ACA's or BG signature diamonds since you know what you're getting. (If there were 5 matched AVR's, I'd do that in a second, though! But it would be unusual for them to have 5 matched .30's.)

 

[mjg]

I think diamond quality is important in that size. Did BN match the 5 stones or did you do it yourself? I honestly would rather have WhiteFlash ACA's or BG signature diamonds since you know what you're getting. (If there were 5 matched AVR's, I'd do that in a second, though! But it would be unusual for them to have 5 matched .30's.)

Blue nile matches sets of 5 by color and clarity, as well as cut. But they differ in fluorescence. Does that matter? I do love AVRs but I'm hesitant to go that route without having seen any IRL. I'm also second guessing my choice to do a 5 stone vs a typical RB solitaire engagement ring like I had originally planned. I like both, but I feel like a 5 stone packs more of a punch.

 

[VRBeauty]

I think a five-stone is a great idea since you're looking for a ring that will serve as both engagement and e-ring. The bonus is that you'll still be able to wear it when you do get the 3-stone of your dreams, whereas as a solitaire would probably be traded up or not worn much, if at all.

 

[mjg]

I think a five-stone is a great idea since you're looking for a ring that will serve as both engagement and e-ring. The bonus is that you'll still be able to wear it when you do get the 3-stone of your dreams, whereas as a solitaire would probably be traded up or not worn much, if at all.

This is exactly what my boyfriend and I were saying earlier this morning! Why it took us so long to realize, I don't know. If we go with a solitaire, I could get a good quality ring around .8-.9 carat but I would very likely want to upgrade in which case I would either trade in the stone, or leave it sitting in a box somewhere and it would never be worn. So it would either be a total waste, or I'll lose that important piece he proposes with. If we go with a 5 stone, I will always have it, even if I end up wearing a different combination more.

So I think we are settled, but now I need to decide what kind of 5 stone setting to go with. I like u prong the best, and I also like shared prong as well as trellis (it's growing on me) and basket. Which kind of setting would be best in the sense that I could wear it alone, or potentially with a very thin band or even a 3 stone or solitaire in the future? Would a u prong be damaged by wearing other rings along side it? I want something comfortable, and I have pretty short fingers, so I'm not sure what would be the most comfy--I don't want anything with really thick metal. Any advice as far as the different settings go would be much appreciated!

 

[sarahb]

Although I did not purchase a 5 stone, in my estimation, the process is the same whatever the outcome. I had an incredible experience with WF early this fall--made the purchase sight unseen--it is my most beautiful piece by far. The quality is superb.

I, too, was a first timer, never having purchased online. My fears,it turned out, were completely unfounded.

You have a rather experienced community here to draw upon, & as I've read--all you need to do is communicate clearly, read enough to understand what is happening, ask all the questions you need, & you will be pleased beyond your wildest dreams!!

I ended up with a basket setting, which is so comfortable, no issues!! It is an exciting experience, best of luck.

Here's my thread for reference:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/wf-eternity-ring-arrived.181339/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/wf-eternity-ring-arrived.181339/[/URL]

 

[mjg]

Although I did not purchase a 5 stone, in my estimation, the process is the same whatever the outcome. I had an incredible experience with WF early this fall--made the purchase sight unseen--it is my most beautiful piece by far. The quality is superb.

I, too, was a first timer, never having purchased online. My fears,it turned out, were completely unfounded.

You have a rather experienced community here to draw upon, & as I've read--all you need to do is communicate clearly, read enough to understand what is happening, ask all the questions you need, & you will be pleased beyond your wildest dreams!!

I ended up with a basket setting, which is so comfortable, no issues!! It is an exciting experience, best of luck.

Here's my thread for reference:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/wf-eternity-ring-arrived.181339/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/wf-eternity-ring-arrived.181339/[/URL]

Wow! Your ring turned out amazing! I will talk to WF and BGD to see what is within our budget. I love the very low set basket setting you have. It looks beautiful and comfortable at the same time! Stunning!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Five 30 pointers will be too large to wear with a solitaire, but I would still want it very low set.

I do think I would call Good Old Gold to ask about matching AVR's before you make a decision. I think they have gotten more stones in since the last time I looked at that size stone, and they very well may have 5 stones that would be a great match! I wanted one myself but am considering a larger solitaire first.

 

[mjg]

Five 30 pointers will be too large to wear with a solitaire, but I would still want it very low set.

