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I am seeking to buy an engagement ring. My budget is $8,000 Cdn including the setting and fees and taxes. I’m interested in a round shaped diamond with the best cut possible for my budget, with a classic solitaire setting with 4 or 6 claws. I measured my partners ring size (by covertly taking other rings she has) and it is 19 mm in diameter, which I believe translates to a 9 ring size. I’m not positive this will fit, so it makes more sense to just buy the diamon and get the setting later then I will do that. My plan is to propose in about two weeks, so I would need to order from a dealer that can ship the diamond to Canada by the end of the next week at the latest, if that is realistic.
I understand your situation, still, I would need the know how much (roughly) are you planning on spending for the setting. This way I can pick the best center stone for you.
Do you have any idea?
Also, by ‘classic solitaire’ did you mean white gold solitaire setting?
Once I know that, I’ll be able to help you better.
Thank you for responding to my inquiry so quickly, and for explaining how your business model works.
I’d like to spend most of my budget on the diamond itself. I’m not actually sure what a reasonable budget is for the setting – are there standard ratios in the industry? E.g., X% of the cost of the diamond? Notionally, I am thinking of up to $2,000 for the setting, or about 25% of what I spend on the diamond.
For the classic solitaire design, I was thinking white gold. It doesn’t really matter if it’s 14k or 18k.
One of the issues I have is that I’m not 100% certain of the ring size or the style my partner prefers. Therefore, I was thinking a basic solitaire design would be the best to go with as it would be the easiest to change or resize. If you think this is a bad idea, I am totally happy to just buy the diamond and present that to her, then we can shop for a setting together afterwards. Do you have any advice in this regard? If you think this latter approach makes sense, my budget for the diamond would be $6,000, which would leave my remaining budget of $2,000 for the setting (unless you think I should spend more on the diamond and less on the setting, or vice versa).
Thanks for the clarification. It makes a perfect sense to me.
The price of the setting depends on more aspects – the metal you are using, the style of the setting (a solitaire is the cheapest, since there are no additional diamonds on the band; a pave and a halo are pricier, since there are smaller diamonds in the band and around the center stone).
Additionally, different settings suit different diamond colors better. You can go with a K-color diamond when you’re using a yellow gold solitaire setting; for a white gold solitaire, J is what we recommend to avoid any yellowish tones in it. For a pave setting, I color is where you should go and an H when it’s a halo (the smaller diamonds could make the color difference noticeable).
For a white gold solitaire setting you’re considering, I’d recommend 14k white gold. It’s cheaper and more durable than 18k. I’m not as concerned about the process of resizing the ring (it’s quite common) as I am about the change of its style. As I mentioned above, in a different style setting the diamond might end up having warmish tones in it.
I’m well aware of your time frame, so here are some options I found so far:
Blue Nile Classic Four Claw Engagement Ring
Blue Nile LD07190138
Blue Nile LD07130282
Both of the diamonds are well cut and bright. Either of them will be very brilliant in any solitaire setting you choose. I selected the 1.36ct as well since the setting turned out much cheaper than you assumed and there was still room in your budget.
What do you think?
That is very helpful advice. I ended up buying a diamond from Blue Nile. It’s very similar to the one in the second link you sent, except I opted for a higher colour scale (H), a lower clarity grade (SI2) and a slightly smaller diamond (1.11 Carat). The stock number is LD06814395. It’s been verified as “eye clean” (supposedly) and will ship on Monday, so it should arrive at my place in time.
That’s great news! I hope you’ll love it when you receive it. If you could let me know how it looks in person, I’d appreciate it.
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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