Shopping for an engagement ring...t&co, cartier, vera????!

[didi78]

wow, michael b's ring is gorgeous!

so far, I really really like Leon Mege's custom work. especially this simple, antique-y looking one. I want to buy a cushion cut stone just like the one pictured, but of course smaller. :) CATALOGUE

[Blue824]

That's a pretty ring, didi! I love cushions. The one I"m looking at with my bf is sort of similar, but hopefully your bf won't make you wait as long as mine probably will! I know mine will be before the end of 2007, which is a bit vague. Also look at Daniel K's rings, I attached a pic of the one I that I love... I know his prices are on the higher end they always look so beautiful!

Btw, I don't think anyone was being mean about T&Co or Cartier or the other designers, they have beautiful things, but regardless it is important to edcuate yourself before picking out a ring and looking at all your options! Would I turn down the ring I liked at T&Co, hell no! But will I be disappointed if mine isn't from there or think any less of my ring? Nope.

[TravelBug]

I love that Daniel K ring, especially with the assher diamond!!

[aarti]

tiffanys or custom made. how amazing would it be if tiffanys made custom orders?

[msflutter]

you need to go to pricescope.com IMMEDIATELY! Its a diamond forum similar to this. They helped me create a beautiful ering.

If I had that budget, I would buy a 2.03 ct cushion cut, H SI1 from Diamonds, Engagement Rings and Fine-Make Jewelry - Whiteflash.com they sell AMAZING diamonds at a reasonable price. I would then probably send it to mark morell to have him set it in a beauty similar to this..... actually, thats the plan for my fifth anniversary!

Where is this beautiful setting from???

[DlkinVegas]

I got my diamond from Whiteflash & recommend them as well.

Pricescope is the best I got tons of info from there (Still love it) before picking my diamond/setting.

[didi78]

thanks everyone! oooh daniel k's ring looks fabulous!!!! my bf is leaning towards a tiffany because he wants more of a guarantee (sorry, he's an attorney) in terms of the quality of the diamond and setting...since it's going to be a pretty steep investment.

now my question is....what is a good clarity and color to aim for??? I'm thinking F color and VS1 clarity. Does clarity matter more than color? What are your opinions about it. THANKS!

[lemontart]

Originally Posted by didi78

thanks everyone! oooh daniel k's ring looks fabulous!!!! my bf is leaning towards a tiffany because he wants more of a guarantee (sorry, he's an attorney) in terms of the quality of the diamond and setting...since it's going to be a pretty steep investment. now my question is....what is a good clarity and color to aim for??? I'm thinking F color and VS1 clarity. Does clarity matter more than color? What are your opinions about it. THANKS!

To me I think clarity is more important, cuz the 'cleaner' the diamond is, the more reflection it has...of cuz it also depends on the cut. But if you are getting a T&Co., you do not have to worry about the cut. When i got my ring, I was debating if I should get a color F or G, the SA then used a piece of white paper, folded, and put both diamond on the paper...there's actually no difference between F and G...I mean you can't really tell the difference from bare eyes...so, I picked the color G w/ IF clarity...which is almost the best clarity.

[lemontart]

Originally Posted by lemontart

To me I think clarity is more important, cuz the 'cleaner' the diamond is, the more reflection it has...of cuz it also depends on the cut. But if you are getting a T&Co., you do not have to worry about the cut. When i got my ring, I was debating if I should get a color F or G, the SA then used a piece of white paper, folded, and put both diamond on the paper...there's actually no difference between F and G...I mean you can't really tell the difference from bare eyes...so, I picked the color G w/ IF clarity...which is almost the best clarity.

Oh...let me clarify, my E-ring was not from Tiffany but I got a promise ring from Tiffany (a year before I was engaged)..it's 0.41 carat, nice cut and shiny. My E-ring was from other jewelers, I picked the diamond I want and choose my own setting.