I do think I would call Good Old Gold to ask about matching AVR's before you make a decision. I think they have gotten more stones in since the last time I looked at that size stone, and they very well may have 5 stones that would be a great match! I wanted one myself but am considering a larger solitaire first.

Are you sure it wouldn't work to wear them together? I seem to think I've seen them together somewhere around here.....

I'm not sure if I would ever want to do that, but I would like the option.

 

[mjg]

I'm deciding between WF and BGD but I'm leaning toward BGD. Anyone think one of those is better than the other?

Also, if I go BGD it will probably cost about 1000 more than BN and with G/SI1 instead of F/VS2. Is that still a better choice since the quality will be better? Thanks to anyone for advice!

 

[chicam]

I'd go with IDJ. BGD is great too.

 

[Paxonator]

Trust the members here and stick with a mentioned vender. I trusted them earlier in the year and my ring came out better than I could have imagined. I've dealt with bgd twice now and both have been great experiences.

 

[mjg]

So I've talked to both BGDand IDJ and I was planning to go with BGD until IDJ gave their quote, which is significantly less than BGD. Can anyone attest to the quality of IDJ? Will it be worth paying more for, I should I go with IDJ?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

So I've talked to both BGDand IDJ and I was planning to go with BGD until IDJ gave their quote, which is significantly less than BGD. Can anyone attest to the quality of IDJ? Will it be worth paying more for, I should I go with IDJ?

I personally would go with WhiteFlash unless they were a lot higher than BG for some odd reason. But you get what you pay for. You are getting hearts and arrows stones with WF and BG and you are getting excellent cut with IDJ. Did you specify VS?

 

[mjg]

So I've talked to both BGDand IDJ and I was planning to go with BGD until IDJ gave their quote, which is significantly less than BGD. Can anyone attest to the quality of IDJ? Will it be worth paying more for, I should I go with IDJ?

I personally would go with WhiteFlash unless they were a lot higher than BG for some odd reason. But you get what you pay for. You are getting hearts and arrows stones with WF and BG and you are getting excellent cut with IDJ. Did you specify VS?

Both quotes were for SI. Is that not good enough? Does that mean IDJ stones are not H&A? Thanks for your advice!

 

[Enerchi]

mjg, have a look at this thread. NonieMarie had a bracelet made by IDJ and requested higher quality stones - "PS" quality - and look how amazing it turned out!!
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/bezel-tennis-bracelet-is-ready.183584/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/bezel-tennis-bracelet-is-ready.183584/[/URL]

If you speak with them, tell them your specific wants, I know Yekutiel will do whatever it takes to exceed your expectations! Good luck with your decision!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

So I've talked to both BGDand IDJ and I was planning to go with BGD until IDJ gave their quote, which is significantly less than BGD. Can anyone attest to the quality of IDJ? Will it be worth paying more for, I should I go with IDJ?

I personally would go with WhiteFlash unless they were a lot higher than BG for some odd reason. But you get what you pay for. You are getting hearts and arrows stones with WF and BG and you are getting excellent cut with IDJ. Did you specify VS?

Both quotes were for SI. Is that not good enough? Does that mean IDJ stones are not H&A? Thanks for your advice!

No, hearts and arrows is the top of excellent/ideal cut. I personally would want VS stones, but that is up to you. Basically you have to decide what level of quality you want. I consider WF and BG's (and Good Old Gold's) diamonds at the top and IDJ a step down. Does that mean they aren't good? No. But it just depends on the quality level you want for your ring.
My only regrets about past jewelry purchases had to do with buying lesser quality than I could have gotten. I have zero regrets about the high quality pieces I have bought.

(I will just add that a PS person sold her IDJ ring with PS quality and that person took the ring to be appraised and they said the diamonds were not the quality they were represented as. My understanding is that IDJ is working with them on straightening it out. But as in all things, you generally get what you pay for.)

 

[Rosebloom]

I have a five stone from GOG (.29 AVCs in Vatche trellis). I love it (and it was just a little over your budget but with K color stones) but to be honest if I had to do it again and wanted round brilliants, I would seriously consider going with IDJ. I think if you are extremely explicit about the quality you are looking for they will deliver a beautiful ring for less. If you want the absolute best, go with BGD or WF.

 

[Orchid Lei]

If you do choose to go with IDJ, I would ask for their best bench to set the ring, for what little more it costs, especially if you are particular about evenly set stones and prongs.