Engagement ring help

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

F

fiver

Member
Dec 6, 2008
10
0
#1
My gf loves the Tiffany emerald cut & baguette ring; http://www.tiffany.com/Engagement/Item.aspx?GroupSKU=GRP10034#f+0/1004/2005/0/0/2005

But I'm not exactly in love with the price tag; $2000 would be my absolute limit. She says it doesn't have to be Tiffany so can anyone suggest an online shop where I can get something like that design? I've looked but can't find anything except I think I should be able to get something around 1carat for the 2k?

Thanks!
 
#3
One caution -- emerald cuts (or any step-cut ring that doesn't have a lot of facets), need to be higher clarity to look good and sparkle. That probably means a smaller stone. I think a good-quality emerald cut would be about 5-6K for a carat. A princess cut would have more sparkle with a stone that might not have as high a clarity, and would still give her the rectangular/square shape.

To be honest, for 2k, I think you'll have a hard time getting a one carat stone of any shape, if that's what you're hoping. You can definitely find rings with a carat total weight, split across multiple smaller diamonds, for that price. Otherwise, would she be happy with another center stone? I've seen some beautiful rings with a sapphire in the middle and then diamonds on the side.
 
#4
Fiver, congratulations on your future engagement!

I'd let the ladies and gentleman on pricescope.com help you find the right diamond and setting--they always find the best deals for everyone. I don't want to discourage you, but you're not going to be able to get 1 carat with a budget of $2k.
 
#5
wow - you guys in the US are so lucky!! there is no way in Australia you could get a 1 carat (princess, round, anything) for $2k! My stone is a little over a carat princess F colour and it was around $6k (aussie so i guess thats def less in USD) ... but then the platinum setting was more ... I agree kimberF .... Emeralds do show up inclusions easier so best you get a smaller but higher clarity one. Pricescope rocks (no pun intended) so def check them out!

Good luck! And let us know how you go (which translates to 'pictures please')
 
#6
Thanks all, especially for the blue nile link. hehe, I feel all inadequate looking at the prices - can anyone tell me the winning numbers for the next lottery draw?

I was thinking 1c total weight, but the baguette setting really bumps the price up, and also I've just got my head round the 4 (or 5) Cs so I guess I should be looking for quality over size.
 
#7
That's a shame, only a couple days ago an ebay auction sold a GIA certified eye-clean SI1, H color emerald cut diamond for under $2k. Add a solitaire setting for $90 and you have a great ring for about your budget.

Get a plain setting for now and get the best center stone you can afford. You can always have the stone reset with baguettes for a 1 year anniversary down the road. The best C to look for is cut, because it can hide a world of flaws (low color/clarity). With an emerald cut, clarity is going to be important as well. Often, SI1 will be eye clean, seeing the stone in person is always best.

Color is based on preference. Some prefer icy white (D/E/F) and some prefer warmer hues (I/J/K). The best bang for your buck is going to be G/H. They show very white, but don't have the colorless premium price.
 
Last edited:
#8
jan228 said:
That's a shame, only a couple days ago an ebay auction sold a GIA certified eye-clean SI1, H color emerald cut diamond for under $2k. Add a solitaire setting for $90 and you have a great ring for about your budget.

Get a plain setting for now and get the best center stone you can afford. You can always have the stone reset with baguettes for a 1 year anniversary down the road. The best C to look for is cut, because it can hide a world of flaws (low color/clarity). With an emerald cut, clarity is going to be important as well. Often, SI1 will be eye clean, seeing the stone in person is always best.

Color is based on preference. Some prefer icy white (D/E/F) and some prefer warmer hues (I/J/K). The best bang for your buck is going to be G/H. They show very white, but don't have the colorless premium price.
Click to expand...

Wow Jan, that's such a steal!! And I agree with you, the cut is so important, it can hide many imperfections. In addition, I don't mean to discourage you but I agree with many of the ladies here.. I don't think you are very likely to find a 1 ct center stone ring for less than $2,000. I don't even know if you can get a 1 total carat all around ring for just under $2000. A few years ago my DF got me a really pretty solitaire ring when I was still in high school and it was a bit over 1/2 a carat and it was over $2000 being colorless. I now have my engagement ring and it's 1.23 center stone with some round side diamonds (I think .30 worth??), and let me tell you. When we were looking at diamonds, there was HUGE price jump from like .95 to a full carat. Just being about to have that full "1" carat is going to cost ya! Maybe a better alternative is going for a .95 or something. It'll save you a lot! Maybe if she doesn't have to have a diamond center stone you guys can opt for something else like a colored gem?? You can always upgrade later! Congrats on your future engagement and have fun shopping!!
 
#10
you should go for a .75ct size. they go for about 3000. I have a G SI2 .78ct round promise ring and we paid 2600 for it last year from shane company. basically their stones are rated 3 times by GIA certified people and the lowest ratings are taken and labeled on the stone so you get the best value. Ive had my diamond looked at by a few independents and i have been rated F/G Vs2 and the flaw sits under a prong.
 
#11
i did a quick search on jamesallen.com and found 38 ECs in your price range, from .75ct to .99ct. their diamonds are also GIA certified and they're a good site. you can get a 0.86ct stone, I VVS2 ideal cut for $1880.

and i know of a vendor on ebay who manufactures settings, and they carry the HW style your GF likes. so it's possible to have a gorgeous ring around your budget :)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top