Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget

Gemelli

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Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget

Post#1 @ 06-29-06 , 12:20 PM

I've been pouring through the back catalouge and I think I've figured out what questions NOT to ask about princess cuts (what's the ideal _____, is this stone a good deal, etc.).

I'm hoping to find something eye-clean and obviously would like it to *look* as big as possible, although I'm starting to realize that carat size isn't always the best indicator there. I haven't got my lady-in-waiting out recently to try on different sized stones, but we've done some browsing and she has a definite preference for princess cuts in a ring with some small side stones (not big on 3-stones). She's also got fairly small hands, so I think my target range is between 0.5 and 0.75 carats, with the only upper limit being the price. I'm willing to sacrifice the colour and clarity a bit provided the cut's good and the size is reasonable.

In terms of the ring (going off topic a bit), she's taken a shine to bands with some texture or engraving to them, a beautiful example being Knox's filligree on this thread:
http://www.diamondring.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=70288

I'm definitely open to suggestions here, and would like to try to find something she hasn't seen yet!

I've got a rough budget of about $2000 CDN to spend on this ring (with a little flexibility), and from first appearances it looks like that will be split rather evenly between the ring and then center stone. Any ideas on how much duty I'll pay if I have something shipped in from the States?

So, as a new consumer looking for an engagement ring on a budget, what's my best strategy for finding the perfect stone? Like most new diamond buyers, I'm extremely nervous about buying something sight-unseen over the internet for that amount of money, and will be putting in some time searching local B&M stores before buying, if only to get a feel for what I'm looking for.

Help!

Brad

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Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget

Post#2 @ 06-29-06 , 01:39 PM

You have a very doable budget.
This stone for instance.

http://www.diamondring.com/forums/t...tdiamond. html

and even something simple like this for an engraved band.

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aggieal My Profile Registered User : offline Joined: 08-03-05 Posts: 39 Years: My Classifieds Jewelry: 1 My Karma Power: 32 Points: 10	Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget Post#3 @ 06-29-06 , 02:55 PM I love that! Very classy. The stone is also beautiful.

annie1 My Profile Joined: 04-01-06 Posts: 477 Years: My Karma Power: 0 Points: 0 Referrals: 1	Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget Post#4 @ 06-29-06 , 06:09 PM I like that setting Brad Good luck on your search aggieal!

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Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget

Post#5 @ 06-29-06 , 09:57 PM

Very pretty setting Brad!! You guys always have the beautiful ones!!

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Gemelli My Profile Registered User : offline Joined: 06-27-06 Posts: 367 Years: Last seen wearing: Grandpa's Ring My Collection Items Listed: 2 My Karma Power: 91 Points: 5993 Referrals: 1	Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget Post#6 @ 06-30-06 , 01:44 AM Thanks for the reply! Glad to hear I can get a beautiful stone like that within my budget. What size is the stone on that ring? The ring's not exactly what I had in mind, but the engraving is definitely in the right direction, and the little heart is pretty cute!

Snooper My Profile Joined: 09-17-05 Posts: 2,113 Years: My Karma Power: 0 Points: 0	Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget Post#7 @ 06-30-06 , 01:52 AM That stone is a .51 if the link Brad attatched is correct. That's a GREAT looking stone and ring!!!!

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Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget

Post#8 @ 06-30-06 , 02:22 AM

I love how the band tapers in towards the stone. What a great ring!

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Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget

Post#9 @ 06-30-06 , 11:21 AM

We have plenty more settings.

I think that was a 3/4 ct. set in that particular ring.

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Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget

Post#10 @ 06-30-06 , 12:12 PM

Hi Gem,

Heres another hand engraved design of ours for a princess cut that would easily be within your budget.

Brian

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Wore out my shoes....

Post#11 @ 07-04-06 , 12:26 AM

Managed to get into some B&M stores this weekend and see for myself what's there. The one jeweler that had anything I liked and seemed knowledgable won't work with stones in the specs I need to fit budget.

I did learn that m'lady likes the look of a halo (especially with the size of stone I'm looking at), and saw a very, very nice ring at the aforementioned jeweler.

The ring was a semimount with an engraved band in platinum, and the pricetag for a white gold version was firmly out-of-budget, BEFORE the price of the stone.

BTW, what's the definition of a semimount, and how does it influence the look of the set stone?

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Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget

Post#12 @ 07-04-06 , 12:52 AM

If you are on a tight budget, have you though about spending most of your budget on the stone at this point - you could upgrade the setting later on?

I am no expert, but my understanding is that a semi mount is a ring that is basically complete and just waiting for the centre stone. As opposed to a custom piece where the entire ring is built for a particular stone.

