E ring help: "older" bride and buying online

[elizat]

I prefer radiant cuts, although I like ovals a lot. Radiants seem to be a lot different than the typical ring, so I think that's why I like them a bit more. That said, I am not a fan of either setting. I'm sorry and I hope I don't offend you, but the bands are really wide and when I see the rings, my eye is drawn to the band and NOT the stone, if that makes sense. If you like the look of a thicker band, but want the stone to be more visible, what about a split shank setting, like this:

Is that your fiance in the photo? He looks like he is kind of "praying" w/ his hands held like they are, that you pick the smaller radiant, lol!

 

[juliejewels]

Is that your fiance in the photo? He looks like he is kind of "praying" w/ his hands held like they are, that you pick the smaller radiant, lol!

LOL, I am on the floor laughing at this one. The "praying man " is the security guard!
Here I am with BF...

LOL..

 

[elizat]

^ Ha, sorry! He didn't look like a security guard w/ his clothing and b/c he was in your photos, I just assumed that was him watching you try on rings outside! On that note, maybe he was praying you'd pick the bigger ring, lol... You look cute w/ your "real" boyfriend!

 

[shells]

e-rings are really personal opinion....but IMHO, i'm also not a big fan of the setting, esp for the radiant stone - it sort of swallows the stone and makes it appear smaller. you seem to have chosen a pretty thick band, either stone would appear much larger on a thinner band! i'm a big fan of radiants myself (since i own one), esp on larger stones (2 carats and up). radiants and ovals are both not as common, so people will oooh and ahh since it's not a typical round or princess. in the end, no matter what our opinions are, if ur ring is THE one for you, then that's wonderful! but, as i wrote in another post, i would be wary of a D flawless stone....is it cut well? is it worth it? a beautiful D-FL is really more of an investment piece meant to sit in a vault or safe! not to be knocked around on ur finger

oh, and i personally loved uniondiamond.com. it may not be the absolute cheapest (or the most expensive), but i felt comfortable (and also with bluenile.com) working with barbara palumbo after questioning them like a lawyer! i got a great stone without too much trouble and have a friend that also got the perfect stone from them!

 

[risingsun]

I agree with Swanky about Jared's. I wouldn't buy an IGI graded diamond from them. I probably wouldn't buy any diamond from them. If you are considering an oval, be sure to check for the "bow-tie" effect that can be visible in ovals, pears and marquises.

Precautions Concerning the "Bow-Tie" Effect on Diamonds

The oval, pear and marquise shaped diamonds are modifications of the round brilliant cut diamond. The modifications produce a loss of brilliancy which becomes more noticeable as the disparity between length and width increases. Elongating the culet tends to minimize this effect, but the elongation of the culet may not be sufficient to provide a reasonable approximation of the correct pavilion angles. Consequently, the brilliancy of these modified brilliant cuts may be seen to differ with respect to the length versus the width directions within a given diamond. The marquise, pear or oval-shaped diamond will appear more brilliant in one area or direction and less brilliant in another direction.

This difference in brilliance may produce a shadow effect through the narrow cross section of these fancy shaped pear, marquise, and oval cut diamonds. Most examples of these fancy cut diamonds exhibit the "bow-tie" effect. If the bow-tie effect is sufficiently pronounced then the value of the diamond will come down. Try and purchase a diamond with as little as the "bow-tie" effect showing as possible.

 

[meluvs2shop]

^ this is true! i think for ovals you need to look at the length to width ratio or something like that.


yeah, i'm not into the band either. it's too much metal for my taste.

i also prefer delicate bands. traditionally i don't care for bands that "hide" a gorgeous stone.

another tpf'er has a gorgeous lucida and that is the only style i like with a thicker band. but even so i love it on other ppl bc when i tried it on (back when i was ering shopping) it literally chopped my finger off and i don't have stubby fingers.

it's amazing to me that some ladies experience "shrinkage" with their large stones. 4 years later i still think my stone is big! lol

 

[juliejewels]

yeah... I am going to keep looking .I want a more feminine look. I am not feeling the setting either anymore, yes, too much metal . We are going to dinner and going to toss around some other ideas and places to shop. I hope BF has not bought anything yet and is just humoring me. I am sure he has not .

I am leaning toward the radiant. The oval was never in the plan, just had them take it out for the heck of it. I must admit it is a beautiful stone and I saw no bowtie effect with indoor lighting or outdoor lighting. It seemed to be an exceptional stone, but then again, what do I know? I am not trained in this .

So the search continues. (ho-hum...) I should be excited but am exhausted from this.
Thanks gals, have a good weekend I will keep you posted as the search continues.

~Julie

 

[XoSarahFSUKDoX]

Julie-- that wedding band that you have on in the pictures-- what size is ct size is that.. i have been looking for the perfect size