[ma1lyc]

hihi
i am actually in the same situation as you are in... i have a 20,000 budget on my engagment ring and was leaning towards the vera wang ring myself and have gone and acutally tried it on and took some pics. my second choice of course was the a ring from tiffs. as i went to tiffs, i tried on some rings and they were all beautiful but i came to a conclusion that i loved the classic tiff ring the most, but decided against it because i felt for an engagement ring i didnt want so many women having the same one so i passed. So as i was narrowing down on the vera wang ring i looked around at other rings some more for fun and found THE ring that i knew was meant for me, as i put it on it literally made my hand shake.. thats how much i loved it. My fiance wanted me to get the vera wang ring instead, as like your fiance he felt it was more safe. As long as you know about diamonds and educate yourself about how to shop for diamonds your pretty safe on whereever u choose to buy a diamond,, either way ur gonan get it appraised for its acutal value so what does it matter where u get it. Fortunately for me i know alot about diamonds and chose to get the one i fell inlove with (from a non- brand store.) ALso on the plus side i was able to up the caret and the quality a bit as well coz im not paying for the name that goes with it. Overall this is a personal decision... i say just go for the ring that you see and know that that is the ring for u.. Due to our similar situation, i hope this advice helps. Good Luck!

[didi78]

thanks lemontart! It makes sense that the clarity should matter more than the color. I'm thinking VVS1 or 2 would be good. :)

ma1lyc, I think I love the tiffany classic a lot. Definitely my top choice but i'm continuing to shop for the ring that will MAKE MY HANDS SHAKE! WOW, what an insane thing! Last time I tried on the tiffany with the matching wedding band (with diamonds), my hands shooks a little and I had to force myself to breath. But that doesn't mean there isn't a more incredible ring out there. I'll keep my eyes opened. :)

[*jennifer*]

refraining from screaming 'congrats' but you know i'm thinking it!!

everyone has alot of great information on diamonds! i do love the look of the micropave from vera wang, but i also have that same girlish dream about something from that precious blue box...
even if it's more practical to go non-brand name, i have so much sentimental value with tiffany's... let's just say i would swoon if i got an e-ring from them.

[Blue824]

Originally Posted by didi78

thanks lemontart! It makes sense that the clarity should matter more than the color. I'm thinking VVS1 or 2 would be good. :) ma1lyc, I think I love the tiffany classic a lot. Definitely my top choice but i'm continuing to shop for the ring that will MAKE MY HANDS SHAKE! WOW, what an insane thing! Last time I tried on the tiffany with the matching wedding band (with diamonds), my hands shooks a little and I had to force myself to breath. But that doesn't mean there isn't a more incredible ring out there. I'll keep my eyes opened. :)

If you go, they can show you different colored stones. Some people are sensitive, others are not. Often you wouldn't be able to tell unless you're comparing the stone side by side with another one. I don't think that T&Co sells anything lower than the color I, I'm not sure what their lowest clarity is. If you're buying from there, I'm sure there wouldn't be any visible inclusions. Better post pics when you get the ring

[thithi]

OOoooOooh! Drooling over this ring on costco! Looks like mine except .5 carat bigger.. TDF!!
Costco 5.20 ctw Three Stone Emerald-cut Diamond Ring

[jillybean307]

I agree with Megs, you should go with whatever makes you happy. Some people swoon over a Tiffany's solitaire, others feel it means more to design the ring themselves. My really good friend Mimi wanted a ring that was uniquely hers, that no one else would have, so she and her fiance sat down and designed a ring together. For her, knowing that hundreds of thousands of woman out there had a Tiffany's ring, made that less special for her. Others like the tradition of a Tiffany's ring, and what it symbolizes to them. There is no right or wrong answer. It's what's right for you & your fiance.

I think what you're doing now is the best way of deciding what you want. Look at dozens of rings & then decide. If you want something that's unique, that's awesome, there are so many jewellers out there that can help you realize that ring but if you decide that the classic solitaire is more you, I don't see anything wrong with going for Tiffany's or Cartier, especially with that budget.

Good luck & I hope you find the ring of your dreams!