Hi,
I would like some help in picking out an engagement ring for my girlfriend.
Overall Budget – $6,000 which includes the engagement ring as well as two wedding bands.
My preference would be to spend about up to that amount, but not over.
My preference would be to spend about up to that amount, but not over.
Wedding Bands – She said she wants two wedding bands with diamonds halfway around them. What’s your take on this?
My initial thought was to spend about $5,000 on the engagement ring and $1,000 on the wedding bands, but I’m not so sure.
My initial thought was to spend about $5,000 on the engagement ring and $1,000 on the wedding bands, but I’m not so sure.
Size: – 1 – 1.5 carats. I would prefer to get the largest stone I can.
Color: – She always wanted a “champagne diamond”. We realized that they are commonly referred to as “yellow” diamonds.
We looked on Blue Nile together and she liked any of the following three types of yellow diamond colors: 1) light yellow brown or 2) light brown yellow or 3) light yellow.
We looked on Blue Nile together and she liked any of the following three types of yellow diamond colors: 1) light yellow brown or 2) light brown yellow or 3) light yellow.
This was a diamond on Blue Nile that I liked:
Blue Nile LD05588425
Blue Nile LD05588425
Cut – She likes cushion cut.
I’m trying to decide between white gold and platinum for the wedding bands and the engagement ring.
Is platinum worth the extra cost? You don’t have to get it re-surfaced all the time like white gold, right?
Is platinum worth the extra cost? You don’t have to get it re-surfaced all the time like white gold, right?
Thanks for your help!
The wedding band could cost around $500, look at these two:
As for the metal question, I prefer WG over PT.
The reason is the huge disparity in upfront costs. As our article says, the WG has to be dipped every few years and the platinum needs to be polished as well because it scratches.
So ultimately, platinum costs you more in the beginning and doesn’t end up saving you any money in the long run.
The reason is the huge disparity in upfront costs. As our article says, the WG has to be dipped every few years and the platinum needs to be polished as well because it scratches.
So ultimately, platinum costs you more in the beginning and doesn’t end up saving you any money in the long run.
As for the diamonds themselves, if you want to stay within 5k for everything, these two diamonds would be the best choice:
Are all the prices online before taxes? I should probably factor that in then.
I’ve done a little more research in the last week and now have the following questions.
Do you help shop for settings?
Do I need to buy the stone and setting from the same place? I’m trying to figure out if order I should be using is first – find the best diamond, and then just choose a setting from that site, or if I should just find the best diamond and then the best setting from separate sites?
I’m trying to decide between a pave, side-stone, or halo setting – possibly with a split shank option with either three. Do you have any suggestions about which would give me the most bang for my buck and look the most impressive?
Should I go with 18K or 14K for the setting?
Are there any other downsides about going with an online jeweler? For example, you can’t get the ring polished or serviced for free? Such as touching up the white gold? What does it cost to service a white gold ring.
If you’re in the US, then taxes are included.
Yes, we can help with the setting as well, but you know the best what you like/want.
It’s always better to buy the entire ring in one place. It’s possible to buy to separately, but you would have to check the warranty as it can change.
That is a very difficult question. What style looks impressive to me doesn’t have to look impressive to you. It’s mostly about the personal taste.
I would choose 14K gold. It’s a bit cheaper and more durable.
Online companies offer to maintain the rings as well. Check their website for more info.
What about this diamond instead:
Would a 1.32 diamond look that much bigger than a 1.07 diamond?
Do you think yellow diamonds should be set with a yellow gold setting, or a white gold setting?
The metal depends on you. Yellow gold will bring up the yellow in the diamond, but white gold will make a beautiful contrast. Try googling some options to see both.
Let me know what you think about the below diamonds and which one might actually look the best in person. I know cut is important, but I don’t really know what to look for to determine which diamonds are cut better than others.
I’ve also decided that I want to get a graduated setting such as the two below:
The cut isn’t that important with colored diamonds, but you shouldn’t ignore it completely. I looked at the diamonds you sent me and I love the two from BN the most. They are amazingly cut as well as they have the color you wanted. They will also be a perfect choice for the setting.
The slightly more expensive one is also a bit bigger, but other than that, they all are very similar. Go with the one you like better.
I bought the 1.57 carat one (pic attached)! Thanks for your help!
Thanks for letting me know! The ring looks absolutely stunning. I like it a lot. Thank you for the photo.
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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