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Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget

Post#13 @ 07-04-06 , 01:19 AM

Considered, but with the exponential increase in price for larger stones, dollar for dollar we'd rather put some money into the setting and have a ring that my fiancee will be able to wear as a RHR or instead of her wedding ring when she's dressing up (she won't really be able to wear her diamond for field work, and has already lost a ring that way). Presumably there'd be the option of upgrading the stone later (within the constraints of the setting) if and when the occasion demanded it.

I also realize that the budget doesn't allow for the *largest* of stones, so I'm thinking that putting a little more into the setting might help a stone like the one Brad posted stand out and dazzle.

klsspencer My Profile Registered User : offline Joined: 05-21-06 Posts: 173 Years: Last seen wearing: My kids My Karma Power: 30 Points: 10	Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget Post#14 @ 07-31-06 , 07:21 PM So now I have to ask after your comment on another thread - what do you want for your wedding band?

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Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget

Post#15 @ 07-31-06 , 08:01 PM

Tungsten carbide. I was initially thinking titanium for the 'different' factor, but TC is soooo shiny, and I love the colour. Probably no stones involved, as I'm in and out of nitrile gloves all the time for work (soil and water sampling).

I might have to go for titanium to start with anyways, depending on how the wedding budget shakes out, but I definitely want TC eventually.

I'm not sure what the bride-to-be wants for hers, but she's in the same line of work so she's likely to go with something plain and not stack it with her e-ring on a day-to-day basis.

Gemelli My Profile Registered User : offline Joined: 06-27-06 Posts: 367 Years: Last seen wearing: Grandpa's Ring My Collection Items Listed: 2 My Karma Power: 91 Points: 5993 Referrals: 1	Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget Post#16 @ 08-11-06 , 05:20 PM I have sparklies on the way!!! BUT... it's not a princess. I found the EXACT style I was looking for in a round setting, and after much humming and hawing went for it. There will be pics in a week or three when it's ready to go... until then you'll have to search the forums and guess which setting it is.

Snooper My Profile Joined: 09-17-05 Posts: 2,113 Years: My Karma Power: 0 Points: 0	Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget Post#17 @ 08-11-06 , 06:43 PM OHHHHHHHHHHH the torture!!! I shall be on the look out Can't wait to see the ring!

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Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget

Post#18 @ 08-12-06 , 12:11 AM

How exciting Gemelli!! We'll be all eyes while looking for the new ring!!

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Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget

Post#19 @ 08-13-06 , 08:34 PM

Ohh, how exciting - can't wait!!

klsspencer My Profile Registered User : offline Joined: 05-21-06 Posts: 173 Years: Last seen wearing: My kids My Karma Power: 30 Points: 10	Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget Post#20 @ 08-15-06 , 09:58 AM Congratulations! Cant wait to see the ring and hear you proposal story. I am sure you will come up with an amazing way to pop the question after the work and preparation that went into the ring! And I have to say it is awesome to see a guy say "sparklies" !!!! Anxiously awaiting more info!!!

mimi123 My Profile Registered User : offline Joined: 06-12-06 Posts: 231 Years: Last seen wearing: diamond studs/bracelet/rings/pen My Karma Power: 61 Points: 3023	Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget Post#21 @ 08-15-06 , 11:03 AM Congratulations Gemelli on finding your ring!!! I'm so excited for you!!!Can't stand waiting - and it's only been, what 3 days?? Hurry UP!!

Gemelli My Profile Registered User : offline Joined: 06-27-06 Posts: 367 Years: Last seen wearing: Grandpa's Ring My Collection Items Listed: 2 My Karma Power: 91 Points: 5993 Referrals: 1	Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget Post#22 @ 08-15-06 , 11:17 AM I can't stand waiting either! But I thought it was going to take closer to 6 weeks, not 2-3! You'll have to tell one of our network jewellers to hurry (won't say who yet, as that might give it away). The proposal will follow quite shortly after (I hope!) but I've still got to get plans for that fully sorted out.

mimi123 My Profile Registered User : offline Joined: 06-12-06 Posts: 231 Years: Last seen wearing: diamond studs/bracelet/rings/pen My Karma Power: 61 Points: 3023	Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget Post#23 @ 08-15-06 , 11:26 AM How romantic.......what a great time in yr life!! Of course, we'll want to know EVERYTHING!!

klsspencer My Profile Registered User : offline Joined: 05-21-06 Posts: 173 Years: Last seen wearing: My kids My Karma Power: 30 Points: 10	Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget Post#24 @ 08-15-06 , 11:51 AM Okay, so is the ring pictured on another thread? I am trying to search for it - any hints?

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Re: Eye-Clean Princess on a Budget

Post#25 @ 08-15-06 , 12:13 PM

I won't say! But if you do find it, the metal and the stones in the pave are different that what I'm having made (both are more colourful). The centre stone is a little larger that what's in the setting in the picture... the 'sister stone' to the one I'm getting is also somewhere around here, but sold too fast for me to grab! Same vendor, obviously.

If you find it, SHHH...

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