My goal is the best diamond for the budget parameters. I would like a setting with one larger diamond in the middle and 2 side stones
* Shape- Round (? i think?)
* Desired Color Range: Best for the budget
* Desired Clarity:Best for the budget
* Budget up to $3000
This will be my second marriage, but my fiance’s first. I settled for a very cheap ring with my first engagement and always regretted it. I would like to purchase exactly what I want this time. 🙂
Email is the best way to reach me, as I work quite a lot.
Also, I should mention that I am a canadian, so shipping and duty is a concern to me. I am within 1.5 hrs of the border (near watertown) so travelling to the US to pick it up is not a problem.
Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer. I have really learned a great deal from your site, and I am glad to have found it.
I’m very happy to help! Is that budget for the diamond only, or for the whole ring? Also, to which US city do you live closest?
Thanks for your quick reply. 🙂
The budget is for the stones only. The setting will be done by their family jeweler.
I live about 2 hours from Watertown, NY, which is about 20 minutes away from the US/Canadian border.
That won’t help much because you’d still have to pay about 8% in NY State sales tax. It might be a difference of 5% or so – not sure it’s worth a 4 hour drive round trip.
Either way, lets start with the setting. Would you mind please browsing the settings on Jamesallen.com and letting me know what you like? This way, I’ll know how much money you have left for the center diamond.
This is the general style. (i realize my ring will not be this elaborate of course)
I guess I am looking to purchase a centre stone and 2 side stones. The $3000 budget is for the stones only. The cost of having them set will be separate.
Thanks very much 🙂
……
Actually, this ring is probably more along the lines of what I’d like, without the 5 small stones on either side. Basically just the centre stone and the two smaller side stones.
I hope that helps.
I spoke with a contact at JA about pricing out a three-stone ring without any side stones, and he said the cross prong three stone ring (at the time, that’s the one I thought you wanted, but the price wouldn’t be too different for a different style) would be about $1000 in WG and $1500 in Plat, but would vary depending on ring size and diamond sizes.
So I think these would make a nice set:
sides:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1213029.asp
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1241703.asp
center:
https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-SI2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1350239.asp
Let me know what you think!
Thank you for the links. I am very happy with what you chose. I am ready to purchase them on your recommendation, which I thank you very much for. Please let me know how I can make sure you get credit for helping me with picking out the stones. I should be able to order them all on Monday. 🙂
Thanks again!
That’s very kind of you to be so concerned! Just make sure you buy from the same computer from which you’ve been clicking on my links, and it should all work out automatically. Thanks again!
Just wanted to thank you again for your help, and show you how lovely it all looks together.
Thanks again
Wow, the ring looks incredible! I can’t believe those are two 30s and one 70 in the middle! They look much larger in the picture!!
Do you think you could do me a small favor? If you could leave me a short review on ivouch, I would be extremely grateful! Here’s a direct link if you have the time:
xxxxx
Thanks! And congrats!
Thanks Ira…more than happy to ivouch for you. 🙂 We think it’s incredible as well. Our total cost for this purchase (including 14ct white gold setting) was about $3600. Our the replacement value of our ring was appraised by a reputable jeweller at $6700. Yes, you could call us happy customers. 🙂 I count you alone responsible for finding me the absolute best stones I could have possibly purchased in my budget. My ring has more than exceeded my expectations.
Stop! You’re making me blush! 🙂
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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