Post # 1
Member
11 posts
Newbee
I have been looking to buy an engagement ring for some time now, but have been struggling as to what to buy. We are simple people in our late 20’s. My girlfriend is an Art Teacher, however her taste is more refined and simple. As we just bought house, and we agreed I wouldn’t spend a ton of money on a ring (this was some time ago), I am looking to spend less than $2000. I am struggling to pick something and could use guidance. I have looked at both gemstones and diamonds, and have looked at so many that I am even more indecisive of what to get; have even looked at more expensive options ($5k or more) and no luck. I know I want emerald cut something. Ideas, advice, and any help at all would be great.
Post # 2
Member
1014 posts
Bumble bee
Have you looked online at places like blue nile?
Post # 3
Member
469 posts
Helper bee
Refined and simple sounds like a solitaire girl to me! What are her favorite artists? What jewelry does she typically wear?
If you want to be under 2k I’d go for moissanite.
https://www.moissaniteco.com/emerald-round-moissanite-engagement-ring-p-19343.html
Post # 4
Member
322 posts
Helper bee
What about something like this?
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/emerald-cut/0.70-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-2380233
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/platinum-15mm-comfort-fit-engagement-ring-item-8173
Platinum is a little more durable than gold since she works a lot with her hands. The comfort fit band is about as simple and functional as it gets. This combo would be just over $2k- they don’t charge taxes or fees if you’re in the US. I have really simple taste as well while my Fiance is more flashy. If I could have chosen I would’ve wanted a smaller diamond TBH. Would she be ok with a gemstone or moissanite? That’s really specific and if you’re not sure, I wouldn’t do it. Some girls don’t care while others want the “real deal” or the “traditional.” I’m simple, as in I wear jeans and t-shirts every day and never wear makeup, but I absolutely wanted a diamond for the tradition, durability, and natural-ness of it.
We went through James Allen and they were absolutely wonderful.
Good luck!
Post # 5
Member
2563 posts
Sugar bee
I wouldn’t go with a simulant unless you’ve already discussed that with your girlfriend. Simple emerald cut solitaire diamond? Perfect!
Post # 6
Member
136 posts
Blushing bee
I agree with a PP about James Allen, you can custom design her ring and keep it in your price range and it will be beautiful. I’m Definitely thinking solitaire for her to.
Post # 7
Member
1701 posts
Bumble bee
Karl Fleming : Has your girl expressed anything about size of stone? What about moissanite? Has she said she wants an emerald cut? In most stones, ECs require higher color and clarity to look good, while a round will show better with a lower color and clarity (and thus less cost). The wide facets of the EC show flaws more than other cuts.
With a hands-on and getting dirty type job involving kids, I’d look for a bezel set stone with an open bottom (i.e., you can see the side and bottom of the stone for cleaning). Make sure the ‘corners’ of the settings are eased to avoid sharp points (take a look at the Erika Winters ring for a picture of this…you want soft, eased edges). I would also tend to avoid white gold, unless it is unplated palladium white gold. Keeping a rhodium plating intact (which is the ‘white and shiny’ part of white gold) will be a pain with such a hand’s on job. Among the gold, stick with yellow. But, platinum or palladium are safer bets as they are chemically inert (gold can be damanged by chemicals). I’ve damaged rose gold rings with chemicals and gotten bleach on my rings too often to take any chances
In terms of size, a 5×7 mm and 6x8mm will face up similar to a 1 carat round (which is a fairly common size in the US).
Simple EC Bezel. https://www.moissaniteco.com/emerald-cut-moissanite-bezel-engagement-ring-p-19239.html, $700 (ask them for a palladium or platinum quote, it will add a bit, but this ring’s cost gives you room for it)
JHollywood on Etsy sells NEO Moissanite in EC that are amazing. Here a vid with an EC. https://www.instagram.com/p/BO8Cb9nhKUi/?taken-by=jhollywooddesigns and a radiant cut https://www.instagram.com/p/BOsPzwYBQiY/?taken-by=jhollywooddesigns
This is a designer ring, but you could asl Jhollywood for a quote of this ring with a NEO EC in palladium or platinum (yellow gold as alternative).: http://www.erikawinters.com/jewelry-blog/bezel-beauty-jin-engagement-ring-in-rose-gold/erika-winters-fine-jewelry-14/
For a diamond, this setting by James Allen is lovely (https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/tension/platinum-bezel-solitaire-engagement-ring-emerald-center-item-3259). You could look at a ~3/4 carat EC diamond. I’d ask for help over on Pricescope Rockytalk if you want a EC diamond as they are great at selecting amazing stones.
Another options would be to find a pre-loved ring .
https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-natural-diamond-center/reduced-0-dot-85-uncert-s-t-oec-in-beautiful-erika-winters-yg-laurel-modified-setting;12471 {Stunning solitaire is lovely setting.}
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/rings/15ct-baguette-diamond-illusion-ring#.WHpi2BsrL-g {this setting will capture a lot of crud, but is lovely}
https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-lab-created-center/emerald-cut-3-stone-moissanite-ring-3-dot-5ctw {moissanite}
https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-lab-created-center/reduced-7-dot-5-mm-amora-oec-moissanite-and-diamond-ring-palladium {this is an old style cut and I thing the OEC Amora’s are fantastic, the setting will require a bit of cleaning and fussing, but it is fanstic and on budget; this ring will read more like a 2 carat stone with the larger size and halo that may be a lot of ring or perfect}
Post # 8
Member
30 posts
Newbee
My boyfriend and I are 20 and wanting to get engaged. We have a similar money situation (not from buying a house) but we are in college. I’m very simple as well. I picked out a diamond and a setting but it ended up being over 3,000 and I don’t expect him to spend that kind of money right now! Especially in college! It’s about the fact that we love each other and we are above all just ready for the next step in our lives!
Now about the ring, I changed the stone to a moissanite. I did plenty of research and really its not much different if you choose a more colorless option. My forever one moissanite (1 ct) ended up being around 400 (less expensive than the band I picked out!! My diamond from the other ring was over 2000 and was only .64 cts. A lot of people just don’t like the idea of the ring not being a diamond (which is totally fine!) however, if in the future you two would really want to switch it out then that could be an option! A thin solitaire or classic band is timeless and simple
Post # 9
Member
11 posts
Newbee
Thanks for the feedback so far! Was trying to change my account because I didnt realize Facebook would not allow me to change ANYTHING on this site – wanted to create an alias. OH WELL! if she sees it, she sees it.
Stone Cut. I know she wants emerald cut. Not only has she told me, but she has stuff posted on her Pinterest account that I am sure is there for me to see. I struggle because as glitterysala mentioned the flaws show more unless you get something higher end.
Stone Type. I think her and I are both flexible here. A diamond is nice, but moissanite is almost as hard (so it is unlikely to chip), and I think it is much prettier. Her grandmother has a clear sapphire engagement ring, so I have looked a lot at sapphires (also hard – and pretty), opals, emeralds, and alexandrite.
Stone Color. Her favorite color is teal. She loves blue-greens, especially darker blue-green, which is why I looked at sapphires. Her favorite stone is turquoise, but I dont want that as her engagement ring (and I dont think she would either). So I am looknig for clear/white, blue, gree, or blue-green. I have also looked at salt and pepper diamonds because i think they have a uniqueness to them
Style/Setting. She doesnt like tall rings, somthing more streamlined, because they get caught on stuff. Minerology is right uper alley as far as style http://www.mineralogydesign.com/ , and she also likes Anthropologies style (just not their prices). She definitely wants something silver in color, no yellow or rose gold.
I just havent quite found a combo off all of this, which is where I am struggling.
Post # 10
Member
11 posts
Newbee
I should also add that I dont want a large stone, again because if it is too big it will get caught on things and she wont want to wear it. She is very practical in that sense.
Post # 11
Member
2027 posts
Buzzing bee
Post # 12
Member
1087 posts
Bumble bee
For what it’s worth.. I picked a setting out that is meant for 1ct and up. I felt bad not realizing that at first, but Fiancé was determined to get it for me. He ended up buying my center stone from an estate sale on EBay. He had it reset and the whole ring is valued at twice the purchase price! It’s beautiful, and a deal! Idk why it looks a bit cloudy in the photo.. maybe I need to get it cleaned! 
Post # 13
Member
35 posts
Newbee
Karl Fleming : pearleaf : I second pearleaf’s find from Jamesallen. It’s a very clean clarity and a good color for an emerald cut.
Post # 14
Member
11 posts
Newbee
i designed this ring several months ago, but thoght the setting was too high. The stone is still available too. Thoughts?
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/p-56239-emerald-cut-blue-sapphire-b6264/
It is a sapphire. Have looked at this stone too…
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/p-50469-emerald-cut-unique-sapphire-u4517/
Post # 15
Member
322 posts
Helper bee
Karl Fleming : Do keep in mind that the Maid/Matron of Honor scale is not linear as a lot of people assume. The difference between a 9 and a 10 is almost 300%. And if you look around on this forum some girls with moissanites talk about stains on their stones. If your gf is an art teacher constantly getting paints, ceramic, glaze, and whatever else on her hands, I would honestly be really worried about having a moissy or a gemstone for everyday wear.